Finally Upgraded-Pics Included!!! - Page 13

melev · 06/30/2005, 09:43 PM

Yes, that is what I'm thinking. I feed heavily and skim hard.

My losses are mainly SPS suffering from PO4 poisoning.

Leviathan · 06/30/2005, 09:45 PM

I really like your current setup Marc, Unless you are hiding it your fatality rate is low in comparison to mine in a my streile environment.

melev · 06/30/2005, 10:12 PM

Nothing to hide, honestly. I've been very forthright with the losses I've dealt with, and they have all been SPS and two mandarins, a small ocellaris, and a damsel disappeared.

Oh, and my 2 yr old Maxima that died two weeks after going into the new tank. Again, the loss of that clam and both mandarins were tough to take. The SPS are totally aggravating, and it is my own fault for loving a difficult-to-keep species.

maxxII · 07/01/2005, 10:35 AM

Chris,
I've had some problems with my 58 gallon BB tank as well.
Clams had Pinched Mantle, (one did not survive)
Fish had Ich
had red bugs
unexplained RTN issues in corals
2 fish gone missing

Things can be pretty discouraging some times. I've been ready to pack it in before as well. You've just got to hang in there man.

The Ich eventually cleared up, I didnt lose anything there, but it was touch and go for my Tomini for awhile.
I lost one of the clams
Redbugs got nuked..lost 3 hermits and an emereld crab
Absolutely no clue where the fish went...havent found them and the tank is covered to prevent jumping and fresh fisah dog snacks.
The RTN issues have more or less stopped....sort of....
I've added a few new corals, and two of them have RTN'd. I now QT all new corals that go in the tank for at least 4 days to treat w/ Interceptor and Flatworm exit, and these two didnt look particularly happy in QT. I suspect my issue was a pH problem with swings at night that were large enough to stress things out. I lost a grand total of 4-5 small corals that had been doing fine in my tank previously, (encrusting growth and everything....sigh), but since dosing with Kalk as my makeupwater, I think I've got things taken care of. I strongly suspect that my pH swings were enough stress to cause my gogeous RBTA to split from one big beautiful anemone to 4 small ones....
Is this a possible scenario for you as well?
Nick

Leviathan · 07/01/2005, 01:15 PM

Nick, sorry to hear about your bumpy road also!

I have had some time to think over everything, still not exactly sure what I am going to do at the moment. I WONT be giving up, I am not going to let these few set backs get the best of me that easily.

I am really considering going back to what I found to work in my previous setups. I never had problems like this when I used a DSB or SSB, ran carbon a few days a month instead of 24/7. I think I will also go back to kalk also, I havent had a problem but it is much easier and less expensive IME.

I am going to really think about all theses things especially the sandbed issue for the next few days. I dont want to put one back in just to decide I didnt want it.

Then again as Marc said. This could be a completely unrelated issue with my squammy. I had him for 5 years, maybe it was just time. I have a lot to think about over the next fw days. I dont want to make a huge change that is not needed.

I will keep you posted on the situation.

MiddletonMark · 07/01/2005, 01:40 PM

Wow, just tuning back in - sad to hear the news

[on more than one tank, too]

IMO, if problems continue I think you're wise to go what you feel works best/easiest for you. Make your system easy, so you have more time enjoying and less time maintaining I'd say.

I like what Melev said with `feed heavy, skim hard' - even with my BB I feel like I do that. While every couple months it seems the corals brown out for a week or so - while I try to run a nutrient starved tank, I also feed my Anthias once, twice a day. I've got a fairly small fish-load, yet very regular and I'm starting to think `nutrient poor, but with lots of food' is really what we're aiming at.

I think my night-dive last fall is starting to sink in ... just unbelievable the amount of `stuff' in the water column. Daytime too - but I think there's a balance between feeding and low-nutrients somewhere.

maxxII · 07/02/2005, 02:33 PM

I know this is kinda soon and all...but have you seen the gorgeous Squamosa's Barry has right now at Clams Direct??

http://www.clamsdirect.com/store/home.php?cat=7

Nick

Leviathan · 07/03/2005, 12:30 AM

Nick,
Thoses are some beauties, the $99.00 one at the bottom right reminds my a lot of the one I lost.

I will keep this link in mind when I decide to get a new clam. Think I will wait for a little while though at this point.

But thank you!

maxxII · 07/03/2005, 02:48 AM

Sometimes its all about the motivation....

