So today a spent a lot of time on the tank... and as life would have it, it doesn't look like it.
Once again I siphoned more sand out. I probably got another 3 gallons out. Almost everything except for the sand underneath the anemone bowl. I ended up changing about 25 gallons of water today (33%) and it looks like crap.
I also took this opportunity to see what siphoning a bare bottom would be like. It was actually pretty easy. Water changes are going to be a lot quicker and will use less water in the future. I bet I can cut the water changes from 20 gallons (27% change) to 10 or 15 gallons (13-20%), depending on how many hermit crabs are in the way.
Had a good day at the LFS today as well. Had a nice chat with the owner about what I was wanting to do. Ended up purchasing a RO/DI unit (about damned time), an HOB overflow, three more powerheads (2 x 425 gph and 750 gph), and a return pump rated at 750 gph. That takes my display flow to 3625 gph (tank turnover of 48 times per hour). This amount of flow should keep detritus suspended nicely until it is drawn into the sump. The flow rate for the sump is much lower to allow that detritus to settle there.
Later I stopped by Home Depot with my return pump and overflow to figure out the plumbing. All my pipes are purchased as well.
So I have everything I need except for the sump container itself. I'm still undecided between a glass tank, a DIY acrylic box, or a rubbermaid tote. If I could plumb two totes together, that would be even better. I have about 36" of width that I'd like to fill, which would give me 12" of storage in the cabinet still.
More later as the build progresses.
Jax, Me, and the Surf
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Jax's Reef - The Way it Should Have Been
So I've been trying to decide these last couple of months whether or not to breed clowns. If I decide not to, there are still some upgrades I'd like to do to the display tank...
Perhaps it's that I'm inexperienced in a majority of aquarium equipment. And then again perhaps I know precisely what I'm looking at when shopping for equipment and stuff is just really that expensive.
So if I decide to breed the clowns, I'm looking at an initial investment of about $1,000. Granted, about half of that is equipment I would want regardless of breeding or not - like a RO/DI unit ($300), refractometer ($60), return pump ($100) for a sump installation (either breeding or on the current display tank). So these are the common items.
If I decide to breed, I'll also require a couple of HOB overflow boxes ($120); microalgae, brine shrimp and rotifer cultures from Florida Aqua Farms ($175), larvae catcher ($100), breeding jugs for the food, air pump ($75), misc plumbing, lights, timers, etc.
If I decide to install a sump, I'll still need one HOB overflow box ($60), misc plumbing parts, light, timer, etc.
Breeding will require an unknown amount of daily time, probably at least a half hour or so. I really don't think I want to spend money and time on something additional. Perhaps when/if I retire and need a hobby. But I currently have plenty to keep my hands full.
I've been back and forth for the last couple weeks. But today is the day I put my foot down and decide.
I think I've decided NOT to breed, but to make the display tank as it should have been initially - with a sump for convenient nutrient export, housing equipment, and water polishing.
Installing a sump will be no simple or quick task, and while I'm "in there" there are a couple other things I'd like to get done:
Perhaps it's that I'm inexperienced in a majority of aquarium equipment. And then again perhaps I know precisely what I'm looking at when shopping for equipment and stuff is just really that expensive.
So if I decide to breed the clowns, I'm looking at an initial investment of about $1,000. Granted, about half of that is equipment I would want regardless of breeding or not - like a RO/DI unit ($300), refractometer ($60), return pump ($100) for a sump installation (either breeding or on the current display tank). So these are the common items.
If I decide to breed, I'll also require a couple of HOB overflow boxes ($120); microalgae, brine shrimp and rotifer cultures from Florida Aqua Farms ($175), larvae catcher ($100), breeding jugs for the food, air pump ($75), misc plumbing, lights, timers, etc.
If I decide to install a sump, I'll still need one HOB overflow box ($60), misc plumbing parts, light, timer, etc.
Breeding will require an unknown amount of daily time, probably at least a half hour or so. I really don't think I want to spend money and time on something additional. Perhaps when/if I retire and need a hobby. But I currently have plenty to keep my hands full.
