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Unread 01/20/2009, 04:55 PM   #576
Luna81
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Quote:
Originally posted by Lyfey
so in my 02c about the BTA, yes he will do fine, but will not flourish. We should have BTA police supporting the tang polizei

What is considered flourishing? And I'm not trying to start stuff, I'm still a newbie and am being serious in my question.

When we got the Nem he was probably the size of my fist. Now he's probably almost the size of my head. I'd say he's at least four times bigger, and has retained his color (RBTA). I got him at the LFS where I got the tank, and would hate it if I was misled. However, he's also doing fine. He does stay towards the top of the tank. However, until this last weekend my highest rock was probably half way up the biocube, and that's where he was. Now a bought a new rock that goes maybe 3/4's up the biocube and he moved over there (by the way, a walking anemone is rather cool to see).

My main concern is that he'll get too large for the tank.

So, I guess my question is...am I just lucky? Is it inevitable that he'll just die one day because of the biocube. Or, is it a "this may work for this one, but I wouldn't try it again" sort of thing?


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Unread 01/20/2009, 05:05 PM   #577
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No, your bta wont necessarly up and die. Its just to say that while yours has grown from fist-head size, with t5 or halides it would be fist-baketball, or maybe it wouldnt be any different. Btas often do fine under pcs for very long time, but 'ideally' they would prefer t5 or halides.

(the fact that your nem moved up to the highest point as soon as you put in a new rock, means 'ideally' your nem wants more light.)


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Unread 01/20/2009, 05:16 PM   #578
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Hm. Now I feel totally guilty for having him. Although, quite honestly, I wouldn't want him basketball sized. I went to check. While he *is* higher than he was in my original set up, he's actually about an inch lower than where he was when we got the new rock set up done (since I moved the rock he was on, inclined it higher, but not his horizontal position in the tank, if that makes sense).

I am embarrassed to post pics since I'm having a couple issues (and just got a skimmer set up yesterday), but to give an idea.

When we first got him:


Yesterday (sand still settling from moving rocks and such, and a good scrapping of coralline needed and with water spots on the front of the tank from splashing while moving rocks):


And yes, I'm trying to figure out a better system for my few frags right now. That tupperware thing isn't cutting it.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 06:13 PM   #579
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No reason to feel embarrassed. Your new rock setup is MUCH nicer.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 06:16 PM   #580
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+1 agreed! I suggest maybe 1 or 2 more choice pieces of rock.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 06:28 PM   #581
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Thanks to both of you. Yeah, we "stimulated" the economy by buying this with a stimulus money. We couldn't afford a lot of rock up front. The new piece is really nice, I'm very excited with how much it changed everything.

The only frustrating part is the Nem moved to where it did. The top of the rock is nice to put coral on, I just don't know if I can with him being so close.

We've been taking it very slowly. We only had the nem, frogspawn, GSP, and a few zoas and a ric until now. We lost zoas, but that was going out of town for two days and having an urchin. He just got a new home, so I'm buying some zoa frags this weekend.

Also just got an acan frag, and a trumpet frag. And a couple different colors of rics because they've actually been splitting and stuff.

I'm still trying to learn, and know I have a lot to learn, and just hope I don't screw it up.

Right now I'm frustrated because we put in a Tunze 9002 yesterday and it isn't pulling anything yet. Heh.

Again, thanks, and if anyone has any suggestions please, make them.

I'd love to do SPS, but it just isn't going to happen. I can't afford the light upgrades, and for now we need to stay with this type of tank. Don't want to feed my cats to the tank.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 06:30 PM   #582
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Also, like the pile of sand? We have a goby who loves to pile everything right up front. Heh.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 08:28 PM   #583
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ive been meaning to show this thing for a while now but have just been lazy. most of you have probably seen the "DIY Swirler Stein" in the DIY forum? this is basically one of those, but i had to build a custom housing to get it to fit into my bc14.










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Unread 01/20/2009, 08:29 PM   #584
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im not sure whic one of these videos shows more detail???






