OK! Enough chat...Starting a 1000g+ Reef

[melev]

The problem with testing a bucket after it is opened, is how much it has settled. This is a real problem as elements mixed into the salt have different masses and settle out to different depths. Because I make quite a bot of water at one time, I don't have this issue, but many reef keepers may only do 5 or 10g at a time, so their results will vary greatly.

That's true. I've never felt the need to roll a bucket around on the ground, or stir it with a big stick. Then again, I'm making 55g of water at a time, and the buckets seem to barely make 160g of water. I get three water changes out of a bucket, basically. Shaking/mixing it up won't hurt a thing, that's for sure.

I also don't buy into testing the pH of water change water. As has been stated by more than one scientific mind, matching pH is virtually irrelevant due to the complexity of the elements involved. When you mix two volumes of water with different pH levels, you do not get an average, and likewise, mixing volumes of "identical" pH does not mean the result will be as well.

pH is just an easy indicator, but shouldn't be the final decision-maker. In my case, it led me to buffer the water because it was too low, which resolved the lacking alkalinity that I wasn't even aware of at the time. Testing with all the kits is ideal, but most people don't do that.


Yeah, I tried to write it to not be misleading, but I had a feeling I failed. The whole point is perception, not truth. When you are linked to the business, the perception is that you may have something to gain by a positive review of a product.

And that is exactly what I was concerned about, because that statement tends to take on a life of its own if it doesn't get addressed. I guess I could just ignore it, but that isn't how I tend to live my life. If I like a product and say so, there are questions about why I'm stating my opinion. I guess I'd like to hear their thoughts when I don't like a product. I love Blue Life's RedSlime Control & Phosphate Control, but that doesn't seem to set off any red flags for most people. Heck, I love a lot of stuff, and hate other stuff. Seems about par for the course. :mixed:

I don't follow those guys but it's not surprising in the least. How about Brightwell? That's more interesting to me.

How so? He was supposed to fly out for our Next Wave conference last year, but had to cancel unfortunately.

 

[jnarowe]

just the whole thing with Kent etc. Strange stuff goes on in the business. I guess like any business, but it just seems to be very cut-throat and bizarre at times.

 

[Nanook]

 

[jnarowe]

so I am trying to help out a bonehead with some ideas on finishing out his stand. he has a steel stand and is looking for ways to conceal the equipment. I have suggested a myriad of materials, but I would like to get him some pictures.

Anyone remember that seet black stand that had perforated or mesh black facings? I have been searching for an hour and just cannot find it.

I would love to get together a bunch of pictures to send him of ways to finish out a metal stand.

Thanks!!

 

[jnarowe]

Thanks for fixing the thread Dave. I and all of my three fans really appreciate it! :lol:

 

[Nanook]

You are very welcome!!

Page 30

 

[Goodwin9]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14188086#post14188086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Thanks for fixing the thread Dave. I and all of my three fans really appreciate it! :lol:

I got notification of new post shortly after they were made and not days later. :thumbsup:

Problem is this morning, your thread did not show up on my list of subscribed thread??????

 

[jnarowe]

That has happened before too Chuck. Many people, if not all, lost their subscriptions a while back. I certainly would not want to be a techie for RC. The amount of data they have to keep straight is mind boggling. I was perusing my old subscribed threads looking for a cool DIY stand and was amazed at how much is in my list.

 

[Electrobes]

Man it's been a while since I looked over this thread! As a small tank reefer, I am so frickin' envious of your fish population J, so pretty. Watching the big blue video almost led me to start building a 1000G tank! Might as well plan for my funeral too, as the wife would have scalpel in hand

 

[jnarowe]

actually, you can survive quite a long time without a scalp!

 

[michika]

I lost my subscription and couldn't figure out for the longest time why I wasn't getting updates.

At least without a scalp you can save on the cost of shampoo and conditioner!

 

[jnarowe]

:lol: I also have not been posting much. With a serious back problem, not much is being done on my tank and it is suffering because of it.

