zoo tank updates
- Thread starter drbronx
- Start date
The seahorses have arrived at ABC. Three are bright yellow and one is orange. Hopefully we can hold tnhjere color. I purchased some artificial yellow/red plastic decorat6ions for now to put in seahorse tank.
Not sure yet what time he's coming down Paul. I will find out later.
Not sure yet what time he's coming down Paul. I will find out later.
Piazzon12
New member
We could potentially attach a long string/chain to the door, and then hook the opposite end to an eye hook in a more accessible area to secure it when closed. The current problem is that with the seahorse tank it is now impossible to reach the latch without standing on a bucket, and reaching over the tank/lighting, and it makes it very difficult.
Beautiful, thanx paul. Who would have thought after all the design issues we've faced that this would be such a stumbling block.
Tim has come through with dragon faced pipefish. hei informs me that the seahorses are already feeding. we are in business. he also got in some leathers so i am going to snag a yellow sarcophyton to add yellow color to the tank in the hopes of keeping their color.
Tim has come through with dragon faced pipefish. hei informs me that the seahorses are already feeding. we are in business. he also got in some leathers so i am going to snag a yellow sarcophyton to add yellow color to the tank in the hopes of keeping their color.
Tim will be arriving at the zoo at about 12 noon this Friday. He will help us to acclimate thje critters and set things up. Anybody else that set up purchases can meet then as well or I will hold stuff for pick up at my house later.
We are set do do our "dog and pony show" at the zoo on Saturday at 11:15. Everyone is welcome no matter how much they have participated in the display set ups. Everyone's contribution was important!
We are set do do our "dog and pony show" at the zoo on Saturday at 11:15. Everyone is welcome no matter how much they have participated in the display set ups. Everyone's contribution was important!
Piazzon12
New member
Jerry, do we have or are we planning an ATO for the seahorse tank or are we just instructing the zoo workers to do it daily??? I think we need one so that there isnt large fluctuations in salinity, and also to keep the tank at a constant level so as the skimmer operates correctly with the overflow box (or maybe we just remove the overflow box).
Vince, were there extra float switches?? I think there are extra aqualifters floating around.
Vince, were there extra float switches?? I think there are extra aqualifters floating around.
Pipefish and seahorses have been delivered by ABC Reffs and placed in the display and appear to be doing well. I also procured as much red/orange/yellow stuff as I could for the seahorse tank to help them keep their amazing colors: red gracillis, red sea whip gorgonian, red mushrooms, yellow sinularia, orange monti cap, even some fake stuff. The seahorses are eating but I don't think I planned well for the pipefish which may need to be coaxed into eating with live food. I did put pods in but they are microscopic still. We will try some frozen cylopeez or rotifers. If anyone has any live stuff (pods, brine, baby mysis etc) please let me know. Even some refugium macro that has some critters in it would be great.
Sps and other frags appear to be holding up well so I brought in a bunch more frags. We are still battling red slime algae blooms. Possibly the diy rocks contain silicates since the red slime appears to be concentrated wherevefr there is remaining DIY rock. It is also possible that when I added vinegar to combat high pH might have contributed to a build up of acetate and therefore the formation of bacterial mats. Vince and I started discussing the possibility of adding a refugium. I haver a 20 gallon long we can use. Vince feels we would probably need to build a shelf over the sump. We will discuss it tomorrow.
BTW the seahorse tank already has a donating sponsor so we seem to be making money for the zoo!
I hope to see some folks tomorrow. Come by and check out the new display.
Sps and other frags appear to be holding up well so I brought in a bunch more frags. We are still battling red slime algae blooms. Possibly the diy rocks contain silicates since the red slime appears to be concentrated wherevefr there is remaining DIY rock. It is also possible that when I added vinegar to combat high pH might have contributed to a build up of acetate and therefore the formation of bacterial mats. Vince and I started discussing the possibility of adding a refugium. I haver a 20 gallon long we can use. Vince feels we would probably need to build a shelf over the sump. We will discuss it tomorrow.
BTW the seahorse tank already has a donating sponsor so we seem to be making money for the zoo!
I hope to see some folks tomorrow. Come by and check out the new display.
Stopped by the zoo this AM. Vince put in some halimeda from Dave (Pircs). He was going to add some red slime remover since we have some pretty unsightly algae mats but I nixed the idea after doing a lot of reading. RSR is pure erythromycin which will eradicate all graham negative (the good denitrifying baccilum) in the display. This can subsequently create a ammonia spike especially given our prodigous bioload. I removed a bunch by hand and stirred it up so that the skimmer could remove it from the water column. I also instructed the zoo to decrease feeding by 1/2 for now. I also asked them to insure they are skimming more aggressively. I also ordered some Algone from Premium Aquatics. Its made out of finely shredded pulp and allegedly removes nitrates and oxyginates the water and thus indirectly reduces algaes. We'll see, but at the worst its not harmful.
Alkalinity is holding up extremely well (a bit too well in fact) but we are still struggling to maintain Ca. Upon Vinces recommendation I boosted the Mg to about 1400ppm. I will also order some more of that great base rock from Premium Aquatics and replace the rest of the DIY (except for that nice arch). Any other ideas are welcome.
Alkalinity is holding up extremely well (a bit too well in fact) but we are still struggling to maintain Ca. Upon Vinces recommendation I boosted the Mg to about 1400ppm. I will also order some more of that great base rock from Premium Aquatics and replace the rest of the DIY (except for that nice arch). Any other ideas are welcome.
Thanx Bugman. Unfortunately the pipefish didn't survive the transition. One died during acclimation last Friday and the other about 48 hrs later. Delicate little things that need live food. Next
time we will plan better and be more prepared.
I stopped by the zoo today. I tested the calcium with a new Seachem test kit. Calcium is holding steady at 400ppm and dkh is about 10 so for the first time we seem to be holding good parameters. We are still battling red slime. As per my instructions, the zoo has reduced feedings and is skimming more aggressively. I added "Algone" on Friday which may help reduce nitrates and reduce algae. Corals and fish all seem to be doing OK.
time we will plan better and be more prepared.
I stopped by the zoo today. I tested the calcium with a new Seachem test kit. Calcium is holding steady at 400ppm and dkh is about 10 so for the first time we seem to be holding good parameters. We are still battling red slime. As per my instructions, the zoo has reduced feedings and is skimming more aggressively. I added "Algone" on Friday which may help reduce nitrates and reduce algae. Corals and fish all seem to be doing OK.
Yes Robinson: I have put in frags of A. Yongei (green slimer), orange cap, purple cap, monti spongodes, and pink birdsnest. All so far seem to be doing OK. Some a ppeared a little photoshocked from the light change but OK. previously, they were bleaching within 24 hrs so we are on the right track. I also brought in a torch coral frag that is doing fine whereas the last one quickly died. So I think now it is safe to bring in LPS/sps corals if folks have any to spare.
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