Englishrebels 260 Gallon System Build

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=15601472#post15601472

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15565153#post15565153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
Update
Well my cyanobacteria has gone. I pulled out some clumps and the rest has disappeared. The green hair algae is also on the wain as the the Trochus and Turbo snails are slowly getting it under control. Probably just New Tank Syndrome. :)


I am experiencing the same thing... you know, the bubbles under the purple crap at the end of the light cycle...

What did you do and how long did it take?

LL

[Lightsluvr]

Congratulations on the thread split!! Good job! Great tank build...

LL

[Ed Reef]

Congrat's on split.....

[WaterKeeper]

I hate splits. On threads that get split several times it makes it almost impossible to find the orginal post when I place it in a link. I know we have to do it to keep the board running efficiently but now all of Alans pictures and major posts are no longer at the beginning of the active thread. :(

[edandsandy]

Congratulations on the split...
Time for a recap :lol:

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15601680#post15601680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
I hate splits. On threads that get split several times it makes it almost impossible to find the orginal post when I place it in a link. I know we have to do it to keep the board running efficiently but now all of Alans pictures and major posts are no longer at the beginning of the active thread. :(

I know what you mean...

I am sure that Alan needed something else to do today... re-posting all those critical pictures, building a thread summary with links...etc.

:rolleyes:

LL

[WaterKeeper]

I maybe can help out. Post #1 of Alan's Build Thread (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1530296&perpage=25&pagenumber=1). ;)

Note- clicking on the link in the splitter post takes you to the last page before the split

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15601474#post15601474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
I am experiencing the same thing... you know, the bubbles under the purple crap at the end of the light cycle...

What did you do and how long did it take?

LL

With the cyano I tried dosing with Maracyn but that did not get rid of it. In the end I just pulled out the three clumps of red sand and what little bit was left just disappeared. I will add that I also started running phosban in one of my sump cylinders. Not sure it that had anything to do with it though.

The 20 Trochus snails have eaten almost all of the GHA.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15601508#post15601508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Congrat's on split.....

Thank you Ed

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15601682#post15601682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edandsandy
Congratulations on the split...
Time for a recap :lol:

Thanks Sandy. I check yours daily but no updates for a while -- you been busy??

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15601882#post15601882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
I maybe can help out. Post #1 of Alan's Build Thread (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1530296&perpage=25&pagenumber=1). ;)

Note- clicking on the link in the splitter post takes you to the last page before the split

Thanks Tom. I will try and do a recap - just like Tom (GlassReef) did recently.

BTW you never did say why your post count is going up. I thought I read that there was a count limit due to the software that RC used. :confused:

[teesquare]

Alan:
Sorry I have been absent for while - a bit pre-occupied as you know....
Congrats on the split! Would have posted sooner - but could not remember where to find the TANK BUILD THREADS....
Tom - could you guys idiot proof the site a bit more? I seem to be having trouble navigating it.....<G>..... (Of course if you do that - I will not be able to access it at all!)
See ya next Sat. Alan!
T

[WaterKeeper]

You didn't see my post in the Feedback Forum T². I said I felt like the Pope asking Michelangelo in the Agony and the Ecstasy, "When will there be an end to it?" to our upgrade gurus everyday and getting the same reply, "When it is finished." :D

[teesquare]

Sorry Tom, I puposely avoid anything on RC that engages my "opinion mechanism".....After getting spanked once on RC- I have learned not to care too much - the risk of expressing one's feelings ( and - I would concur with yours Tom) albeit in a reasonable manner, simply get us in trouble.
I am glad you are able to do it however. We will all just live thru you!
You are the hero of the down-trodden!!! HAIL TOM!!!!!!
T

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15602235#post15602235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teesquare
Sorry Tom, I puposely avoid anything on RC that engages my "opinion mechanism".....After getting spanked once on RC- I have learned not to care too much - the risk of expressing one's feelings ( and - I would concur with yours Tom) albeit in a reasonable manner, simply get us in trouble.
I am glad you are able to do it however. We will all just live thru you!
You are the hero of the down-trodden!!! HAIL TOM!!!!!!
T

T
That kiss*ss will get you nowhere the next time your put on probation. :lol: :lol:

Tom
What about your post counter mystery??? :confused: :confused:
The upgrades must be like painting the golden gate bridge huh. :lol:

[teesquare]

There will not be a next time Alan.
T

[EnglishRebel]

Tom
Thanks for the idea of a CO2 scrubber for the skimmer venturi feed. What I'm going to do first is to put a JG fitting on the lid of my skimmer cup and connect a pipe from the outside. I don't want to pipe my venturi feed directly from outside (or from the room for that matter) as mine draws its air from inside the skimmer cup (it's a LifeReef skimmer). The advantage of this is that it draws moist air from the cup thus preventing salt build up in the venturi and if the skimmer cup ever gets above the venturi take off it sucks water and stops the cup from overflowing.
This is tomorrows project - should I wish to accept it otherwise this thread will self-destruct in one hour. :lol: :lol:
I will report back. :)

[GlassReef]

Hey, congratulations on your split, Alan! BTW - I'm jealous of all your jaw and fire fish. :cool:

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15605019#post15605019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Hey, congratulations on your split, Alan! BTW - I'm jealous of all your jaw and fire fish. :cool:

Thanks Tom. At the risk of WaterKeeper telling me to stop the Amber Alerts :p I have not see the smaller of the two Purple Firefish in three days. You don't think he accidently got in my LT Anemone do you? I grilled (no pun intended :D) the others but no one has seen him.
He can't get in the overflow and he's not on the floor under the stand.

