Higher Calcium Level for SPS Growth? (vs Health)

[Wally.B]

Is that a red Firefish and a purple Firefish? If so, they won't get along either. The purple will kick the crap out of the red. Reds can be easily kept in pairs (of the same). Purples are a bit more tricky to pair ime.

Yes it is a red and purple. In QT tank red seems to be most dominate.
But things may change in DT tank.
I really like the purple, so if an issue I return the red while in QT tank.
I thought the dottyback would be my greatest concern.

Man, finding a few small fish is getting tough.

Myka. Thanks for the tip, better adjusting now than later. I LIKE PEACEFUL TANKS (they way my Yellow Tang and SpotBreast Angel swims). (Blue/Green Chromis is getting to be a pain)

Can't I just get the Small Power Brown Tang (just 1 extra fish), and trade him in a year of so later, while he nutrifies my tank?

 

[Wally.B]

REFUGIUM (Improvement) or Chaeto Macro Algae Farm

So I've been thinking. If I actually get the Chaeto Algae growing, that might be kind of like an Algae Scrubber.

So I found a cheap LED Flood Light at Local LED warehouse ($25).

- Cool White 7500K, they had 5000K version too.
- AC 120Volt, 10 Watt, Barely Warm. Way Cooler than my Florescent for my 10 Gal Quarentine tank.
- WaterProof Housing and wiring, with nice bracket. Internal Reflector.
- Certified and RoLS compliant (not one of those Cheep from China ones that I heard have been catching on fire)

Lights up the Refugium area, and not in my way.

I know the refugium for 2.5 GAL is small, but compact Algae scrubbers are even smaller.

-I just need to figure out the flow rate thru the Algae Farm.
-I got two 1/8" lines running off the Tank Return Feeding bottom of Fuge (Bottom up Flow) (Front to Back Empty), Fuge is slighting tilted.

-Light Running on opposite Schedule to Display Tank Lighting)

-No Messy Sandbed (which would be a nitrate trap). Easy maintenance (just prune the Chaeto).
-Even threw in a couple of my Mangrove Plants (firmly attached), which kept falling constantly in my sump.
-I know my Tiggers CopePods from my Farm will Love this place.

We'll see how this goes (Can't hurt).

 

[bobssecrtsn]

interesting read on this thread.


quick question, you used a steel brush to clean your rocks? did you rinse thoroughly ? usually people use a tooth brush or a soft bristle brush.

steel brushes can actually do more harm then what they clean off. releasing heavy metals onto the rocks, and probably causing algae ?

 

[Wally.B]

One more addition to Cheato Farm. (Arabica Cowrie Snail)

I was checking out my other tank, and on my Frag Tray was the other Crowrie Snail I have. He ate two frag pods of Zoa's that I just got.

So then I did some research (it's an Arabica Crowrie) and found out this has happened to others. One post had a Crowrie eating a guys SPS birdnest.

So I removed both from both tanks. (Was lucky they were out).

One went into my other sump, and the one I just got for this tank went into the Chaeto Farm.

He might be good for the Fuge if he eats Cheato. If it grow's I won't have to prune.

Lucky I caught this in time!!

 

[Wally.B]

interesting read on this thread.


quick question, you used a steel brush to clean your rocks? did you rinse thoroughly ? usually people use a tooth brush or a soft bristle brush.

steel brushes can actually do more harm then what they clean off. releasing heavy metals onto the rocks, and probably causing algae ?

You are paying close attention catching the steel brush comment. I will correct myself. Brush was as strong as a steel brush, but made of wood/straw bristles. Then kind you use for scrubbing floors. Really tough. Organic.
I used it all the time for tough jobs.

Here is my full Tank/Rock Cleaning Toolset:

- Wooden Bristle Brush (Tough one)
- Plastic Bristle Brushes (Medium), Toothbrush (Soft)
- My Favorite (Stainless Steel Locking Forecepts). Great for Hair algae plucking. Locks on aglae and doesn't let go. Long enough to reach far.
- Magentic Stainless Steel Razor Blade Cleaner [Attaches to Floating Magnet Glass Cleaner] (2nd Favourite)....Will clean tank glass spotless. Even Coraline. But must be careful not to move sideways, or can scratch glass.
- AND not in Picture (Shoulder Length Rubber Gloves).

