50g FOWLR Setup

[JoJo]

its probably a combo of all, but you're on your way to fixing it. The bulbs will help, once the sump is in it'll add more volume to the system so that helps, the macro will fight the bad algea & if you get a testers for phosphate, Ph & calcium it will keep you on track.

i dont think twice a day is too much to feed as long as you're not overfeeding each time.

[CMG]

Ok, I will order some of those test kits when I order the overflow. Any brand recommendations. I normally use seachem test kits and they are easy for me to read and use but they are for nitrate, ite, ammonia, & PH. they are also not as pricey as some other ones.

Question: I read and was told that touching polyps is a no no because they secret toxins that can harm humans. So does this apply to ocean life to? Could I pluck a snail from one place on a rock and move it to another rock that was covered in polyps? Or would that kill/harm the snail? I ask because in the nano at the LFS there is this cleaner shrimp that runs all around the tank touching everything and he seems just fine.

[CMG]

OK, I have another question.

Phosphate Reactors:
1) Do you need one if you have a sump/fuge? Isnt the chateo supposed to eat all the nutrients in the water?

2) Can you put multiple materials in a reactor at the same time. Ex: phosban and carbon together in there at the same time. Or can you only run one at a time?

3) If I was to get one (or build one DIY) how would I know what size pump to run on it?

Thanks.

[lcstorc]

Well, needing one depends on the situation in your tank. I have 2 linked together. One runs Phosban and the other runs carbon. I have not heard of mixing them in the same reactor so I would assume it is a bad idea but I really don't know.
I got the pump sixe from Woodstock but I do remember it is a small pump. You want the water to flow through pretty slowly so it has more contact time with the media.
I have the Two Little Fishes reactors and they were pretty inexpensive. I believe less than $20 each.

[CMG]

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Well, needing one depends on the situation in your tank. I have 2 linked together. One runs Phosban and the other runs carbon. I have not heard of mixing them in the same reactor so I would assume it is a bad idea but I really don't know.
I got the pump sixe from Woodstock but I do remember it is a small pump. You want the water to flow through pretty slowly so it has more contact time with the media.
I have the Two Little Fishes reactors and they were pretty inexpensive. I believe less than $20 each.

Thank you, I will look up the two little fishys but what do you think of this!:
Gatorade bottle = cheapest phosban reactor ever! - Nano-Reef.com Forums

[lcstorc]

I've never seen one in person or used one but it seems pretty popular. Give it a try. I don't think it would hurt anything.

[CMG]

Yeah, I am wanting to do this tonight but I have no idea what size power head to use. Maybe I could T off my overflows drain pipe to it?? With a ball valve for flow control of course.

[CMG]

Guess what......

I GOT A FEATHER DUSTER...WHOOOOHOOOOOO!! Finally some good news. This algae is so nasty and then my mushrooms reproduced and I found a feather duster on the backside of my rock so now I feel a little better!!

[JoJo]

nice going buddy

[CMG]

Well I tried as hard as I could not to spend money this weekend since I am "saving" up for pvc, fittings, overflow, etc. to conclude my sumy/fuge addition. I say "saving" because I am going to buy those goodies anyway even if I dont save..hehe.

Ok so I found this little guy. A green clown goby all lonesome in a tiny invert "tank" (holding cell) at the LFS. He unfortunatley took refuge behind my mushroom rock so I couldnt get any in tank shots yet. I think I will call him Shrek but will need to clear that with the Mrs. when she gets back from her girls weekend. She was so exited about naming squirley our purple dartfish that I should probably include her on this one too.

I also bought a mini frag of about 5 polyps. They are either really dark purple or black and they have bright green centers. They are all closed up right now so I didnt take a picture. They arent on a rock though, they are on some kind of round plate which is going to be hard to blend in to the rock unless I were to cut them loose which I have no idea how to do.


BLAAAA, get that thing out of my face you giant weirdo! hehe

[tbittner]

That is an awesome looking fish! I've never seen one like that before. Beautiful!!!

[JoJo]

nice fish, i had one in my 55g. he was the coolest, sitting on the glass & watching outside the tank.

[CMG]

Thanks!

Terry: you can find them easily online in both green and yellow colors. I found them at marinedepot. Someone on here said they have red too but I couldnt find it when I did an internet search.

Jojo: Yeah from what I have read on here they are funny little characters. Thats why I went back and got it. I went to the fish store earlier in the day to browse and saw him just sittin there, and then later I rode my bike back down there. It was crazy because it has been the hottest day here yet this year...86 degrees today...and so the sudden jump in temp has everyone sweating and here i am cruisin on my bike everyone lookin at me crazy...haha. Anyways I got back home after the first trip and read up on them and decided to go back.

Ill take some pictures tomorrow of the frag if they decide to open up. I am sure my PC's wont allow them to look as nice as the MH they were under. I wish my new T5 wasnt backordered for yet another 4 weeks.

I ordered the newer current usa extreme pro T5 and its on backorder and this allows me to cancel the order if I need to so if you all have any better suggestions I am open ears! That is for the same price range which is I think $320..? Cant remember

[tbittner]

From everything I read, you won't go wrong with that light. I would stay with that order.

[prow]

which T5 pro light is that, bulb wise. what watts and how many bulbs?

i am sure that one will work for ya, but if its around the same price as one of these http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ight_Fixtures/ i would opt for the sunlight fixture.