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

It seems the alkalinity is slowly rising. It is now at 6.0 and the calcium is dropping - at 515.

Went to Exotic, and what did I do? I purchased some fish... Since the Ammonia/Nitrite levels were doing fine I assumed it would be fine to add some small fish. So I bought:

• 2 x small Percula Clownfish
• 1 x small Paracanthurus hepatus (Pacific Blue Tang)
• 1 x Pink Leather Coral
• 4 x Turbo Snails
• 4 x Red Legged Hermit Crabs
• 2 x Peppermint Shrimps
• 1 x Brown Brittle Star

When I got back home I saw an explosion of brown algae on the front side of the tank - on the live rock and on the substrate. I guess the white light, daylight, high phosphate levels and dKH buffer additions fueled them.