KidReefers 40 breeder sps build

[KidReefer]

Thats what I was going for. Well I was able to get a replacement 40 for $40 new. So that works. I just need to get it redrilled this week.

Hope to see more updates!

About the kalk debate, I have noticed that there is a hard crust that develops in the kalk, so I think I am okay.

Very impressive Kid! Not only the fact that you've obviouly done a lot of homework and attempting a rather difficult hobby at your age, but your communication skills at 13 are outstanding... Not much to offer that others like chrishayes and Reef Noob haven't already.. Great advice there.. especially on backing off the Kalk untill you have a real need to supplement your waterchanges... Hit me up anytime with questions you may have. You can post your questions on my homepage if you should need any assistance or pm me.

Thanks jbanks! I did back off the kalk a few weeks ago to 1 tsp per gallon, and I have not seen any negative effects. I deeply appreciate the offer to answer questions, It will be very helpful!

Dude that is a fantastic idea of keeping the top off water. I keep mine in the cabinet, but I'm running out of space. Going to need to purchase a hamper just for my top off.

BTW. I use a 5G refillable drinking water jug for my ATO. Just drill two holes through the cap one for the ATO line and the other, so air can get back into the jug.

Thanks othercents! Initially I was going to do the same thing, but then I realized I did not have enough room inside the cabinet, so I did some research. I found someone with the top off outside the sump, adjacent to the tank. The problem was it looked unnatural, and it did not go to well with my parents. So I looked at Bed Bath and Beyond, and I found a hamper and a trash can for around 20 bucks. Problem solved

 

[KidReefer]

Frag swap!

Frag swap!

I went to the areefcreation frag swap yesterday and picked up some awesome frags. I also got a chance to see some of the people here on RC, it was a great time. Well heres what I got: tyree seriatopora, pink seriotopora, purple montipora capricornis, orange montipora capricornis, orange montipora digitata, red acropora millepora, tri color valida acro

 

[chrishayes]

Score! Nice, shes fillin up now! Just think, youll be askin pops for a 75gal for Christmas soon! lol Hope things go well. Any dips or other precautions taken with your new purchases? Hope so. You are too young to afford replacing coral due to all the sps goblins out there.

 

[allsps40]

Yeah for sure dip every new corals that goes into your tank no matter what. Most of us had to learn the hard way.

 

[jbanks]

I would caution you about dipping anything in the enchinata or turaki family... Those species do not take well to harsh chemicals like iodine.. Those you will need to inspect under bright light and a mangifying glass if need be. Also, for safe measure... I would cut all frags off the plugs (dipped or not) since AEFW eggs can be deposited there. Tust me... you want to take ALL precautions against these pests because they can ruin a tank and the hobby for you quickly. If you do keep the frags on plugs, make sure you scrape them off thoughly for safe measure.. Looking great by the way!

 

[chrishayes]

As I see it, no matter the stress put to the coral, the system as a whole should be looked after more so. Id dip and QT a cat before letting it in my house! Im so spooked by sps goblins I constantly convince myself ive got them even though I dip AND qt...im on meds dont worry!

 

[jbanks]

:lol: I hear you Bro... I've been very careful with coral and still the boogie man got me! Go figure!

 

[KidReefer]

So heres my thoughts about quarantine. I believe that a healthy coral does not need to be treated. In order to be sure the coral is doing well, I ask the owner for info on the coral, params it was in, any problems they are having in their tank, etc. If I hear, for example, they are having flat worm problems, then I know not to buy any corals from that system.

If the owner checks out in that area, then I ask for photos of the coral at the original aquarium. Most people I meet at a frag swap usually have pictures of their tank, and of the mother colony. If it looks good, step 2 is complete.

Finally, I do a self inspection myself of the coral. I look for STN, RTN, lack of polyp extension, bleaching, band diseases, etc. Overall, if it looks healthy, then I am willing to chance it.

I believe that a quarantine system is a great idea, and I want to set one up someday. But right now I do not have the time to maintain two tanks at the same time. I definitely will buy some dips. And that's pretty much it.


On another note, I am seriously reconsidering changing my tank to barebottom! I have been noticing some cyano and short hair algae on the sand and rocks. I think it is caused by one of either two factors, my sandbed, or my ro/di filters. It has been around 4 or 5 months since I have purchased my ro/di unit and it might be time to change the di resin. My tds still reads zero, but I will double check it. If it is not the filters, I am going to syphon out the sand. I have been looking at more barebottom tanks lately, and saw a couple out of town. I like the look when they are covered in coralline.

 

[jbanks]

BEWARE of corals that look good with no visible signs of predatory pests. AEFWS are basically invisible when on a coral.. I was burned like that.. Even after dipping. I saw no signs of pests. I don't have a quarantine tank, but I use all precautions now when it comes to putting in new coral.. Fortunately, it is not known for smooth skinned SPS like enchinatas and turakis to be AEFW food, so I have been lucky with those, but even they get closely inspected and popped of their base before going in my tank now...

As for folks letting you know what they have in their tank... Beware of that too.. AEFWs are like Reef Tank V.D. along with Redbugs for lack of a better analogy. Redbugs are easy to get rid off.. AEFWs are the gift that keeps giving and are extremely difficult to eradicate from a system once they're in there. Thank goodness for honest reefers. However, there's also those hobbyist LFSs out there that are not only embarrassed by it, but unethical to boot. They will say nothing about their problem and still sell you a coral from their tank or shop. Always keep this in mind and you will be way ahead of the game...

 

[KidReefer]

Advice taken! I think I will see what I can do for a system. Maybe I can try it, I will have to do some research. But now I am definitely paying more close attention when buying. thanks!

 

[chrishayes]

Yeah, like jbanks is saying, asking a girl for her family history, menstrual cycle and hygene routine is one way to go about it but abstinence and condoms are the way to go! Just thought id put it in teenager langauge, not meant to offend! lol

 

[chrishayes]

people still prefer a buck over a pat on the back for being nice guys...hate to be so pesimistic but jbanks got it from a buddy that was an expierienced reefer!

 

[allsps40]

Yeah I got Red Bugs from an unknown coral and I buy only healthy corals with good PE. Going threw Red Bugs was a real pain and it kind of killed things for me for a little while. But interceptor and QT of all sps for several weeks did the trick and save my tank.

 

[Acronic]

dont forget about unwanted algae pests! sweet score on the corals dude!

 

[KidReefer]

thanks for the advice guys! I still don't think I can set up a quarantine system. I think I might just buy some dips and dip new additions from now on.

 

[chrishayes]

If thats all you can do its better than doing nothing! What I tell people is that it doesnt matter when you buy a QT, its either before or after an infection, either way youre gonna buy one! lol That or quit.

 

[KidReefer]

Exactly

 

[chrishayes]

If you dont read my thread you ought to know that after all the precautions I take I still ended up with redbugs...all I can say to all us reefers is good freakin luck.

 

[Johnny C]

Nice pickups at the swap, it was good talking to you bro! Like me, you've got the "bug" for SPS!

Tank is starting to come together nicely. Every time I read about your build I kick myself for not getting a tank thread going. Ah, soon... I promise! :hammer:

PS- Don't drive yourself mad with coral QT tanks and the like. Dip and examine your corals closely before adding them to the DT- I personally like TLF Revive, works great and doesn't stress the corals like iodine sometimes will.

 

[krshlln300]

a simple magnifying glass is also a great tool! as well as a turkey baster, sometimes as you go to dip you may be able to blow some of the pests off gently with a small baster or syringe.