Higher Calcium Level for SPS Growth? (vs Health)

[Wally.B]

I think those two cuc additions will help with the algae problems. Just be sure that everything is securely glued down... my urchin is a #!@$ and will pick up any loose frags and then hide them behind my rockwork. I swear it does it just to **** me off.

Thanks for the warning. Store guy said same thing.

This might work out since I hear the Urchin does pick up empty shells, and my Goby keeps picking them up and stashing in a PILE in his cave. Can't get to them, so maybe Urchin will get them for me.

Yes, everything is glued. Especially since Turbo and other large snails plow right through everything.

With new CUC members, I'm on the hunt for the Cowrie. He's ok for now, but a ticking-time-bomb.

 

[Wally.B]

MORE CUC crew to Battle the Green Hair Algae.

LFS was suppose to get a fresh batch of CUC critters, but when I dropped by found out Shipment was bumped till next week.


So I got another Tuxedo Urchin. This one is purple (other is grey). Looks great in the tank (like a moving Coral my kids think)

Nice Color Match with the Mandarin.

 

[Wally.B]

I Continue to Increase Lighting (Regardless of GHA Growth/Bloom)

I just bumped up Left MH light another 15 minutes after a week of soak.

I know this is contrary to Common Sense, but I'm determined to get to my Target Photo Period of 8 hrs.

Currently it's 6hrs 30 mins (From start to end, Right Bulb, Left bulb) with an overlap (both ON for 4hrs 15 mins).

If algae Blooms more, I'll prune more, and add CUC as needed.

I'm going to give these SPS corals the light they need (to get the Growth, and Colors that this whole tread is about).

In the past I always backed down & backed off for many reasons, and never got close to Target PhotoPeriod.

My hope is there will be some Algae Burn off point, and then it will be onward...*(one more fish [Black Cap Basslet], or two [An Algae Eater] )

[ Also as pointed out in a earlier post, my algae situation is NOT leaching PO4 from Rocks (most likely my play with Aminos, which I've ended.). ]
[ These rocks sat in this tank for a year and I couldn't get a PO4 Reading (Hanna Phosphate (ppm), then Phospherous (ppb) ), and No Algae at that time ]
[ These rocks came from a mature shutdown tank, and were baked, and soaked in muriatic acid, then stored for a year ]

I could be wrong....We'll see.

 

[Wally.B]

Why I'm Determined and have Hope that I can persevere this GHA problem?

My Other tank was also A Journey that was Overcome (More challenging in many ways, but not SPS).


ALL WITH THE SAME PILE OF ROCKS

It just takes "Never Giving Up".

(Don't get the wrong impression. There were some good Years / Photo's in between those bad moments. )

 

[Wally.B]

The SPS Tank (A Different Perspective):

So you've seen countless, and sometimes too many pictures of my SPS Tank (Painfully boring at times).

Here is where is it, and why I pay attention so much.

( It's my Basement Home Office In-Wall-Tank where I Work & Play from [My Man-Cave] ).

The sump room for both tanks in on the other side of wall.

 

[alten78]

That is pretty slick, I like that idea!

 

[Wally.B]

NEW Tuxedo Urchins Update (Watching Closely)

So I'm watching the Tuxedo Urchins closely to be sure they are doing their jobs.

Interesting to see that these Urchins do like Coralline Algae, just like my Pencil Urchin (in the sump) does.

I'm ok with this to a certain degree, so long as they clean the Green Hair Algae too.

Will watch closely, since I see them skipping GHA a bit to get to Coraline.

If they eat too much Desert, and not enough Veggies, they get to join my Pencil Urchin in the sump.

 

[Wally.B]

More Clean Up Crew (New Species)

LFS got a shipment but no Red Scarlett Crabs like I was hoping for.

Was looking for something to rip up the GHA.

Never seen these before, but read-up looks good.

ZEBRA HERMIT CRABS

They will clean up left over food, and also eat Algae (even Cyano).
One Extra positive is they are not as aggressive towards Snails like other Hermits.

Got 6 to try. 4 for this tank and 2 for my other.

I have a Hawkfish in my other tank (who has killed one of my crabs).
Understand these guys can shield themselves from predators, by using their One Bigger Left Claw.
Also heard that they are good climbers, and can possibly escape a tank if there is a way.

 

[bobssecrtsn]

How old is your set of bulbs? I dont know if your still running the VHO or t5?. maybe its time for your bulb change..

 

[Wally.B]

How old is your set of bulbs? I dont know if your still running the VHO or t5?. maybe its time for your bulb change..

I wish I could just Pop a few New Bulbs in and solve my GHA problems.

However I don't think that is the issue.

Reason being:

- My T5's are less than 8 months old, PLUS been running at 1/2 Photo Period (vs Normal Operation)
- My MH Bulbs are Exactly a year old, but they have been running at 1/3 Photo Period (vs Normal Operation)
------> Also even if I reached the One year Mark they are the New Giesemann (UltraLife 250W MegaChrome Coral) bulbs which are rated at 3 year life (MAX)
------> I saw this on the Label and actually contacted my Giesemann Rep. Who confirmed they are extra Long life.

Plan wasn't to run them to MAX 3 years, but at least get two years out of them (Normal Duty)

Again, I've been running all my bulb under normal Duty. They should be fine.

 

[Wally.B]

TAKING OUT THE (Mini 2.5Gal Reverse Lighting Refugium with Chaeto Algae)

So the GHA continues to Flourish Slowly. (Somewhat Breaking up with CUC and getting loose, SLOWLY)

No Amino's for a while. Everything else has been normal routine.