[teesquare]

I think he may have run away due to jealousy of the Helfrichs' now living in the neighborhood......
T

[erics3000]

Alan when you have a split doesn't that mean some new pics???Your tank is coming along nicely.

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15614380#post15614380 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teesquare
I think he may have run away due to jealousy of the Helfrichs' now living in the neighborhood......
T

T
You may be right as they are a pretty fish. See you Saturday -- looking forward to it. I found your frag -- will bring it along.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15629023#post15629023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by erics3000
Alan when you have a split doesn't that mean some new pics???Your tank is coming along nicely.

Eric
You’re a slave driver. :p Am going on a SW road trip with T2 and JRF Saturday down to SC and GA. I'll try and post next week. I just got my ReefKeeper lunar module and two blue and two white pods (they just came out with a red -- cool to watch what happens after dark). I have to hook those up in place of using the AquaIllumination lunar function as IMO, even with the white set at 0% and the blues at 1% it's still too bright. With the blues on 1% I don't get a true lunar cycle as there's no place to go below 1% when the moon is waning.
Will post pics when I get them hooked up -- promise. :p

[JRF]

Yo TIm, you should bring Alan some of those Neon Green Solomon Is. polyps Saturday !!!!! They are down right cool !

[teesquare]

Wil do Jeff! Glad you like 'em. They are the biggest and brightest that I have ever seen. How are those Cardinals doin?
T

[JRF]

Dude ! My Skunk clown has already killed one !! And he has nipped away at the tail fin of another one...I think the Skunk is going to kill them all eventually....I have to get that Skunk out of the tank!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Alan, didnt mean to hijack your thread !

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15642588#post15642588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teesquare
Wil do Jeff! Glad you like 'em. They are the biggest and brightest that I have ever seen. How are those Cardinals doin?
T

T
His pink skunk clownfish bit the s**t out of one of his cardinals tail and it died. He's going to borrow Franks homemade fish trap to get him out. After that I'm using it to get the Damsel out of my 55G sump as he's going back to the store. I took my three Mexican Turbos back yesterday as they had done their work. The Trochus snails can take care of the lawn maintenance now. :p

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15642643#post15642643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRF
Dude ! My Skunk clown has already killed one !! And he has nipped away at the tail fin of another one...I think the Skunk is going to kill them all eventually....I have to get that Skunk out of the tank!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Alan, didnt mean to hijack your thread !

No problem -- I was typing while you posted a reply.

[Skipper]

Great article, Alan!!! Thanks for submitting it to Reefkeeping Magazine. :)

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/29-building-an-aquarium-stand

[GlassReef]

Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on your article in the September issue of Reefkeeping Magazine! Great stand, great design, great article, great work, just great great great!!!

[teesquare]

Jeff... you REALLY thought they are called "Skunk" clowns because of the stripe.....WRONG:D ....it is because they are STINKERS!!!!!

I will bring you some C-4 loaded fish pellets ....feed the skunk clowns and touch the tank water with the cut-off end of and extension cord that is plugged into the wall outlet:eek1: :lol: ......A little messy, but the other fish will re-cycle the "nutrients":smokin:....
T

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15642875#post15642875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Skipper
Great article, Alan!!! Thanks for submitting it to Reefkeeping Magazine. :)

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/29-building-an-aquarium-stand

Thanks Skipper

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15643066#post15643066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on your article in the September issue of Reefkeeping Magazine! Great stand, great design, great article, great work, just great great great!!!

Tom
You were second but no matter :p . Thanks and I hope it helps someone else build one.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15643666#post15643666 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teesquare
Jeff... you REALLY thought they are called "Skunk" clowns because of the stripe.....WRONG:D ....it is because they are STINKERS!!!!!

I will bring you some C-4 loaded fish pellets ....feed the skunk clowns and touch the tank water with the cut-off end of and extension cord that is plugged into the wall outlet:eek1: :lol: ......A little messy, but the other fish will re-cycle the "nutrients":smokin:....
T

T
Don't you think that's a little extreme. :lol: :lol: A speargun would be better. :p
Jeff
What you going to do with it when you get it out? Tim needs some fish in his. :rollface:
Killer needs a nice meal too.

[teesquare]

Alan - congrats on the article.
I have seen Alan's cabinet work, and his aquarium stand. The pictures do not do either justice. Lookout Norm Abram!!! There is a new wood sheriff in town!!!

T

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15643719#post15643719 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teesquare
Alan - congrats on the article.
I have seen Alan's cabinet work, and his aquarium stand. The pictures do not do either justice. Lookout Norm Abram!!! There is a new wood sheriff in town!!!

T

Routers at fifty paces?? :cool:

[teesquare]

Alan - nope....the fish pellets are more fun, and will not break the glass in small quantities....
Jeff....Yeah - bring him with you...I love sushi!!! The fresher - the better!
T

[JRF]

Was going to put him in the sump, but I like the pellet idea better..lol

[teesquare]

I was thinking maybe....Paslode Airnailers w/16D's.....What a "blood letting"...:D

T

[teesquare]

Jeff...He would the be the perfect fish to put in a quarantine tank just to maintain cycle....until you put another fish in there.....Or - I could combine him with just the right amount of wasabi.......
T

[JRF]

I hear ya, Im afraid I wont be able to get him out...

