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Bax
08/18/2006, 06:00 PM
Well, my 75 g reef in my previous office was just reaching one year in age when, suddenly, we had to move!

I was not ready to move, much less upgrade my tank. I found out in the third week of June that we'd begin moving on July 1st, and have to be out of my former offices on August 1st. To complicate things, my vacation was already planed for two weeks in July! And! I could not spot the new tank until the last week in July as new flooring had to be installed first!! Yikes!!!!

Fortunately, I have been collecting equipment for a new large tank system at my new house. I was hoping to start construction in earnest this month on the new system at home starting from the fish room out to the display. So, I have tons of equipment stored for that project. Were it not for this, I'd have been in deep ...

So, here we go ...

My new office ...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/myofficeprefloor.jpg

The under stairs closet/Fish Room To Be ...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/tankroom001.jpg

The 120 finally in place ...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120justinplace.jpg

Some system details ...

This a used 120 I purchased to be my frag/isolation tank for my future home system.

In the Fish Room for the 120, there is: a 75g Fuge/Frag tank with t-5 lighting; a drain fed skimmer sump with ASM G4x; a 30g DIY sump from my former 75g system; a 1/4 hp chiller run on a CL which provides flow to my fuge/frag tank; and GEO Kalk reactor.

I may expand this but for now, that's what's in there.

For lighting on the display, I used the lights from my 75g. Dual Hamilton 175 MHs with 10k Ushio SE bulbs, I upgraded to Lumenarc Mini reflectors (I had em in storage) and I love them!
To fit them I had to cut back from 210 watts of T-5 s to 165 watts (three 48" 54watt tubes).

I'll post more pics soon.

Happy Reefing!!!



Flow in the 120 is provided by the Mag 9.5 return (split between the fuge & display), a Vortech PH and a Tunze 6000, I have a Tunze 6100 on the way as well (should be in Monday!! :))

Bax
08/18/2006, 06:05 PM
here's a link to my thread for the 75 office build

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=644848


That was a great tank, I learned a lot setting it up.

xtrstangx
08/18/2006, 06:33 PM
Looks like a good start.

Make sure to post plenty of pics.

Bax
08/18/2006, 07:01 PM
Pics?!?!?

You want Pics?! .... OK

Fortunately, I had 150 pounds of Walt Smith Premium Fiji just laying around (waiting for my new home system) Her it is at my old shop in a 75g with a MR4 recirc skimmer

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/LRholdingwMR4002.jpg

I have read one too many posts tanks breaking. All the tanks in this system were bought used. So ... bothe the 120 display & the 75 fuge have eggcrate across the entire bottom

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicseggcrate.jpg

That rock is now in the 120 display and in the 75 g fuge of the 120 system

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicsfuge002.jpg

T-5 lighting for the fuge (I have a 175 MH I may put on here too for frag propigation)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/fuge-fragT5.jpg

Here's the drain fed skimmer sump with ASM G4x

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicsG4x.jpg

Here's the main drain through the wall and the chiller (not plumed yet in this pic)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startupdrainchiller.jpg

A 160 cfm vent fan in the Sump Room

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicsventfan.jpg

Duct in the crawl space between the two floors

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicsventduct.jpg

Bax
08/18/2006, 07:13 PM
Here's the display so far ...

Here's the framed out canopy with lights

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicshoodlights001.jpg

Here's rhe full tank & stand with just a sheet of wwo dover the canopy, I'll be skinning this over the next week or so & it'll look quite different

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppics08-18003.jpg

Here's a full tank today, I don't have all the corals in yet ...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppics08-18.jpg

... more to come

Bax
08/19/2006, 06:46 AM
Here's the list of critters ...

There's neary 300 pounds of LR between the display & fuge

Pair of o. clowns with an RBTA

a orchid dottyback (pseudochromis fridmani)
( I had a male & female but the female has vanished in the display. This has happened in the past when she would be egg bound, but it's been too long and I fear she's been lost to an aquascaping incident) :(

hineochus butterfly

foxface lo

coral beauty

Midas blenny

T derasa
T squamosa
T maxima
T crocea

long spinr urchin
tirgertail cucumber
a pair of serpent stars
a variety of hermits & snails

my craols are a mix of LPS & SPS & a few zoos

Bax
08/20/2006, 09:57 AM
Here's a pic of my 75g from June so it's pretty soon before I tore it down for the move.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/FTS0606.jpg

Notice the canopy still not finished! Completing the stand is a priority for this 120 project.

Bax
08/23/2006, 06:23 AM
An up date:

I knew that things with this move/upgrade would move fast, and I really had little time to focus on planning, so , I expected to discover a few miscalculation in terms of plumbing and such that would need to be modified or even re-placed.

... Well, I thought my separate, drain fed skimmer sump for the G4x was a brilliant idea. And it may still have been a good idea, but it does not work in practice. Remember, all this equipment was stored for another project, so, except for the G4x skimmer, it was not purchased with this system in mind. As a result my elevation in inflow from the display drain and outflow from the skimmer sump just don't cut it. I can only sustain a trickle of flow. Close! But no cigar!

As a result, the G4x was barely skimming. Fortunately I have my ER ES-5-3 from my 75g in the fuge, so that has been maintaining my system water (fantastic little skimmer).

So, last night, after working in the hot sun all day, at a point where I should have been home sipping a cool beverage, I was feverishly testing out a thought I had to plumb a 350 gph (or there about) PH from my first chamber of my sump, so it is still all 100% display surface drained water, and pumping that to my skimmer sump. I ran a 3/4" tube, zip tied it securely, so I thought and began the test.

The skimmer began producing like crazy, the discharge from the skimmer sump began flowing just like I hoped it would and ... you guessed it the tube slipped out and gallons of water began to rush out of my sump room all over the floor.

Two and a half years I ran my 26 g bow and 75 g and I did not spill this much water in total much less one event.

Anyway, nothing hurt but my pride. :)

Skimmer sump will be properly plumbed up by days end today.

Thanks for watching :)

dougie
08/23/2006, 08:37 AM
love your 120g! looks fantastic, aquascape looks tops.

keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

Bax
08/23/2006, 08:52 AM
Thanks dougie ...

It's amazing what one 40 pound piece of Walt Smith fiji can do for your aquascaping!

Makes piling it up real easy :)

I'll be taking more pics of the full tank after I finish mounting the last of the frags from my fuge. Still have a few pieces to move over, then we'll just let it settle in a while.

Bax
08/24/2006, 06:43 AM
My Tunze 6100 arrived!

So I now have:
the Vortech MP40 running at about half speed attached to the back center;
a Tunze 6000 on the right front corner, pulsing at 100% & 50%;
and, the 6100 in the left rear corner pulsing at about 70% & 40%.

That is easily 40x flow in the display.

After I get things settled equipment wise I'll play with flow and aquascaping a little more.

I re-plumbed the skimmer sump last night. I now have a small pump, a Quiet One 1200 I think? It draws from my first sump chamber after my inflow bubble trap, so it is all drained water, and feeds over to the skimmer sump, that drains by gravity, back to the bubble trap of the return pump section. Although this seems to work, I am not convinced it is enough flow to the skimmer section for this skimmer, but I'll give it a few days to see what happens.

I now have to focus on my auto top off. I've been using a GEO Kalk rector fed RO/DI water by an Aquamedic dosing pump, all controlled by timers and an Ultra Life float switch for the former 75 g. This combination worked flawlessly in the past but for some reason since the move has just not operated correctly. I think it has to do with the fact that due to space, I had to extend the discharge tube on the GEO running down to floor, across the small sump room and up to the sump. Maybe the extra head is too much for the Aquamedic? I'll look at it more closely this afternoon.

I want to get all these bugs worked out so I can finish skinning my stand & canopy ... :)

Bax
08/24/2006, 05:46 PM
I fixed the ATO. Turned the Aquamedic dosing pump needed a new internal tube. I also changed a 0.45 micron inlet filter I use and it's running like a charm!

Here's some of the critters:

Midas benny

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/peekaboo08-24-06.jpg

Coral beauty

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/12008-24-06CB02.jpg

Heniochus butterfly

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/12008-24-06banner.jpg

... and, a full tank shot, I played around a little with the right side aquascape. Hope you like it! :)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/12008-24-06FTS.jpg

mg426
08/24/2006, 06:43 PM
Nice

Bax
08/24/2006, 06:51 PM
Thanks !

Bax
08/25/2006, 08:20 AM
Any body know what this centipede looking thingy might be?

I snapped a pic of it in my fuge before I transferred the LR over, and I have been meaning to post it for a while now.

It is clinging to the bottom of a Mag 5 in this pic to give you scale.

I wish I had grabbed it and isolated it at the time but I was in a huge hurry at that moment as was lucky to get the pic.

What do you think, friend or foe?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicswhat.jpg

Tu Ku
08/25/2006, 09:07 AM
foe fo sho

Bax
08/25/2006, 01:37 PM
I was afraid of that! :(

Any idea what it is?

dougie
08/26/2006, 06:03 AM
looking good!!! that centipede thing looks evil, that cant b good.

Cheers.

Bax
08/26/2006, 06:13 AM
I can't belive I had him right there and did not pull it out as I had no where to put it for holding and no time to set up even a holding tank.

... I have to learn to be more callous about potentially bad critters.

It is definitely not a bristle worm, right????

dougie
08/26/2006, 06:21 AM
no that things not a bristle worm, (bristle worms can b benefical to the system anyway).

Ive never seen the centipede looking thing ever, no idea what it is?

Bax
08/26/2006, 06:49 AM
You know, it could be a centipede? I am in an old masonry building. Maybe it just fell in? But I guess that is being a bit optimistic as it was looking pretty content in the fuge. :)

Any guesses at an ID are welcome.

Nano Chris
08/26/2006, 07:59 AM
I seen something like that pic above outside my house:
http://www.justuploadit.com/files/1/101_1813.JPG
I think its some sort of centipede looks sorta like this:
http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/centipedeHouse.htm

Hate to know there around in this area.

NexDog
08/26/2006, 08:44 AM
Love how you built up the rock like that - looks fantastic. :)

Bax
08/26/2006, 08:56 AM
NexDog

Thanks! :)

criminal

I know! That's what I thought it looked like, but it looked way too OK with being in the salt water! ... I am still kicking myself for not grabbing it out when I had the chance. I may never see this thing again.

Nano Chris
08/26/2006, 10:07 AM
Do you think it is in the main tank? Or u think it got out?

alde
08/26/2006, 11:11 AM
Looks like some kind of Mantis Shrimp to me. I would remove it if you can. Good luck. BTW the tank looks great.

Bax
08/26/2006, 06:51 PM
criminal

The pic I took was in my fuge, and it's still in there.

alde

Thanks :) Give it a few months and I hope it looks even better.

Pretty sure it's not a mantis. I am thinking worm, nudi, or miss placed terrestrial centipede.

Bax
08/27/2006, 06:34 AM
I am pleased with the adjustments to my ATO & Kalk reactor they seem to be back in the "working flawlessly" column.

My skimmer sump idea is still giving me fits. There just isn't enough room in the return sump under the fuge for my ES 5-3, much less the G4! I am using a metal stand for the 75 fuge that I coated in epoxy paint because it is narrower and takes up less room in the sump closet. Trouble is, it has 1 1/2" less clearance from the bottom shelf to the bottom of the tank than on the wooden stand. So, I need to make this work.

I finally plumbed it correctly to get good flow but the water level is too high for the working level of the skimmer. I'll build a new skimmer stand to put in the sump, but if that doesn't do it I may scrap the skimmer sump plan all together and go to a external dual beckett skimmer I have.

I'd hate to give up 25 gallons in system volume that I get in this skimmer sump set up. Although, the other skimmer probably holds 10 gallons by itself. It's an MRC MR4 recirculating dual beckett, a monster for sure. I used it on the extra 150 pounds of LR I cured before this upgrade (a pic is posted on the first page). It is just big! And the pump is hot! So I'd like to make this G4 work out.

