michika
red headed step child
I started a 180g build from scratch this weekend, I started a thread, however you can't have two little red houses. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1357808 in case anyone is interested.
28g long nano journal
- Thread starter michika
- Start date
michika
red headed step child
I added some test SPS yesterday, 4 pieces. I opted to go with pieces that I have in the past had great success with, rather then pieces considered "easy". Considering that for the last 6 tanks I've had I couldn't grow GSP, "easy" is truly a relative term.
So far I'm seeing good polyp extension, and good coloration. I'm hoping they will stick around and thrive for another month. If that happens, this system will get a stay of execution, if not, then the system will move on, and I will turn to other projects.
Camera had an accident last weekend, and the lens had to be sent away for repairs. I will try to borrow another camera, or find an alternate way to get a few updated photos.
So far I'm seeing good polyp extension, and good coloration. I'm hoping they will stick around and thrive for another month. If that happens, this system will get a stay of execution, if not, then the system will move on, and I will turn to other projects.
Camera had an accident last weekend, and the lens had to be sent away for repairs. I will try to borrow another camera, or find an alternate way to get a few updated photos.
michika
red headed step child
SPS is not doing so good anymore. I'm no longer seeing polyp extension on 3/4 frags. I'm also seeing color loss and bleached tips in 3/4 frags. The fourth frag has good extension, and is retaining its color. I've moved the frags that are not doing as well out from below the light into a less strongly lit area. I am starting to question if the 175w MH is too strong.
The new sand bed I put in has also brightened the tank considerably. I can't believe I went without sand for so long. I think this was my first and last foray into bare bottom tanks.
Two of my smallest clams passed away. I was gone this past week, and when I came back they had passed away. I knew they were too small when I got them, but I did the best I could to keep them fed and happy. I think what happened is that they got covered in sand one evening and nobody took notice. They were buried when I came back. One looked okay, but today it looks like neither will make it. I'm sad because its such a waste, and it makes me feel like a bit of a failure.
The new sand bed I put in has also brightened the tank considerably. I can't believe I went without sand for so long. I think this was my first and last foray into bare bottom tanks.
Two of my smallest clams passed away. I was gone this past week, and when I came back they had passed away. I knew they were too small when I got them, but I did the best I could to keep them fed and happy. I think what happened is that they got covered in sand one evening and nobody took notice. They were buried when I came back. One looked okay, but today it looks like neither will make it. I'm sad because its such a waste, and it makes me feel like a bit of a failure.
michika
red headed step child
Parameters are fine, everything has been in-line for ever.
Ca 440
Mg 1350
SG 1.025
dKH 10
ammonia, phosphates, nitrate, nitrites 0.
There is something wrong with the tank itself. Its been 5 months since my crash, still SPS is the only thing that I can't keep. I actually am sure its the tank itself. Never had I had so much problems with a system. The tank is actually going to come down. We made the decision this weekend.
Ca 440
Mg 1350
SG 1.025
dKH 10
ammonia, phosphates, nitrate, nitrites 0.
There is something wrong with the tank itself. Its been 5 months since my crash, still SPS is the only thing that I can't keep. I actually am sure its the tank itself. Never had I had so much problems with a system. The tank is actually going to come down. We made the decision this weekend.
michika
red headed step child
A bit of a photo update. I apologize for the quality of the photos, I'm not used to the P&S camera I've borrowed. Today I changed out my luminarc reflector back to my batwing. The theory is that my reflector is causing my MH to burn the SPS I have in the system.
The SPS I'm trying not to kill
After this MH reflector test my next step is picking up another ORP monitor (one that isn't broken), and then after that a ozonier.
My next step for trying to solve this SPS problem is this;
- Down grading the reflector
- Measuring ORP
- Running ozone based on the idea that there is something that only kills SPS in the water.
After discussion on my home board, canreef, I have some more ideas on where I can go with this. Once my 180g goes up I'll move my fish, clean up crew and clams to the new system. If I haven't sorted out this SPS issue, then the rock and sand will not go to the 180g. Should ozone or this lighting switch solve the issue, then it will all go to the 180g.
The SPS I'm trying not to kill
After this MH reflector test my next step is picking up another ORP monitor (one that isn't broken), and then after that a ozonier.
My next step for trying to solve this SPS problem is this;
- Down grading the reflector
- Measuring ORP
- Running ozone based on the idea that there is something that only kills SPS in the water.
After discussion on my home board, canreef, I have some more ideas on where I can go with this. Once my 180g goes up I'll move my fish, clean up crew and clams to the new system. If I haven't sorted out this SPS issue, then the rock and sand will not go to the 180g. Should ozone or this lighting switch solve the issue, then it will all go to the 180g.
michika
red headed step child
Well this final SPS experiment has failed. I was away last night when I cam back this afternoon everything looks horrible. I do not expect anything to last until Wednesday.
Next step is ORP & Ozone. After that this tank will be shut down when my 180g goes online in a month or so.
Next step is ORP & Ozone. After that this tank will be shut down when my 180g goes online in a month or so.
michika
red headed step child
Thank you.
The tank is slate to come down in 2-4 weeks. I'm so sad it didn't work out for me. I love everything about it, except for the SPS problems. I do have a buyer for it, so at least the set up will be going to a good home. Right now its just chugging along as usual, fish are happy, clams are happy, and the zoas are spreading, same with the GSP I have.
The tank is slate to come down in 2-4 weeks. I'm so sad it didn't work out for me. I love everything about it, except for the SPS problems. I do have a buyer for it, so at least the set up will be going to a good home. Right now its just chugging along as usual, fish are happy, clams are happy, and the zoas are spreading, same with the GSP I have.
You're thread here is wonderful. Your writing, the descriptions, the pics, everything.
You had wondered if posting about or showing pics of your losses would be of any valur. This was certainly of value to people like myself who are new to reef keeping.
It's real scenario based learning. I learned more from your thread here than scanning forum sections.
You obviously have much experience not to mention unstopable determination. I'm very sorry about your losses of the ones that passed away. I felt like i was mourning with you because of how you've been writing about your reef in this thread.
In addition to what I said above, it shows me and other newcomers I'm sure, in a real sense, what kind of dedication this hobby entails. And it shows that sometimes experts have falls too because of things we can't control. We can see from your thread in an experiential sense, the way to handle these kind of scenarios properly.
I applaud you
You had wondered if posting about or showing pics of your losses would be of any valur. This was certainly of value to people like myself who are new to reef keeping.
It's real scenario based learning. I learned more from your thread here than scanning forum sections.
You obviously have much experience not to mention unstopable determination. I'm very sorry about your losses of the ones that passed away. I felt like i was mourning with you because of how you've been writing about your reef in this thread.
In addition to what I said above, it shows me and other newcomers I'm sure, in a real sense, what kind of dedication this hobby entails. And it shows that sometimes experts have falls too because of things we can't control. We can see from your thread in an experiential sense, the way to handle these kind of scenarios properly.
I applaud you