Nick

Gawain1974 · 07/03/2005, 03:02 AM

Hi there...I've been lurking around, reading your thread, but have yet to comment, I think.

I've really enjoyed reading your thread and seeing its evolution. I'm sorry to read about your squamosa, it truly as a beauty. Guess I wanted to say hang in there. I've learned a lot from reading your thread and melev's.

elephen · 07/03/2005, 10:12 AM

Is there a problem with your pics, none of them will show up. I tried hitting the URL directly for them but they timed out.

TroyT · 07/03/2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Leviathan
About 1 1/2 months ago my single switch autotopoff units relay box starting buzzing like mad. It had gotten to the point that I was about to purchase a new one. So loud in fact that to watch TV you had to unplug the topoff or you couldnt even hear the TV.

Needless to say I was confused why all of a sudden it would start doing this. I have not had it but a few months.

I thought maybe cleaning the switch would make a difference, so last night I unplugged the water supply ( and for some reason left the relay plugged in ) which in this case was good.

After cleaning the switch I started to mount it back in the sump again as I passed the switch by the skimmer putting it in place BUZZZZZZZZZZZZ. I pulled my hand back and it stopped. HMMMM!?!?!?

I put the switch near the skimmer pump ( Sedra 3500 ) again BUZZZZZZ, pulled it away and it stopped again. Then it hit me. About 1 1/2 months ago I turned my skimmer around ( for some as of now unknown reason ) this put the pump right next to the switch, where as before it had been on the opposite side. Thats when I put 2 & 2 together and realized that it is indeed 4 LOL.

Apparently the magnet in the Sedra was making the siwtch go nuts and was causing the buzzing. I put the skimmer back in its original position and not even the slightest buzz is to be found now.

Anyone know what would have caused this. I realize it was most likely the magnet, but why? At least thats what I could come up with.

Anyhow I thought it was kinda funny, and thought I would share.

Chris

Electro-Magnetic Interferance

EMI

Leviathan · 07/03/2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gawain1974
Hi there...I've been lurking around, reading your thread, but have yet to comment, I think. I've really enjoyed reading your thread and seeing its evolution. I'm sorry to read about your squamosa, it truly as a beauty. Guess I wanted to say hang in there. I've learned a lot from reading your thread and melev's.

Thanks, if my experiences can ever help anyone, then I feel it is worth the time to post things that happen to this system.

elephen,

No I just have done some changes on my hosting site, so the links have changed and the photos are not in the same place. Just stay tuned I update this thread pretty regularly.

TroyT,
Thanks for the link, that is exactly what it was. I had talked on the phone to me Dad about it just after it happened. He has worked with electricity for many years and knew what it was before I even finished describing it to him.

bradbury · 07/04/2005, 01:44 AM

...

Andys29 · 07/10/2005, 10:41 PM

nice

rjwilson37 · 07/11/2005, 08:00 AM

We have not had a new full tank picture in almost 3 months, how about it.

Leviathan · 07/11/2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andys29
nice

Thanks you!

rjwilson37,

I have been VERY sick the last 5 weeks. I am having surgery tomorrow morning. So give me a little while and I will post a full update.

I made some noticable changes before I got too sick, and plan on posting all about it.

Chris

melev · 07/12/2005, 12:50 AM

Get well soon Chris. And remember that you only have one task to do after surgery: Waking up.

rjwilson37 · 07/12/2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
Get well soon Chris. And remember that you only have one task to do after surgery: Waking up.

The other task is to get better quickly so you can take a picture of your tank.

Hope all goes well and I am just kidding.. we can wait on the pictures.

JustOneMoreTank · 07/12/2005, 05:27 PM

Good luck with the surgery. I hope that it is a success. Your tank and fans here will be waiting for your return.

maxxII · 07/13/2005, 01:10 PM

Get well soon man...hope you've got cute nurses too....

Nick

Leviathan · 07/14/2005, 01:14 PM

Thanks everyone!

I am now back home, I will hopefully be back on my feet and feeling better by the weekend.

Chris

Leviathan · 07/24/2005, 10:25 PM

Ok,
Well I am just about back to normal, wait I was never normal to begin with!

Back to MY normal self, with a small exception that occured last night and has been hurting since, which I intend to contact the hospital about in the morning.

Anyhow,

I will try to get some pictures of the changes I made, and give a rundown of everything in the next couple days.

Leviathan · 07/24/2005, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by maxxII
Get well soon man...hope you've got cute nurses too....

