Here We Go Again! - Page 25

Melanie · 08-28-2007, 06:20 AM

Craig, yes it's been quite a journey. One day when I have a beautiful, flourishing reef tank, I'm going to re-read this entire chronicle and I'm sure I will get a good laugh out of my trials and tribulations.

You're absolutely right that this has been (and continues to be) a team effort! Without my husband, son, Lynn, Dr. Hank, and Dentoid (and a few other helpful RSers) I could never have come so far.

And thank you for the overstocking comment. The more time goes by, the less fish I actually want. My planned stocking list keeps shrinking! I think the more fish you add, the more water quality problems you seem to get. As of right now, I think I will have a total of 4, possibly 5 fish that are all less than 3" full grown.

Right now, I'm having a dilemma. I have a great space in my cabinet for EITHER a fuge OR an auto top-off. I'm having trouble with my fuge build which has now been going on for about a month. I bought a 5 gal. mini bowfront (so cute) that fits nicely and can be used as an auto top off water holder. It sure seemed like I had a big, empty space until I started considering all the things I want! Now it seems like I don't have much room at all!

I'm leaning towards the auto top off because we like to go away on the weekends sometimes. I really hate having someone come in the house and I've read so many horror stories about caretakers letting the pump burn up, using saltwater instead of fresh water to top off, etc.

lcstorc · 08-28-2007, 06:51 AM

Tough call to make. Are you sure you can't fit both? I love my fuge and don't have an ATO yet but really really want one. I too however am out of space under the stand. One would think 8 feet is a lot of room but trust me, it fills up quickly.

Craig Manoukian · 08-28-2007, 08:06 AM

Fuge will add greater gas exchange and more natural food for fish and corals. I'd lean to the fuge more than the ATO. JMHO.

hma · 08-28-2007, 10:10 AM

I have both however I think:

ATO = nice to have

Fuge = very important for a good biology in the display

Now must you only your priorities set!

DrHank · 08-28-2007, 04:48 PM

If you have the room, you may want to consider stacking the fuge inside your sump. I took a rubbermaid container which would fit inside my sump drilled a hole and added a 3/4" bulkhead fitting and strainer. I built a stand to hold it up in the tank our of 3/4" PVC with 2 Ts and 4 90 degrees. Set the stand in the sump, put the tub on the stand, add the sand, LR, plants used a small pump (you could use a powerhead) and a bit more plumbing for the return. One more pump to plug in and it feeds water from the sump to the fuge which drains back into the sump. Add a clamp light and timer and you have a fuge on/in your sump with room left over for the auto top off.

Melanie · 08-28-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHank

If you have the room, you may want to consider stacking the fuge inside your sump. I took a rubbermaid container which would fit inside my sump drilled a hole and added a 3/4" bulkhead fitting and strainer. I built a stand to hold it up in the tank our of 3/4" PVC with 2 Ts and 4 90 degrees. Set the stand in the sump, put the tub on the stand, add the sand, LR, plants used a small pump (you could use a powerhead) and a bit more plumbing for the return. One more pump to plug in and it feeds water from the sump to the fuge which drains back into the sump. Add a clamp light and timer and you have a fuge on/in your sump with room left over for the auto top off.

Do you have photos of this?

DrHank · 08-28-2007, 09:02 PM

I'll see if I can get one. Have to find my daughters camera. It's super easy to do. The only issue is the amount of height under your stand. My fuge sticks up about a foot over the top of the sump. Above that you need to have room for the light.

Melanie · 08-29-2007, 08:08 PM

Weird things are afoot in my tank.

1. My purple feather duster has decided to leave his protective shell thingy and slither half-way out. I was too shocked to get a photo. I think he doesn't like where I put him. He is in a tunnel in my LR. Do you think he would have prefered to lay on the sand?

2. I finally have a little algae. At first I was excited, then I realized why everyone hates it. I'll probably clean it off the glass this weekend. It's barely noticeable.

3. Firefish is not eating as well as he used to. He is afraid of the clownfish (even though the clownfish doesn't bother him at all.) As soon as he sees clownie, he darts into the rocks.

4. My finger leather gets droopy every night and plumps up during the day. I can't figure him out.

5. I keep finding red hermit legs all over. I have so many crabs, I don't know if something is killing them or what.

6. I hooked up the phosban reactor with carbon. It wasn't too hard and I hope that it keeps the tank parameters in line.

7. I think I found a way to have a fuge AND an ATO. I can get the HOB fuge but put it on the floor behind my tank. It is only 4.5" wide (X 24" long) and I have 6" back there. I can run the intake and return pipes from the sump. That leaves the other half of my stand for the ATO & phosban reactor, etc.

8. Royal Gramma spent a little time from outside the rocks today after I fed. It was nice to see him getting comfortable.

9. Hermes (the red legged hermit) didn't really eat this morning. That is a first. His color is also a little off. I hate keeping him in the QT. I really need to trade him in at the LFS so he has a chance at a happy life. I wish I had a friend here with an established FOWLR tank. I'd love to give him away.

