Pete's 280 log

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13081317#post13081317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psteeleb
During feeding time today I noticed Marks Mille frag trying to grab some food. Nothing special in the food, just cyclopseze, mysis and a food mix. But the coral sure did respond. A few minutes later the PE was back to normal.

what are you running for lights to get those awesome colours?

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13081338#post13081338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
I love the PE your getting from the Milli you got from Marc. And the blue tips on that Birds Nest. Are you using a macro for any of these?

thanks - the camera I'm using is a fixed lens Panasonic Lumix. When I bought it I though it had a good Macro but after trying and trying to take pictures in Macro mode with no success, I found that you have to be real close or 3ft away, so unless the coral is right up against the glass it just wont work.

99% of the pictures I take are on Aperture priority mode, this works real well for all distances when using the top down photo box Marc made. When I shoot through the glass it seems to do okay for close ups (better then the Macro mode even, as the focal length is longer) but when I'm trying to shoot something through the front glass and anything more then a few inches of water I just can't get a good focus. I suspect the glass must throw off the auto-focus

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13081531#post13081531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
what are you running for lights to get those awesome colours?

thanks - I run 2, 165w 72" atinics and 3, 250w 14k reflux mounted in the Lumbright reflectors. Colors looking from the top down are awesome.

 

[psteeleb]

turf algea concept

turf algea concept

since I changed out my lighting I'm geting some GHA and turf algae in the overflows. no biggie as my tangs keep the display picked clean of the stuff and I'll just yank the stuff out of my overflows every few weeks.

After reading the thread on making a turf algae water fall, I got to thinking what if I lowered my durso's a few inches and added some eggcrate to the overflows and let the turf algae grow all over it. It may not be as effective as some of the other designs but I don't know why it wouldn't work :idea:

 

[melev]

"Sounds" noisy, I'd imagine.

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13083728#post13083728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
"Sounds" noisy, I'd imagine.

I was thinking that also but not sure as the algae itself may act as a sound deadener as the water falls, or more cascades over it.

 

[melev]

If you have enough algae, that is.

 

[BigJay]

Pete, which tang would you say eats the most of the stuff?

I thought your blenny was doing most of the aquatic gardening in your tank. Jabba was even eating film algae off of the glass the last time I saw him.

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13084675#post13084675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigJay
Pete, which tang would you say eats the most of the stuff?

I thought your blenny was doing most of the aquatic gardening in your tank. Jabba was even eating film algae off of the glass the last time I saw him.

I'd say the 3 yellows graze the most as they are constantly grazing, so they probably do most of the clean up on the rocks. I've read that the Kole tangs are the best grazers though.

Jabba (the lawnmower blenny) mostly picks the slime algae off the glass but I will see him chomp down on the rocks every once and a while, just not as often.

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13083907#post13083907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
If you have enough algae, that is.

Good point, if I try this I think I'll start with a small version. Maybe just an inch or two drop with some eggcrate at a 45% angle just inside and below the overflow weir.

 

[jackson5]

My kole tang never quits.Great fish to watch.

 

[SantaMonica]

I got to thinking what if I lowered my durso's a few inches and added some eggcrate to the overflows and let the turf algae grow all over it. It may not be as effective as some of the other designs but I don't know why it wouldn't work

Wow another possible good placement of a turf filter. This is similar to putting a turf screen in the media tray of the sump and having the water crashing down on it (which you still might want to consider... might be easier that what you are thinking of now.) Your idea does require adjusting durso's, but the mounting of the screen up there could be done by just clipping the screen/eggcrate with some plastic clips or such. Biggest concern is light... needs to have a strong direct light that is not shadowed by the overflowing water. Also ease of access, so you can scrape once a week. Sill, consider a version in your sump. Here is the easiest one, which take just a few minutes to install:

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13084745#post13084745 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psteeleb
I'd say the 3 yellows graze the most as they are constantly grazing, so they probably do most of the clean up on the rocks. I've read that the Kole tangs are the best grazers though.

Jabba (the lawnmower blenny) mostly picks the slime algae off the glass but I will see him chomp down on the rocks every once and a while, just not as often.

the combination yellow tang and coral beauty cleaned out my algae originally and I have never had a filament since

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13092941#post13092941 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
the combination yellow tang and coral beauty cleaned out my algae originally and I have never had a filament since

same here - I had some at the start and haven't seen any in my display since. I should add my coral beauty to the list of grazers and my other two tangs (PBT and Regal), but the yellows still appear to do the most grazing on the rocks.

 

[psteeleb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13092135#post13092135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SantaMonica
Wow another possible good placement of a turf filter. This is similar to putting a turf screen in the media tray of the sump and having the water crashing down on it (which you still might want to consider... might be easier that what you are thinking of now.) Your idea does require adjusting durso's, but the mounting of the screen up there could be done by just clipping the screen/eggcrate with some plastic clips or such. Biggest concern is light... needs to have a strong direct light that is not shadowed by the overflowing water. Also ease of access, so you can scrape once a week. Sill, consider a version in your sump. Here is the easiest one, which take just a few minutes to install:

it' has me thinking, there isn't much room in the overflows with the return piping and Eurobracing taking up space; but it may work. I'll just have to play with it some. Since my light upgrade it looks like the area gets plenty of light.

 

[psteeleb]

Nothing new to report on things as I'm away on vacation for 10 days visiting family. My son could not get off work so he's home taking care of the tank, but I'm still nervous about things happening. :worried:

On the flip side it's nice to be out of the 100+ degree heat for a change. It's been a cool 70-75 here in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It's nice to be able to sit back and enjoy a few cold ones while taking in the spectacle of the Olympics, but I do miss my reef tank. I hope everyone gets some time to relax and visit friends or family this summer :beer:

anyone else got plans this summer, and what are you doing to keep yourself sane while away from the reef?

Now I wish I had installed a web cam

 

[kar93]

Hope y'all are having a good time up there. I can onlydream of it being 100+ over here. I'm sure the tank will be fine.

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13124454#post13124454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psteeleb
Nothing new to report on things as I'm away on vacation for 10 days visiting family. My son could not get off work so he's home taking care of the tank, but I'm still nervous about things happening. :worried:

:lol: That explains why you haven't answered the phone.

I wanted to show you what Marc and I did with my canopy and lights.

Have a great vacation Pete.

 

[melev]

I'm going to visit all my <i>family</i> at MACNA next month. :lol:

 

[chrismunn]

my mom is coming to Texas to stay for a week in october. my wife and i are expecting another little girl in late september so were having her come out for a little bit. i already spent my vacation for the year back in may. i spent a week out in california with the family. i didnt have a reef to worry about back then.

have fun in michigan