Finnex 30 Gallon Journal (REHAB TIME: Post #499)

[txav8r]

I'm still around. Good to hear from you!!

[cbianco]

welcome back chris. hows it going. a lot have moved on to other things

I figured this much. I only recognize 3 people on the Board. Good to see MAAST is still surviving in general.


I'm still around. Good to hear from you!!

Same Jack! I think you still owe me an airplane ride... anywhere. :)

Christopher

[cbianco]

OK, rehab time.

I did a 10 gallon water change, cleaned the wet side of my MP40 in vinegar (it was really gunked up), and installed a make-shift filter sock to collect debris.

The tank has all the usual suspects of a neglected tank: bubble algea, aptasia, and hydroids.

I hope to swing by Louis' shop and pick up a clean-up crew.

Any sugestions?

Christopher

[txav8r]

I'd give you a ride today but I'm in Oshkosh wisconsin at the nation's biggest airshow!!

[Big_Pun]

I'd give you a ride today but I'm in Oshkosh wisconsin at the nation's biggest airshow!!

show off!!

[cbianco]

I'd give you a ride today but I'm in Oshkosh wisconsin at the nation's biggest airshow!!

Sounds interesting. I assume you flew there, did you pilot your own plane (terminology may be off)?

Christopher

[txav8r]

Lol yeah I flew myself up here. The high was 62 degrees yesterday! I love it!!

[cbianco]

Lol yeah I flew myself up here. The high was 62 degrees yesterday! I love it!!

62 degrees, must be nice! We've got triple digits in the forecast for tomorrow according to one of the weather websites. My poor A/C can't catch a break with this Texas summer.

Christopher

[cbianco]

OK, rehab time.

I did a 10 gallon water change, cleaned the wet side of my MP40 in vinegar (it was really gunked up), and installed a make-shift filter sock to collect debris.

The tank has all the usual suspects of a neglected tank: bubble algea, aptasia, and hydroids.

I hope to swing by Louis' shop and pick up a clean-up crew.

Any sugestions?

Christopher

Just for (embarrassing) reference...

Here is my tank about 2 1/2 years ago :) ...

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/FullTankNATURAL8x10.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/FullTankNATURAL8x10.jpg.html)

Here is my tank today :( ...

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/20140730_151408.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/20140730_151408.jpg.html)

[jrsatx20]

Looks like mine

[cbianco]

Looks like mine

Which picture? Lol

Christopher

[jrsatx20]

the dirty one

[CoryDude]

Dang Christopher! I'm on my ipad and the screen hung up as I was scrolling down. Man, I was not expecting that. But hey, I've had the same thing happen too. Life gets busy.

I can't tell, but if you still have that tri color valida I'd love to get my hands on a frag in the future. Good luck on the rehab!

[cbianco]

the dirty one

Ouch! Well, "misery loves company." We can feel miserable about our tanks together.

Christopher

[cbianco]

Dang Christopher! I'm on my ipad and the screen hung up as I was scrolling down. Man, I was not expecting that. But hey, I've had the same thing happen too. Life gets busy.

I can't tell, but if you still have that tri color valida I'd love to get my hands on a frag in the future. Good luck on the rehab!

Dang is right! I'm kind of disappointed in myself.

I think I'll make a list of what corals survived later today. Some of my SPS did amazingly well considering the horrible conditionals they endured.

Christopher

[cbianco]

Just made a purchase from an online retailer for new bulbs:

2 x ATI 24 Inch 24W Blue Plus T5HO Fluorescent Bulb
1 x ATI 24 Inch 24W True Actinic 03 T5HO Fluorescent Bulb
1 x ATI Coral Plus 24 Inch 24 Watt T5HO Fluorescent Bulb

I have a 4 bulb fixture...

Front to back: Blue+, True Actinic, Coral+, Blue+

Christopher

[Pennies2Cents]

Hi Chris :) Good to see ya around here.

[cbianco]

Hi Chris :) Good to see ya around here.

It's good to be back. Hopefully I can hang around for a while!

Christopher

[cbianco]

... I hope to swing by Louis' shop and pick up a clean-up crew. ...

Forgot to mention that I did visit Louis' shop on Wednesday. I picked up 1/2 of my cleaning crew. Due to poor tank conditions, I didn't want to add them all at once.

I had about 12 hermits, 2 snails, and a large brittle sea star in my tank. I am absolutely amazed that the sea star survived the past two years of neglect. He is one hardy specimen!