Mongoose
08/27/2006, 07:52 AM
System Looks great !!

so .. you used your hamilton 175's and added the luminarc reflectors ?

could you post some more pics of them ? how do you like them ?

thanks,

Joe

Mongoose
08/27/2006, 07:53 AM
i like the egg crate idea !!

anyone else using it like that ?

Bax
08/27/2006, 08:35 AM
joe


Thanks!

Love the minis! Huge difference in spread and intesity.

I have some more pics of the canopy construction, I'll up load and post soon.

Bax
08/27/2006, 03:34 PM
Here are some pics of the canopy under construction

The basic frame

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicsHOODFRAME.jpg

The front with lumenarc minis and 3 x 54 watt t-5s I tried like crazy to sqeeze the 4 x t-5s in there but the dimensions of the minis would not allow for it. I think the lumenarcs will make up for the 54 watts of t-5 :). I am still tinkering with the concept of going to 250 MHs we'll see how the temps hold. I have a dual 400 watt PFO ballast in storage if my chiller can keep up I may try that before buying 250s.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicshoodframefront.jpg

The rear

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicshoodframeback.jpg

... and one from above

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120startuppicshoodframetop.jpg

Bax
08/28/2006, 02:52 PM
Looks like straightening out the Kalk/ATO set up really helped my skimming from both skimmers!

I should have thought of that ... just to rushed all the time lately!

I still want to change the skimmer platform in the sump as I think it will run even better set just a bit shallower, will also be adding a gate valve mod to the G4x ... we'll see!

Bax
08/29/2006, 08:38 AM
I got a chance to raise the skimmer platform on the G4, just an inch was all it needed, and I added a 1 1/2" gate valve mod. WOW! What a difference!!!

I'll upload pics tonight :)

Bax
08/30/2006, 05:43 PM
Hey every body!

Just up loaded some new pics

First off, here's my midas blenny, I love this fish, although I have owned it for most of a year, I only had it visible in my 75 for two weeks before it jumped into the over flow for the third time and I just could not retrieve it until the move. I now cover my overflows :)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/12008-24-06008.jpg

I ran three dedicated 20 amp lines, two to the sump room and one to the display.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/20amplines.jpg

Here is the new plumbing on the G4 skimmer sump.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/12008-30-06G4sumpredone.jpg

Here's the sump room vent, again! The first pics was really small.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/ceilingventw-cover.jpg

I finaly plumbed in my chiller using a Pan World XP50-X on a Cl thru my fuge ... how did I ever survive without a chiller?!?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/chiller-CLPW50PX.jpg

And I happed to notice how cool the tank looks from outside our offices, I never use the front door even though it's in my office space.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/12008-30-06fromoutside.jpg

Bax
08/30/2006, 06:45 PM
... And here's my fuge, from the end, almost cleaned up from holding the LR & colonies that ended up in the display. There are a couple of colonies still recuperating in there.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/12008-30-06fugeend.jpg

Here's the Euro Reef skimmer which in in the fuge, gate valve finally back in place! You can see the T-stat for the ceiling vent to the left.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/skimmersw-gates.jpg

These are happy skimmers :)

The Euro Reef in my fuge.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/HappyERES5-3.jpg

The ASM G4x

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/HappyASMG4x.jpg

Bax
08/31/2006, 06:05 AM
Here's a full tank shot from yesterday. Not much has changed, but I did move some corals around and most importantly I moved the right Tunze to the back corner from the front corner. My flow isn't quite as radical, (I was actually getting little waves breaking in the left side of the tank on the front of the glass!) but I stir up less sand even with running the Tunze at a little higher flow. So, I think it's better. I still have to level the sand in the front every other day or so, but that's alright!


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/12008-30-06FTS2.jpg

dougie
08/31/2006, 06:49 AM
lovin it!

Bax
08/31/2006, 06:52 AM
Thanks dougie!

Once I get all the main system stuff sorted out I can work on details like power cord management and, yes! Skinning the stand and canopy!

Bax
09/01/2006, 03:20 PM
I won't get anything done on the tank this weekend, with the holiday it'll be all family stuff going on.

But, next week I hope to set up my 26 g bow as a QT so I can begin considering some new fish down the line.

Thinking about:

More Heniochus butterflys!!! Definitly one and maybe two. I love the one I already have.

3 to 5 Bartlett anthias

and .... more SPS! :)

NexDog
09/02/2006, 01:16 AM
Looking good, Bax. I have a pair of Heniochus Butterflys. Great fish!

Bax
09/02/2006, 06:00 AM
Thanks NexDog!

Do you find that the HBs stay together much of the time, or do they do their own thing? I am trying to decide if I want one or two more in my tank.

NexDog
09/02/2006, 08:02 AM
They are ALWAYS together which is really get to see. I bought them at the same time which probably helped. One has a long streamer on its dorsal fin which I assume to mean it's the male (although I haven't confirmed this). I just like to see fish hang out together and these guys really do. :)

CMWilliamson
09/02/2006, 08:14 AM
Looking Good!

NexDog
09/02/2006, 10:11 AM
<b><i><big><big>CMWilliamson</b></i></big></big>
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Bax
09/02/2006, 10:13 AM
Thanks CMWilliamson!

Proud to be your first post!!!! :)

Bax
09/02/2006, 10:18 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8063061#post8063061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NexDog
They are ALWAYS together which is really get to see. I bought them at the same time which probably helped. One has a long streamer on its dorsal fin which I assume to mean it's the male (although I haven't confirmed this). I just like to see fish hang out together and these guys really do. :)


That seals it, I'll get two more. Smaller than the one I currently have and see if they don't bond. My current HB has been very accepting of new additions so far.

I'll have to look into that length of the banner issue. I had not considered that might be gender related. I just thought shorter banners were damaged in shipping???

Anyone know? ... sounds like a good post for the Reef Fish forum.

I like having fish that "belong together" I think it makes for a more natural aquarium.

UnderwaterExotic
09/02/2006, 10:25 AM
I am going to stick with my old name, CMWilliamson was going to be my new name but nah, ill stick with this one! Thanks though!

Bax
09/02/2006, 12:48 PM
UnderwaterExotic

Thanks just the same :)

Bax
09/05/2006, 09:14 AM
I decided I needed to restock my cleanup crew so I ordered an Algea cleaning pack from Reeftopia. It'll be here tomorow :)

I picked up another slightly used Tunze 6000, it'll be here tomorow as well. I don't know that I "need" it, but ...

... might as well face it I am addicted to flow!

Bax
09/05/2006, 08:01 PM
My cat's paw, this guy has really started to encrust and grow since the move.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06pavona.jpg

Here is my prize prostrata, it took a beating, lots of frags created during the move, and not quite up to its full color yet. But, look at the polyp extension!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06prostrata.jpg

... and, my squammy ... :) luv my squammy!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06squammy.jpg

xtrstangx
09/06/2006, 07:02 AM
Awesome squamosa. The tank really came along fast, looks pretty good. Can't wait to see it grow in, especially with your aquascaping.

Bax
09/06/2006, 07:31 AM
xtrstangx

Thanks. I would expect this upgrade to have a "soft" cycle if any.

I had my 75 g with about 100 g of system water and a second 75 g with live rock only in it, plus a 40 gallon QT set up (26 bow with 14 g sump volume). Almost all that aged water (easily 175 g) and the 300 pounds plus of aged LR came over to this system which is right at 230 total system gallons gallons.

I discarded the old sand bed so it is all new sand. I think my biggest nutrient issues would have been associated with that old sand.

I have provide tons of flow and been a stingy feeder during this break in period, I also substantially increased my skimming by running both of the skimmers.

This was more like a 40% water change than a tank start up/move. I am way ahead of where I was at six weeks when I started my 75 g and light years ahead of where I was at this point with my 26 g. My 75 g fuge is absolutely infested with pods!

I'll be setting up a QT this week and if things to continue this well may start adding additional livestock in eight weeks or so. ... We'll see :)

Bax
09/06/2006, 07:35 AM
Here's one of my gemmifera (sp?). When I do go big I hope to collect more colors I have two now. Very beutiful coral. My photography does not do it justice.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06gemmi.jpg

Bax
09/06/2006, 10:15 AM
Here's a pretty cool monti. It's still small, but this coral has more than doubled in size in the past six or so months

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06monti.jpg

Bax
09/06/2006, 02:07 PM
... And here's one more pic I uploaded last night I think it's a poccilipora

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06pocilo.jpg

Sorry the pics are so big, the size seems to be loosing some of the sharpness. One day I'll get the hang of taking, editing and posting pics ... one day ... For now, I'll focus on reefing :)

Bax
09/07/2006, 08:17 PM
Here's my female o. clown & RBTA.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06016.jpg

Bax
09/07/2006, 08:48 PM
... And another, just trying to figure out this whole zoom-resize thing

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06clownRBTA.jpg

Bax
09/07/2006, 08:51 PM
By the way, my RBTA is really pretty big. He, it's, (?) , just found a hole it likes to sit in. It did that in my 75 g as well.

Bax
09/08/2006, 05:53 AM
An acro, that I got as a 1.5" frag about six months ago. It has started to grow like crazy recently. I think it's an A. Tortusa.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06tenulus.jpg

Again, I apologize for my horrible photography skills.

Bax
09/08/2006, 07:56 PM
This is my frogspawn it was one of my first corals I ever purchased. It developed, or came with brown slime, so it was the first reef creature I ever operated on , treated, and nursed back to health. Now, a very healthy, 8 heads of frog spawn occupy the left front corner of my reef.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/frogspawnfront09-08-06.jpg

Well here we are, just seven weeks after the move, and check this out! Look at what is growing just to the left of this 3/4" astrea .... it's a baby frog spawn.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-08-06frogspawnbaby.jpg

The rock it is growing on was in a seperate holding tank until about four weeks ago!

Pretty cool huh?!?!

Bax
09/09/2006, 07:06 AM
Here's a full tank shot, you can see the frogspawn on the left, the little froggy is right above the hineochus butterfly all the way to the upper right.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/frogspawnbabyFTS.jpg

Bax
09/09/2006, 09:39 AM
An end shot

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-08-06endfrogspawn.jpg

Got my other Tunze 6000 in ... I am going to place it at the far end facing toward this pic to provide better flow across the back of the rockwork, I think the 150 or so pounds of LR is preventing good flow in the back corners ... Somebody stop me!!!

Signed: Addicted to Flow

Bax
09/10/2006, 10:33 AM
Green candy cane

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06candy.jpg

Zoos. I have orange and also green with orange centers (you can see those behind the candy pictured above), the orange are a bit agressive. I try to discorage thier rapid growth.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06zoos.jpg

Yellow digi I have orange with pink tips too.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06digi.jpg

Bax
09/10/2006, 04:29 PM
Well after these pics I'll have to get more critters to post more pics .... but if you all insist?

green poccilapora? I think?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06002green.jpg

Purple millie with pink tips, starting to grow real nicely!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06purpmili.jpg

Chaotic Reefer4u
09/10/2006, 05:01 PM
very nice bax...

Bax
09/10/2006, 07:23 PM
ChAoTiCrEeFeR4U

Thanks very much!

Bax
09/11/2006, 07:19 PM
OK, opinions are requested.

I want to put some fish into QT soon. I do a six week QT. Thinking of 2X Hineochus duphretes bytterflys; 3-5 Bartell's Anthias; and 3 Randall's Anthias. Is this too many, or just enough fish. Remember I am just abot 235g in total volume. Also, what would you add first?

Bax
09/12/2006, 03:15 PM
Hey! My clowns are spawning! Like right now! As I type this!

Will post some pics as soon as can upload'em :)

Bax
09/12/2006, 05:45 PM
Here's the happy couple

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/clownsspawning0309-12-06.jpg

Should we play some mood music?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/clownsspawning0409-12-06.jpg

Maybe some Marvin Gay or something soulful like that?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/clownsspawning0209-12-06.jpg

... am I dating myself?

I'll be quiet.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/clownsspawning01.jpg

... cool huh?

nemonick84
09/12/2006, 06:23 PM
Haha. That's great. Congratulations!:bum:

Bax
09/12/2006, 06:25 PM
nemonick84

Thanks! We're all so proud of the cute little guys ... uh and gals.

