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Anonymous
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uh oh, not again!
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Anonymous
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Not nearly as deadly, but I think it has to do with my faulty RO filter. Will post an explanation tomorrow, am going to shower and treat my arm, and then to bed......
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Anonymous
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God Andy, I hope it's not as bad as it looks/sounds now. 
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The Escaped Ape":26gzbbxj said:God Andy, I hope it's not as bad as it looks/sounds now.
Thanks Tom, its not as bad as the first time- not that that makes a helluva lot of difference....
Below is my supposition on what happened based on similarities between the Xmas eve event (mentioned earlier in this thread) and last night's event:
I have a faulty RO membrane that is killing my DI resin in less than 50 GA of production.
The 24th event was triggered by a large overflow of my skimmer, emptying out part of my sump and making my return inoperable- I spent most of that afternoon and evening making RO and topping it off to get the return back up. I- mistakenly I think- thought that the 60 odd GA of RO that I added were not the root cause of the problem, but that excess skimmate that found its way into the tank had crashed it... there was a ton of bubble-off coming from the sand which I assumed was nitrogen. (I had just moved house that day and couldnt find my test kits to check)
Yesterday saw a smaller amount of RO being added by the auto topoff to the sump as a result of a smaller skimmer overflow. (less than 20 GA) When I checked the DI was dead. I had a similar bubble event- on a smaller scale and all the largest and most active fish were dead when i got home from work at 10pm. I surmise that the lights also have some function in 'activating' this bubble activity. I managed to test PO4, nitrates and nitrites- there was no PO4 and barely detectable quantities of the Nite's. I am assuming that these bubbles were CO2 from an interbacterial reaction and they depleted the O2 levels to near lethal.
My corals showed no signs of stress in both these events, so I have to assume that a faulty RO membrane, loaded with a toxic bacteria contaminated the system.
I am trying to set up a 1000Ga water change for tonight,or at worst, tomorow night. My old tank has been rebuilt and will be plumbed into the same sump and filled so the dilution on the system will be around 50% over the total system.
If anyone has some thoughts on the matter I would appreciate them- the above is the best I can come up with.... :?
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Anonymous
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The bubble probably is either O2 (photosynthesis), N2 (denitrification) or HS (bacterial, with a rotten egg smell, so I don't think it is your case). I don't think it is CO2. Your tank pH will crash if it is CO2, and I don't think you can get CO2 like that.
You need to figure out what's wrong with your water (the DI resin issue). You have not update your thread about this, so I assume you solved it. And you need to find out why your skimmer is overflowing. You need to have some way of prevent excessive skimmer overflow that make your sump water too low. For a complicated system like yours, it is not an easy job. Good luck.
You need to figure out what's wrong with your water (the DI resin issue). You have not update your thread about this, so I assume you solved it. And you need to find out why your skimmer is overflowing. You need to have some way of prevent excessive skimmer overflow that make your sump water too low. For a complicated system like yours, it is not an easy job. Good luck.
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Anonymous
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Thanks 7E
An update... I have a brand new RO membrane and new resin that is going in tonight. I will wash all the possibly contaminated surfaces with boiling water before reassembling the filter and top off system- Residual Ro water will get thrown out.
The skimmer is easy to fix, and I have had a plan in place for over 6 months to fix it- I have an inverter and battery bank to run the critical household circuits- especially this one. I just need some space in my garage (Tiles, cement bags etc) so the electrician can set it up. The overflow issue only happens when there is a power out and restart- it overflows on the restart.
An update... I have a brand new RO membrane and new resin that is going in tonight. I will wash all the possibly contaminated surfaces with boiling water before reassembling the filter and top off system- Residual Ro water will get thrown out.
The skimmer is easy to fix, and I have had a plan in place for over 6 months to fix it- I have an inverter and battery bank to run the critical household circuits- especially this one. I just need some space in my garage (Tiles, cement bags etc) so the electrician can set it up. The overflow issue only happens when there is a power out and restart- it overflows on the restart.