BTW. Steel is fine, as long as it's stainless steel.

 

[icy1155]

He might be good for the Fuge if he eats Cheato. If it grow's I won't have to prune.

The point of the Cheato is to HAVE to prune it. If it grows on the nutrient in you tank and then the Cowrie eats it, the same nutrients are released back into the tank. Cheato is only useful if you harvest it and remove it from the system, thus removing the nutrients.

 

[Wally.B]

The point of the Cheato is to HAVE to prune it. If it grows on the nutrient in you tank and then the Cowrie eats it, the same nutrients are released back into the tank. Cheato is only useful if you harvest it and remove it from the system, thus removing the nutrients.

Thanks for that point.

I never thought of it that way, and it makes perfect sense to me.

- Putting snails into a tank is to get the ugly algae out of sight, and limit damage to corals.
- Algae scrubbing is to get the Algae concentrated into one place for easy removal from the system, like removing skim from a skimmer.

Cowrie's are going back to store, after some watching what they do. (They might be ok for cleaning sump, since they break down the Algae, into a form that Skimmer might remove easily).

Might do the same for the Pencil Urchin I have in my sump, he polishes my Sump Live rock clean of any Coraline (or maybe that's good to keep rock porous).

 

[Wally.B]

Mindy (MYKA),

Are you sure about the Purple FireFish being a bully with the Red FireFish?

They are in the 10 Gal QT, and really getting along. Could it be too size/age thing? Male/Female or Male/Male mix (I read that there is no way to distinguish M/F for Firefix)?

I leaning toward going with both, since they look good together. Plus in my tank I have 3 separate rock Piles for each to have their own Island home.

Been reading about the Blue Eye's Dottyback. They sound nasty. Not keeping him.

 

[Wally.B]

TANK PHOTO (POST CYANO/ALGAE PROBLEM):

Day 2 after no more Cyano. (No cleaning on my behalf. This is all natural change).

I really notice how clear the water is The rocks and glass clean again. (Even the sand!!! ). No more crap floating around.

Going forward with Lighting increases (for more Colors & Growth).

NO MORE FEEDING CORALS to go back to that Over Nutrient Mess. Sure, I'm probably starving the Corals like I did a year ago.

I can live with Some of these Browned Corals. But not with Red Cyano.

BTW. Thank you everyone for your help and support.

 

[Wally.B]

One more (Post Cyano) Photo. (Previous Photo Above was only LED Strips)

This Photo is Just Right (MH Light) on with T5 Fillers. The Rising East Sun Effect. (Lighting Schedule Point).

Notice the Contrasts and Shadows. Notice, NO CYANO even with MH lights on. [Good Riddance]

 

[reefmutt]

Looks nice and clean!!

 

[Wally.B]

Photo of my 90 GAL Kitchen Tank (Just Restored)

So I've been busy working on my other 90 GAL Kitchen tank over last 8 months.
Had a Total Fish Wipe out Last December 2014 (due to Velvet).

- Tore apart tank, and re-did sump (While corals kept in holding tank/bin)
- Put Tank in Total Darkness to clean up Algae Problems (Cyano too!!).
- Got rid of MH lights and built Custom Lighting (Kessil, T5's)
- Got some Coral Frags couple months ago (Acans, Zoa's, Ricodia's)

It now ready to start a fresh new beginning starting yesterday.

The Purple Green Frogspawns started from 1 Head bought 15 years ago.

(Two Frogspawn pieces traded in last week for new Hammer [top left], and a Rare Australian Orange/Blue Tipped Torch

)

Over last 15 years, I've collected some nice shaped Live rocks that have gotten nicely Coraline Covered.
There is plenty potential rock-space for more coral coverage for the future. (Tank is 3 sided viewing)

This tank has gone through a lot, just like my SPS tank is now. Plenty of stories to tell. Wish my 15 year old Power Blue Tang was still around.

Tank for now will stay Fallow. Too busy with SPS tank, and actually doing better without Fish..

Will be starting a thread on this Tank to learn about Acan's, Ricordia's and the small Zoa's since I need to learn how to grow them.
(Never had any luck before with MH lights) [Learning to feed them lately, and that they need less lighting, ...]​

 

[Wally.B]

Nightime Atinic Photo of Kitchen Tank

Main lights just when off, and managed to get this Actinic Shot, which highlights the Florescence & Detail in the Corals.