I had put the stupid RO/DI resin cartridges in upside down yet again, and stupidly didn't realize that the resin wasn't being used up. This of course, coincided with my back problems to form the typical reef keeping perfect storm.

I have one heck of a crop of HA, but parameters seem to be solid and I am doing a water change every week. I lost a significant number of my frags but the main colonies are holding their own. In particular, the Tyree colonies seems to flourish no matter how bad I abuse the tank. I know there is much discussion about the validity of LE corals, but Iam truly amazed at how resilient ALL of my Tyree colonies are.

Anyway, the PSAS has planned a tank tour for our side of Puget Sound for February, and due to my back issues and a poor showing tank, I doubt I can participate. I would guess that is a blow for the event, but maybe they will re-schedule it for later in the year.

My good friend Sherman (sherm71tank) came by to help me extricate frags and clean up some of the damaged corals, as well as moving the Tyree rock away from the GBTA. The very next day my son commented that the GBTA appeared to have grown 8", but I think really what it did was just spread out some more. My goal for the forums next month is to try and capture a decent video of the GBTA from the top down. This is a rediculous goal since the anemone is so large, I cannot get it all into the frame using a top-down box, but I will give it my all.

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14223287#post14223287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe

My goal for the forums next month is to try and capture a decent video of the GBTA from the top down. This is a rediculous goal since the anemone is so large, I cannot get it all into the frame using a top-down box, but I will give it my all.

I look forward to it!

Maybe you'll get a shot of your little GSM lady giving you the "stink-eye". :lol:

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14222982#post14222982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
actually, you can survive quite a long time without a scalp!

:lol:

 

[erics3000]

make it 4

 

[jnarowe]

what?

 

[erics3000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14188086#post14188086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Thanks for fixing the thread Dave. I and all of my three fans really appreciate it! :lol:

Its all right. I guess to many drugs..hahahah.

 

[jnarowe]

:lol: oh...that was too long ago for my 2/3 brain!

 

[erics3000]

yeah that's what i figured. funny thing is I never had a brain trouble but still can't remember worth %$# hehehehe

 

[jnarowe]

Couple of notes:

Sorry I have been silent for so long. I am still dealing with back problems, cannot maintain my tank properly, etc. waah, waaah. I will be having surgery on my back Tuesday and for about a month following will have very restricted activity. So not much will be happening tank-wise other than just trying to keep params good and making sure my son is feeding etc.

Current Projects:

1. Salt: Jan and I are slowly developing a plan to create a very clean reliable salt source for ourselves and perhaps even for others here locally. We are working on getting most ingredients shipped in, and buying the sodium chloride locally. This is currently entering a testing phase which we will report back on when we have enough data.

This may turn into some sort of business, or perhaps fund raiser for PSAS, but I will leave that for later when we have a better idea on cost-effectiveness.

2. I am still testing kalkwassers. Believe it or not I continue to work with these and have tried a couple of new ones in the last month. I am currently working with one that seems to have a high purity, but also is giving me some trouble with getting sticky. More to come after I recover!

3. I am working on some sources and applications for seaweed. I have been investigating various seaweeds, how fish like or dislike them, and how they can most effectively be fed. I am also working with form factor and some that are entirely organic and grown in Kalifornia. I will release an article on my findings some time after I recover from the surgery, but I will say I am VERY excited about the results so far.

Sad News:

It loos like Sherman will be taking a break from the hobby for a while. He has been doing it for so many years and is just about tired out about it. I will keep some of his livestock for him and perhaps will do a rescue thread for some of the fish etc. This is all going to go down tomorrow so I will assess the situation and give more information as I get it.

I feel for Sherman on this, and have told him that many times I felt discouraged but if it weren't for the size of my reef, I might have done the same. His family comes first as always, and I will be glad to support him both now and when he decides to get back in.

And a side note:

If I die on the table I just wanted to say I love you all. Sherman, Bill, Kevin, and D. Nguyen will be responsible for breaking down my reef and distributing the parts near and far. They get first dibs! Except for the stuf I am holding for Steve Weast. He gets that back! Then comes DR members and the PSAS. I want the hair algae to go to StevethePlumb.