Bax
09/12/2006, 08:59 PM
The clowns must be getting everyone in the mood. This nerite is laying eggs on the astrea.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/clownspawn09-12-06003.jpg

Bax
09/13/2006, 05:17 AM
Hopefully, a better shot of the RBTA...


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/RBTA09-12-060112.jpg

... one of these days, I'll get the hang of this photography thing.

Bax
09/13/2006, 01:27 PM
This an end shot from the right side looking back across the tank. Not as exciting as the left side where all the clown activity is happening, but hopefully, worth a look.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/rightend09-12-060062.jpg

Bax
09/18/2006, 08:11 PM
Here's a couple of pics I took this morning before the lights were on.


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-18-06purppinkmillie.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-18-06bluetort.jpg

Bax
09/19/2006, 05:55 AM
... a couple more in the morning with lights out.

The prostrata is just starting to show its blue tips toward the end of a full photo period, its pink coloring is really close to the best I've seen it.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-18-06prostrata.jpg

These poccilapora frags, are looking better than they ever did in the 75g ... they love the flow. This t max has been battling pinch, but FW dips always seenm to bring it around.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-18-06pinkpoccimax.jpg

Bax
09/20/2006, 07:40 AM
I am officially into the hair algae phase. It's not real bad ... yet.

My cleanup crew numbers had dwindled in my 75 g my snails were plagued by pyramid snails (the pyrms left my clams alone but totally harassed my astreas). And, I have never seen it, but I am now convinced that there is a rouge crab in my display that is taking out my hermits & snails (and shrimp too).

I recently received an algae cleanup pack from an on line vendor. It was a very good deal, price wise, but, I just don't think that they ever include enough good algae grazing snails to really control the spread of algae in a new tank. So ... I just ordered (from the same vendor) a custom selection of algae grazing snails along with a few lettuce nudis to address the developing algae bloom in the system so I can focus on husbandry issues to control the algae long term. I soooo wished I had done this when starting my 75, that I think I'd really regret not pumping up the cleanup crew now, before I have a real algae problem.

Bax
09/21/2006, 02:28 PM
Got my supplemental algae grazers today, mostly cerinths and nerites, and a few star astreas (only because they're really cool) for algae snails, as I received tons of astreas in the first order, and transferred a bunch from my old live rock holding system as well I did not get any more of those. I also got more nuassaris snails and a fighting conch to work the sand bed.

As an experiment, I got four lettuce nudibrachs (or sea slugs if you prefer). I placed one in my fuge and three in the display. One dove under a rock, one got sucked into a current and pulled straight into the VorTech before I could grab it, shot striaght across the tank! (it seems to be no worse for the wear) and the other tried to dive right into my RBTA, three separate times! I convinced it not to do this.

So, we'll see if this controls the onset of algae in a young tank ... wish me luck!

Dudester
09/21/2006, 02:48 PM
Bax, I can't believe you've been following my thread for so long and this is the first time I've come across one of yours. At any rate, I love what you've done with your upgrade and I'm looking forward to watching it grow with you.

Regarding your hair algae, what about some blue-legged hermit crabs? They did an amazing job on the hair algae that was in my tank at start-up time. If you're like many who dislike hermits, you could also consider some of the large Mexican turbo snails. They have a voracious appetite!

I've had lettuce nudibranchs for some time now, and I know they do a great job against bryopsis, but I can't confirm that they eat the more common hair algae. I'll tell you this, though ... you're going to be busy with them. Be prepared to rescue them often, as they don't seem to learn their lesson when they get sucked onto pump intakes, overflows, and other potentially lethal obstacles.

Cheers.

Bax
09/21/2006, 05:43 PM
Dude!

Thanks! Nice to see ya drop by.

I do have about 30-35 hermits. I didn't want to add any more.

I have one large turbo and may get a couple more. Trouble is both hermits & turbos are coral bulldozers.

I now have well over 100, maybe 150 astreas, nerites, cerinths and nassarius snails.

Here's a pic of the one the allmost became dinner for the RBTA.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-21-06Nudibracks005.jpg

Bax
09/22/2006, 01:18 PM
Nudibranch Report:

They all survived the night and appear to be feeding, I am not sure how to tell just what these odd little creatures are doing.

I did have to chase that one nudi away from the RBTA again today ... persistent little fellas, I'll say that for these critters.

Dudester
09/22/2006, 05:43 PM
Glad to hear they're still around. You'll eventually find them climbing on the glass, on the clams, pretty much anywhere and everywhere in your tank. It becomes an obsession staring into your tank just to account for their presence - pretty much what we do anyway.

Bax
09/22/2006, 08:18 PM
Dude

Yes, they are very interesting and unusual reef critters. I have been surprised just how much ground they covered today, apparently searching for their favorite algae. Hair algae, does not appear to be one of those favorite foods. I am sure that they will find algae that they will like. I've got some more nudi pics (just had to say that) to upload and post as soon as I can.

I've been resisting considering a tang for this tank, but have been doing some research on the ebeli tang as it is not a huge tang, is a more mellow & peaceful tang and reported to be good algae eater. Does anyone have any with this tang?

This would change my fish to be added list to:

2 H. diphruetes - schooling banner fish
1 tang - ebeli? (or something not too crazy or huge)
3-5 anthias of the same sp. (bartels, randalli, resplended, and lyertail are under consideration)

Bax
09/23/2006, 05:56 AM
Here's the algae stage I am currently up against

There are patches starting even high on the rock in strong flow areas.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/algaetopofrock.jpg

Thick patches low on the rock in lower flow areas. Keep in mind with two Tunzes and a VorTech, low flow in this tank is a relative term.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-21-06Nudibracks013.jpg

The back wall and overflows were covered. The cleanup crew is working hard at it, the back is 50% clean by the critters efforts, but it still progresses slowly at this time in patches.

I know ... nutrients ... I test no nitrates etc. , I am skimming like crazy .... I think it's just a new tank thing.

So ... what about the ebeli tang any experience ... anyone?

Bax
09/23/2006, 08:09 AM
So ... eibli tang .... anyone have any experience???

Bax
09/23/2006, 08:58 PM
As promissed, more nudi pics ...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/searchingnudi.jpg

This guy just can't resist the RBTA! I litterally pulled it out of the tenticles one time! Didn't seem to harm it?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/clamrbtanudi.jpg

They are physically built like a feather, so life in a high flow environment is tough! This one worked this rock right in front of the Tunze for some time, it eventually ended up on the sand bed, I assumed it was blown off.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/tunzinudi.jpg

This is the one that got sucked through the VorTech. It seems OK?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/vortrchednudi.jpg

Bax
09/24/2006, 05:41 AM
I picked up one heniochus butterfly (schooling banner) and an Eibli Mimic Tang. Both are right about 2 1/2" and are in my QT now.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-22-06QT002.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-22-06QT003.jpg

Dudester
09/24/2006, 03:03 PM
Nice pics, Bax. Those fish will look great in your reef. I also like that crocea clam - very similar to mine. The nudubranchs are extremely rugged. I've pulled mine off of high flow suction that shredded 20% of the body, and they survived. Despite their toughness, unfortunately it's only short-term, and they have a very limited life span. Interestingly, mine bred and there's a little baby nudi that has grown to adult size in about 4 weeks. The fascinating thing is that I've never had to rescue this one - perhaps it learned from its parents that wandering into the overflow box is unwise.

Bax
09/24/2006, 05:58 PM
Dudester

Wow! That's great that you actually have a surviving young nudi!

I love my clams. They are very important to me in this reef tank. Did you scroll back a page or so and see my squammy?

I am real excited about getting a second schooling banner, I really like the first one I have and have been looking forward to adding more.

I was going to get two but decided that might be too much of a good thing too soon.

The Eibli Tang, has been on my mind as a possibility for some time as well. They do not grow to a huge size, and are good algae grazers, like my fox face, but neither will mow down longer hair algae. They will pick at it but generally, they prefer the shorter growth.

What they will do , hopefully, is compete with the snails, so the snails will eat the hair algae. I have seen a small number of hungry astreas clean up a huge hair algae problem in my previous QT at my old office location. If it is all they have to eat, it is amazing what they can accomplish.

The nudis are fun, but I don't see them as a long term answer.

Good skimming, diligent water changes, good water chemistry, and appropriate feeding are what will limit long term algae issues.

Bax
09/26/2006, 05:42 AM
AS of yesterday, I still had all four nudibrachs. Although, one in the display is a bit pale the other two are thriving. The one in the fuge is in the overflow. I may not have time to try to fish it out until later in the week, I suppose it's OK in there?

The heniochus is doing great in QT, what a pig!

The Eibli Tang is suprizingly finiky. It has just started to accept frozen mysids and frozen prime reef. It won't touch ON prime reef flakes or formula I & II pellets. I offered it a small ball of chateo, somthing my foxface gouged itself on during QT, but it won't touch it. I also placed a small algae covered piece of LR in the QT ... not interested?

Bax
09/26/2006, 05:31 PM
The clowns began spawning again today!

That's the third time in as many months! If these two keep this up, when I set up my tank room at home, I'am going to have to accomidate a larval propogation & rearing system :)

Here they are cleaning thier spawn site

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-26-06QTclowns001.jpg

And here, if you look very close, you can see the extended ovipositor on the females underside

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-26-06QTclowns012.jpg

UnderwaterExotic
09/26/2006, 05:59 PM
Thats awesome, Good Luck!

Bax
09/26/2006, 06:19 PM
Thanks UE!

jzdad
09/26/2006, 07:08 PM
Very nice upgrade, I'm currently doing a 75 SPS tank to get good at SPS so I can upgrade to a 120 next Sept or sooner if my corals growth takes off like yours.

Bax
09/26/2006, 08:16 PM
jzdad

Thanks!

That's great that you are doing a 75 first. Baby steps, I think I learned a lot by progressing through three sized tanks. The first page has a link to my 75 g build log. I loved that tank!

Dudester
09/26/2006, 08:24 PM
Bax,
Yes, I saw the photo of your squammy. Beautiful, indeed. I also have a blue-spot squamosa, but it's only about 3" in length and doesn't yet have the coloration of yours. I'm looking forward to its growth, that's for sure.

The nudi in your overflow will be fine for quite some time, but your reef won't benefit with it in there. You're better off just scooping it out and replacing it so it can eat some algae like it was hired to do.

Great clown pics. I can't wait 'til mine start to spawn. They've been a "couple" for only about 10 weeks, and I heard they have to be paired for close to a year before they begin doing the nasty. How long were yours together prior to spawning?

Bax
09/26/2006, 09:13 PM
Dudester

My clowns are paired just about a year now ... so that's about right.

Like I said, love my squammy! ...

... and I'll get that nudi back on the job ASAP!

Bax
09/27/2006, 02:37 PM
This is my QT set up. It's my 26 bow front, BB as you can see. I have a CPR BakPak II skimmer being pushed by a MJ 900 PH with a 7 psi Luft air pump running a Limewood air stone. It reallly skims pretty hard for a little skimmer! I have another MJ 600 PH in there for flow. I also have a Ehiem canister standing by if I need it, but I am thinking that water changes and skimming may do just fine.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-26-06QTclowns009.jpg

Here's the heniochus and tang again, I have blood/fire shrimp I am acclimating to add to the QT as my old one tanked (old age I think?)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-26-06QTclowns010.jpg

Bax
09/28/2006, 05:58 AM
I released the blood shrimp to the QT and it was cleaning the tang within minutes!

Here's an end of the month tank shot.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/09-26-06QTclowns008.jpg

I have areal busy couple of weeks coming up so I don't expect to get much more done until later in the October. I still have to set up an automated RODI system and rework my salt mix bin arrangement to make room for a calcium reactor I have. I have to connect that Ca reactor and a phosban reactor and UV sterilizer as well. ... Then I have to skin the stand and canopy ... wasn't that a priority at the start of this thread???

dougie
09/28/2006, 08:00 AM
your tank just gets better and better my friend!!! keep up the good work.


Cheers.

Bax
09/28/2006, 08:11 AM
Thanks dougie :)

Bax
09/30/2006, 08:28 AM
Yieks!

Saw some pieces of nudibrach floating around! One of them must have found the VorTech again and was not as lucky as the first one that passsed right through unharmed.

