MyMonkey's 58 gallon reef as a first tank. - Page 4

MyMonkey · 01/17/2006, 08:12 PM

Great news. Last night, I came into the office to see my little False Percs hosting in the Sebae Anemone. Awesome!!

I never thought it would happen as they are tank raised Amphiprion ocellaris. Ata ny rate, they figured it out on their own. The anemone still looks a little peekid. It expands at night but during the day it is very flat. Although, the color has darkened slightly. Here are some shots.

MyMonkey · 01/22/2006, 08:36 PM

I added a Lawnmower Blenny today. I assume he will like the abundant algae that is in the tank. However, I think the battle has entered another quarter and this Hair Algae is pulling ahead. It has continued to darken in some areas. I am just about to pull the rocks out and scrub them down again. Now I just need some serious time in which to do this.

I am headed to a conference for a few days this week. Again my uncle in law from across the street will be tending to the tank. Hope all goes well.

I have noticed that the Coraline that was growing so well under my PC's is not really growing under the VHO. I have no idea why that is.

UPdate on the new 90 Gallon: Still waiting to order the tank. However, today the wife commented. "I think it's time you got a bigger tank." Woohooo!

mramc3 · 01/22/2006, 11:40 PM

I have had a Sebae anemone exactly like yours from the LFS here. I thought I was getting a good deal on this rare looking sebae, only to find out its bleached, and a bleached anemone is frowned upon. Either way it was very healthy. It was a lot easier to take care of compared to my GBTA. I fed it chunks of squid that I had prepared and mysis shrimp chunks. Of course it was target fed.

My two Percs hosted to it and took care of it all the time. All the local reefers said it looked very healthy. Anyways, it has since moved to my bro in laws tank where is is under 400W 20K MH's and 50/50 PCs. It eats healthy by being target fed silversides. And now parts of it are turning brown. Which in this case, I hope it means its healthier and growing.

Good luck with your Sebae
HTH, Jeff

MyMonkey · 01/23/2006, 08:22 AM

Thanks Jeff. I found out the bleached status after purchase like you did. My anemone is fed Mysis as well. It is looking darker in color, only slightly though. I hope the Sebae does well. I depated returning the specimen but decided against it. I think that would be more stressful than to simply let it be. Thanks for the info.

MyMonkey · 02/02/2006, 08:53 PM

Earlier this week I removed the Bio Wheels on my Emperor 400 filter. After a deep cleaning one side of the inlet area was covered with algae in maybe 5 days. The other side, where the wheel had stopped spinning had almost no algae on the inlet area. Hence, I removed both the wheels. I have not yet had a problem with Nitrates. Although, I am hopefull that the hair algae will stop coming back eventually. I scrubbed the rocks as well last weekend. That took a few hours and a pain in the back.

BlackOnyx · 02/02/2006, 11:02 PM

your sabae is gonna mess with that feather duster

Dennis7 · 02/02/2006, 11:59 PM

Good start!

Dennis7 · 02/03/2006, 12:01 AM

You have alot going on in that tank. You will need to go larger when things start to grow.

NCreefwannabe · 02/03/2006, 12:58 AM

Looks good, but Im still trying to figure out why you add fish every week. One big reason you probably lost so many fish at the start was your bioload on the tank. You went from 0 fish to 12 in a day. You should stop buying fish for awhile and let your system stabalize itself. Every time you add a fish, your tank goes through a small cycle, but since you add fish every week or so, its going to never get on track anytime soon lol.

Just learn to have patience and take it slow. You could also cook the LR peice by peice if you are still worried about the HA.

MyMonkey · 02/03/2006, 08:27 AM

Thanks Dennis. Actually, I have a 90 gallon in the works now.

NCreefwannabe: Let me clarify a few things for you. Firstly, the addition of fish in the early stages was not 0 - 12 in one day. It was steep I agree. However, the deaths were allegedly caused by some form of bacterial infection. (as evidenced by the deaths of ALL the fish at the LFS to whom I gave the fish that would not fit in my tank)

Next, I'm not sure where you get the every week guideline for adding fish mentioned above. After the initial problems, I let the tank remain with the Goby for more than a month. Then, I added 2 perculas on 11/21/05. Next came the Coral Beauty one week later. (A gift from my mother

) The next addition was 12/24=Emerald Crab. That was nearly one month. Shortly thereafter, the anemone was added on 12/31. Then nearly one month later came the Lawnmower Blenny.

