salt

[lazylivin]

3)  How long ago did these problems occur with RSCP?

Here is the original thread http://www.ohioreef.com/index.php?topic=5034.0

[slandis3]

my alk was always between 8 and 10. it would drop off when it was time to do a water change or if i forgot to add kalk to my reactor. Nikki. now that you are using different are you still haveing trouble keeping your alk right? How about you scott? 

[verper]

I've never had problems keeping my alk fairly stable.  My alk being on the low side was on purpose with the vodka dosing.  I will say the alk is rock solid at 9-9.3 now that the GEO calcium reactor is up and running.

[slandis3]

got ya.

[Reefd Up]

I was struggling to keep alk up at the time...it stayed around 8-10 (10 on a good day, 8 was average.)  Even after switching salts, I struggled to keep my alk up.  But, with the new tank, my alk is solid at 10 (even after a week of no dosing!!!...granted...I did throw away a lot of coral.) 

At the initial time of using RSCP, I was changing 10% per week (as I had for the previous 2 years).  As the tank kept getting worse, I started changing the water more...and more...and more.  I kept changing until I ran out of that bucket and had to use some IO...and magically things improved within an hour or two. 

As far as nutrient export, I did a 10% water change weekly (which included blowing out the rocks and cleaning the sand), skimmed wet with the Tunze Nano 9002 skimmer, grew macro-algae, had a RDSB, and used carbon 1 week per month and ran phosphate remover continuously.  Nitrates and phosphates have been undetectable for the past 2+ years.  Nothing had changed prior to my tank going downhill except changing to a new bucket of RSCP.

[rayviv]

Reply # 10 you stated you 'check it on the bucket'; I didn't want to miss something that might be important. Such as the 2-part; which was very thorough and I do appreciate it even if I dont understand it. I've got a lot to learn. Thanks, Ray

[Reefd Up]

I usually check parameters...and in each case, the RSCP checked perfectly (which is why I used it & recommended it.)  Although the SeaChem isn't checking right on the bucket I got...my tank is doing better with it.

I meant that the bucket of SeaChem I got wasn't testing to the parameters I thought it should.  (By "checking right on the bucket" I meant the levels weren't checking with what I thought they should for that particular bucket.  I really have some interesting grammar somedays!) 

[rayviv]

 Does vodka go in the tank or in gut? What does that do? Is that widely used and the baking soda too?

[rayviv]

thank you; Boy I feel stupid. But I've not seen any of this in a book and I have to ask.

[METZCOOL]

Corals for sale from my last bucket of RSCP
http://toledo.craigslist.org/for/1144056206.html

[Reefd Up]

Vodka dosing is a whole 'nother topic.  (And yes, it can go into both your gut and the tank! Yum yum).  It acts as a food source for bacteria, not as a mineral for corals/invertebrates/etc.  I've never messed with vodka as it is a tricky beast (nor did I have any use for it.)  It's moderately used, but can be very risky.  It is not essential for a successful tank.  Someone more experienced with it should chime in....

Baking soda is simply sodium bicarbonate.  This is used for the alkalinity portion of the "2-part" solution.  Baked baking soda is sodium carbonate, which is also used for the alkalinity portion of the "2-part" depending on which recipe you use and need.  I personally use baking soda since the food grade stuff is very high purity (don't use the washing grade purity stuff...no no!) and it's so inexpensive!  

[Reefd Up]

Corals for sale from my last bucket of RSCP
http://toledo.craigslist.org/for/1144056206.html

Oooooh, too funny...but oh so true.    Thankfully my stuff wasn't that large when it died.

[verper]

Corals for sale from my last bucket of RSCP
http://toledo.craigslist.org/for/1144056206.html

LOL.  At least  you had so awesome growth with it! 

[jjw2121]

Would you take 200 for the corals, LOL

[jungliztkruger]

Does vodka go in the tank or in gut? What does that do? Is that widely used and the baking soda too?

one for you (tank) two for me     of course if you dose .5 mL vodka it should be more like one fpr you ten for me

[JoeAyers]

I've used RSCP for about 14 months without issue and I use 2-part exclusively. Will eventually add the reactor that is sitting in the stand and use both 2-part and the reactor. I did do a couple of water changes with other salts after talking with Scott and did not notice anything in particular good or bad.

Please take this at face value. I do not test anything anymore so I have no idea what my PH, ALK, CA, Strotium, barium, pringles or snablegast tests out in my tank. I pretty much get it aligned in the begining and set and forget. I do lots of water changes and have a massive skimmer.  I'm more of a hands off guy once everything seems stable. The only thing I check regularly are temp and salinity. I doubt I will continue to use RSCP after I run out this time, not because I don't like it, but more because of the PIA it is to get and the cost has been rising faster than others. I will probably go back to using whatever salt is on sale when I need it.

Joe

[chromiumlux]

Ive been using RSCP since day one and it seems that I'm starting to have more problems keeping a stable Ph. I use a 2 part also and it seems right after I dose the ph rises then drops again within the hour.

[Wall_Tank]

Depending on where your probe is, and where you dose.   That seems normal for a two part.... namely the alk part.

[micki]

Corals for sale from my last bucket of RSCP
http://toledo.craigslist.org/for/1144056206.html

Is this for real???

[Reefd Up]

D'oh!  No...it was a joke.

[micki]

I don't know anything about Craigs List.  Plus, I'm TOO trusting!  UGH! 

[Wall_Tank]

Craig's list is a real classifieds, but the post was a joke