Build and Progress of my RSM Nano Tank

Actually, when my zoas and fishes were sick, daily small water changes of about a bit less than 2g prevented the spread of the diseases.

Not enough to save the animals in both cases, but still... conditions improved after each water change.

This was particularly the case for the zoa pox outbreak.

Also: I had my best results in fresh water when doing constant and permanent water changes: a small trickler of RO water coming into tanks and an overflow.
 
LOL...I'm glad you gave me a page number...pages 25 and 26 just finished loading!

Thanks for the synopsis...I'm essentially doing what you did - with a couple of differences. I have no phosphate or nitrate readings...I know they're there, but apparently at low enough levels not to register...I also clean the glass, the sponge and the skimmer cup religiously. I hand-harvest algae weekly...

I'm scared to introduce chemicals...not willing to risk loosing live-stock...

However, I'm considering a lawnmower blennie...if I can figure out how to keep him happy and healthy should he clean up the tank...so no decision on that yet - since the addition of a blennie would be overstocking the tank with fish in my opinion...
 
Rue - my lawnmower blenny never has touched any of the hair algae or bryopsis I've had, so no guarantee on getting one that will, But, they are nice fish to have irregardless - mine does pick the algae off of the tank glass. And mine now loves regular Formula One flake food, so he's doing well without an all-algae diet.
 
Rue, you could always do the refugium. The mod to install it is not too difficult, though it will require you drop your sponge media, etc. Still, if you saw my before and after pictures in the big RSM thread, I totally credit the refugium for that. Install instructions are on my RSM Aquafuge Installation Page. Of course it does require 5 inches or so of clearance behind the tank.
 
Oh! I'd luv a refugium! But I'm worried it will all get too technical for me! Don't forget...I almost passed out last week when I installed the new heater! But I agree...it would help!

Reefmack...so it's a Foxface or nuthin'? Well, I can ask my reef store if they ever get them in...think it would fight with my pajamas or the clowns?
 
Rue - the Foxface is a very peaceful fish. MAXreefer had one and said the same thing. They do have venomous spines but mine hides when my hand goes in the tank. It attacks and chases nothing, and if anything shows aggression towards the Foxface it simply raises it's dorsal fin and leans towards the aggressor, pointing spines at it, and the potential aggression stops right there. It's pretty cool to watch. It's also a very pretty fish, and has that unique snout that is tang like in appearance. The slower mine grows the better! They're also a very active fish - constantly in motion (till it sleeps at night under my tree-like frogspawn). They also can change colors when stressed or sleeping - at night it has a lot of brown spotches on its body - night time camoflage I guess. But, don't get one based on my word - as with anything in this hobby - no guarantees (but it worked for me!).
 
Yes, I could I suppose...but I have 5 Astraea...and 10 others...

I'm scared to get a nudibranch...

I do have 2 emerald crab babies...and they seem fine...but although they eat a lot of algae, they can't make any headway...
 
Laurent,

I would recommend a sea hare -- they eat hair algae if you have any remaining. Astreas and turbo's are great for other algae -- I had problems with some hardish tuft like algae (short strands close together on the LR) as well as diatome like algae (brown) on the glass. I added 10 snails which have now gobbled it up (mostly).

Love the tank, it has really come along, so you have been doing all the right things abviously. I would also recommend a refugium, something I would love myself, definitely planned into my next tank.

Regards
Conor.

p.s.: Tu est francais Laurent? Allez les bleus :-)
 
Rue:

It is not uncommon to zero phosphates and plenty of algae: The phosphates are immediately eaten by the algae. I would add a small GFO bag (PhosBan or similar) for a few weeks. That helped a lot in my tank!

Fishes that are strictly algae eaters are not a good solution, I believe. Once the algae is gone, they starve to death. Or even worse, they do not like the algae specy you have...

conorwynne:

Rue is the one with the algae problem... I finally got rid of most of it. Et enfin, oui je suis Francais. :)
 
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I didn't really catch the algae problem posts, but I wanted to make this point. Fish that are algae -only ( herbivorous) as they may consume tons of algae they also poop tons. They do a very brief job when they digest their algae. So what that means is they still poop out a lot of algae's nutrients in the water. It is good to have a fish dedicated to eating algae, but they are a huge bio load. Also make sure you dose some silicate for those growing snails that also mow down your algae.
Still by far removing and RO/DI water changes will help.
 
Month 7 - Week 28 - Day 192 - Sunday January 6th - Around 9pm

- Back from the weekend and was happy to find everything in good order and all animals healthy...

- Re-Established mechanical filtration and fed the fishes...

---

I think Black_Magik has a very good point here: Algae eaters transform algae into poop, and that's nutrients, food for a next generation of algae...
 
Indeed! I have problems...:lol:

Well...it's not out of control anymore...hasn't been for a while...but I'm tired of the 'dirty' looking tank...I want it cleaner...

I luv the sea hares...but again...tank is too small for those sizable critters!
 
Rue pardon my getting off the subject, but can you allow me to live with you for a week and allow me to hunt deer around you.
 
LOL...I'll ask hubby...

...but you don't get to hunt MY deer...you know the ones I mean...the ones that are so tame that I have to chase them with a broom AND the hounds to get them to leave the yard...

It's my fault...I originally hung the bird-feeder too low...now apparently the word has gotten out among them that we're 'suckers'...:lol:
 
Are they the famous 200-300 pounders you see in the paper all the time from Saskatchewan? If so I do not know how you manage to shake a broom at them. You should put reins on 12 of them that would be funny site.
 
...dunno...I don't hunt -all I know is that they aren't the least intimidated by me!

Where are you from?
 
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Heh...I'll leave you with this pic of my front yar this summer...I was working in my office and watching out the window...

DeerInYard150707.jpg
 
Nice sized doe, I'm in Pennslyvania, ( USA) Saskatchewan as been known for giant deer and you have a beautiful landscape thats where I'm going when I''m done here in the suburbs
 
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