http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); ]]> Copyright 2008, Richard Durso Richard Durso en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081104-212151
My unit is out of warranty which left two options, upgrade both pumps to newer Ehiem models for about $270 each or just purchase replacement impellers for $55 each... which I did.

I also got a replacement 3/4 inch uniseal to fix the leaking drain valve.]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081104-212151 Richard Durso Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:21:51 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081104-212151 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081103-211635
The very bottom of the skimmer is a drain valve which uses an older style uniseal (rubber like gasket). This seal had failed. The skimmer holds about 8 gallons of water, all had to be drain out and all plumbing had to be disconnected.

Upon removing the impellers during cleaning I noticed they had split! thats right the actual plastic casing used on the impellers had split and the raw magnet material was exposed. This happened to both impellers.

I have to call EuroReef to see if this failure is a know issue.]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081103-211635 Richard Durso Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:16:35 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081103-211635 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081102-152555
Added about 8 heaping spoons of calcium hydroxide (kalkwasser) to the kalk reactor.

Topped off the calcium reactor with ARM media.

Changed the batter used in the pH probe (the battery lasted just under 4 months).

Calibrated the pH probe with pH 4 and pH 7 solutions. The pH 7 solution was off by 0.2 but the pH 4 test was perfect.

The pH of the reactor effluent was still a little low, I'll fiddle with the reactor a bit to get the pH up higher.]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081102-152555 Richard Durso Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:25:55 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081102-152555 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081029-152326

Click to View Page]]> WebSite Updates http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081029-152326 Richard Durso Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:23:26 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081029-152326 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081026-141535
My Six Stage RO/DI filter is documented HERE.]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081026-141535 Richard Durso Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:15:35 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081026-141535 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081023-140914

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]]> WebSite Updates http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081023-140914 Richard Durso Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:09:14 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081023-140914 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081020-140336
I let the water settle to look for any life that had been removed and didn't see anything -- which is expected. I'm only using sand for the natural look, I'm not using it for denitrification.

Tested the water and it looking right on target, Calcium 420ppm and Alkalinity at 8 dKH.]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081020-140336 Richard Durso Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:03:36 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081020-140336 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081017-201443

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]]> WebSite Updates http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081017-201443 Richard Durso Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:14:43 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081017-201443 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081015-111640

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]]> WebSite Updates http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081015-111640 Richard Durso Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:16:40 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081015-111640 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081013-193955
The female clownfish (larger) has a belly full of eggs.


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Male and Female Clownfish working to get the spawning site clean.


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Freshly laid eggs -- less than 24 hours old.


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]]> New Livestock http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081013-193955 Richard Durso Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:39:55 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081013-193955 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081012-185617


]]> Dead Critters http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081012-185617 Richard Durso Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:56:17 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081012-185617 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081011-183050
I picked up three corals in the auction, three of which I didn't plan on and not one of them was an Acropora! I surprised even myself. I picked up:

1) East African Purple Cespitularia sp. which was donated by Atlantis Aquarium in Long Island, NY. From my research this is one of the most highly sought after corals. Think metallic purple or blue colored Xenia. Mine it currently light tan from shipping stress.

2) Tubs Alien Eye (Echinophyllia echinoporides).

3) Orange Ricordia with green center.

I'll get some pictures in a week or so I hope.]]> New Livestock http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081011-183050 Richard Durso Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:30:50 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081011-183050 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081010-182831 Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081010-182831 Richard Durso Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:28:31 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081010-182831 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081008-201109
Calcium holding steady at 410ppm and Alkalinity at 10 dHK. ]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081008-201109 Richard Durso Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:11:09 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081008-201109 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081005-200638
Started up water mix for a water change over the next weekend which I'll do after 3 days with the tank in the dark to kill off the Dinoflagellates.

]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081005-200638 Richard Durso Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:06:38 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081005-200638 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081003-200047
It started on tips of corals which had to be snipped. The Dinoflagellate grow to long strands which I forced off with a turkey baster. The next day it was spreading and rocks were showing signs of it. The skimmer is also overflowing a bit which is surprising as I had been running it on the dry side.

If the Dinoflagellate keep increasing I'd do the old recommended method of keeping lights off for 3 days to kill them off.


]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry081003-200047 Richard Durso Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:00:47 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081003-200047 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry080930-195352
To increase water flow a bit I added a Tunze Turbelle 6025 Nano Stream pump. I had two on the shelf for a while now. This adds about 660 GPH (2,500 l/h) and only takes about 6w of power. Added it to the Large UPS as well for flow during a power outage.

I still have one more I can add if needed.

]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry080930-195352 Richard Durso Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:53:52 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080930-195352 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry080927-195107
Calcium 380ppm
Alkalinity: 9.6 dKH
Magnesium: 1150 ppm

On the down side, lost a second clam. This one was also on the sand bed and had been looking great. 2 days ago I noticed it didn't open all the way. My remaining two clams up higher in the rock work are looking great, with excellent mantle extension.]]> Maintenance http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry080927-195107 Richard Durso Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:51:07 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080927-195107 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry080924-212609
If a coral removed had a healthy branch or two remaining, it was mounted back in the tank to try to save it.

I still have 3 large Acropora sp. that are still questionable and both the green and pink birds nest are still questionable. Everything else is looking pretty good again.]]> General Reef Tank http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry080924-212609 Richard Durso Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:26:09 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080924-212609 http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry080922-224947
Alkalinity (KH):

View KH Test Kit Instructions

Magnesium (Mg):

View Mg Test Kit Instructions

Phosphate (PO4):

View PO4 Test Kit Instructions

Phosphate Color Chart:

]]> WebSite Updates http://blog.rl180reef.com/index.php?entry=entry080922-224947 Richard Durso Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:49:47 GMT http://blog.rl180reef.com/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080922-224947