aqua-ed

So I have a pretty good size chunk of pulsing xenia on a piece of rock with some zoos. Over the weekend, I had a mechanical failure (protein skimmer plugged and over flowed) and my sump stopped recirculating. I had to add a quick batch of saltwater to get it going again, which may have shocked some things, but every else came back. My tank has stopped recirc a couple times in the past, but always without resulting problems. This time, though, my xenia got kind of wrinkly and stopped pulsing to its full potential. Any ideas?

Everything else is doing fine in my tank. The pictures are kind of hard to see, but you can almost see the wrinkly trunk of the xenia.

Thanks!

I don't know if this has been done before, but I'm awfully proud of myself, so I want to show it off.

Most full blown aquarist don't use simple kalk drippers, but for those who do, here is an easy and effective model.

Most plans show to make one from a milk jug, but those would work for a while, then spring a leak. This model is sturdy, easy and cheap.

If your not impressed, don't burst my bubble, just amuse me.

I don't see any logical flaws in this, the only thing I can think of would be logistics. That would require more tubing, pumps, and space. I think once through is probably just a happy medium. Its like washing your hair, they say rinse, lather, repeat, but who actually repeats? It just wastes shampoo and your hair is clean enough after once through.

I think a better solution would be a longer refugium/sump. As for the skimmer, as long as you aren't overfeeding or killing things, your skimmer shouldn't have much trouble cleaning the water.

Hope that helps and that I'm not leading you astray.

I don't a local source, but you can get it online at www.canningpantry.com for pretty darn cheap. I think I got two pounds there for under $10, including shipping.

Luckily, I don't have any urchins.

Just algae.

Hey! I'm in need of a cuke for my DSB refugium and tank. I've heard tiger-tails are fairly prolific splitters. Anybody have one that split and they just don't need? I'd be happy to buy it from you!

So I went on a brief Christmas break and a BTA died. The spurt of nutrients set the bryopsis wild. Most of my Zoo colonies are fairly small yet and they got covered in the algae to the point where they couldn't even be seen. I took them out, gently cleaned them the best I could and put them back. They look alright, but they won't open. I don't believe they are dead, they just looked like closed zoos. Can I assume they may open up soon? Is there anything else I should due to ensure their survival? I've changes the water and cleaned up the tank, so WQ is cool.

I had to beg and plead to get these few zoo frags, they can't die now!

Good ol' brittle stars. You tend to get them as stow aways on live rock. I have quite a few in my tank, a lot of times I don't see anything but their arms reaching out like worms.

It's funny cause it's bigger than a regular hat.

Turd Ferguson, funny name.(laugh)

I've heard that 10 times the tank size is a good amount to run through. Therefore 300gph?

Does that sound right? I also have to go up about 4 feet, plus add a 90 degree bend.

I don't know if the maxi jet 1200 would be quite enough...

Hey Folks

I need a return pump for my sump. My sump is only 10 gallons, returning to a 30 gallon, so I don't need anything huge.

Thanks!

Possibly...

I do have some mini fan worms, but these fellas are wiggly and quite mobile. Your classic biology parasite in appearance. I guess they could be some kind of 'pod, but why am I just now seeing them?

I don't have a card for my camera right now, otherwise I'd post a picture.

Looking at google images, it might be a bristle worm. I know I have several of those in my tank, but they are smaller. Actually, looking on google, I can hardly tell the difference between bristles and eunicid.

I will find my camera card this weekend and try and get you a picture, if you want.

For now, my hand stays out of the tank(scary)

Hey, I may have something for you. Its a eunicid worm (i think). The sucker has to be close to a 10" long.

I have had my tank for a few months and never seen this guy before (which is hard to imagine). Today, though, a clownfish died and I saw this huge nasty tremors-like creature eating him.

Anyway, he creeps me out, so I'd love to trade it in for some zoos or something.

Does anybody know of a good invert for grape caulerpa? It is going ape in my tank and the stuff is a pain to remove by hand. It doesn't pull out, it just breaks off...

I know there is another active thread about ich, but this is along a different line...

My second (and last) fish died today, presumably from the ich that got it last weekend. I was gathering the gear to build a QT tank, but I guess it's moot now.

Anyway, I'm looking at the walls of my tank and they are covered (veritably, thousands) with tiny tiny roundish worm-like things. Is this the ich parasite? They haven't should up (that I've noticed) until today. If it is, will perish with no more fish to kill? I have corals and two BTA's, but I don't think it will affect them, right?

Any ideas?

Hello again-

I am getting ready to build a sump/refugium for my 30h tank. I drew up a quick and dirty schematic that I would like some feedback/ advice on. It's not at all to scale, but it gives the general idea. That tank I'll use will be about 10 gallons, maybe more. It has been in the attic for a few years, so I don't recall it's size.

Also, I plan to use acrylic because it is cheaper and can be cut at home. What do I use to glue the acrylic to the glass?

Thanks again!

Awesome, looks like I'm running to the liquor store tomorrow. So, is it okay to still add acetic acid? or should I drop that?

Yes, I've heard that works well, too. I read on RC that it might work better as well. I'm assuming the dosage is the same?

Hmmm... do you think it is okay to keep up the acetic acid in my kalkwasser if I also add Vodka? The acetic acid provides carbon for the bacteria (like the vodka) but it also gets more Ca out of the kalkwasser.

How much did you use? I use 15ml per quart and drip it in real slow (I drip about 3 quarts in 24 hrs)

I use acetic acid (vinegar) in my kalkwasser, which I think is similar in idea. It provides carbon for the nitrate reducing bacteria. Anybody else have experience using acetic acid? I've never heard of using vodka until now. Sounds intriguing though...

Hello Folks-

I could really use a cleaner shrimp or two if anybody has one (or two) they would like to sell me.

Thanks!

Here is something else, too. My nitrites are always zero, so would that imply that it isn't overfeeding?

Ok, how do I "turkey baste" rock? What exactly does that entail?

What about a coil denitrator? Are they kosher to have along side live rock and corals?

I've looked at them and something like that would be easy for me to rig up.

Thanks for the offer of chaeto, but I'm still doing my student teaching in Corvallis, so Woodburn isn't to close. I'm sure I can find someone nearby with some.

This tank isn't for my classroom, yet...

I still don't have one (a classroom, that is)

It's good to know that an overflow/sump isn't that hard. I'll keep that in mind, it would certainly make my life a little easier.