I wouldn't worry about dosing CA yet, just get your alk and ph in line first than mag than CA
Glenn's First 90g Reef Build (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter RedHeckle
- Start date
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
I was wondering would that be with "full" lights?
Here's my light schedule:
11am - actinics ON
12pm - act/aqua blues ON
4pm - aqua blues OFF
6pm - act OFF
With the Actinics on and their low range lighting, does that affect algae growth?
Algae generally prefers yellow/green/red sprectrum but will still grow under the lower ends as well.
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Check a roony! Alk and Ca test kits, I'll have to wait on Mg until I get my first coral I think...er, probably just before I get my first coral.
:beerchug:
:beerchug:
Glenn, how many bulbs are you running again? When you say aqua blues I assume they are 50/50, atinics and 10k combo?
Since you don't have high light demand corals I would maybe go this route:
11:00am actinics
12pm act off/aqua blues
4pm act on/aqua blues off
5pm act off
Once you get more corals I would do your regimen that you have above.
Any lighting affects algae growth...Most likely its the aqua blues thats causing it.
Since you don't have high light demand corals I would maybe go this route:
11:00am actinics
12pm act off/aqua blues
4pm act on/aqua blues off
5pm act off
Once you get more corals I would do your regimen that you have above.
Any lighting affects algae growth...Most likely its the aqua blues thats causing it.
I'd get the ALK/PH/Mag first for test kits...the CA is not needed until you get hard corals...If you doing softies at first CA can wait. Also you need a decent amount of hard corals too before it starts to really use up your CA. So its safe to say CA would be my last test kit to get out of the 4. Plus if your CA is low it won't affect the corals in anyway other than growth.
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Here's my light setup - 4x54HO Solar
Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue (12k)
ATI Blue Plus
ATI ProColor (not sure if I like this one, may change at later date)
BACK
I'm going to change the lighting schedule right now. Thanks for the help and also on test kits.
Hah, just realized that I do have a Alk kit! :brick: Too much going on outside of the reef tank world. I'm going to test Alk whilst the kids watch Jungle Junction... :gay1:
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Here's my Alk/kH - 8dkH. Not bad, I think.
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Well, I picked up a Salifert pH test kit to compare against my Tropic Marin to compare against my pH probe on my RKL.
The test kits are showing a pH of around 8.1~8.2. My calibrated pH probe is reading 7.95. I've checked several times over the day and the pH probe is consistantly off by about 0.2 (towards the lower side).
Is the probe potentially bad? I'm using lab grade pH buffers of 7.00 and 10.01that are freshly opened to calibrate the probe.
-Glenn
The test kits are showing a pH of around 8.1~8.2. My calibrated pH probe is reading 7.95. I've checked several times over the day and the pH probe is consistantly off by about 0.2 (towards the lower side).
Is the probe potentially bad? I'm using lab grade pH buffers of 7.00 and 10.01that are freshly opened to calibrate the probe.
-Glenn
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Also, I'm going to be setting up a 10g quarantine tank up by the end of the week. I'm itching for some fish, specifically Ocellaris clowns. Not sure if I should get just 1 or find a pair. Need to shop around next.
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
First Fish(es)!!!
Well, after multiple questions from my 3 yr old and a "go for it" from my wife Monika; I have 2 fish in my QT tank (Petsmart has 10g tanks for $11!)
So here we go, yes they're Ocellaris Clownfish Orange/White that I got from SWE. I was so close to getting the last 2 Black/White Ocellaris there, but could not justify the cost. Still, everyone loves them!!
They'll be in QT for about 3-4 wks. I used old tank water and tossed in some live rock to help seed the filter sponge. Don't worry, I'm pulling the LR out tomorrow - any meds + LR = bad.
Enough chit/chat, here are the pics:
No names yet, just Clown A (more black on dorsal fin) and Clown B (less blk on dorsal).
Well, after multiple questions from my 3 yr old and a "go for it" from my wife Monika; I have 2 fish in my QT tank (Petsmart has 10g tanks for $11!)
