My 55 gallon reef project
- Thread starter dcombs44
- Start date
dcombs44
New member
I just got back from Cozumel. I got to do my first salt water dive since being certified.
The diving was nice, we saw some nice coral formations, some eels, many different species of sugeons, angels, and some beautiful huge parrotfish. The dive would've been more enjoyable had my wife been certified. She was lead around by the instructor after a worthless 20 minute class, so needless to say she was very uncomfortable. Most of my dive was spent monitoring her safety rather than enjoying the reefs. We did get to do some great snorkeling as well. Next time, she'll be certified, and I think we'll get a lot more out of it.
It was also quite sad to see all of the coral skeltons washed up on the beach after the hurricane in 2005. We brought home a couple nice ones from some sun corals and a maze brain. The amount of coral scattered along the beaches is heartbreaking to say the least. One of the locals said that over 50% of the reefs were lost, but most of them are recovering or have recovered.
I hope to post some pictures some time this week. Most of them aren't worth much, but they are something to look at.
The diving was nice, we saw some nice coral formations, some eels, many different species of sugeons, angels, and some beautiful huge parrotfish. The dive would've been more enjoyable had my wife been certified. She was lead around by the instructor after a worthless 20 minute class, so needless to say she was very uncomfortable. Most of my dive was spent monitoring her safety rather than enjoying the reefs. We did get to do some great snorkeling as well. Next time, she'll be certified, and I think we'll get a lot more out of it.
It was also quite sad to see all of the coral skeltons washed up on the beach after the hurricane in 2005. We brought home a couple nice ones from some sun corals and a maze brain. The amount of coral scattered along the beaches is heartbreaking to say the least. One of the locals said that over 50% of the reefs were lost, but most of them are recovering or have recovered.
I hope to post some pictures some time this week. Most of them aren't worth much, but they are something to look at.
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dcombs44
New member
It's been a while. I'm not having much time to give to my tank lately. It's been overrun with red planaria. I had the afternoon free today, so I double dosed it with Flatworm Exit since the single dose didn't seem to work last time. I'm pretty sure it worked this time. I siphoned out worms for 25 minutes or so before I started, and for another hour after I treated with the FWE. I changed out about 5 gallons of water and added a fresh bag of carbon. My fish are doing well. They immediately rushed out when I dropped a bit of food in the tank, but my corals are looking a little worse for ware. We'll see how they bounce back over the next few hours.
dcombs44
New member
Thanks!! I pray that you never have to deal with flatworms...EVER!!! My Yellow Tang is now breathing a bit heavy, but nothing too serious. The corals haven't recovered yet. I'm in the process of mixing 7 more gallons of water to change out. I need to let it aerate for at least a few hours. If things start to go down hill, I'll probably take my chances with the water anyway.
Wish me luck, and thanks again for the compliments. I've still got a ways to go to make it look like I want, but I feel like I'm progressing at a decent pace.
Wish me luck, and thanks again for the compliments. I've still got a ways to go to make it look like I want, but I feel like I'm progressing at a decent pace.
If you don't buy much of your stuff at Fishman, then where do you buy it at? I get very little stuff there. I usually head either to Marine Solutions in St Louis or over to Premium Aquatics in Indianapolis. If you haven't been, Inland Aquatics in Terra Haute is really something.
dcombs44
New member
I order lots of stuff from Premium Aquatics. I've also heard good things about Inland Aquatics. I shop at Aquatic Treasures in Fairview Heights, IL a bit also and I do a bit of trading locally. I haven't bought any livestock in some time other than some inverts from etropicals.com, so I haven't had a need for a livestock dealer lately. I used to order from a place called Sea Creatures in DuQuoin, IL which is near my home town around Carbondale, IL but it has closed.
Thanks Melev! I may go pics some up to add to my water before changing it out if I can get into a pet store tonight. It's been mixing for about 2 hours now. Do you think if I wait another hour or so that I'll be ok?
Thanks Melev! I may go pics some up to add to my water before changing it out if I can get into a pet store tonight. It's been mixing for about 2 hours now. Do you think if I wait another hour or so that I'll be ok?
dcombs44
New member
Well, I after examining my tank again, I noticed that my clown's fins were starting to fray. I immediately dashed to Meijer (like Wal Mart) and bought some water conditioner from their fish section. I added the recommended dosage and changed out the 7 gallons of water. I'm hoping for the best now. I've got a fresh bag of carbon in the sump as well. Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
melev
Well-known member
When it comes to killing flatworms, it is all in the preparation. You can go buy a ton of water at your supermarket and mix up a larger batch right now.
