It being a holiday and this being my 2600 post (that counts) on RC I figured I would ramble on some. Back at the beginning of the build I talked about looking around for inspiration and just never knowing where or when it would come. Last weekend I was with one of my sons snow tubing and piled up on the side was some snow that had melted and formed some interesting shapes. I looked closer and one of the mounds caught my eye:
I realize it is hard to see because I was walking while I took the photo so the next group could go but it reminded me of the rockwork in my tank. Long story short if you are having issues with your rock work look around and you maybe surprised with what you find. Ever look at rock pictures from the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico?
Also I noticed that for the last month things seem to be drab for a better word. Nothing has been wrong per se but you can just tell. I think I have begun that next phase of a tank that starts to get little issues here and there. I have been getting green hair algae popping up on a few areas and I have been treating with H2O2 as discussed in Brandon’s thread over in the nano section.
Before:
After:
I have read many RC threads about GHA and a majority of the tanks are 1 to 2 years old and the person has been fighting it for 6 months or longer. For those that continued the war it has taken over a year in some cases to win. This really is a “in it for the long haul” type of hobby and with our instant gratification mind set I wonder if this causes as many issues as anything else.
In turn with the GHA I have noticed a large build up of detritus under my floor. I can blast it with my MJ and I always get some suspended particles but I have been hitting it hard every few days and collecting it with my filter sponge and washing it out. For smaller tanks I think mechanical filtration plays a larger role in a balanced system than some of the larger systems. Maybe it is noticed more in a smaller system or maybe it has no where to hide etc. Notice I did not talk about water quality. Even though GHA is natural as a reefer I am forced to deal with it for the benefit of my system. Honestly I am not too worried yet and believe that I can control it with my current husbandry practices. However if that does not work at some point I will have to rethink things because I think human nature sets us up to do the same time day in and day out.
Looking through the front glass you will notice that it looks a little dirty from algae build up but honestly I clean my glass maybe once a month usually when I do a water change. The rest of the month I simply leave it alone. I know that some with OCD are probably trying to scratch their monitors getting it off but I can see life on the glass everyday so I am ok with that.
I guess that is all for now until I do January’s polyp count. I hope it is over 500 by now.
Some random shots:
