Zach's 75G Build

I don't say this very often Zach, but that is some impressive skimmate! lol.

 

Love my i-Tech!!!

 

Newbie question: What does the vodka do?

Congrats on your MP40!!

 

Thanks!

It gets your fish CRUNKED.

j/k

Vodka Dosing by 'Genetics' and 'Stony_Corals' - Reefkeeping.com

Basically, it's an organic carbon source. It increases the bacterial mass in your tank which assist with breaking down nutrients (nitrates). Your skimmer basically acts like it's supercharged and the bacterial waste / excess bacteria is skimmed out of the tank (skimmate is much nastier than usual) and your nitrates and phosphates drop. It's tricky because if you dose too much, you can easily crash your tank.

 

Wow! Interesting. So many uses for vodka. I'll keep that article in case I ever need to do some vodka dosing. Nitrates can be a pain!!

 

Few changes on the tank .. got a new Eheim return pump. My old one was dying and now that I've replaced it the skimmer is doing even better - amazing. More junk getting to the sump before it settles and getting skimmed out.

My nitrates are finally below 20. Stoked about that. Dosing .6 mL of vodka per day now. I also have a kalkwasser drip set up which is keeping my levels very stable and my pH is staying where it should too.

Got my 2nd mp40w today and got them synced up. I really like these pumps - really keeps the water moving across the entire tank now that I have 2 and totally controllable. Awesome!

Picking up a JBJ Arctica Titanium chiller this weekend as well so I can get rid of the fans on the tank and reduce evaporation.

Once I get the chiller settled in I'll be getting a couple new IceCap ballasts as well.

 

Seems like things are crunking along nicely....

 

Congrats on all your new purchases! Sounds like your tank is really coming together. And congrats on getting your nitrates down - that is a huuuuge task!!

 

Thanks!

Considering the level they were at, yes it was. I have another 20 gallon water change planned for this weekend. I have had many small issues with my tank. Which are almost all solved!

I also ordered a new 90gpd SpectraPure RO Membrane and DI Resin cartridge too. Took them a while - but after a week they finally decided to charge my card for the order. I have emailed them and they have not returned any e-mails or given me any indication they plan to even ship the order. They have a notice there is a 4 day delay on shipping on their website. It's been 5 days since my order and no tracking number. I've heard great things about them though so I am not going to be concerned for another week or so.

 

Hmmm...that's weird. But at least they didn't charge your card right away and then not ship it. Hopefully the goods are on their way!

I still can't get my 37 gallon under 20ppm nitrates. I've given up!! Lol there's practically no algae, so I just let it be. I don't have corals to worry about.

I'm proud of your accomplishment!!