The only thing that was new was the Refugium that I added (Was suppose to help GHA problem, and isn't).

- It's been running on a reverse lighting schedule 10 hrs. (Notice more GHA forming in the sump as a result)
- It does accumulate sediment which the skimmer doesn't get (Due to slow flow thru it).
- Chaeto isn't growing that much, and does capture sediment too.

** There MAY have been a positive effect. N03 dropped from 5ppm to 0.5ppm **
So removing it (temporarily), to see if things improve with GHA [Chaeto left in Sump]. (Can always be put back if no effect, and will watch N03 levels).

Yes, this may be pre-mature tinkering (but it's part of learning).

 

[swk]

My nitrate actually went down when I removed my in sump fuge. They need to be large in relation to the display to have any positive effect on nutrients

 

[Wally.B]

My nitrate actually went down when I removed my in sump fuge. They need to be large in relation to the display to have any positive effect on nutrients

The Fuge Idea was a waste of Sump Space. Detritus collector.

Since I removed it, The skimmer is skimming better (more wet).
It's possible the flow through the sump was restricted due to tight spaces. (Could be a factor for Algae Bloom. Skimmer not running efficiently).

 

[Wally.B]

New CUC gathering (Unique Photo)

Usually when adding CUC, they scattered and I never notice them particularly.

Today, while observing the tank, I noticed all the NEW CREW together.

Kind of cool.

** BAD news is that Large Mexican Turbo Snail doesn't look good **
** (Don't think he will Survive. Good I noticed, or could have been a major Polute **
** I didn't do the normal 2 hour acclimatization drip. Lesson learned **

 

[Wally.B]

Urchin Inspired Algae Siphon/Scraper Tool Improvement

I'm pretty excited about this new project. Anything to improve GHA pruning process (and not have to remove rocks).

The First Sihpon Scraper was ok, but couldn't really pull off the hard stuck GHA.

Was watching that Tuxedo urchin and noticed Hair Algae catching on it's tentacles. Thought, Hey, that is good scraping, kind of like Velcro.

This is first attempt (quick trial). But the concept is to spin the scraper tip while having good siphon to get Algae out of tank.


Prototype is to Mod my Ehiem Gravel cleaner:

- That I've had for a while, but found it useless, since lots of fine silt crap got thru filter.
- GHA won't pass thru.
- Using the spinning Impeller to attach the scraper tips.
---- >Will try a few kind of tips. Velcro tip is one option, others are micro bristle brushes, or a polishing sponge.

It also has a built in suction and filter/reservoir (so no loose GHA floating around).

If this works, I'll do further improvements to attach a long hose and siphon right into the Sump Sock (More siphon power too!).

Look out GHA, here I come. (Thank Urchin for the idea).

Stay tuned, before and After pics on the way. Maybe a You-Tube Vid if it works.

 

[reefmutt]

Wally, if you don't sell a million Velcro Eheim Algea Scraper gizmos, you should just bottle your energy!
I'd be your first customer.
You'd make a killing!!!

 

[Wally.B]

GOOD USE For OLD VHO Ballast/Actnic T12's (Happy Halloween)

** A Break from my Fish Tank Photo's **

- Hung up Couple of old Actinic Bulbs with my old T12 Ballast over Porch (Plus Red Flood Light).
- Kids Made up some Florescent Cut outs for this Great POP OUT LOOK.

New Theme This Year (* Haunted Mystery Door Bell Challenge *)

- 3 door DoorBell Buttons (one is real), Choose Wrong One, and ....

H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N

 

[Wally.B]

BACK to BUSINESS (Velcro-SpinnerTIP Prototype Testing for Algae Siphon Cleaner )[*PASS*]

No point Building an Airplane if Wings don't work!!

- Tip Passed with Flying Colors (Tip stayed clean and released all the Hair Algae (which Siphon will take up).
-------> It actually shredded the GHA to a degree where it was almost Podwer and not Stringy (and this was with slow hand motion only)!!
-------> Velcro bristles have depth and reach, with Bite and release (property).

- Small Modification (Rubber Hose End for Flex/SoftTouch, and Inner Wooden Dowel for Firmness/Staightness)

- Back and Forth Scrubbing wasn't as effective as Spin (needed Pressure, and clumsy positioning)

- Spin method HARDLY needed any Pressure, and had pin point accuracy.


Now Onward to Build the Airplane Engine Build.

I figure it won't be that easy, to get stability on the Motorized spinning tip (which is key).

Even if this doesn't work out, adding this kind of tip at end of Cordless drill will make out of Tank Rock Scrubbing easier.

The Twisted Funny thing....Is that I'm Glad I have a whole tank full of GHA to practice on



I do have a initial name for this Gizmo. (THE URCHIN). Anyone Like it?

 

[M007]

Maybe a rechargeable Dremmel as a drive unit? Compact and speed adjustable with very little shock hazard if you drop it in the water :beer:

 

[Wally.B]

Maybe a rechargeable Dremmel as a drive unit? Compact and speed adjustable with very little shock hazard if you drop it in the water :beer:

Great Idea! I didn't know they make Rechargeable Dremels.

I have an AC version, and have been staring at my Flex Shaft.

The Shaft would be perfect, but it's not waterproof, and lots of Unknown Metals.
If there was a Nylon version it would be ideal. (Shiphon hose would have to be beside).

Keep idea's coming.