Luvmyreef's 180g Diary

[btldreef]

All salts contain some trace amount of "bad" stuff, but it's not enough to harm. AquaVitro just actually lists everything that's in it. I've been using it for well over a year and absolutely swear by it. My SPS, and really all corals, have never looked better.

 

[luvmyreef]

Well, that is good to know. I was concerned that my sps would not benefit from it. I can tell that my monti caps have grown, however, my purple hae monti is turning white, and my sunset retracted polyps. Still haven't used much of it as far as water changes go, but I will cont. to use it for now and keep testing to see how consistant parameters are. My ph in the tank stays a consistant 8.3, which is good.

 

[luvmyreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/378946/luvmyreefs-180g-diary/580#post_3445726
Hey luvmyreef - I have been using sality for a month or two - been getting excellent results especially with the sps - not I only have a few monti's acropora and another one (sorry forget the name, here is a picture. Everything is doing great.

Thanks Al, good to know. My green birdsnest seems to like it too. I was more concerned about my ora pearlberry, my yellow tort, etc. Nice pic!!

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/378946/luvmyreefs-180g-diary/600#post_3445733
Well, that is good to know. I was concerned that my sps would not benefit from it. I can tell that my monti caps have grown, however, my purple hae monti is turning white, and my sunset retracted polyps. Still haven't used much of it as far as water changes go, but I will cont. to use it for now and keep testing to see how consistant parameters are. My ph in the tank stays a consistant 8.3, which is good.
My purple haze monti turns white from time to time and then it seems like overnight it goes back to it's purple coloring. I've noticed that this seems to coincide with a growth spurt. Just keep an eye on it. My husband is constantly moving the sunset monti because he's not happy with the coloration, so I can't help you out there. That is one of the corals that has just not done well in any of our tanks, ever.

 

[luvmyreef]

Yeah, the sunset has small white spots forming all through it. The purple haze is turning white in the center. It may be due to an alk swing. I am monitoring all stuff very close daily. Thanks.

 

[luvmyreef]

Well, just did a once over on my tank. Found one of my shrimp dead! The only change is my salt mix. I know they dont tolerate water parameter changes, so I wonder if my parameters are off now. Time to do some testing. This sucks.... Maybe I should not have changed salt?

 

[meowzer]

I have changed salt twice now.....from IO reef.....to aquavitro....to tropic marin pro reef, and have not lost anything......surely it was just a coincidence.....sometimes things die

 

[luvmyreef]

I know. Some coral as stated above is not doing well too. But earlier today, I saw him on the rock behind the lta. Tonight he was on the same rock on the opposite side, under a coral. A first I thought he was trapped, so I took my algae scraper and moved him. He was dead. The other one looks great. I am gonna go test my water now. Still sucks.....

 

[luvmyreef]

Ok. Tank water tested. Don't like the results.
Tank
PH-8.3
Amm-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-20 (has always been 0)
Ca-340 (wth)
DKH-10
Sp.Grav-1.025
New Batch Of Aquavitro
PH-8.4
Amm-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0
Ca-340 (again wth)
DKH-11
Sp. Grav.-1.025
Just to check my ca test kit. I tested the 10g which has the tropic marine pro in it, and it tested 460.

 

[meowzer]

cal seems low......but I don't' think that would kill a shrimp......maybe could harm some corals that need a higher calcium level though

 

[luvmyreef]

I am wondering about the nitrates jumping to 20 out of the blue. I have emailed seachem. I want a refund. I have tested two batches and they are both low on calcium. The only good thing is my ph is staying 8.3 without a buffer. I am going to use this batch up and then start back with io or trop. marine pro.

 

[meowzer]

What does the aquavitro claim the calcium should be with their salt??

 

[luvmyreef]

It gives you a graft. Without going downstairs to look, I believe for my salinity, it should greater than 400. 340 is just too low for my tank. My monti's and acros eat it up... Wonder what everyone else gets when they test, if they test....HEY AL test your Ca....

 

[btldreef]

Just tested my water after seeing this and your PM, my mixing bucket is 77*F, 1.024. Been mixing for 2 days. Here's my readings:
Ca (Salifert): 420
dKH (Salifert and API): 9.5
Phosphate: 0
pH (probe): 8.12
Magnesium: 1300ppm
You might want to contact AquaVitro. If you're not getting desired readings, and the readings don't fall into the chart, I believe they will replace the bucket for free. The test all the batches and stand behind them.

 

[luvmyreef]

Yeah, I emailed them. Maybe my bucket is no good. Still sucks that I lost my shrimp. I am not blaming the salt, I just hate to loose livestock.

 

[al&burke]

Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/378946/luvmyreefs-180g-diary/600#post_3445911
It gives you a graft. Without going downstairs to look, I believe for my salinity, it should greater than 400. 340 is just too low for my tank. My monti's and acros eat it up... Wonder what everyone else gets when they test, if they test....HEY AL test your Ca....
I am going to make some SW today - I will let you know what I get.

 

[luvmyreef]

Thanks I appreciate it. Mine is not consistant. I don't mind 400, but 340......no, no, no.

 

[luvmyreef]

Well, they emailed me back. I love how they ask you 100 questions so that they can find a way to blame it on you. That's ok though, I just won't order it again. So far, it is not worth the money. And today, I noticed the tip of my yellow tort has lost its green/yellow color. Polyps are still there, but it looks bad. I would hate to loose it, it is one of my favorites. I love the color of it. It is a slow grower though.

 

[luvmyreef]

Well just got back from purchasing a new Fluval FX5 Canister Filter. This thing is a monster. It filters at 925gph. I am gonna cram it full of chemipure elite, floss,polishing pads, and hopefully say bye bye to my algae. All I gotta do is blow it off the rocks, etc and get it into the water column for this beast to help me remove it....whoohoo....Merry Christmas to me.....

 

[meowzer]

Congrats..LOL.....I only use chemipure elite in my canister.....I do not bother with all those pad....if you do though.....be prepared to have to clean it more often