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Unread 01/20/2009, 08:38 PM   #585
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I was amazed by the variation in light intensity at various locations and levels of a Bio29 with stock lights. One of the members of this forum measured his lighting with a meter.
Seems like his readings were about 280 at the top center and 80 (+/-) in the lower sections.
I've used the information to place my inverts and it seems to make a significant difference.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 08:42 PM   #586
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Quote:
Originally posted by chrismunn
ive been meaning to show this thing for a while now but have just been lazy. most of you have probably seen the "DIY Swirler Stein" in the DIY forum? this is basically one of those, but i had to build a custom housing to get it to fit into my bc14.
I hope this isn't toooo dumb a question , but what is a Swirler Stein, how does it work, and do I need one?


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Unread 01/20/2009, 10:21 PM   #587
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Luna-

The way I have maintained my nems movement is with a nem column. I have a pillar rock that has my RBTA on it, and since they dont like to travel across sand so much it pretty much stays put. It is about 60% down in the tank from the surface, but I am running 14k halides so it isnt even at the top of the column and is happy.

As far as worrying your going to do it wrong, atleast youre here asking ?'s, thats a good start. I will say that going slow and planning your moves and at all costs avoid impulsive decisions; will take you far in this hobby. Also you truly get what you pay for in this hobby, usually( and there are some exceptions) if something is drastically cheaper than the alternative there is a good reason for it.

Happy reefing and use this site and its members to the fullest, it's FREE!


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Unread 01/21/2009, 01:49 PM   #588
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Wow, i was begining to think i wouldnt get an answer to my question. Thanks for all who chimed in, and i think i got a general opinion. So it is possible and will do fine, but growth will be slow to none, and the higher i get it in the tank the better. Is that about it? I plan on waiting a little longer till tank establishes a bit more, but was very curiouse. As of right now the tank is planted with macros, and i wanted to do a macro / nem tank. the nanocustoms upgrades are crazy high and im not sure i want to spend the money on it, when for that money i would have a decent start on a larger tank.


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Unread 01/21/2009, 01:58 PM   #589
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If I had to do it over again with what I know now and seeing the difference. I would not do it with a bio cubes stock lighting...JMO


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Unread 01/21/2009, 04:13 PM   #590
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Lighting Upgrade

Quote:
Originally posted by PerfectDark
If I had to do it over again with what I know now and seeing the difference. I would not do it with a bio cubes stock lighting...JMO
What do folks think about the nano-tuners lighting upgrade?
Seems like alot of money, and I want to make sure the improvement is worth the cost.... (?)

Otherwise, one might be better off setting up a tank (even a smaller one) designed to use the proper lighting system for clams, hard corals, etc.

Seems like Red Sea and Elos both make tanks to fill that nitche.

Cheers,
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Unread 01/21/2009, 05:24 PM   #591
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Quote:
Originally posted by oneoffcustom
growth will be slow to none, and the higher i get it in the tank the better. I plan on waiting a little longer till tank establishes a bit more,
Good idea on letting the tank establish for a good 6months or better. I wouldnt say no growth, if you feed it, it will def grow, but be forwarned; nems can dirty up your water really fast with its waste. Regular water changes are key!


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Unread 01/21/2009, 05:31 PM   #592
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Re: Lighting Upgrade

Quote:
Originally posted by BrentB
What do folks think about the nano-tuners lighting upgrade?
Seems like alot of money, and I want to make sure the improvement is worth the cost.... (?)

As for the nano tuners upgrades, for about the same price you can get a 20"sunpod 150w. You have less heat issues, don't have to listen to those garbage fans, but have more evap because of no hood (mine is about quart a day with room temp 70ish, tank 80ish, 9 hr photoperiod). I really REALLY like my sunpod!


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Unread 01/21/2009, 05:34 PM   #593
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Re: Lighting Upgrade

Quote:
Originally posted by BrentB


Seems like Red Sea and Elos both make tanks to fill that nitche.
I have heard that the Red Sea Max has a lot of probs keeping the tank from boiling, but otherwise is nice( a bit pricey considering you'll prob upgrade a lot of the stuff) and Elos makes a fantastic product, just a lot of $$$.

