Another Dry Goods Order

[jmkarcz]

8 fish. I have a pair of percs in the sump, a pair of small tomato clowns and a pair of medium skunk clowns, a royal Gramma, and a Pygmy angel.

Tank is a 75 with 65 in the sump - 140 gallons.

I have a skimmer that was rated for 75 gallons, however, as I've said before, plumbed into the drain, so it never needs to be emptied. My load is realatively low.

Jndlms suggested I vac gravel, think I may try that. I'll have to make up some salty water.

I was just tearing it out, but it would leap right back. Then I ran the Anti Phos, and then I tore it out, and it's been held at bay a little longer. It's just frustrating.

Jason

 

[RCS]

What kind of substrate do you have?

 

[jmkarcz]

Carrib Sea - Sea Floor Special Grade. That stuff that looks like sand... but after closer inspection, looks like super fine gravel.

I kinda like it. I did sand in the 300 and that was a fiasco...

Jason

 

[Hens4Fish]

Great, so for me the 2 halide lights and the mag float will do it. Let me know when I can pick stuff up.
Bill

 

[jmkarcz]

Skimmer, in all it's glory.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/Filterpictforreef7846.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

[RCS]

Okay, I need to say this before I go any further: personally, I HATE the Seaflor grade stuff from CaribSea. Too big to be beneficial in any sort of denitrification capacity, but perfectly large enough to trap detritus and make your tank a downright mess.

I'd second the motion to vac out your gravel. I think you may be surprised at the gunk that's managed to wedge itself in there.

What type of sand did you use? I won't ever use anything but sand, but that's another discussion entirely, as I don't always follow the norm when it comes to substrate.

How much is the skimmer pulling out? Even with a fish load like that, you should be getting at least a cup per day. Wet skimming isn't a bad thing, contrary to what a lot of people will say. Unless it's extreme, you can't really overskim a tank, and the really dry, dark foam most people try to eek out isn't as helpful to the tank as a whole like a wetter skimmate is.

 

[kass03]

I always vacuum my sand with every water change.

kass

 

[RCS]

PMs have been sent to everyone who wanted stuff. I'll be ordering at noon today when I get back from lunch. Please let me know ASAP if there are any issues with what I PM'd you.

 

[Hens4Fish]

PM replied to.

 

[jmkarcz]

Did you get back from lunch yet?

Jason

 

[RCS]

It was a long lunch today.

Placed the order around noon yesterday. I'll update when I get shipment confirmation.

 

[RCS]

Tracking says packages should arrive Tuesday, 8/22.

 

[Hens4Fish]

Any word on the order?

 

[RCS]

Should be here tomorrow!

 

[RCS]

Stuff's here!

If you guys could PM or call me and let me know when you want to pick up or if we need to make some other arrangements I'm sure we can figure it out.

Jason, they only sent me one of your phosphate sponge containers, so I can either get you some money back or I can order one next time around. Your call!

920-268-3310 is my cell, leave a message if I don't answer.

 

[scooters reef]

Looks like I came back a few days too late and missed it Any chance of another order soon?

 

[jmkarcz]

Hey Fred... "Nudge... " paypal that money back over... I need to order more media...


jmkarcz@new.rr.com

J

Thanks.

 

[RCS]

Done!

Has it made any difference for you?

 

[jmkarcz]

Yeaahhh... Sort of... I have been removing big chunks of the HA every couple days. I found some macro in my sump that looks less than healthy, that could be causing the problem... Rotting Cheato in the sump, releasing Phos back into the system...

The patches that I have removed, seem to be taking longer and longer to start to regenerate. I have been attacking the thager clumps and patches. anything that looks to be the size of a cotton ball or so is game. Yesterday I cleaned out about 3/4 of a cup out of the sump. Every batch I figure I'm removing the HA and the Phos it used... The areas I did 2 1/2 weeks ago looks well... I readjusted the skimmer also....

Also, I've been watching it change... where/when it started, it was easy to remove, almost sucking it off the rocks with a siphon... then it got super strongg and difficult to remove... and now it going back toward being easy to remove....

I am going to keep on to of it for a few weeks before I start to make up my mind. probable run it for a couple months longer that I see it.



Jason

Thanks by the way...