Newbie Corner Feedback-Reefkeeping 101

[krestonc]

where did it go?

where did it go?

when i found this site, years ago, there was an article titled something like, "So you want to start a reef tank."
i believe something i read in that article led me to never vacuum my DSB. i think it has/had something to do with not disturbing the process.?.
now, i can't seem to find that article, nor have i been able to find any similar article or thread with any info on this particular subject.
what is your take on the subject?
(i've recently come through a long battle with hair algae. the guy that helped me cure the 'disease' wants me to vacuum the sand, but i'm a little reluctant. i don't have any issues with phosphates, or anything. it doesn't look that bad, at least i don't mind. however, sparkling clean sand is attractive.)
thank you

 

[Aquarist007]

when i found this site, years ago, there was an article titled something like, "So you want to start a reef tank."
i believe something i read in that article led me to never vacuum my DSB. i think it has/had something to do with not disturbing the process.?.
now, i can't seem to find that article, nor have i been able to find any similar article or thread with any info on this particular subject.
what is your take on the subject?
(i've recently come through a long battle with hair algae. the guy that helped me cure the 'disease' wants me to vacuum the sand, but i'm a little reluctant. i don't have any issues with phosphates, or anything. it doesn't look that bad, at least i don't mind. however, sparkling clean sand is attractive.)
thank you

How deep is your sand bed and how long has it been in operation.
I personally prefer a sand bed of no more than an inch in the display tank. That one I keep clean with weekly basting of it with a turkey baster, directed flow across the bottom it and inverts such as necessarius snails and sand sifting stars.
this sand bed really functions for fish ect that like to use it or live in it and it looks nice and white.

However that said I run a remote deep sand bed(in a refugium) This sand bed is six inches and the rest of the tank is live rock. It is never disturbed and looks ugly as heck---however it is teeming with life and is doing its job to reduce nitrates.
Deep sand beds require you not to disturb the top level and or add creatures that can consume the life in the very top layer--most important for caring the nitrates etc to the bottom levels of the deep sand bed that harbour the nitrate reducing bacteria.

As far as reducing algae---nitrates in the deeps sand bed would only be part of the reason---weekly lightly basting with a turkey baster and directing flow across it should solve that depending on how old the sand bed is.

Further ways of reducing algae include
increased flow
using ro/di water
rinsing frozen food before using
chaeto macro algae in a refugium
fish such as a fox face and small tang or coral beauty angel
cutting back on feeding

 

[Aquarist007]

when i found this site, years ago, there was an article titled something like, "So you want to start a reef tank."
i believe something i read in that article led me to never vacuum my DSB. i think it has/had something to do with not disturbing the process.?.
now, i can't seem to find that article, nor have i been able to find any similar article or thread with any info on this particular subject.
what is your take on the subject?
(i've recently come through a long battle with hair algae. the guy that helped me cure the 'disease' wants me to vacuum the sand, but i'm a little reluctant. i don't have any issues with phosphates, or anything. it doesn't look that bad, at least i don't mind. however, sparkling clean sand is attractive.)
thank you

for more information on deep sand beds go to my log thread and there is also a link to the thread you were mentioning
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1786183

 

[krestonc]

sand bed is about four inches, the minimum for an effective dsb. it, as the rest of the system, has been up for about a year. the refugium is only a small 15g, so obviously that is not enough to rely on.
i did let the the lfs sell me some nassarius snails and a fighting conch, which apparently i will need to get rid of.
i would prefer, of course, to have the dsb hidden, but it's just not a possibilty at this point.
you did answer my main question, though. i knew there was a reason i didn't vacuum the sand.
i've got a small blue tang currently. i have had trouble with coral beauties and featherdusters in the past, so as much as i like the fish, i'm a bit leery of adding one. perhaps a foxface. that would def. add some nice color
as for my other question... do you know what article i was referring to? it was invaluable for me when i got started and have referred many to it. is it still here? i think it was more condensed (to the point) than what is currently available here.

