Recent content by randy holmes-farley

Sounds reasonable to me. Happy Reefing. :)

Well, I think there are a lot of unknowns relating to ORP and reef tanks, but I do not think that most organisms know what the ORP actually is. I don't think they can sense it, so they have no way of "caring" about it. What they do have a way to sense and respond to, positively or...

but to what extent does iron or manganese build up or are removed over time? I don't think it is a matter of buildup or removal. IMO those metals are like a thermometer reporting the temperature, not actually causing it. It is the ratio of Fe++ to Fe+++ that impacts ORP, not the absolute...

Well, I guess the posts are being manually moderated, so I won't proceed to continue for now.

OK, that worked. I think it is fairly clear that while O2 and organics play a role in determining ORP, that neither is what is measured in seawater with an ORP electrode. I think it is almost certainly a set of redox active metals that impact ORP electrodes directly, and in seawater it is...

I just posted a reply I thought went here. I wonder where it ended up? :D I'll try again if this one works.

FWIW, I think that it is fairly well established that the proximate thing that determines ORP in seawater are certain redox active metals, such as manganese. I discuss this in great detail in this article: ORP and the Reef Aquarium...

Thanks, beaslbob. :)

Snowstorms that make the whole tank cloudy are not from excessive CO2. Typically is is from limewater overdose causing the pH to go too high. Could you help with the concern I have that the sodium bicarbonate solution sends the water cloudy when I add it (to a fast-moving body of water or a...

Any help is greatly appreciated as this seems to be making things worse, not better. I don't think the two part is making the pH lower if you are using the baked recipe, but if you substituted it for something else that had a bigger pH raising effect (like limewater), then you might experience...

Calcium doesn't usually bounce up and down a lot day to day, so it may be a kit error. Assuming the numbers are correct, I'd add enough of the calcium part only to get to 420 ppm, then resume equal dosing, with a larger amount until you can maintain alkalinity (which will also maintain calcium).

Try this archive site: http://web.archive.org/web/200210150054 ... efault.asp

You can sometimes get it a pool supply stores, cement supply stores, and can buy it on line: http://www.mainstreetseedandsupply.com/saltproducts.htm and apparently here: http://www.chemistrystore.com/Calcium_Chloride.htm

As soon as one part is mixed in you can add the second part. Think of it like food coloring. As soon as your system was a homogeneous color, you can add the second part.

This article describes a DIY two part additive system: A Homemade Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Additive System http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... 4/chem.htm