HD had the Prestone HEET in one gallon containers - I am looking for DowFlake because it can be pruchased in bulk for very little $$$. HEET is (relatively) pricey.
LL
Lightsluvr's 340G Upgrade
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
HD had the Prestone HEET in one gallon containers - I am looking for DowFlake because it can be pruchased in bulk for very little $$$. HEET is (relatively) pricey.
LL
Sorry to hear that. Once they are tuned in they are pretty much hands off, but they can be difficult to start up.
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
I can't say for sure at this point since I've used it for less than a week at this point. And to complicate the matter, I've started the sand removal process in my tank so that may have also release more phosphates into the water column. The only thing I can tell you is that a few days before I dosed the Phos-E and the sand removal, the reading was 0.10. The reading today is still at 0.10. I am sure it's working b/c if I had not used any, the level would be much higher due to the sand removal process. I also have a feeling that it's probably very similar to the Blue Life Phosphate Remover. Everyone has these proprietary ingredients but realistically, how many ways are there to remove phosphates???
Skimmer decision made
Skimmer decision made
I made the decision on my skimmer. Here is the verdict:
Coming soon:
I will be upgrading the needlewheel to the "Extreme" version from SkimmerDIY:
http://www.skimmerdiy.com/REEFLO.html
I am actually acquring a different Orca 250 with the ProKit upgrade and will be changing the needlewheel to the latest version. I will be selling my current Orca 250 locally.
LL
Skimmer decision made
I made the decision on my skimmer. Here is the verdict:
Coming soon:
I will be upgrading the needlewheel to the "Extreme" version from SkimmerDIY:
http://www.skimmerdiy.com/REEFLO.html
I am actually acquring a different Orca 250 with the ProKit upgrade and will be changing the needlewheel to the latest version. I will be selling my current Orca 250 locally.
LL
Two skimmers are better than one! Why not run them both?
QUOTE]
One word: Money.
Will sell the regular Orca 250 to offset cost of the Orca 250 Pro Extreme. (Don't ya love those descriptive terms? :wildone: )
What a person will do to get a little more stinky stuff in a bucket! :bounce3:
LL
MrineLfRlz
Active member
nice upgrade!
The Orca 250 Pro Extreme is no longer in production, so you would have to locate a used one, like I did. It has been replaced by the MyReefCreations Orca Pro I or Pro II. Since you are considering the Bubble King Deluxe 300, the Orca 2 is certainly within your skimmer budget. It is a serious skimmer!
JMO.
LL
Stocking the tank
Stocking the tank
Here is the fish community as of today:
(1) Vlamingii Tang - 12"
(1) Blue Hippo Tang - 5"
(1) Blonde Naso tang - 5.5"
(1) Yellow Tang - 4.5"
(1) Red Sea Sailfin Tang - 5"
(1) Magnificent Foxface Rabbitfish - 5.5"
(1) Melanurus Wrasse - 3.5"
(1) Yellow Coris Wrasse - 3"
(1) Six-line Wrasse - 1.5"
(1) Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse - 1.5"
(1) Coral Beauty Angelfish - 2.5"
(2) ORA Ocellaris Clowns - 1.5-2"
(2) ORA Black & white Ocellaris Clowns - 2.5"
(1) Diamond Watchman Goby - 5"
(2) Green Mandarin M/F - 2"
(3) Dispar Anthia M/2F - 2-2.5"
(3) Red Firefish - 2"
(1) Green Chromis - 2"
(1) Bangaii Cardinalfish - 2"
(4) Cleaner Shrimp - 3"+
We have had the Ocellaris pair, Blue Hippo and Diamond Watchman since we set up our first tank almost three years ago...
LL
Stocking the tank
Here is the fish community as of today:
(1) Vlamingii Tang - 12"
(1) Blue Hippo Tang - 5"
(1) Blonde Naso tang - 5.5"
(1) Yellow Tang - 4.5"
(1) Red Sea Sailfin Tang - 5"
(1) Magnificent Foxface Rabbitfish - 5.5"
(1) Melanurus Wrasse - 3.5"
(1) Yellow Coris Wrasse - 3"
(1) Six-line Wrasse - 1.5"
(1) Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse - 1.5"
(1) Coral Beauty Angelfish - 2.5"
(2) ORA Ocellaris Clowns - 1.5-2"
(2) ORA Black & white Ocellaris Clowns - 2.5"
(1) Diamond Watchman Goby - 5"
(2) Green Mandarin M/F - 2"
(3) Dispar Anthia M/2F - 2-2.5"
(3) Red Firefish - 2"
(1) Green Chromis - 2"
(1) Bangaii Cardinalfish - 2"
(4) Cleaner Shrimp - 3"+
We have had the Ocellaris pair, Blue Hippo and Diamond Watchman since we set up our first tank almost three years ago...
