First dose of waste away questions

Third dose today(1 half dose and counting this morning,2 full doses) and seeing a little improvement. I'm being patient as the doc suggested. We will see what happens on Tuesday as that will be another 48 hrs.

From all I have read, at that point,I am supposed to switch over to the eco balance and waste away on a weekly basis?

I'm just wondering if I should do one more full dose of waste away?

Thanks much,

D

 

sorry for a late post - how is your tank?

 

System is doing ok, on the third dose of refresh after doing the waste away and one dose of eco balance.

I'm running the system with the skimmer off and it has been 14 hours approx. I want to turn it back on, but I'm waiting the full instructed 24, as the very first dose I didn't notice that little tidbit and cut it on after 8 hours.

The display is pretty much clean, with only the return pump section having a couple spots. I noticed this morning that it seems to be a different color in there though. In that spot it's a little more intense, but it's only in the one spot.

I plan on finishing this dose, the going back to the waste away part. My eco balance day from my log of last week it's on Thursday, so I have to work that in.

But overall,I think it's about 9/10 there I'm hoping.

Sound ok so far?

 

sounds good to me and it seems you are happy with the progress. Good things take time with reef system - hurrying only results in disasters.

 

Yes, it's progressing. I'm going to have to buy more waste away though I believe. I dose 120ml this morning and its short. I ordered the 16oz bottles and thought they would be enough to fly take care of it, but I'm seeing that this is a long term solution.

This is making me rethink my strategy and technique as far as dosing, etc.

 

OK. I'm really confused now and need some advice from Dr. Tim or anyone out there before I begin using Refresh to be followed by Waste Away. In addition to the Protein Skimmer, I have a Phosban Reactor and a Reactor with Katalyst Biopellets in it. The guy at the LFS (and all of you know how that goes sometimes) suggested that all lights off for 48 hours. First 2 days of Refresh and skimmer off overnight each night. Then on day 3, use Waste Away but did not mention skimmer use.
Questions:
1. Do I leave the reactors running while I am treating with Refresh and later, Waste Away?
2. What about the skimmer? I've read posts that are over the place. I want to be efficient but of course, not harm any of my animals.
3. There are some apparent issues with snails and shrimp. What about starfish, urchins and sponges? Will they be OK?
4. Should I do a water change before beginning treatment or does it matter?

Any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated.

 

I am sure Dr. T will respond here but in the future you may want to start your own thread in his section of the forum.

 

Shoot. Sorry. Didn't know he had his own forum.

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/drtims-aquatics.399/

 

Dr. Tim???? Anyone???