KOgle's 180 diary

Thanks for the offer Tangster. I won't bug you until you're feeling better. I might just ask some general questions on 3reef from time to time.
I actually started pulling rock out of the tank last night. I pulled the pieces out that had byprosis on them.

I'm going to post the tear down and rebuild activity on this thread to keep everything in one spot.

I'll keep you guys updated as far as pictures go and what I'm doing to make sure this is done right.

First things first I really need to rule out that the source water is the problem. Going to re test for po4 and nitrates. Also going to use Otty's TDS meter to get a feel for how the RO unit is working.

 

Well I tested my RO water and the water coming out of the RO unit has a TDS of 8. Not great but not the end of the world.
The funny thing is the rubber maid trash can I store water in is showing something way different. The water in there has a TDS of 45!!!
Ok so we're on to something. I'm not worried about the trash can becasue all of my RO water comes from a top off so it never sees the rubber maid. The problem is BMShehan gets his water from me and he pulls it from the trash can.

The water that's in there has been in there for a few weeks so could this be it? Could it be something with the trash can itself?
Could this be becasue the same hose I used to syphon my tank was put into the trash can?

Any ideas? I'm planning on the tear down next Thursday through Sunday so I'll keep you all posted with pictures...

 

What kind of trash can is the water being stored in and does it have a cover and circulation on/in it? It's fresh water right, not salt?

 

It's a rubbermaid trash can with a lid and a RIO powerhead. Fresh water. Can has always been used for SW stuff.

The only thing I can think of is the hose that is in there was used to syphon algae out of my tank. It might have had some gunk in it from that...

 

Could the trashcan itself be leaching chemicals or something into your water? I've heard of this happening so I make it a point to only use "food grade plastic" storage containers to store r.o. water. We use this type at home:

55 Gallon Water Storage Closed-Head Barrel : Basco USA : 55 Gallon Drums : Food - Water Storage : South Summit : 800-234-8654

 

amcarrig is right, should use food grade plastic storage containers not Brute cans.

See this tread on Uberfrags it will explain allot

And this site has nothing to do with reefs but it explains allot about Plastic containers.

 

If plastic causes problems, what about the plastic bins that you are using for your sump?

 

Check out this website. It lists all kinds of potential areas where phosphates can enter the tank from food to plastic bins to live rock.

HPO4Sources

Here's another idea for you to try. Try to isolate the problem. First off, you've ruled out the water source, but what about the buckets for mixing the salt. After you have established the water even salt water is okay with no phospates, turn to the tank.

put live rock in one container, activated carbon in another, calcium reactor media in another, plastic bins by themselves, anything you add to the tank, test it to see the phosphate level. If it's the food, change brands, if it's the plastic bins change them.

Just ideas, food for thought.

 

So, what was the final verdict? Did you kill it all? Do you have a brand new tank now?

 

Tank tear down and sell :-/ Getting a 90 as i believe it