["Umm, fish?"]

Congratulations, Alan! Nice job!

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15644018#post15644018 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by "Umm, fish?"
Congratulations, Alan! Nice job!

Thanks a lot Andy.

[WaterKeeper]

:thumbsup:

I knew people would like your woodworking skills and Norm Abram was not available.

[teesquare]

Tom-
I have been meaning to ask you where you get that haircut in your avatar....Tupperware???:D :D :D
T

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15644281#post15644281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
:thumbsup:

I knew people would like your woodworking skills and Norm Abram was not available.
Tom
And I was less expensive right! :p
Tim
Don't push your luck. :eek1:

[teesquare]

Oh, I think Tom is one of the good guys here....and he has at times exibited a great sense of humor!:D
Hell, if I can't kid around with anybody, why be here? There are plenty of anal-retentive reef oriented places one can "hang their keyboard:) "
T

[WaterKeeper]

I removed Alan's anal comment from his article. Sorry Alan. :D

Did anybody notice that the flatworm identified as a AEFW had a last name (I didn't name it) of rubioanus? I'll leave it to the reader to translate that from the Latin. ;)

[teesquare]

rubioanus!!!!!!:lol:
Is that What we get when we find that we have them in our tanks???:D
On a serious note - where is the best article about AEFW Tom....ben losing approx. 1 frag a week for about a month now..... need more info....i.d., treatment, etc.
T

[WaterKeeper]

As I explained in the article T, I don't think anyone has a true handle on AEFW. I went through about a zillion posts, on RC, and flatworms pictured often are not predatory worms. I think Paul Whitby is going to do a followup article on them in the next couple of months and, since he has a PhD in biology, he may know a lot more than I do,

[teesquare]

Now I understand the context of your post - sorry Tom. I think I am seeing plain old RTN.... Just looking for answers wo the "bottom up" bleaching that I am seeing occasionally - any input appreciated.
T

[Rickyrooz1]

Nice build!

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15644848#post15644848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
I removed Alan's anal comment from his article. Sorry Alan. :D

Tom
I never even noticed. :p

So what concoction do I use for frag dipping? Iodine you said is not enough. Do I use several dips -- one for each particularly nasty or is there a general purpose, kills all (like DDT)? I guess a week solution of HCl would do it right? :eek2:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15645320#post15645320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teesquare
Now I understand the context of your post - sorry Tom. I think I am seeing plain old RTN.... Just looking for answers wo the "bottom up" bleaching that I am seeing occasionally - any input appreciated.
T
T
I now see that I have to practice safe frag swapping with you from now on. :lol: :lol:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15648840#post15648840 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rickyrooz1
Nice build!

Thank you kindly.

[WaterKeeper]

Well putting it in a pressure cooker for 15 minutes at 15 psi will make it a sure thing that your coral is free of disease; and also those nasty polyps. :D

I really don't know of any treatment for RTN, and again, nobody seems to know exactly what causes it. I often hear poor water quality but modern reefkeepers do a pretty fair job with water conditions. It is somewhat like the term "stress". I have no idea of stress levels on fish or inverts. I guess you could feed them Prozac but I'm not to sure what the dosage would be. ;)

When we are at a loss for diagnosis of a particular condition we come up with all sorts of causative agents without any real proof of what caused the disease or the proper treatment. My whole philosophy is to isolate, like swine flu, and hope the specimen does not contract the disease in the first place.

[terryp01]

Alan, great documentation (and entertainment). I picked up quite a few tips for my next project. If you ever need a vacation to Texas (working that is) just let me know, I have free room and board as long as you do the build on my aquarium .... :-)

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15657396#post15657396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by terryp01
Alan, great documentation (and entertainment). I picked up quite a few tips for my next project. If you ever need a vacation to Texas (working that is) just let me know, I have free room and board as long as you do the build on my aquarium .... :-)

Thanks Terry. If I'm ever in Texas I will be sure to have two sprained wrists. :p

[teesquare]

Hey Tom!
Thanks for the response. I tried them steamed - not good....
So I battered and fried a few....smelled like bad scallops...

Really tho - I think the 3-4 I lost may have been irritated by phenols and skatols. The reason I say that is - we know that plants release those chemicals when the die - or reproduce....
I have a refugium with a lot of Cheatomorpha in it that I have been playing with - kinda wanted to see if it is all it is cracked up to be.
Had some die back in Cheatomorpha - and the skimmer has been pulling out REALLY bright green effluent. The exact green as the Cheato.........
Just makes me think that the plant was the culprit....
T

[WaterKeeper]

It's better that putrescine or cadaverine and indol is not too pleasant either T. :D

[teesquare]

Unfortunately - all too familiar with putrescine...Just took a road trip with Alan and Jeff....They blamed it all on pooor little innocent me! (I only had BBQ and Baked beans - double portions I may add - 3 times this week)
Cadaverine I hope to avoid as much as possible!
T

[EnglishRebel]