I bought:

1x emerald crab
1x peppermint shrimp
4x blue legs hermit crabs
10x atraea snails

I still plan to buy:

1x emerald crab
1x peppermint shrimp
??? hermit crabs
??? snails

I'm not sure what type of snails I will purchase. I really wanted some trochus snails however NOBODY seems to have them in stock. :( I'm thinking either margarite or turbo snails, instead of the trochus.

Anyone have any suggestions on cleanup crew inhabitants?

Christopher

[CoryDude]

I've had a lot of luck with the reefcleaners packages. The ceriths, dwarf ceriths, and nerites have done a great job on my tank.

[Dean]

Its time for me to replenish my clean up crews also. Considering banishing all of my hermits to the sump also. The dang critters have eaten most of my snails..

[cbianco]

I've had a lot of luck with the reefcleaners packages. The ceriths, dwarf ceriths, and nerites have done a great job on my tank.

I'm not sure why I'm so hung on on a particular family of snails. I guess I'll have to consider the "variety pack" approach.


Its time for me to replenish my clean up crews also. Considering banishing all of my hermits to the sump also. The dang critters have eaten most of my snails..

Hermit crabs occasionally eat my snails as well. Circle of life I guess. However, I wouldn't consider keeping a reef tank with hermit crabs (in the display). I think their scavenging abilities outweigh the little bit of damage they do, that's my $0.02 at least.

Christopher

[cbianco]

In rehab new...

I've done 33% water changes, 3 times. 33% on Wednesday, 33% on Friday, and 33% today. I would have done one on Thursday however I forgot how to make saltwater, lol. I made a batch of saltwater to 1.022 instead of 1.026. I had to adjust that batch.

During each water change I used a turkey baster to stir up sediment on the rock-work, overflow, and refugium. As well, each time, I syphoned the overflows and refugium, and then the main display. My sand-bed is free of all algae.

In my refugium, the chetomorpha is somehow still alive, albeit it shrank quite a bit. I rinsed it thoroughly in saltwater, picked off the crud/dead stuff, and "fanned" it out. I can't wait for it to start taking off again.

I've cleaned my MP40 of all bubble algae by soaking it in 9% vinegar and srubbing. It's amazing where the bubble algae will grow. An MP40 full blast is a volatile environment for any living organism.

I still need to clean my skimmer pump and return pump. These two pumps will also be soaked in vinegar and scrubbed.

After all this, A few of my SPS are showing a hint of color. Not bad for 2 years of nothing but top-off with tap water. <--Yep I said it!

FYI, I'm under no false perception that 100% of my dissolved organics (in the water column) are gone but hopefully a large chuck of organics has been eradicated. Also, my tank still has alot of work to go before I get it to just a fraction of what it was at my happiest.

Questions? Comments? Hate mail?

Christopher

[Dean]

Have you had any fish in the tank for the last two years? I'm very curious as to what your nitrate and phosphate levels were at before the water changes if so. What types of sps colonies made it through and are you concerned that cleaning the environment that drastically in that short of a time period might have an adverse effect on the coral? Believe me, I'm not judging you at all just genuinely curious and soaking up information.

[cbianco]

Lots of questions. Let me take them one at a time.


Have you had any fish in the tank for the last two years?

I don't have any fish. I'm not a fish person. I love corals and other invertebrates. Fish are too much work IMO, lolololol.


I'm very curious as to what your nitrate and phosphate levels were at before the water changes if so.

Fantastic question! I no longer own a test kit. I'm sure nitrates were elevated, probably significantly. Phosphates were probably low/moderate due to the unchecked algae growth. Either way I have no sure way to know. I'm not sure I'd want to know the "before," to be honest with you. Now that several water changes have been completed, I would like to test both nitrate and phosphate.


What types of sps colonies made it through and are you concerned that cleaning the environment that drastically in that short of a time period might have an adverse effect on the coral?

It looks as if most sps colonies survived. In particular, my ORA Red Planet, tri-color validia, and my ATL Pink Tulip millipora survived. Unfortunately, two of my losses include a Paletta Lovelii and Tyree Blue Capricornis.

Your concern about the "speed" of my water changes are valid. In order to minimize impact on my organisms I matched salinity and temperature. I did not take pH into account though. I hate to say, "I hope..." but...


Believe me, I'm not judging you at all just genuinely curious and soaking up information.

I'm not sensitive by any means. I love questions, as they get ME thinking too. Keep them coming. :)

As a teacher, I tell my students to make the best desision they can based on what they know, and to do the best they can based on their skills. I took my own advice in this situation. I can only hope that I made the right choice in this situation.

Christopher

[cbianco]

I broke down my skimmer and cleaned both it and it's pump with vinegar. Interestingly enough, the skimmer took but an hour to start producing skim-mate again. I figured a longer rebreak-in time period. Not to state the obvious but it's working like a champ again.

