Saint Tank - 34 Solana - Many Pics

[iFisch]

Originally Posted by SaintMark

I would like to see one in action. I might see if my friend would let me use his for a week or a few days.

I'd take a look at YouTube. Many users post videos on the MP10.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlpJxixlzXw

&

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...1202l2.6.1l9l0

[SaintMark]

Got a Box at the Door tonight !



????? What could it be????

I did order from Bulk Reef Supply on Monday *amn They are fast!





More to come

[SaintMark]

I Got tired of going to this little fish shop by me and having them check my water so I bought my own.. 200 $ later.

I am very happy with the order and how fast it got here

I started doing the all my tests and I have found out I hate the PH


Now tell me how can I get a good score on this. so the PH=fail

okay I think of myself as a semi-intelligent guy, but I could not figure this one out

read the front the read the back graph



Those were from Elos. Not to bad of tests

Now this one is real cool



Was so easy, I wish they were all like that

[SaintMark]

Date Time Salinaty PH NH Nitrate Nitrite Temp Cal KH
11/22/2011 900pm 0.026 8 0 0 0.1 80 470 9.8
My PH and KH are low.
I just had the other shop do it for me. His was different he said my PH was 8.3 and 0's on bad stuff

Tank is looking good now and a bet after a few days on this it will look even better




GFO and Carbon


Now for some outside shots

[pompeyjohn]

You may still be going through a water cycle. A clearer photo from the front would help. It would be wise to test the water as often as possible.

I am happy to be corrected on any of these, but I think this is good advice........

The mandarin is not a hardy fish. Even if it is eating, it may not make it through a cycle. Similarly, the angel and shrimp. If they can be rehoused, do it. Do it now. In fact, it would be best to rehouse all the livestock for a week or two at least.

Sometimes we can get by with less than ideal parameters as long as they are stable. [I am not saying we should]. One parameter of yours that is likely to swing around is the PH. You need to ensure that you are getting oxygen into the water. Particularly, without a skimmer, and with that glass top on.

Do you have a small powerhead you can point at the surface, or can you point the main return output at the surface.

You need to get a skimmer going asap. I would not spend another penny until you have one going. See if you can borrow a HOB skimmer/in tank skimmer/whatever/hit craigslist/find a cheapo. Contact your local reef club. I'd lend you one but you are thousands of miles away.

Do you have the GFO and carbon mixed together? If so, remember that GFO will be "exhausted" at a faster rate, and need changing out before the carbon.

Forget about flow right now and focus on getting that water clean. Regardless of their size, all of those animals eat, and poop. Your water will foul up very quickly unless you do some frequent water changes.

Do frequent water changes. Without a skimmer, and with that bioload I'd say four or five gallons every couple of days.

It looks like your sandbed is quite deep towards the back. That in itself is not a bad thing. Just be sure you have lots of critters who will stir it up. I was told to use at least one nassarius snail per gallon as a guide.

You can pick up a simple intank suction-cup ph and ammonia indicator cheaply from most big box pet stores. They are not the most accurate, but will give you at a glance information. I'd get one for the next couple of weeks.

Good luck.

[iFisch]

Originally Posted by pompeyjohn

You may still be going through a water cycle. A clearer photo from the front would help. It would be wise to test the water as often as possible.

I am happy to be corrected on any of these, but I think this is good advice........

The mandarin is not a hardy fish. Even if it is eating, it may not make it through a cycle. Similarly, the angel and shrimp. If they can be rehoused, do it. Do it now. In fact, it would be best to rehouse all the livestock for a week or two at least.

Sometimes we can get by with less than ideal parameters as long as they are stable. [I am not saying we should]. One parameter of yours that is likely to swing around is the PH. You need to ensure that you are getting oxygen into the water. Particularly, without a skimmer, and with that glass top on.

Do you have a small powerhead you can point at the surface, or can you point the main return output at the surface.

You need to get a skimmer going asap. I would not spend another penny until you have one going. See if you can borrow a HOB skimmer/in tank skimmer/whatever/hit craigslist/find a cheapo. Contact your local reef club. I'd lend you one but you are thousands of miles away.

Do you have the GFO and carbon mixed together? If so, remember that GFO will be "exhausted" at a faster rate, and need changing out before the carbon.

Forget about flow right now and focus on getting that water clean. Regardless of their size, all of those animals eat, and poop. Your water will foul up very quickly unless you do some frequent water changes.

Do frequent water changes. Without a skimmer, and with that bioload I'd say four or five gallons every couple of days.

It looks like your sandbed is quite deep towards the back. That in itself is not a bad thing. Just be sure you have lots of critters who will stir it up. I was told to use at least one nassarius snail per gallon as a guide.

You can pick up a simple intank suction-cup ph and ammonia indicator cheaply from most big box pet stores. They are not the most accurate, but will give you at a glance information. I'd get one for the next couple of weeks.