10. I have some tiny white microscopic sized things running around on the glass. Copepods?

GeeWizzItsMe · 08-29-2007, 08:33 PM

Just saw that you have a prizm skimmer on your QT, do you like it???

Melanie · 08-29-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeeWizzItsMe

Just saw that you have a prizm skimmer on your QT, do you like it???

I got it for free so I wasn't being picky. It seems to work really well if you have it set right. But it's very difficult to get it set right. It either overflows onto the floor or produces no skimmate. Pro is it holds quite a bit of skimmate before you have to empty it. It's easy to set up and set/adjust. No pump in the water to heat it up. You don't need a sump. Increases water circulation/aeration. Takes up very little space. Virtually silent. I probably wouldn't use my model on a tank much larger than my 10 gal. I think this one is for a 30 or 40 gal but I would keep it on no more than a 20 gal.

caitrina · 08-29-2007, 08:46 PM

When I first got my tank up and running I had issues with feather dusters , only to find that they are real sensitive to water quality and do better in well-established tanks where they can get plenty of food. After I found this little bit of info I used Roti-rich to feed once a week and my dusters actually lived and now I don't even add it. Funny that you metion the purple ones because it seems that those are the ones that always threw their crowns and died, although I did find one behind my tank that had re-grown his tube. I have been able to keep the tan ones, green ones and my flame without any issues at all. Coincidence ? I don't know! I also noticed that if I placed one where I wanted it and it wasn't happy it would move and if I continued to move it back it would stress and blow his crown and crawl off to never be seen again. Thats my input on the feathers...hope you find some solutions.

The tiny white things on the glass do sound like pods.

Melanie · 08-29-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caitrina

When I first got my tank up and running I had issues with feather dusters , only to find that they are real sensitive to water quality and do better in well-established tanks where they can get plenty of food. After I found this little bit of info I used Roti-rich to feed once a week and my dusters actually lived and now I don't even add it. Funny that you metion the purple ones because it seems that those are the ones that always threw their crowns and died, although I did find one behind my tank that had re-grown his tube. I have been able to keep the tan ones, green ones and my flame without any issues at all. Coincidence ? I don't know! I also noticed that if I placed one where I wanted it and it wasn't happy it would move and if I continued to move it back it would stress and blow his crown and crawl off to never be seen again. Thats my input on the feathers...hope you find some solutions.

The tiny white things on the glass do sound like pods.

Yeah, my brown feather is doing great so far and he is right next to the purple one. No one has blown their crown, but seeing purple slither out was crazy.

Melanie · 08-29-2007, 09:06 PM

If the feather duster comes all the way out, do I need to find him? Will he die?

GeeWizzItsMe · 08-29-2007, 09:21 PM

So the pro would be okay for my 30? They are on sale for 100 at my lfs...

Melanie · 08-29-2007, 09:25 PM

I'm pretty happy with mine but get one that is rated for over 30 gal. if they have it. Keep in mind that they are not the BEST or easiest skimmers, but not the worst or hardest either.

08-28-2007, 06:20 AM	#361 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Here We Go Again! Craig, yes it's been quite a journey. One day when I have a beautiful, flourishing reef tank, I'm going to re-read this entire chronicle and I'm sure I will get a good laugh out of my trials and tribulations. You're absolutely right that this has been (and continues to be) a team effort! Without my husband, son, Lynn, Dr. Hank, and Dentoid (and a few other helpful RSers) I could never have come so far. And thank you for the overstocking comment. The more time goes by, the less fish I actually want. My planned stocking list keeps shrinking! I think the more fish you add, the more water quality problems you seem to get. As of right now, I think I will have a total of 4, possibly 5 fish that are all less than 3" full grown. Right now, I'm having a dilemma. I have a great space in my cabinet for EITHER a fuge OR an auto top-off. I'm having trouble with my fuge build which has now been going on for about a month. I bought a 5 gal. mini bowfront (so cute) that fits nicely and can be used as an auto top off water holder. It sure seemed like I had a big, empty space until I started considering all the things I want! Now it seems like I don't have much room at all! I'm leaning towards the auto top off because we like to go away on the weekends sometimes. I really hate having someone come in the house and I've read so many horror stories about caretakers letting the pump burn up, using saltwater instead of fresh water to top off, etc. __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

08-28-2007, 06:51 AM	#362 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,254 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Here We Go Again! Tough call to make. Are you sure you can't fit both? I love my fuge and don't have an ATO yet but really really want one. I too however am out of space under the stand. One would think 8 feet is a lot of room but trust me, it fills up quickly. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

08-28-2007, 08:06 AM	#363 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 17,828 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Here We Go Again! Fuge will add greater gas exchange and more natural food for fish and corals. I'd lean to the fuge more than the ATO. JMHO. __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

08-28-2007, 10:10 AM	#364 (permalink)
hma Acropora Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 1,947 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Here We Go Again! I have both however I think: ATO = nice to have Fuge = very important for a good biology in the display Now must you only your priorities set! __________________ Heinz Luck is a good health and a bad memory (Albert Schweitzer) Balling Method : Balling +Plus Video : Centropyge potteri Tools : Balling Calculator My Chronicle and ReefDreams HM-Aquarium Photo Calendar 2008 "IF SHARKS DIE, THE SEA DIES"

