Taking the Plunge

[Schwe]

How about if the yellow is a babbie and the Powder Brown is larger when it is added? And, added at night?

I'm just trying to work out the logistics... The fish will be QT'd anyway, so by the time it is added or a bit later on down the road, I might have the brown to QT with it and/or add simultaneously?

 

[raen]

Girl Please......that tank is looking GREAT!!!! I have tank envy!

 

[Schwe]

Thanks Rae.


I finally found time to pick up my superman frag. Pictures later, working on an Organic Chemistry lab right now.

 

[kar93]

Tank looks awesome, Schwe! That blue background really set of the colors.

 

[Schwe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13301687#post13301687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Tank looks awesome, Schwe! That blue background really set of the colors.

thanks!

 

[timschmidt]

Man it's like there never was any algae! Proves hard work and dedication pays off.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13299068#post13299068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schwe
How about if the yellow is a babbie and the Powder Brown is larger when it is added? And, added at night?

I'm just trying to work out the logistics... The fish will be QT'd anyway, so by the time it is added or a bit later on down the road, I might have the brown to QT with it and/or add simultaneously?

night time won't make a difference. Probably adding them together which is another "accepted" way of doing it, would be the best idea here.

 

[Schwe]

Acclimating

In the tank

And the pretty little green ORA birdsnest frag I can't wait until those polyps REALLY open up.

 

[Schwe]

One of the very few decent pictures I have of the Banded Sleeper Goby.

 

[Schwe]

Wow, I felt like I was taking a Chemistry test!!

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-01/rhf/index.php

32 %
Novice Reef Chemist

 

[timschmidt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13304300#post13304300 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schwe
Wow, I felt like I was taking a Chemistry test!!

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-01/rhf/index.php

32 %
Novice Reef Chemist

Dunno competitive nature I'm sure, but I got 36%.

Man that was tough! (but I learned a thing or two)

 

[Schwe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13304787#post13304787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by timschmidt
Dunno competitive nature I'm sure, but I got 36%.

Man that was tough! (but I learned a thing or two)

Hey, I get it-- I'm super competetive, too!

I picked up a pair of 10" feeding tongs from Petsmart for $8.99... they're on the website for $6.99. If you bring in a print out of the price on line, they'll match it. I picked them up because I just stumbled upon them at the store, but otherwise I always print out prices of what I want to buy at Petsmart because they're always lower than the store prices.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752620

This sure beats using a little rinky-dink pair of tweezers for feeding! :lol:

 

[Schwe]

I'm looking for a reliable but cost-effective Mg test kit...

What does everyone recommend? I have not been able to find one locally, so it looks like I'm going to have to order online.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+4394&pcatid=4394

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+14694&pcatid=14694

Also, I have an Alk test, but not a Calcium test.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+4397&pcatid=4397

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+15481&pcatid=15481

Why are these things so friggin expensive?! I've heard that Red Sea test kits are flaky, but how much so? Are they acceptable for my purposes, where I just want to raise my Mg/Alk and then maintain it with 2-part?

Also, is Tech-M the best option or would this also work? It's nice that it is in dry form and can dose more, although is it risky diluting a dry formula VS just using liquid?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4787

F&S also has this.. I've never heard of this manufacturer.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ubref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0029777000000

 

[raen]

I love Petsmart for the same reason!!!

 

[timschmidt]

Well I use seachem and as far as CA and MG the tests aren't too bad. But I do think that getting the titration liquid out of the dropper is a bit ... rough. The tests are accurate down to something like .1 ml but the drops are like .3 or .4ml each. CA is quick and easy and MG is a bit more involved. Strontium! FORGET IT! I got just because some of the dosing stuff I had included strontium and I wanted to make sure I didn't over dose and that test is LONG and COMPLICATED. Way too many moving parts. No complaints for the CA and MG, but for ALK Seachem supposedly isn't all that great. Just my thoughts.

Kent supplements seem to be most popular.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13309994#post13309994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schwe
Hey, I get it-- I'm super competetive, too!

I picked up a pair of 10" feeding tongs from Petsmart for $8.99... they're on the website for $6.99. If you bring in a print out of the price on line, they'll match it. I picked them up because I just stumbled upon them at the store, but otherwise I always print out prices of what I want to buy at Petsmart because they're always lower than the store prices.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752620

This sure beats using a little rinky-dink pair of tweezers for feeding! :lol:

Tong are awesome... I can't believe I used to feed without them :lol:

I still need to get one of those long robot looking claws everyone around here seems to have for picking up things in the tank, so they don't get their hands wet.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13310088#post13310088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schwe
I'm looking for a reliable but cost-effective Mg test kit...

What does everyone recommend? I have not been able to find one locally, so it looks like I'm going to have to order online.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+4394&pcatid=4394

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+14694&pcatid=14694

Also, I have an Alk test, but not a Calcium test.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+4397&pcatid=4397

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+15481&pcatid=15481

Why are these things so friggin expensive?! I've heard that Red Sea test kits are flaky, but how much so? Are they acceptable for my purposes, where I just want to raise my Mg/Alk and then maintain it with 2-part?

Also, is Tech-M the best option or would this also work? It's nice that it is in dry form and can dose more, although is it risky diluting a dry formula VS just using liquid?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4787

F&S also has this.. I've never heard of this manufacturer.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ubref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0029777000000

I like API & Salifert kits.

API are a little easier to use, and for the Ca & Alk I didn't notice a large difference in readings when I switched to Salifert.

As far as Mag goes... I've only ever used Salifert.

 

[Schwe]

Yeah.. every where I've looked, Salifert is like 30 bucks. I just found a website selling it for $17.99, though!

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13310458#post13310458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schwe
Yeah.. every where I've looked, Salifert is like 30 bucks. I just found a website selling it for $17.99, though!

That's definitely a good deal.

SaltyCritter has them, but they are $23.99

http://www.saltycritter.com/testkits.htm

 

[Schwe]

Now let's see if they kill me on the shipping!