Any suggetions?

1guydude

Well-Known Member
Hello and welcome to the site

I give u props for asking the questions and trying to clean up cowboys tank he gave u! ( lucky )
Might i make a suggestion that u re aquascape ur rock. The one pic i viewed looked like the rock was just dumped in the tank, making a pile.....U want good flow around the rocks and a nice structure to look at! Maybe make a couple holes here and there, build it tall, or long, ect.
 

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garou http:///forum/thread/385497/any-suggetions#post_3381485
Yes on the 2 swing arms for the salt content. We are going to get the refractometer. thank you.
I have yet to re-feed them the seaweed, so can do it fri. However the 3 in there seem un interested in it. The tangs were the piggys on it. Tangs are primarily herbivores, so they'll go to town on that stuff much more than the omnivores (your fish) will. They'll eat, but not with as much spirit.
We'll get the RO from the grocer till we can afford a system to make our own. Sounds like a good plan.
The hydrocolator, now it has an RO system that attaches to it. You pump the water thru that, then into the machine where it steams it, and then that steam collects in the basin. It holds something like 20 gal of purified water. It extracts everything from the water. I was told that it even removes the oxygen from it. So that it makes it Bad water for fresh tanks. Now I just looked up Hydrocollator, and I apparently and clearly got the whole thing wrong. we used that item when we did massage >.> However, I did happen to recall now, it is a Distiller. So not the small steam heated bags you use to relax muscles, but a Steam Distiller. Now I feel like a goof. But all in all would the Distilled be acceptable?? Cause we could hook that up and get the water from there. I'm still not really sure here. I'm going to say don't use it, just because I really don't know much about them and do not want to steer you in the wrong direction.

I looked up the worms on the linked site. They are usual Bristleworms. Cowboy said it was just eatign the dead shroom, so, it was doing its job. Tho knowing they are like 'maggots' of the water is sorta icky. (Maggots eat up refuse as well. Both are needed just meh. You want them, TRUST me.

we'll leave out the wrasse, and the hawkfish, tho get a smaller clown when we're ready, month or two. We want to get the turboheads, and testers, then the CUC, and the supplys to change out the water as well as an appropriate QT tank. For now I'll be looking over different fish, ask more questions, and learn more!
thank you for the info on the Hippo. That makes WAY more sense. And we for sure are gonna get that bacteria outa the tank this weekend.
-----
With the link you gave me I did discover that we happen to have picked up a tube snail or two. Theres thin strands like spider webs they loose into the current. IF I can get a picture, I will. but its tiny and the camera only presses so close. lol They're very common and harmless.

Monsinour, thank you so much for your input. I've been keeping notes so will add your suggestion to them.
Cowboy still thinks theres plenty of movement in the water, but we will get the powerheads. lol. Things in the tank are finally setteling down. The water is clearer, and the fish are calmer. The small CUC we have are at work, and cleaning nicely. I'll post up a shot tomorrow/later. You do have good movement, but it's only at the suface. You need movement throughout the entire water column.
I got to look through and read the 101 post, and will be printing it out ASAP to have on hand.
I have more questions, this time on CUC and then on fish, and on then on tank temp.
for CUC; are 'peppermint shrimp' ok, and are nudibranch ok? (gonna put them on my 'what to get for CUC' list) I stay away from most nudi's and sea slugs, because many of them have specified diets that they eat through quickly, then starve and some can nuke the tank if they die in it. Peppermints are fine and good little shrimp to have. You'll barely see the peppermints once you put them in your tank, they're great little hiders and are primarily nocturnal.
now for fish:
Hamet, Anthias, Basslet, and Blenny. I've been looking them over and reading what I have found, but via experience, are any of them acceptable to a reef tank? And more specificaly, knowing what we have currently, our tank? Hamlet is going to get too big. Some species of anthias would be okay, most really won't work. Basslets are good, Blennies are the most awesomest little fish! LOL I love blennies, they have great little personalities. Which one(s) were you looking at?
I was also interested in corals, and would really love some suggestions on those as well please.
Or if theres a suggestin list, that would be awesome too! Before I suggest any corals, what kind of lighting do you have? Do you know the brand and how many watts? How old are the bulbs?

