Pete's 280 log

[psteeleb]

Thank you

I was having my AC units replaced so I had them relocate the main return as part of the install - basically no charge and this way its under their warranty, I instructed them to leave the old grate and duct fitting so my part was easy, All I had to do was run the wiring and build the box enclosure.

If I didn’t replace my AC units I would have relocated the duct myself. I t would have been easy as it’s just that flexible type.

Not sure if you can see it but there is a small box in the fan unit that has an adjustable temperature control dial. This way you can just dial in the temperature you want the fan to turn on at. I think I have it set at about 84 degrees. It has been kicking on more often since I mounted all of my light ballasts up high about 5 feet away form the opening.

 

[chrismunn]

you have a very beutifull tank!

one of these days i want to come up to the DFW area to see some of the tanks you guys at DFWMAS are running. i guess i should probably meet the people in my area first though

so what are the plans regarding the flatworms?

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11986007#post11986007 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismunn
you have a very beutifull tank!

one of these days i want to come up to the DFW area to see some of the tanks you guys at DFWMAS are running. i guess i should probably meet the people in my area first though

so what are the plans regarding the flatworms?

Thanks - keep an eye on the DFWMAS forum - there’s another tank tour in the planning stage

As for the flatworms: Right now I'm doing some reading. I'll also be looking at adding one or two wrasses to the tank. I am very suspect that I've always had them, but they were in check due to red bugs, either due to predation or food competition. Seems ironic that you treat for red bugs and get a flatworm breakout. I haven’t convinced myself to dip all my arcos, I don’t even know if this is feasible with a couple of them. The tri-color that had the most of them on it is an encrusted coral on a rock that is probably over 16” around. I’d like to see if I can do some in tank treatments but as of right now I’m not finding anything that seems to be considered successful. So, I’ll continue to blast the corals and keep an eye out for them. This will be part of my daily routine until I can get past them. I can see maybe setting up one of those tubs and moving everything to it for a couple days but not long term.

Today I did not see any of the flatworms while blasting, so I guess that’s some good news.

 

[psteeleb]

Today I blasted for the AEFW's again and saw none. I then decided to turn off all pumps and mixed up some tank water and Lugals, 4 drops to 4 oz so it was fairly potent. Using a syringe I squirted the solution into the infected coral, let it stand a few minutes and turned on the pumps. I figured it should be almost as good as dipping it a Lougals bath as the solution would have lingered in the coral for a while.

 

[nick063]

wow great thread, giving me ideas for my update, its in wall right? do you have a "fish room"? Also what kinda support is under that beautiful tank?

 

[chrismunn]

so you say your actually considering removing everything for a dip!? you dont think you should consider the wrasse for natural predation first, and if that fails, then resort to the more extreme measures of control?

and how exactly do these tank tours work? do you get a group of people together and go from house to house checking out peoples tanks?

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11993196#post11993196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nick063
wow great thread, giving me ideas for my update, its in wall right? do you have a "fish room"? Also what kinda support is under that beautiful tank?

Thanks,
The tank is in a hall that seemed to have no real purpose. The house is over 20 years old and I'm thinking they may have removed a couple walls to open the rooms up. Here is a sketch of the area before the tank

and here is sketch of it installed

the house has a regualr slab foundation, the tank is near a main support wall so I'm sure there is a concrete footer near it

I bought the tank used, It had a nice stand that was covered with 3/4" solid oak cabinetry and a full hood. I removed the outside oak as I'm not using it or the hood. The stand is 2X4 & 2X6 construction with 3/4" plywood glued and screwed on the back and sides for lateral bracing. The wood appears to be sealed. I added a pond liner with turned up sides to hold any water spills. The liner has come in pretty handy a couple times

In a sense I have two small fish rooms , just no plumbing to it. I do intend to route in a line form my RO/DI unit for top off and water changes.

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11993300#post11993300 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismunn
so you say your actually considering removing everything for a dip!? you dont think you should consider the wrasse for natural predation first, and if that fails, then resort to the more extreme measures of control?

and how exactly do these tank tours work? do you get a group of people together and go from house to house checking out peoples tanks?

Dipping appears to be the only way to be sure, but it would be very tough, and I'd have to break up my large plates to get the large corals out. So for now I'm going to continue to water blast daily, pick up a couple other wrasses as you suggested, monitor and go from there. I may remove the easy to get corals and dip them, but of course they don't seem to be affected. And instead of dosing Lougals every couple weeks I think I'll continue with my pumps off, in tank, soaking

The tank tours are a great way to meet other members, get some good ideas and see some great setups. We seem to have them about every 6 months. Generally speaking we will pick a set of dates and general area and people will start chiming in if they want to host or just be a spectator. A date is locked in and once we get about 8 hosts someone will put together an itinerary and map. The first couple houses will usually have coffee, juice and some snacks, Mid day someone may provide sandwiches or snacks and we always seem to have a get together ant the end of them and enjoy a few beers and some more food.