 

[wurking_girl]

Help - I'm lost!

Help - I'm lost!

Okay, this falls under the lame category of 'any question your feeble Newbie mind can conjure up.' I just seem to be having trouble getting oriented to RC. For some reason, some of the links in the posts don't work for me, and I can't seem to locate areas that are referenced in other posts. :hmm4:

After a round-about hunt, I did finally discover the NEW Cap'n's log book (great stuff there!) :celeb2:, but I still haven't found an area with equipment reviews OR a vendor feedback section. Sorry if these are very basic questions, but I feel like I'm bumbling around like a...well, like a Newbie...and as I am a woman and not afraid to ask for directions, I thought I'd ask if you can point me to a quick primer!?

I'm doing my research for a new tank and I'd really like to read some equipment reviews and find some reliable vendors in my area, but I'm finding them rather by hit or miss - seems like there must be a better way.

Thanks for the help - the info I have been able to find has been absolutely wonderful!

 

[Aquarist007]

Okay, this falls under the lame category of 'any question your feeble Newbie mind can conjure up.' I just seem to be having trouble getting oriented to RC. For some reason, some of the links in the posts don't work for me, and I can't seem to locate areas that are referenced in other posts. :hmm4:

After a round-about hunt, I did finally discover the NEW Cap'n's log book (great stuff there!) :celeb2:, but I still haven't found an area with equipment reviews OR a vendor feedback section. Sorry if these are very basic questions, but I feel like I'm bumbling around like a...well, like a Newbie...and as I am a woman and not afraid to ask for directions, I thought I'd ask if you can point me to a quick primer!?

I'm doing my research for a new tank and I'd really like to read some equipment reviews and find some reliable vendors in my area, but I'm finding them rather by hit or miss - seems like there must be a better way.

Thanks for the help - the info I have been able to find has been absolutely wonderful!

Try this forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=212

thanks for the kudos on the log book thread

there is also the vendors experience forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=8

 

[terri_ann]

You definitely have come to the right place working girl! I too am a woman and get lost, fumble around and become confused over this hobby...it can be quite technical at times, going over my head more than I wish to admit!!

Cap't is a great resource and guy here at RC!! He's always ready to provide experienced insight!

Of course there are many great members here...enjoy your travels:reading: and Welcome, Wurking girl!!!:fish2:

 

[Aquarist007]

You definitely have come to the right place working girl! I too am a woman and get lost, fumble around and become confused over this hobby...it can be quite technical at times, going over my head more than I wish to admit!!

Cap't is a great resource and guy here at RC!! He's always ready to provide experienced insight!

Of course there are many great members here...enjoy your travels:reading: and Welcome, Wurking girl!!!:fish2:

Now stop making me blush Terri ann:lol:

Girls night out on the reef thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1568586&page=33

 

[wurking_girl]

Thanks Cap'n - very helpful...as usual!

 

[Aquarist007]

Thanks Cap'n - very helpful...as usual!

always a pleasure to help out:thumbsup:

 

[terri_ann]

Now stop making me blush Terri ann:lol:

Girls night out on the reef thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1568586&page=33

Blushing's good, Capn! Your new website is NICE:beer: A few tweeks here and there, and you're finished! I especially like your write-up on the "Points to Consider"! Well done:inlove:

Of course I have been watching the Winter Olympics, as are my tankmates! They especially like the Mens' aireals (OOPS...can't spell that one right:mixed. They are using one of the rocks for takeoff! Dang! One just crashed!:spin1:

By the way, we are 7th in our all time snow fall...about 1" more and we'll be in the top 3:thumbdown Do you want me to UPS you some??!!!