We will NOT be adding things as fast this time, and will be cautious this time as well. I'm really likeing my tank again, and want that to continue. So first clean up, and CUC. A month wait or more, then new fish additions after a nice QT. Corals will be a few monts if not longer from now. We just want to be prepaired and know what to do ahead of time. Yey!
Last thing: Here where we live, the tank in the AM is about 77-78 degrees. However round 2-3 in the early eve, it rises to 80.5 or so. nothing over 80.7 tho. That is most certanly within the parameters listed and talked on all over. Thing is, is this safe for the fish? for it is a 2 degree jump. Would lowering it to 75 be a smart thing? then it will only rise to 77-78. It's just starting to get hot for us humans, and will get into the 100's in the summer outside, so I need to figure this out before -that- happens, and we find we literally made fish stew casue the exterior house temp got up to 110. (ug). That's safe for fish, but it's a big swing that some harder corals are definitely not going to like. How long do you leave your lights on for? You MIGHT need to look into a chiller, or placing a fan on the tank. Do you have a lid on this tank? You may need to take it off.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garou http:///forum/thread/385497/any-suggetions#post_3381702
Well, the temp outside the tank in the house (till we poped the AC on) was 81, and the digital thermometer was showing the same. We are gonna get an internal thermometer for sure.
I turned off the lights, open the lid, and turned the heater down another degree or two. 76 clearly is still too high. This is however teaching me, I will (IF we do it) need a chiller for a seahorse tank (IF we do it). Well that answers my last question. Remove the lid all together and place a fan blowing over the top of the tank. You absolutely will need a chiller for a seahorse tank.
so the list for shoping is:
thermometer
test kit
powerheads
turkey baster
REFRACTOMETER

SALT MIX

And CUC.
 

1guydude

Well-Known Member
Quote:
so the list for shoping is:
thermometer
test kit
powerheads
turkey baster
REFRACTOMETER
SALT MIX

clip on fan from hellmart too, from the sounds of it. You can get some eggcrate from the hardware store for a top if u need one!
 

garou

New Member
See, now that makes more sense why the 3 other fish show the pu-pu face at the seaweed. I'll add it in on Fridays then. lol. Reminds me of kids and their green veggys.
ON the distiller.. yeh, we are not gonna use it. I called my Dad who owns one. They, the distillers, remove all the air from the water, and he was pretty adamant that it will only kill the fish. No air = dead.
As for the bristle worms and snails, I see less worms and more little snails. Been keeping an eye on them, and they all look like lil tiny baby snails. We don't feed as much, so the worms don't show as much, and I think our snails had kiddys.
Water movement: I can better explane that to him, thank you. I tried to, but fell a bit flat. We WILL be getting them, we both want a healthy and fun tank.
No nudi and no slugs then. We don't want issues of toxins. And my hubby is gonna be Mr happy man with the small shrimp. lol
Fish:
alrighty, we can cut out the hamlet and anthias with no problems, as I am wanting to get a good feel for what would serve the tank and us best before more purchases of fish are made. So thank ya! As for the Basslet and Goby, I am all ears for suggestions. On the goby: I love the dragonette, however in all my recent reading, you need special food. And I really don't need to get a fish I love, only to have it die in 4 months due to starvation. So suggest away!
The lighting:
now the bulbs are: JBJ 24g, nano cube replacement bulb. 36 watt combo, linear pin configuration. (that was what was on the box) The fixture is: Odessy D33.
Temp on the tank:
It IS a big swing, and the temp with the heater down, and the lid off went.. up. So I think the theomometer took a dump. good thing we are going shoping tomorrow. There is a lid, I took it off. and the lights were on since 7 am. and off when the temp went up. The temp went up round 3 pm. And I kept the lights off on the tank and the lid up and open after that. All the equipment is 3 years or more old, so it could be breaking down. Once we get the internal theomometer and see what the temp actually is, we'll go from there on the chiller. Doug, the orig owner, never had one, and all seem well. So we'll find out what the issue is.
And Hey there 1guyDude! Been reading your threads. the 10 gal that was once your spiders tank? That one? really good stuff there, you even taught me you can use vinegar. Least to pre clean. As for the aqua scapeing, I agree we need more height. We do tho, have lots of cave/tunnels. Doesn't look it, BUT.. the damsel, and when we had them; the tangs, play hide and seek in the rocks. But I agree, lately the scape looks like a flat lump. We plan on adressing that this weekend. I have a few pix of it before we lost the tangs. I will get them hosted for you, and let you critique it too. I love a good critiqe. They help me improve. And I appreciate the compliment! ^__^!!
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got the last two shoping items written down on my list (lol yes yes I wrote a shoping list out, along with food we need) And I like your fan idea. Esp if it doesn't cool the frak down. -scratches head with a frown- Either way, tomorrow is shoping day!
 