Now I just have to clean my return pump. I don't look forward to removing the internal plumbing and attempting to wiggle the pump out. It's a really tight fit.

In other news, my peppermint shrimp has gone MIA. No carcass, not in the overflow, or refugium. Just gone. I wonder where he went?

Christopher

[Zack]

Man you're on a mission! I'm trying to do the same for mine, glad to have you back!

[cbianco]

Man you're on a mission! I'm trying to do the same for mine, glad to have you back!

I came to a point where I had two options: 1. dismantle the tank or 2. get it looking pretty again. Even if it was severely neglected, I figured I put too much work into the tank just to let it go by the way side.

On a side note, MAAST is dead. Where is everyone? It must be the summer slump. Maybe once school starts back up, MAAST will pickup again.

Christopher

[cbianco]

Went to Louis' shop again today and purchase part 2/2 of my cleanup crew:

1x peppermint shrimp
5x turbo snails
8x astraea snails

I I still plan to purchase some additional hermits and some nassarius snails.

On another note, for all you old timers (circa 2005-08) I saw user "mattk" at Louis' shop. I think he got lost and stopped to ask for directions. Supposedly he was looking for inhabitant for his newly cycled nano, I'm not sure if I believe him. He did however purchase a nice zooanthid frag rock for his tank.


...On a side note, MAAST is dead. Where is everyone? It must be the summer slump. Maybe once school starts back up, MAAST will pickup again. ...

I guess I'm going to single-handily bring back MAAST to it's glory days. We need more conversation, all these for sale posts are making me dizzy. Come on BOD, help get it going again!

Christopher

[FireWater]

Dude, slow down.

I answered your pm. Good to hear from you again.

[cbianco]

Dude, slow down.

I answered your pm. Good to hear from you again.

Sorry to see that you no longer have a tank and haven't been active on MAAST. I know the "I need a break feeling." We'll have to talk offline sometime between you putting out fires and investigating them.

Christopher

[Dean]

Hey Christopher, if you have the time you should come out to our monthly meeting at Bass Pro. The topic of discussion is going to be algae. Your knowledge and experience would certainly add to the discussion.

[cbianco]

Hey Christopher, if you have the time you should come out to our monthly meeting at Bass Pro. The topic of discussion is going to be algae. Your knowledge and experience would certainly add to the discussion.

I appreciate that you think so highly of me, lol. I am a dedicated reefer but one with much to learn (relearn).

My life has changed very much since I last helped out with MAAST. (For those who don't know I was a moderator, site moderator, and board member.) My most memorable moments are those connected to helping with LMAR. I can still remember how frustrating it can be to put on a large event.

I am graced with the presence of a 16 month old whom keeps me busier than I've ever been. I am also a teacher and school is getting back into session once again. A 12 hour work day is considered the norm for me.

I would love to help out but simply cannot easily get out of the house.

However, BODs ponder this... How can I help you from behind a computer? I am willing to help MAAST!

I remember MAAST as a close knit family. I can't stand to see our "fish club" in the lackluster position it is in currently.

Christopher

[cbianco]

In rehab news...

They're here!

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/20140805_163057.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/20140805_163057.jpg.html)

Christopher

[cbianco]

Holy Picasso's blue period Batman!!!!!!!!!

Coming off 2 x 10Ks and 2x 50/50s... I forgot how blue ATI bulbs are.

Just as a reminder, I placed the bulbs Blue+, Actinic, Coral, Blue+. I am going to have to purchase a GE6500 to balance this color out.

Anyone know who would carry a 24 watt GE6500 locally?

Christopher

[cbianco]

Rehab news...

We're beginning to look like a reef tank again. I'm trying to remember to take it one step at a time.

Christopher

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/20140806_182319.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/20140806_182319.jpg.html)

[Dean]

Its looking tons better. I bet those snails are having a field day. :)

[cbianco]

Its looking tons better. I bet those snails are having a field day. :)

Thank you!

You hit the nail on the head! The astraea snails blazed a small path through the algae however once I brought in the turbos, they demolished large sections at a time. Turbo snails are no joke. I may have to give 2-3 away (I bought 5) I forgot how efficient they were at cleaning your tank. I'm afraid they'll run out of food.

The mithrax (sp?) crab is having a field day with all the rockwork. While I'm not sure if he's taking care of the bubble algae, I do know he hard at work eating something.

I never see the peppermints doing anything appreciable. I do notice a very small reduction in aptasia however I don't know if I should give the peppermints or improved water quality credit.