Good luck.

I agree with a lot of what you said. Good information. However, why does he need a skimmer right now? The way you wrote it, it sounds like his tank is going to "blow up" with out one.. Sure, they're valuable, and are very useful, but I don't think it's absolutely, must-own, right-this-second important. There's many successful tanks that flourish without a skimmer. However I will agree skimmers are important and he should consider one in the future.


In regards to the carbon/GFO - the GFO may or may not be exhausted first, depending on flow rate, and type of carbon and GFO used. And of course the ratio of carbon to GFO used.


I agree on the frequent WC's, but I wouldn't do normal WC size. For example, do 10% or 15% WC's more often, since it's possible you could still be going through a cycle, and you don't want to decimate what bacteria you do have.



My $.02

[pompeyjohn]

Here are the reasons I think he needs a skimmer asap.

1. Clearly there is some sort of phosphate issue. Hopefully the source will be corrected soon. Right now though that has to be exported from the system.

2. From what I can tell there is no surface disturbance. I ran my solana with the glass top on for a while, and saw how the PH can swing. He needs to get air into that water.

3. There are TEN fish, PLUS inverts. Some of which have a specialist diet. Even if he feeds miniscule amounts; just enough to keeps the livestock healthy, and keep the waste to a minimum...... that is still a lot of organic matter floating around in the system.

[iFisch]

Originally Posted by pompeyjohn

Here are the reasons I think he needs a skimmer asap.

1. Clearly there is some sort of phosphate issue. Hopefully the source will be corrected soon. Right now though that has to be exported from the system.

2. From what I can tell there is no surface disturbance. I ran my solana with the glass top on for a while, and saw how the PH can swing. He needs to get air into that water.

3. There are TEN fish, PLUS inverts. Some of which have a specialist diet. Even if he feeds miniscule amounts; just enough to keeps the livestock healthy, and keep the waste to a minimum...... that is still a lot of organic matter floating around in the system.

1. Yes, I agree.

2. Agree. Though what you mentioned about aiming a small powerhead, return, etc. to the surface will help immensely.

3. I totally forgot! I'm subscribed to more than a few "builds" and simply forgot the overstocking issue here.


So yes, I resent a little of the info I presented. I agree that a skimmer is important, and/or most livestock needs to be returned/removed because 10 fish is simply too much for this size tank. If he returned 3/4 of the livestock, I'm certain PO4/N03 will drop considerably, due to much lower feeding needs. Furthermore, a skimmer wouldn't be an absolute necessity if he had 2 fish, but 10 fish; it would.

[SaintMark]

Just got home after a 8 hour drive back. I came home to the tanks top being left off by a friend that was feeding them. 2 jumpers I could easily see on the floor. I will up date tomorrow.

[iFisch]

Originally Posted by SaintMark

Just got home after a 8 hour drive back. I came home to the tanks top being left off by a friend that was feeding them. 2 jumpers I could easily see on the floor. I will up date tomorrow.

Sorry to hear about your loss.


Unless they haven't been fed in 4-5 days, there's no need to feed daily. A few times a week should be sufficient.

[ange062]

I wouldn't personally let my tank go unfed for several days. I use an autofeeder as a daily baseline then typically do a second feeding of mixed frozen or coral foods. Fish would likely be fine for the duration, but CUC and other inverts can go nutso on unintended inhabitants, and even fish like angels may do the same.

Bummer to hear about the jumpers, was the mandarin one? They are notorious.

[iFisch]

Originally Posted by ange062

I wouldn't personally let my tank go unfed for several days. I use an autofeeder as a daily baseline then typically do a second feeding of mixed frozen or coral foods. Fish would likely be fine for the duration, but CUC and other inverts can go nutso on unintended inhabitants, and even fish like angels may do the same.

Bummer to hear about the jumpers, was the mandarin one? They are notorious.

Quite honestly, lots of folks think that their tank might die if you don't feed it, or anything inside it for 24 hours, but there's been numerous instances where I've been out of town for a few days, only to come home to the same amount fish I had previous and the same amount of inverts. These creatures surely won't die if you miss a feeding, or three. Unless of course you have like 40 snails and 60 hermits in a 10g.

But this is just my opinion with my experience.

[ange062]

Originally Posted by iFisch

Quite honestly, lots of folks think that their tank might die if you don't feed it, or anything inside it for 24 hours, but there's been numerous instances where I've been out of town for a few days, only to come home to the same amount fish I had previous and the same amount of inverts. These creatures surely won't die if you miss a feeding, or three. Unless of course you have like 40 snails and 60 hermits in a 10g.

But this is just my opinion with my experience.

