JMorris271
New member
After dipping a coral do you rinse with tank water or RODI??
Mark's 40 Breeder build
- Thread starter Aframomum
- Start date
geekengineer
Member
Hehe I couldn't pass that one up..
geekengineer
Member
anything new going on there?
Anything new - Yep!
Almost finished with my door, yes - 1 door. Need to attach the hardware and stain it. And after that I can do the other one. No, I don't like to do things as normal folks do them!
I'm happy to report that my diatoms are now coming in semi-full force now. Nice dusting on most of my rocks and some on the sand. I think having my lights on for only 5 hours a day is probably the reason for their slowed growth.
Using Kalk in my ATO top off water to maintain my calcium levels in between water changes.
Surprisingly my new corals are taking to the photoperiod very well. I have been doing feedings (ground up shrimp pellets and freeze dried shrimp) 2x a week for the entire tank and spot feeding with fresh raw shrimp the frogspawn, torch, and brain.
I have been having a bit of an issue with the torch though - seems not too happy with where its at so has been displaying some signs of polyp bailout. I have been trying to find a spot of very low flow to see if it will stop.
Almost finished with my door, yes - 1 door. Need to attach the hardware and stain it. And after that I can do the other one. No, I don't like to do things as normal folks do them!
I'm happy to report that my diatoms are now coming in semi-full force now. Nice dusting on most of my rocks and some on the sand. I think having my lights on for only 5 hours a day is probably the reason for their slowed growth.
Using Kalk in my ATO top off water to maintain my calcium levels in between water changes.
Surprisingly my new corals are taking to the photoperiod very well. I have been doing feedings (ground up shrimp pellets and freeze dried shrimp) 2x a week for the entire tank and spot feeding with fresh raw shrimp the frogspawn, torch, and brain.
I have been having a bit of an issue with the torch though - seems not too happy with where its at so has been displaying some signs of polyp bailout. I have been trying to find a spot of very low flow to see if it will stop.
geekengineer
Member
I guess at least I finished my door first.. 
cool news. Sounds like your in fairly good control of the situation so far. Hopefully you figure out that torch issue.
I have a bunch of reef buffer from seachem I was thinking about using that until I use it up and then use Kalk but not sure if that good idea. Just didn't want it to go to waist. lol At the time I didn't realize that what more people tend to use.
cool news. Sounds like your in fairly good control of the situation so far. Hopefully you figure out that torch issue.
I have a bunch of reef buffer from seachem I was thinking about using that until I use it up and then use Kalk but not sure if that good idea. Just didn't want it to go to waist. lol At the time I didn't realize that what more people tend to use.
geekengineer
Member
how's things going so far get overloaded with turkey? :lolspin:
I had to work on turkey day so we celebrated on Sunday - my day off. One of the drawbacks to working in the hospital...always open. 
I would skip the reef buffer as it specifically says to use only if you have issues keeping your pH stable. Your tank is just getting set up so probably not a good idea to start adding chemicals which may not be needed. Test your pH and alkalinity and see if it remains stable. It may surprise you and stay constant with just water changes.
I've been switching gears now that's its cooling off outside down here. In Florida we are on opposite schedules from the rest of the country - winter is our time to get outside while the rest of you hibernate (or ski). :lolspin: So I've been dusting off some of my other hobby interests and letting the tank do its thing.
My torch seems to be enjoying the spot I found for it - almost no flow in the back of the tank. That and weekly feedings seem to have helped. I've also been slowly moving the other corals closer to being under the halide. All are doing well in their new positions. Feedings continue for them also.
One thing I've noticed is my socks are no longer overflowing. I accidently let one go for nearly 2 weeks and it never overflowed. But I'm back on my weekly change out for them.
Diatoms are slowing down and some spots that were covered in brown are showing again. I have not cleaned the front glass since setting up the tank and am letting some of the diatoms and spots of green algae just grow as they will. They seem to be pod havens as I see them swarming with the bugs - so I figure free dinner source for now. Still no CUC order yet - holding off for just a little longer so I get a bit more algae growth. Yeah, that sounds weird! :wildone:
I did get a 50 gallon bag of Reef Crystals on cybermonday for a nice deal from Amazon as my 25 gallon box is all used up. Hopefully some Christmas or New Year deals will help me get restocked. I'm really liking the RC as it keeps my Mag levels relatively constant around 1475 so I don't have to worry about dosing mag - just water changes for mag and kalk to keep the calcium stable.
My torch and FTS from this morning:
I would skip the reef buffer as it specifically says to use only if you have issues keeping your pH stable. Your tank is just getting set up so probably not a good idea to start adding chemicals which may not be needed. Test your pH and alkalinity and see if it remains stable. It may surprise you and stay constant with just water changes.
