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My Nano Reefs Part Nine
Last Updated: 11/14/09
On 8/29/09, I did the usual. I also tested the calcium levels of the 12 gallon tank and the make-
up water which were 390 and 397 ppm respectively. I was surprised the make-up water was not
higher. The RO salt promises 450 ppm. The calcium in a reef tank is supposed to be 412 to 450
ppm. Not only is the RO salt supposed to take care of that in the make-up water but I add liquid
calcium to the make-up water too. At least though, the tank itself does not seem to have a lot less
calcium then the make-up water which would indicate a need for more. I add "Purple Up" (sold
for coralline algae, and mine is doing great but also has iodine which is good for the crustaceans)
three times a week which has calcium so perhaps that is helping to keep the calcium levels up.
This week, I added a little more buffer to the make-up water but the pH is even less than last
week?!
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 77.4 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.54
6 Gallon Tank: 77.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.77
Make up water: 76.5 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 8.20
On 9/5/09, I did the usual. I put a little more aragonite gravel in to the 12 gallon tank (maybe a
third of a cup). I have been adding a little as a time as some dissolves in time and some gets
removed with cleaning.
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.7 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.85
6 Gallon Tank: 78.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.93
Make up water: 76.6 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 8.22
On 9/12/09, I did the usual. I also cut my first coral. The green star polyps had an arm that was
touching and stinging the Duncan coral so I cut off the arm with coral scissors. I felt really bad
thinking it hurt the coral. I epoxied the arm on to a shell and put it in the 6 gallon tank. By the
end of the day, the parent polyps were partially reopened but the arm had not opened at all.
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 77.9 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.66
6 Gallon Tank: 77.8 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.02
Make up water: 76.2 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 8.43
On 9/19/09, I did the usual.
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 77.1 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.72
6 Gallon Tank: 77.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.88
Make up water: 76.0 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.33
On 9/26/09, I did the usual. Last week, the transplanted start polyps had detached from the clam
shell. So, I had just set them in the shell. A day or two later, they fell out. I just left the coral
arm sitting on the fake Acropora coral. Well, less than a week later, I went to move the coral
arm, and the thing has already cemented itself to the fake coral! So, I guess I will leave it there.
The real and fake coral will now become one.
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 76.9 degrees F, 1.024 SG, pH 7.96
6 Gallon Tank: 76.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.07
Make up water: 75.7 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.46
On 10/3/09, I did the usual.
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 77.6 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.80
6 Gallon Tank: 77.6 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.98
Make up water: 76.1 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.23
On 10/10/09, I did the usual.
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 79.1 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.89
6 Gallon Tank: 78.7 degrees F, 1.024 SG, pH 7.94
Make up water: 76.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.38
On 10/17/09, I did the usual.
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 74.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.79
6 Gallon Tank: 74.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.96
Make up water: 75.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.35
On 10/24/09, I did not do the usual. I received an order from Live Aquaria. The delivery woman
got lost so it arrived as I was starting to clean my two marine tanks around 2:30 pm. She had
been there at 10 am but was afraid to go down the driveway! The order was supposed to include
three marine animals - one purple firefish, one green banded goby (wanted a blue neon goby but
they were sold out), and one yellow dwarf feather duster. Well, I got the two fish just fine and
drip acclimated them. They went in to the 12 gallon tank. Instead of the feather duster, they sent
seven banded trochus snails. My two nano tanks are already overstocked with snails so I had my
father take the snails to the local Petco where an employee who had saltwater tanks took them.
I later looked them up and found out they are ideal snails to have (but only $2.99 each). It is too
bad my tanks are full. I was not going to create a new 20+ gallon saltwater tank just for them.
You know how that ends up!
The new firefish is named Pablo in keeping with the Mexican name of Jose for the last firefish.
Pablo is full size. Nemo immediately took a love/hate attraction to Pablo, alternating between
snuggles and nips. I sure hope Nemo does not harm him. I never did find Jose's body or know if
Nemo took a part in his demise. The green banded goby is the smallest non-baby fish I have
seen! He is less than half an inch long. Nemo probably will not even notice him. I hope nobody
tries to eat him! I named him Enrique. Enrique can "walk" on the pink coralline-encrusted glass
walls of the tank!
I also calibrated the pH meter and need to get more calibration solutions as the pH
7.0 buffer is growing bacteria!
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 78.0 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.86
6 Gallon Tank: 77.4 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.93
Make up water: 76.8 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.26
On 10/31/09, I did the usual. The three temperature readings matched exactly!
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 76.2 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.66
6 Gallon Tank: 76.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.88
Make up water: 76.2 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.30
On 11/7/09, I did the usual. I thought the old heater for the make up water was not working but
it looks like the new one does not bring it to 75 degrees F where it is set!
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 74.9 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.82
6 Gallon Tank: 74.5 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.97
Make up water: 71.3 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.36
On 11/14/09, I did the usual.
The water test results for the day were:
12 Gallon Tank: 75.7 degrees F, 1.0245 SG, pH 7.81
6 Gallon Tank: 75.9 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 7.94
Make up water: 75.7 degrees F, 1.025 SG, pH 8.37
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