Oh no I'm not arguing you, I agree that nothing will die from starvation in a couple of days. The problem is the CUC, specifically the crabs (or some aggressive shrimp). Once they get hungry enough things start to get eaten quickly, be it snails, fish, clams, or corals. A hungry emerald crab is not something to play around with IME

[iFisch]

Originally Posted by ange062

Oh no I'm not arguing you, I agree that nothing will die from starvation in a couple of days. A hungry emerald crab is not something to play around with IME

I wasn't trying to be confrontational either.

Anything larger than a hermit wouldn't be in my tank either.. lol I know they can be a P.I.T.A., and I tend to alleviate the problem all together by not introducing them.

[SaintMark]

For work interfering with my reef keeping! On a good note, the OT money will be nice.

Thank you all for some good feedback.

To give an update on the jumpers:
2-Purple FireFish on the floor
1- Red firefish tried to jump but made it in the back of the tank on my filter pad
1- Skunk shrimp did not make it.

I know the skunk shrimp was being picked on by the Skunk Clowns. I watched the clowns each grab a whisker and started pulling him... It was strange to watch, but cool all in the same and they were working as a pair. They pulled just about all of his whiskers out. The Shrimp was the "Brave" one that would hang out next to the anemone .

I have missed my 2 gal a day water changes for the last few days and everything is starting to look good. I will resume doing a weekly 5 gal water change. I need to also test my water again.

I bought a new 4sIphone and it takes great pics. and I also bought a battery for my Nikon D90. So if I ever have a few mins to take some shots I will post the for you guys.

Current Stock List:
2- Skunk Clowns
1- Pygmy Angel
2- red firefish
1- purple firfish ( I think it wont be long before he dies as all he does is hide in the corner.
1- mandarin target goby
1- skunk shrimp
1 fire shrimp

Fish are looking great but my Pods don't looks so great. I think the fish are not saving them for a rainy day

[iFisch]

Sorry to hear about the jumpers.



You do 2g/day WC's? Every day?

I'd catch/return the firefish; between the clowns and angel, I only think your tank will become more aggressive as it ages, not more peaceful.

And with 4 fish in a 34g that would love to eat pods, I wouldn't doubt if you had such a small pod population.



Just my $.02

[SaintMark]

Originally Posted by iFisch

You do 2g/day WC's? Every day?

I was doing a 2 gal or more like a 1 1/2 gal a day. I have a 2 gal bucket that I used and I did not fill it up all the way. I have a saltwater reserve that is heated, circulated, and has a air stone in it.Now that I am working so much overtime I do not have the time to keep up with it.

Originally Posted by iFisch

I'd catch/return the firefish; between the clowns and angel, I only think your tank will become more aggressive as it ages, not more peaceful.

I think you are correct. After seeing what the clowns did to the shrimp, I would not put anything past them. I might see if a local reefer would like them.

Originally Posted by iFisch

And with 4 fish in a 34g that would love to eat pods, I wouldn't doubt if you had such a small pod population.

At night I still see tons of pods running around in and out of the rock work. This is not to say that they could not be depleted very fast. I have seen pods go in cycles. 1 week you think you can never get rid of them and then the next you do not see hardly any.

[SaintMark]

Well I have a ton of pics for you guys/gals to enjoy. some are from the new iphone 4s and the others are from my Nikon D90. ENJOY

To start off with my rocks fell down and ****ed off the anemone, so he is on the move.











I know who did it.... But i have had this guy for a very long time. He has moved with me 2 times and from several tanks. I call him dozer.

[SaintMark]

well I had to redo the rocks and im not happy with them. I need to know what is the best stuff to glue the rock together. I want to do them as they are wet.

Here are some new pics. Tell me what yall think.

Oh to update on livestock:
Current Stock List:
2- Skunk Clowns
1- Pygmy Angel
1- red firefish Caught the other one and gave to a fellow reefer
1- purple firfish ( I think it wont be long before he dies as all he does is hide in the corner )I cant find him
0- mandarin target goby- Caught and gave to a fellow reefer
1- skunk shrimp
1 fire shrimp




anemone moving around


Mr red hiding

[SaintMark]

as stated the anemone is on the move.. and is looking healthy
















and the best for last.

[SaintMark]

That last pic just speaks to me. That is why I got into this hobby. wow is all I can say


This is what the tank looks like now

[calistyle]

love your rock work....makes me want to redo mine.

[SaintMark]

Thanks and welcome to my thread

I would like to redo it as I glue them together.
What is the best for bonding them together while it is wet?

[romsoccer12]

yea the rock is awesome! are you thinking of getting any corals? and the anemone looks a lot better. sorry about your fish but adding so much at once you were bound to have some die. those clowns will own the tank sooner or later IMO i would not add any more fish. and is the rock glued? and excuse my ignorance if any of this was answered earlier i do no t read every post

[teddyzaper]

you can glue rock with marine epoxy underwater, but if oyu dont have a skimmer i wouldnt do it because it adds a lot of bad stuff to the water.