Akwar'eum

[tbittner]

What kind of salt are you using? I don't think I've seen calc readings that low even when using the inexpensive IO salt. But then again, I don't have hardly any SPS corals, and no clams.

[Dentoid]

I hear ya on the chemistry! If you look away for a minute or blink, it gets out of whack!

Good luck with the loan process. I hate all the paperwork involved in getting a loan. It'll be all worth it in the end though.

How is Tonya doing?

[bluespotjawfish]

I've been getting very low readings on calc and mag on the batches of IO I have gotten lately. I just make sure to adjust the levels in the WC water and then I don't have to adjust the tank.

Good luck on the house and thank goodness for health! We still need pics though!

[framerguy]

Originally Posted by Craig Manoukian

What's your ammonia reading Greg?

The ammonia is "0" Craig. There is a nitrite reading and I"m quite sure I have a bad NO2 kit, it reads the same everytime.

Posted by TBittner:What kind of salt are you using? I don't think I've seen calc readings that low even when using the inexpensive IO salt. But then again, I don't have hardly any SPS corals, and no clams.

I'm using Reef Crystals, I'll try to test this batch for calc and mag

Posted by Dentoid: I hear ya on the chemistry! If you look away for a minute or blink, it gets out of whack!

Good luck with the loan process. I hate all the paperwork involved in getting a loan. It'll be all worth it in the end though.

How is Tonya doing?

Chemistry stinks! Thanks for the luck. There may be more hoops than we originally thought because effective last Friday the gov't made it where finance companies can't do 100% loans anymore. We have equity in the house we are in, it will just take more paperwork to get it.

Tonya is still cramping some, but for the most part is much better. In fact she is back at school today. Still no word on the cultures for Salmonella.

Posted by Bluespotjawfish: I've been getting very low readings on calc and mag on the batches of IO I have gotten lately. I just make sure to adjust the levels in the WC water and then I don't have to adjust the tank.

Good luck on the house and thank goodness for health! We still need pics though!

I'll test to see where I'm at on the calc and mag. I ran out of Calcium Chloride for a while (nearly two weeks) and it got out of whack that fast.

Thanks for the well wishes and luck. Pics later today!

[Craig Manoukian]

Thanks Greg, just checking!

[framerguy]

Well Holy Toledo! I tested the calc, mag and alk of the Reef Crystal make up water and got the following: Ca=290!, Mag=1250, Alk=9dKH

I guess that explains a lot doesn't it! I used my trusty chem calculator and added the necessary amount of calcium to bring it to 410. Now I've got to work on the tank. Geez!

House pics in next post!

[Craig Manoukian]

Wow, that's enlightening! Make up water out of balance, yikes!

[framerguy]

We took Gails parents to look at the place today. Our banker seems optimistic also so that's good. Here are the pictures... Bear in mind these are photographic stitch jobs so some may look skewed...
Front of house


Back of house


tank location


tank room (aka Garage)


Kitchen and entry into tank room


Window wall in dining/living room


Living room area


Basement/workshop area- it's only a half basement which is odd, it has a full bath though!


Outside stuff; a fire pit:


A lined trail into the woods- there are 4.15 acres


there is a pretty creek here just begging for a picnic table


The woods are full of these little benches


That's it. My lense wouldn't let me get far enough away for any bedroom or bathroom shots, even stitching wouldn't have worked, so Terry, you will still have to "imagine" what they look like 'til you see them in person!

[BarbMazz]

Originally Posted by framerguy

Well Holy Toledo! I tested the calc, mag and alk of the Reef Crystal make up water and got the following: Ca=290!, Mag=1250, Alk=9dKH

I guess that explains a lot doesn't it! I used my trusty chem calculator and added the necessary amount of calcium to bring it to 410. Now I've got to work on the tank. Geez!

House pics in next post!

Reef Crystals is the salt I have sitting there waiting to use. I guess I'll get my first practice using my test kits as soon as I set up. I should test once it's mixed to see where I am at the beginning, correct?

[BarbMazz]

WOW! Greg, nice looking house and property! I can see a nice big tank where you want to put it. Hope everything goes smoothly at the bank. I know it's trickier now with all the mortgage stuff going on, but since you're pre-qualified I do think that should simplify the process somewhat, no?

[framerguy]

Originally Posted by BarbMazz

WOW! Greg, nice looking house and property! I can see a nice big tank where you want to put it. Hope everything goes smoothly at the bank. I know it's trickier now with all the mortgage stuff going on, but since you're pre-qualified I do think that should simplify the process somewhat, no?

Well Barb, the pre qualify things kind of went out the window for everybody when the powers that be stepped in and changed the laws last Friday. The banker still is very optimistic. We have alternatives if we have to use them though.

[Jen]

Greg,
The house looks beautiful...what gorgeous property, too! Looks like you get a lot for your money where you are!
My husband is a mortgage banker, feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any questions he might be able to answer. I don't know if he's licensed in Georgia...it's a state by state thing, but the rules often cross borders.
Good luck!
Looks like the view from your back balcony alone will be worth the trouble!

[pbittner]

Wow Greg - Great News that Tonya is feeling better I hope that keeps up for her! I am surprised that testing for Salmanella (sp??) would take so long to get back......I just hope she keeps doing better!

That house is gorgeous! I love the hardwood floors and the views and of course the spot of the future huge tank!! It will be beautiful - can't imagine a more beautiful place to sit and relax, fire in the fireplace, some nice hot good smelling homemade soup cooking in the kitchen and wonderful flashy fishes swimming around to watch all on a snowy winters day - ok for me the warmer summer months are more pleasant!!!

I wish you guys good luck and hope that the house stuff isn't too bad - I hate the not knowing and waiting for answers! Have you guys sold your current home - or are you not going to?

Hope you have a wonderful evening and I have to get ready to go empty tank diving again !

[tbittner]

Very nice, Greg! Beautiful house and AWESOME property! I love how they put benches everywhere. It's great having a stream like that too. It looks like the woods continue on for a ways too? And there isn't anything that tastes as good as hot dogs cooked over a fire with a stick. Not to mention roasted marshmellows.

For the tank, how far is it from the wall to the hinges on the door? Simple thing too, but don't forget to put a door stop down so the door knob doesn't go through the tank.

[framerguy]

Thanks All! The property played a big part in our desire for the house.

Terry, the property is woodsy like that for probably another 1/4 to 1/2 mile 'til you find another house.
Also, the door opens the opposite way from the tank so no problem there. The pic with the glass doors is wrong, the stitch job missed one of them. There are two stationary "fake" doors to the left of the real door.

Patti, the hardwood floors sold Gail, she loves them. The bedrooms are carpeted with Burber and hardwood everywhere else.

Jen, thanks for the offer. I'll tell Gail since she is the money person and she may get in touch with you for advice.

Later!