Howdy Folks

[xpertrifle]

I don't want to start an argument. I am an avid hobbyist and my wife is a biologist. These are simply the methods we use to great success.
Like I said, there are many opinions about every thing. Bottom line is listen to them all and use what sounds best, because its your tank and your money....

FYI if you take macro from xpertrifle (or anyone else with ich in their tank) I would let it sit fallow in a bucket for 11 weeks just to make sure you don't bring his ich into your tank.

Every LFS and privet tank (or piece of rock/frag) has had ich at one time or another.

Using Copper is a quick way to kill certain types of fish as well...Mandarins, Butterflyfish and even Tangs. Yep, Tangs. The best thing to do is to get them into a stable environment with Cleaner Shrimp, feed tons of their natural type of foods soaked in Garlic and let nature do its thing. Lost of times we get fish that aren't aqua cultured simply because the methods are not in place to do so.

Transportation and a declination in living environment causes Natural caught Fish's immune systems to go ape nuts usually resulting in death if not put into a stabilized system. This is one reason why it is stressed by Veterans to Newbs not to add fish until months after your system has been running....

 

[fresnohall]

Great stuff guys, passion is a good thing and there is nothing wrong with each of us doing what we think is best. I can tell you I am getting quite the education from this forum, and it is up to me to apply what I learn into practice.

QT definitely sounds like a thing that needs to be done. I need to find a practical way to make it work for me, and I am not sure that I have figured that out yet so I am going to hold off on fish for a while to buy me some time. In the meantime I am getting a kick out of the inverts, wish they were a bit more in the open but I am mesmerized by the emerald crabs.

Just installed my new ATI fixure last night, and wow, it brings some light in. I think I have a bit too much white and blue, so I am going to get some fiji purples and set up as Grim suggests. I can sense corals in the future once the diatoms settle down,:thumbsup:

Next purchase I am looking at is a controller. Looking at the neptune jr and rkl. Based off my reading it seems that this should be a required piece of equipment for someone starting out. The pricing structures look different, but it appears that they actually cost the same once you get enough add on's to make it worth it. If anyone has any opinions (or knows how to get their hands on a used one) let me know.

 

[prickles]

I had a pair of RK2's and loved them. Now I have a RKE and can't stand it. I would not say a controller is a required piece of equipment, but it is handy. For timers, you can get something really cheap from harbor freight if you want. It's not as cool, but works.

I'm not saying there aren't benefits to a controller like safety redundancy on heaters and fans, but I would not classify it as "required." If you are going to run a calcium reactor or Kalk, then I would push it more to the "required" category.

If you're not doing that, and have limited funds, look into Auto top offs and RODI systems before a controller.

 

[fresnohall]

They seem to be more than timers, but I could be wrong. It is the PH monitor in specific, plus the fans and light turn off for temp that seem like a necessity. In addition having the wavemaker capability (I assume it works like a timer on my existing power heads). Seems like a beginner such as myself can almost "set it and forget it"..... Not quite, but you get the picture. Have to admit that a ATO would be slick, but the reality is right now that I don't have an enclosed cabinet to hide a sump / ref / or extra water. I suppose the RODI would save money in the long term, but again there does not seem to be much consensus on what is truly good enough (though the system at BRS seems priced right and has good reviews).


Just stating opinions again, so welcome all feedback.

 

[prickles]

It works like a timer but won't necessarily do wavemaking. It depends on your powerheads. My lights have never turned off from heat, and I have had them on a controller for 3 years. A PH monitor is useful if you are doing calcium reactor or kalk. Otherwise, not a biggie.

As for a RODI system. Realize they are all just plastic housing. It is the filters you put inside that make the difference. I have had good results with my spectrapure, and I am sure you would also with a BRS system. Remember, it's just like everything else in reefkeeping, your effort and maintenance is everything. Where do you get your RODI right now? Have you tested the TDS? I used to get it from a store that sold only that. When I tested it, it came in at 25-50 TDS. They weren't changing their filters frequently enough as more profit is to be had by using less materials.

My RODI is generally at 0, and I'm guessing most systems will accomplish that for you if you change the filters every 6 months or so.

If you get a RODI system, you can put on an ATO without a reservoir, and therefore make it unobtrusive.

 

[sillygoose]

In the middle of all of this good discussion, which is invaluable, I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your CuC. My husband and I were at first totally fascinated by the weird little critters on our live rock. We watched them for weeks. Then we added snails and crabs and it was a whole new world of fun. I think it's important to remember the pure enjoyment of observing the little things. :thumbsup:

 

[fresnohall]

More good info thanks again.

I have to admit that I love staring at what would be considered a mostly empty tank by most standards. I recieved some of the LR from an established tank and I have seen at least 2 brittle stars that hiked along for the ride. They are not more than a 1/4 " and pretty skeptical about coming out of their holes, but I am hoping that they stick around.

One other observation that has me a bit worried. Floating on the surface this weekend was a worm / centipede looking creature maybe an inch in length that was dying. Didn't think much of it, figured it fell into the tank. Last night I found one exiting a rock and going into the sand. I was able to grab it and try to photograph but the photo did not come out well. They are tan and look a lot like a meal worm (with all the little hairy feet). With all this QT talk it has me nervous. Any theories on what they might be?

 

[prickles]

probably a bristleworm. They are detrivores. Not bad for your tank. Look one up to see if the pic matches.

 

[fresnohall]

that was it, kinda nasty looking suckers. Good to know they aren't a problem. Thanks

 

[prickles]

don't touch them as they have spikes or teeth or something and can cause infections if you handle them and get cut i think.

 

[sillygoose]

Biodiversity is good. All things in moderation.

I've heard bristle worms can be a problem if they get too big and don't have enough to eat. Some say they might chomp on your sessile critters. Some small ones got waaay out of hand in my son's tank, an arrow crab will clean them up - but - it will wipe out your feather dusters and other worms too. But back to the ones that get too big - I have one that is about 6-7 inches long that has recently reappeared in my tank. (I hadn't seen him in months.) I've had two fish in the last couple of weeks that have just simply disappeared. I'd had them for a long time and they looked healthy. Just gone. Is it possible that my monster worm has been grabbing them in the night while they slept? They both slept low in the tank.

 

[fresnohall]

If I find a 6-7 incher it is gone, they are freaky enough at 1 inch, but willing let life continue if they remain docile. I grabbed it with my hands the other day, and went to workout later and and my right hand was on fire everytime I grabbed something. Gonna blame it on the darn Bristleworms..........