btldreef

Moderator
It sounds like you have a Power Compact fixture. You'll be slightly limited with coral selection with PC's. This may have been the reason that your anemone wasn't doing well, they need much higher lighting than what a PC offers. You'll be able to keep soft corals such as leathers, mushrooms, zoanthids, palys, clove polyps, etc under that lighting, as well as Sun Corals (which need to be fed, but they're fairly easy). Over time you can upgrade the lighting, but you have other things to get to before addressing that issue.
Where are you located? There are a lot of local reef clubs out there and you can usually find good, used equipment for a decent price from people who have upgraded to something else or are getting out of the hobby.
The water distiller thing does not sound like a good idea.
As far as fish. Most small gobies are fine. I personally really like the Green Banded. From experience, I can tell you that Yellow Watchmen Gobies get mean as they grow and loose their vibrant yellow color, skip them. I hate mine and can't catch him to get him out, he's killed his mate, ripped the eye out of another fish, attacks anyone that comes near his "cave of doom" and killed my Mandarin. Blennies, I'd go with a algae blenny. A TailSpot Blenny or a BiColor would be perfect, but there are sooooo many out there.
I don't think your tank is really large enough to house a Mandarin (Dragonette), especially without a sump or refugium. As for Basslets, Royal Gramma's are nice, but some can be aggressive, if added last it's not as bad. Chalk Basslets look so cool under moonlight in tanks and are very peaceful fish.
 

garou

New Member
The light has only one, double bulb out of 2 working, so we have to get another bulb, and that one JUST went out. Still, knowing what we can and can't get coral wise (later on) really helps.
We are located in California. And I am unsure there would be a club HERE, but there likely would be one a good 45 min from us. I'll ask the LFS owner tomorrow.
Yeh, no distilled for us. meh
Been talking to the hubby about the fish, and showing him today at the LFS a few you pointed out. So we're looking forward to planing what fishys we are gonna get.
We got all but the CUC and the refractometer today. We had to run around, so we decided CUC had to wait, that, or they woulda cooked in the car. And tho I love baked shrimp, I do NOT like to eat my pets. (ew). And the LFS did not have the refractometer. Her clerk that was there, and said hers run 100+ BUT that she would price match if I can show one cheaper. I certanly can!
The internal theomemeter that is glass has been reading 78. And that is with the heater OFF. When we get the powerheads in there, with more water movement, do you think the temp will dip any?
I had some more questions on CUC: Conch and Cowrie? Would they be help or no?
also: What would be best to use to afix some of the rock pieces together? Fishing line? Super glue? Aquarium epoxy? Or something else?
With everyones help, we have the feeding down, we're getting rid of our bacteria this weekend, got the right equipment, and the tanks looking happy once more. All nice and clean again.
I've been keeping my notes too. So When I got to the LFS, lol, and went over my 'got to get this', list. I was asked: "Anything else you need off that list?" LOL! Was told "Your really doin your research". You betcha!
Got the fish and coral suggestions written down, thank you!!
 

garou

New Member
Found out the tank heater was on the fritz. That is now fixed, temp is stable.
The tank was cleaned, and rock re positioned. No one was happy initally, then things settled in, and 4 hours later, everyone was swiming and crawling around.
Before: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/Garouwerks/050211223242.jpg
After: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/Garouwerks/050811171224.jpg
We are going to actually order our CUC and get that via the mail. I happen to get fed up and irked with the LFS owner. -.- Not a good thing that she did that. One week she could recall the tank she sold to our friend (who gave us his tank that she sold him) and the next week, she couldn't recall poop. -.- Not a happy me. Nope. Also, She (LFS owner) won't take/buy/trade for the Damsel either. So we're, for now, leaving it there, and going to look into either selling it, or, getting another tank when we can and move it into there.
But! our tank looks much better thanks to all the input everyones been giving us. Thank you!
 

sweatervest13

Active Member
Love the new aquascape!!! Looks real good. You have a mountain in there now with lots of good places for fish to hide. Great job.
Ya LFS owners and most of the clerks there can be a major pain. If they only knew that if you showed interest and actually wanted see people succeed that they would get so much more business. Seems like they just want to grab what ever you ask for them to bag up and then get back to what ever story they were telling their co-worker. Do you have a different LFS by you? I have a few choices and will go to certain ones depending on what I need (if I need advice, or equiptment, livestock). I have yet to order livestock online but lots of folks here swear by it so I would if needed.
Good luck!!!
 

garou

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///forum/thread/385497/any-suggetions/20#post_3382368
Love the new aquascape!!! Looks real good. You have a mountain in there now with lots of good places for fish to hide. Great job.
Ya LFS owners and most of the clerks there can be a major pain. If they only knew that if you showed interest and actually wanted see people succeed that they would get so much more business. Seems like they just want to grab what ever you ask for them to bag up and then get back to what ever story they were telling their co-worker. Do you have a different LFS by you? I have a few choices and will go to certain ones depending on what I need (if I need advice, or equiptment, livestock). I have yet to order livestock online but lots of folks here swear by it so I would if needed.
Good luck!!!