It isn't so much a water conditioner (dechlorinator) as much as an ammonia-stopping product - that is what I was suggesting. When those little guys die, they release ammonia I believe.
Running carbon through something like a phosban reactor is far better than putting it in a meshbag in the tank or sump.
It isn't so much a water conditioner (dechlorinator) as much as an ammonia-stopping product - that is what I was suggesting. When those little guys die, they release ammonia I believe.
Running carbon through something like a phosban reactor is far better than putting it in a meshbag in the tank or sump.
dcombs44
New member
The item that I bought at the store supposedly removes ammonia, chlorine, and chloramine. I've got about 35 gallons of RO/DI water in jugs right now, I just don't have any of it mixed.
I felt like I was following the directions fairly well on the FWE. I had a small water change ready (albeit not large enough), a pound of carbon, and I siphoned worms before during and after. I don't have a phosban reactor or a canister readily available, and I don't really have the extra funds the get one at this point. I was hoping that a higher flow area through my sump would suffice. I guess we learn from our mistakes. I haven't had a close call in a while. Just an unsightly mess of flatworms.
I fed a bit of enriched brine with some vitachem and selcon before the lights went out, and both fish ate well. Some of my polyps were beginning to open back up before the lights went out, but I also noticed that some of the flatworms made it through the treatment. I'll further investigate the situation in the morning. Isn't this fun.
I felt like I was following the directions fairly well on the FWE. I had a small water change ready (albeit not large enough), a pound of carbon, and I siphoned worms before during and after. I don't have a phosban reactor or a canister readily available, and I don't really have the extra funds the get one at this point. I was hoping that a higher flow area through my sump would suffice. I guess we learn from our mistakes. I haven't had a close call in a while. Just an unsightly mess of flatworms.
I fed a bit of enriched brine with some vitachem and selcon before the lights went out, and both fish ate well. Some of my polyps were beginning to open back up before the lights went out, but I also noticed that some of the flatworms made it through the treatment. I'll further investigate the situation in the morning. Isn't this fun.
melev
Well-known member
What does the skimmate look like?
You could assemble a filter of your own for the carbon, using a container, some fittings, a powerhead and some floss. It would be ghetto but proactive.
Even a length of PVC filled with floss carbon, and endcaps would do it. Just drill one end large enough to insert the powerhead nozzle and the other end open enough to let the water out. Drop that badboy in your sump for the night. 
You could assemble a filter of your own for the carbon, using a container, some fittings, a powerhead and some floss. It would be ghetto but proactive.
Even a length of PVC filled with floss carbon, and endcaps would do it. Just drill one end large enough to insert the powerhead nozzle and the other end open enough to let the water out. Drop that badboy in your sump for the night.
dcombs44
New member
Amazingly, my skimmer isn't pulling much out. I have a Euroreef RS-80, and I'm skimming pretty wet, but not much is being pulled out right now. I may see what I can come up with as far as the makeshift filter. I'll run a quick ammonia test, and see where I'm standing.
Thanks for the continued help!
Thanks for the continued help!
dcombs44
New member
In searching through my extra pipe and fittings, I don't have enough junk to piece anything together.
The ammonia test showed 0, so I'm going to suck it up and go to bed hoping for the best.
My LFS sells mandarins cheap. Assuming I don't have any water problems in a few days and my pod population is in check, I may pick a nice one up in a few days in hopes of it munching on the remainder of the flatworms. I know that's a long shot, but we'll hope for the best. I've been having trouble finding any wrasses that may do the trick, so I guess this is the next best thing.
The ammonia test showed 0, so I'm going to suck it up and go to bed hoping for the best.
My LFS sells mandarins cheap. Assuming I don't have any water problems in a few days and my pod population is in check, I may pick a nice one up in a few days in hopes of it munching on the remainder of the flatworms. I know that's a long shot, but we'll hope for the best. I've been having trouble finding any wrasses that may do the trick, so I guess this is the next best thing.