Hope that helps

-J-


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Unread 01/21/2009, 05:43 PM   #594
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Quote:
Originally posted by BrentB
I hope this isn't toooo dumb a question , but what is a Swirler Stein, how does it work, and do I need one?
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1483439

that ^ is a swirler stein. its a pretty neat little contraption. its pretty much just a motor, bearing and link inside of a box that rotates a down tube with a power head on the end of it. its pretty good for distributing flow inside of my bc14 without having to clutter up the tank with multiple power heads. eliminating a laminer current is always a good thing

do you need one? no.... but on the same note, do you need a fish tank?

i have a BTA in my bc14 with the stock lighting and i can say from experience that the nem does NOT like it very much. my BTA is always on the move looking for more lighting! as far as health is concerned there's no problem there, thats more of a water quality issue. but the lighting situation is a little bleak. the darn thing just runs up and down and back and forth stretching out as high as it can go sometimes. i wish i could get the thing out of my tank! its a freaking menace to all my other inhabitants! i really wish that ide never put it in!


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Unread 01/21/2009, 05:49 PM   #595
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Chris- ummm SWEET!

First ? oout of my mouth is where did you mount that in your 14bc, and then I read on to see that mounting is usually the first and biggest problem. Either way, how'd you mount/how will you mount yours?


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Unread 01/21/2009, 05:54 PM   #596
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See, mine hasn't moved until we redid the rock. Then he moved right where he wanted and hasn't moved since.

Not really sure if I want to get him out, or what the Clown's would do if I did. We'll have to see how things go.

jmadison: The column is a cool idea. I don't know, maybe I'll see how things go right now. He hasn't moved since he went to where he wanted to be. I don't know, should I get rid of him?

I'm excited today because the skimmer is pulling stuff. Not much, but it seems to be breaking in (I was worried at first). I am so glad I finally got it. I know with the 29 you can get away with just water changes, but come on...sometimes we're lazy/sick/hurt and it goes a few days passed when we planned on doing it.

So, with the stock lighting, does the adding of some zoas/acan/trumpet coral sound okay?


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Unread 01/21/2009, 08:31 PM   #597
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Re: Re: Lighting Upgrade

Quote:
Originally posted by jmadison
As for the nano tuners upgrades, for about the same price you can get a 20"sunpod 150w. You have less heat issues, don't have to listen to those garbage fans, but have more evap because of no hood (mine is about quart a day with room temp 70ish, tank 80ish, 9 hr photoperiod). I really REALLY like my sunpod!
+1 I weighed the pros and cons of the nano tuners upgrade and then decided on the sunpod. I dont regret that decision one bit... I love my sunpod.

Although on my 40 breeder I went with a 6 bulb HO T5... help keep the electricity costs down and all.


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Unread 01/21/2009, 08:42 PM   #598
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Why I don't think a sunpod would work for me:



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Unread 01/21/2009, 08:47 PM   #599
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your BTA should be ok, just be prepaired for it to bulldoze everything in the tank. my BTA touches everything in my tank at least once every 24 hours!

jmadison, i built that thing soooo freakin' tight that its literally pinned in place with the hood! there is only 11/16" of space to fit that thing under the hood! im going to make some mounts when i get some free time but for now its fine. ill take pics when i do, but i think i might make a new one? i mis-measured by 1/8" while building this one so its actually too big.


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Unread 01/21/2009, 08:58 PM   #600
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Re: Lighting Upgrade

Quote:
Originally posted by BrentB
What do folks think about the nano-tuners lighting upgrade?
Seems like alot of money, and I want to make sure the improvement is worth the cost.... (?)

Otherwise, one might be better off setting up a tank (even a smaller one) designed to use the proper lighting system for clams, hard corals, etc.

Seems like Red Sea and Elos both make tanks to fill that nitche.

Cheers,
Brent

i got the light upgrade for my 14g. but i didnt pay for it, i got it for christmas i like it just because i didnt want an open top, i wanted it "stock looking". my bf mounted it and the directionds were all messed up and it took a while and a lot of undoing and redoing. but in the end my tank,looks sooooo much better than i expected. i got a rbta and he seems to enjoy it. hes not reaching or anything hes found his spot near the bottomish part of my tank. so fat so i like. sorry no comparisons on prices


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