I am no math whiz, but I do believe that is a reasonable rate of addition overall. I could be wrong though. I always ask the LFS prior to purchase if it has been long enough between additions. Feel free to chime in if you think the additions were too quick.

However, thanks for the rock cooking suggestion. I will certainly begin that soon.

As for the 90 gallon, I should begin building the stand within the next two weeks. I am very excited. Wish me luck.

NCreefwannabe · 02/03/2006, 12:45 PM

I was basically just trying to say to take it slow. I know it seems annoying now, but in the end... It will cost alot less the slower you take things. I have waited over a month now just to start my tank. Still waiting on the rock to cook lol. But the slower you go the better. From what ive seen with other peoples tanks, if you can learn that and patience, this hobby is easy and fun!!!

MyMonkey · 02/03/2006, 06:59 PM

I understand. I have tried to slow it down after that first blunder. At this point, the only thing that seems off a bit is the anemone. It seems to be darkening slightly, very slowly. Trying to nurse it back to health. Thanks again.

nanodcl · 02/03/2006, 10:56 PM

Feel your pain with the HA.. I am fighting it too...I have found if you a can some coraline algae to grow on the rock the ha will not come back.. trying to get mine to grow more on my rocks... Great tank I am itching to get a bigger tank too...

DaveAngie79 · 02/03/2006, 11:14 PM

very nice indead

MyMonkey · 02/05/2006, 09:13 AM

Regarding the Coraline. Oddly enough, when I upgraded my lighting to VHO from the year old PC setup I had, all of my fast growing coraline basically died back. Well, it turned white and stopped growing anywhere. I have no idea why. However, it does seem as though the PC's were doing a much better job of making the coraline grow. Hmmm.

MyMonkey · 02/09/2006, 03:50 PM

Still battling the Nasty Hair Algae war as of today. No changes. The Lawnmower blenny is getting settled in now. He leaves little mouth marks all over the glass where he eats the skim of algae. My Cheato and Halimada are both growing well. However, so is the dadgum Hair Algae. I May just start to cook most of the rock and build a stand for corals in the meantime. I don't want to introduce a bunch of nasty Hair algae to a new tank.

zimmy1979 · 02/09/2006, 04:07 PM

The coralline should start growing again. I had 260watts of PC and added 440watts of VHO and after a week my coralline came back and hasn't stopped growing. My tank is only 3 months old but has coralline all over my powerheads, overflow, some on the glass in the back (I scrape it alot). It should come back for you. Make sure you keep up on your calcium and alk levels.

MyMonkey · 02/09/2006, 04:09 PM

Darnet. I knew it should be growing back allready. Alk and Ca levels are good. Thanks for the input.

MyMonkey · 02/26/2006, 03:02 PM

Update:

Still fighting off the Hair Algae. This stuff grows like mad. I need to scrub the rocks again. On a brighter note, I got a new toy. An RO/DI Filter, new from alocal reefer for $40.

Mounted it beneath the bar that we do not use.

Also, my anemone decided to move a bit to the Left a few days ago. Not sure why. However, he is still bleached. I hope to see some color in it eventually.

Interesting story. I have 4 large Nassarius snails. They only come out when I feed the Brain or the anemone Silversides or Mysis. The Cave Goby hates these snails. He attacks them at every chance. Not sure why. I got some pics this time.
Trolling along.

Someone bit me! You can see the Goby standing guard over his cave.

One more shot for today. This is my Open Brain, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi I believe.