I doubt that the nudis are doing as good a job as all the snails I have, but my hair algae is slowly receeding, slowly, but there is a little less each day.

Bax
10/01/2006, 06:39 PM
:(


My heniochus in my QT died. No apparent reason? It was fine yesterday when I stopped in to feed. But today, it was dead on the bottom.

It had been feeding well from the start. It was getting nice and fat, and looking really good.

Something must have been wrong.

I guess this is why we QT.

It's is still sad :(

xtrstangx
10/01/2006, 10:06 PM
Sorry to hear about the heniochus. They are beautiful fish. Was there a heater malfunction or something else caused an ammonia spike?

Bax
10/02/2006, 03:28 PM
I have two heaters in the Qt, both seem to be working fine? My temp has dropped to about 79.7 in this cooler weather we've been having but that should be fine for a QT I would think.

I had just done a 10% water change on Friday evening before leaving work, so I don't think there was an Ammonia spike???

I am still just perplexed over this. The last fish to simply just die on me in QT was my very first SW fish, a kunderi cardinal. Other then that, my QT experience has been soild.

Rock Anemone
10/02/2006, 04:25 PM
Beautiful tank! Congrats on a job well done. :thumbsup:

Bax
10/02/2006, 08:14 PM
Rock Anemone

Thanks so much

Bax
10/03/2006, 06:49 PM
Well finally!

Something good to report from my QT!!!

I placed a rock, from the display, that was covered in the hair algae I am fighting into the QT. It sat there untouched for two weeks. Now, the mimic tang has developed a taste for it. He cleaned the first rock over the weekend, so I put in another yesterday. Today it was clean. So maybe, the mimic will be the steadfast algae grazer I was hoping for! :)

Dudester
10/04/2006, 02:32 PM
Sorry to hear about your butterfly fish. I'm sure it's nothing you did wrong, especially in light of your successful history of quarantining. Those butterflies are, as I understand it, particularly susceptible to the stress of being placed into small tanks, as they cover a huge area in the ocean. I'd bet it's a combination of collection and quarantine stress that did it in.

Glad to see that the tang is doing a good job, sounds like it's a real pig for the hair algae. Looking forward to seeing it in your reef tank!

Bax
10/05/2006, 06:31 AM
Dudster

Me too!

The Eibli mimic tang is really nice looking . This individual has great coloring. Which I know will change in time, but none the less it is really beautiful now. It is proving to be a solid algae eater as well.

I am going to be away all next week on an out of town job. So I will be moving the Tang this weekend as I fear my tank sitter might not be able to handle the stress of two tanks, particularly after just loosing the heniochus. It won't be the usual 5-6 week QT I like to do, but it will be just 3 weeks, and the Tang looks great, so I feel OK about moving it at that time.

I am trying to pick up some frags from another reefer this week (But work just keeps interfering with reefing!). I am real excited as the assortment will include about a half dozen ORA coral varieties. These would go in the fuge initially for grow out. That of course means I'll be changing the lighting in the fuge to accommodate a 175 MH in addition to the T-5 lighting I have over it now.

Bax
10/14/2006, 09:37 AM
Just got back from a week on the road. Yikes! I have hair algae out the wazoo!

My CB has been giving the Eibli tang fits. That's not unusual for the CB who has had to warm up to all its tank mates but usually has. We'll see, it's only been a week so far.

.. Gotta go do lots of catch up tank maintenance.

Bax
10/18/2006, 02:42 PM
... so ... after scraping algae from the front of the tank so I could see in, I had a slight ick problem. The tang, CB and heniocus butterfly were all in the initial phase with the CB in the worse shape. The clowns, blenny & orchid dottyback were all looking OK.

Did a water change.

Fired up the old UV sterilizer, that's just been siting under the display, unconnected, with a brand new bulb in it.

I had one blood shrimp that was pretty small and the fish were lining up for him. So, I bought another larger one.

Did another water change.

... after four days the ick outbreak seems to be diminishing, and, after cleaning the glass and doing a little siphoning the hair algae ins't much worse than it was when I left.

whew!

I think I got lucky!

This is the first time I have broken my QT program and I am feeling the pain! Never again!!!

... by the way the CB and the tang are best of buds now :)

Dudester
10/20/2006, 07:43 AM
Glad things are improving. So how's the ich today, and are you manually pruning the GHA?

Bax
10/20/2006, 01:37 PM
The ick is definitely looking better. I think the larger blood shrimp is more mature and less timid about cleaning fish, he works all day long like a barber shop. Even the CB who was definitely in the worst shape is looking much better now.

It's not gone. Not by any means. I think it has to run it's course of 2-3 weeks. Thankfullly, I am not that experienced with marine ick. I'd like to avoid the stress of catching and dipping & QTing fish if I can.

I've only been pruning the HA from around colonies and frags and from the glass. But I've been laying out an HA cultivating tool that will use a Kent scraper, old duck bill return port and some tubing. My plan is to scrape the HA and simultaneously siphon it right into a bag filter in my sump. I just have not had the time to mess with it this week. I have been doubling up on water changes and keeping after alk and such so hopefully I'll get control of the HA.

My nudis are still cruising the tank for algae ... although one is about half its original size, I belive that's due to a run in with the VorTech.

Bax
10/22/2006, 06:22 AM
Stopped by the office yesterday to check on the tank and the D#!M UV sterilizer is tripping my GFI!

I won't have time to disconnect it or take it appart until mid week or so. I hope it's not taking on water past the seals, I just unplugged it for now.

Maybe a good excuse for a larger UV unit?

Bax
10/27/2006, 07:03 AM
I am not having fun right now...

The tang died. Well, disappeared actually, assumed dead, been searching, but it is no where to be found.

Still have crazy hair algae. But I 've started harvesting it with a siphon tube so at least it looks a little better. The whole scrapper/siphon thingy was never completed, just too busy at work, so it's just a poly tube with a sharp cut end for scraping at the LR that empties into a bag filter in the sump, works OK.

And the ick is still pestering my other fish. They are holding their own, but I may have to bite the bullet and capture every one for a stay in QT.

... are we having fun yet?

Bax
10/28/2006, 08:11 AM
..... Oh! and I have Red Bugs too, the joys of reef keeping are boundless!

Dudester
10/28/2006, 03:18 PM
Sorry about the tang. You gonna use Interceptor on the red bugs? You should consider a check for AEFW while you're at it.

Bax
10/28/2006, 03:56 PM
Dudester

Yes, I got some Interceptor from my vet this week. After reading of some of your problems, I have been looking out for AEFW but so far have seen no signs, I will do an Iodine test on the acros I treat for the RBs. I hope not to add the FWs to my growing list of reefing woes.

mflamb
10/31/2006, 07:39 PM
Bax...I really like your rockwork. Keep plugging!!!
Mike

Bax
11/01/2006, 07:29 AM
Thanks Mike, I am trying.

Lost my heniocus butterfly last night and I fear for my orchid dottyback as well. My other fish are hanging in there and, I think, will be fine.

I continue to harvest hair algae weekly, and I have yet to do the interceptor dip for my acros, still just too busy at work, maybe this weekend?

Bax
11/08/2006, 05:53 AM
I think my battle with ick is now down to preventing a reemergence, at least I hope so.

To that end I just received a new 36 watt UV sterilizer that I will run with parasitic reduction in mind, nice and low flow. This should also help my hair algae situation which is still going strong.

I have been aggressively harvesting the HA and I have stepped up my water changes.

I also changed the light in my fuge as I realized that half my T-5 bulbs weren't lighting!? I pulled the T-5 fixture and set up a 175 MH for now until I can sort though that one?

I 've been skimming hard as well. But in doing so my ASM G-4x keep overflowing into the sump, sorta defeats the purpose no? So I've been backing off that skimmer until I can sort that out as well. My little ER ES 5-3 is still kicking but, love that skimmer!

My water params are all good, although I have seen a little nitrite/nitrate (not high though) since my eible tang was disappeared by my cleanup crew. That has stabilized with a few water changes.

... I just love this hobby!

STEELERFAN747
11/08/2006, 04:08 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8502027#post8502027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bax
I think my battle with ick is now down to preventing a reemergence, at least I hope so.

To that end I just received a new 36 watt UV sterilizer that I will run with parasitic reduction in mind, nice and low flow.

... I just love this hobby!


I thought you were not suppose to use a uv when you have a refugium? or am I mistaken?.

Bax
11/09/2006, 06:25 AM
STELERFAN747

There's no one way to do it, but many systems here on RC have both. The discharge of the fuge should not be passed through the UV, that would be counter productive.

My fuge is fed by my return pump and the discharge drains back to the return chamber of my sump bypassing all other sump operations (i.e. main skimmer (ASM G4x), UV, Phosban reactor).

That said, during these early months of this tank, I am running a second skimmer (ES 5-3) in my fuge too. That's kind'a braking the rules too, but I think that for now, the benefits outway the drawbacks.

xtrstangx
11/11/2006, 12:39 AM
Wow, I hadn't read the thread since 10/05... Sounds like you've had a really bad run of luck.

Hope things turn around. The Ick will go away with time, just make sure the fish are happy and well fed... if they worse then you need to consider pulling them out and going to a hypo/copper treatment.

Bax
11/11/2006, 06:32 AM
Thanks for the encouraging word xtrstangx.

I did just loose my orchid dotty back. It was always a very skittish feeder and has just withered since the ick took hold. I suspected he would not make it, but it would have been impossible to catch him without a tank tear down.

The remaining fish, a pair of o.clowns; coral beauty; fox face lo; and a midas blenny all seem to be doing well.


I am in the process of rearranging my fish room to plumb in a larger UV sterilizer and reposition my kalk mixer and RO top off. This will allow for room for my Ca reactor (hopefully stabilizing Alk & pH which may help with the HA. And, as a bonus, I'll be able to move my 26 g bow (my QT) in there as well, making future critter additions less stressful on me. My QT was out in the shop where temp control was tough (I believe that's is what happened to the heniochus butterfly I had in QT).

Anyway, all this death has my nitrites/nitrates slightly elevated and that has my coral colors and PE less that I'd like it so I am doing water changes and I am considering converting a spare section of my sump into an RDSB. I 've been using it as a pods haven which has worked well, but my fuge is well established now and I don't think the pod haven is as needed.

Bax
11/17/2006, 07:34 AM
The UV sterilizer, is doing a great job at clearing up my water. I got a Turbo Twist 36 watt UV, it's huge compared to my old 9 watt!

I've also picked up an ozinator and will run ozone a few hours a day to help further eliminate dissolved organics in the water.

My water params are all solid, except my Sg which has slid down to about 1.022-1.023 (I like it between 1.024-1.025) I think due to the heavy skimming I've been doing.

I am taking my time with the re-arrangment of my fish room and now seeing clearly several logistcal errors I made in my initial placement of things. 20 20 hindsight is so crystal clear. There are several things I'll just have to live with as I can't move the fuge without a total tear down ... and that's not happening.

xtrstangx
11/23/2006, 01:01 PM
Do you notice visibly clearer water with the UV? I'm thinking putting one of my Christmas list, but I'm also considering ozone.

I know how you feel with the fish room. There are a few things I would move around (a 6' 125g/135g sump would've been nice).

Do you have a thread for your: "Starting the work on the fish room side of my 260 custom 56"x36"x32" reef display with 250 g remote fish room at home" yet?

Bax
11/24/2006, 07:27 AM
xtrstangx

The 36 watt UV has been on line about 10 days now. I noticed a difference in the clarity of the water in 2-3 days. It has gotten even clearer since.

I started running ozone on Monday this week. That bumped my ORP up by 50.

I am pretty sure that the algae I am fighting is giving off toxins to the water that are detrimental to my snails and other inverts including corals. Since running ozone (two hours a day at 100 mg/hr) my snails are moving around again. They had all dropped off the glass and were becoming hermit snacks. And I am seeing PE on corals that were suddenly struggling (not exibithing PE and lightening in color) begin to extend and slowly color up.