So here we go, yes they're Ocellaris Clownfish Orange/White that I got from SWE. I was so close to getting the last 2 Black/White Ocellaris there, but could not justify the cost. Still, everyone loves them!!
They'll be in QT for about 3-4 wks. I used old tank water and tossed in some live rock to help seed the filter sponge. Don't worry, I'm pulling the LR out tomorrow - any meds + LR = bad.
Enough chit/chat, here are the pics:
No names yet, just Clown A (more black on dorsal fin) and Clown B (less blk on dorsal).
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Lucky Clownfish?!?
So, as you saw I picked up a pair of clownfish from SWE and put them in quarantine. Well, the next day I get a call from a company in Flagstaff, AZ who's interested in my qualifications for a position out there.
After 2 phone interviews, it was quiet for a few days; so I figure what are the chances for a call back if I put the clownfish in the display tank now that quarantine is over?:gay1:
Well, this past weekend I put the fish in the display tank and Monday I get a call that they would like to fly me out; on Wednesday, I'm told that my interview is on 2/12, so I fly out 2/11. I'm currently in Flagstaff right now with the interview complete (it went well I think).
So, are these lucky clownfish? You decide... If I need to relocate to Flagstaff; I'll be selling these lucky little guys.
:biggthumpup:
Glenn
So, as you saw I picked up a pair of clownfish from SWE and put them in quarantine. Well, the next day I get a call from a company in Flagstaff, AZ who's interested in my qualifications for a position out there.
After 2 phone interviews, it was quiet for a few days; so I figure what are the chances for a call back if I put the clownfish in the display tank now that quarantine is over?:gay1:
Well, this past weekend I put the fish in the display tank and Monday I get a call that they would like to fly me out; on Wednesday, I'm told that my interview is on 2/12, so I fly out 2/11. I'm currently in Flagstaff right now with the interview complete (it went well I think).
So, are these lucky clownfish? You decide... If I need to relocate to Flagstaff; I'll be selling these lucky little guys.
:biggthumpup:Glenn
cwk132
Senior Member
Good luck with the job, and nice clowns!
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Thanks cwk132!!!
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Good News and bad news!!
It's been awhile since an update; I'd had put any tank purchases on hold due to losing my job and potentially relocating.
Well, almost 6 months later; my first day of new work will be on 4/19 hear in Minnesota (north Metro). Yay!!! Let the purchases begin - well, after I get my first paycheck.
Bad news - WTH?! I found an aptasia?!? It's almost an inch in height when it's extended. Might of come from my snail/crab purchase back in December. I did find a smaller 3mm sized one last night, but this morning it went "dark" (ie: it separated from the glass and I have no fricking idea where it is now). So, I'm going to attempt to manually remove/suction the big one out. And, maybe pick up a few peppermint shrimp to hold off the small ones which are lurking around.
I'll post picks soon, especially of the "baddie". Thanks!
-Glenn
It's been awhile since an update; I'd had put any tank purchases on hold due to losing my job and potentially relocating.
Well, almost 6 months later; my first day of new work will be on 4/19 hear in Minnesota (north Metro). Yay!!! Let the purchases begin - well, after I get my first paycheck.
Bad news - WTH?! I found an aptasia?!? It's almost an inch in height when it's extended. Might of come from my snail/crab purchase back in December. I did find a smaller 3mm sized one last night, but this morning it went "dark" (ie: it separated from the glass and I have no fricking idea where it is now). So, I'm going to attempt to manually remove/suction the big one out. And, maybe pick up a few peppermint shrimp to hold off the small ones which are lurking around.
I'll post picks soon, especially of the "baddie". Thanks!
-Glenn
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Well, I ended up scraping off the large one off the glass and get it sucked into a bucket. The smaller one I covered in epoxy!! Yeah, we'll see what happens over the next few weeks. I might pick up a peppermint shrimp since if any aptasia are around I know they're small right now.
Most of the hair algae is gone now, just need to do another water change and pick up some test kits once I get paid - looking to add coral probably in May.
Here a FTS. sorry the sand was stirred up a bit after I leveled out some sand:
Here's a close up of my Ocellaris:
Enjoy!!
