JapanReef - 450 gallon In-Wall system

[jnarowe]

And I don't buy into "conventional wisdom" regarding reef tanks. Every one is different, and there are too many variables IMO. One person can have great success with an additive and another can wipe out their tank with it

And B-Ionic really is too expensive for tanks the size of yours. I certainly wouldn't use it on my system, but it would be great for smaller ones. That's why there are so many articles about DIY.

I don't think anyone mentioned a pH monitor. We were suggesting a pH "controller". SOmething that actually switches the CO2 on and off based on reactor pH and tank pH. Do you have a tank controller?

 

[NexDog]

On your big tank were you dosing or did you have a reactor? If a reactor can't keep up surely the answer is a bigger reactor?

Just when I finally get my head around getting a reactor you have to go mess it up.

 

[NexDog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15462700#post15462700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
And I don't buy into "conventional wisdom" regarding reef tanks. Every one is different, and there are too many variables IMO. One person can have great success with an additive and another can wipe out their tank with it

And B-Ionic really is too expensive for tanks the size of yours. I certainly wouldn't use it on my system, but it would be great for smaller ones. That's why there are so many articles about DIY.

I don't think anyone mentioned a pH monitor. We were suggesting a pH "controller". SOmething that actually switches the CO2 on and off based on reactor pH and tank pH. Do you have a tank controller?

Nopes, no controller. Strictly low tech, my man.

 

[NexDog]

I was looking at Marc's controller page and he uses his Aqua Controller just for lights and heater. My lights are controlled on simple timer power strips and the heaters have Aqua Logic controllers so I don't see the need for one. I can just get a Milwaukee PH controller or maybe an American Marine or Reef Fanatic controller and all is good.

Managed to get some semi-decent pics today that are pretty close to what the tank looks like. I only have 6 hammers, a frogspawn, a toadstools, an LTA, brain and a squamosa clam but I still love it.

I just love my Blue Line Angel. Definitely the tank centerpiece.

 

[NexDog]

I dosed PraziPro 2 days ago in the quarantine tank and teh Potters Angel doesn't seem to be responding well. It was very active and not shy at all but now it's hiding behind the skimmer pump. The PraziPro instructions said to turn off skimmer and UV and dose 3-5 days. It's been 2 but I think to continue will kill this fish. I've done a small change and turned on skimmer and UV. I hope it pulls through but it really doesn't look good.

 

[juuniz]

from what i've experienced.. dwarf angel is more sensitive to treatment.. even in lower dosage.. Hth

 

[NexDog]

Cheers, I'll post a thread in the fish disease forum and get some feedback. It seemed to perk up right away, but I can definitely see something is wrong. Colouration looks a bit off.

 

[Bax]

Your tank is looking great Laurence.

I can't get enough of that Blue Line sweet fish!

FWIW, I picked up big Ca reactor (an MTC ProCal) used and it'll likely service my needs for any aspirations I have. That said, I find the whole reactor process a PITA and would definitly consider dosing if I did not already own this unit. I have a pH controler, a Pinpoint, but I don't use it, instead I run multiple pH monitors throughout the sump and adjust the reactor accordingly. I also pass all top off with RO through a GEO kalk mixer. I took a while to dial it in but after some time, as long as I keep up the equipment maintenance, it is rock solid. However, I have had two nasty, self induced, Alk swings where the mixer needed to be reacharged and I missed it and the bottom dropped out of the ALk cuasing short term SPS issues. I can't help but feel that were I dosing manually, this would be less likely to happen.

That is the main reason, that in hind sight, I'd go with some form of dosing instead of the big bux reactor. Now that I am rebuilding my system, I am toying with taking my lumps, selling off the reactor and going that dose route this time. You may want to try the dose route before commiting to all the equipment required for the reactor. Dosing is not for everyone, and if you don't want to fiddle with your tank chemistry e-v-e-r-yday, stick with the reactors.

Keep up the good work, and I hope the potters pulls through for you.

 

[NexDog]

Cheers Bax. The Potters is still alive this morning. I would love to go the dosing method and as I said, just making/acquiring the alk/Ca/Mag solutions is more of a PITA then running a reactor. Would be so awesome to have someone else here to lean on but I really feel like I'm on my own.

 

[Pacific Reefs]

The tank pics look great....still in awe with your new aquascaping.
I noticed your sig mentions Aikido...do you still train? I am interested to see what a real dojo looks like.

 

[Hop]

Tank looks great:thumbsup:

 

[NexDog]

Cheers guys.

Yea, I still do Aikido but not with the fervour of old. Currently second dan, should be third really but no rush. My back has been giving out this year which has put the brakes on significantly. Our dojo is just on top of our sensei's shop (sells second hand stuff).

Me, center top:

 

[NexDog]

The sick Potters is still alive. I noticed a discoloured patch on its side and the next day it had some white stuff on it and somewhere to the front of the gills. Maybe a big patch of flukes fell off leaving holes which got infected? Hard to say really. Also had half a fin missing. I've dosed Melafix for now as I feel anti-bacterial would be more important. I have teh anti-fungal PimaFix too and will dose that next week if needed or if it makes it that long.

 

[Pacific Reefs]

Love the dojo..it's perfect. I used to study Kendo for a little bit in college...had a set of hakama myself. Your town seems very peaceful and relaxed. I wish I could live somewhere like that. My neighbor down the road just had his house robbed. They only took the TV, but just the fact that it happened so close stinks.

Hope the Potters gets better for you!

 

[billgraf]

Bump. I am trying to get to 50 posts so I can break my tank down and sell it here, sorry i just don't have much to say

 

[Pacific Reefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15512817#post15512817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billgraf
Bump. I am trying to get to 50 posts so I can break my tank down and sell it here, sorry i just don't have much to say

Pretty sure they have to be meaningful posts....maybe you could at least say "nice tank." Please don't try to sell it in this thread. :uzi: :rolleye1:

 

[NexDog]

50 posts would be a breeze. So many interesting threads going on. But then again if you've had enough of teh hobby and just want to get out I can see why you might not have much to say.

 

[melev]

Or you can give advice to others that have less experience in the New To The Hobby forum.

 

[Ed Reef]

+1 there I'm surprise MOD have not caught up with him yet LOL

 

[edandsandy]

He has "bumped" a lot of threads to the top, with the same statement, and yes to include ours!
I think by the time the MODS noticed it was to late.