Lynn's 90 gallons of Sunshine

[bluespotjawfish]

I would use a varying grade of aragonite. CC is abrasive. I little bit would be okay and probably enjoyed by the BS because it would help fill some of the voids between the aragonite and the larger shells. Whatever you do, do not use a single sized aragonite. I would keep my eye out for some empty clam shells too (which BSs love to incorporate into their plans).

In regards to the egg crate, that is also going to be abrasive. Many times they will dig down to the bottom (or in your case the egg crate). A determined BS will continue to try and dig through that without success.

One thought, do you really want to go mixing stuff from all your tanks into the 90? If you have had ponies die in the past, wouldn't it be better to give them a tank environment that didn't have leftover whatevers that might make them sick? Don't know

[lcstorc]

Hmm.
Good thing I am doing nothing for a while. Some good things to think about. I have been pony free for a while and don't plan to get any for a couple of months but I wonder if the bacteria could be in another host without showing signs of illness.
I did definitely want to put some of the CC in the 90 for building materials but I could certainly make it just a cup or two. I was going to seed the substrate from the substrate of all of my tanks to give it a kick start.
Yes Scott MACNA is very soon. I am getting super excited already. I think I am driving Travis nuts with my PMs.
When do you get there? We get in Thursday around noon time so we could even get together for dinner or something Thurs. If not I will be there all 3 days. I feel like a kid at Christmas.

[caitrina]

Sure wish I could go......dog gone school and my therapy has to get in the way .....sigh....:

[caitrina]

Hope the knee is doing better, let me know what is going on with that...also I have depositions tomorrow so I will not be available...ended up going to LFS for WC and I got a few pieces of rock for my 24 when it is ready and I got something for you, it is sitting in my sump.....actually I got something for your future BSJF...got ya a empty clam shell...think it has a hitch hiker on it too which I will look better at it tomorrow and will take pictures if it does...I don't know if I will be able to get it to you this weekend because my daughter and I are heading for a time share for the weekend...if not thi sweekend perhaps the next....anyway will talk to you later...hope you have a good day sorry you couldn't go with me today. Crap this was supposed to be in a PM....sigh, can you tell I am tired ...well I am leaving it anyway Lynn talk to you later. G-night

[lcstorc]

Thanks for thinking of me. That was really sweet.
The knee may need surgery but I am on crutches and in a brace for 2 weeks while they decide. I vote for no surgery. Just don't have time for that. LOL Meanwhile woke up this morning to a flood. See the 125 thread later for details. Gotta go to work in a few. While it was not a fun morning it does look like everything will be ok so I won't leave anyone in suspense.

[Melanie]

Lynn, I think I am more impatient than you to see ponies. lol.

[lcstorc]

You and I will both have to be patient. I guess it is easier for me right now since there is so much else going on. I haven't even aquascaped the tank. It is just a jumble of rocks in SW. The top ones are growing lots of algae and I have found at least one HH snail, but that is about it for now. I need to aquascape, get substrate, and get the chiller plumbed in and tested before I even think about getting ponies IF the chiller can't keep this tank cool enough then it will become another reef. According to the specs on the chiller it should work but I want it up and chilling for a good month before I even think ponies.
I may start thinking CUC as soon as I scape the tank but other than that and substrate it is a beautiful box of rocks.

[Melanie]

Is it much later yet? ha ha ha ha

[lcstorc]

Still a box of rocks and likely to stay that way until the chiller is plumbed in and I decide what I am going to do about substrate.
Growing lots of algae thoug. May have t0 add a few snails is the parameters test out well. Other than a CUC no livestock until I am convinced I can keep the tank at at temp approprriate for ponies.

[Dentoid]

Nice pace Lynn. It's easier to take your time on a forth tank, eh? Maybe you'll get some good ideas at MACNA!

[Melanie]

You know I'm just having fun with ya? **big grin**

Since I can't have ponies, I have to live vicariously through you.

[lcstorc]

Once I get my ponies you are both invited to come visit them. I know I am taking it slow but the box of rocks is starting to drive me nutso so
I may try the first version of the scape then.

[kathywithbirds]

I'm seeing more of those tech tanks in stores now, Mike and I both lit up when we saw a 70... a decent compromise for both of us.

Those ponies will look nice in that 90. Have you 'scaped yet or are you at MACNA sucking up all the info you can get? : )

[Techno-Vicki]

I look forward to the ponies as well. It will be soooooo cool.

[lcstorc]

MACNA is not till next weekend.
Hubby made an initial attempt at scaping one afternoon while I was out but of course I need to make adjustments. At the very least he gave me a much better starting place than my plain box of rocks and water. We also have a ssb in there now thanks to the Aquapod. I have no idea how I fit that much sand in a 24g tank but it gave me about an inch in the 90.
More scaping to do. More sand to acquire but slowly it is coming together. I will likely get more serious about the tank post MACNA but I do not expect to add my first ponies until around the holidays. I want to be absolutely certain my chiller can keep this tank at the proper temp or I will re-think the entire thing and go either reef or FO. I am determined to do it right or not do it at all.
So the updates are slow but the tank seems fine. Once MACNA is over I will start to get serious with some testing and scaping and adding a few pony friendly inhabitants that are currently residing in other tanks.