Hey I posted to this. -shakes fist at the Message board-
Thank you so much. We like it too. ^_^
and the only other SW stores are 45 min away. :(
--------
OUr water is now however murky'ish. The fish were horribly stressed, and literally, the Firefish tried to 'jump out'. It vanished into the rocks. We QTed the clown and damsel. Damsle lost nearly all it's color, and now looks ok, the clow was not swimming well, and now finally is ok. The crabs all just sit like statues. Tho you can see small gill or mouth movement, and the blue hermit moved round as did the red leg, they all sit in place.
Got to bed and wake up to THAT.
readings:
pH - 7.5
ammonia/nitrite - 0
nitrate - 0
kH - 180-240
calcium - ok last night, need to test today
magnesium - was ok last night, still need to test today
salinity unknown (can get that at LFS if needed)
specific gravity - 1.023- 1.024 (hydrometer)
temperature - 75.5
Temp was off and I was cranky over that, it's riseing slowly tho.
Any ideas or suggestions on the rest? I do not know how to raise pH.
 

1guydude

Well-Known Member
Maybe water change time, how long have u had the tank up and running at ur house now? The specific gravity is pretty much the same as salinity. Well theyre related. So if ones good than the other is just fine. Temp is a lil low and hopefully uve already fixed that, bring it up slowly! The ph can be buffed with a solution, however it dosent fix the problem. Just temporary! Wats ur light schedule like? This has something to do with ph!~
 

1guydude

Well-Known Member
WTH i wrote more than that lol....
Hopefully and most likely ur animals are just getting used to the new aquascape and ur water may be murky cuz all the stuff is getting kicked up off the sandbed! Give it some time. Someone with a lot more experience should chime in soon i would think! Ehhhmmmm BTL!!!!
 

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garou http:///forum/thread/385497/any-suggetions/20#post_3382347
Found out the tank heater was on the fritz. That is now fixed, temp is stable. One of the downsides to this hobby. I haven't found a heater that is any good long term. Fingers crossed that my new Jager lasts longer than the last two.
The tank was cleaned, and rock re positioned. No one was happy initally, then things settled in, and 4 hours later, everyone was swiming and crawling around.
Before: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/Garouwerks/050211223242.jpg
After: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/Garouwerks/050811171224.jpg
Looks GREAT!!!! I really like the new rock work. You'll be much happier with it as well when you start adding corals.
We are going to actually order our CUC and get that via the mail. I happen to get fed up and irked with the LFS owner. -.- Not a good thing that she did that. One week she could recall the tank she sold to our friend (who gave us his tank that she sold him) and the next week, she couldn't recall poop. -.- Not a happy me. Nope. Also, She (LFS owner) won't take/buy/trade for the Damsel either. So we're, for now, leaving it there, and going to look into either selling it, or, getting another tank when we can and move it into there.
Unfortunately, I had a bad feeling about her. Sorry :-(

But! our tank looks much better thanks to all the input everyones been giving us. Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garou
http:///forum/thread/385497/any-suggetions/20#post_3382436
Hey I posted to this. -shakes fist at the Message board-
Thank you so much. We like it too. ^_^
and the only other SW stores are 45 min away. :( Some people would consider that close, LOL

--------
OUr water is now however murky'ish. The fish were horribly stressed, and literally, the Firefish tried to 'jump out'. It vanished into the rocks. We QTed the clown and damsel. Damsle lost nearly all it's color, and now looks ok, the clow was not swimming well, and now finally is ok. The crabs all just sit like statues. Tho you can see small gill or mouth movement, and the blue hermit moved round as did the red leg, they all sit in place. All common for what you did with the tank. No worries unless things got really ugly.
Got to bed and wake up to THAT.
readings:
pH - 7.5 Not terrible, but not great either. After all the stirring around, it should NOT be this low, so that's a little concerning, as it might be even lower once everything settles.
ammonia/nitrite - 0
nitrate - 0
kH - 180-240
calcium - ok last night, need to test today
magnesium - was ok last night, still need to test today
salinity unknown (can get that at LFS if needed) Depending on the brand of swing arm hydrometer, it may tell you. As long as you know SG, you're fine.
specific gravity - 1.023- 1.024 (hydrometer)
temperature - 75.5 This is a little low

Temp was off and I was cranky over that, it's riseing slowly tho.
Any ideas or suggestions on the rest? I do not know how to raise pH. How is it now that it has had a little bit more time to settle and the light has been on? What brand of salt are you using?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Garou
http:///forum/thread/385497/any-suggetions/20#post_3382438
Forgot to add the picture and say: the tube fan seems to be doing ok, while everything else is very unhappy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/Garouwerks/050811171747.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/Garouwerks/050911152535.jpg
I wouldn't hit the panic button yet. You moved a lot of stuff around and added a new flow pattern, etc to the tank. Just keep your eye on it.
 
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