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Anonymous
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I don't know if this applies to your case, but if a device should not restart immediately, you maybe able to instead a timer (with override) that make it to restart later, when the rest of the tank is ready. I understand that one of your problem is that the skimmer should not restart immediately when the power come back on, correct?
As for the water, did you get a TDS meter for the RO, or you are going to reposition the sensor to get the TDS of the RO like one suggested? I think before you trashed the old RO membrane, you should make sure it is not the culprit that ruin the DI resin.
As for the water, did you get a TDS meter for the RO, or you are going to reposition the sensor to get the TDS of the RO like one suggested? I think before you trashed the old RO membrane, you should make sure it is not the culprit that ruin the DI resin.
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Anonymous
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Sorry 7E, I probably wasn't entirely clear- the problem with the skimmer is that the settings are very sensitive. Once its running and adjusted, it works just fine. The problem comes in when the power goes out, actually more specifically, when the power comes back on. The skimmer immediately overflows aggressively. Given our unreliable local power supply (Bad planning means we are often subjected to 'load-shedding- the forced shutdown of parts of the city to reduce the draw on the utility) a UPS/ inverter was always on the cards, it'll solve that problem. I have the additional interim problem of ongoing work here requiring the regular shutdown of the house power for safety reasons.
I tested the TDS at either end of the RO membrane this weekend and its the same. The membrane is shot, as suspected.
I tested the TDS at either end of the RO membrane this weekend and its the same. The membrane is shot, as suspected.
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Anonymous
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What is your TDS at the tap and after the new RO? ( I try to find out your local water quality)
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dupaboy1992":b81950lj said:
I will have to get back to you on that, I need a portable TDS meter and I only have one that is built into the RO unit.
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Anonymous
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It is easier to say than done, but you can remove the sensor from the RO unit, and use it to measure your tap water, the DI'ed water, etc.. As long as the sensor (consist of nothing but two metal wire, usually stainless steel) is submerged, it usually give you a decent reading.
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Kay, I will try when I get home either later tonight or tommorrow evening...
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Anonymous
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7E, my entire RODI setup has been changed with new prefilters, carbon, RO membrane and DI. TDS of the tapwater is 135, I now have a TDS post membrane of 4-5 and zero post DI Resin. Looks like I got that problem licked now. Thanks for your help and interest. I have also installed a large carbon filter with a 1000liter/hour in the sump, will update with pics soon.
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Anonymous
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Sounds good Andy.
I'm sure once you get it dialed in everything will run a bit more smoother.
I'm sure once you get it dialed in everything will run a bit more smoother.
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Anonymous
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Really good news Andy. Hopes this knocks all your problems on the head.
Ok, the 'picture frame' cladding in cherry has finally been fitted on the coral tank. In time- about 6 months- it should darken in colour to match the bar and the old tank cabinet. It looks stunning! Some pics for those of you that are interested....
For those that followed the RO problem I had a few months ago, a gascostrophy (aweful damn procedure! :? ) this morning has confirmed that the large amounts of RO water I was drinking with a bad membrane have left me with a severe bacterial stomach infection. The same bacteria would have been responsible for the two massive crashes I had according to the gastroenterologist today. I'm putting it out there as a warning that to leave your membrane standing for longer than a week could create a serious problem- both for the fish in your care and for yourself- if you were stupid enough to actually drink the Ro water....
Anyway, pics......
For those that followed the RO problem I had a few months ago, a gascostrophy (aweful damn procedure! :? ) this morning has confirmed that the large amounts of RO water I was drinking with a bad membrane have left me with a severe bacterial stomach infection. The same bacteria would have been responsible for the two massive crashes I had according to the gastroenterologist today. I'm putting it out there as a warning that to leave your membrane standing for longer than a week could create a serious problem- both for the fish in your care and for yourself- if you were stupid enough to actually drink the Ro water....
Anyway, pics......
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