I feel as if this is all brand new again. I find myself starring into the tank numerous times a day. I even made plans with my 16 month old son to watch the lights come on this morning at 10:00. We enjoyed the "sun rise" together.

Christopher

[Dean]

That's awesome.

I've found that my peppermints do their best work after lights out. Sounds like you got a good crew.

[cbianco]

That's awesome.

I've found that my peppermints do their best work after lights out. Sounds like you got a good crew.

They seem to be working hard. Hopefully they can stay in their good habits.

Christopher

[cbianco]

I've decided to change my photoperiod.

I've lengthened the amount of light my tank received per day. At the same time, I've reduced the amount of intensity (all lights on) my tank receives per day.

My old photoperiod was:

Bulb 1 and 2 on at 11am
Bulb 3 and 4 on at 12pm
Bulb 1 and 2 off at 7pm
Bulb 3 and 4 off at 8pm

This gave me 8 hours run time, per bulb, per day. The tank received 7 hours of intense light per day and a total of 9 hours of light per day.

My new photoperiod is:

Bulb 1 and 2 on at 10am
Bulb 3 and 4 on at 12pm
Bulb 1 and 2 off at 6pm
Bulb 3 and 4 off at 8pm

This will still give me 8 hours run time, per bulb, per day. Now the tank will recieve only 6 hours of intense light per day and a total of 10 hours of light per day.

The reason I changed my photoperiod is two-fold.

1. After looking at what other T5 users (entire web) are doing with their lighting schedule, most seem to agree that they have better coloration with a shorter intense lighting period. While these are purely observations by those users, I'm included to give it the ol' go ahead to see if my observations match theirs.

2. I wanted my lights to be on a bit earlier in the day in order to observe my tank. At the same time, I didn't want to increase bulb usage as 24 watt T5 bulbs are about $20 and each bulb's useful life span is only about 9-12 months.

In conclusion, I hope to have helped coloration of my corals while increasing the total time my lights are on per day. At the same time, I haven't increased the amount of time each individual bulb is turned on.

Questions for you...

1. What is your photoperiod?

2. Where can I find documentation, on T5 bulbs, showing the relationship between hours in use and spectrum/intensity loss.

Christopher

[cbianco]

Time for a laugh...

I've been using the AquaC Remora skimmer for many years now. It has performed well for my small tank. Considering I don't have fish, there is not much of a load to pull from the tank.

About 2 years ago the feed pump went out. The shaft on the stock pump broke and ceased to work. I purchased a new pump from Petco (it was an emergency, lol). The new pump stated that it would put out slightly more flow than the stock pump. While using the new pump, my skimmer never quite worked as well. I figured it was just an over-rated, cheaply built pump.

Fast forward to last week, while cleaning my skimmer and pump, I wondered why I attached the adapter with the venturi hole. I rifled through my parts drawer but couldn't find an appropriate adapter. So I said, "what ever," put my skimmer back together, and moved on with my life.

Last night I was making some adjustments to the tank. When I stuck my hand into the first rear chamber of the Finnex, I felt water jetting out of the venturi hole. It immediately dawned on me, my skimmer never worked as well with the new pump because it was losing pressure through the venturi hole. I took a small piece of airline tubing and melted it down on one end to make a "cap" for the venturi hole. Immediately my skimmer started producing more bubble due to the added pressure. My skimmer is now back working like when I first got it.

Ironically, this means that I have never (in 5 years) stuck my hand down into the first chamber of my nano. When I finally did stick my hand in that chamber, I quickly noticed the jet of water coming from the hole in the side of the pump adapter.

It's funny how things work out sometimes.

Christopher

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/20140808_111915-1.jpg

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/20140808_112017.jpg

[Dean]

So you have had this tank up and running for 5 years now? That's a feat in it's own sense. Tanks come and go and get changed more often than a bag ladies undies. Well more often than a bag lady who is concerned with monthly hygiene. lol A 5 year old nano is quite an achievement. My 29 biocube has been running for 20 months now and going strong. Hopefully I can keep it going.

It's funny how in an "emergency" situation we can miss the smallest things that have the potential to make a large impact. Reminds me of when I found the filter sponge in the back compartment of my cube after it had been running for about 8 months. LOL Needless to say it was quite clogged and the tank inhabitants were thrilled to have it finally realized and cleaned.

[cbianco]

So you have had this tank up and running for 5 years now? That's a feat in it's own sense. Tanks come and go and get changed more often than a bag ladies undies. Well more often than a bag lady who is concerned with monthly hygiene. lol A 5 year old nano is quite an achievement. My 29 biocube has been running for 20 months now and going strong. Hopefully I can keep it going.

You sure are making me reminisce...

