Calcium Reactor - Back In Business

I have slowly been adding additional, small, reef safe fishes.  With the small number of corals that were added remaining healthy also I have restarted the LifeReef Calcium Reactor to maintain optimum water chemistry for their growth.  Over the next 30 days I will monitor water chemistry and determine if more difficult SPS corals can be added.

Water Test Results

I sent my first water samples to AquariumWaterTesting.com and everything looks pretty good.  Samples were taken just prior to a water change.  I am currently using IO Reef Crystals.

06-07-2016	Ammonia (NH3-4)	Good	0	0.000 - 0.050 mg/L
06-07-2016	Nitrite (NO2)	Good	0.001	0.000 - 0.100 mg/L
06-07-2016	Phosphate (PO4)	Good	0.03	0.000 - 0.250 mg/L
06-07-2016	Nitrate (NO3)	Good	1.4	0.000 - 25.000 mg/L
06-07-2016	Silica (Sio2-3)	High	0.9	0.000 - 0.500 mg/L
06-07-2016	Potassium (K)	Good	386	350.000 - 450.000 mg/L
06-07-2016	Ionic Calcium (Ca)	Good	248	100.000 - 400.000 mg/L
06-07-2016	Boron (B)	NA	NA	3.000 - 6.000 mg/L
06-07-2016	Molybdenum (Mo)	Good	0.2	0.000 - 0.300 mg/L
06-07-2016	Strontium (Sr)	Good	8.4	5.000 - 12.000 mg/L
06-07-2016	Magnesium (Mg)	Good	1140	1100.000 - 1400.000 mg/L
06-07-2016	Iodine (I)	Good	0.05	0.030 - 0.090 mg/L
06-07-2016	Copper (Cu)	Good	0.05	0.000 - 0.100 mg/L
06-07-2016	Alkalinity (meq/L)	Good	2.6	2.500 - 5.000 meq/L
06-07-2016	Total Calcium (Ca)	Good	405	350.000 - 450.000 mg/L
06-07-2016	Iron (Fe)	NA	NA	0.000 - 0.010 mg/L

Coral Additions

Need to have the before photos to appreciate the after photos in the coming months.

Water Change Station

It is great to have the second bathroom now to set up for water changes. This used to take place in the kitchen which the wife was not fond of....

I typically do a 10 gallon change (25%) water change on a weekly basis once the coral load is heavier. With the tank just finishing cycling only once every two weeks.

Cycling Time

Elected to go with a sand substrate instead of crushed coral this time.

LifeReef 2.0 - The Rebirth

The move is completed, and we are back in Ohio.

The tank is empty, and my imagination is running wild.

There were several scratches I had inflicted while cleaning the tank over time.

I took a shot at using the Novus Solution, and after about 3 hours of work it is crystal clear again!

Annual Maintenance

Twice a year all pumps are dismantled, cleaned, and inspected.  I forget what the corals look like from the surface without any disturbance.

Coral Shots 11.1.2015

Water Test Results October 2015

***Pre water change - 2 Weeks***

Mini Overhaul

The tank is looking a little empty after trimming down excessive SPS growth, and selling off numerous frags to local hobbyists.  I replaced the media in the Ca reactor and everything is taking off again ready to fill out the new space!