I've been switching gears now that's its cooling off outside down here. In Florida we are on opposite schedules from the rest of the country - winter is our time to get outside while the rest of you hibernate (or ski). :lolspin: So I've been dusting off some of my other hobby interests and letting the tank do its thing.
My torch seems to be enjoying the spot I found for it - almost no flow in the back of the tank. That and weekly feedings seem to have helped. I've also been slowly moving the other corals closer to being under the halide. All are doing well in their new positions. Feedings continue for them also.
One thing I've noticed is my socks are no longer overflowing. I accidently let one go for nearly 2 weeks and it never overflowed. But I'm back on my weekly change out for them.
Diatoms are slowing down and some spots that were covered in brown are showing again. I have not cleaned the front glass since setting up the tank and am letting some of the diatoms and spots of green algae just grow as they will. They seem to be pod havens as I see them swarming with the bugs - so I figure free dinner source for now.
Still no CUC order yet - holding off for just a little longer so I get a bit more algae growth. Yeah, that sounds weird! :wildone:I did get a 50 gallon bag of Reef Crystals on cybermonday for a nice deal from Amazon as my 25 gallon box is all used up. Hopefully some Christmas or New Year deals will help me get restocked. I'm really liking the RC as it keeps my Mag levels relatively constant around 1475 so I don't have to worry about dosing mag - just water changes for mag and kalk to keep the calcium stable.
My torch and FTS from this morning:
Attachments
geekengineer
Member
very cool. Things are looking pretty in your tank. I bet it look even better once things start to grow out and you get more in there. Your rock looks really good too. Yeah I have relatives in Florida.. I have to think about what to do for them on Christmas which I usually punt and get them gift card. I went there in February one time and it was really nice lol.
I thought about buying reef crystals too, but I stuck with instant ocean cause I thought that's what I been using maybe not good time to change yet. I might switch once I get things moved over.
I thought about buying reef crystals too, but I stuck with instant ocean cause I thought that's what I been using maybe not good time to change yet. I might switch once I get things moved over.
geekengineer
Member
Thanks for stopping by my crazy thread as of late any new news on the reef? just letting it do its thing?
First post for the new year - hope everyone had a great holiday season!
Yes GE, I have not been meddling with the tank too much and letting it settle in.
I finally made my snail order from Reefcleaners. Was very happy with my order and despite placing it during the peak holiday time, received my package with all occupants alive. Got 30 snails in total: 10 nerites, 10 small Florida ceriths, and 10 really tiny Periwinkles.
My diatoms have really taken off since mid December. Right now I am cleaning the glass weekly of the brown dusting that grows quickly, and on the sand it only appears heavily in one spot. I let it go for close to 3 weeks before I finally used some airline tubing to vacuum it up, that way little sand was removed.
The nerites have done a good job in keeping the rock clean. The Florida ceriths are starting to get a handle on the glass growth, and I have no idea where the periwinkles are, probably under the sand and rock and out of site. I am happy that no snail deaths due to crab harassment have occurred.
One thing I have noticed lately is the barnacle population has come back. I had a lot of die off the first month the Tampa rock was in the tank but figured the filter feeders didn't have enough to survive. But since feeding the tank and corals weekly it seems to have given them a chance to flourish. I also notice when I clean the glass of the diatom growth they really increase their sweeping, so I guess they eat the algae that is released into the water column.
I picked up more Reef Crystals salt from Amazons holiday sales. I really am liking this salt as it keeps my Mag and Ca levels quite high. I do test the new batches (only 2 so far) and the levels for freshly made saltwater at 1.026 remains at 1480 and 480 using Salifert kits.
I still use Kalk in my ATO but have seen that if I let it go down too low it clogs my luftpump so have to clean it out before then. My 3 gallon container lasts about a week and my tank calcium and pH stays stable at 450 and 8.4.
My corals are doing fine with the exception of the Montipora. I noticed some tissue regression and so did a Bayer dip just in case. I also moved it to a different location for better water flow and the regression seems to have stopped, so now watching it for growth. The Torch has done much better, but it has taken some time and lots of moving around to find his 'happy' spot. The rest of the corals I have left and let them grow.
Yes GE, I have not been meddling with the tank too much and letting it settle in.
I finally made my snail order from Reefcleaners. Was very happy with my order and despite placing it during the peak holiday time, received my package with all occupants alive. Got 30 snails in total: 10 nerites, 10 small Florida ceriths, and 10 really tiny Periwinkles.
