Dego Red

HA! I wish man. That certainly would be simpler than the other removal methods. Maybe that's why my skimmer has been so busy lately. (laugh)

This was my reaction when I got home tonight. A freak leak, and the disappearing ich. I'll try to keep it short but... I come home tonight to a display full of bubbles. "DOH! Sump must be low. Did the ATO not turn on?" Kneel down to check the reservoir; a wet knee and an empty supply, but no cracks... #1. I yell to the wife for the details, but she saw nothing 10min earlier before going to bed. We eyeball the sump after removing the skimmer, and she spots a stream of water down the back of the sump, so I pulled the neighboring filter sock. The stream stopped! The top of the sock was slightly over/touching the sump edge, but 2" above the water line. Could it really have wicked that far up? I studied fluid dynamics in college, and my guess would have been no! #2: Backstory - Two days earlier my purple tang was covered in white spots. Yeah, your guess was the same as mine...ich. So I snagged a 20L & stand from craigslist, added a pump, heater and bacteria-filled filter sponge form my existing sump, and my QT was ready for the sick fish (and his tank mates') transfer tomorrow morning. He's still very active, but no darting, scratching on rocks, etc., and still eats like a damned horse! He can't get enough nori. Now, while refilling the sump and looking up at my tang, his ich is GONE. NO SPOTS. I did a ton of reading (RC) on the cysts, and I know part of the life cycle is that they drop off...but ALL of them? I didn't run across that, but could that be the case? None of the other fish have symptoms either. With the QT and copper ready, I still intend to isolate the fish and treat them for the 6 weeks, but has anybody seen the above before? I've had leaks in the past, but not like this. And this is my first battle with ich, so any and all comments are welcomed. Thanks for reading, Mike

EDIT - Nvm, got one!

Quick update - After removing the GFO, I've seen no change in my alk patterns, and I keep daily test records in Excel. What I have seen is a massive impact on my SPS, and it's not good. I'm getting STN on the bottom of my acro and cap frags, as well as my digi colony. All my parameters are very solid with minimal swings. Judging by my NO3 readings, the vodka ramp-up hasn't taken effect yet, which means my PO4 could still be at detrimental levels. I can't trust my PO4 test kit (reads only 0.03) - got it for my last tank, before realizing from reading that only a photometer is generally accurate. From a very informative post on RC, I put the GFO back in immediately, as well as continuing to dose vodka. The rest of the tank is healthy as can be.

As I type, my last test for the day is finishing up. Once I'm done, I'm pulling my GFO and resuming Vodka dosing, so the clock starts now.

siskiou, Keep us posted please. I've been having the same problem lately. I find myself dosing 4x Alk to each part Ca & Mg and can't figure out why. My pH supports my alk readings since they still move relative to one another, so I don't believe my test kit is bad. Like you, I'm also running GFO and carbon in my mixed reef, so I really want to keep at least the carbon. I don't have nutrient issues (NO3 = 3, PO4 =< 0.03) so I could remove my GFO for a bit and see what happens. I never planned on running it and vodka dosing instead, since my nutrients were so low, I just opted for the GFO. Perhaps I'll pick up the vodka bottle again.

The PAR value from 500W may be overkill in my 29G display. I already have plans to shift the light a few inches to the right to favor my SPS/away from my LPS. I'm afraid 250W right over my deep water zoas (I think they are anyway) may irritate them. Just out of curiosity, can you explain the setup? Is the dual ballast daisy-chained together in some fashion, or can they be split up?

Dual end or single end? I'm fine with either. I currently run one DE, but if nothing else a SE would be cleaner. Pretty nice setup, although I'm not sure if I can squeeze that in my hood. My current reflector already resides about 2" above and 1/2" over my actinic reflector, so I'd have to take some measurements tonight. Shoot me a PM with price, bulb age, and any other details you think might be relevant. Thanks! Mike

It's time to upgrade, so I'm looking for a ballast, wiring, etc etc. I can live without bulbs or reflectors since those are easy enough to find, but let me know what you have. My 150W isn't quite doing it growth-wise for my corals. Thanks! Mike

Guess I should have mentioned he's already the size of a quarter. From what I read about the asterina, that might be ruled out with size and the number of legs (mine has 5; http://www.nano-reef.com/invertebrates/?id=9). Thanks, Mike

If you saw the last thread to ID my GSP's, you'd know I got quite a few hitchhikers. Well, I picked up yet another when I bought a small digi colony. It appears to be a common sand sifter, but I've never seen one as a juvenile. Whatcha think? Thanks! Mike

Ha, that's what I was afraid of. I think I'll give dsoz's method first since I only have one. Did you dig around in Joel's sump when you were picking your rock?? The giant brittle star in there almost grabbed my wrist and gave me a heart attack! haha

Killer. Thanks, dsoz.

