Taking the Plunge - Page 12

2frosty4u · 12/16/2008, 07:47 AM

My heart goes out to you. It really sucks when you lose a fish that you've become attached to, but to lose as much as you have along with the stress of final exams must just be unbelievable. I finished my finals on friday and am just waiting for the results to be posted so I know the stress that created for me. Good luck with the rest of your up coming exams.

Schwe · 12/19/2008, 10:39 PM

Yeah, this past week was pretty unbearable.

I'm feeling re-energized with the tank and am already "shopping" for how I'm going to restock the fish.

I am at a bit of a loss as to how to get the water clean. I pumped out all but the last 4" of it, and it's downright septic. Does anyone have suggestions? I'm thinking to just refill it and let the skimmer do its job on the water for a week or so, and perform several water changes. Should I remove the sand and rinse it? I pointed the powerheads down at the sand while I was siphoning out water in effort to try to remove as many dead bristle worms, baby bristle stars medusa worms and other small "bugs" as possible.

As far as fish...

My lone survivors, the ORA Ocellaris pair
Kole Tang
Firefish pair
Sixline Wrasse
Pajama Cardinals (2? 3?)
sand-sifting Goby- Another diamond? smaller Orange Stripe Prawn Goby?
Another Potter's Angelfish? Flame Angel? (If I can find a male and female, I'd like to have a pair)
Neon cleaner Goby

melev · 12/19/2008, 10:51 PM

I would wash out the sand (using the Sand Rinsing article on my site for guidelines) and start fresh. No reason to keep all that waste in the tank since you're essentially having to re-start.

If you keep the LR submerged, it won't cycle. And once the sand is replaced in the system, and saltwater is in the tank, move the rock over. I doubt you'll get a cycle, but stock very lightly for the next 45 days, and test the water frequently.

Schwe · 12/19/2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
I would wash out the sand (using the Sand Rinsing article on my site for guidelines) and start fresh. No reason to keep all that waste in the tank since you're essentially having to re-start.

If you keep the LR submerged, it won't cycle. And once the sand is replaced in the system, and saltwater is in the tank, move the rock over. I doubt you'll get a cycle, but stock very lightly for the next 45 days, and test the water frequently.

Yeah... but how would you go about rinsing out 160lbs+ of sand in the middle of winter with a foot of snow outside?

Lots of buckets?

I don't want to clog up the plumbing with any more sand than I've already washed down the drain in the tub.

melev · 12/19/2008, 11:10 PM

Well, you could do the washing in a shower or bathtub, running the garden hose from the washing machine connection.

You probably need a strainer on the drain though to avoid sand building up in the U-trap.

When I wash sand, I use the hose full strength, and swirl the sand around and around, then pour off the surface water and detritus that has collected at the top of the sand, which allows the sand to stay in the bucket. After a few times, you'll figure out how to do just that.

Schwe · 12/19/2008, 11:25 PM

Hey Marc, one more question for you...

Before all of this nonsense happened, I noticed small starfish in my tank. They were no bigger than a pencil eraser, and looked like little Astrea starfish, except all had one much longer leg than the others. At first I thought that it was just a piece of a starfish that was damaged and regenerating, but after pulling everything from the tank I noticed that they ALL appeared to have one much longer leg, and the others barely stumps.

Have you ever seen these before? Pest? OK? Alien creature?

melev · 12/19/2008, 11:37 PM

It is a common sight, and yet makes you think it is an aberration. Asterinas may be only a couple of legs, or a full set. It just depends if they've split recently. Seeing a longer leg on them isn't anything to worry about.

Schwe · 12/19/2008, 11:41 PM

ID time!!

When I was pulling the rock out to rinse the funk off of it the other day, I noticed this thing that was camping out in the rock out of sight. I thought it might have been some kind of scallop-thing? Tiny clam?

Schwe · 12/19/2008, 11:43 PM

thanks, Marc. I had no idea WHAT kind of starfish they were. Astrea was just the first name that came to mind for tiny starfish.

I wonder why they don't have full sets of legs? I just looked them up on WWM and they say that they rarely have a full set.

raen · 12/19/2008, 11:49 PM

He's too cute!

motrbotr · 12/20/2008, 12:08 AM

Schwe- So sorry to hear about your losses and especially your Potter. It is so painful when we put so much time, effort, care and not to mention money into trying and provide a healthy habitate for these little creatures in our homes only to loose them to forces beyond our control

It just sucks.
We just got dumped on with about a foot of snow today but no outages thankfully.
I am glad to see that you are not letting that dampen your spirits and keeping with it!

Oh, btw, your nails need painting. he-he.

*runs and hides*

Schwe · 12/20/2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by motrbotr
Schwe- So sorry to hear about your losses and especially your Potter. It is so painful when we put so much time, effort, care and not to mention money into trying and provide a healthy habitate for these little creatures in our homes only to loose them to forces beyond our control It just sucks.
We just got dumped on with about a foot of snow today but no outages thankfully.
I am glad to see that you are not letting that dampen your spirits and keeping with it!

