55 gallon SPS reef- new additions (12/18/14)

That's my biggest concern. In fact, I lost several mini colonies 3 months ago from a low pH event (gypsum from sheetrock while hanging lights). I plan on running the pH around 6.9 if I can get away with it. I will also have the effluent drip into the overflow, which is directed to the sump with a skimmer and multiple pumps. Hopefully all that motion will help drive off some of the CO2.

Were you manually dosing before the reactor? What do you think attributed to your explosion in growth? Just rock hard stability? How low was the pH, typically, if you recall?

 

Thanks. I should have it in and setup by the end of the weekend. I want to keep the setup clean, so I don't think I will use this as a HOB, as it's designed. I think I will run lines from the nearby closet where my ATO is setup.

 

Yeah I was manually dosing. I've never been good at that.
I think the stability really helped with the growth.
I don't recall the numbers now, it was nearly 10 years ago. But I really like your idea of dripping in the overflow. I wish I had thought of that. I think that will really help.
Do you plan on getting a pH controller?

 

Well I just tested pH with a multi-thousand dollar, 3-point calibrated, pH meter (from work) at it is sitting st 8.2, do I have some room to play with.

I've been dosing 0.4 teaspoons of dry baking soda and dry calcium chloride on top of Kalk. That's a lot to me and definitely warrents a reactor, IMO.

I've been scouring the internet for a used controller, but I do plan to use one.

 

Wow can I borrow that pH meter?

Glad to hear you are getting a controller. That is good safety.

 

yes, congrats on the good deal! it's always nice to find some deals in this hobby

 

Promise not to pawn it? That's my baby. I guard it with my life.

 

For sure. They can be had too, with how fast things depreciate in this hobby

 

I bet it is!
(I was joking about borrowing it. Cool that you have access to it though.)

 

I figured as much. It's a multimeter that tests salinity, dissolved oxygen and temperature as well.