As far as the fish room for the 260ish, no thread yet. But that should start moving soon. I had hoped to frame out a fish room in my garage this past summer with the intent of establishing the fuge, a frag tank and sump along with most of the back of the tank equipment before even ordering the display tank. But we moved the shop and officce at work and this 120 project emerged so I have not had the opportunity to do any work on the fish room here at the house. That area is still a work bench.

I hope to start the work on my family room, where the display tank will be placed, over this winter. The general is demanding that. So, I am going to have to get focused on the entire project and would like to have water in the system by the summer. I have (had) all the equipment expect for the display tank, but have used many parts for the 120. I still have all the fish room tanks, pumps & skimmer I just need to replace a few things: Kalk reactor; Ca reactor; chiller; controllers; and some Tunzes & Votechs (only few more dollars :) ) now as these are all in use for the 120.

We'll see where I get to.

xtrstangx
11/24/2006, 11:15 AM
Thanks Bax, definately have another thing to think about getting.

The new tank sounds pretty sweet. Definately post the link once you get a thread going... Looks like you are going to have to shell out some good money if you have to replace Ca reactor, chiller, and Tunzes. ;)

Bax
11/24/2006, 02:54 PM
Yup, but what's a few more bucks at this stage ? :)

... and there will definitely be a link here.

I'll be able to buy smaller equipment and use it on the 120 so if I shop used here in the forums it should not be too bad. I also have a complete CL set up I could put on the 120 and take back my Tunzes and Vortech for the 260.

It has actually been a good thing to have waited. Each time you set up a new tank, you learn so much. In setting up the 120, I have completely re-thought the sump room on the 260 project. Also following new tank threads in the big boy forum is like taking an internet course on reef keeping. You can never learn enough.

CPT. MURPHY
11/24/2006, 09:59 PM
Lovin it!

CPT.

drummereef
11/24/2006, 11:26 PM
Your tank rules. Love the aquascape!

Bax
11/25/2006, 06:41 AM
CPT & drummereef

Thanks for the kind words .... it's a process.

I'll try to post some current picks so you can all see the algae. I just took a couple the other day, but left the camera at the officce. It is not advaning with the speed it had been but it still detracts form the apperance and as I said above I belive it is giving off toxins into the water.

I'll be traveling again all week next week for work. That is how my aglae got out of hand in the first place. I have to leave the system in the hands of an employee who is not familiar with aquariums ... at all!

A slump in husbandry at any critical point can spell trouble, I think (hope) I am better prepared this time .... we'll see.

One thing is for sure my fish are exhibiting no signs of ick and are all very healthy once again.

Bax
11/27/2006, 05:36 PM
Wish me luck!

I am three hours from my tank for the whole week on an out of town job. Did all the maintenance I could over the weekend and went it at 4:30 this morning to get in one more water change before we left. About the only thing I could not do was harvest the hair algae, just ran out of time.

I finally moved my RODI unit over tho the shop and hooked it up and RATS!, my water pressure will only give me 40 psi so I need a booster pump ASAP. I was onlymaking about 3-4 gallons per day over the weekend. That's not enough! I made an adjustment this morning and I hope I will get closer to 5 gallons a day util I can get a booster. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Bax
12/07/2006, 01:34 PM
Just a brief update:

I still need a booster pump on my RODI, but I am generating about 5 gallons a day and that'll suffice. But of course, a new issue, my TDS is 0 going in to my piggy back DI canister and 7-17 coming out! I guess it's time to change the resin, but still, an increase in TDS? I did not expect that.

My hair algae was NUTS! when I returned from my business trip. A few hours of pruning and it looks better, but there is still more pruning to do.

My water looks as clear as ever. I am very happy (this is me being happy :) ) with the 36w UV unit and the O3 unit I have added. I actually took my ER ES 5-3 skimmer off line and I still have clearer water! I removed the second skimmer as it was in my fuge due to space limitations and I wanted to provide my corals, and fish, with all the "naturally" available food possible, as I have really cut back on feeding due to the algae. I dialed up the G4x and it seems to be handling the skimming duties just fine for now.

One thing I'd love to get some feedback on, my snail mortality is just crazy! I had well over 120 snails before this algae bloom and now I bet I am down to 25-50 tops! Any notions as to what the heck that is all about would be appreciated. The die off is not limited to any one species nerites, cerinths nuasaris, turbins, turbos, astreas ... whatever, they are dying.

Bax
12/08/2006, 09:30 PM
These pics were taken about two weeks ago, but it looks much the same now, maybe a little bit better as I spent quite a bit of time pruning this week.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/RighttankHA11-06.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/RightfrontHA11-06.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/HairAlgae.jpg

Nasty huh?

Bax
12/08/2006, 09:35 PM
You can see the algae encroaching on the corals

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/tortwithHAencroaching.jpg

Both PE and color are effected on about half my corals

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/millilackingcolorduetoHA.jpg

Here is my gemmi now

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/gemilackingcolorduetoHA.jpg

Here's the same gemi colony in September before the algae became thick

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/corals09-05-06gemmi.jpg

Dudester
12/08/2006, 10:39 PM
Despite the tank salad, your corals truly have some amazing color. I'm quite jealous. Are you running any phosphate-binding resin? I'm not sure why your snails are dying, but definitely others here on RC have experienced the same phenomenon. I think even melev had a mass snail die-off event, although I'm not 100% certain about this as I'm subscribed to too many threads to maintain an accurate account. Have you asked around in the "Other Invertebrates" forum?

Bax
12/09/2006, 08:55 AM
Dude

The whole coral thing is a little perplexing. While some corals are a bit faded ( I would not call them bleached) others are fine. My prostrata, pocilipora, and a few others are thriving. But those I pictured above are not?

I do run phosban in a phosban 150 reactor. I run carbon in several spots in the sump system and change the bags in a rotation. And, as the previous few post describe, I've just started UV and O3 over the past few weeks.

My water params are pretty solid, I'd like to see my Alk and Ca up. I need some time to pick up a CO2 tank and I can then plug in my MTC Pro Cal reactor to help in that area.

As for the snails, I need to do some research here. It's very troubling. And, a vicious cycle. Snails die, they don't eat algae. Why are the snails dying? I think it might be because of the algae. You see the irony?

Bax
12/14/2006, 04:46 PM
I am pleased to report that may corals seem to be much happier .. unfortunately my computer is not and is fighting me on uploading some pics. I'll try from home and see if I have better luck there.

I still have patches of hair algae, but it does not grow back nearly as quickly after pruning. I am taking that as a great sign. And, my water has not been this crystal clear since I filled the tank.

I am still losing snails though!?

I picked up a dozen mexican turbos. I put four in the fuge and eight in the display. Those in fuge seem OK. I've lost four in the display in a week!?!?!

... As Dudester suggested, I may have to post in the invert forum for some advise or moral support in nothing else.

Bax
12/16/2006, 08:00 AM
I stopped in at my LFS last night. Man I could have stocked a 300g tank with all the fish on my imaginary fish list they had in stock!

Since my remaining five fish : a couple of clowns; coral beauty; midas blenny; and a fox face lo, are all doing great, I'd like to think about restocking. They have recovered from all signs of ick. And, it's been about six weeks since I suffered through that dilemma.

So ... I've been working on getting my QT ready ( recently moved from back in my shop into the fish closet in my office) and I am ready to put a couple of fish in there. I am considering a pair of Hineochus butterfly or a trio of chalk bass for now. They had both available. I'd like to get a variegated rabbit too, but they aren't available but every so often.

I'd love to do a trio of Bartlett's anthias but I am on the fence about it for now. And ... they had those too.

I had a Hineochus in the display and one in QT, but lost the one in QT (when it was out in my shop) to a cold snap over a weekend when I could not get to the office and the one in the display to ick.

I also had a pair of orchid dottybacks and lost one in the move (I think it was an aquascaping incident) and one to ick. The chalk bass would replace the dottybacks. Not the I did not love the dottybacks, just something different.

I am also planning on setting up some dips and dipping all my existing SPS corals. In the past I've only used Tech-D for a dip, but I now have Interceptor, betadine, Lugols and a variety of dips available and have been doing much research on when and why to use them. It's just a preventative measure as I hope to add a few corals around Christmas time if Santa is good to me :)

Dudester
12/16/2006, 10:48 AM
Good idea on the dips, definitely an invaluable exercise! Regarding your fish considerations, I love the look of a group of chalk bass, maybe even go up to 4 of them - very cool.

Bax
12/16/2006, 12:02 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8764550#post8764550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dudester
Good idea on the dips, definitely an invaluable exercise! Regarding your fish considerations, I love the look of a group of chalk bass, maybe even go up to 4 of them - very cool.

I've been following your troubles with AEFWs and want nothing to do with those issues, best of luck there.

When I stared my first 26 g tank I flipped a coin between an orchid dottyback & a chalk bass, as I would not keep both n such a small tank. the orchids won and I really enjoyed them, and plan to have several in my large display when it is on line, I am thinking about 5 or so.

For this 120 g I'd like to try 3-4 chalk bass, the LFS had five last night. I won't't be able to get back until monday, so I hope they are still there.

I was really looking forward to have two hineochus they had two that were just under 2", a great size to add a couple to a system. I really liked my previous one a real crowd pleaser :)

Bax
12/17/2006, 08:53 PM
Here's some pics from this week, my corals are starting to really look up!

Makes you want to reach in and pet it doesn't it?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206prostratazoom.jpg

My prostrata is thickening in the heavy flow of this system

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206prostrata.jpg

This milli is really started to grow and sprout new tips

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206milli.jpg

This was a small potato chip when I got it.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206pavona.jpg

This small colony broke up in transit but is doing really well as three frags.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206pinkpoci.jpg

Bax
12/18/2006, 02:15 PM
Picked up a pair of hineochus butterflys. They are drill acclimating for the QT right now.

I also got a coral or two, another gemmi, this one is green, I love gemmis, and my first stag coral it has beautiful blue tips.

I am acclimating those as well and then they will be dipped before going in to the system.

Bax
12/22/2006, 05:12 PM
Here's my pair of heniochus butterflys in QT

They seem quite happy :)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206heniochusinQT.jpg

The new gemmiferia, this is my third gemmi, I just love the fat fingered shape of these corals. This one was dipped in Interceptor and betadine, afterward it STN'd on the right side (you cab see where there is already some bleaching there in this pic). I've cut out the STN'ing section and will hope for the best. When colored up, this one has bright green polyps!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206newgemmi.jpg

This is the new stag, my first attempt at a stag acro, very beautiful purple/blue tips on this one. It recieved the same dip treatment as the gemmi.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206newstag.jpg

Bax
12/22/2006, 05:17 PM
This is my frag rack. Due to space restraints, it is in the fuge. I know the fuge purists won't approve, but it'll have to do for now. I plan to expand it across the whole half of the fuge tank.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206fragrack.jpg

I did stop skimming in my fuge. You may remember, I was running a ES 5 -3 in the fuge as a second skimmer during start up. I'd love to run two skimmers full time, but since pulling the ER, my macro has gone crazy in the fuge I a feel has made a positive impact on hair algae in the display. I must have been starving the chateo?

Bax
12/22/2006, 05:31 PM
I haven't posted a full tank shot since September, so ... here's a full tank shot:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206FTS.jpg

Bax
12/23/2006, 07:59 AM
Anyone know where I can get a Sea Hare?

I tried the lettuce nudibrachs and they put out a good effort, but could not make a dent in my hair algae. So, I'd like to try one of these ugly buggers. My sources tell me they are the king of hair algae control.

In the FTS above, you can see the thick tufts of hair algae on the LR.

Bax
12/25/2006, 10:19 AM
Merry Christmas

Hope everyone has a very happy and healthy holiday

Dudester
12/26/2006, 09:43 AM
Merry Christmas to you too, Bax. Any luck on that sea hare?

Bax
12/26/2006, 11:47 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8828408#post8828408 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dudester
Merry Christmas to you too, Bax. Any luck on that sea hare?

Not yet

I need to put aou an APB on the local forum to see if anyone has one.

Bax
01/01/2007, 09:34 AM
Happy New Year one and all!


So ... I put out an APB on the local NJ forum for sea hares, turned out, my usual LFS had several, but by the time I got there they were gone.