08-28-2007, 04:48 PM	#365 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,251 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Here We Go Again! If you have the room, you may want to consider stacking the fuge inside your sump. I took a rubbermaid container which would fit inside my sump drilled a hole and added a 3/4" bulkhead fitting and strainer. I built a stand to hold it up in the tank our of 3/4" PVC with 2 Ts and 4 90 degrees. Set the stand in the sump, put the tub on the stand, add the sand, LR, plants used a small pump (you could use a powerhead) and a bit more plumbing for the return. One more pump to plug in and it feeds water from the sump to the fuge which drains back into the sump. Add a clamp light and timer and you have a fuge on/in your sump with room left over for the auto top off. __________________ Jim Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html Dr Hank's 155 Bowfront:http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-bowfront.html

08-28-2007, 09:02 PM	#367 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,251 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Here We Go Again! I'll see if I can get one. Have to find my daughters camera. It's super easy to do. The only issue is the amount of height under your stand. My fuge sticks up about a foot over the top of the sump. Above that you need to have room for the light. __________________ Jim Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html Dr Hank's 155 Bowfront:http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-bowfront.html

08-29-2007, 08:08 PM	#368 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Here We Go Again! Weird things are afoot in my tank. 1. My purple feather duster has decided to leave his protective shell thingy and slither half-way out. I was too shocked to get a photo. I think he doesn't like where I put him. He is in a tunnel in my LR. Do you think he would have prefered to lay on the sand? 2. I finally have a little algae. At first I was excited, then I realized why everyone hates it. I'll probably clean it off the glass this weekend. It's barely noticeable. 3. Firefish is not eating as well as he used to. He is afraid of the clownfish (even though the clownfish doesn't bother him at all.) As soon as he sees clownie, he darts into the rocks. 4. My finger leather gets droopy every night and plumps up during the day. I can't figure him out. 5. I keep finding red hermit legs all over. I have so many crabs, I don't know if something is killing them or what. 6. I hooked up the phosban reactor with carbon. It wasn't too hard and I hope that it keeps the tank parameters in line. 7. I think I found a way to have a fuge AND an ATO. I can get the HOB fuge but put it on the floor behind my tank. It is only 4.5" wide (X 24" long) and I have 6" back there. I can run the intake and return pipes from the sump. That leaves the other half of my stand for the ATO & phosban reactor, etc. 8. Royal Gramma spent a little time from outside the rocks today after I fed. It was nice to see him getting comfortable. 9. Hermes (the red legged hermit) didn't really eat this morning. That is a first. His color is also a little off. I hate keeping him in the QT. I really need to trade him in at the LFS so he has a chance at a happy life. I wish I had a friend here with an established FOWLR tank. I'd love to give him away. 10. I have some tiny white microscopic sized things running around on the glass. Copepods? __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

08-29-2007, 08:33 PM	#369 (permalink)
GeeWizzItsMe See Golden Compass Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 1,857 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Here We Go Again! Just saw that you have a prizm skimmer on your QT, do you like it??? __________________ VP of Dork Club http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-new-tank.html

08-29-2007, 08:46 PM	#371 (permalink)
caitrina Golden Moray Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somewhere in Florida Posts: 2,588 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Here We Go Again! When I first got my tank up and running I had issues with feather dusters , only to find that they are real sensitive to water quality and do better in well-established tanks where they can get plenty of food. After I found this little bit of info I used Roti-rich to feed once a week and my dusters actually lived and now I don't even add it. Funny that you metion the purple ones because it seems that those are the ones that always threw their crowns and died, although I did find one behind my tank that had re-grown his tube. I have been able to keep the tan ones, green ones and my flame without any issues at all. Coincidence ? I don't know! I also noticed that if I placed one where I wanted it and it wasn't happy it would move and if I continued to move it back it would stress and blow his crown and crawl off to never be seen again. Thats my input on the feathers...hope you find some solutions. The tiny white things on the glass do sound like pods. __________________ A reef tank is like a potato chip, you can't have just one! Chronicles Cat's Healing Gift: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ling-gift.html Cat’s 90 Gallon Toy: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...allon-toy.html 24 G Mystery Pod: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...stery-pod.html

08-29-2007, 09:06 PM	#373 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Here We Go Again! If the feather duster comes all the way out, do I need to find him? Will he die? __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

08-29-2007, 09:21 PM	#374 (permalink)
GeeWizzItsMe See Golden Compass Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 1,857 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Here We Go Again! So the pro would be okay for my 30? They are on sale for 100 at my lfs... __________________ VP of Dork Club http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-new-tank.html

08-29-2007, 09:25 PM	#375 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Here We Go Again! I'm pretty happy with mine but get one that is rated for over 30 gal. if they have it. Keep in mind that they are not the BEST or easiest skimmers, but not the worst or hardest either. __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)