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My Nano Reefs Part Eighteen - 2/13 to 8/13

Last Updated: 9/2/13


On 2/2/13, I did the usual. I tried to calibrate the pH meter to no avail. When in the pH 4.0 solution, it read over 5.0 and failed to calibrate. If I ever get a job, a new pH meter is at the top of the list. I pulled out the macroalgae to shake off some of the microalgae and found the shell of my big turbo snail empty. I confirmed it was him when I found a small piece of remaining guts which I removed. Well, this partially explains the explosion of algae.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 72.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.15
6 Gallon Tank: 75.0 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.28
Make up water: 75.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.62


On 2/8/13, I did the usual. The Aiptasia was back in its usual place so I treated it again. I hadn't seen the new peppermint shrimp in days so I lifted up the main live rock in the 6 gallon tank. The shrimp are both gone. I guess I give up on shrimp. I don't know how they used to live for years and now they don't. I don't think Scary ate them (while they were alive) because he's no bigger than he was years ago when I had shrimp that lived for a longer time.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 73.3 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.13
6 Gallon Tank: 74.3 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.27
Make up water: 75.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.59


I finally got a job but it is part time and low paying. I'll be making about 20% of what I used to. Since it's retail, my hours are all over, and I needed a new plan to get all the animal chores done in a week. Instead of doing them all over a day or two, I have spread them over the entire week. I decided on Tuesday for the saltwater tanks so now the dates will be Tuesdays until the next change.

On 2/12/13, I did the usual. The Aiptasia was back in its usual place again so I treated it again. Since I only let the make-up water sit for 40 minutes instead of the usual three hours (when I did all the chores in one day for 12 hours straight), it never got up to 75 degrees F. Depending on my schedule, I will try to allow more sit time from when I add salt to when I use it. I stirred for 40 minutes. Note that the pH levels of the two tanks were higher than usual. That may be due to the faulty pH meter or to the fact that it had only been four days since the last cleaning instead of the usual seven.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 72.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.39
6 Gallon Tank: 75.3 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.50
Make up water: 68.1 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.57


On 2/19/13, I did the usual. I let the saltwater stir for more than an hour while I did other things. I also turned its heater up a few degrees. The MaxiJet 600 in the 12 gallon is really weak. I will need to get another one. It's not clogged (intake or impeller).

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 72.6 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.36
6 Gallon Tank: 76.1 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.39
Make up water: 74.0 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.73


On 2/26/13, I did the usual. When I calibrated the pH meter, it actually passed for once! You will note though that the pH results are now lower than the previous weeks. I don't really have confidence in this pH meter. Oh, and you guessed it, the Aiptasia was in the 6 gallon in its usual spot so I treated it yet again. That is one hardy animal!

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 71.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.09
6 Gallon Tank: 75.2 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.22
Make up water: 72.6 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.49


On 3/5/13, I did the usual. I got a new Maxi-Jet 600 but, since the old one seems to be working pretty well at the moment, I will keep this as the backup. They made it so it can do ten different things now which only makes it more confusing.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 70.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.20
6 Gallon Tank: 74.9 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.25
Make up water: 70.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.45


On 3/12/13, I did the usual.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 75.7 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.37
6 Gallon Tank: 74.9 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.46
Make up water: 75.7 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.69


On 3/19/13, I did the usual. There were two little Aiptasia in the usual spot in the 6 gallon tank so they were treated. There are so many amphipods in the 12 gallon tank that I can't save them all when dumping waste water. I save dozens though. The same animals used to be prevalent in the 6 gallon tank but I don't see them there anymore.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 71.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.22
6 Gallon Tank: 75.2 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.31
Make up water: 70.8 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.61


On 3/26/13, I did the usual. I calibrated the pH meter, and it passed.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 74.0 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.18
6 Gallon Tank: 74.1 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.29
Make up water: 73.4 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.62


On 4/2/13, I did the usual. A little Aiptasia was back in the usual spot so it was dosed again. I think the anemones like it!

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 71.7 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.06
6 Gallon Tank: 75.3 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.15
Make up water: 72.8 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.48


On 4/9/13, I did the usual. The heater I use for the make up water was in my 50 gallon freshwater tank as its heater had stopped working. Since both of the marine tanks were too hot (the 12 gallon was over 80 degrees F all week), I thought the cooler water might be helpful. It was in the 80's all week outside, and our air conditioner was broken. It was only 70 degrees F in the laundry room but with the pumps and lights on the marine tanks, the temperatures rose in the water.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.3 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.32
6 Gallon Tank: 75.7 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.34
Make up water: 67.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.29


On 4/15/13, I did the usual a day earlier due to a busy schedule the next day. I used a heater that didn't really work well (it was set to 75 degrees F) because I figured it was better than the cold water last week. I've got to order a new heater soon.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 74.7 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.34
6 Gallon Tank: 74.6 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.38
Make up water: 71.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.50


On 4/23/13, I did the usual at 10:44 am. I calibrated the pH meter, and it passed.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 73.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.40
6 Gallon Tank: 72.2 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.52
Make up water: 67.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.85


On 4/30/13, I did the usual. I changed all three lamps in the 6 and 12 gallon tanks. I had the heater back from before so you will note that the make-up water was at a better temperature.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 76.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.64
6 Gallon Tank: 75.0 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.75
Make up water: 71.7 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.69


On 5/7/13, I did the usual.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 76.6 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.51
6 Gallon Tank: 75.2 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.41
Make up water: 72.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.42


On 5/14/13, I did the usual. I found the Aiptasia again in the 6 gallon tank and treated for it yet again!

