***-200g FINALLY, AN UPDATE!-***

[ErikH]

Howdy Pardners and Pardnettes! Ok, so I spent FOUR almost FIVE hours yesterday working on my "raquascaping" yesterday. Got the O3 all figured out, got that "Gin" look that Bill so eloquently described. :hypnotyized: I think my tank is now a spectacle, and not just a box of rocks. Check it out!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0614.jpg

Notice the Balancing Rocks!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0684.jpg

Here's my Mushroom rock, notice it looks like a mushroom too!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0620.jpg

My middle balanced rock, this was insanely difficult to manage! :D

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0617.jpg

Overexposed picture of a blenny that hides in my stonies! Hard to catch him not in them...
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0667.jpg


The Arch...
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0618.jpg

[ErikH]

Here's the rest...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0681.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0676.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0670.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0662.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0649.jpg


http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0661.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0657.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0660.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0655.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0650.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0648.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0647.jpg

[Europhyllia]

Very cool. The mushroom rock is so unique. Your zoa arch scares me. Wouldn't want to swim under that one... lol How do you keep that one in balance!?

[ErikH]

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0646.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0645.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0636.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0633.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0624.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/4-8-2010/DSC_0623.jpg

[HoppyBunny]

Wow Erik, the tank looks so freaking awesome! I love your "raquascaping", nice job!!

[txav8r]

Looks Awesome Erik!!!

[Jordan N.]

Fantastic Erik! :thumbs_up:

The scape has a lot of depth --I especially adore the island in the middle.

edit: Also the last shot of the clam is awesome.

[Mr Cob]

Erik.

Erik.

Erik.

I'm jealous. It looks awesome.

Beautiful.

[RayAllen]

Saw it person yesterday, Erik and Jack did a awesome job setting that baby up. The rock work was really impressive. I really enjoyed the school of Chromis.

[ErikH]

Keep in mind that middle rock is FREAKIN HONKIN HUGE. Ask Jack, I thought for sure I was gonna drop it. :) It has all kinds of tunnels in it, very very cool! I am jealous of myself! :D

On thing that I have learned so far is to just stare and stare! I did that until I knew exactly where each rock was going to go. Then I set into motion and it's just amazing! I balanced precarioulsy on a chair's arms to place them all. I was waiting to fall!

Thanks for the comments!

[Mr Cob]

I am jealous of myself! :D



DUDE...now that is FUNNY!

[ErikH]

Seriously, everytime I walk by it, I can't help but smile. PERMAGRIN, LOL. :angel:

[txav8r]

You need to get a step ladder dude.

You were turning red in the face when you were trying to lower that rock down in the tank! LOL! It's a whopper!!

[Mr Cob]

It makes me smile thinking about you smiling at it.

Let's all take a moment to smile for Erik and his new 200g with awesome rockscaping.

Ready....

SMILE

....end.

[Europhyllia]

:D

[txav8r]

:bigsmile:

[Big_Pun]

:wink_smile:.... think you need a big toadstool to look at......might know where you can find one

[Mr Cob]

:)

[ErikH]

No leathers and SPS! :)

:D

[ErikH]

Oh and my wifey bought me a big ol stepladder so I don't die. That is if the top doesn't crush me at some point. :)

[txav8r]

Gas charged lifts man!!

[aquasport24]

Fantastical........You got skill man. FYI, it's only took me 5 mins. to do mine aquascape...lol.

[ErikH]

Gas charged lifts, roger that.
:D GIAU! :D where ya been?

[ErikH]

For reference, this is the thread with the first pics of it.
http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?p=755536#post755536

[ErikH]

Had to get a shot of this! :D

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/Acan%20Eating%20Coco%20Worm/DSC_0713.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/Acan%20Eating%20Coco%20Worm/DSC_0706.jpg

[txg8gxp]

???? Whats going on, what did it get ahold of?

[ErikH]

a coco worm :) Oddest thing I have yet to see in a tank.

[txg8gxp]

Crazy...atleast you got pics to prove it.

[Europhyllia]

what is it? acans eating a cocoworm?

