Quietness...

I finally received my new returnpump (Royal Exclusiv Red Dragon) and skimmer (Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 180) today. They replaced the loud stock pump and skimmer. What a difference! Still some resonance but nothing compared to the stock equipment.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 29.
Temperature: 25.2°F / 77.4°F
Salinity: 34.1 ppm / 51.9 mS / 1.0252 SG
pH: 8.13 (1 pm)
dKH: 6.6 (alkalinity)
NH3/4: 0 ppm (ammonia)
NO2: 0 ppm (nitrite)
NO3: 0 ppm (nitrate)
PO4: 0.08 ppm (phosphate)
Ca: 415 ppm (calcium)
Mg: 1460 ppm (magnesium)
RedOx: 337mV(reduction potential)

Alkalinity dropped to 6.6 again, I'll raise it with 50ml. Reef Foundation B. Same for Calcium.

Dimming lighting upgrade; sunset, sunrise and clouds

I received my new dimming ballasts yesterday. Replacing the stock ballasts is quite simple and can be done without damaging the RSM, so all modifications can be reverted. I used 5 dimming Philips HF-Regulator 254 TL5 EII 220-240V 50/60Hz ballasts. That's one for every 2 TL5's, which enables me to control 5 independent channels with a standard 1-10V (1-100%) interface. The Profilux is controlling these lights:

L1 = front section first two TL5's
L2 = front section second two TL5's
L3 = mid section two TL5's
L4 = back section first two TL5's
L5 = back section second two TL5's

L1 is leading and L2, L3, L4 and L5 are following L1 with 15 minutes interval. That way the sun will rise in the front of the aquarium and will set in the back. The Profilux is also simulating clouds, so the lights are fluctuating a bit to get more realistic lighting.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 26.
Temperature: 25°F / 77°F
Salinity: 34.45 ppm / 52.4 mS / 1.0255 SG
pH: 8.39 (6 pm)
dKH: 6.4 (alkalinity)
NH3/4: 0 ppm (ammonia)
NO2: 0 ppm (nitrite)
NO3: 0 ppm (nitrate)
PO4: 0.08 ppm (phosphate)
Ca: 395 ppm (calcium)
Mg: 1480 ppm (magnesium)
RedOx: 312mV(reduction potential)

Alkalinity dropped further to 6.4. Also nitrate levels dropped further to zero. Because alkalinity and calcium levels are quite low, I decided to raise them with the Red Sea Reef Foundation Program; A for Calcium, B for Alkalinity and C for Magnesium. I raised calcium to 415 ppm and alkalinity to 7.7 dKH. I'll check the levels again tomorrow.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 26.
Temperature: 78 °F
Salinity: 34.4 ppm
pH: 8.41 (8 pm)
KH: 6.7
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 0.25 ppm
PO4: 0.08 ppm
Ca: 400 ppm
Mg: 1440 ppm
RedOx: 312mV

I'm using this calculator to determine the correct balance between dKH and Ca: calculator. Both dKH and Ca are quite low, but balanced. I measured Mg accurately. NO3 dropped significantly from 4 ppm to 0.25 ppm in the last days. I still have a lot of algae in the tank.

The reef tank after 3 weeks

Water parameters

Water parameters day 24.
Temperature: 77.4 °F
Salinity: 34.8 ppm
pH: 8.37
KH: 7.5
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 1 ppm
PO4: 0.08 ppm
Ca: 415 ppm
Mg: 1600 ppm
RedOx: 312mV

NO3 is dropping and Mg is quite high.

Profilux VorTech Controller

I received my Profilux VorTech Controller today. With this device I can control my two MP40's with my Profilux controller. That way I can simulate high and low tide, and turn the MP40's down during maintenance or feeding pause. Connected the VorTech Controller with the PAB (Profilux Aquatic Bus) and did a reset of the MP40's. Tried to configure both the MP40's as a slave of the controller (master). But the MP40's failed to see the master controller (Profilux VorTech Controller). No clue how to fix it, luckily I stumbled upon this thread: GHL Support Forum. Opened op the device and indeed the RF module was loose. Pressed it in place again and the blue RF LED went on. Tried to assign the pumps as a slave again and this time with success. Now I'm able to control my MP40's with the Profilux Controller.

Profilux VorTech Controller

The topright RF module was loose

Time lapse

This is a time lapse video of the live rock that's in my RSM S500.