Water Params:
Amonia: 0
Nitrate: less than 5
Nitrite: 0
PHosphate: .5
Calcium: 380 to 420
Alk: 7.8 to 8.2
PH 8.2

MyMonkey · 03/10/2006, 09:15 PM

As mentioned, I made purchase of a bleached Sebae Anemone 3 months ago. I was advised that the Bleached look is bad. I have been trying to nurse this guy back to health instead of taking it back. He has done very well it seems. Some color is apparent. A slight green look seems to be coming in. At any rate, I am worried about the gaping mouth I see today. I have heard that a gaping mouth may be a sign of trouble. Nothing is actually sticking out of the mouth, it is just open a bit. It still responds to touch and still grabs food. I feed it small bits of Mysis or squished silverside approximately twice weekly. I spread some Cyclopeeze no it yesterday just as supplement. Although, the clowns like to steal everything. I am using the top of a 2 liter bottle as a guard against them. Anyway, here is a pic of the anemone. I hope the mouth open thing is not trouble brewing.

jawaiianmon · 03/10/2006, 09:25 PM

mmm, water bar.

reelfreak · 03/10/2006, 10:07 PM

Have you gotten rid of the hang on back filter yet?? If not you really need a sump/fuge combo. I see very few people who are able to keep a bigger (than nano) tank w/o sump/fuge combos. If you still use the HOB filter, GET RID of IT.....

I'd say the reason you don't detect severely high nutrients is the hair algae is consuming most of it. Bring the phosphates down and keep them down. Use phosban or other ferrous oxide types....the phosguard from seachem(white balls) didn't work very well for me.

I hope that when you get your 90 set up, you might look back through this thread for some "tough learning".....You need to go much, much slower next time.

Also how big is your current cleaning crew?? I was having my own little battle w/ some hair algae after a pump cooked my tank, but yours needs some serious attention!

I hope I don't come off as too rude, but you have made some of the "classic" mistakes of a first tank. Rethink your next setup step by step, and remember what's happened in the past...

Good luck, hope your next tank goes better

MyMonkey · 03/11/2006, 07:48 AM

Thanks reel. I agree as to the mistakes. Obviously, I went to fast in the early days.

As far as the sump/fuge in concerned, I have everything but the baffles installed and the return pump. I was waiting to use the sump on my 90 gallon, but I may simply add it to the 58 gallon in the meantime.

I will post a full tank shot later today. The HA seems to be receeding again. I have been harvesting it again diligently. I will be scrubbing the rock very soon. Maybe today in fact.

As far as clean up crew. I think I may order the Hair Algae crew off GARP. REasonably priced. I now have several of each cerith, turbo, nassarius, and Illyanasa [sic?] snails. I also have approximately 5 Hermits, blue and red legged. I forgot to mention the Berghia I added last week. Doh! He is supposed to eat Aiptasia. He is maybe a 1/4 inch long. After adding him, I have not seen it again. I also have an Emerald Crab, peppermint shrimp and one GIANT 3 inch long Cleaner Shrimp.

Can you or anyone recommend any other additions?

Last thing, I was advised by the LFS that a Scopas Tang, small one may eat the Hair Algae if I scrub it and it grows back. I am considering adding this Tang. I like others better, but if it eats the HA, I will be thrilled. I plan on moving to the 90 wihtin 2 months, so space should not be a concern. Suggestions?

reelfreak · 03/11/2006, 09:55 AM

In my 55 gallon w/ 10g fuge and 5g sump, I have about 30 nassarius snails, 40 turbo snails and a dozen hermits. I also have about 5 emerald crabs between the display/fuge.

I seriously recommend hooking up your sump....I feel it's one of your problems. Make it a sump/fuge w/ macroalgae and alternate the light cycles between display and fuge. Also do you use timers on your lighting, and how many hours each day??

My suggestions....MORE snails (lots more), MAKE your fuge/sump, and consistant lighting hours (probably reduce daylight to 8-10hrs day + 2 hours sunset sunrise)....

I also feel you might not have enough flow since you are using a HOB filter.....Run about 10x your volume through the sump with the additional powerheads in display. You cant be getting enough turnover from the HOB....FWIW..

I really hope you try a few of these, they CERTAINLY cant hurt!!

edit: otherwise things seem to be shaping up better than before

MyMonkey · 03/11/2006, 01:45 PM

Thanks again. I have timers for the lighting and fans. The lights are on a 10 hour cycle. That settles it. I must have a Sump.