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 74.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.63
6 Gallon Tank: 73.5 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 7.70 but then went to 7.56 in a few seconds
Make up water: 71.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.44


On 5/21/13, I did the usual. I tried to calibrate the pH meter but it failed the calibration. The pH readings are probably off (notice how much lower they are than last week).

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 76.8 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.04
6 Gallon Tank: 75.2 degrees F, 1.0255 SG, pH 7.03
Make up water: 72.3 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.21

On 5/28/13, I did the usual. I tried to calibrate the pH meter but it failed the calibration yet again.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 76.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 6.95
6 Gallon Tank: 72.9 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 6.98
Make up water: 71.6 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.20


On 6/4/13, I did the usual. I tried to calibrate the pH meter but it failed the calibration yet again. That explains the very low (and obviously inaccurate) pH readings below.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 75.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 6.75
6 Gallon Tank: 74.5 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 6.77
Make up water: 72.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.04


On 6/11/13, I did the usual.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 76.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 6.80
6 Gallon Tank: 75.4 degrees F, 1.0255 SG, pH 6.91
Make up water: 72.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.27


On 6/16/13, I did the usual. I finally got a pseudo-full-time job so I moved the cleaning to Sunday, and then, next week, it goes back to Saturday. My first order of a business was to order a new pH meter. There are no pH or temperatures readings below because the old meter is no good.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 1.025 SG
6 Gallon Tank: 1.026 SG
Make up water: 1.025 SG


On 6/23/13, I did the usual. I got the new pH meter. It was supposed to go to two decimal places but I only get one. As you can see, the pH readings are now much higher! The old meter was probably bad for a very long time. When I stuck it in the same water as the first one below, I only got a pH of 6.59 even after it sat for five minutes while the new meter read 8.1. And boy, the new pH meter sure gave a fast reading (when it stopped moving). The old one's numbers just kept moving.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.0 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.1
6 Gallon Tank: 75.4 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 8.0
Make up water: 72.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.3


On 6/29/13, I did the usual.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 77.8 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.2
6 Gallon Tank: 75.1 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 8.1
Make up water: 72.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.3


On 7/6/13, I did the usual. There were three anemones in the 6 gallon tank in the usual spot! I treated them once again. My vision has worsened (just got my first bifocals) so I can't really focus on the anemones!

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.0 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.3
6 Gallon Tank: 75.2 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 8.2
Make up water: 71.6 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.4


On 7/13/13, I did the usual. The anemones were not in their usual spot but then I looked to the back left (where I do look often, at least I thought), and I found a forest of Aiptasia! There was one large one and then a small one and then a clump of about four small ones together! I put kalkwasser on them.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.2
6 Gallon Tank: 75.7 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 8.1
Make up water: 72.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.3


On 7/20/13, I did the usual. I calibrated the pH meter; the new meter works fast and accurately! Yep, an Aiptasia was back near the large one from last week. It may just be that that one walked over a few centimeters. I treated it.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.7 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.2
6 Gallon Tank: 76.8 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 8.1
Make up water: 72.6 degrees F, 1.0255 SG, pH 8.3


On 7/27/13, I did the usual. I found another Aiptasia in the original, usual spot. I had forgotten to bring up the treatment so I'll do it next week.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.2
6 Gallon Tank: 76.1 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 8.1
Make up water: 71.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.3


On 8/3/13, I did the usual. I treated the Aiptasia even though it was at an odd angle close to the bottom. The pH readings are very consistent with this new pH meter week to week.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.2
6 Gallon Tank: 75.5 degrees F, 1.0255 SG, pH 8.1
Make up water: 72.6 degrees F, 1.0255 SG, pH 8.3


On 8/17/13, I did the usual. I calibrated the pH meter. I treated the Aiptasia again. A few days ago, I saw Scary eating one of the two nassarius snails. I don't know for sure if the snail died first or if Scary hunted and killed the snail but they've been together for five years (wow!).

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 81.0 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.0
6 Gallon Tank: 78.0 degrees F, 1.026 SG, pH 8.0
Make up water: 74.3 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.2


On 8/24/13, I did the usual. I treated the Aiptasia again but this time on the left side of the tank on a branch of dead coral (where I found it once before).

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 79.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.1
6 Gallon Tank: 75.8 degrees F, 1.0255 SG, pH 8.0
Make up water: 73.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.2


On 8/31/13, I did the usual. I treated the Aiptasia again, now back at the original spot but moved an inch.

The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.8 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.1
6 Gallon Tank: 76.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.0
Make up water: 74.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.3


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