[ErikH]

An acan, yes. Crazy eh?

[Europhyllia]

It is eating the fantastic red/orange cocoworm!!! That's TERRIBLE! That cocoworm was awesome. Why/how did it come out of the tube?
Ever since I saw the pics of your orange cocoworm I wanted one just like it but they always are around $70...

[ErikH]

It's still alive, just lost one of it's twirlies. :)

[stoneroller]

Very cool. How do you keep that one in balance!?

Yeah, how are you going to scrape and peel zoas off of there to make me a frag??

[Third Coast Tropical]

Yeah, how are you going to scrape and peel zoas off of there to make me a frag??


lol...I have been thinking the same thing.

[ErikH]

Yeah, how are you going to scrape and peel zoas off of there to make me a frag??


lol...I have been thinking the same thing.
\

EASY! The whole top plate rock just comes right off. It was meant to fit with that rock under it, so it's easy to balance.

[acropoorer]

NICE!!! Said it before, bigger is better. In a couple of years you'll be searching for room to put stuff :wink_smile:.

[Mr Cob]

Crazy. Is that just the crest in the pic or the worm with the crest?

My cocco worm lost both it's crests when I moved tanks but they grew back shortly after.

[ErikH]

NICE!!! Said it before, bigger is better. In a couple of years you'll be searching for room to put stuff :wink_smile:.

I hope so!!!


Crazy. Is that just the crest in the pic or the worm with the crest?

My cocco worm lost both it's crests when I moved tanks but they grew back shortly after.

Just the crest, may have been the CBB!

[ErikH]

Added the last of my stock list today..... Here's what I bought....

LG Hippo Tang
Med/LG Powder Blue Tang
Med Sohal Tang
Med Kole Eye Tang
Quad of Lyretail Anthias

Yes, it cost alot of money.... :angel: Tab was there, she picked out the fish. :)

[HoppyBunny]

Wow Erik! Great additions. You got to go on the kind of shopping spree I fantasize about :hypnotyized: one at a LFS. Good for you guys!


Time for more pictures!!!

[RayAllen]

POST UP the new pic with the new Tangs! The Anthias will ad a lot of color.

[ErikH]

XysswFmWuzs

[OUCH!]

nice job your tank looks great i dont know what it looked like before but keep up the good work

[alton]

Man Erik I am jealious, that tank looks ten times better than when I had it.

[ErikH]

Thanks guys! Alton thanks for offering the tank so cheaply it has definitely given me room to grow!

[RayAllen]

Looks Sweet! That is one energetic Blue Hippo.

[ErikH]

Freckles is funny.

I ordered 4 K14s today!

[RayAllen]

LOL, After this many years in the hobby I still do not name my fish.

4 K14s the tanks going to be a rockin.

On another note Koralias have changed quite a bit since my last new purchase, just took a look and they've gone through quite a change.

[ErikH]

From 12 watts to 5.5! That's also with a smaller body and pushing 200 gph more than a k4. Stephens thread turned me onto them. I got four to get the free shipping... :)

I imagine there will be less heat from them as well due to there being greater efficiency!

[txg8gxp]

I got four to get the free shipping... :)!

hahaha that "free shipping" gets me everytime.

[txg8gxp]

So, far I've been happy with them. Every once in awhile you can hear them startup.

[ErikH]

Yeah sometimes there is a slight chatter with the K4s when you plug them in.

[devonian]

hey, so with those rocks balanced, how do you know that the coral growth will not throw off the balancing act? Are the rocks cemented in place?

It does look great! Maybe I missed it, but what lighting are you running?

[ErikH]

hey, so with those rocks balanced, how do you know that the coral growth will not throw off the balancing act? Are the rocks cemented in place?

It does look great! Maybe I missed it, but what lighting are you running?


The balanced rock is well secured enough with its own weight that I do not anticipate the rocks falling. I am running 2x250 SE 10k on lumenarc minis and 2x250 HQI 10k one icecap one ARO.