Tom & T
What the bloody heck are you two talking about????:confused:

[teesquare]

Just an expanded theory on "gas exchange" Alan.....:D
T

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15669424#post15669424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
Tom & T
What the bloody heck are you two talking about????:confused: Alan, if you've ever walked past some road kill that's been laying there a week - that's what they're talking about. :cool:

[WaterKeeper]

Thiols and Mercaptans of course. :eek1:

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15669794#post15669794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
Thiols and Mercaptans of course. :eek1:

Ah come on Tom -- you just confused me even more. :eek1: Speak English (my version or yours). :lol:

[WaterKeeper]

Well ethyl mercaptan or ethanethiol is what they add to natural gas and we all know this cute little mercaptan producer-

http://www.acmeanimalremoval.com/images/skunk_babies.jpg

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15670021#post15670021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
Well ethyl mercaptan or ethanethiol is what they add to natural gas and we all know this cute little mercaptan producer-
Well that explains everything. I wonder if this is why Jeff's (JRF) skunk clown went on a killing spree and offed his four blue striped cardinals -- to much mercaptan. :p

[teesquare]

Tom have you noticed less smell of mercaptan in epoxies of late...? EPA forcing dome formula changes of amine cures for epoxies?

Alan: - I got all of this started with the obscure reference tp the BBQ and BEANS I ate when on our road trip last Sat. - The gastronomic response I had was sort of like.....a skunk in the car....Is that HINT enough????:rollface: ???
T

[WaterKeeper]

I seldom sniff glue but if I did it would be one wtih tons of acetone, not a thiol. :D

[teesquare]

:D Not fond of a skunk's butt...eh-Tom?:D
Mercaptan has been used in 2 component epoxies (both adhesives and coatings) as it enhances chemical resistance, and expedites the final cure, helping to eliminate amine "blush" (oily leftover in some post-reacted epoxies)
I had heard that it was being scrutinized by EPA, and companies were re-formulating. I have some epoxy stick here that has a distinctive mercaptan odor , and some ( more recently purchased) which does not have a strong odor of mercaptan.

Thought you may have input on any long term ramifications. Aside from the funky smell...:)
T

[WaterKeeper]

I'm not really up on that issue as I have never done glue formulation but I can sniff (oh my, bad pun) around if you are interested.

[teesquare]

Just curious if it has a meaning for us as reefkeepers....
T

[EnglishRebel]

T
I got the not too subtle hints a few posts back. :D

[teesquare]

Just wanted to be sure the attempt at levity was not wasted Alan....Every court needs a jester!:rollface:
T

[JRF]

The new blue acro frag I bought has turned into one of those pretty white Arctic frags !!

[EnglishRebel]

Jeff
Maybe it's acclimating. My Duncan looks really nice. Time to move it up in the tank?

[teesquare]

No Alan - he means it sufferd RTN....Rapid Tissue Necrosis.....All of the stuff I bought is doing fine. Jeff just got the short straw that day...sorry Jeff.
T

[JRF]

LOL , yeah its acclimating all right !!

I would wait a little longer on the Duncan..

[JRF]

It turned into a Jim Stein special !! :eek1:

[EnglishRebel]

Well you can bleach it if it gets algae on it. Jim Stime would be proud of you. :lol:

[JRF]

:lol: I'll use the gas powered pressure washer....in the tank..

[teesquare]

That guy is a nut job........But fun to watch!
T

[EnglishRebel]

Well I finally caught the clowns and they are now banished to the 55G fuge downstairs. The female had been making life a living hell for my newly introduced Flame Hawk. I don't know why, as she has been a model citizen up to now -- not bothering any new additions large or small. It wasn't territorial either as the tank is 5' long and no matter where the Flame Hawk was she would seek him out and make his life a misery. It got to the point where she didn't hang out with her mate any more but roamed the tank looking for the Hawkfish.
The trap is an acrylic box with a sliding door on one end and a pin through a hole keeps it in the up position. It was lent to me by Frank of Reef Concepts (thanks Frank). It took me about an hour to get them. The male would just swim in but she was more wary. While the male was in the box trying to figure out which end he came in :p, I shooed her toward it and she swam right in. Bam -- pulled the fishing line that was attached to the pin -- letting the door drop shut, and I had them.
It was nice to watch the Flame Hawk swimming carefree in the front of the tank and her going crazy trying to get to him.:rollface:
I still have no idea why she took an instance dislike to the Flame Hawk. Maybe it was his color or the way he swam (it's similar to the way the clowns do). Or maybe she woke up that day and decided to be a b**ch.

[teesquare]

Alan...is it possible that you caught my ex-wife in the trap???:eek2:

If so - you can move her anywhere you want.....AND she will still cause terror:D
Just kidding...(in the event her atty. is a reef nut...)

T

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15704262#post15704262 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teesquare
Alan...is it possible that you caught my ex-wife in the trap???:eek2:

If so - you can move her anywhere you want.....AND she will still cause terror:D
Just kidding...(in the event her atty. is a reef nut...)