My diatoms have really taken off since mid December. Right now I am cleaning the glass weekly of the brown dusting that grows quickly, and on the sand it only appears heavily in one spot. I let it go for close to 3 weeks before I finally used some airline tubing to vacuum it up, that way little sand was removed.
The nerites have done a good job in keeping the rock clean. The Florida ceriths are starting to get a handle on the glass growth, and I have no idea where the periwinkles are, probably under the sand and rock and out of site. I am happy that no snail deaths due to crab harassment have occurred.
One thing I have noticed lately is the barnacle population has come back. I had a lot of die off the first month the Tampa rock was in the tank but figured the filter feeders didn't have enough to survive. But since feeding the tank and corals weekly it seems to have given them a chance to flourish. I also notice when I clean the glass of the diatom growth they really increase their sweeping, so I guess they eat the algae that is released into the water column.
I picked up more Reef Crystals salt from Amazons holiday sales. I really am liking this salt as it keeps my Mag and Ca levels quite high. I do test the new batches (only 2 so far) and the levels for freshly made saltwater at 1.026 remains at 1480 and 480 using Salifert kits.
I still use Kalk in my ATO but have seen that if I let it go down too low it clogs my luftpump so have to clean it out before then. My 3 gallon container lasts about a week and my tank calcium and pH stays stable at 450 and 8.4.
My corals are doing fine with the exception of the Montipora. I noticed some tissue regression and so did a Bayer dip just in case. I also moved it to a different location for better water flow and the regression seems to have stopped, so now watching it for growth. The Torch has done much better, but it has taken some time and lots of moving around to find his 'happy' spot. The rest of the corals I have left and let them grow.
geekengineer
Member
Hey there sounds like your doing ok there. Thanks for the update. I just hoping my mood will improve and I get into getting more stuff here this new year as well.
Sorry about the diatom issue I seemed to have bi-pased that so far other than a bit of a bloom. Maybe it was cause I was able to use my rock from the cycled 10 gallon tank and I'm also using some seachem phosphate/silicate remover.
Sorry about the diatom issue I seemed to have bi-pased that so far other than a bit of a bloom. Maybe it was cause I was able to use my rock from the cycled 10 gallon tank and I'm also using some seachem phosphate/silicate remover.
Thanks GE! Hope your mood improves and you can start stocking your tank with goodies. 
I'm not too worried about the diatoms for now. At least they are providing a food source for the rock critters. I did stop by the LFS and got myself an atlantic sea cucumber to help clean up the sand. But wouldn't you know it - he found the first rock and crawled under it. I'm sure he'll come out when he's ready.
Here's some shots of the tank I got this morning, nevermind the dirty glass. :spin2:
I'm not too worried about the diatoms for now. At least they are providing a food source for the rock critters.
I did stop by the LFS and got myself an atlantic sea cucumber to help clean up the sand. But wouldn't you know it - he found the first rock and crawled under it. I'm sure he'll come out when he's ready. Here's some shots of the tank I got this morning, nevermind the dirty glass. :spin2:
Attachments
geekengineer
Member
Very cool pics hopefully things will clean up after a while.
Thanks for the support.. I been distracted with other things lately I going to try to get a fish this weekend if I can decide on what I want.
Thanks for the support.. I been distracted with other things lately I going to try to get a fish this weekend if I can decide on what I want.
My sea cucumber finally decided to come out from under his rock. And he's getting right to work cleaning up the sand. I also noticed the diatoms are slowing down, not too much on the sand and I'm starting to see the rock again. :lolspin:
I received my order from BRS for Reef Chili - a coral food I was wanting to try out. So far I've been feeding the tank with ground up shrimp pellets I feed my freshwater bottom feeding fish but I wanted to get something a bit more specific for saltwater and corals. So will see how this works. One thing for sure - they do pack it to the brim!
And he's getting right to work cleaning up the sand. I also noticed the diatoms are slowing down, not too much on the sand and I'm starting to see the rock again. :lolspin:I received my order from BRS for Reef Chili - a coral food I was wanting to try out. So far I've been feeding the tank with ground up shrimp pellets I feed my freshwater bottom feeding fish but I wanted to get something a bit more specific for saltwater and corals. So will see how this works. One thing for sure - they do pack it to the brim!
Attachments
geekengineer
Member
My sea cucumber finally decided to come out from under his rock.
I received my order from BRS for Reef Chili - a coral food I was wanting to try out. So far I've been feeding the tank with ground up shrimp pellets I feed my freshwater bottom feeding fish but I wanted to get something a bit more specific for saltwater and corals. So will see how this works. One thing for sure - they do pack it to the brim!
Almost looks like a little thing of sand. hehe
Similar threads
