To baste, or not to baste

[jehudson]

I don't have a lot of flow in my tank (just 950 GPH in my sump ... no powerheads), so I've been using a turkey baster to blow the junk off my rock every day ... is this a good habit, or am I just poluting my water? Only stocked with damsels and snails right now. Also ... just recently started testing alc. It's at 9.2 DKH. Is this High, Low?

Tanks 90 gal with approx 85 lbs rock. Other parameters are normal.

[MissT]

Probably want to invest in some Koralias, they will keep your hands out of the water, and give you the flow you need. 2 of the 4's should do you.
9dKH is fine for the alkalinity as long as you aren't heavily stocked with SPS.

[Bill S]

Dang. I thought this thread might have something to do with that big ugly bird in our refrigerator... It IS Thanksgiving...

[cpreefguy]

If you do baste the tank, dont baste the bird with the tank baster

[cpreefguy]

also, baste has lost its meaning since Ive said it in my head so many times :what_smile:

I baste my tank weekly, and I have pretty good flow. When I baste I usually run additional media in the back chambers of my ank to catch the extra debris

[jehudson]

Sorry Bstreep ... I figured taking advantage of the season would get a few more looks at my thread:) I do however, having basting plans for a "big ugly bird" of my own (not the same baster I've been using in my tank ... although, instead of buying another baster, I could put that money in the "fish-tank-fund").

Thanks MissT for your advice ... I'll put those Koralias on the list.

[tony]

the secret to a juicy tasty bird is to brine it in a sea salt/water solution :D

[Ping]

I feed my fish with a turkey baster and blow the rocks of regularly. Waves clean the reef constantly.

You DKH will swing many times with a new tank. It takes time for stabilization.

[erikharrison]

Make sure you have a large enough clean up crew to help alleviate the issue as well. I have three #4 Koralias in my 75 and very few crabs and snails in my display. Most of the food goes into the sump that has not been eaten, and this is where I keep a large crew, eagerly waiting by the overflow drain. :) Get some nassarius snails, they are fun to watch around feeding time.

[loans_n_fishes]

the secret to a juicy tasty bird is to brine it in a sea salt/water solution :D

So, you float the turkey in your reef before cooking? :)

[erikharrison]

So, you float the turkey in your reef before cooking? :)

That's before the acclimation. He just wants to make sure that the Turkey doesn't go into shock. He'd better watch it though, if he has any tangs they will probably beat it up!

[Bill S]

Well, now we know what Tony does with his old water...

[erikharrison]

It would be a good place to send the in-laws!

[RayAllen]

Not sure what kind of fish you have but mine make a mess everyday. I will turn the lights on at 2pm with clear water- by the end of the day there is debri floating every where. My christmas wrass, GSM maroon and picasso trigger love to make messes. Funny but annoying at the same time because the waters clean but I have floating crap all over the place.

[erikharrison]

HA! Try having 2x10" engineer gobies that everyone thinks are eels in your tank. Wanna talk about a mess! :)

[jehudson]

I had a turkey once ... damsels killed em.

[MissT]

I've heard of people using raw bacon to catch mantis shrimp in their tanks... wonder what a 15 lb. turkey would get ya

[edawgm]

My christmas wrass, GSM maroon and picasso trigger love to make messes. Funny but annoying at the same time because the waters clean but I have floating crap all over the place.

I know what you mean Ray. :angel::wink_smile:

Though glad to know it wasn't just me.

[TexasTodd]

I think basting is a must. Even with super high flow from whatever produces it, it's not ever truly random.

I've used a powerhead in the past 1-2x per month to really blow the gunk out of the cracks.

As far as Turkeys, Oven bag all the way!

Todd

[LoneStar]

Dang. I thought this thread might have something to do with that big ugly bird in our refrigerator... It IS Thanksgiving...

Wow...cheap shot against Steve :Timeout:


:angel::wink_smile:

As for cleaning up the detritus, go with what Todd said.