LL
For filtration, I run the Orca 250 skimmer 24/7. I have a huge ball of Chaeto in Sump #1. I have over 300# of LR in Sump #2 over a 6-8" DSB. I have six filter socks which are changed every 2-3 days. I do a 65G water change every 6-7 days.
Water quality has been good. However, phosphates were high, but I didn't recognize it until I obtained the Hanna Photometer. My Hagen PO4 test kit always showed .25 PO4. When I first tested with the Hanna meter, phosphates read .45. After putting a Phosphate reactor online about 10 days ago, the PO4 has dropped to .25. It continues to trend downward.
I am looking for deals locally for another 100# of so of live rock to absolutely fill sump#2 right to the water line with LR.
LL
Let there be life!
Let there be life!
I have a "pot full" of copepods and amphipods in both sumps. In fact there are copepods as thick as fleas in the frag tank. When I do water changes, I rotate the Chaeto ball and shake it vigorously to loosen pods so they will flow into the DT when the return pump is turned on... That kinda annoys the blue-leg and red-leg hermits which work the Chaeto ball... too bad. :hammer:
There are two new Emerald crabs in the Rubbermaid sump, along with small turbos, trochus and a few other snails. I don't ever see them, but I'm confident they are happy in there...
There are huge sponges on the LR in the Rubbermaid, as well as countless feather dusters. Lots of filter feeders in there...
As you know, I drain down the water in the Rubbermaid for a few minutes during water change - it hasn't seemed to bother the sponges, even though I know you are not supposed to expose sponges to the air. It is like a momentary "low tide" that stirs up solids off the the top of the DSB. Those solids are then caught by a filter sock in sump#1.
I know I lose copepods that can't make it from one sump into another because of the filter socks. However, plenty seem to make it into the display to keep the Mandarins and Wrasses quite happy.
I have recently spotted live mysis shrimp in the DT as well.
That's what is in the sumps at this point.
LL
Let there be life!
I have a "pot full" of copepods and amphipods in both sumps. In fact there are copepods as thick as fleas in the frag tank. When I do water changes, I rotate the Chaeto ball and shake it vigorously to loosen pods so they will flow into the DT when the return pump is turned on... That kinda annoys the blue-leg and red-leg hermits which work the Chaeto ball... too bad. :hammer:
There are two new Emerald crabs in the Rubbermaid sump, along with small turbos, trochus and a few other snails. I don't ever see them, but I'm confident they are happy in there...
There are huge sponges on the LR in the Rubbermaid, as well as countless feather dusters. Lots of filter feeders in there...
As you know, I drain down the water in the Rubbermaid for a few minutes during water change - it hasn't seemed to bother the sponges, even though I know you are not supposed to expose sponges to the air. It is like a momentary "low tide" that stirs up solids off the the top of the DSB. Those solids are then caught by a filter sock in sump#1.
I know I lose copepods that can't make it from one sump into another because of the filter socks. However, plenty seem to make it into the display to keep the Mandarins and Wrasses quite happy.
I have recently spotted live mysis shrimp in the DT as well.
That's what is in the sumps at this point.
LL
Twas the Night before Christmas - Aquarium style...
Twas the Night before Christmas - Aquarium style...
Here is a link to an original poem I posted over on the Reef Discussion forum - thought I'd share it over here... just for grins...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1762573
Merry Christmas to the many friends I have met on Reef Central.
LL
Twas the Night before Christmas - Aquarium style...
Here is a link to an original poem I posted over on the Reef Discussion forum - thought I'd share it over here... just for grins...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1762573
Merry Christmas to the many friends I have met on Reef Central.
LL
That's an interesting question. As you know, I run PC lights over the Chaeto in the acrylic sump. In fact, I have been running the Chaeto light 24/7 for the past few weeks to help with the PO4 battle.
The frag tank light is above the Rubbermaid sump and allows a little algae growth on the top layer of live rock.I have a dozen or so Florida Turbos in there to help the Emeralds with the algae.
I still have several dozen other snails in the frag tank that I need to relocate into the DT when I get the Byropsis manually removed.
LL
That is one impressive light rail system:
If you were to run even a pc light over the sump it should get past an algae stage and grow coraline, feather dusters, sponges etc.... With no predators-- filter feeders would grow freely in the rich environment giving more support to your tank.
I'd love to hear what some of these other big tank guys have to say.
If you were to run even a pc light over the sump it should get past an algae stage and grow coraline, feather dusters, sponges etc.... With no predators-- filter feeders would grow freely in the rich environment giving more support to your tank.
I'd love to hear what some of these other big tank guys have to say.
Good point. I just happen to have another PC light fixture lying aorund. I'll plug it in to make sure it works. I'll try to figure a way to hang it above the Rubbermaid....maybe off the back of the frag tank.
Obviously I won't be getting out today. Hopefully roads are better tomorrow so I can drop off a MaxiJet for you.
Merry Christmas.
LL
Obviously I won't be getting out today. Hopefully roads are better tomorrow so I can drop off a MaxiJet for you.
Merry Christmas.
LL
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