I'll call in to the LFS tomorrow to see if they'll be getting more soon.

I had hoped to go to the office to do some major hair algae harvesting either yesterday or today, but I blew my back out over Christmas carrying a new bed from Santa for my daughter in from the garage. Where the heck are those elves when you need them anyway? ... the hair algae will just have to wait.

Bax
01/02/2007, 07:52 PM
Here's some pics of the HA situation after about a week or so without a good algae harvest:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g010207FTS02.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206HAon010207end.jpg

I am really getting frustrated with the HA. I just can't belive that I am adding any nutrient sources to the system. I am stumped?

To add to the good news, I lost another Heinochus butterfly in QT over the long weekend. It was not eating well and may have been doomed from the start, the other one is doing great.

I also have been experiencing STN in my new gemmifera colony. I have clipped off some of the dying section. I dipped and inspected and redipped and see no AEFW or Red Bugs, it's just STN'ing???

Here's a pic.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206gemmiSTN.jpg

Ok ... please cheer me up

Dudester
01/03/2007, 02:34 PM
Well, you've still got your health :lol:

Woops, I forgot, you blew out your back :(

Guess I'm no help at all.

But seriously, sorry about the butterfly, the STN, and that nasty algae that's trying to squelch out your beautiful corals. Did you use new sand, or did you transport old sand into this tank? If it was old sand, did you wash it out well? Maybe your sand bed is a potential nutrient source for the algae? (Shallow attempt to offer a solution to your problem, I know.)

The photo of the coral doesn't show any "fragged" sites - are those spots continuing to STN as well? If not, then maybe you just need to frag a little more? Also consider fragging off a healthy piece of that coral and mounting it in a different location to avoid the potential loss of an entire colony. Just a thought.

msuzuki126
01/03/2007, 03:18 PM
Good luck with the algae. Have you tried turbos? I would get a ton of them and see what they can do. Maybe you've tried that and it just keeps coming back...

Bax
01/03/2007, 04:00 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8887353#post8887353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dudester


But seriously, sorry about the butterfly, the STN, and that nasty algae that's trying to squelch out your beautiful corals. Did you use new sand, or did you transport old sand into this tank? If it was old sand, did you wash it out well? Maybe your sand bed is a potential nutrient source for the algae? (Shallow attempt to offer a solution to your problem, I know.)

The photo of the coral doesn't show any "fragged" sites - are those spots continuing to STN as well? If not, then maybe you just need to frag a little more? Also consider fragging off a healthy piece of that coral and mounting it in a different location to avoid the potential loss of an entire colony. Just a thought.

Dudester

Thanks for your support. My chiropractor is working wonders on my back. And, at least the remaining HBtfy is doing great, its banner has grown over 3/4" in the two weeks or so it's been in QT. So, all is not lost.

I used all new sand in the display. And I added a ton of nassuris (sp?) snails to keep it stirred up. I also have tons of mini brittles, two large brittles, a tiger tail cuke and a Fighting Conch sifting around along with about 30-40 hermits.

If you look at that coral pic, to the lower right, you can see some flat faces from prior fragging already being colonized by the dreaded algae. Above that there, are two struggling branches that have since been fragged off.

So Santa sent me some ca$h to play with my tank.

I got a p. fridmani, I was considering chalk bass, but my wife really misses the pseudo pair we used to have, so she won. I really like these too.

I also gave in and got a yellow tang to help keep algae in check in the future.

They are both acclimating to QT right now.

I also got a linka star ... always wanted one, I know they are tough to acclimate, but I figure the HA has to be good for something and will provide a good source of foods for the star in all the nutrient rich crap the HA collects.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206linkaunderside.jpg

And yet another bright spot in my reef ... my clowns continue to spawn every 4-6 weeks.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g1206clownspawn02.jpg

Bax
01/06/2007, 11:18 AM
Well I found a Sea Hare on Thursday at a different LFS and brought it home. Did about 1 1/2 hour of drip acclimation and added it to the display.

The lights were still on so it hid under a rock the remainder of day one.

On Friday it moved around the rock but never really started cruising the tank.

This morning (Saturday) I stopped by the office and it is now buried in the sand in the rockwork on the other end of the tank.

Is this normal behavior?

I have done as much reading on these as I could find, there's little said on their behavior in captivity so I only have the comments others here on RC have made in regards to their specimens.

Should it be cruising the tank selecting tasty algae morsels to eat? ... Or something like that?

Bax
01/08/2007, 12:55 PM
The Sae Hare is still moving around quite a bit, and I see some evidence of it, or something, grazing algae. Since The Sea Hare is the only new algae eating critter in the tank, I am giving it the credit. I'll post some pics as soon as I can upload them.

Water params:

temp 78-81
pH 8.1-8.3
Alk total 3 Meg/lt
Ca 300-350 ppm
Am/Ni/Na ND (Kordon)
PO4 ND (Merk)
ORP 290-310

On the STN front, my baby blue gemmi finally gave in and the new green gemmi si still slowly STN'ing. I am goingto bring in my Dremel to split eh colony and try to save as big a piece as possible. I've been doing Betadine dips on both colonies and the frgs. Some of the frags are doing alright others are STN'ing.

Bax
01/08/2007, 08:01 PM
Here's a pic of the Sea Hare

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107001SeaHare.jpg

Crazy little eyes on this bugger huh!?!

Bax
01/09/2007, 06:12 AM
My trumpets are growing like weeds ... just like my hair algae!


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107trumpets.jpg

Dudester
01/09/2007, 11:32 AM
Bax, I'm sure you already know this, but for the benefit of others, it merits mentioning that when you frag off pieces of your STNing corals, you'll do so at areas that are as remote as possible from the affected branches, yes?

Trumpet looks beautiful, sea hare looks heinous ;) .

Bax
01/09/2007, 03:15 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8935659#post8935659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dudester
when you frag off pieces of your STNing corals, you'll do so at areas that are as remote as possible from the affected branches, yes?

Trumpet looks beautiful, sea hare looks heinous ;) .

Yes, I am being very carful as to what ***ged pieces I try to salvage. And, I am keeping a very close ey eon the frags

"Heinous" is the perfect word!

Dudester
01/09/2007, 03:23 PM
I'm sure you meant to say "fragged" :p .

Bax
01/09/2007, 03:33 PM
Oops! ... sure did

Bax
01/11/2007, 06:12 AM
Just to further show that all things in my system don't suck, here's a random pick of my female o. clown discussing who's reef this is with my Midas blenny. I just thought is was a cool shot.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107midasclown.jpg

Sea Hare ... what Sea Hare?

MyMonkey
01/12/2007, 09:46 AM
Looking good. Even with the HA. Nasty stuff. I battled it for months. The Sea Hare should help.

Bax
01/12/2007, 12:25 PM
Thanks!

I actually saw the Sea Hare during the day light just the other day. So, hopefully it is acclimating and will begin pitching in on the house keeping.

I just changed my MH bulbs today, maybe that will help with the HA, but they were just a year old, like, to the day.

MyMonkey
01/12/2007, 01:10 PM
I had several Sea Hares within about a year. FIrst one died of bacterial infection that wiped out my whole collection of fish. Next on succumbed to an attack by my giant cleaner shrimp names Mr. Clean. Yes, attacked.... I finally ended up with a cool little Sea Hare that looked alot like yours. Named pickle. He now resides in another reef.

He mowed down any sight of HA present by the way. Good luck.

Bax
01/12/2007, 03:35 PM
Thanks, that's sort of encouraging.

This guy is a giant compared to my blood shrimp... and hopefully free of bacterial infections ... yet another reason to QT EVERYTHING! .... I did not QT the Hare, no facility to do so at this time.

Bax
01/13/2007, 09:02 AM
Here's my QT right now. This is the heniocus butterfly (remember I lost one right after introducing them to QT). The banner on this one has grown over 1 1/4" since being in the shelter of QT where nasty tank mates aren't nipping at it!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107HBtfyinQT.jpg

I was thinking chalk bass, but my wife really wanted another orchid dottyback, so I got this little male. Maybe I'll try to introduce a female in a little while ( I have had success with that previously, but lost them to ick).

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107pFridinQT.jpg

And here's the absolutely most neurotic fish I have ever seen in my life! You may recall the eblie mimic tang I introduced brought ick to my tank. I am trying a tang again. I think I need more algae control critters. ( I know, I need to control the source of algae ..... working on that). I am not a fan of tangs ... period ... but I will give this yellow a shot and see if it can turn me into a tang lover.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107YTinQT.jpg

MyMonkey
01/13/2007, 09:19 AM
Nice pics. Love the tang too. My fav fish was my Scopas Tang. He ate every kind of algae he could find. Yellows are a bit more agressive fom what I hear.

Bax
01/13/2007, 11:20 AM
Yes, the yellows are but again, the wife really liked it and it's time to start remodleing for my built in display at home so I am pushing for all the brownie points I can :)

Bax
01/13/2007, 03:20 PM
So I was setting my new MH bulbs in place. They wouldn't fire. So I shuut off the power gave another turn and the one fired. Fooled with the second one, it would begin to light but wouldn't fire. Finally the second one fires but the first one won't. I twisted the first but, DOAH!, forgot to shut off the power! Blew out my Intermatic timer, at least, maybe more. Fractured the mogul socket on the first lamp too! Arrrrg!!!! I'll have no more time to mess with it until Moday or Tuesday night, so the tank will be on T-5 only until then, nothing more I can do right now. :(

... been thinking about upgrading to 250's hmmmmmmm?

Bax
01/15/2007, 04:15 PM
I got back in from a day of drilling and sampling to find the Sea Hare, out in the open, and grazing hair algae, more like a cow than a rabbit! It was moving right along the sand bed, leaving onl;y caroline algae on the glass in its path ... this is me smiling :)

Bax
01/17/2007, 06:16 AM
This Sea Hare is simply the most amazing algae grazing critter I have ever seen!

I'll post some pics as soon as I can up load them, the before and after comparison of HA is dramatic to say the least ... this is me, still smiling :)

Dudester
01/17/2007, 11:38 AM
:D This is me, smiling with you.



:( This is me, distraught that my 30g tank is too small for a sea hare.

Bax
01/17/2007, 05:17 PM
Man! I am telling you this critter is an algae vacuum! It's truely a marvel to watch.... my tank is starting to look like ... my tank!

Bax
01/18/2007, 07:58 AM
Here is the KING of Hair Algae hard at work!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107SeaHare0115.jpg

Holmez221b
01/18/2007, 08:24 AM
I had a sea hare for a few days, I read somewhere that if they die in the tank they can poision the everything?? I paniced and put him in a friends tank.. Is there any truth to this???

Bax
01/18/2007, 08:38 AM
Yes, they can emit a toxic "ink" if alarmed, and if the die, the remains may emit this toxin. They are also physically big and gooey. So just the decomposing body could be an issue in all but larger systems.

In my case, it was worth the risk.

Bax
01/18/2007, 12:54 PM
Scroll back a page and you'll see this end view dripping in hair algae ... not any more only some patches remain!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107endview0115HAredux.jpg

JagerEinheit
01/18/2007, 03:00 PM
congrats on the hare, just watch it around your tunze and vortechs. hares have a way of getting sucked in and then pureed.

Bax
01/18/2007, 04:43 PM
JagerEinheit

Thanks, It is really great to see my tank returning to "normal". I have snails on the rockwork and glass again! They could fight thier way through the thick HA anymore!

I had some letuce nudibrachs previously and they took a beating from the big PHs that's for sure. The VorTech just spun its bearing and is in a vinigar bath for maintenance. I plan to do the same to the Tunzes. Maybe clean, they won't be such a draw to the King of Algae.

Here's an FTS from Tuesday. If you look back, this really shows a marked improvement and today, Thursday, it looks even better.


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107FTS011507.jpg


... So about the "STN", I dipped in Interceptor, Lugol's, Betadine no real improvement.

I recently got some TMPCC, hard to find in the LFS and on line ... anyway dipped the "STNing" coral in it and there they were, Flat Worms!!!!!!!!! YIEKS!!!!!!

Soaked it and everything near well, we'll see how it goes.

