steelerfan's 30 Gallon Breeder Journal/Build

testing day after water change is:

amm-0
trite-0
traTe-0

alk-8
ph-7.8

phos .25

sg- 1.026
temp-76

the WC raised alk from 6 to 8, but ph still a bit low.

gonna hope 1 more WC can raise it up.
 
Good sign. Gonna do another soon or wait a week?

Just as an aside, Brightwells for me tends to run on the lower end of the alk scale.
 
greech said:
Good sign. Gonna do another soon or wait a week?

Just as an aside, Brightwells for me tends to run on the lower end of the alk scale.
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gonna plan on monday greech.

still concerned a bit with the ph being on the lower end, and i really don't want to have to use the seachem's buffer.
 
I wouldn't use the buffer. You have no life in your tank so there really is no need. Once you get some photosynthesis going in the tank the pH is going to rise (at least when the lights are on :)).

I know you will say no :) but you may want to consider a ball of chaeto in the display. This would be a good way to see how the pH fluctuates over the course of the day and you will also benefit from pods, micro stars and other critters. I know you're worried about bad hitchhikers but beneficial life has to come from somewhere.
 
hi bud,

i actually do want to add some cheato and pods :-)

planned on getting it from reefcleaners when i got my CUC.

didn't want to pay for shipping 2x with getting cheato now and then clean up in a couple weeks.

would you feel comfortable adding CUC now after only 4 plus weeks to tank?

just afrais of an unexpected spike or something since tank is so new.

greech said:
I wouldn't use the buffer. You have no life in your tank so there really is no need. Once you get some photosynthesis going in the tank the pH is going to rise (at least when the lights are on :)).

I know you will say no :) but you may want to consider a ball of chaeto in the display. This would be a good way to see how the pH fluctuates over the course of the day and you will also benefit from pods, micro stars and other critters. I know you're worried about bad hitchhikers but beneficial life has to come from somewhere.
Click to expand...
 
Yes I would, especially knowing you will be doing regular WCs. From what I have read, reefcleaners gives you lots of extras in you order so you will end up with way more snail/crabs than your tank will ever need. I prefer to start light and work your way up. How much algae, diatoms, etc do you have in your tank? I know you mentioned a lot of crud from the dry rock so that will also provide a food source for your CUC. John at reefcleaners is very nice and knowledgeable. I spoke to him at MACNA so just convey what you have going on and he'll take care of you.
 
that's the thing, i have hardly any algae. a small bit on sand and some on rock, but not crazy as lights have been on about a total of 2 hours since tank was up.

gonna start to cycle lights slowly.

i will go ahead and order CUC, crab free, as well as my cheato/pods in the coming week.

i know they give tons more than ordered , so i hope i don't starve the little guys.

greech said:
Yes I would, especially knowing you will be doing regular WCs. From what I have read, reefcleaners gives you lots of extras in you order so you will end up with way more snail/crabs than your tank will ever need. I prefer to start light and work your way up. How much algae, diatoms, etc do you have in your tank? I know you mentioned a lot of crud from the dry rock so that will also provide a food source for your CUC. John at reefcleaners is very nice and knowledgeable. I spoke to him at MACNA so just convey what you have going on and he'll take care of you.
Click to expand...
 
Trade them to your LFS for credit towards supplies, etc.
 
did 2nd water change today.

readings b4 water change: 0/0/0, ph 7.8, alk-7, temp 76, sg 1.026

have had normal light cycle going for last 4 days and ph stays at 7.8.

how long should it take to see if ph creeps up?
 
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