 

[austinvanover]

Nice looking set-up

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11994251#post11994251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by austinvanover
Nice looking set-up

thanks

Even though I like and care for the sps the most, I must not forget this is a mixed reef

here are some of the softies on the bottom 1/3 of the tank

and a couple LPS
Frogspawn

and some blasto's

 

[ReefEnabler]

wow your clowns look almost blood red, how cool! i saw a pair like that at the LFS recently.

sweet rics too. im glad the zoning of the tank looks so nice in yours.

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11997581#post11997581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanBrucks
wow your clowns look almost blood red, how cool! i saw a pair like that at the LFS recently.

sweet rics too. im glad the zoning of the tank looks so nice in yours.

Thanks

The clowns are very red and breed constantly. The poor male is henpecked with duties. I always read they would lay eggs about every 2 weeks but this female is relentless. As soon as one set hatches she is laying eggs that same day. It's been like this for months. We have to almost target feed the male.

The zoning is working okay, there is some pruning of xenia, and I will occasionally keep the GSP in check with some Kalc paste (works great). Mushrooms will float around, fortunately 99% of them end up in one corner of the tank where I can easily grab them and put them in a softie box for mounting and then trade or sell them. Occasionally a mushroom will settle into an unwanted zone, these get an injection of vinegar.

 

[chrismunn]

i just noticed on your experience line that youve been doing salt for 30+ years. what was it like back then? crushed coral substrate, under gravel filters, and natural sea water?
im fairly new to this hobby, (like an infant in your eyes ) and it seems like people are always talking about how all the advancedments in reef keeping have been recent... how hard was keeping a saltwater fish tank 30 years ago, compared to now, and when did it start becoming more advanced?
you dont have to answer that if you dont want, im just curious to hear it from a seasond vet!

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12001944#post12001944 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismunn
i just noticed on your experience line that youve been doing salt for 30+ years. what was it like back then? crushed coral substrate, under gravel filters, and natural sea water?
im fairly new to this hobby, (like an infant in your eyes ) and it seems like people are always talking about how all the advancedments in reef keeping have been recent... how hard was keeping a saltwater fish tank 30 years ago, compared to now, and when did it start becoming more advanced?
you dont have to answer that if you dont want, im just curious to hear it from a seasond vet!

Actually I'm happy to, and its no big deal because I just wrote an article about three months ago on the very subject, called "Then and Now”. Most of the things you mention are right on; with exception to we did have salt mix. Back then I used Instant Ocean. There are a lot of things that haven’t changed much and there are also things that I consider as huge changes. So instead of repeating everything, here’s the link. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did reminiscing about things when I wrote it. My write up starts on page four. Thanks for asking

http://www.dfwmas.org/NewsLetter/dfwmas_newsletter2007_11.pdf

 

[psteeleb]

Next project is reworking some electrical and controls. I needed to run a couple dedicated 20amp services to the tank area and with that completed; it’s now onto tackling my wiring mess.

Here are a couple pictures of working the dedicated electrical. I like those drywall mount electrical boxes, they make for a quick and easy installation.

Here’s a sketch of how I intend to get power and controls to everything. I am also planning on making some custom length cords to minimize the excess. In areas that I need to run extension cords I’ll make them long enough to provide drip loops and that’s about it. For the direct plug items I’ll coil up the excess and use a zip tie. I hate having a bunch of excess cable hanging around.

The timers are all digital with battery backups built in.

 

[chrismunn]

that was a cool article!

the only question i have after reading it is: at what point did you notice corals being introduced into the hobby?

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12020842#post12020842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismunn
that was a cool article!

the only question i have after reading it is: at what point did you notice corals being introduced into the hobby?

probably early to mid 80's. thinking about it, I almost laugh as the person was real proud of his tank. I recall it having live rock, VHO's or PC's . It was a bare bottom, first one I'd seen. All to house some basic brown mushrooms that had a tint of green to them .

 

[melev]

Nice tank, Pete. Have we met?

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12021862#post12021862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Nice tank, Pete. Have we met?

Thanks Marc

Nope don't know you, that is, unless you’re that "cool dude" that frequents DFWMAS

People should know that your site and information on your tank posted here and at DFWMAS have been my largest source of information (and inspiration) when setting and continuing to learn about a mixed reef. Again thanks for all your contributions.

 

[melev]

You're doing a great job. I'm glad to have a couple of twigs from your tank in mine.