markdadof2

OK, so my cube has been set up for about 8 - 9 months now. I have not introduced any live rock....but I keep finding new crabs in there - hitchhikers. I already killed a gorilla crab - there is one other hairy ugly crab that I see frequently, but he is too fast to spear. I found a nice porcelain crab - a red crab (which is supposed to be a good algae eater I red), and just today I found a small white crab on the gravel. when I flashed the light on him he went to the rocks and kinda wedged between the rock and sand - and it looks like he buried himself. I wonder how many dang crabs are in there that I have NOT seen. Anyone else had this happen to them? I need to research the white crab to see what he may be - good or bad!

let me know if you need any help with your rke, i love mine! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I will soon order a second ph probe for my controller so I can see what the tank Ph is. Right now I just monitor my effluent

I set up a Ca reactor and kalk reactor a few weeks ago and my parameters have never been so stable. Miss a day dosing and things go downhill quickly. Sure, the reactors take a bit of tweaking but things are becoming quite stable at this point and require very few (if any) adjustments. I'm about in need of more kalk powder so I'm going to have to make it to wal-mart, dangit!

Ciao - you can borrow the kit...but since Jordan is getting the colorimeter in a few days I would schmooze him! ha ha. Jordan, I may have to trade a frag for a test or two just to make sure my phos reactor is doing it's job.

I remenber Just wasn't sure if you were going to get one for sure or not. I think I have a phos test (it is either salifert or elos) - but rarely use it. I would suggest a phosban reactor. I run the Two little fishies with Bulk Reef Supply GFO.

I have one sitting around, but have never used it on my reef tank. I haven't heard of enough benefits to get it set up. Geez, my sump is busy enough as it is! ha.

Give Tim a call @ Westside...he will be getting me in a Mg elos kit this week, as I haven't found them locally anywhere else (well, not too many places here on this side of town anymore...). I'm sure Tim could pick you up what you needed.

Actually, I have a bunch of syringes (minus the needles) from various dead test kits, you are welcome to one if you like.

Love my ReefKeeper Elite! I agree with what Jordan says - every reefer should have a controler!

I'm not sure about the limewater. You can pick up some kalk powder from one of our fine sponsers and mix it in with your top-off water. I run my topoff thru a PM Kalk reactor - it is on a timer 3x per 24 hour period to stir the kalk up.

Jordan, sorry I could not make it over but I had family in town. Hmmmm...would one of those nice anemonies be the one I brought into waves a long time ago? the purple base? Let me know if you need any frags as I can certainly part wit some!

I went into Fred Meyer and told the pharmacy tech that I needed a few syringes - it was not a problem. I don't think they believed me when I told them I wanted the syringe and needles to shoot up some bad corals (zoas that were taking over). I still think she thought i was a druggie. ha ha ha

What Ph is your make-up water for water changes?

I have a few pictures: 60G cube with a Reeflo Dart closed loop system RPS 2000 skimmer Schuran micro Ca Reactor PM Kalk reactor custom sump with refugium Phosban reactor (two little fishies). Reefkeeper Elite with .net module I forget what my return pump is :( Pacific coast imports cl280 chiller ATO Chiller and new Kalk reactor The VERY full sump - the schuran Ca reactor has the red top ATO for the makup water in the garage - dual float switches - If you need one let me know Solenoid for the garage ATO for makeup water. RO/DI unit in garage: And, one of the most important items - Generator for those powerless days:

When the opossums got to my dog and scratched him up a bit - I found my pellet gun did OK stunning them, then a pitchfork did wonders. Didn't have time to be 'humane' about it :(

I have a nano sitting around doing nothing if you need to borrow it as a hospital tank - halides and all....

Frank, it is doing great. KH levels have settled out at 10, CA at 445-450 and ph about 8.2-8.3. Better polyp extension than I have seen in a long while. This whole Ca reactor with a Kalk reactor seems to be the way to go. I think my wife even ordered me all the components for my RKE so I can monitor tank PH from my Reefkeeper Elite. woo-hoo.

Let me know when the next road trip is - If we squeeze in I can fit 9 people in the SUV. 6-7 more comfortably.

Thanks Jay!

Let me know when you get your reef tank setup - I'd like to toss a few frags your way to get you started.

some may find this to be helpful. It even talks of the benefits of Kalk. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.php

I didn't use eggcrate in my cube, but used a type of board...and of course the name slips me now. I have it there so if I do have any rocks that fall they will not crack the glass. Wouldn't it be a bummer to have a rock slide and crack the bottom of the tank? So far my pistol and goby don't seem to mind the board under there....they are making caves like mad.

I did battle over the summer with Opossums living under my deck. I didn't mind them until my dog came in a bit beat up...then It was time to 'eradicate' them - I spent a few late nights 'rednecking' it out on my deck