A sad update though, "Ziggy" our new Sohal Tang died this evening after the game. He had some rusty colored spots on him that were not raise bumps. They were also the size of hole punch holes. Today, he was flashing his black coloration like they do when stressed or ****ed off. Odd thing is that Zigs didn't fight with the other fish at all since I got him. I would have considered him the least aggressive of the tangs, which is uncommon for a fish of it's nature. He developed a white line inbetween his fin and face that was as fat as my pinky on both sides of his body. I have never seen or read anything of the sorts. I assume it to be from possible cyanide contamination which just ****es me off to a whole 'nother level. I moved him to the overflow earlier to try and give him some peace to try and chill, but it wasn't enough. Sad, sad, day to lose such a regal fish. :(

People can tell me "Dude, it's just a fish" but to me it's not. I am very close to certain fish in my tank, some of them are trained to come to me, and not just because of food. My two YTs will go end to end with me and wait for me to blow them kisses until they dart to the other side. I personally find that amazing especially since fish are supposed to be stupid.

WTaf2vrNrR4

[ErikH]

RIP Ziggs. :(

[Europhyllia]

Sorry :(

[Jarob]

Sorry to hear!! always sad to lose a fish

[devonian]

Wow, that is certainly sad! :(

also, if the pics, there is amazing sponge growth, anything special you are doing for them? And lastly, what is that insanely purple acro you have? I love it!

[hobogato]

really looks great erik, sorry about ziggs.

[ErikH]

Ok so I have spent over 15 hours on my aquascape to date. I can say now that it is "perfect". The one thing that was bugging me was the lack of a background. Well, we went to Hobby Lobby and found a roll of paper called "seascape" for 7.99 It's 4'x10' so it was too tall and too long. We also bought some pieces of posterboard as a backup since you cannot see what the seascape actually looks like. We got home, I attached the three posterboards together via some painters tape. Tab had some spray adhesive used for securing pictures to things.... We cut the seascape to match the size of the posterboard with a little to spare around the edges. Sprayed the adhesive to the posterboard, and attached the seascape being careful to ensure that it was smooth. It came out FANTASTIC. There was one crinkle that my wife said "no one would notice" I had to explain to her that I would notice, and to me that's what counts. :) She thinks I am crazy for being so meticulous about it, but it's my hobby, and sincerely, my passion.

I based the aquascape on the "Golden Ratio" and getting it just right was the biggest PITA, but man alive, it looks sooo good to me now that it was worth every cussword.....

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/DSC_0798.jpg


On a lighter note the Hippo is eating good still. Last I counted it had eaten 25 mysis, out competing most of the other fish, so that is a GREAT sign. Hopefully all will work out.... stay tuned!

[ErikH]

Sorry :(

:( thanks, I still feel bad...


Sorry to hear!! always sad to lose a fish

Ziggy was a seemingly sweet sohal, which makes it harder on me! :(


Wow, that is certainly sad! :(

also, if the pics, there is amazing sponge growth, anything special you are doing for them? And lastly, what is that insanely purple acro you have? I love it!

I only feed mysis and bloodworms with formula 1&2. Just bought some DT's though! The best thing for growth is stability!!! :) The purple acro, I am assuming is the Blue tipped Valida. It has changed color a few times... I got it from Bill, who got it from Ace, YEARS ago. I recently gave a piece back to Ace. Full Circle!


really looks great erik, sorry about ziggs.

TY Ace, you are impossible to compete with lol.

[ErikH]

Ok so here's my fish list...

2 Engineer Gobies (One of them is OLD, like 7-10 years, came from another reefer)
1 Emo Nemo (some type of black misbar)
4 Lyretail Anthias (Big Poppa and his harem, Stacy, Lacy, and Tracy)
1 Helfrichi Firefish (Freaky Deaky)
10 Blue Green Chromis (One of them is named Forrest)
2 Yellow Tangs (Bonnie and Clyde)
1 Powder Blue Tang (Marley)
1 Hippo (Regal) Tang (Freckles)
1 Kole Eye Tang (Hot Lips Houlihan)
3 Cleaner Wrasse
1 Snowflake Eel
1 Skunk Blenny
1 Target Spot Mandarin (My lil green guy)
1 Copperband Butterfly
1 Midas Blenny
2 Pajama Cardinals
3 Cleaner Shrimp
2 Sexy Shrimp
2 Pepermint Shrimp
2 Rose Bubble Tip Anemones


I think that's it. Oh and Karin, I misread your OP. The ARCH, is made of agrocrete, it ain't goin' no wheres!

[ErikH]

OK, so I am battling ICHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. The big problem is getting the affected fish out, or if I am even going to do so. The affected fish now are my Hippo and my PBT. I went out and purchased 2 more cleaner wrasses to bump my total up to 3. They are cleaning like mad, I got the other two yesterday to try and jump on the problem rather than let my fish die. I also bought some Formula 1 Flake food to help their diet. They are both eating heartily and not hiding. Their breathing patterns are normal compared to the other fish. For the record O3 does nothing for ich, I have read a few posts on the internet that say otherwise, but it ain't doing a thing in my tank for it.

I have noticed some of the red spots on these fish, but they are much healthier acting than was my Sohal.

Not sure exactly what to do. If I want to QT the fish, they would need to go in the Rubbermaid. I may need to go get more salt to try and accomodate them in there. Problem is I would have to break down the entire tank, and take out quite a few coral encrusted rocks to do so. Then the problem becomes where to put them, they are large and wont fit in buckets. Then the hippo hides in the centerpiece, and there's just no way to get her out when she's in there. I may try and block it off while shes not in it.

If someone has another rubbermaid tub, I could probably pull it off. Or a couple of large coolers even.... hmm....

On a good note, the cyano is going away and is nearly 100% gone. It's a good thing, it was getting NASTY. I flipped clumps of it over on top of itself everyday, and moved the contents of my GFO around daily to try to promote better filtration due to exhaustion.

-talking aloud....
Erik

[Gseclipse02]

im going threw the ich deal also ... as long as another fish isnt stressing the really affected ones i wouldnt worry about it just feed a lot more than you normally do and they should all make it ?

trying to take them out will just stress them even more

[ACE]

I got a big rubbermaid tub....call me

[stoneroller]

I don't understand. What will taking the infected fish out do for your tank? The parasite is there, when fish get stressed they are more prone to infestation. Putting them in a different container won't help them unless you plan to medicate; I suspect more stress and higher risk of death. Seems to me my friend your fish list is a bit long for such a new tank even with the aged rock. Don't know how to this any other way, slow down Erik.

[stoneroller]

Not sure about this either... " just feed a lot more". Why? Seems that could lead to poorer water quality and more stress.

[ErikH]

Most of the fish were already in there, just made the tangs as the last addition. Hard to believe I had all those fish in such a small box! After watching all day today, the cleaners are all over the situation, so I am going to wait it out. The WQ hasn't changed, all of my levels are good, just the phosphates from the tap were causing an all out cyano explosion. The fish haven't really fought since introduction, and to be honest I was highly suprised at such an infestation! Most of the dark spots are gone from the fish, which was my main concern. I never would have added so many fish at once but with two dominant tangs in there already, my only choice with a high survivability rate was to add them all at once. You are right I probably should have waited a little bit longer though Kevin. :)

[ErikH]

Ok, so no change in the water quality through this whole thing. I lost all of the new fish that I bought to ICH. Next time, I will be more proactive in regards to the situation. One of my two yellows has it bad, I have decreased my light cycle to try to decrease the stress levels of being in the tank. She seems to do better when she has time to relax. Cleaners have been working double shifts, regardless, fish still die. It's pretty disheartening to watch them slide downhill. For the record, the fish are all eating, and the ones that died ate up till their last breath. I am starting to believe that I should have pulled them and QT'd them. It was a hard decision to leave them in there, but their activity levels did not decrease, so I figured they must be in somewhat of good health if they were out and about swimming. The one thing that does puzzle me is the loss of a couple of Anthias. They have scales and I read that ich will not form on fish with scales. I never saw it on them, but they were getting cleaned either way.

Pain in the ***. Keep your fingers crossed for me. :(

[Europhyllia]

Wow Erik. That's terrible.
I was thinking of you last night and how I should inquire with you in the morning.
Your approach of moving existing stock to a new tank is similar to what I will be doing in a few weeks so I was taking notes there.
So sorry the new ones didn't make it.
I don't have tangs but I love my anthias and would be so sad if I lost any in the move. :(

[sampsonndelila]

I feel you; it is something we all deal with. It’s very difficult loosing fish. I had exactly the same thing happen. I introduced a few new fish and they all died very quickly. I only lost one of my old fish. I really hated to lose him; he was my favorite banner fish.

[Mr Cob]

Sorry you had to or are dealing with this Erik. It stinks! Been there. Last time my tangs had ich I used a sheet over the entire tank for a couple of days to help calm them and did like you with shortening the light cycle.

Removing the fish only helps if you plan to remove all of them and treat all of them and keep your system fishless for the life cycle of the ich (i think something like 90 days...can't remember), otherwise you'll just introduce them to the ich again.

I always thought that cleaner wrasse can only eat what's on the surface of the fish and I thought ich was under the skin...? Meaning the wrasse don't help with ich...? Perhaps even having too many wrasse will further stress your fish...?

Just some thoughts for you.

Hope things are getting under control.

[aquasport24]

Moment like this that give us doulbts about staying in this hobby. I went thru this not long ago w/ the fluke so i know how it feels. Just go back to basic and QT all new fishes, it been working for me. Good luck man.

[ErikH]

Thanks all, updates to come.

[txav8r]

Looking forward to some happy updates.

[Mr Cob]

^What he said.

I have been through so much drama with my tank that I tend to stay away from the other drama threads...kind of like a race car driver..they stay away from hospitals.

[Mr Cob]

Oh...one more thing...how come you haven't posted anything in the Marine Artists (http://www.maast.org/group.php?groupid=6) group yet? I know you are into digital art dude! Stop being lazy and come share with us.

[kkiel02]

Sorry you had to or are dealing with this Erik. It stinks! Been there. Last time my tangs had ich I used a sheet over the entire tank for a couple of days to help calm them and did like you with shortening the light cycle.

Removing the fish only helps if you plan to remove all of them and treat all of them and keep your system fishless for the life cycle of the ich (i think something like 90 days...can't remember), otherwise you'll just introduce them to the ich again.

I always thought that cleaner wrasse can only eat what's on the surface of the fish and I thought ich was under the skin...? Meaning the wrasse don't help with ich...? Perhaps even having too many wrasse will further stress your fish...?

Just some thoughts for you.

Hope things are getting under control.

This is what I did with my velvet... Took out all the fish, started a 45 gallon tub coppered. Left them there for two months while the tank sat with only inverts. I am beginning to think that ich is inevitable though as my fish will still have a spot here or there every so often. I dont know if 2 months wasnt long enough for the life cycle(which some websites said they can stay dormant for 90 days) or if I transferred it in on a coral frag(even though I dip them).

[ErikH]

Well, Mama died. She was one of my yellow tangs. I probably had the closest relationship with her. Bought a large tank for those two tangs. :( So did my mandarin. :(

Sad times in the fishy realm.

[Europhyllia]

You're scaring me Erik. So what killed the mandarin?

[aquasport24]

sorry to hear that Erik, i felt the same way when i lost my Naso tang.

[ErikH]

Karin looks like they get ich then some kind of fungal infection. It's really ****ty, pardon me francois. A big tank can make you feel alot less powerless! It was simple to rip the 75 apart, this, on the other hand is not so simple. I really feel so bad for my fish, I sigh everytime I look at the tank. Just gotta wait for this cycle to end and a new one begins. The yin, the yang..... Oh what a hobby.

Giau, thanks my man. Hows that super green table?

[ErikH]

Ok, so I am on revamp mode. :)

After losing most of my fish I started losing corals. Only a few though! I am going to keep my system with a very low bioload and switch up my dosing regimen. I have several colonies with burned tips, so I am going to go ahead and start with 2 part from BRS. Looking for rapid regrowth here, as well as less fluctuation of PH via reactors and slurry mixing. I ordered a bunch of stuff from BRS today, so I am ready!

I found out that the Koralia Evolutions are good, but very directional in comparison to the K4s. I had a few colonies, small ones, jelly over and die. I recently added 2 K4s back into the mix and stopped it from killing my GCR tricolor acro colony. The flow pattern was just not dispersing water enough for SPS. I feel that is definitely fixed now.

[Gseclipse02]

Ok, so I am on revamp mode. :)

After losing most of my fish I started losing corals. Only a few though! I am going to keep my system with a very low bioload and switch up my dosing regimen. I have several colonies with burned tips, so I am going to go ahead and start with 2 part from BRS. Looking for rapid regrowth here, as well as less fluctuation of PH via reactors and slurry mixing. I ordered a bunch of stuff from BRS today, so I am ready!

I found out that the Koralia Evolutions are good, but very directional in comparison to the K4s. I had a few colonies, small ones, jelly over and die. I recently added 2 K4s back into the mix and stopped it from killing my GCR tricolor acro colony. The flow pattern was just not dispersing water enough for SPS. I feel that is definitely fixed now.



wow thats crazy same thing happen to me... lost lots of fish due to adding new fish than the corals went to crap 2-3 weeks later .... some of the zoa's are doing better but lost most of the sps


just wondering what vendor did the fish come from .... and did you get the fish in the bag???

[ErikH]

wow thats crazy same thing happen to me... lost lots of fish due to adding new fish than the corals went to crap 2-3 weeks later .... some of the zoa's are doing better but lost most of the sps


just wondering what vendor did the fish come from .... and did you get the fish in the bag???

I really didn't lose too much SPS, just some burnt tips from a slurry mix. My PH rides on the high side, and ALK on the low side, so I got the BRS two part kit for tanks with a high PH.

It is crazy how many fish I lost. I lost everything that I bought new, plus some of my favorites, Mama, the one fish that I had a connection with died. It was heartbreaking to watch. I had so many wrasses and so many cleaners in there, but past a certain point they just ignore the fish, as if they know their attempts would be feigned. I bought my fish from Jeremy, but I do not at all blame it on the store. We all screw up, and get lazy about our QT practices, and then suffer the consequences. I can handle that, it's just a rough lesson to learn.

It's been insane since the baby has been born. I think the workload and being a new father has kept my mind busy enough to not get overly upset and want to throw in the towel.

If I like this two part, I am thinking about getting more into SPS and Zeovit. I have been ga-ga over the zeovit tanks for a few years and I think with enough dedication I can really do something spectacular with it. We will see, it's all up in the air.

Happy Reefing Everyone. :wink_smile:

[Europhyllia]

I am thinking about getting more into ... Zeovit. :
Weird! I've been printing out a bunch of stuff on this tonight. What a coincidence you write that. Please do share what you know about it.
RIP Mama!

[ErikH]

Weird! I've been printing out a bunch of stuff on this tonight. What a coincidence you write that. Please do share what you know about it.
RIP Mama!

I posted on your zeo post. :)

[ErikH]

OK so FINALLY a GREAT update.

I went up to ATX today to visit some of the ARC peeps. I came back with a collection of 13 new SPS corals (oldies but goodies)

I'll post pics soon!

[BIGBIRD123]

Erik, I would lean towards the slurry mix causing your problems. The burnt tips are suspect to Kalk burn. I have never liked the slurry method because of that. All it takes is one time...I love using the perstaltic pump for my kalk drip. I dose 1000ml over 10 hrs every other day after my lights go out. That's a lot of kalk but everything is happy. I just tested my water and...

Calcium...400
Alkalinity...12
Mag...1470
ph...8.2
Salinity...1.024

[ErikH]

OK so it's time for an update.

After my AEFW infestation, I have tossed out two colonies, and scraped eggs twice. I have yet to see any more evidence of them. I do have two other colonies that may be affected, but if they start to recover, I may keep them. If not, TRASH EM. :(
Blue Velvets are still trying to keep up with the Red Planaria, and they seem to be a little ahead.

Got my drippers both hooked up. :)
Took a door off and cut through a small support to fit in a 40g breeder and then put the stand back together.
Added a Mag24 for my new return HOLY MOLY.
Got my RO/DI unit back in place, although my TDS is 61. Bought the wrong size pressure gauge yesterday, going to return it today. Replaced all of the filters, and it looks like my RO membrane is shot, even though I purchased it new :(
Last night I ordered a SMR1 biopellet reactor, and some NP Biopellets. Thanks to Karin for being our pioneer in this area. :D
Got in my new 14k lights from Light Spectrum Enterprises. They are not very blue, but they seem to be about 11k. :)

Going to purchase a 20g which will fit extremely snugly inbetween my 40g and my 29g. It's going to be my new top off reservoir.
Going to purchase Stephen's light and use it on the 29 (Tek T5 fixture) which will be a frag tank.

Still trying to find out what to do about a chiller. Looks like I won't be getting one to fit properly, may have to get creative.

[RayAllen]

Erik do you really need a chiller? What are your average temps?

Cheap small fans have proven them selves time and time again for keeping temps down.

I meen sure if you want a new peice of fancy equipment go for it but I do not think they are needed, unless you are keeping cold water species that have to have it.

[Mr Cob]

pics dewd!

[ErikH]

Yeah I need one. 4 halides, 7 powerheads, a skimmer, and a mag24 = too much heat! :) My outer lights turn off when the heat hits 82, and do not have the option of turning back on for at least 20 minutes. That gives the temp time to drop so my lights don't constantly click on and off. I have a walmart fan mounted inside my canopy and one inside my stand. I have been using my ghetto chillers, which are gallon jugs of water that I freeze. They work for now, but I would like something more permanent.

[ErikH]

Rob, I'll take pictures in a bit, gotta clean the glass! :D

[RayAllen]

Wow for some reason I was thinking you were running 2 Halides. Four will create a lot of heat.

[ErikH]

Ok, so I was inspecting with my 9 LED light tonight and I found an AEFW. I speared it, and removed it. It then went after my ipod!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/Pests/IEFW.jpg

[ErikH]

Just FW dipped a piece of affected coral and another one fell off into my cup. The one on the ipod I suspect laid the eggs that I first found. I found more eggs today in the same spot, and tonight it appeared to either be ready to lay more eggs or it was checking on the eggs it laid previously that I scraped today. I am going to keep checking to see if there are any more eggs in the same spot. If there are no more in that area, I can conclude that they lay eggs repeatedly in the same area.

[ErikH]

I have to mention that they are almost 100% invisible to the naked eye. I found these two after the lights were out with a blue/white LED light. They are more easily seen that way.

[ErikH]

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/FTS/DSC_0798.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/CandyHogfish1.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/CandyHogfish.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/BVN.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/PajamaCardinal.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/SquirleyShirley.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/Yuma1.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/Duncans.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/PalettaBlue.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/SaddlebackWrasse.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/Zoas.jpg


and my fave:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/YT.jpg

[txg8gxp]

Nice pics. Looks like the tang wanted a kiss

[Europhyllia]

great picture of the beautiful tang!

[ErikH]

LOL Here's the original. :) I just cropped it. I could see it on the screen on the camera, and knew it was good! Then I got it on the computer and yeah, it' great!

[Gseclipse02]

how did the puffer work out ???

[ErikH]

Oops forgot to add the original, I'll update in a minute. The puffer is doing good! :)

[Gseclipse02]

Oops forgot to add the original, I'll update in a minute. The puffer is doing good! :)

you have me thinking ... they have these tiny puffers that most stores have been getting .... i may want one lol

[cbianco]

I still like that squirrel fish, big ole eyes.

Have the nudis been eating the FWs?
I noticed some power heads missing (or possibly moved)...