01/17/2006, 08:12 PM	#76
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Great news. Last night, I came into the office to see my little False Percs hosting in the Sebae Anemone. Awesome!! I never thought it would happen as they are tank raised Amphiprion ocellaris. Ata ny rate, they figured it out on their own. The anemone still looks a little peekid. It expands at night but during the day it is very flat. Although, the color has darkened slightly. Here are some shots. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

01/22/2006, 08:36 PM	#77
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	I added a Lawnmower Blenny today. I assume he will like the abundant algae that is in the tank. However, I think the battle has entered another quarter and this Hair Algae is pulling ahead. It has continued to darken in some areas. I am just about to pull the rocks out and scrub them down again. Now I just need some serious time in which to do this. I am headed to a conference for a few days this week. Again my uncle in law from across the street will be tending to the tank. Hope all goes well. I have noticed that the Coraline that was growing so well under my PC's is not really growing under the VHO. I have no idea why that is. UPdate on the new 90 Gallon: Still waiting to order the tank. However, today the wife commented. "I think it's time you got a bigger tank." Woohooo! __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

01/22/2006, 11:40 PM	#78
mramc3 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 96	I have had a Sebae anemone exactly like yours from the LFS here. I thought I was getting a good deal on this rare looking sebae, only to find out its bleached, and a bleached anemone is frowned upon. Either way it was very healthy. It was a lot easier to take care of compared to my GBTA. I fed it chunks of squid that I had prepared and mysis shrimp chunks. Of course it was target fed. My two Percs hosted to it and took care of it all the time. All the local reefers said it looked very healthy. Anyways, it has since moved to my bro in laws tank where is is under 400W 20K MH's and 50/50 PCs. It eats healthy by being target fed silversides. And now parts of it are turning brown. Which in this case, I hope it means its healthier and growing. Good luck with your Sebae HTH, Jeff __________________ This hobby of mine... I call it "The Pit of Dispair." Current Tank Info: 29G reef: 30lbs. LR - 30 lbs of Crushed Coral - 18" Coralife PC Quad pin 50/50 - 12" HOB Refugium - CPR Bak Pak II - 150W Heater - PowerSweep and MaxiJet1200 Powehead

01/23/2006, 08:22 AM	#79
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Thanks Jeff. I found out the bleached status after purchase like you did. My anemone is fed Mysis as well. It is looking darker in color, only slightly though. I hope the Sebae does well. I depated returning the specimen but decided against it. I think that would be more stressful than to simply let it be. Thanks for the info. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

02/02/2006, 08:53 PM	#80
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Earlier this week I removed the Bio Wheels on my Emperor 400 filter. After a deep cleaning one side of the inlet area was covered with algae in maybe 5 days. The other side, where the wheel had stopped spinning had almost no algae on the inlet area. Hence, I removed both the wheels. I have not yet had a problem with Nitrates. Although, I am hopefull that the hair algae will stop coming back eventually. I scrubbed the rocks as well last weekend. That took a few hours and a pain in the back. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

02/02/2006, 11:02 PM	#81
BlackOnyx Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: in front of my tank Posts: 474	your sabae is gonna mess with that feather duster

02/02/2006, 11:59 PM	#82
Dennis7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 50	Good start! __________________ One day this will be relaxing!

02/03/2006, 12:01 AM	#83
Dennis7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 50	You have alot going on in that tank. You will need to go larger when things start to grow. __________________ One day this will be relaxing!

02/03/2006, 12:58 AM	#84
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	Looks good, but Im still trying to figure out why you add fish every week. One big reason you probably lost so many fish at the start was your bioload on the tank. You went from 0 fish to 12 in a day. You should stop buying fish for awhile and let your system stabalize itself. Every time you add a fish, your tank goes through a small cycle, but since you add fish every week or so, its going to never get on track anytime soon lol. Just learn to have patience and take it slow. You could also cook the LR peice by peice if you are still worried about the HA.

02/03/2006, 08:27 AM	#85
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Thanks Dennis. Actually, I have a 90 gallon in the works now. NCreefwannabe: Let me clarify a few things for you. Firstly, the addition of fish in the early stages was not 0 - 12 in one day. It was steep I agree. However, the deaths were allegedly caused by some form of bacterial infection. (as evidenced by the deaths of ALL the fish at the LFS to whom I gave the fish that would not fit in my tank) Next, I'm not sure where you get the every week guideline for adding fish mentioned above. After the initial problems, I let the tank remain with the Goby for more than a month. Then, I added 2 perculas on 11/21/05. Next came the Coral Beauty one week later. (A gift from my mother ) The next addition was 12/24=Emerald Crab. That was nearly one month. Shortly thereafter, the anemone was added on 12/31. Then nearly one month later came the Lawnmower Blenny. I am no math whiz, but I do believe that is a reasonable rate of addition overall. I could be wrong though. I always ask the LFS prior to purchase if it has been long enough between additions. Feel free to chime in if you think the additions were too quick. However, thanks for the rock cooking suggestion. I will certainly begin that soon. As for the 90 gallon, I should begin building the stand within the next two weeks. I am very excited. Wish me luck. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

