Ok I finally got my Calcium Reactor set up and running (the baking soda did not work). It was quite a mission to find a CO2 gas bottle. It is running at one bubble CO2 per second, and about 2-4 drops of output water per second. Will closely monitor water parameters.

I made a huge mistake initially since I never rinsed the media before use - so I flooded my tank with a cloudy powder. Through experience is the way I’ll learn it seems... Grrr...

Since I want to target pH 8.2-8.3, 8.5dKH and 420-440 mg/l Calcium, and currently my values are pH 8.4, 7.5dKH, 420mg/l Calcium, I need to tred carefully not to have too high pH values. Since I had been adding dKH buffer the past week to raise the KH and stopped adding kalkwasser to lower Calcium (which is working by the way), I have been getting closer to these values. I am however now at a point where I cannot move forward as I used to, since it will push the pH above 8.4. The reason is this:

It is clear that with a pH of 8.4 and Alkalinity of 7.5 (2.6meq/l) I seem to have a lower CO2 value in my tank that I should have. So to fix this (without adding a CO2 reactor) I am going to stop adding dKH buffer and instead use Baking Soda for the next two-four days (and closely monitoring pH, Alkalinity and Calcium). Theoretically baking soda will not increase pH dramatically but will increase alkalinity. Once I have reached my target values, I’ll start adding kalkwasser with white vinegar (4ml / litre of kalkwasser). This should raise alkalinity without impacting too much on pH.

Today I replaced 10% of the water with new RO water mixed with Tropic Marine Salt. The new water’s parameters were:

Alkalinity: 9.5dKH
Calcium: 372mg/l
Temperature: 26C
pH: 8.2
SG: 1.025

I used the return pump inside with a pipe to have some flow. I used the wooden air stone to aerate the water. I also added a heater to maintain the temperature whilst it was in the black bin. I had it running for 24 hours before using it.

It seems as if P. hepatus is now happy and feels safe. For the first time she is swimming around with the other fish. Cool!

I have been running the RO unit since two days ago trying to make enough RO water for a 60l water change. This is taking forever!

I bought some Nori from Woolies and attached it with the SeaVeggies clamp. After about 10 minutes the Purple Tang started nipping at it - and now every now and again it eats some. The Yellow Tang does not look as much interested, however it did eat a couple of pieces that came off.

I woke up only to discover my one small percula is gone... No body, no trace... I guess the boxer shrimp got hungry ☹

I went to Sterlig Aquarium in Ontdekkers Road in Roodepoort and purchased:

• Purple Tang
• Yellow Tang
• Purple Firefish