If the majority of it is on the back glass, can you just use an algae scraper to take it all off with a few swipes?
I'd turn off whatever pumps you have before you scrape it off and have a siphon hose ready to suck up the algae before it has a chance to float off to another part of your tank...
Hmm, your experience is different than mine then. I dose alk & ca both on a daily basis. Mg I dose much less frequently, probably about once every 2 months or so.
alk is always the parameter I can see fluctuating more than either ca & mg. ca does deplete, but it's harder for me to see via...
yeah, before you start dosing alk & ca, you want to test alk, ca & mg. once you know where you stand on alk, ca & mg, you'll want to dose each to get them up to the proper levels:
calcium - between 380 and 450 ppm
alkalinity - between 2.5 and 4 meq/L (7-11 dKH)
magnesium - between 1300 and...
Not 100% how the cpr overflow box works, but I'd assume that if the water level is too low then the siphon could break if/when the return pump stops pumping, such as in a power outage event.
I'd test that to make sure after a power off event, the overflow box continues to flow properly.
Good...
I can see how using kalk via IV drip would clog the line. I have never used a kalk reactor, but use kalk with my top off water, which is controlled by a float switch. I use a 5g bucket for my kalk top off water, and just make sure that the intake of water is at least an inch above the bottom...
IMHO, for a brand new glass aquarium with stand, canopy, lights, pump, skimmer, etc that is a steal! You could pay $500 for just the tank & stand used...
If the size/dimensions are good for you, I'd say go for it!
Good luck,
Rob
I can't say too much about that ebay unit except that it appears to me that everything besides the RO membrane is not full-sized. At least compared to what I've seen. So I'm not sure if you'd be limited on options when those cartridges need to be replaced.
Also, most all RO/DI systems I've...
Yes, I believe any RO/DI system can be setup using a faucet or garden hose adapter for temporary connection.
I believe a common temporary setup used involves using the garden hose adapter on your washing machines water connection, and using the washing machine's drain outlet for the RO/DI's...
+1 on no tap water. RO/DI filter setup seems expensive, but it's really worth it IMO. Mine has a DI bypass which I use for making drinking water too (helped me justify the cost of the setup knowing I could use it for the family and the aquarium).
Think about a TDS meter too, either handheld...
Patience is the hardest thing to learn/accomplish in the reef hobby IMO. Trust me, I know how you're feeling...you want to add cool stuff to your tank now! Your question is so open ended, it's hard to give a concise answer, but I'll try as best I can.
First of all, you have a 29g tank. That...
My small piece of advice is avoid the xenia! They are pretty cool, but spread very fast to the point of being uncontrollable (at least my experience). Xenia and GSP I avoid now solely based on how much they spread and can take over a tank.
Good luck,
Rob
Chad: sent you PM. I believe all the Marineland DD tanks can be made RR or not. Mine was RR with drain, return & plumbing. Also, low-iron front glass is also an option but I didn't get that.
hth,
Rob
Oh, BTW, if you decide to go with autotopoff.com, get one of the double switch controllers, which provides the redundancy to protect against a float sticking/flooding.
That is exactly what I do...5g buckets with RO/DI water, and aqualifter pump connected/controlled by the autotopoff.com ATO. Works very well. If the 5g bucket empties, you can hear the aqualifter pump drawing air (makes a pretty loud sound), so you know it's time to add water.
Hmm, that is not what I wanted to hear! I should feel lucky then to only have 1 failure since last Oct I guess....
I'm not using pulse mode, but do use the reef crest and lagoon modes, which vary the pump speed. How are you using the pump now? Still using pulse?
Nothing major to update right now. My Vortech MP40W that I've only had running since Oct, 2009 quit the other day, and it turns out the wetside assembly has cracked plastic where the bearing sits. Disappointing to see a failure on a $400 pump after only 3+ months of use. Ecotech's...