Nick

Yes I did,
But wacked out on high doses of Demerol made it hard to enjoy them. Oh that and being married, cant forget that! LOL

Leviathan · 07/24/2005, 10:27 PM

BTW,
Thanks for all the well wishes everyone, it means alot, this was a very taxing adventure for me.

An 8-9 week period which seemed like an eternity.

06/30/2005, 09:45 PM	#302
Leviathan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street Posts: 2,466	I really like your current setup Marc, Unless you are hiding it your fatality rate is low in comparison to mine in a my streile environment. __________________ We are Legion,,,,,for we are many....... Current Tank Info: 25Gallon AGA-Mixed reef system, 25lbs LR Mix-Kalieni & Carib., Hydor 2 Pump, 175watt ARO Pro Series M57 ballast-20KXM, 1" SSB, CSS65 Skimmer

07/01/2005, 10:35 AM	#304
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	Chris, I've had some problems with my 58 gallon BB tank as well. Clams had Pinched Mantle, (one did not survive) Fish had Ich had red bugs unexplained RTN issues in corals 2 fish gone missing Things can be pretty discouraging some times. I've been ready to pack it in before as well. You've just got to hang in there man. The Ich eventually cleared up, I didnt lose anything there, but it was touch and go for my Tomini for awhile. I lost one of the clams Redbugs got nuked..lost 3 hermits and an emereld crab Absolutely no clue where the fish went...havent found them and the tank is covered to prevent jumping and fresh fisah dog snacks. The RTN issues have more or less stopped....sort of.... I've added a few new corals, and two of them have RTN'd. I now QT all new corals that go in the tank for at least 4 days to treat w/ Interceptor and Flatworm exit, and these two didnt look particularly happy in QT. I suspect my issue was a pH problem with swings at night that were large enough to stress things out. I lost a grand total of 4-5 small corals that had been doing fine in my tank previously, (encrusting growth and everything....sigh), but since dosing with Kalk as my makeupwater, I think I've got things taken care of. I strongly suspect that my pH swings were enough stress to cause my gogeous RBTA to split from one big beautiful anemone to 4 small ones.... Is this a possible scenario for you as well? Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

07/01/2005, 01:15 PM	#305
Leviathan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street Posts: 2,466	Nick, sorry to hear about your bumpy road also! I have had some time to think over everything, still not exactly sure what I am going to do at the moment. I WONT be giving up, I am not going to let these few set backs get the best of me that easily. I am really considering going back to what I found to work in my previous setups. I never had problems like this when I used a DSB or SSB, ran carbon a few days a month instead of 24/7. I think I will also go back to kalk also, I havent had a problem but it is much easier and less expensive IME. I am going to really think about all theses things especially the sandbed issue for the next few days. I dont want to put one back in just to decide I didnt want it. Then again as Marc said. This could be a completely unrelated issue with my squammy. I had him for 5 years, maybe it was just time. I have a lot to think about over the next fw days. I dont want to make a huge change that is not needed. I will keep you posted on the situation. __________________ We are Legion,,,,,for we are many....... Current Tank Info: 25Gallon AGA-Mixed reef system, 25lbs LR Mix-Kalieni & Carib., Hydor 2 Pump, 175watt ARO Pro Series M57 ballast-20KXM, 1" SSB, CSS65 Skimmer

07/01/2005, 01:40 PM	#306
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	Wow, just tuning back in - sad to hear the news [on more than one tank, too] IMO, if problems continue I think you're wise to go what you feel works best/easiest for you. Make your system easy, so you have more time enjoying and less time maintaining I'd say. I like what Melev said with `feed heavy, skim hard' - even with my BB I feel like I do that. While every couple months it seems the corals brown out for a week or so - while I try to run a nutrient starved tank, I also feed my Anthias once, twice a day. I've got a fairly small fish-load, yet very regular and I'm starting to think `nutrient poor, but with lots of food' is really what we're aiming at. I think my night-dive last fall is starting to sink in ... just unbelievable the amount of `stuff' in the water column. Daytime too - but I think there's a balance between feeding and low-nutrients somewhere. __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub

07/02/2005, 02:33 PM	#307
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	I know this is kinda soon and all...but have you seen the gorgeous Squamosa's Barry has right now at Clams Direct?? http://www.clamsdirect.com/store/home.php?cat=7 Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

06/30/2005, 09:43 PM	#301
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Yes, that is what I'm thinking. I feed heavily and skim hard. My losses are mainly SPS suffering from PO4 poisoning.