T
T
Or my second.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[EnglishRebel]

I had a 4 hour power outage a few weeks ago and I was nervous the whole time. Fortunately it was a broken connection on one of the transformers that are located at the back of some houses in our development and I was able to talk to the Duke Energy guys who came out to fix it and they gave me an estimate on how long it might take.
After that I decided to invest in a generator so I purchased one of these, it's a 5000W Generac.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/ENGLISHREBEL/IMG_0523.jpg

I installed a Reliance manual transfer switch under the dedicated 40A panel in my equipment room. I rerouted the wires that feed this panel and hooked them up to the UTILITY side of the transfer switch (on the left in this photo) and hooked the wires from the receptacle outside to the GENERATOR breaker (the one on the right side). The 220V busses were wired back to the breaker panel.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/ENGLISHREBEL/IMG_0522.jpg

I hooked up the 10' power cord from the generator to the outside receptacle

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/ENGLISHREBEL/IMG_0524.jpg

and fired it up. Worked just fine. Now I can relax when we have a power outage (assuming I'm home of course). Now all I need is for Digital Aquatics to have the ability for the Reef Keeper to notify me on my iPhone if power goes out. :p

Here's the finished panel installation. The two breakers are physically connected so you cannot feed power from the generator back into the utility supply. This is required by code.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/ENGLISHREBEL/IMG_0525.jpg

By the way, here's my cat checking out dinner. :lol:

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/ENGLISHREBEL/IMG_0511.jpg

[WaterKeeper]

Alan,

Just a warning. Get the new pics in today. When the upgrade happens this weekend some posts made during the period will be lost.

[Goodwin9]

Did you do the panel wiring yourself, or have an electrician complete the work?

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15753454#post15753454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
Alan,

Just a warning. Get the new pics in today. When the upgrade happens this weekend some posts made during the period will be lost.

Tom
What changes are in the works?
Edit Never mind -- just read your Warning to the Worthless Nubies post.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15753679#post15753679 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Goodwin9
Did you do the panel wiring yourself, or have an electrician complete the work?

I'm not a licensed electrician but have done a lot of wiring in my house (I wired up 220VAC as well as 120VAC receptacles for my workshop, as well as three sub-panels for the workshop, aquarium equipment room, and kitchen remodel). It's pretty straightforward pulling wire and connecting to breakers. You just have to know what wire goes where.
I would advise anyone who is in any doubt as to their ability to get a licensed electrician to do the work.

[RGibson]

Did your generator come with ele start?

[EnglishRebel]

Did your generator come with ele start?

No it has a pull start (but starts first pull :thumbsup:)

[Lightsluvr]

[QUOTE=EnglishRebel;15754115]Tom

I'm not a licensed electrician but have done a lot of wiring in my house QUOTE]

But have you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express?? :spin2:

LL

[EnglishRebel]

I took a trip up to the LFS in Boone NC last week (it's about 80 miles away in the Blue Ridge mountains). I took an instant liking to a Foxface as it reminded me of angel fish which I would love to keep but they're not reef safe. Here is is in his new surroundings and eating nicely. I did get a shock though when I got him home as he had lost all his yellow color and was a murky brown. :eek: Panicky, I called up the store and was told that this is normal if he is stressed or frightened. He got back to his beautiful colors in about an hour of going into the tank.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/ENGLISHREBEL/IMG_0527.jpg

I don't know if you remember but I had a strange growth on a rock that I got from a friend. Here's a picture of it.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/ENGLISHREBEL/IMG_0421.jpg

Well as soon as the Foxface came out of hiding he started chomping on which led me to believe that it is a red algae. I was looking at the "reef plants" on the good Doctors Foster and Smith web site and came across this.

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20080319185246/www.liveaquaria.com/images/categories/product/p-90037-Red-Gracilaria-Fee.jpg

It's Red Gracilaria Feeding Algae. No wonder the Foxface loves it.

Here's the latest FTS for your pleasure.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/ENGLISHREBEL/IMG_0528.jpg

[EnglishRebel]

I couldn't find one of my three female Anthias yesterday. I went searching with a flashlight to see under all the rock work but she was nowhere to be found. As a last resort I looked in the overflow and there she was. I didn't know that Anthias where jumpers. Well, I got a piece of egg crate and herded her to one end and then dropped the egg crate in to pen her in. In trying to net her, she swam right through the egg crate. So that's how she got in the overflow. :hmm1: I wrapped the egg crate in a Ziplock bag and tried again. After about three minutes I managed to net her and get her back in the tank. I have a piece of plastic gutter guard against the back of the egg crate overflow but she managed to squeeze past it. Hope she stays put now.

The Dragonet I got yesterday from the Boone LFS seems to be doing well and picking at the rocks. I hope she finds enough pods to keep her well fed.

The Long Tentacled Anemone that was doing so well and coloring up nicely decided to go walkabout and sat itself right outside one of the Pearly Jawfish's burrows. The poor little thing was scared to come out. :worried2:
I decided that I didn't want a wandering anemone so I pulled it out and put it in the 55G refugium downstairs where it seems to have found a spot it likes on one of the rocks. At least it can't knock over any corals down there. I did put an egg crate lid over the overflow so it couldn't block the drain strainer. :hmm4:

[tonyf]

Alan, your display is looking great! Marvellous to see that the algae probs are behind you :clap:

Tone :)

["Umm, fish?"]

You'll be thanking yourself for that generator. I already have for mine.

