280G+ Starphire In-Wall Build by ReefArtist

[ReefArtist]

Thanks Mike - I've not used a trap before so all I can add is "good luck".

OK - here are a few photos of some Acro Eating Flat Worms (AEFW). They are very hard to actually see on the corals as they are clear and they really like the Tri-Color Acropora corals. When I used Saliferts Flatworm Exit they turned a light tan and were very easy to see. This is the reason we need to QT/Dip and treat all new corals. They will harm your corals to the point it will die.

Here are a few photos:

This is a AEFW that had been treated with FWExit. Note - if you use the FWExit it will most likely take 5X the recommended dose to actually have the worms release from the coral.

Another AEFW but this one is a little lighter.

Another look at a few AEFW.

We treated our 75g with everything including all the montipora's. We didn't want to take the chance of them being on a rock, crevice etc. For the next 5 treatments we will most likely remove every Acropora and treat, examine, scrub and blow off each and every one. You can use a number of products to kill or at least weaken these pests: Levamisole, Betadine, Fluke tabs and the 5X strength FWExit. All new corals should go through at least the basic first dips.

 

[ReefArtist]

I also wanted to add, we used two large bags of carbon after the treatment. The FW's are very toxic so adding the carbon helps rid the system of this.

 

[Harleyguy]

Good luck with the treatment, I hope everything that is supposed to die, does and everything that is supposed to live does as well.

 

[Harleyguy]

Double post..

 

[ReefArtist]

Thanks Harleyguy! One of the reasons we waited a week before starting any treatment was to let them settle and recover from their move.

Now each week we're treating for red bugs and AEFW. The red bugs are treated on Friday which is easy with the medication. On Saturday they are treated for AEFW and each one is removed from the tank treated, blown off and inspected. They are actually looking much better already - I do hope this continues.

One thing for sure, after these treatments there will not be pest on any of the corals. After all the treatments I really think in two months or so they will be as beautiful as they were when I saw them a few months ago. I just hope they all make it!

Thanks again!

 

[ReefArtist]

Hey - surely there are a few of you reefers out there that have treated for AEFW - please let us know how you treated. It's always nice to hear first hand what has worked and for that matter what didn't.

This has been a good lesson for me and I can say now that nothing is going into my system without being treated and inspected first. Mine were being dipped before, but I know this doesn't kill much of what is really out there.

BTW - we inspected all montipora corals for nudibranchs, none were found not even a questionable area. We still cleaned each monti, just in case. We are sure no nudies on these corals.

 

[erics3000]

Great find Carol. Good luck with the FWQT I am trying to find another 55 or a 20 for my QT. I want to get my qt set soon so I can get some more fish. Where did you find the clear screen for your tank covers? I checked a few other threads and found where I can order them from the internet but was wondering where you got yours from?

 

[mflamb]

Good job Carol. :thumbsup:

If the FWE doesn't work, try this: :uzi:

 

[FishTruck]

woops. Ignore this post... I found the answer to the question I asked.

Good job with the QTs and good luck.

 

[ReefArtist]

Hello Eric, thanks and good luck with your setup. Your build is coming along very nicely. I got the netting from a site online http://neeps.com/pond-care-netting---covers.html. It's really for ponds and is black but it's so fine you really can't tell the difference. This place is very cheap and I got my order without any problems at all.

Mike - Thanks and we'll see if we'll need to use that!

FishTruck - OK - and thanks .

 

[ReefArtist]

Just wanted to update everyone on a few things I've been taking around the build. I finally finished the aquascaping of the Sea Horse tank. I must say Goldie (The yellow sea horse) seems very happy and is moving everywhere. Rambo is - well being like Rambo and is in hiding. He likes to come out at night or when he gets real hungry.

30g bowfront Sea Horse tank.

This is another angle. At this time I have a MJ400 and it seems to be giving them good flow. I'll add a few more corals, plants to cover it up.

This is Goldie out hunting - she loves when I turn the rocks over so she can get the pods.

This is a Harlequin Shrimp that I just added to the Infinity tank. He only eats tube feet of echinoderms. This shrimp was given to me and I will take care of it to the best of my abilities (not saying much :mixed: ). So, I order some Asterina sp. starfish and will start to build a home cultured supply of these. If anyone has any in the Tampa Bay area - please let me know! Thank you.

 

[shibumi]

OMG your tanks are absolutely beautiful. Your new corals are awesome and your fish ... no words and what about those pics. WOW you are doing a wonderful job.

 

[ReefArtist]

shibumi - Thank you so much and it's great to hear from you. I hope everything is going good with you and your tank. Please tell your husband I said hello . Again - Thank you!

 

[ReefArtist]

Well I finially finished my media rack and containers. Not that it took a long time, it was just getting to it. Here's some photos of how I connected these:

I just used RO containers purchased online for around $12-14 each and they were 3/4" input/output.

Rack with skimmer and placement within the fishroom. I have two that are carbon and two that have phosban. I used three containers of phosban between the two for 450g of water and it easily can hold enough for a 600g tank. If need be I can easily put two containers of the phosban into each RO unit that would be enough for a 600g tank.

I used two containers for each - carbon and phosban. In doing this I can now replace one as fresh and one as old so not to shock the aquarium system with new media. Every little bit helps in keeping everything even as far as the paramaters and water quality. We'll see if this little effort pays off for my system - I hope so.

 

[ReefArtist]

Little pest control.

These are not in the 280 but in a side tank. I think they are hydroids but not 100%. I didn't know that hydroids had such long tentacles. Are these hydroids?

 

[mflamb]

Carol, do you use resin type containers inside your canisters on your media reactors?

 

[ReefArtist]

Hey Mike, I sure do and that's what makes it so easy. They have a very thin filter material on the bottoms and that must be removed otherwise the water doesn't flow as fast through the carbon as it should. The containers make it very easy to change out, keeps the media within the container. You also have to removed the top filter - very thick white filter. This is very hard to removed unless you use very long pliers to removed it. Other then that - easy. I replaced the white filter at the top with some thinner filter material to keep the media from escaping.

 

[mflamb]

Where are you getting your media. I bought mine in 5 gallon buckets from bulkreefsupply.com.

 

[ReefArtist]

Nice to purchase in bulk Mike, I'll have to check that place out. I have lots of carbon because of my freshwater fish. It was enough to treat the 75g coral QT with two bags and two RO containers. I have enough I think to change the bags on the 75g but that's it. Thanks for the info - I'll check them out!

BTW - I see you have some beautiful fish in your QT, can't wait to see them in your nice big tank . I learned my lesson about QT , I didn't QT one group which were the Anthias and now I believe I have ICK just like my buddy . All I can say is lesson learned the hard way and so the fun begins!

 

[chrismhaase]

Carol, do you have an neon gobies? They are a natural way to help control fish disease. I have one in my tank and he has a pretty cool personality and I see him all the time tending to my fish in his cleaning stations. He will also swim alongside the fish and clean them too. Cool LITTLE fish to add. You probably need about 4 or 5 in your monster of a tank.

Here is a quick bio on them...
http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_1...ategory=4&category_search=61&root_parent_id=4