I've been back and forth for the last couple weeks. But today is the day I put my foot down and decide.
I think I've decided NOT to breed, but to make the display tank as it should have been initially - with a sump for convenient nutrient export, housing equipment, and water polishing.
Installing a sump will be no simple or quick task, and while I'm "in there" there are a couple other things I'd like to get done:
- Remove the display tank so that the sump can be dropped into the cabinet from the top. This will make installing the sump tank easier than going in from the back and removing the rear vertical support.
- Level the stand.
- Removing the remainder of the substrate from the display tank
Saturday, July 16, 2011
More Siphoned Sand
Today I did a water change. I didn't test before changing so I don't have any pre-change data. I had an opportunity to remove more substrate so I took it.
I ended up removing the rocks in the right third of the tank in order to remove the substrate from that area. Those rocks are now sitting on bare glass. When I put them back I wasn't too concerned about how it looked, so it doesn't look all that hot. After all, those rocks will need to be removed again to make room for the anemone bowl so that I can remove the substrate from underneath it.
About 3 gallons of substrate was removed today along with 25 gallons of water. I can't believe how much crap there was in the substrate at the edge of the rocks... Brown powdery crap that would have sat there for a millennia.
Like I said, I'm not happy with the rocks, but I'm happy with the journey. Once I get the substrate from under the anemone bowl I can concentrate on visual appeal of the placement of rock. Or, who knows... I may have a sump by then with the currently-unsightly rocks in the sump. Doubt it though ;) I need something for the coral to grow on.
That's it for now. Any pictures posted prior to the end of this journey will definitely be work-in-progress pictures.
I ended up removing the rocks in the right third of the tank in order to remove the substrate from that area. Those rocks are now sitting on bare glass. When I put them back I wasn't too concerned about how it looked, so it doesn't look all that hot. After all, those rocks will need to be removed again to make room for the anemone bowl so that I can remove the substrate from underneath it.
About 3 gallons of substrate was removed today along with 25 gallons of water. I can't believe how much crap there was in the substrate at the edge of the rocks... Brown powdery crap that would have sat there for a millennia.
Like I said, I'm not happy with the rocks, but I'm happy with the journey. Once I get the substrate from under the anemone bowl I can concentrate on visual appeal of the placement of rock. Or, who knows... I may have a sump by then with the currently-unsightly rocks in the sump. Doubt it though ;) I need something for the coral to grow on.
That's it for now. Any pictures posted prior to the end of this journey will definitely be work-in-progress pictures.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A Slight Juggling Act
So I have a couple things going on salt-water-wise:
Due to the availability of nutrients in the tank for algae (nitrates and phosphates) I've begun removing substrate from the tank. During my last water change of about 25 gallons, about 4 gallons of substrate was removed.
I decided to remove the substrate for a couple of reasons. Substrate is (at least partially) the cause for my phosphate levels (feeding is another). I do not wish to change my feeding habits, so in order to make the single most possible impact with just a single action, substrate removal is my plan. It's the biggest bang for my buck toward getting nutrients under better control.
Removing substrate will also help with nitrates in an indirect way. There will be little if any hidden detritus to decay (contributing to both nitrates and phosphates). This will assist with husbandry, and subsequently will assist in keeping those nutrients in better check.
It's also almost time to begin acquiring breeding equipment. That will probably take at least a couple of weeks to acquire. Maybe my goal of grabbing a July clutch is slightly unrealistic... but definitely an August clutch is possible.
Due to the availability of nutrients in the tank for algae (nitrates and phosphates) I've begun removing substrate from the tank. During my last water change of about 25 gallons, about 4 gallons of substrate was removed.
I decided to remove the substrate for a couple of reasons. Substrate is (at least partially) the cause for my phosphate levels (feeding is another). I do not wish to change my feeding habits, so in order to make the single most possible impact with just a single action, substrate removal is my plan. It's the biggest bang for my buck toward getting nutrients under better control.
