MReef20

Well, I think I've decided to hold on to the setup for the time being - mods please close this thread. Thanks!

Quick update - still been having algae issues - mostly hair algae and maybe some turf? Did a ~7hr deep clean on Saturday; took all rocks out and scrubbed them to remove the algae outside of the tank. Looks much better (pic for proof), but want to keep this momentum going! Any tips on how to stay on top of this moving forward? Planning on upping water changes for a while, got the chaetogro/kessil h160 cranking, started back with dosing MB7, and got some cleaners (including emeralds) coming this week from reefcleaners. Also, been reducing my white lights and will continue to moving forward. Nitrate and phosphate are near zero as of yesterday (.25 for nitrate, .03 for phos), and I'm thinking they might be that low partly due to the algae using them. I want to be careful to not swing back too far the other way and end up in dino land. I also ordered an ICP test kit - I want to see if there is something I might not be thinking of that could be contributing to things not being able to balance out. I thought about giving Vibrant a shot, but I've seen some mixed reviews, and I don't want to kill of my chaeto. Any other thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

bump...still available. Trying to hold the Nero's - all else for $1,300 together.

Bump - would still like to sell as package if possible - price drop to $1,500

Livestock pending - will post individual prices once tank is empty.

Sigh....Well, I've decided that I've gotten myself into a little bit more than I needed to when I upgraded to my 90 gallon tank. Other projects are taking up my free time and I feel as though the tank isn't getting the attention it deserves as a result. Check out some of my other posts on here to see some of my journey. Everything was bought starting last year but wasn't first set up until around July. Mixture of new and used (but in very good condition) items. As the case a lot of times, really hoping to sell complete set up - would only be willing to part out after tank/stand/livestock are gone. Asking $2,000 OBO. Located in the Tri-Cities, WA. Tank - 90 gallon SCA. Beautiful tank, no scratches, bought new and set up in February - Running herbie overflow method Stand - custom made (by me) using the general Rocket Engineer design Plumbing - standard plumbing with lots of unions and BRS ball & gate valves Sump - standard 20L with acrylic baffles (works ok) Pumps Return Pump - Jebao DCP-6500 Ecotech MP40 Nero 5 (x2) with fish guards Ecotech battery backup (never plugged in) 300 watt BRS titanium heater element with Ranco controller 200 watt backup BRS titanium heater element with BRS controller Lights Kessil 360 WE (X2) Aquatic Life 36" T5 hybrid (with extra bulbs) Kessil h160 fuge light Reef Octopus SSS 150 (6") Tunze 3155 ATO BRS 75gpd RO/DI unit Older model Apex (temp and pH) with EB8 Various additives, supplements, test kits (Red Sea, Hanna), foods, two refractometers Brine shrimp hatchery/supplies Livestock Probably 100# LR (including 50# from Gulf Live Rock) - Disclaimer, I am still battling an algae issue Orange/white & white and black clown pair Purple Tang Yellow Watchman goby Orchid dottyback Two peppermint shrimp Assorted CUC - Includes orders from IPSF and reefcleaners Various corals, although most not in "show" shape RBTA Crocea clam That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure there's more. Feel free to message me or ask questions (or if you want more pictures). The FTS was after my last cleaning (before the algae returned, lol) Note - do not still have the Kessil Controller. Thanks!

Thanks for the input...the readings got a little closer when I replicated conditions as best I could for both - still not exactly the same though. I've heard of the bottled solutions not always being 100% accurate, so I agree that the homemade solution is probably the most reliable. Thanks @EMeyer for the good explanation re: why not to rely on RO water to calibrate.

Bump

Bump

So, I've got a BRS refractometer, along with the BRS calibration solution, but I had a minor drop a while back, so I wanted to get another one (this time the Marine Depot version) to make sure all was good. I went ahead and got the Brightwell calibration solution along with it (I believe the BRS solution is made by Brightwell). When I calibrated the new refractometer with the new calibration fluid, it showed low as compared to the other solution. I checked with my calibrated BRS device and got the same result. In other words, it would seem that the two solutions were showing different readings. So, I put RO water on both and set to 0 (the BRS one was already showing 0). I then checked against the two solutions again, and the BRS solution showed 35ppt on both, and the Brightwell one lower (like maybe 33-34ppt). Is that an acceptable/alternate way to calibrate to validate which calibration fluid is correct?

I've got two that you can have - problem is that I live in Tri-Cities. Will gladly send to you, just not sure how quickly you need them.

For sale is the JBJ nano-glow refugium light in excellent condition (accidentally showed wrong power adapter in pic). This is the version with the magnet holder (vs. suction cup). $30, OBO. Located in Tri-Cities. Thanks.

For sale is a Tunze 9004 protein skimmer in very good condition. Only selling because I upgraded tanks. One of the magnets starting acting weird (still holds, just seems like one end is "off"), and there is just some very faint scuffs on the front cover from where I was cleaning it. Excellent working order - used for about 7 months. Thinking $100 OBO - located in Tri-Cities.

Well, that was more work than expected (been a while since I've broken down a tank), but so far all looks good! The peroxide really seems to have done the trick. There was some algae that didn't all get scrubbed off, but over the last day or so it has disintegrated...fingers crossed that I'll be able to keep it under control! After cleaning out the 40B, I think my main problem was that I wasn't getting as much nutrient export as I figured - I'm sure that was the root of my problems. Time will tell, thank you all for your advice and input!

So I'm thinking a good plan of attack might be to give the rocks a good scrub first and then spritz on some peroxide with a spray bottle - you think 3-5 minutes would be long enough? I don't think I'd even need to rinse them before putting them in the new tank, but might not be a bad idea.