02/03/2006, 12:45 PM	#86
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	I was basically just trying to say to take it slow. I know it seems annoying now, but in the end... It will cost alot less the slower you take things. I have waited over a month now just to start my tank. Still waiting on the rock to cook lol. But the slower you go the better. From what ive seen with other peoples tanks, if you can learn that and patience, this hobby is easy and fun!!!

02/03/2006, 06:59 PM	#87
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	I understand. I have tried to slow it down after that first blunder. At this point, the only thing that seems off a bit is the anemone. It seems to be darkening slightly, very slowly. Trying to nurse it back to health. Thanks again. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

02/03/2006, 10:56 PM	#88
nanodcl Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 46	Feel your pain with the HA.. I am fighting it too...I have found if you a can some coraline algae to grow on the rock the ha will not come back.. trying to get mine to grow more on my rocks... Great tank I am itching to get a bigger tank too...

02/03/2006, 11:14 PM	#89
DaveAngie79 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Greenwood, IN Posts: 662	very nice indead

02/05/2006, 09:13 AM	#90
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Regarding the Coraline. Oddly enough, when I upgraded my lighting to VHO from the year old PC setup I had, all of my fast growing coraline basically died back. Well, it turned white and stopped growing anywhere. I have no idea why. However, it does seem as though the PC's were doing a much better job of making the coraline grow. Hmmm. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

02/09/2006, 03:50 PM	#91
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Still battling the Nasty Hair Algae war as of today. No changes. The Lawnmower blenny is getting settled in now. He leaves little mouth marks all over the glass where he eats the skim of algae. My Cheato and Halimada are both growing well. However, so is the dadgum Hair Algae. I May just start to cook most of the rock and build a stand for corals in the meantime. I don't want to introduce a bunch of nasty Hair algae to a new tank. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

02/09/2006, 04:07 PM	#92
zimmy1979 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: City of Angels Posts: 405	The coralline should start growing again. I had 260watts of PC and added 440watts of VHO and after a week my coralline came back and hasn't stopped growing. My tank is only 3 months old but has coralline all over my powerheads, overflow, some on the glass in the back (I scrape it alot). It should come back for you. Make sure you keep up on your calcium and alk levels.

02/09/2006, 04:09 PM	#93
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Darnet. I knew it should be growing back allready. Alk and Ca levels are good. Thanks for the input. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

02/26/2006, 03:02 PM	#94
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Update: Still fighting off the Hair Algae. This stuff grows like mad. I need to scrub the rocks again. On a brighter note, I got a new toy. An RO/DI Filter, new from alocal reefer for $40. Mounted it beneath the bar that we do not use. Also, my anemone decided to move a bit to the Left a few days ago. Not sure why. However, he is still bleached. I hope to see some color in it eventually. Interesting story. I have 4 large Nassarius snails. They only come out when I feed the Brain or the anemone Silversides or Mysis. The Cave Goby hates these snails. He attacks them at every chance. Not sure why. I got some pics this time. Trolling along. Someone bit me! You can see the Goby standing guard over his cave. One more shot for today. This is my Open Brain, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi I believe. Water Params: Amonia: 0 Nitrate: less than 5 Nitrite: 0 PHosphate: .5 Calcium: 380 to 420 Alk: 7.8 to 8.2 PH 8.2 __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

03/10/2006, 09:15 PM	#95
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	As mentioned, I made purchase of a bleached Sebae Anemone 3 months ago. I was advised that the Bleached look is bad. I have been trying to nurse this guy back to health instead of taking it back. He has done very well it seems. Some color is apparent. A slight green look seems to be coming in. At any rate, I am worried about the gaping mouth I see today. I have heard that a gaping mouth may be a sign of trouble. Nothing is actually sticking out of the mouth, it is just open a bit. It still responds to touch and still grabs food. I feed it small bits of Mysis or squished silverside approximately twice weekly. I spread some Cyclopeeze no it yesterday just as supplement. Although, the clowns like to steal everything. I am using the top of a 2 liter bottle as a guard against them. Anyway, here is a pic of the anemone. I hope the mouth open thing is not trouble brewing. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

03/10/2006, 09:25 PM	#96
jawaiianmon Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 200	mmm, water bar.