 

[Wally.B]

NEW FISH (Change):

So I took back the Red FireFish and Blue Eye Dottyback, after careful consideration/reading posts. (Two FireFish [bad], Any Dottyback [bad] )

One Funny post was a guy who said...."Everytime I bought Firefish, When I got home... I'd throw them on the Floor to save time."

I traded them in for 3x Yellow Tail Damsels. (Something I thought I'd never get since was first fish 20 years ago...So boring to me. But 3 will be different.)

I am keeping the Purple Firefish.

Any objections?

 

[Myka]

Mindy (MYKA),

Are you sure about the Purple FireFish being a bully with the Red FireFish?

They are in the 10 Gal QT, and really getting along. Could it be too size/age thing? Male/Female or Male/Male mix (I read that there is no way to distinguish M/F for Firefix)?

Not every fish is the same, so maybe you found two that will get along. Long-term will tell the tale. They may get along now and in a week, month, year they may no longer do so. It is encouraging though that they are still getting along at this point.

Traded in for 3x Yellow Tail Damsels. (Something I thought I'd never get since was first fish 20 years ago...So boring to me. But 3 will be different.)

FWIW, I quite like Yellowtail Damsels too. IME, 3 will become 2. They will form a breeding pair, and the odd man out will probably not be tolerated at some point. I had a breeding pair in my last SPS tank. They laid eggs in a little rock cave under an Acropora austera. You will probably be able to figure out which two will form the pair while they are in quarantine and take the 3rd one back. If it pleases you.

 

[Wally.B]

A Kiss From an Acro:

About a week ago during cleaning, an Acro fell and tip touched this coral. Not sure how long it was touching before I noticed and fixed.

Today, I notice debris in one spot, so after brushing off, I see coral dying on contact point.

Anything I can do? (should I dip it, or just brush clean every so often)

Or just wait and hope for the best? (Watch if spreading).

 

[Wally.B]

Going to give the Cowrie Snail a chance in my SPS tank.

After (removing) then observing the two Cowries in both sumps, I've put back the Cowrie into the SPS tank.

There was green algae in my other Tanks Sump, and he polished it clean.

My SPS tank is starting to get Green Algae clumps, after removing him, so why not. All SPS are good, so if any one get's damage he goes. (Will be watching closely, with daily photo compares)

Of course the 2nd Cowrie doesn't go back into my Kitchen tank, since that tank is algae free, and maybe why he had no choice but to eat some zoa's.

I think "Key is Crowie will eat Algae if available (fast and lots)". My tank is happy to provide plenty of Algae that at this point.
Might be a win-win situation for short term. We'll see.

Maybe I'll move them back and forth between Tank and Sump as needed. Easy to find, since so big.

I just setup that Time Lapse Web/Night Cam again (TWO: One Front and One Back of tank), 24 hour surveillance. He'll be easy to spot/observe.

 

[reefmutt]

You certainly keep busy, Wally!
I think that turbinaria should recover just fine from the acro damage.
Nice actinic shot. Corals look good!

 

[Wally.B]

CAST YOUR VOTE (For next fish):

I started a thread in Fish Section to decide on next fish for this tank.

Can I add these 3 fish? (2x Firefish, 1x Dottyback)

You can help shape the future of this tank.

 

[Wally.B]

TODAY (first time) MH Lights Ran at 13" Height (1" away from Target PAR)..Visible Changes beginning.

Very interesting. Over last while I've been lowering lights 1/4" every so often.
I have 1 more inch to go to get to 12" which is my Ideal PAR Intensity.

Today I noticed, Visibly Noticeable Positive things are starting to happen with Corals.
The Milli that has Never Ever poylped, is showing first sign of polyps.
All other corals appear healthier.

Note: This has been just lowering lights. No change to PhotoPeriod (yet).

What chemistry has been 100% Stable:

Alk=8.5
Cal=425
Mag=1325
P04=0.04
NO3=5.0
Sal=1.025

Green Hair Algae showing up (but I can deal with it). Must be a cycle with increase lighting
Cyano, peeking in tiny spots (Continuing CyanoClean dosing treatment)