Oh, btw, your nails need painting. he-he. *runs and hides*

Honestly, I felt really demoralized after this loss. SO much money and effort lost. I was a nervous wreck, between trying to keep my remaining corals and fish alive and finals coming up.

Which brings me to the nails... I painted them pretty and then peeled the polish all off cramming for my final.

And as far as snow... we got a foot of snow just now too.. as I type!!! Pete is out plowing right now, I'm home alone and bored out of my gourd. He won't be home until the morning.

And guess what? There's nothing on TV!!

motrbotr · 12/20/2008, 12:40 AM

Well, there is always RC to keep us entertained. I do way more reading than posting as you can tell by my little post count. lol

It is 1:30 so you could go to be ya know.

Which... is what I will be doing I think.

gig · 12/20/2008, 11:14 AM

I'd stay away from a Flame Angel, to risky, mine picks at alot of stuff...I had to evict him

good luck, sorry about your losses, that sucks.

Schwe · 12/20/2008, 11:45 AM

Yeah... I guess I'll just see if they ever get another Potter's in stock at the LFS. I have a feeling none will replace the one I lost, though.

He was a resilient little dude!

Schwe · 12/20/2008, 01:34 PM

Guess what we got? More snow.

Ready to take off

All the grace of a bulldog.

Man that snow is cold

OK really, stop kicking snow in my face

Alright, maybe I really do like it

Schwe · 12/20/2008, 01:34 PM

Looking like an idiot

Rae C. · 12/20/2008, 07:59 PM

Handsome! I love watching dogs enjoy a good snow! Mine likes to bury her head and run, scooping up snow on top of her nose. She loves eating the snow too.

motrbotr · 12/20/2008, 09:59 PM

That b&w is an awesome shot!

Aquarist007 · 12/20/2008, 10:11 PM

sure they can be happy in it--they don't have to drive in it

great pics

Schwe · 12/20/2008, 10:37 PM

I have no problem driving in the snow... It's the reason I got my Forester. My problem is with everyone ELSE on the road!

melev · 12/21/2008, 01:57 AM

You know, I love snow, and for some reason there's a dumb dog in all the pictures of snow I was looking at. It's like he was in the way of every stinkin' shot! Someone should put a leash on that thing.

Your little clam is a filter feeder. They don't last too long in our tanks, but your mileage may vary. Enjoy them, as they are a natural part of the filtration in your tank.

Aquarist007 · 12/21/2008, 08:30 AM

snow is for everyone

Schwe · 12/21/2008, 08:34 AM

Great pictures! You're a fabulous grampa.

raen · 12/21/2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Schwe
Honestly, I felt really demoralized after this loss. SO much money and effort lost. I was a nervous wreck, between trying to keep my remaining corals and fish alive and finals coming up.

Which brings me to the nails... I painted them pretty and then peeled the polish all off cramming for my final.

And as far as snow... we got a foot of snow just now too.. as I type!!! Pete is out plowing right now, I'm home alone and bored out of my gourd. He won't be home until the morning. And guess what? There's nothing on TV!!

I was going to wait a couple more days before I started in on the nails.....Brittany Spears!

12/16/2008, 07:47 AM	#276
2frosty4u Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 745	My heart goes out to you. It really sucks when you lose a fish that you've become attached to, but to lose as much as you have along with the stress of final exams must just be unbelievable. I finished my finals on friday and am just waiting for the results to be posted so I know the stress that created for me. Good luck with the rest of your up coming exams. __________________ A small fish in a big aquarium

12/19/2008, 10:39 PM	#277
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	Yeah, this past week was pretty unbearable. I'm feeling re-energized with the tank and am already "shopping" for how I'm going to restock the fish. I am at a bit of a loss as to how to get the water clean. I pumped out all but the last 4" of it, and it's downright septic. Does anyone have suggestions? I'm thinking to just refill it and let the skimmer do its job on the water for a week or so, and perform several water changes. Should I remove the sand and rinse it? I pointed the powerheads down at the sand while I was siphoning out water in effort to try to remove as many dead bristle worms, baby bristle stars medusa worms and other small "bugs" as possible. As far as fish... My lone survivors, the ORA Ocellaris pair Kole Tang Firefish pair Sixline Wrasse Pajama Cardinals (2? 3?) sand-sifting Goby- Another diamond? smaller Orange Stripe Prawn Goby? Another Potter's Angelfish? Flame Angel? (If I can find a male and female, I'd like to have a pair) Neon cleaner Goby __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit

12/19/2008, 11:25 PM	#281
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	Hey Marc, one more question for you... Before all of this nonsense happened, I noticed small starfish in my tank. They were no bigger than a pencil eraser, and looked like little Astrea starfish, except all had one much longer leg than the others. At first I thought that it was just a piece of a starfish that was damaged and regenerating, but after pulling everything from the tank I noticed that they ALL appeared to have one much longer leg, and the others barely stumps. Have you ever seen these before? Pest? OK? Alien creature? __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit

12/19/2008, 11:41 PM	#283
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	ID time!! When I was pulling the rock out to rinse the funk off of it the other day, I noticed this thing that was camping out in the rock out of sight. I thought it might have been some kind of scallop-thing? Tiny clam? __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit

12/19/2008, 11:43 PM	#284
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	thanks, Marc. I had no idea WHAT kind of starfish they were. Astrea was just the first name that came to mind for tiny starfish. I wonder why they don't have full sets of legs? I just looked them up on WWM and they say that they rarely have a full set. __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit

12/19/2008, 10:51 PM	#278
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	I would wash out the sand (using the Sand Rinsing article on my site for guidelines) and start fresh. No reason to keep all that waste in the tank since you're essentially having to re-start. If you keep the LR submerged, it won't cycle. And once the sand is replaced in the system, and saltwater is in the tank, move the rock over. I doubt you'll get a cycle, but stock very lightly for the next 45 days, and test the water frequently.

12/19/2008, 11:10 PM	#280
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Well, you could do the washing in a shower or bathtub, running the garden hose from the washing machine connection. You probably need a strainer on the drain though to avoid sand building up in the U-trap. When I wash sand, I use the hose full strength, and swirl the sand around and around, then pour off the surface water and detritus that has collected at the top of the sand, which allows the sand to stay in the bucket. After a few times, you'll figure out how to do just that.

12/19/2008, 11:37 PM	#282
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	It is a common sight, and yet makes you think it is an aberration. Asterinas may be only a couple of legs, or a full set. It just depends if they've split recently. Seeing a longer leg on them isn't anything to worry about.

12/19/2008, 11:49 PM	#285
raen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 3,084	He's too cute! __________________ Rae N. She wasn't wicked, she only liked the shoes!!! Current Tank Info: 60 Gall Hex, 3 #3's, no fuge..........YET!!!

12/20/2008, 12:08 AM	#286
motrbotr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 39	Schwe- So sorry to hear about your losses and especially your Potter. It is so painful when we put so much time, effort, care and not to mention money into trying and provide a healthy habitate for these little creatures in our homes only to loose them to forces beyond our control It just sucks. We just got dumped on with about a foot of snow today but no outages thankfully. I am glad to see that you are not letting that dampen your spirits and keeping with it! Oh, btw, your nails need painting. he-he. runs and hides __________________ I wish I were in the Keys.

12/20/2008, 12:40 AM	#288
motrbotr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 39	Well, there is always RC to keep us entertained. I do way more reading than posting as you can tell by my little post count. lol It is 1:30 so you could go to be ya know. Which... is what I will be doing I think. __________________ I wish I were in the Keys.

12/20/2008, 11:14 AM	#289
gig Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL Posts: 3,003	I'd stay away from a Flame Angel, to risky, mine picks at alot of stuff...I had to evict him good luck, sorry about your losses, that sucks. __________________ It's ILLIE!!!!!!!!!!! Current Tank Info: Current Tank Info: 180G RR in wall mixed reef moving toward SPS dominated (247 gal total system), 300lbs+ LR, VHO/T5 mix of lighting, X3 MP40w ES.

12/20/2008, 11:45 AM	#290
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	Yeah... I guess I'll just see if they ever get another Potter's in stock at the LFS. I have a feeling none will replace the one I lost, though. He was a resilient little dude! __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit

12/20/2008, 01:34 PM	#291
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	Guess what we got? More snow. Ready to take off All the grace of a bulldog. Man that snow is cold OK really, stop kicking snow in my face Alright, maybe I really do like it __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit

12/20/2008, 01:34 PM	#292
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	Looking like an idiot __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit

12/20/2008, 07:59 PM	#293
Rae C. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 916	Handsome! I love watching dogs enjoy a good snow! Mine likes to bury her head and run, scooping up snow on top of her nose. She loves eating the snow too. __________________ Rae C It's 8:30, kids. Turn off the tank and go to bed! Current Tank Info: 65 gal, softies, 1 mandarine, 1 clown

12/20/2008, 09:59 PM	#294
motrbotr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 39	That b&w is an awesome shot! __________________ I wish I were in the Keys.

12/20/2008, 10:11 PM	#295
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	sure they can be happy in it--they don't have to drive in it great pics __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

12/20/2008, 10:37 PM	#296
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	I have no problem driving in the snow... It's the reason I got my Forester. My problem is with everyone ELSE on the road! __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit

12/21/2008, 01:57 AM	#297
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	You know, I love snow, and for some reason there's a dumb dog in all the pictures of snow I was looking at. It's like he was in the way of every stinkin' shot! Someone should put a leash on that thing. Your little clam is a filter feeder. They don't last too long in our tanks, but your mileage may vary. Enjoy them, as they are a natural part of the filtration in your tank.

12/21/2008, 08:30 AM	#298
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	snow is for everyone __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

12/21/2008, 08:34 AM	#299
Schwe Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,007	Great pictures! You're a fabulous grampa. __________________ "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit