28g long nano journal
- Thread starter michika
- Start date
michika
red headed step child
The tank is still doing its thing, it seems to have stabilized. The clams are happy, they have been migrating closer and closer to the front glass lately. I've had to move them back a few times to get the mag float past them.
The fish are growing, although my two chromis still seem tiny. My yellow damsel has stopped growing, I think its as large as its going to be. I've had my damsel for 4 years now, and I hope to get a few more years. It is a very nice and docile fish, never nips, chases, or causes trouble. The angel and the tang are still in the system. Their larger system has been put on hold again, I'm now looking to re-home them if I can't get them into a larger home by the end of March.
I've come to the conclusion that I want to try and add some SPS to this tank again. I'll just buy something simple, a stag horn, or a digi. I still harbor fear about more RTNs and wasted money. I'm trying to get past it and just put out the $10-20 for a frag and see what happens.
Here is what tends to happen to SPS in this new tank; they thrive for a few weeks, 3-4, then the polyps vanish, they no longer come out, then the RTN occurs. I've posted in a few forums for thoughts and recommendations for sorting this out, nothing has really come of it.
I have turned my attention to clams though lately. I'm actively searching out decent LFSs in my area which carry them. I think clams, when you have as many as I did (7-10 at a time) can play a major role in the ecosystem of your tank. I always noticed that the more clams I had in my cube, the clearer the water seemed, and happier my SPS seemed to be. I have three right now, a gigas, crocea and dersa. I would love to find a lovely squamosa, and a few maximas. My three favorite things about reefing are SPS, fish, and clams.
I had book order come in recently, I picked up James Fatherree's Giant Clam book, and Calfo's new Coral Propagation. The Giant Clam book is a nice and easy read, I feel like I'm at the beginning of my post-secondary career again. Its written in a very easy to understand language, and I appreciate the references in text. I haven't cracked open Calfo's book yet, but I will get to it soon I hope.
The fish are growing, although my two chromis still seem tiny. My yellow damsel has stopped growing, I think its as large as its going to be. I've had my damsel for 4 years now, and I hope to get a few more years. It is a very nice and docile fish, never nips, chases, or causes trouble. The angel and the tang are still in the system. Their larger system has been put on hold again, I'm now looking to re-home them if I can't get them into a larger home by the end of March.
I've come to the conclusion that I want to try and add some SPS to this tank again. I'll just buy something simple, a stag horn, or a digi. I still harbor fear about more RTNs and wasted money. I'm trying to get past it and just put out the $10-20 for a frag and see what happens.
Here is what tends to happen to SPS in this new tank; they thrive for a few weeks, 3-4, then the polyps vanish, they no longer come out, then the RTN occurs. I've posted in a few forums for thoughts and recommendations for sorting this out, nothing has really come of it.
I have turned my attention to clams though lately. I'm actively searching out decent LFSs in my area which carry them. I think clams, when you have as many as I did (7-10 at a time) can play a major role in the ecosystem of your tank. I always noticed that the more clams I had in my cube, the clearer the water seemed, and happier my SPS seemed to be. I have three right now, a gigas, crocea and dersa. I would love to find a lovely squamosa, and a few maximas. My three favorite things about reefing are SPS, fish, and clams.
I had book order come in recently, I picked up James Fatherree's Giant Clam book, and Calfo's new Coral Propagation. The Giant Clam book is a nice and easy read, I feel like I'm at the beginning of my post-secondary career again. Its written in a very easy to understand language, and I appreciate the references in text. I haven't cracked open Calfo's book yet, but I will get to it soon I hope.
michika
red headed step child
This tank is not making me a happy reef keeper.
So yesterday the Snapper pump started making these squeeking noises. So yesterday evening all the pumps on the system were cleaned and then system went back online. I saw increased flow from the pump, but nothing else happened.
This morning I woke up to a quiet tank, the pump failed. It seized, but since there was no power outtage the back up battery system didn't kick on and the tank was without power and heat for who knows how long. Thankfully there were no deaths, and the temperature drop was minimal, and everything was still within acceptable levels when I noticed it.
I love my battery back up!
So then I had to rush off to pick up a new pump. By the time I'd come home more problems had cropped up. In an attempt to remove the Snapper pump, the sump got cracked.
I came home with a new pump, a Reeflo Dart this time instead of a Snapper. This was not a cost that I really wanted to put out for. The timing of this pump failure is bad. I've sent off an email to Reeflo to see what may be done about the pump, I've heard that their customer service is usually quite good. I hope something of benefit comes out of this.
Pumps side by side, top is the Dart, and lower is the Snapper
Left is the Snapper and right is the Dart
Pump pictured is the Dart, and the grey portion is the Snapper's to illustrate the difference between the two.
So now I'm spending my day supervising the replacement of a my main pump, and I'm hoping very much that nothing else breaks or stops working before I can really afford to make changes or repairs on the system.
So yesterday the Snapper pump started making these squeeking noises. So yesterday evening all the pumps on the system were cleaned and then system went back online. I saw increased flow from the pump, but nothing else happened.
This morning I woke up to a quiet tank, the pump failed. It seized, but since there was no power outtage the back up battery system didn't kick on and the tank was without power and heat for who knows how long. Thankfully there were no deaths, and the temperature drop was minimal, and everything was still within acceptable levels when I noticed it.
I love my battery back up!
So then I had to rush off to pick up a new pump. By the time I'd come home more problems had cropped up. In an attempt to remove the Snapper pump, the sump got cracked.
I came home with a new pump, a Reeflo Dart this time instead of a Snapper. This was not a cost that I really wanted to put out for. The timing of this pump failure is bad. I've sent off an email to Reeflo to see what may be done about the pump, I've heard that their customer service is usually quite good. I hope something of benefit comes out of this.
Pumps side by side, top is the Dart, and lower is the Snapper
Left is the Snapper and right is the Dart
Pump pictured is the Dart, and the grey portion is the Snapper's to illustrate the difference between the two.
So now I'm spending my day supervising the replacement of a my main pump, and I'm hoping very much that nothing else breaks or stops working before I can really afford to make changes or repairs on the system.
michika
red headed step child
There is no Walmart near me, but I'll check out some other stores and see what they have for rubbermaid products.
Was there anything in particular that you looked for in a container? Did you find that you had bowing in the containers? How did you deal with it?
Does anyone know how to get the burning smell out of my condo? I've got the windows open (when the weather permits), a fan pushiing the air, I've burned candles, and its stil around? I'm thinking I will clean my carpets again and maybe that will help.
Was there anything in particular that you looked for in a container? Did you find that you had bowing in the containers? How did you deal with it?
Does anyone know how to get the burning smell out of my condo? I've got the windows open (when the weather permits), a fan pushiing the air, I've burned candles, and its stil around? I'm thinking I will clean my carpets again and maybe that will help.
michika
red headed step child
I took a tour of my local stores for a rubbermaid container and couldn't find anything to fit. For now I've had the sump patched, and I'm going to make a custom L-shape sump in the next month or so.
The new pump is doing fantastic work, my chromis seem to be in love with the increased flow. I am finding that there is additional evaporation on a per day basis. I am now up to approximately 1.5g a day of evap. I've recharged all my reactors, and provided I can ensure my parameters stay in line for a few weeks, I will be trying a few frags of SPS soon.
I'm also looking for a Kill-A-Watt meter locally, or at least available for purchase in Canada. I've seen an incrediable hike in my electric bill since we've moved to this location. I used to pay on average $35 a month from November to mid-January, then in January I saw a bill of $170, and now for February I've seen a bill of $298. This is unacceptable. Nothing has changed between November until now in terms of appliances in use, or the amount of usage. If anything we've made changes to be more energy efficient. Should these bills continue on these levels I may have to look at giving up my larger tank which I am in the process of building.
How do you make your tank more energy efficient? I've reduced my photo period for my MH to try and save a bit, I've gone from 9 hours of MH time to 7 hours, and will see if in the future I can get away with 6 or 5.5 hours. My heaters don't run that often, most of the heat is currently drawn from the MH. I've tried to select low wattage pumps, koralia 1 for emergency back up, Reeflo Dart for the main return.
I will be looking into changing how my reactors are run though. I currently run a total of 4 maxi-jet pumps between my kalk reactor, phosban reactor, and Calcium reactor. I will see if I can't maybe do away with one or two of them, or in the least limit their usage.
Can anyone else think of ways to make my tank more efficient?
The new pump is doing fantastic work, my chromis seem to be in love with the increased flow. I am finding that there is additional evaporation on a per day basis. I am now up to approximately 1.5g a day of evap. I've recharged all my reactors, and provided I can ensure my parameters stay in line for a few weeks, I will be trying a few frags of SPS soon.
I'm also looking for a Kill-A-Watt meter locally, or at least available for purchase in Canada. I've seen an incrediable hike in my electric bill since we've moved to this location. I used to pay on average $35 a month from November to mid-January, then in January I saw a bill of $170, and now for February I've seen a bill of $298. This is unacceptable. Nothing has changed between November until now in terms of appliances in use, or the amount of usage. If anything we've made changes to be more energy efficient. Should these bills continue on these levels I may have to look at giving up my larger tank which I am in the process of building.
