pthoma79

I might just go ahead and buy one and cancel the one I have on order (or just have 2). I have never dosed with copper. As for replacing the cc, I have about 45 lbs LR, so hopefully I will be ok.

It usually runs between 77-78 throughout the day. Re: adding carbon, how exactly is that done. I don't have a sump, and just have a hob skimmer. Do I just get a hob filter?

The temp is 77.5. Thought that was w/in the acceptable range. Concerning the nitrates, I think the main problem is the substrate I bought when I started was about 75% CC. I'm trying to figure out the best way to switch it out. I was thinking of vacuuming out 1/4 or so of the substrate a week, followed immediately by a water change, then adding sand once its all out. I have a refractometer on order, but it hasn't gotten here yet. When I'm at the LFS this weekend, I'll have them test the SG, and see exactly where it is. I usually buy premixed stuff from saltwater fantaseas, and patrick said he keeps it at 1.023. One more thing. I have been doing a 5 gal water change (my tank is 34g) monthly. Should I be doing it more often? Thanks!

I have t5 lighting, so I dont' think thats the problem. I used to dose with a few things, but stopped, and have done about (5) 5 gal water changes since then.

I noticed yesterday that my xenia and zoas weren't looking so great, but didn't have time to tend to them. Today, they are doing about the same, and I want to figure out whats going on before they all die. About 3 weeks ago, I added some orange zoas and a Hydnophora. Now, my xenia and 2 colonies of zoas (green eye and orange) seem to be dying. My levels are: SG-1.022 (hydrometer) pH-8.2 trite-0 trate-25 amm-0 ca-420 KH-14.4 alk-5.14 The only thing I can think of is possibly chemical warfare, but I have a few shrooms and a colt in the tank too, and they are doing fine. I don't run carbon. I know the Hydnophora can be aggressive, but not sure if its stinging them or not. There are corals closer than the zoas, so wouldn't they be affected too? Here are some pics: PLEASE let me know asap if you have any ideas (or if you need more info or pics). I'll be checking back often. Thanks!!!

Great, thanks!

Hey all, I was wondering if there was anywhere in the Portland/SW Washington area to trade corals. Or, if there are any shops in the area that will trade or give credit for corals. I have 2 colt corals that are taking over my little 34 gal tank and I want to get rid of one of them, but I don't want to (and wouldn't) just throw it away. Thanks!

OK, great. I'll have to check that out tonight! On another board, someone said the third pic was q-tip sponges. Does that sound right?

I was thinking brittle star leg too, but they are all over the rock (about 15 "legs" or so, top and sides). The rock is slightly larger than a softball.

Can you guys help ID these? 1. I have counted 4 of these now. They look like a slug with a "tail". 2. These are all over a chunk of LR I got from the LFS, and I've seen one on the LR that's been in the tank for a while. 3. Not sure how well you'll be able to see these, but there are probably 100 or so on my LR. They are small (1/8 - 1/4 ") and white. Almost look like a small polyp. Any help you guys can give me would be great. Hopefully the pics work. -Phil

I have a 30 gal tall tank with about 5-6 nass snails and about 8 cerith snails. The other tank inhabitants are a royal gramma and a false perc clown. Not sure if they are scaring the diamond or not. Maybe just unlucky? As far as the sand sifters, aren't they only for bigger tanks? Also, should I get more snails, or am I good? I also have 2 turbos and about 8-10 hermits.

Anybody have any ideas for something other than a diamond goby to sift sand? I have lost 2 of those now (1 jumped through 1/2 inch eggcrate, 1 decided to explore the powerhead), and I want to try something else. Was thinking a conch, or another fish. Thanks for your ideas.

About 4 days ago, I added some chemiclean red slime remover to my tank. I forgot to turn of my skimmer when I added it (not sure if that is contributing to my problem or not). Anyways, I have been getting a large amount of bubbles coming from my skimmer ever since. I have tried shutting my skimmer off a few times (for 24 to 48 hours each time), and have done 2 10% water changes. I'm still getting a lot of bubbles from the skimmer. 2 questions: 1. How do I get rid of the bubbles? 2. Are they going to damage the inhabitants (1 perc, 1 gramma, 5 corals, snails, crabs, etc) in my tank? Thanks

Thought about a sump, but now I'm thinking about a bigger tank (clap) (shocker), so we'll see...

Started the tank at the start of the year (30 gal) I have one ocellaris clown, and I just added a royal gramma yesterday. I have 40 lbs LR and 40 lbs LS. I also have some yellow zoa and green zoa frags. Here is what I am thinking for a final fish list: Ocellaris Clown Royal Gramma Flame Hawkfish PJ Cardinal, blue/green chromis, or a 4/6 line wrasse Few questions: 1. Do I have enough rock for a hawk to perch on? Will he eat my shrimp? Not a big deal, since he's always on the back of the rock, and I never see him anyways. 2. Can I get away with doing 2 chromis or cardinals since they are a schooling fish? Or just stick with one? 3. I would WELCOME any critiques of my tank. This is the first one I've tried, and it seems to be going well.

I added the cleaner about 3-4 days before the clown died from ich. So hopefully, it helped. Haven't seen any ich on the other clown, but then again, haven't really seen the cleaner cleaning him. Seems to me, in my limited experience, he is a little depressed, and missing other fish...

I think I'm going to try the KICK ICH stuff suggested by someone on here. The other clown is doing fine, been keeping a close eye on him...

I was told the 4 line was much more peaceful than the six line. But I probably will still add it last. Just have to figure out the rest of my stocking list now. I had a diamond goby as well, but it jumped out(through the eggcrate), and I found it on the floor next to the tank. So, yeah, losing 4 fish in a month and a half, I'm getting kind of tired of replacing them....

Also, I do have a cleaner shrimp. The clown was hanging out by him, but I don't know if he was cleaning him or not.

Well, this morning, I woke up, and he's nowhere to be found....I'm getting about tired of buying clowns. In a month and a half, I have had 2 clowns mysteriously disapear (I think the larger one killed them, and the cleaners ate him), and another one die of ich (and got eaten by the cleaners). Do clowns do best in pairs, or should I try another fish? I was going to buy a four line wrasse soon, but after that, I'm not sure. Any suggestions??? -Phil

OK, read some good and less than good reviews of it. I bought some, and we'll give it a shot. Sounds like it won't hurt my inverts, and all I have is a small frag of zoas in the tank right now, so I won't be crushed if they die. We'll see. I'll let you know how it works...

OK, I think one of my clowns might have ich. I see a small brownish gray spot on the back portion of his body, and another two very small white spots near its tail. Its hard to get a good look at them, because when I get down close to the tank, he swims between rocks, where I can't see him (he's usually a very friendly fish). Also, he's been spending more time behind and between rocks the past 2 days than ever before. Params: 8.2 pH 0 Amm/trites 10 trates 1.024 SG 30 gal tank I've never had this problem before, and I don't have a QT set up. Is there a way to treat this without one, or am I going to have to go out and buy equipment for a QT? Thanks for the help...

Yeah, I've also got a 30 gal, and I've got 8 red legged hermits, 4 smaller black and white hermits, a couple turbos, 6-7 nass snails, and 3 cerith snails. Think I should get any more?

OK, so my diamond goby jumped out of my tank this morning some time. BOOOOOOOOO.... (flame) Anyways, I have eggcrate on top of the tank, and the hole in it are about 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch, so I guess he had pretty good aim. I really liked the job he was doing on the sand, and would like to get something similar. Would a lawnmower blenny do the same thing as far as jumping? Anybody have any other ideas? Thanks

Right, no sump.