 

[Aquarist007]

Blushing's good, Capn! Your new website is NICE:beer: A few tweeks here and there, and you're finished! I especially like your write-up on the "Points to Consider"! Well done:inlove:

Of course I have been watching the Winter Olympics, as are my tankmates! They especially like the Mens' aireals (OOPS...can't spell that one right:mixed. They are using one of the rocks for takeoff! Dang! One just crashed!:spin1:

By the way, we are 7th in our all time snow fall...about 1" more and we'll be in the top 3:thumbdown Do you want me to UPS you some??!!!

glad its the winter olympics and not the summer----some fish love the carpet surfing.:eek2::spin2:

 

[creep42031]

Hey I have a 25 gallon tank with 2 clown fishes,blenny, an to trigger fishes. .. n now I'm collecting red slim on the tank.. I have the treatment but dot know how to use it... help plzzzzz

 

[terri_ann]

I don't recommend using the product before trying other methods. What are your water parameters?, your feeding regime?, how old is the tank?, etc. Providing us with more info will help us to help you

A 25 gallon tank is not large enough to hold your triggerfish! They are also too aggressive for clownfish. You need to research the fish you are thinking of buying BEFORE purchasing:reading: I don't want to sound bad here but you have apparently been led down the wrong path:fish2: You have come to the right place to get help and information:bounce3:

 

[terri_ann]

Hey all you Canadian fans!

Hey all you Canadian fans!

Congrats on the Women's Gold for Hockey:celeb1::beer:

 

[creep42031]

Well I have one trigger fish n he isn't aggressive at all... n I had one fish that looks like a lion fish starts with a C... my water levels r perfect besides my nitrate... I'm having problems on bringing that down.I have a good relation with my fish supplier n the most aggressive thing I've seen the triggerfish do was eat my peppermint shrimp...n I always top off my tank with RO WATER...I've had my ta kank for 6 months now... n I also have mushrooms....I've tried to suck up the red slim up but it comes back n I went to my fish supplier n my other spot I go to n hey said this treatment I had is good but I need more info on it or how to get rid of it....... plzzzz help..

 

[OoBubblesoO]

the articles are very helpful ...thank you so much

 

[Aquarist007]

Well I have one trigger fish n he isn't aggressive at all... n I had one fish that looks like a lion fish starts with a C... my water levels r perfect besides my nitrate... I'm having problems on bringing that down.I have a good relation with my fish supplier n the most aggressive thing I've seen the triggerfish do was eat my peppermint shrimp...n I always top off my tank with RO WATER...I've had my ta kank for 6 months now... n I also have mushrooms....I've tried to suck up the red slim up but it comes back n I went to my fish supplier n my other spot I go to n hey said this treatment I had is good but I need more info on it or how to get rid of it....... plzzzz help..

Red slime remover is not reccommended for tanks under one year old. Besides knocking out the cyno bacteria it also can kill some of the good bacteria on your live rock that process the ammonia and nitrates in your tank.

The cyano is feeding off the existing nitrates (and phosphates ) in your tank
If you use the red slime remover and or shut the lights off for 3 days in your tank as the LFS has probably suggested too---the cyano will just come back again do to the nitrate levels

Here is some suggestions:
make sure you have a flow of between 20-40 times the volume of your tank
make sure the flow is going across the substrate
once a week take a turkey baster and baste the reef rock and lightly baste the sand bed---this gets the cyano fuel back into the water where it can be filtered out
feed less at one time
rinse off all frozen food before adding---can be full of nitrates and phosphates from the breeding tanks
rather then two small water changes do a 30 per cent water change at one time--this has more affect on reducing nitrates
setup and run a phosban reactor and also run carbon in another reactor
look into setting up a refugium---with chaeto macro you won't have a nitrate problem for long
run a deep sand bed remotely(as in a refugium)

 

[terri_ann]

+1 Cap'n! I knew I could count on you! Short on time right now so got to run:spin1:

 

[creep42031]

So what do I do with a Turkey Baster.. I don't get it.. I suck up the stuff on the rock n place it on the sand???????? I'm lost bro...so how can I remove the slim now??? There's a lot in the tank!!