My 500G Osama Reef-2

Is my storage tank OK to use

Is my storage tank OK to use

First I will be asking Matt to add a check valve which I wish we had installed in the first place. That being said I need your advice:
I have two 65g storage tanks that feed my DT from the basement. One is for saltwater the other for RO water. The saltwater tank got contaminated I believe from tank water back-flowing from the DT. Have cleaned it as much as possible with vinegar but the tank walls are stained with blackish streaks forever. Is the tank OK to reuse after scrubbing it as much as I could with vinegar. I cannot remove the tank and take it outdoor for a good/better cleaning. Is it OK to use?
 
If it's stained I wouldn't use it. Why can't you take it outside? Dose it with CLR and give it a REALLY GOOD cleaning afterwards. If it's still stained I would trash it.

Dave.M
 
Cannot remove the tank (s)..Matt did install couplers to remove the pump but I assume never thought we would be trashing the storage container so soon (6 months)...
Dave why do U think it is unusable? Matt says it is only algae growth... if true then this is no worse than the algae in my sump. Please expand I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance Dave and others who may join in
 
You said the stain is black. I assumed it to be possibly oil-based. If you know it is only algae then it is probably safe, although black algae still doesn't sound good.

Dave.M
 
Definitely not oil, some kind of fungi from water contaminated from back-flow from DT with no circulation for a week or maybe a bit more..
 
Scrubbed & Scrubbed & Scrubbed again

Scrubbed & Scrubbed & Scrubbed again

Posting for others to possibly benefit:
1. Always have a check valve on equipment that can have any back-flow
2. Scrubbing in place a storage tank from stains caused by contamination as I could not remove tank. Always make sure your add more rather than less couplers that will allow you to remove any piece of equipment.
3. Scrub using non detrimental home products: I used vinegar then baking soda then vinegar then peroxide. I think peroxide did the trick or maybe all three compounds were needed. Tank is clean again and I am exhausted!! but satisfied.
My water storage tanks are otherwise a great addition to our set-up and they look good
 
Need source for narrow containers

Need source for narrow containers

Looking for glass or acrylic containers that need to fit in my fish closet and be used for three part dosing. Width available 23 inches preferable can go up to 31 inches if have to. Will need a tight lid with each. Any thoughts are appreciated?
Where can I buy such a container or preferably
who can custom build three containers like 7-1/2"X 15" footprint and as tall as need be

Matt plans on organizing the fish room electricals and this bucket situation so it goes with the well organized and beautiful looking tank setup

 
Broke down & got me a cleanup crew

Broke down & got me a cleanup crew

My tank has been running for about 6 months now and we should be done with the install in about 3 weeks if Matt has the time to continue coming once a week.
Tank must have cycled three times and maybe this is due to the large quantity of LR I purchased and due to die offs from the LR even though the LR was from hobbyist's active tank and I cured it in my basement for 3 months. Anyhow I was getting hair algae and tried to control it with water changes and finally ordered and got clean up crew from Mr. John Maloney at reef cleaners who provided me with the following recommendation that I purchased ( I added the Urchin & conch for diversity & looks in the DT). Very professional and responsive and timely delivery NO DELAYS . So now all crevices in my tank have a snail or a hermit or something and I hope that will do the trick

250 Dwarf Ceriths
36 Nassarius
53 Florida Ceriths
40 Nerites
45 assorted hermits
5 limpets
3 Chitons
2 Emerald Crabs
1 Fighting conch
1 Pencil Urchin
 
Fan Worms: Are they good or not so

Fan Worms: Are they good or not so

Tank has been filled with water and rocks for about 7 months. This was a dry rock that now is housing hundreds of fan worms. Is this a good sign or not so good. If not so good any suggestions? are appreciated Thanks

 
Of course it's a good sign! Fanworms/tubeworms are very sensitive to conditions and difficult to keep for any length of time, so you must be doing something right. The type you have show up at random by luck of the draw. You can't order them in, so if you have them count yourself lucky!

Dave.M
 
Thanks Dave Over the past 15 yrs in this hobby never saw that many fanworms/tubeworms forming on a dry rock. Hardly any on the 1000lbs of live rock I bought.. good news is always welcome and thanks
 
Of course it's a good sign! Fanworms/tubeworms are very sensitive to conditions and difficult to keep for any length of time, so you must be doing something right. The type you have show up at random by luck of the draw. You can't order them in, so if you have them count yourself lucky!

Dave.M

+1 on what Dave said. I usually find them on the bottom sides of rocks, in areas where flow is a little lower as well as light.
 
Steve that is exactly where they are forming That area in the picture was covered by another rock/coral that I moved away and was in a low flow area. Just got surprised at the number of them. Always thought they were good to have but the quantity caused my question and I am glad it is a good thing..
 
Steve that is exactly where they are forming That area in the picture was covered by another rock/coral that I moved away and was in a low flow area. Just got surprised at the number of them. Always thought they were good to have but the quantity caused my question and I am glad it is a good thing..

If you do some reading on cryptic zones and cryptic filtration you will read more about why they form in these areas and the benefits they have on your system. I had an 80g tank on my last system that had the glass blacked out, filled with rocks and low flow and no light. Within a couple of months the glass and rocks started to become covered with them and then some sponges started to form.
 
Combating Bubbles

Combating Bubbles

I give Matt an A++ for hiseffort in combating bubbles. Heremoved the eggcrate from the end ections of the sump where the water flows in from the two smaller tanks and replaced it with this made to fit small spillway flow controll: water flows from left to right under the divider then over the next one and so on then to the main sump chamber where the pumps are


The above replaces the egg crate on the bottom section of the following not so clear of a picture.


next we are adding bio ball in the section where the return pipes are in the back segmet of the pump and add some 4 inch foam in the back section on either side of the returns. Pictures will follow after we get that part done.

Also Matt is going to remove and place Teflon tape on the flows on top of the MT shown on previous picture above to prevent any possible infiltration.... HOPE this works as the tank is magnificent and viewing it without bubbles in extremely impressive ( stopped all flows one day and admired it)
 
Had lots of star fish: Where are they

Had lots of star fish: Where are they

The rock Ii bought had hundreds of small brittle star fish like these..





Now:: I have not seen a single one in a very long time in the DT
Where did they go?? Anyone good at solving mysteries, please chime in
 
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