I first put water in my tank Sun, 8th Feb 2009 (http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?48448-Finnex-30-Gallon-Journal-(REHAB-TIME-Post-499)&p=654153#post654153). That means I've had this tank for roughly 5 years and 6 months. Time flies!

My goal was to "grow" a reef tank rather than "plant" one. All my SPS (or at least what is left) were grow from one inch sized frags. I got a large chunk of my frags from TMAC (which I assisted setting up) on Sat, 21st Mar 2009 (http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?48448-Finnex-30-Gallon-Journal-(REHAB-TIME-Post-499)&p=662899#post662899).

I've also received a few frags from other members. I know John (Firewater) gave me a few but I'm not sure who else.

The last major purchase I made for my tank were the lights on Tue, 6th Nov 2012 (http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?48448-Finnex-30-Gallon-Journal-(REHAB-TIME-Post-499)&p=885648#post885648).

Then I went MIA from MAAST, Reefkeeping, and my mind until recently. During my time my wife had our son Hayden. He is currently 16 months old. Now I have a responsibility to get him interested in reef tanks.

It's good to be back.


It's funny how in an "emergency" situation we can miss the smallest things that have the potential to make a large impact. Reminds me of when I found the filter sponge in the back compartment of my cube after it had been running for about 8 months. LOL Needless to say it was quite clogged and the tank inhabitants were thrilled to have it finally realized and cleaned.

You would figure that I would have noticed that earlier just like I figure you would have noticed that giant sponge in the back of your tank. I guess we'll have to start the "Go Figure Club." Maybe we can get our own subforum.

Christopher

[cbianco]

Always nice to see color coming back after neglect. Maybe these guys aren't as sensitive as we make them out to be.

Christopher

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/IMG_3917_800x533.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/IMG_3917_800x533.jpg.html)

[cbianco]

What would you do about these guys? 3 heads left, the rest are gone.

Christopher

EDIT: Sorry the picture came out really dark.

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/IMG_3918_800x533.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/IMG_3918_800x533.jpg.html)

[cbianco]

I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I have never taken pictures of my tank with it until yesterday.

I REALLY NEED a simplified guide of how to take pictures of my reef tank. I would like it to be specific to aquariums if possible. Anyone know of such a guide?

Here are some "night" shots (with the stock flash). As you can see, there is still some fuzziness to the pictures (Tripod?). As well, focus is a bit of a problem.

Christopher

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/NightShot8-10-14.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/NightShot8-10-14.jpg.html)

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/NightShot8-10-143.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/NightShot8-10-143.jpg.html)

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv229/biancochris/Mini%20Reef/NightShot8-10-142.jpg (http://s686.photobucket.com/user/biancochris/media/Mini%20Reef/NightShot8-10-142.jpg.html)

[FireWater]

I'm not a photographer by any means. Maybe Eve or Cory will throw out some advice for you.

I would say a tripod and a remote switch or using timer would help tremendously.

[Pennies2Cents]

Macro- Settings work great w a steady hand or tripod.. :) This is not my work but sure did come in handy when I was in the beginning stages of my photography.

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?54881-Power-Point-Presentation-Basics-of-Aquatic-Photographyd
(http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?54881-Power-Point-Presentation-Basics-of-Aquatic-Photography)

[Pennies2Cents]

Also, here this one... http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?34759-Digital-Camera-Photography-The-Basics

Dont get lost in all the wording... To be honest its all about trial and error when learning all about your camera and what you are trying to photograph...

[cbianco]

I'm not a photographer by any means. Maybe Eve or Cory will throw out some advice for you.

I would say a tripod and a remote switch or using timer would help tremendously.

I'm thinking a tripod would make the biggest improvement.


Macro- Settings work great w a steady hand or tripod.. :) This is not my work but sure did come in handy when I was in the beginning stages of my photography.

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?54881-Power-Point-Presentation-Basics-of-Aquatic-Photographyd
(http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?54881-Power-Point-Presentation-Basics-of-Aquatic-Photography)

Ironically, I was having difficultly getting the camera to focus correctly on the macro setting. I've downloaded the PPT and I will take some time to read it.


Also, here this one... http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?34759-Digital-Camera-Photography-The-Basics

Dont get lost in all the wording... To be honest its all about trial and error when learning all about your camera and what you are trying to photograph...

I get the trial and error thing but I suffering from ignorance. I don't know what many of the settings on the camera actually effect. I looked at this "guide" briefly and it looks that many of the basic setting will be explained.

I need to take some time out so that I can make sense of my camera and all of it's settings.

Thank you Eve for digging these articles up. If you come across any additional articles, send them my way.

Christopher

[Pennies2Cents]

:-) np