I have a frag pack arriving tomorrow too. Too late to stop it either. They will get the same dipps and go into the prop section for a while at least.

Fingers crossed ... hard to type ... keep ya posted.

sandshifter532
01/18/2007, 05:02 PM
wow thats one of the nicest looking tanks I have ever seen.

Bax
01/18/2007, 05:09 PM
sandshifter532

Thanks! That's a very fuzzy picture now that I see it posted.

I gotta get better at taking pics!

If I can find the time, and next week looks good, I have to get a CO2 tank and get my Ca reactor going, that should kick up my growth quite a bit. Using two part right now but manually dosing so it can be spotty.

sandshifter532
01/18/2007, 05:57 PM
yeah so do I, I just started takin pics lol

Dudester
01/18/2007, 09:58 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9015341#post9015341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bax
I recently got some TMPCC, hard to find in the LFS and on line ... anyway dipped the "STNing" coral in it and there they were, Flat Worms!!!!!!!!! YIEKS!!!!!! I feel your pain! Get yourself some FlukeTabs or Levamisole STAT, and put your new frags in a quarantine tank AFTER you first dip them in TMPCC. If you need specific help with treating your flatworms (AEFW, I presume) I'd be happy to help you. Good luck!

BTW, tank's looking great, it's a shame you'll have to treat your acros at this juncture.

Bax
01/19/2007, 08:19 AM
"it's a shame you'll have to treat your acros at this juncture."

Mike, so you think I'll have to treat the whole tank? Can this be addressed by weekly dips and isolation? It's going to take me at least to mid week to set up a proper holding system in any event.

Arrrg! ... and I had hoped this move/upgrade would be so smooth and easy.

Since August I have battled hair algae out the wazoo, ick, red bugs, and now flat worms.

.... why am I so hooked on this "relaxing" hobby?????

Bax
01/20/2007, 07:12 AM
I re-dipped the gemmi that I belive brought in the flat worms and its nearest neighbor, just in case, in TMPCC.

No worms. I inspected both the pieces very carefully and found no eggs. Of course I had done this before and found no worms or eggs ... so .... ?

When I originally dipped this coral in TMPCC, it was the last one I dipped. I did not see any worms fall off of any other corals inthe tank. The only acros the were not dipped were the prostrata which are encrusted to the rockwork on a seperate rock mound.

The fish in my QT can begin transfering over to the diplay by the end of next week. I think I am going to wait until they are out and then set up my 26 as a coral holding tank for all incoming corals. It's the only reliable heat controlled space I have at this time as my shop is only heated to keep from freezing.

Dudester
01/20/2007, 04:53 PM
You can treat individual corals if you wish. This is the method that melev has thus far used successfully. Others have tried this but eventually they switched to treating all of their acros due to continued spread of those pests. You are wise to treat your corals via a separate holding tank, since there are plenty of documented failures with in-tank treatments. Your best bet is to put all of your susceptible corals into a holding tank to prevent unhatched eggs from spreading in your display. From there, treat the corals weekly for 10 weeks (in a separate treatment vessel) prior to putting them back into your display. Alternatively, you could continue to try to remove the affected corals and dip them on an "as needed" basis. The first method is more certain to eradicate the problem, although this is more costly and potentially more time consuming. I so hate AEFW!

BTW, did you use magnification when you inspected your gemmi for eggs? The eggs are tiny, and they're usually located near the base of the coral, and deep within the structure at branch sites. They're clever little bastages.

Bax
01/20/2007, 05:41 PM
I wore my reading specs (mid forties) and used a hand held magnifying glass. I looked all over the corals, couldn't a single egg.

I'll look again.

Thanks Mike

Dudester
01/20/2007, 08:25 PM
Happy to help. I'll be away for a while, and when I return and catch up on your thread I will hopefully read good news.

Bax
01/23/2007, 09:20 AM
All of the dipped corals seem to respond well. Many were dipped as a precaution. But, my gemmis in particular had issues. I did an Interceptor (one hour) dip followed by TMPCC (15 min). My original gemmi is bouncing back, all the surrounding corals that were done as a caution are bouncing back. The newer "STNing" gemmi is not doing so well.

I may have to dip it again in TMPCC and separate it ASAP!

On the fun side, I received an awesome frag pack from a RCer, with a nice starter frag of Superman Monti .. it's shaweet!

And, ... the King of Algae still reigns supreme!!!!

Bax
01/23/2007, 06:17 PM
Finally orfered a 10 pound CO2 tank so I can set up my Ca Rx ... very excited about that.

I also ordered a new impeller for my Sedra 9000 as I want to do a mesh mod to the skimmer.

herefishyfishy2
01/23/2007, 07:02 PM
Sea Hares are without a doubt the BEST HA eater there is. They can consume massive amounts of it. They are large, but very gentle on corals as the one I had would move over GSP....they would not even close up. Ours was nick named Shrek as they do have a resemblence. Once the HA is gone though, they need a ton of nori to stay alive. Ours was eating an 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of it per day until we loaned him to another person to graze. Tank is looking real nice....keep it up!

Bax
01/24/2007, 05:55 AM
Thanks!

Yes, they really do chow down! It took about a week for this one to acclimate and begin moving around the tank. I think, by the end of this week I'll be moving him to my fuge for a week and then into a QT for seaweed sheets until I can find a new home.


And they do have Shrek "ears" or, what ever those appendages are.

Bax
01/27/2007, 07:08 AM
Transferred my QT over yesterday. The yellow tang who was the wimpiest, most neurotic fish I'd every seen in QT thinks he owns this reef. So my coral beauty will cause this one no grief.

The Orchid dotty back was hiding in a piece if LR, so I put the whole piece in the acclimation bucket and ended up just putting the whole thing into the display, saw him poke his head out once or twice but that's all I've seen of him so far.

And the Heinochus butterfly that looked so great all through QT is huddle in a corner looking totally freaked out. Hopefully he'll settle in too.

My coral dipping seemed to do the trick and all corals are doing well with the exception of the newer gemmi. I think in it's weak state the dipping was too much and it continues to fade uniformly, not one branch from the bottom up as it did with the AEFWs. I may never buy another coral from a LFS again. I think it's frags only from established reefers, that's it. I'll grow my own thank you.

So here a quick shot of a stag a I got with the troubled gemmi, it seems to be doing very well and has grown over 1/2" and is branching.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107bluetipstag.jpg

My Co2 bottle should be in Monday and I hope to get the reactor going next week.

Bax
01/27/2007, 04:33 PM
Here's the orchid dottyback, he's finally found a spot in the rockwork he likes, not siting still for pics though.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107newOD.jpg

The YT is absolutely bonkers! I've never been a big fan of YTs (wife's choice) but this one seems to have some personality. Can not get a close up, as he's just all over the place! There's the OD near the bottom too.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0107YTandco.jpg

Here's the left side of the tank with the YT and most of the fish crew. The Heinochus is eating vigorously but still not out and about

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g010727leftFTSwYT.jpg

Bax
01/28/2007, 08:05 AM
Here's an FTS. from yesterday It's like a new tank without all the HA.

I turned the MH lights off and still couldn't get a decent pic, I gotta read the owners manual for my camera, or something!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g010727FTS.jpg

Dudester
01/30/2007, 12:22 PM
Bax, why must you insult this intelligent audience? It's obvious that you are photoshopping your tank photos to give the illusion that your algae problem is a thing of the past ;) .

But seriously, that is astounding! Does the sea hare eat bryopsis as well, or just the more common GHA?

Bax
01/30/2007, 02:07 PM
It is an amazing turn around isn't it?!?

I know that common wisdom says to look for your nutrient source, but it is also said the bad things happen in other wise healthy tanks. I feel that several factors led to this algal bloom.

New tank is on the list but not a driver, as I started this 240g system with over 300 pounds of well aged LR, two skimmers blasting away and lots of water changes, I did use all new sand so maybe there's something there?

It is possible it may have been sponge material from the very old LR dying off that did not like the move?

But what ever sparked it, I am certain that the algae was choking out my cleaning crew, possibly even releasing toxins to the system. I had a huge snail die off with the eruption of algae. It was a vicious cycle of snails dying & feeding the algae bloom, causing more algae and more dying snails and so on ...

Since the Sea Hare has knocked back the algae, I have snails on the glass and rock again.

This algae was not bryopsis, at least I was not convinced it was, maybe some else who has seen the pictures would chime in, but I have been thinking dinoflagalates (the brown stringy stuff) and some green turf algae dominated this event. So, I am not sure if the Sea Hare will eat bryopsis, but I can tell you mine does not seem picky at all.

... still smiling :)

Bax
01/31/2007, 06:08 AM
I just got my CO2 tank!

I can't wait to get my Ca reactor going!!!!

I got a new impeller and some special mesh that I'll be using to do a mesh mod to the ASM G4x skimmer. From what I've read in the DIY forum on this mod, this skimmer should blow the top off the collection cup, can't wait!!!

I am very hopeful that kicking my skimming up a notch will slam the door on my algae troubles ... fingers crossed .... still smiling :)

Bax
01/31/2007, 05:12 PM
This is the DIY thread I have been reading that has inspired a mod to an allready ars kicking ASM G4x skimmer:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1005653

I don't have the nads to chop up a $60 needle wheel impeller so I had to buy a $29 stock paddle impeller to play with this mesh mod idea. Some people are getting awesome results with basic skimmers.

Bax
02/01/2007, 04:53 PM
I did not even post this in the log, but back on January 18th, my VorTech spun the bearing on the wet end of the unit.

I contacted EchoTech through the forum hear on RC an was told to email customer service at IceCap, which I finally did on Monday. Yesterday I received a replacement bearing set. The VorTech is back in the tank running well and absolutely silently. The first start up back when I first got it had a vibration period that broke in after a few days, this set up is quiet. Great customer service at IceCap!

I am lucky to have been collecting Tunzes for my home system so I had a 6060 to hold up the flow while the VorTech was out of commission. I think the VorTech is way more diffused flow JMO.

Randy1
02/01/2007, 05:27 PM
Started off good but you could see in the photos that you have a nutrient export problem, phos. Try more water changes and better skimming. Add a black or blue backround and put those heaters in the sump. Good luck

Bax
02/01/2007, 09:19 PM
Thanks for the input Randy

PO4 tests 0 with a Deltec/Merck test kit

I run a TLF 150 g Phosban reactor

I have skimmed hard from the start and plan to improve my G4x skimmer with a mesh mod ASAP.

Bax
02/05/2007, 07:11 AM
Our arctic temperatures (at least by our standards) that began this weekend here in northern New Jersey are causing me some grief.

As a reminder, we just moved into this office/shop in August, so this is my first winter in this building. And, as with every new commercial rental space, it has its own issues in terms of electricity, plumbing, cooling and heating. And, this is a very old industrial building. It's not like keeping a reef in a home, that is for sure.

It was a bear keeping the tank cool and humidity down during the summer, and controlling temps now is proving to be no easier.

My personal office, where the tank is located, is heated by two electric baseboards. As luck would have it, the one on the outside wall, the wall that's mostly windows, crapped out last week.

I left heat on in the office behind mine and above mine, I have three 250 watt heaters that are in the display, as well as two in the fuge, but the temps still dropped to 74.5 (that I know of) and that wasn't in the deep cold of say 5 to 6 AM. This morning it was 4 deg in my driveway and 55 in my office when I got here, (with ice on the inside of the windows) the tank was right at 75 deg (74.9 in the display and 74.6 in the fuge). I located another space heater for now and will try to get my other baseboard heater replaced ASAP.

As far as I can tell, the only casualty, so far, was my Sea Hare. Fortunately, it died out in the open where I could retrieve it. Made my skimmer go nuts for a few hours, hopefully that all the hit I'll take form this.

As for my corals, I have never seen such polyp extension as they were showing this morning when I arrived and the lights were still out. So I guess they are none the worse for the wear?

So, I'll be putting a couple more heaters in there today until after the deep freeze passes?

Bax
02/07/2007, 08:32 AM
I am very happy as I just spotted by purple linka star for the first time since this weekends deep freeze event in my tank.