Glenn
Most of the hair algae is gone now, just need to do another water change and pick up some test kits once I get paid - looking to add coral probably in May.
Here a FTS. sorry the sand was stirred up a bit after I leveled out some sand:
Here's a close up of my Ocellaris:
Enjoy!!
Glenn
CaptainGreg
Senior Member
Hey Glenn,
Looks like doing this SW project help dealing with the lay off. I went through the same thing in June 09 and I did lot of re-work on my tanks in between job hunt keep from going nut....
Good therapy...
Glad you get to stay in MN...:greenguy:
Looks like doing this SW project help dealing with the lay off. I went through the same thing in June 09 and I did lot of re-work on my tanks in between job hunt keep from going nut....
Good therapy...
Glad you get to stay in MN...:greenguy:
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Hitchhiker crab, a baddie
Hey Captain Greg - yes, working on the tank was a nice way to use up time; but it sucked not being able to purchase really anything. It was all just maintanance work: ie - cleaning, feeding, water changes. But now the fun part starts with searching for coral and more livestock!!!
Check out what I found this weekend:
Is it bad - well, if you count that I saw this guy scuttle out of it's hole, grab a red hermit crab and drag it back into it's lair - yeah, I think it's a BAD crab!:mad_3:
So I think I'm going to use one of these traps: 1) the glass jar with shrimp and have the crab hopefully get trapped, or 2) the stocking hose trap. I think the stocking hose trap with get less snails drawn in. Problem is that I dont' know exactly where is new lair is.
Either way - it must be vanquished from the DT and sent to the sump!
Now, what corals to get?! Considering Zoas, Mushrooms and Frogspawn (wife REALLY liked the purple tipped ones at SWE).
Cheers - Glenn
Hey Captain Greg - yes, working on the tank was a nice way to use up time; but it sucked not being able to purchase really anything. It was all just maintanance work: ie - cleaning, feeding, water changes. But now the fun part starts with searching for coral and more livestock!!!
Check out what I found this weekend:
Is it bad - well, if you count that I saw this guy scuttle out of it's hole, grab a red hermit crab and drag it back into it's lair - yeah, I think it's a BAD crab!:mad_3:
So I think I'm going to use one of these traps: 1) the glass jar with shrimp and have the crab hopefully get trapped, or 2) the stocking hose trap. I think the stocking hose trap with get less snails drawn in. Problem is that I dont' know exactly where is new lair is.
Either way - it must be vanquished from the DT and sent to the sump!
Now, what corals to get?!
Considering Zoas, Mushrooms and Frogspawn (wife REALLY liked the purple tipped ones at SWE).Cheers - Glenn
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
Please ID this invert
Anyone have an idea as to what this is, I know picture isn't the greatest since I was in a hurry but this "invert" has built a tunnel like "shell" about the size of a quarter.
It then protrudes out and secretes some type of web which it then eats I think. I'm going to try and capture some video of this thing. I first noticed it on the live rock I bought back in November '09 where I thought it was some type of tube worm since it's "tube" stuck out from the rock. It's been growing but with it's shell parallel to the rock and doesn't see to cause any harm - it's pretty much stuck to the rock building it's hut.
Anyone have an idea as to what this is, I know picture isn't the greatest since I was in a hurry but this "invert" has built a tunnel like "shell" about the size of a quarter.
It then protrudes out and secretes some type of web which it then eats I think. I'm going to try and capture some video of this thing. I first noticed it on the live rock I bought back in November '09 where I thought it was some type of tube worm since it's "tube" stuck out from the rock. It's been growing but with it's shell parallel to the rock and doesn't see to cause any harm - it's pretty much stuck to the rock building it's hut.
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RedHeckle
Senior Member
WooHoo!! Evil crab is now gone from the DT and now in the sump and I'm going to pick up my first corals from Jimmy 4 tonight - green striped mushrooms!!!
Can't wait to acclimate and dip with some Kent Marine Tech-D!
Can't wait to acclimate and dip with some Kent Marine Tech-D!