03/10/2006, 10:07 PM	#97
reelfreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlantic Beach , Florida Posts: 1,096	Have you gotten rid of the hang on back filter yet?? If not you really need a sump/fuge combo. I see very few people who are able to keep a bigger (than nano) tank w/o sump/fuge combos. If you still use the HOB filter, GET RID of IT..... I'd say the reason you don't detect severely high nutrients is the hair algae is consuming most of it. Bring the phosphates down and keep them down. Use phosban or other ferrous oxide types....the phosguard from seachem(white balls) didn't work very well for me. I hope that when you get your 90 set up, you might look back through this thread for some "tough learning".....You need to go much, much slower next time. Also how big is your current cleaning crew?? I was having my own little battle w/ some hair algae after a pump cooked my tank, but yours needs some serious attention! I hope I don't come off as too rude, but you have made some of the "classic" mistakes of a first tank. Rethink your next setup step by step, and remember what's happened in the past... Good luck, hope your next tank goes better __________________ From the forest itself, comes the handle for the axe Current Tank Info: 125g / 6x80 T5s 90w LED Hybrid DIY, Apex, WAVs,Skimz SM161,Tunze Osmolator

03/11/2006, 07:48 AM	#98
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Thanks reel. I agree as to the mistakes. Obviously, I went to fast in the early days. As far as the sump/fuge in concerned, I have everything but the baffles installed and the return pump. I was waiting to use the sump on my 90 gallon, but I may simply add it to the 58 gallon in the meantime. I will post a full tank shot later today. The HA seems to be receeding again. I have been harvesting it again diligently. I will be scrubbing the rock very soon. Maybe today in fact. As far as clean up crew. I think I may order the Hair Algae crew off GARP. REasonably priced. I now have several of each cerith, turbo, nassarius, and Illyanasa [sic?] snails. I also have approximately 5 Hermits, blue and red legged. I forgot to mention the Berghia I added last week. Doh! He is supposed to eat Aiptasia. He is maybe a 1/4 inch long. After adding him, I have not seen it again. I also have an Emerald Crab, peppermint shrimp and one GIANT 3 inch long Cleaner Shrimp. Can you or anyone recommend any other additions? Last thing, I was advised by the LFS that a Scopas Tang, small one may eat the Hair Algae if I scrub it and it grows back. I am considering adding this Tang. I like others better, but if it eats the HA, I will be thrilled. I plan on moving to the 90 wihtin 2 months, so space should not be a concern. Suggestions? __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

03/11/2006, 09:55 AM	#99
reelfreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlantic Beach , Florida Posts: 1,096	In my 55 gallon w/ 10g fuge and 5g sump, I have about 30 nassarius snails, 40 turbo snails and a dozen hermits. I also have about 5 emerald crabs between the display/fuge. I seriously recommend hooking up your sump....I feel it's one of your problems. Make it a sump/fuge w/ macroalgae and alternate the light cycles between display and fuge. Also do you use timers on your lighting, and how many hours each day?? My suggestions....MORE snails (lots more), MAKE your fuge/sump, and consistant lighting hours (probably reduce daylight to 8-10hrs day + 2 hours sunset sunrise).... I also feel you might not have enough flow since you are using a HOB filter.....Run about 10x your volume through the sump with the additional powerheads in display. You cant be getting enough turnover from the HOB....FWIW.. I really hope you try a few of these, they CERTAINLY cant hurt!! edit: otherwise things seem to be shaping up better than before __________________ From the forest itself, comes the handle for the axe Current Tank Info: 125g / 6x80 T5s 90w LED Hybrid DIY, Apex, WAVs,Skimz SM161,Tunze Osmolator

03/11/2006, 01:45 PM	#100
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Thanks again. I have timers for the lighting and fans. The lights are on a 10 hour cycle. That settles it. I must have a Sump. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.