At the same time, my heniocus butterfly that had been doing so well just withered since that episode and I found him dead on the bottom this morning. I had one HB for two years before this move, lost it to ick right after the move. This was the third one to suddenly die on me since the move, the other two died in QT. I suspect cold temps may have played a roll in those deaths too. (this old building gives me fits with temp control) The first two looked well right up until the died, this one did seem to struggle after the cold snap? :(

Dudester
02/07/2007, 01:51 PM
Wow, too bad about your HB (and the sea hare), so sorry to hear. How many heaters do you have on that tank, and were they working?

Have you had any resurgence of algae since the loss of the sea hare?

Bax
02/07/2007, 03:54 PM
I had three 250w VisTherm heaters in the display. I placed them there and not in the sump or fuge so that I'd have some protection against really cold nights for the display. All seem to be working they are adjusted so one comes on then another and then the third. I also have two 150 w heaters in the fuge.

I added another 200 watter and cranked it and that seems to help holding the temp. That and that it's no longer 4 degs out side.

I am saddened by the loss of the King of Algae as well but over all I feel very lucky. My understanding is the 74 and below is the death zone and I am sure it was there during the night.

As far as the HB goes. My first one was so healthy for so long, I don't know what to make of these troubles I am having with QT'ing and introducing another!?

Thanks though, a little sympathy is always welcome.

Bax
02/07/2007, 04:06 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9182326#post9182326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dudester

Have you had any resurgence of algae since the loss of the sea hare?

Forgot to answer this part ... Not yet.

I thing the addition of the yellow tang is part of the reason as my foxface is stuffing himself as never before to be sure he gets more of the available algae :lol:

But also, while the King was still around, I noticed an overall change in my skimate production. Less, darker skim. My water is crystal clear ... I am hopeful whatever was feeding the algae has passed.

I will wait a week or two and begin replenishing my cleanup crew as it is down to some cerinths and nassarus for snails, that's it. All the turbos, astreas, nerites are all gone two $140 reeftopia orders .... flush.

Sometimes, in this hobby, you just have to put your darth glasses on :strooper:

Bax
02/08/2007, 04:54 PM
So now, one of my Tunzes the 6100 seized up. I have it soaking in vinegar maybe that'll do the trick, if not, I'll get to check out Tunzes customer service next!

... of course, I have a spare so there's no interruption in flow :)

Rjukan
02/08/2007, 05:51 PM
Beautiful tank Bax, and great thread so far. I love all of the pictures and you really stuck with the updates. I cant imagine working in an office for one, but if I did and it was yours I wouldnt get a thing done lol.

Bax
02/08/2007, 07:02 PM
Thanks Rjukan

I hope some folks learn from my mistakes and enjoy the tanks as well. And it helps me keep track of what's been going on.

I spend a lot, I mean a lot, of time out of the office, Well, outside actually, so it makes it hard to do maintenance and find time to , just look and enjoy.

But, it's worth it.

When I get our company web site up it'll have a 24/7 reef cam on it.

yiliyang
02/09/2007, 08:26 AM
Your tank is fantastic looking. I really enjoy the pics.

Bax
02/09/2007, 08:30 PM
Thank you yiliyang

I really enjoy putting them out there , just wish I was a better photographer

Bax
02/12/2007, 09:38 PM
I caught my Midas Blenny just waking up this morning, he has a cubby hole under my purple monti.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207MidasBlennyincubby.jpg

Bax
02/13/2007, 08:10 AM
Here's an FTS from last night. MHs just shut off and I used a flash, it's a little better then my last failed attempt at an FTS. I have really have got to spend some tine with my camera manual and figure out what all these buttons are for!

I moved a coral or two and brought some frags over from the prop section.

I am toying with upgrading my 175 MH to 250s or 400s. I have a 400 ballast already so I would only need to get some bulbs and I'd be in buisness.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207FTS001.jpg

Dudester
02/13/2007, 01:47 PM
Really looking good these days, Bax. Nice pics.

Bax
02/13/2007, 02:19 PM
Thanks

Your office tank is amazing! Your installers are top notch!

Dudester
02/13/2007, 02:51 PM
Yeah, and they're good guys to boot.

Bax
02/13/2007, 04:15 PM
Here's the left side of the tank. There is basically no hair algae evident except for in the return nozzle, I don't know why the YT and fox face don't like that? I'll have to change the nozzle for a clean one.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207FTSleft003.jpg

Dudester
02/13/2007, 04:41 PM
Any plans to put a backing behind the tank to obscure those cords?

Bax
02/13/2007, 06:11 PM
I still have to skin the canopy & stand permanently.

Cords will all be addressed at that time.

I am still on the fence about blacking it out. I did on my last tank and it was OK except for when I would need to recover a coral or whatever and could not see behind the rock.

Here's the right side:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207FTS002.jpg

Bax
02/16/2007, 09:28 PM
Well, despite the fact that I have TONS of cord maintenance to be doing, and I still need to skin the stand, I spent some time playing with the camera in between hooking up the Ca reactor.

I was skeptical about tangs (not a big fan) but I love this one that my wife talked me into!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207YTFrogSpawn.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207YTFPcappi.jpg

Purple linka checking out some new frags

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207PLstar02.jpg

Nice growth on the purple over pink mille

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207pinkpurpmille.jpg

Nice sized new stylo frag

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207newstylo.jpg

A hermit catching rays

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207BLhermit.jpg

Bax
02/17/2007, 07:03 AM
.... and here's a new green mille .... this picture does not do this piece justice at all .... very brigth and fuuuuuzzy! :)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207fuzzygreenmille.jpg

Dudester
02/17/2007, 03:31 PM
Great new additions, and your photography skills are obviously improving. That stylo is awesome!

Bax
02/17/2007, 05:27 PM
Thanks Dude

eidillitih
02/17/2007, 06:05 PM
Looking good Bax, I also am in the process of stocking my 120. How many fish do you have in your 120. Just getting a general idea. I know 40inches is recommended but I have lots of rock and big sump. You can check out my thread if you like. Love your clams too. I'm a big clam guy.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1022516

Bax
02/17/2007, 08:35 PM
eidillitih

Thanks, I have seen your thread, great tank!

I have a pair of o. clowns, a coral beauty, fox facelo, orchid dottyback, midas blenny and a yellow tang

I plan to add a trio of anthias and some cardinals or chalk bass,

Zestay
02/17/2007, 09:30 PM
schweet tank. will tag this one

Bax
02/18/2007, 07:46 AM
Thanks Zestay!

Bax
02/18/2007, 06:12 PM
So, I 've been at this 120 for just six months now. Here's an equipment update. I am trying to get organized so I added a peg board tothe inside of the fish closet door.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207tankcloset.jpg

It helps to keep everyday tools with in reach.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207FCdoorway.jpg

Here's the Ca Reactor finally hooked up it's running but I haven't turned on the CO2 yet as I am not there over the weekend and did not want to run CO2 for the first time whithout being able to monitor the pH. Just letting circulate for now.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207CRKRATO.jpg

The Ca Reactor, Kalk mixer, auto top off and QT fit nicely along this one wall.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207CRKRATOQT.jpg

Bax
02/18/2007, 06:19 PM
Standing with my back to the QT you look back to the fuge and skimmer sump. The main return sump is on the bottom of the fuge stand. You can see the top of the Ehiem canister that feeds the UV on the right.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207G4xUVFuge.jpg

Next week ... CORD MANAGEMENT!!!!

And if I am lucky, I'll get to cut material to skin the stand ... FINALLY!!!

Bax
02/20/2007, 07:53 AM
Here's an FTS taken the same day I took the above shots. It's taken from the front door of my office as you walk in. Clients love it, and the UPS guy has an appriciation for all the packages he's constantly delivering from The Doctors, Marine Depot, Reef Geek yada ... yada ... yada ... etc... etc... etc...


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207FTS02.jpg

Bax
02/22/2007, 12:25 PM
Is anyone else running a MTC Pro Cal calcium reactor. Or using the CO2 assecories kit from Dr Foster? I keep setting hte bubble counter and the CO2 flow will just stop over time. Like there's not enough pressure behind the CO2. There seems to be no adjustment on the regulator, it's an Azoo regulator???

synthesis
02/22/2007, 03:30 PM
Hey Bax, been following your thread for some time now and realized that i have never posted a reply. Tank looks great. Seems like the algea problem has improved drastically. RBTA looks amazing.

Regarding your CA reactor, do you have a feeder pump connected to the intake?. Most pumps that come with the CA reactor dont have enough power to draw water from the tank. Sometimes even with a feeder pump the CO2 that isnt disolved gets trapped in the return tubing and can stop the flow. Have you checked the effluent gate valve?. It looks as if the water has to travel some distance to and from the tank. This could be the issue and I would look into a feeder pump...or if you already have one maybe consider a stronger pump.

synthesis
02/22/2007, 03:32 PM
Take a pic of the regulator so we can see the gauges.

Bax
02/22/2007, 03:41 PM
Synthesis

Thanks! I'll post a pic tonight.

The Pro Cal uses the BL-20 to draw water from the sump and recirculate. I am getting good strong flow through the reactor and back to the sump. I don;t think this unit is designed to require a feed pump. At least I did not think it was???

I am also not getting CO2 escaping from the vent line.

Bax
02/22/2007, 03:44 PM
Here's a link to the regulator I am using. There seems to be no pressure out adjustment to it, only the needle vale & solenoid.


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9895&N=2004+113779

synthesis
02/22/2007, 03:45 PM
Then my guess would be that the regulator is the issue. Or the pressure in the C02 tank is low. We will know for sure when you post a pic of it :)

Bax
02/22/2007, 04:33 PM
I am suspecting the regulator as well. Seems to me it ought to be set above 2-3 psi, no?

The CO2 tank was just filled for the first time. It's full, draining alarmingly quickly, though I find no leaks in the CO2 delivery lines or regulator conncetions. Have a pic on the cam, will upload it from home :)

Bax
02/22/2007, 06:47 PM
Here's the Azoo regulator from Dr Fosters

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207CO2reg.jpg

Here's the guages, the tank is reading over 40 psi and the CO2 out is just over 2 psi. I can not change this setting, or can I?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120g0207CO2regclose.jpg

Bax
02/23/2007, 06:30 AM
There has to be something, really simple, that I am missing here! The Azoo regulator came from Dr Fosters with no, ZERO operating instructions save one small sheet of paper with about eight different languages that said, in short, do not take this puppy apart, EVER! The Azoo Palm web site offered the same level of guidance.

I looked on line and there are other regulators, the Gen-X and Reef Fanatic brands were two I found, that are adjustable, and the adjustment knobs are evident on the units. The RF was pricey, but the Gen-X was in the same price range as the Azoo when bought separately, this one came with the CO2 Accessories package from Dr F.

So ... it's got to be me right ... ? I am just stupid .... right???

Bax
02/23/2007, 06:38 AM
I am begining to think that this regulator is factory preset at this low, 2-2.5 psi, pressure and is suitable for fresh water planted application and small, single stage Ca RXs like the Knopf brand that Dr F sells.

Is that it?

Do I need to buy a real regulator and save this one for an FW planted tank of the future?

synthesis
02/23/2007, 02:01 PM
Ok from what I know is that it should be at the 1000 mark. If its below the 1000 mark the pressure is low. Either its running low on C02 or the regulator is broken.

I have the same regulator and the settings are 1psi and 1000psi. It works perfectly. I am positive its that the pressure in the tank is below 1000psi. Is this a new tank?. Maybe someone else can speak up on this one.

Bax
02/23/2007, 03:34 PM
This is a brand new 10 pound tank, not an exchange tank it's mine. It was at just over 500 psi when first filled.

... and now I realize I was reading the Kg/cm2 scale and not the psi scale when writing my first couple of posts. This is what happens when you start to depend upon reading glasses to focus on everything closer than your hand.

I was in and out of the office all day today so I fiddled with the needle valve a bit more. I have had it bubbling just over one bubble per second for several hours now. That's the best I've been able to manage yet. Maybe I just didn't have it open far enough and it was bleeding the line and petering out. It's a very sensitive valve in that open a hair too much and it just begins blowing CO2. I'll see how it does over the weekend.