Removing substrate will also help with nitrates in an indirect way. There will be little if any hidden detritus to decay (contributing to both nitrates and phosphates). This will assist with husbandry, and subsequently will assist in keeping those nutrients in better check.
It's also almost time to begin acquiring breeding equipment. That will probably take at least a couple of weeks to acquire. Maybe my goal of grabbing a July clutch is slightly unrealistic... but definitely an August clutch is possible.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
June Update Part 2
Alright, got the pics taken. Forgive the slight cloud in the water. I just siphoned.
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| Full Tank Shot. Not quite what i'd call colorful ;) |
Anthelia
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| Now (remember, just siphoned so water is cloudy...) |
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| And then. It's really thickened up since this picture was taken. |
Mushrooms
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| Now (the rock can't even really be seen) |
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| And then. |
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| Full shot of most of the mushroom spread. |
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| Look close enough (center) and you can see a mushroom growing at the base of the anemone bowl. |
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| Here's a mushroom that hasn't attached to anything yet (except substrate). |
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| This rock (toward the front right of the tank) is a popular spot for mushrooms. The large one attached here, the small one bottom right of the large mushroom is a new seed. Then the bottom left appears to be a loose one from the original colony. |
Green Star Polyps
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| Now. |
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| And then. The GSP has done well in the tank. The bottom center bare spot isn't as bare now as it used to be. |
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| Here is just one area of new growth. |
June Update
Nothing much going on in June except planning and shopping for breeding supplies.
Water changes have still continued (roughly) once a week.
Cyano is still a problem, but not until about day 7 after the last water change.
It's been a while since posting any pics. I'll get some up today or tomorrow.
About five mushrooms have removed themselves from the main colony in total.
Green Star Polyps have started to spread. I'll get some close-ups of this.
Anthelia is also spreading. Photo evidence also on the way.
I'm also planning on getting at least one benthic sump running - I think mostly for the breeding setup. I hesitate to get one put on my display tank simply because "things happen". Who knows how long (or prolific) the breeding will be. I may already be a day late and a dollar short when it comes to selling the fish to local stores. But that's not my primary focus, so I've yet to inquire. If nothing else, there's always Ebay and Craigs list. That puts me in competition with the LFS's, and I'd rather be a partner.
But anyway, if I get a sump for the breeding tanks and things fall through, plumbing the sump to the display tank is "plan b".
Also, I'm toying with the idea of removing the substrate from the tank. Not all at once, but over the course of months as I do water changes. I doubt I'll like the look, but it takes 15 gallons for me to properly siphon. If I don't like the look, I can always paint the outside bottom white. My only concern is shifting the anemone bowl and causing damage to the anemone's foot. I may do the perimeter of the bowl in baby-steps so the anemone has time to adjust itself.
That's it for now.
Water changes have still continued (roughly) once a week.
Cyano is still a problem, but not until about day 7 after the last water change.
It's been a while since posting any pics. I'll get some up today or tomorrow.
About five mushrooms have removed themselves from the main colony in total.
Green Star Polyps have started to spread. I'll get some close-ups of this.
Anthelia is also spreading. Photo evidence also on the way.
I'm also planning on getting at least one benthic sump running - I think mostly for the breeding setup. I hesitate to get one put on my display tank simply because "things happen". Who knows how long (or prolific) the breeding will be. I may already be a day late and a dollar short when it comes to selling the fish to local stores. But that's not my primary focus, so I've yet to inquire. If nothing else, there's always Ebay and Craigs list. That puts me in competition with the LFS's, and I'd rather be a partner.
But anyway, if I get a sump for the breeding tanks and things fall through, plumbing the sump to the display tank is "plan b".
Also, I'm toying with the idea of removing the substrate from the tank. Not all at once, but over the course of months as I do water changes. I doubt I'll like the look, but it takes 15 gallons for me to properly siphon. If I don't like the look, I can always paint the outside bottom white. My only concern is shifting the anemone bowl and causing damage to the anemone's foot. I may do the perimeter of the bowl in baby-steps so the anemone has time to adjust itself.
That's it for now.
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