How do you make your tank more energy efficient? I've reduced my photo period for my MH to try and save a bit, I've gone from 9 hours of MH time to 7 hours, and will see if in the future I can get away with 6 or 5.5 hours. My heaters don't run that often, most of the heat is currently drawn from the MH. I've tried to select low wattage pumps, koralia 1 for emergency back up, Reeflo Dart for the main return.
I will be looking into changing how my reactors are run though. I currently run a total of 4 maxi-jet pumps between my kalk reactor, phosban reactor, and Calcium reactor. I will see if I can't maybe do away with one or two of them, or in the least limit their usage.
Can anyone else think of ways to make my tank more efficient?
michika
red headed step child
I'm pretty sure that this tank is a write off in terms of keeping SPS again. Why, I don't know, and none of my attempts to figure out why have led anywhere.
The differences that I can account for between this tank and my previous cube;
- no sand
- more flow
- no GHA
- Different water (different cities)
- More rock (added after the initial SPS & clam die off
- Using Ocean Pure Pro rather then Red Sea Coral Pro
I posted my question over in the SPS forum (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1344611) and I hope someone has some idea as to why I can no longer keep SPS.
I'm starting up my old cube again this week, I want to try and keep some SPS in it. At least then I could know if it is my new tank that is causing the problems. The cube is a QT system right now, but I am not adding anything for a very long time now, so I might as well try it out, even for a few months.
I'm making fish food tomorrow. I just have to pick up garlic, and a few more frozen items. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, so at least I can open the windows and air out my place while I'm making it.
The differences that I can account for between this tank and my previous cube;
- no sand
- more flow
- no GHA
- Different water (different cities)
- More rock (added after the initial SPS & clam die off
- Using Ocean Pure Pro rather then Red Sea Coral Pro
I posted my question over in the SPS forum (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1344611) and I hope someone has some idea as to why I can no longer keep SPS.
I'm starting up my old cube again this week, I want to try and keep some SPS in it. At least then I could know if it is my new tank that is causing the problems. The cube is a QT system right now, but I am not adding anything for a very long time now, so I might as well try it out, even for a few months.
I'm making fish food tomorrow. I just have to pick up garlic, and a few more frozen items. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, so at least I can open the windows and air out my place while I'm making it.
michika
red headed step child
I just booked my trip for MACNA. I haven't had a vacation since 2005, much less left the country. With limited tuition to pay this year, I can easily swing a trip for two to the US for 4 days!
I want to go here, http://www.poseidonresorts.com/poseidon_main.html a couple years after I buy my next house. $30K for a week for two...hmmm
I want to go here, http://www.poseidonresorts.com/poseidon_main.html a couple years after I buy my next house. $30K for a week for two...hmmm
Fragmented 99
Member
Just a guess but since the problem is specific to Sps its probably not related to water quality. Have you looked in to specific bugs such as AEW- Acorpora eating flatworms ??
michika
red headed step child
Yes I have, but like I said earlier, its always likely that something could have gotten missed. I dip all incoming SPS with TMPCC, and they all receive an interceptor bath too, then they generally spend 1-3 weeks in QT. However the first set of pieces I tried after I moved were only dipped and bathed as I broke my QT tank in my move.
I wanted to clarify that my initial die-off in November is not the issue. Its why I can't start over with SPS that I'm asking for help. The November die-off is unsolved, but it didn't have the same symptoms as these new deaths have, so I am assuming its a different cause/trigger.
I wanted to clarify that my initial die-off in November is not the issue. Its why I can't start over with SPS that I'm asking for help. The November die-off is unsolved, but it didn't have the same symptoms as these new deaths have, so I am assuming its a different cause/trigger.
michika
red headed step child
So I am going to tear down this tank temporarily. I have settled on the fact that my SPS deaths are related to the tank itself or the sump in some way. I've tested my water endlessly and looked at what I think are the most likely causes. I haven't yet set a date for this, however it will be soon.
I have also recently noticed that one side of my tank is sinking into the floor. I'll also be relocating the tank at the same time.
I've tested my Ca reactor effluent after changing out all my Ca related media and chaining up all my reactors. The water runs through my Ca reactor in this order; Ca Reactor with ARM media, Phosban reactor, Magnesium reactor then into the tank.
pH 7.6
Ca 430ppm
dKH 12
P04 0.01
The tank is still producing filamentous algae on the glass, and everything seems happy. I've fed the tank my homemade fish food for the second time today, and the fish seem to really like it. I on the otherhand can only taste and smelll garlic after having made it.
Here is the process for making the food. It contains the following; Mysis, Nori (All colors), Oyster Eggs, Garlic (crushed), Scallops, Vitamins (selcon and zoe), Squid, Krill, Spirulina flakes, Rotifers, Brine Shrimp, Cyclop-eeze, Silversides, Cuddlefish, Shrimp.