06/30/2005, 10:12 PM	#303
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Nothing to hide, honestly. I've been very forthright with the losses I've dealt with, and they have all been SPS and two mandarins, a small ocellaris, and a damsel disappeared. Oh, and my 2 yr old Maxima that died two weeks after going into the new tank. Again, the loss of that clam and both mandarins were tough to take. The SPS are totally aggravating, and it is my own fault for loving a difficult-to-keep species.

07/03/2005, 12:30 AM	#308
Leviathan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street Posts: 2,466	Nick, Thoses are some beauties, the $99.00 one at the bottom right reminds my a lot of the one I lost. I will keep this link in mind when I decide to get a new clam. Think I will wait for a little while though at this point. But thank you! __________________ We are Legion,,,,,for we are many....... Current Tank Info: 25Gallon AGA-Mixed reef system, 25lbs LR Mix-Kalieni & Carib., Hydor 2 Pump, 175watt ARO Pro Series M57 ballast-20KXM, 1" SSB, CSS65 Skimmer

07/03/2005, 02:48 AM	#309
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	Sometimes its all about the motivation.... Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

07/03/2005, 03:02 AM	#310
Gawain1974 dc fanboy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Annick's flaps Posts: 1,212	Hi there...I've been lurking around, reading your thread, but have yet to comment, I think. I've really enjoyed reading your thread and seeing its evolution. I'm sorry to read about your squamosa, it truly as a beauty. Guess I wanted to say hang in there. I've learned a lot from reading your thread and melev's. __________________ Honey badger don't care!

07/03/2005, 10:12 AM	#311
elephen Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: kc Posts: 2,763	Is there a problem with your pics, none of them will show up. I tried hitting the URL directly for them but they timed out.

07/04/2005, 01:44 AM	#314
bradbury Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: St. Peters, MO Posts: 229	...

07/10/2005, 10:41 PM	#315
Andys29 Registered Member. Join Date: May 2005 Location: norman,ok Posts: 334	nice

07/11/2005, 08:00 AM	#316
rjwilson37 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: West Michigan Posts: 7,104	We have not had a new full tank picture in almost 3 months, how about it. __________________ Isn't life just wonderful. 29g Biocube Standard Pump Standard 72w PC Lighting Current Tank Info: 29g Biocube Reef Tank

07/12/2005, 12:50 AM	#318
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Get well soon Chris. And remember that you only have one task to do after surgery: Waking up.

07/12/2005, 05:27 PM	#320
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	Good luck with the surgery. I hope that it is a success. Your tank and fans here will be waiting for your return.

07/13/2005, 01:10 PM	#321
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	Get well soon man...hope you've got cute nurses too.... Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

07/14/2005, 01:14 PM	#322
Leviathan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street Posts: 2,466	Thanks everyone! I am now back home, I will hopefully be back on my feet and feeling better by the weekend. Chris __________________ We are Legion,,,,,for we are many....... Current Tank Info: 25Gallon AGA-Mixed reef system, 25lbs LR Mix-Kalieni & Carib., Hydor 2 Pump, 175watt ARO Pro Series M57 ballast-20KXM, 1" SSB, CSS65 Skimmer

07/24/2005, 10:25 PM	#323
Leviathan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street Posts: 2,466	Ok, Well I am just about back to normal, wait I was never normal to begin with! Back to MY normal self, with a small exception that occured last night and has been hurting since, which I intend to contact the hospital about in the morning. Anyhow, I will try to get some pictures of the changes I made, and give a rundown of everything in the next couple days. __________________ We are Legion,,,,,for we are many....... Current Tank Info: 25Gallon AGA-Mixed reef system, 25lbs LR Mix-Kalieni & Carib., Hydor 2 Pump, 175watt ARO Pro Series M57 ballast-20KXM, 1" SSB, CSS65 Skimmer

07/24/2005, 10:27 PM	#325
Leviathan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street Posts: 2,466	BTW, Thanks for all the well wishes everyone, it means alot, this was a very taxing adventure for me. An 8-9 week period which seemed like an eternity. __________________ We are Legion,,,,,for we are many....... Current Tank Info: 25Gallon AGA-Mixed reef system, 25lbs LR Mix-Kalieni & Carib., Hydor 2 Pump, 175watt ARO Pro Series M57 ballast-20KXM, 1" SSB, CSS65 Skimmer