[EnglishRebel]

Alan, your display is looking great! Marvellous to see that the algae probs are behind you :clap:

Tone :)

Thanks Tone. I almost wish I had some hair algae so my Foxface could graze. :rollface:
It must be spring down under now huh?

You'll be thanking yourself for that generator. I already have for mine.

I will probably never need it as in the last 18 years we have only had two long power outages (more then 30 minutes) but it's good insurance. I guess living in Boulder you must get more than we do here in NC.

["Umm, fish?"]

Actually, we don't really. We're pretty close to the distribution point and all the downtown businesses, so they take care of us pretty well. That said, a couple of months ago a transformer nearby exploded and we were down for about 6 hours. I'm very, very happy for the generator.

Actually, we used to get far more power outages when I lived in north Texas (including about three weeks one time when I was a kid). But they get ice storms there while we get more of the powder snow.

[tonyf]

Thanks Tone. I almost wish I had some hair algae so my Foxface could graze. :rollface:
It must be spring down under now huh?

Not wrong, it feels like mid-summer already. We've had dust storms and 32C hot dry days already. The Jacaranda trees have had 2 spring blooms already :dance:

You'll be preparing for winter ... must be down quite low by now? Wish I was over your way this season for a touch of skiing; missed last year due to the GFC.

:bigeyes:

[EnglishRebel]

Not wrong, it feels like mid-summer already. We've had dust storms and 32C hot dry days already. The Jacaranda trees have had 2 spring blooms already :dance:

You'll be preparing for winter ... must be down quite low by now? Wish I was over your way this season for a touch of skiing; missed last year due to the GFC.

:bigeyes:

Nice time of the year here in North Carolina. We are getting 37 degree (2.7) mornings and 75 degree (24) days. Great time of the year - leaves are turning.

[EnglishRebel]

Well my Blue Spot Jawfish is a gonnner. :mad: I found him laying in the sand at the opposite end of the tank this morning. No visible marks but one of my PearlyJawfish has what looks like a red patch behind his left gill. Looks like a bite. I don't think they fight with each other as their burrows are right next to each other. He was fine yesterday. Damn, I liked that fish.
I got an email from Doctors Foster & Smith the same day with their Blue Spot Jawfish on half price sale. Is this an omen? :strange:

[EnglishRebel]

Well another Blue Spot is on order from Blue Zoo at half price along with three Orange Stripe Cardinals. They should be here Wednesday morning. :bounce1:

["Umm, fish?"]

Sorry, Alan. I just lost my female blue spot. Looks like she got caught in a cave-in, and it wound up breaking her spine. :(

[EnglishRebel]

Sorry, Alan. I just lost my female blue spot. Looks like she got caught in a cave-in, and it wound up breaking her spine. :(

Andy
Sorry to hear that. :sad2: Grab one from the Doctors Foster and Smith while they're on half price (or Blue Zoo who matched theirs). I think my new one is maybe a female as she seems to not be as aggressive as the previous one who used to repeatedly charge his reflection in the glass.
BTW Blue Zoo said they will pair fish for an additional $40 but not sure how they can do that with BlueSpots.

I have a feeling that mine may have accidentally impaled her/himself on one of the Rabbit fish spines. There was a very small what looked like a bloody spot on its side but not big enough to be a bite. When I found it dead it's mouth was wide open.

The new Bluespot couldn't seem to decide where he wanted to set up home. First he was under a rock on the RHS of the tank, then two days later he was digging a hole in the sand on the LHS. I dropped some rubble near the hole for him to use. This morning he was excavating another hole back on the RHS next to where one of the Pearly Jawfish has a burrow so I relocated the rubble pile. Well, while the Pearly was out of his burrow ol' Blue just dove right in. Now the Pearly is homeless (for a while). He tried to move in with the other (and larger Pearly) but he was having none of it.
Fun and games on the reef. Maybe we should call it Reefer Madness some of you older reefers probably remember that movie. :rollface:

[EnglishRebel]

Well I am missing one of my Helfrick firefish. There were two on Saturday and one has gone AWOL. I am not hopeful. With the Bluespot Jawfish that makes two this last week. :sad2: Also the two colonies of zoos that I got over a week ago have been closed up for two days. I'm wondering if that's normal.

[EnglishRebel]

It's been a while since I updated this thread so here goes.
I lost one of my Pearly Jawfish -- never even saw what happened to him. Searched the overflow, the floor -- no sign of him. UGH :mad2:
Two weeks later my Blue Spot Jawfish starting acting really strange. Dashing up to the surface and then falling back to the sand upside down only to repeat the move. Later that day I saw him under a rock -- dead. I pulled him out and flushed him. How sad. :sad1:
Another reefer (T) suggested that it may have been a delayed reaction to cyanide poisoning as some divers will squirt cyanide in their burrows to force them out. Seems plausible but I had him for about a month. Not sure if this is the normal time for cyanide poisoning to show up.
My Duncan coral is not looking good as it has retracted its "feelers" for about a week now. I did notice that it has started to grow two more polyps so not sure if the dormancy is normal when going through this.
All other corals and fish are doing fine. Here's a list of current fish stock.