Pretty sure I'd need a change of shorts after finding that in my tank. About the only negative I've found is one aptasia that came outta nowhere in the last few days. It's already 1/2" across, so I'll have to lemon/Joe's juice it when I get the chance. Anyone know where to get a syringe without looking like an addict? Thanks, Mike

Thanks, guys. My first thought was a coral of some type, but the majority of that rock was covered with coraline so I thought I'd ask. It's also in line with what pledosophy said, in that they seem to be growing quickly. I've been very lucky with this tank. I got all the rock fully cured from Upscales and Waves with no cycle to speak of at all. I added some Seachem Stability to be sure, but I was able to begin stocking after 4 days. The total hitchhiker list is now the GSP, 1 emerald mithrax crab and 1 red mithrax (both 1"), 5-8 brittle stars (lost count), several bristle worms, 2 or 3 1/4" snails, and a few feather dusters. Everyone has survived from day one, and the tank is super healthy so far!

So my new tank has been up and running for about 3 weeks and I've been seeing these yellow polyps becoming more and more noticeable in the purple coraline (last tank only had green). No idea what they are, so curiosity has finally got the best of me and hoping someone knows. Could be nothing, but looks pretty cool either way...almost chalice-like when they are all out. Sorry for the bad photo - my camera isn't the greatest shooting the tank. Thanks! Mike

Ok guys, we'll consider this spoken for. Since Benny503 was the first to contact me, he's basically got dibs on the majority. markdadof2/CCR/undrtkr_00, Since this is essentially just kickstart sand anyway, I'd be happy to set aside a handful for each of you if you'd still like some seed. I'm leaving shortly but should be home about 6-7pm tonight and all day tomorrow and Monday. Shoot me a PM with a time that you'd like to stop by, and I'll send you my addy. Hope this is fair for everyone! Mike

Since I lurk a lot, and haven't given much back... If anyone is starting a new tank and needs some live sand for seed, you are welcomed to it. My new tank has a bit too much flow (built for future SPS) and piles the sand, so I siphoned some out. I'll check the thread every so often, so first come, first served. I only ask that you bring a clean container to Hillsboro for pick up since I'm limited on buckets. Mike

Time to sweeten the deal I guess... I'll throw in the two book cases you see in the pics (pre-drilled for ATO/general equip/etc) and a 10g or 20g tank for a sump...or BOTH for a sump and display. The bottom of the 20g is pre-drilled as well; just have to remove the acrylic seal I put in place. Then everything (wires, etc) is still concealed by the extra 6" behind the 20g.

$200 anyone?

Thanks, guys. If you happen to know of anyone who does need a setup like this, spread the word. I'd like to see it go to someone on the forums/in the hobby rather than deal with all the Craigslist headaches! Price changed to OBO!

This is a one of a kind tank stand and hood combination built by me personally for a standard 29 gallon tank. A 20g long can also be accommodated if the two vertical inserts (aesthetic) are simply shortened. A portion of the left side of the hood is hinged for quick access to the lighting, and the forward panel on the stand is removable via 4 screws to access any equipment stored underneath for a clean look. Each and every piece was stained prior to final assembly to prevent any possible rotting by spilled water during water changes, then the exterior was painted black (just to match the furniture). Below are some pictures from a previous build thread. A fresh, light coat of paint will be applied this weekend (not that it really needs it). Price is $250 OBO. I'm in Hillsboro, OR. Please email with any questions. Thanks! Mike mjgianunzio@gmail.com

Hey guys - Just got my reef rollin and now that things are coming together, it appears these guys just aren't going to fit. They're all very happy/healthy, and you're welcome to come see them anytime. Watermelon zoas - lousy pic and lighting, but you get the idea. ~20 polyps, individual rock - $20 Hammer - 2"+ across when fully open, and at least two more heads forming - $15 Orange Ricordia - ~1" across, on it's own green/purple/red coraline covered rock - $25 Please PM or email me at mjgianunzio@gmail.com if interested. Thanks! Mike

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and was directed here from TRT. I'm seven weeks deep into my cycle, and everything has been changing as expected, but over this entire time I've gotten the exact same ammonia reading (~0.25 - 0.5, Salifert). I'm starting to think my kit is bad - NO2 is at zero, NO3 is climbing, and diatoms are dying, suggesting the end of the cycle. Would someone in the area be willing run a quick ammonia test for me so I have a comparison? I'd really appreciate it, and can bring the sample to you to make it painless. Thanks! Mike