Growout on SC My Miami, Crazy Fox, Convict, and Flash

[1mbrews8]

i have actually started 1 x a week again with fauna pellets and powder, but have noticed more algae just in the last 2-3 weeks (when i started) (

I stopped the last time due to algae and was getting it under control and then when some of my corals started to lighten, someone said Imight be starving them. I am dosing vodka and vinegar and baking soda currently.

2 x a day, 2.5 teaspoons BS, 7ml vodka, adn 25ml vinegar at ~ 12AM and 12PM

 

[ripped tide]

There are so many different dogmas about chemistry upkeep, I'm scared to publicly dabble.

I will make a few statements.

Baking soda(sodium bicarbonate) will usually promote a ph of 7.8-8.00. Sodium carbonate(soda ash/ baking soda after cooked in the oven at 350° for 30 mins) promotes a ph of 8.00-8.20.

Using Seachem's matrix has maintained the nitrates at undetectable levels in many systems.

Gfo is a pain, but has been the best method I've found to control and remove phosphates.

My system has been more stable since I have stopped using a carbon source. But there is a bit of bubble algae.

Things love being fed and love clean water. Counter productive really.

 

[1mbrews8]

yup^ its like i am darned if i do, darned if i dont )

so the matrix has nothing to do with phos?

I started at .3+ on a hanna meter and since using gfo, have been as low as .01 and usually hover there to .03

i did the un baked BS due to raising my alk better i think? im tired so might not be thinking straight? P

 

[racinrevo0818]

Un baked baking soda will slightly lower your ph. Sodium ash which is coked baking soda will raise ph. Both will raise alk so keep an eye on it.

 

[ripped tide]

1mbrews8;818374 wrote: yup^ its like i am darned if i do, darned if i dont )

so the matrix has nothing to do with phos?

I started at .3+ on a hanna meter and since using gfo, have been as low as .01 and usually hover there to .03

i did the un baked BS due to raising my alk better i think? im tired so might not be thinking straight? P

I don't believe that matrix does anything substantial for phos. It may, I just haven't been pitched that info, but I wouldn't count on it.

The baking soda contains bicarbonate. In an aquarium, bicarbonate has to be converted to carbonate before the corals can get the most benefit from baking soda. By manually baking it, you are cooking off the co2 and left with soda ash, or sodium carbonate.

If your pH is really high, and the alk is low, then you would want to use sodium bicarbonate.

Edit: If your ph is staying stable, 8.00-8.20, use the carbonate. Make sure you get the calcium up first, or you'll be battling imbalances.

 

[1mbrews8]

my ph is stable, but usually below 8...?

 

[ripped tide]

How long have you been dosing the baking soda? A ph below 8 can inhibit calcification.

Edit: Bake the baking soda. Don't question, just do it! Lol

 

[1mbrews8]

will do. ill look up directions and start. should i start with the same dose i have been doing?

I started baking soda maybe 4 months ago??

 

[ripped tide]

The dosing should be based on consumption and the recipe that you choose to use(ratio of soda ash : RODI water)

 

[1mbrews8]

so how many days/times should i test and should i quit with the regular BS dosing to let things "settle"?
Should I wait til the Cal rx is on line?

 

[ripped tide]

You may want to do a half and half dose. I've never used baking soda, so I don't have much experience to offer when switching between the two. I'd assume that there would be no ill effects, but I don't want to mislead you. As far as testing, I'd test at least once a day. Be sure to address the low calcium. You have to have balanced cal and alk levels and bring them up together.

 

[1mbrews8]

k. i should get the new probe for cal rx tom, sat, or mon...

 

[1mbrews8]

ps how much would it cost me for you to come out and walk me through exactly what needs to be done for everything that im doing wrong lol! ?? P

 

[ripped tide]

1mbrews8;818825 wrote: ps how much would it cost me for you to come out and walk me through exactly what needs to be done for everything that im doing wrong lol! ?? P

If you are really serious about that, send me a pm. You have enough trade worthy stuff that we can probably figure something out.

 

[rdnelson]

I see an empty tank in your future 1mbrews8. LOL

 

[clay4au]

rdnelson99;818856 wrote: I see an empty tank in your future 1mbrews8. LOL

Stock the bar beforehand, it may save you a few frags lol

 

[ripped tide]

Clay4AU;818860 wrote: Stock the bar beforehand, it may save you a few frags lol

Hahaha good suggestion!

Edit:

rdnelson99;818856 wrote: I see an empty tank in your future 1mbrews8. LOL

At least he wouldn't have to worry about the chemistry anymore!!!!

 

[1mbrews8]

)
I'm just sad about my Red dragon, don't want anything to happen to the Growout stuff, and this time of year don't have a lot of time for trial and error lol!

 

[1mbrews8]

I have been having trouble with my alk cal and mag being a bit low and the sal being high.. the sal was due to a stuck rodi sensor. Dylan has been helping me a lot getting things back in order. I am waiting on a brs order of 2 part, mag supplement, etc to get here to get it even better.. bare with me...

Everything looks ok from the growout thus far except the silly usual convict and now the My Miami is pretty white. I do have another from my personal collection which i will add to the growout if anything happens to the growout MM.

My red dragon and a few other nice ones have not made it though.. ( Pics tomorrow hopefully!! )

thx!

Mike

 

[superclown]

Ripped Tide;818844 wrote: If you are really serious about that, send me a pm. You have enough trade worthy stuff that we can probably figure something out.

You will be near my area too feel free to stop by my place as well if u want.

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