(1) Foxface Rabbitfish
(1) Blue Line Rabbitfish
(1) False Percula
(1) Helfrick Firefish
(1) Purple Firefish
(2) Red Firefish
(1) Blue Chromis (started with 5)
(1) Green Chromis (started with 5)
(5) Orange Stripe Cardinals
(1) Blue and Pink Spot Shrimp Goby
(1) Yellow Shrimp Goby
(1) Flame Hawk
(1) Sixline Wrasse
(1) Red Mandarin
(4) Lyretail Anthias (1 male and 3 females)
(1) Pearly Jawfish

Plus
(1) Coral Banded Shrimp
(1) Cleaner Shrimp
(?) Emerald Crabs
(6) Trochus Snails
(?) Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
(?) Red Leg Hermit Crabs

[teesquare]

The cyanide or other toxins issue in fish collection is one of the "dark" areas that we can never know...We are not there to see them collected - nor is the exporter, nor the importer/wholesaler, nor our LFS....so you see my "shadow of doubt" theory about fish - when they die mysteriously.
One thing you can do for new fish - is to feed with Piperazine laced foods for a couple of weeks. This is an excellent wormer, and will help rid the fish of intestinal parasites that can stress the fish, causing it to succumb to illnesses that it may otherwise have been able to shake off. (Tetra makes this as a flake food - you can mix it in with frozen brine to get finicky eaters to try it)
Then, after this round of treatment - you may want to feed a food that includes an anti-biotic, for any secondary infections that can occur because of the parasites.
Hope this helps!
T

[EnglishRebel]

Well for some reason, after six months one of my Vortech MP40s decided to fall off the glass a week ago and I could not get it to stay put. Even if I aligned the wet and dry sides perfectly, the impeller would not turn and if I let go of the wet side it would slide down the glass.
After talking to Ecotech Marine and returning the unit they could not find any problems with it and it worked fine on their test tank. Then two days ago the second one detached itself -- same problem. It must be the earths magnetic field in my area that is causing this problem. :spin2:
After several days of messing around with a new motor and wet side that Ecotech sent me (they have great technical support by the way) I decided to call it quits and I ordered two Tunze 6105 impellers. GRRRR :furious:

[JRF]

Man that is so crazy with your Vortechs as my MP20 dry and wet side will not align itself at all and runs perfectly with almost completely off set positions ( imagine 2 dinner plates sitting BESIDE each other and no overlap, thats how my Vortech runs )...:strange:

[tonyf]

Hi Alan, Long time!

Compliments of the Season to you and your family from Down Under.

'Been a while since you update your tremendous thread ... love the generator wired in; mine just has an extension cord through the window which needs to be manually connected to the strategic plug.

Overcast and showers with daytime temperatures 28 - 30C. We had Calfo over a few weeks ago, he came from early snow temperatures to 32-34C ... man, he struggled :hmm6: Nice guy!

You described your Blue Spot as "Dashing up to the surface and then falling back to the sand upside down only to repeat the move." This can also indicate a lack of oxygen in the water ... my experience with cyanide caught fish is that they pretty much waste away; the cyanide apparently inhibits their ability to ingest food so I'm told.

Alternatively, the cause might be Amyloodinium or 'ich'. This, it seems, is more likely as the fish are probably inclined to be infected due to living in the substrate where the tomonts come to rest after falling from an infected fish (new arrival?) The habits and colour of the Blue Spot would also make it difficult recognise any new infection until it is too late.

FWIW, I wouldn't introduce any new :fish2: for a :sleep: period of say a month and observe how the existing :fish1:do. This will let the tomonts cycle a few times and hopefully die off.

Then you will be happy again :love1:

Good luck and keep us posted on progress.

Cheers,

Tone :)

[EnglishRebel]

Thanks Tone
I didn't see any signs of ick on the BlueSpot and with it's color they would be easy to see. Lack of oxygen is not an issue that I am aware of (all other fish are doing great).

[edandsandy]

:celeb3:
:celeb3:
:celeb3:

Hope you are having a safe and Happy New Year!

[teesquare]

He is playing in the tank again - I am willing to bet!

T

[rpeeples]

Any updates? Hope all is well.

[RGibson]

Ron how is your new house and tank coming?

[rpeeples]

Hey Ralph, good to hear from you. Things have progressed nicely and I welcome a visit anytime. Much more work went into the rebuild then the original build...at least it feels like it.

I hope all is well with Alan...just looking for an update...I am sure his tank is maturing nicely.

[EnglishRebel]

Any updates? Hope all is well.
Ron
Thanks for asking but nothing much to report. Have been steadily adding corals. Jeff and I are going to Asheville this coming weekend to visit with T and a couple of LFS so will probably get some more and a male green Mandarin. I lost my Blue Spot Jawfish a month or so back (no idea why he died but he was swimming crazily the day he died). Out of the five orange stripe Cardinals I lost one to what looked like pop eye disease.
I'm not having much success with mushrooms in my display. I had a rock covered with green striped mushrooms and they slowly dissolved. I moved what was left to the 55G downstairs and they are doing fine. I got a rather expensive rock of purple mushrooms with blue spots about a month back. Thinking it was the bright light that was the downfall of the others I put this rock under an overhang under my LEDs but same thing happened. When I was down to one head I moved the rock to the 55G and it seems to be doing okay. Strange.

[teesquare]

Hey Alan!

Say - can you tell me how to st up the "Home Page" - for viewing my build thread?
Or - where I can find that info?
And - I have fresh snow this morning! We have had 32'' total since Dec. 18.......Wear you fur lined cup!:spin2:
Thanks,
T

[EnglishRebel]

Hey Alan!