First I defrosted the frozen goods in RO/DI. I spent two hours thawing and rinsing them until the water ran semi-clear.
Next up I peeled garlic, and lots of it. FYI this much garlic was required to make 35 cups of product.
I added these;
Then nori in all three colors
All together now
After the puree button
I have also recently noticed that one side of my tank is sinking into the floor. I'll also be relocating the tank at the same time.
I've tested my Ca reactor effluent after changing out all my Ca related media and chaining up all my reactors. The water runs through my Ca reactor in this order; Ca Reactor with ARM media, Phosban reactor, Magnesium reactor then into the tank.
pH 7.6
Ca 430ppm
dKH 12
P04 0.01
The tank is still producing filamentous algae on the glass, and everything seems happy. I've fed the tank my homemade fish food for the second time today, and the fish seem to really like it. I on the otherhand can only taste and smelll garlic after having made it.
Here is the process for making the food. It contains the following; Mysis, Nori (All colors), Oyster Eggs, Garlic (crushed), Scallops, Vitamins (selcon and zoe), Squid, Krill, Spirulina flakes, Rotifers, Brine Shrimp, Cyclop-eeze, Silversides, Cuddlefish, Shrimp.
First I defrosted the frozen goods in RO/DI. I spent two hours thawing and rinsing them until the water ran semi-clear.
Next up I peeled garlic, and lots of it. FYI this much garlic was required to make 35 cups of product.
I added these;
Then nori in all three colors
All together now
After the puree button
michika
red headed step child
The tank tear down is going forwards as planned. I'm going to move everything to a much larger tank I have been putting together lately, a 150g. The tang and angel will stay indefinitely there, at least until the 1000g monster tank is ready for livestock.
I want to take the opportunity to make some changes, please suggest some if you have any.
- change placement of in-sump equipment
- new sump
- address top-off problem, I go through 2-3g of top off every other day.
- I may make the new display taller, maybe 30" in height.
I also need to figure out what happened to one of my fire shrimp. I saw what I thought was a molt yesterday, however I am pretty sure it was just left over carcass.
I want to take the opportunity to make some changes, please suggest some if you have any.
- change placement of in-sump equipment
- new sump
- address top-off problem, I go through 2-3g of top off every other day.
- I may make the new display taller, maybe 30" in height.
I also need to figure out what happened to one of my fire shrimp. I saw what I thought was a molt yesterday, however I am pretty sure it was just left over carcass.
michika
red headed step child
Well, I think I may be moving much sooner then planned, as in a few days from now.
The floor in my dining area suddenly started to sink. The subfloor has popped up from the joists it was nailed too. Its also started sinking near my kitchen. Halfway between those two points in my tank. Although the tank is right on top of a joist and a telepost, I need to move the tank before something happens. The drop in the dining area is about 2-3", and by the kitchen it is about 1"-1.5". To think I was preparing to purchase this condo and have it renovated....
The floor in my dining area suddenly started to sink. The subfloor has popped up from the joists it was nailed too. Its also started sinking near my kitchen. Halfway between those two points in my tank. Although the tank is right on top of a joist and a telepost, I need to move the tank before something happens. The drop in the dining area is about 2-3", and by the kitchen it is about 1"-1.5". To think I was preparing to purchase this condo and have it renovated....
michika
red headed step child
Over the past month I had been trying to contact Reeflo Pumps via email and the toll free number they provide on all their instruction manuals. The toll free number was always busy. I was later informed that they don't take out of country calls, and that I should have known that. I was not impressed to find that out, I'm not a mind reader, and I don't work for the phone company. I ended up getting someone's personal line within the company after not having any of my 15+ emails responded to about my pump seizing at the beginning of march.
Some positive developments have been happening lately. Reeflo finally got back to me, they are sending me a new Snapper pump. I'm pleased that there has finally been resolution, but I am still unhappy that it took almost a month of constantly chasing after them via phone and email to get someone on the phone. The pump hasn't arrived yet, but I suspect it will take a few weeks to cross from the US into Canada.
I participated in a recent order from Ocean Aquatics. I ordered 3 clams, and a fish. Here are my three clams, two baby maximas, and a larger crocea.
Some positive developments have been happening lately. Reeflo finally got back to me, they are sending me a new Snapper pump. I'm pleased that there has finally been resolution, but I am still unhappy that it took almost a month of constantly chasing after them via phone and email to get someone on the phone. The pump hasn't arrived yet, but I suspect it will take a few weeks to cross from the US into Canada.
I participated in a recent order from Ocean Aquatics. I ordered 3 clams, and a fish. Here are my three clams, two baby maximas, and a larger crocea.
