obrien.david.j

Victim 2, Sixth Morning (SunAM) Rotated and separated the rocks yesterday. This morning, I can still see one Aptasia hunkered in a hole - but it's time to call this quits. I'm leaving this rock in and... Today we'll move in Victim #3!

For Sale: $75 must pick up from my place. Cedar Mill (just east of Bethany) This is my well loved trusty RO unit. Originally a Hi-S setup, to focus on reducing silicates - but membrane and cartridges have all been replaced along the way with high quality but not high S components. Includes pre-plumbed Booster Buddie, worth ~>$100. Super handy pressure boosting pump, auto flush, and auto-shut off with back pressure all in one integrated unit. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/smart-buddie-rodi-booster-pump-aquatic-life.html This unit was in use until a month ago, when I upgraded to higher capacity. Fully plumbed, just add feed line in and it's good to go. I'll throw in new/unopened prefilter and carbon cartridges. But you'll need a new DI resin cartridge. Recap: ~50-75 gallon per day, 3 stage RO unit Booster Buddie (added in 2019) TDS in/out meter new prefilter & carbon cartridges needs new DI resin plumbed, ready to go

I have the same theory why my filefish and copper banded butterfly fish haven't decimated the Aptasia in the main display tank... Because I feed heavily. Or feel like I do. I got through one sheet of paper size packet of frozen LRS food every 8 days. (I cut the packet into 8th's, and feed 1/8th a day)

That was quick. Sold.

As part of my peppermint shrimp order, I threw in a bag of Astrea snails. Well, it's more than I need. About 30+ more than I need. Astrea Snails, $0.50 each. Must be picked up from my place, Cedar Mill (just east of Bethany) I'm around all weekend.

Victim 2, Fifth Morning (Sat AM) I can still see three, remaining in the cracks. I'm thinking the shrimp have been well fed, and aren't going as aggressively at this point. thoughts?

Fair enough. Easy, and even gross readings worked. And cheap.

Why Salifert for Nitrate? I find it granular and generally hard (for me) to read. Or maybe more specifically, why Salifert over the Hanna HI782? May I tap into your learning please. I started with Salifert, switched to HI782. Here's my tracking chart for the overlap window.

You'll have to check the range of each, And decide how accurate you need to be. I'm using the HR HI782 Nitrate tester, and am happy with the amount of time and effort it takes to use the tester. I bought the ULR model the week it was available. While it was shipping, the video's on what it takes to perform a test came out. Got the unit, read the instructions, Haven't Used it Once. There's a lot more steps, and I don't feel I needed it. Actually, felt I want my nitrates 5+ and so stopped even considering using the ULR tester. It's still new, unused. (make me an offer, if you want it.) Right now, my nitrates are running in the 15-16 range, pretty consistently.

Victim 2, Fourth Morning (Friday AM) -- And a Surprise Overall picture of the rock looks good! (red) But, based on the video and seeing an aptasia inflate/deflate/etc - I cracked out a flashlight and tops down viewing box... And Surprise! Two big aptasia pieces are still there. I'm thinking another two days at minimum. What I can see needs to be gone, plus a buffer timeframe. Also going to rotate the rock, in case any Aptasia are sitting on the tank bottom. What isn't visible from a distance, IS visible on close up inspection. This rock ISN'T DONE! (Stringy stuff is an Aptasia in pict 1. And you can see a shrunk Aptasia in pict 2)

I'm currently testing via Apex, and Hanna daily. I'm happy with these Hanna results. Tests are straight forward. I Apex pH & Temp Trident: Ca, Alk, Mg Hanna HI736 Phosphorus ULR HI782 Nitrate HR HI705 Silica low range (because I'm dosing for dinos)

Unclip the sheet for scraping. Nice idea.

I'm fighting Dinos now. Mostly large cell amphidinium, aka brown/rusty gravel. Am well down the "correct and stabilize everything" path, and am now into Dose Silicates to grow Diatoms to outcompete the Dinos. Do you think your Scrubber-Algae is outcompeting Dinos?

Nice design. I think I recognize that container too. is it an OXO brand, POP container? How do you clean this design? I'm not a scrubber user, but my understanding is you need to be prepared for weekly/bi-weekly scraping of that white sheet algae grows on.

I setup the camera in front of the Aptasia eating Peppermint tank last night. You can find my post on it here:

Setup a camera last night to watch the activity. Here is 6 hours of shrimp, in 15 seconds. Watching this video, look at the left side of the screen, top corner of the rock. I see a large aptasia pop up, shrink down, pop up, shrink down. I don't think it's gone yet. This video ends, just before I took this mornings photo. (previous post) In the photo it must be down. Only soon to pop back up... and be eaten! 6 hours of shrimp in 15 seconds.mp4 In case you want to see the setup.

Victim 2, third Morning (Thurs AM) Left side, do you see any aptasia remaining? Right side, do you see any aptasia remaining? it's too early to call it. I'll leave it for another day, but soon it may be time for Victim #3!

Very nice. And this spawned an idea...

I have a webcam in the equipment room, which can see the side of one frag tank. (Lower right corner of video) Have you ever wondered what your snails do at night? Check out this video. I compressed 5hrs (midnight to 5am), into 50 seconds. 5hrs in 15seconds.mp4

Good Input

Victim 2, Second Morning (Weds AM) Yesterday, middle of the picture had an Aptasia. Today, all I see is a hungry shrimp.

Victim 2, First Morning (Tues AM) Notice the emerald crab. Right side, above pink epoxy, above snail. There are a few touches of Valonia here too. Might as well go for all killers.

And the next Victim has arrived.

And this is what the rock looked like as I took it out tonight.

What a stunning display! Haven't been to the aquarium in a few years, will have to make a point to re-visit.