Say - can you tell me how to st up the "Home Page" - for viewing my build thread?
Or - where I can find that info?
And - I have fresh snow this morning! We have had 32'' total since Dec. 18.......Wear you fur lined cup!:spin2:
Thanks,
T

T
First highlight and copy the URL of your thread, then click on MY RC then clock on EDIT YOUR DETAILS on the left, scroll down to HOME PAGE URL and paste your thread URL.
I don't want any snow for when we come this Saturday so you better get shoveling. :spin3:

[teesquare]

Thanks Alan!

I have the feeling there will be lots of "shoveling" going on while you are here...but probably not snow!:bigeyes:
T

[edandsandy]

Do you have any pics to share?

[chuckstyl5]

any new sump pictures?? What media are you running in those filter cylinders??

[rpeeples]

Hope all is well with Allen. Haven't seen him post in sometime.

[EnglishRebel]

any new sump pictures?? What media are you running in those filter cylinders??
I don't have any more sump pictures. The ones in this thread are pretty much how it is today. I can run up to three cylinders but have only used two to date -- carbon and phosban

Hope all is well with Allen. Haven't seen him post in sometime.

Ron
I'm fine thanks -- just haven't had much to report of late. I am battling a red slime outbreak right now. I am having to suck clumps off the rocks with a turkey baster. Am trying a new product recommended by Laurren at Elite Aquarium Systems in Greensboro. I have to do one treatment a week and am getting ready to do the second tomorrow. Laurren said that it will take a couple of weeks to see results so will keep you posted.
Laurren is also sourcing a Red Sea Sailfin Tang for me so will post pics when he's in the tank.

[rpeeples]

Allan, yes we all go through the cycles especially in new setups. I've had my fair share of battles!

Laurren as in former owner of Aquamain's or should I say formerly Aquamain's?

Would love to see what your dealing with from a cyano standpoint would you mind posting pics of the tank?

[teesquare]

What is the product that you are using for the red slime called Alan?

T

[RGibson]

Allan were in greensboro is the elite aquarium systems?

[EnglishRebel]

Allan, yes we all go through the cycles especially in new setups. I've had my fair share of battles!
Laurren as in former owner of Aquamain's or should I say formerly Aquamain's?
Would love to see what your dealing with from a cyano standpoint would you mind posting pics of the tank?

Ron
Yes that is the same Lauren. I can't take good photos. It's mainly in clumps on the rocks. I had cyano when I first started where it went away (well it has always been under the sand bed). Don't know why it's come back.


What is the product that you are using for the red slime called Alan?
T
T
It's Doctor Tim's Aquatics Ree-fresh. It's supposed to give you sparkling clear water but Laurren says it does the number on red slime.

Allan were in greensboro is the elite aquarium systems?

Ron
Laurren owns Elite Aquarium Systems -- it's a tank maintenance company that he's had for some years.

[edandsandy]

:wavehand:
Hows the tank doing?

[EnglishRebel]

:wavehand:
Hows the tank doing?

Sandy
Hi -- long time no hear :wave:. Tank is fine except for loss of fish from time to time (hate when that happens and you don't know why). I had a Red Sea Sailfin Tang for about six months and then last week as I was blowing off the rocks he went into hiding -- wedging himself head first into a rock crevice. Next morning he was dead.:uhoh2:
I battled the dreaded red slime algae until I used Boyd's ChemiClean which worked like a charm. it's back again (but not as bad so I may wait it out).
I lost my Helfricki Firefish a while ago followed a few months later by my purple Firefish so was I down to two regular Firefish but they disappeared a few weeks ago. Someone suggested that I look for a mantis shrimp at night. :uzi:
I also hade a major GHA outbreak but a couple of sea hares soon took care of it.
I did get a few more fish over the last six months -- a yellow tang, a couple of lawnmower blennies, two harlequin shrimp to take care of my asteria star fish population (they took care of them but then died from lack of food as it's all they eat). My other fish are doing fine -- shrimp gobies, green manderin goby (lost the female though), pearly jawfish, flame hawk, down from 5 to 2 chalk basslets, down from 5 to 3 oranges striped cardinals.
So I'm looking at getting some more tangs and maybe a trigger but haven't decided yet.
How's your tank coming along? Is Ed still washing the skimmer cup in the kitchen sink? :eek2:

PS Darn, didn't realize it's been over a year since posting.

[RGibson]

Alan were do you buy your fish?
Ralph

[EnglishRebel]

Alan were do you buy your fish?
Ralph

Ralph
Several sources. I'll PM you as I'm not sure I'm allowed to post commercial links.

[edandsandy]

We doing good down here, we battled almost every pest there is, and won most of them.
We have GHA and cayno pop up when we come home from vacations.
Some how our calcium reactor got out of wack and I'm trying to get that back in line. Jose is being ever so gracious to help me AGAIN!

We have been raising Bangaii Cardinal babies, now that is FUN... Clown fish and seahorse baby's were too much work.

NO, Ed is no longer cleaning fish room equipment in the kitchen sink!:lmao:
He has his very own sink in the fish room for that!

I haven't posted to our thread in a long time either...
I should be ashamed...:eek: