Today on the 52 FAQ we're talking what it takes to maintain a tank like the BRS 160.
Hi, I’m RT your host of BRSTV’s 52 FAQ where we answer all kinds of reefing questions
from our popular series 52 weeks of reefing.
Recently, we ran a contest where you, the reefing community, asked a question for the
chance to get it featured in a 52 FAQ Today we’re answering Kenneth M’s question
that he submitted, “What is the maintenance schedule for the BRS160 like?
For example: What parameters are checked and how often?
How large and frequent are the water changes?
How often are the pumps and other equipment cleaned/replaced?
How often are the various media changed and how do you know when to change them?”
Fantastic question Kenneth!
With the BRS 160, there are a variety of daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly tasks that
we perform to keep it running in tip-top shape.
This starts with the aquarium’s chemistry parameters.
One of the more honest and truthful pieces of advice I’ve heard in my years as a reefer
is that when you are keeping a reef tank, you are actually working towards keeping pristine
water in a glass box.
The corals and fish are just a reward of that ability.
The components that allow us to gauge the quality of our tank’s water are known as
parameters – and we monitor quite a few in the BRS 160.
One of the most important parameters in the reef tank is salinity since it’s level has
a bearing on the concentrations of everything else that is part of your tank’s water.
We measure before and after water changes, and also use the salinity probe on our Neptune
Apex that will alert us of any fluctuations during the course of a week.
It’s worth noting here that while the salinity probe is super nice to use, and works great
to show fluctuations in the tank, I wouldn’t use it as your sole method of monitoring your
salinity.
We monitor alkalinity daily with the dKh checker from Hanna, since it has such a large impact
of the health and growth rate of our corals in the tank.
With the checker it takes just over a minute to do, and It’s amazing how much more aware
with the changes and subtleties you are in your tank when testing alk daily.
If you’re not, and growth and overall health is a goal for you, I would recommend giving
it a trial run yourself.
Additionally, we check calcium with the Red Sea Pro kit weekly, magnesium with the Red
Sea Pro Kit monthly, and nitrate and phosphate if we notice a color shift in the tank, or
abnormal algal growth.
On the BRS 160 we are running the Zeovit system, and it’s pretty strict on certain parts
of maintenance, particularly water changes.
The 160 receives weekly water changes of 20 gallons, without fail.
Since Zeovit is more or less designed to control nitrate and phosphate in the tank, these water
changes are designed to replenish elements, rather than export nutrients.
We simply use a python water changer attached to our sink in the studio, to drain the tank,
and then use our water storage station to refill the aquarium.
Cleaning pumps is a pretty integral part of keeping everything running shipshape, and
extending the pump’s life.
In our case, we clean them bi-monthly.
We use Tunze’s citric acid mixed with RO/DI water generally mixed in a ratio of 1 tablespoon
to 8 oz of water, and soak the pumps in them over night.
This acidic solution softens and breaks down carbonate growth from precipitation, coralline,
and other encrusting algae, snails, or critters.
After a day you can simply use a brush to scrub off the deposits with ease.
As far as the various medias in the tank go, we really only utilize three different types.
First, is the most important part of the Zeovit system, and that is the Zeovit media.
It performs a large part of the filtration in the system, and needs to be replaced every
6-12 weeks depending on the tank’s nutrient load.
We replace ours every 10 weeks.
Second, we replace another large component monthly, and that is the Zeovit Carbon.
The carbon is in place in the sump in a mesh bag and kneaded daily, around the same time
that we pump and shake the Zeovit reactor.
Lastly, is the roller mat filter roll.
This roll sometimes needs to be changed more or less depending on the amount of detritus
or particulate matter in the water column in a given time period.
In most cases however, we replace it every 2 to 3 months once it has been used up.
If you are interested in learning more about tank maintenance do yourself a favor and checkout
Week 42 of 52 weeks of reefing: Reef Tank Maintenance – 5 minutes a day can transform
your tank.
Don't forget answering your questions is what the 52 FAQ is all about on so ask us something
you want to know in the comments area below.
See you soon with the next 52 FAQ.