Christopher :)

[ErikH]

David, that's the wrong FTS! I deleted it from my wifes camera by accident. :(

Here's the original shot before I cropped it of the yellow tang, lol.
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/8-11-2010/DSC_0294.jpg

[ErikH]

The nudis have been eating the RP, not the AEFW. :(

[RayAllen]

Erik your tank is sweet man. Here lately ive been going to your place a lot and am becoming jealous.

You lucked out on that tank man, i didnt see a single scratch.

My tank, I bought with scratches. They drive me crazy, I try to look at the tank from a distance and keep the glass clean so I do not notice them- haha.

[ErikH]

Ray get a GFO reactor man! It will save you TONS of scraping. I can go a week without scraping. I am so happy with the tank. It is awesome to have so much ocean in our living room. I stare at it more than I watch TV. :)

[ErikH]

YA!

I bought a second 40g breeder which is under the tank now. The second 40 will be used as a frag tank. EXCITEMENT. I picked it up off CL today, and it is brand new.
Next comes the lighting, which should be coming around here soon. :)

Gotta cram a chiller somewhere under the tank, I may need to buy two smaller chillers to fit. Not sure how or if that will work, since I am going off the same circuit.

Just gotta keep on hoarding, trading, buying, selling. One day it will be done, lol, who am I kiddin'.

[ErikH]

OH and I am still waiting for my biopellet reactor.

[rockmp]

Erik, how are the nudis doing on the red planera? Where did you get them from Bluezoo? I think I am going to order some also to take care of them in my tank.

[ErikH]

Mark, I bought six and am down to one. I am glad you brought this up because I am about to undergo a very large undertaking as far as eradication goes. I am waiting for my new RO Membrane and dual DI to show up. I am going to install my RODI again, and fill up my Rubbermaid Tub.
Then I am going to FW dip all of the rocks in it to kill of the flatworms. The osmotic shock should crush them instantly.
Then my rocks are going into one of the 40g breeders which will have SW in it. After I do all of the rocks, I am going to dump the tub (into my garden :) ) and fill it again, this time with SW.
Next I am going to remove my fish from the display, and place them in the tub.
I am going to drain the 200, and fill it 1/8 of it with FW, killing the flatworms on the sandbed.
After all that I am going to remove the sandbed, and wash it.
Finally, place the sand back in, add more oolithic sand to the bottom of the display, add rock and livestock.

It's gonna be a you know WHAT! :)

[ErikH]

If anyone has any ideas on how to make this process easier for me please tell me!

[kkiel02]

If anyone has any ideas on how to make this process easier for me please tell me!

Ace is good at making things easier. If you need any help let me know I could swing by sunday. Have you tried chemicals to kill the flatworms? I dont remember if you tried a sixline or not but I know they are supposed to eat flatworms.

[Europhyllia]

That's a lot of work! What do you know about the eggs? A lot of stuff needs to be redipped after 4 days to kill the new hatchlings. Will it be the same with your pest?

[ErikH]

I have 3 sixlines :)

Yeah I am not sure if RP have eggs or not. Either way, a near total elimination should help me out alot! :) I just don't have enough tanks to dip and redip.

[ErikH]

OH yeah and about the AEFW, I will be chiseling all of my SPS off the rock, then FW dipping and putting them in the QT. After 4 dips, 4 days apart, I will put the corals back in. I had seen some recent tissue recession on my blue tipped valida, but my ALK tube came out of the solution, so a swing may be the culprit there.

[Third Coast Tropical]

That is quite a chore you have ahead you. Not sure I would/could do that. I have had RP as well (in a much smaller system) and they frustrate the heck out of me. I siphon as many as I see. I have done FW dip too (and it works great!), but such a huge task on you scale. Why the sand? Are they in/on it too? Seems like a lot of stress on both you, the livestock, and the system.

[ErikH]

Yeah they are freaking everywhere. I took one of my halides out tonight to try and combat the problem. 3 halides are less than 4 so I am hoping that they will receede alot from that change. Sure it's a task, but this is saltwater, what isn't?

Plus I'll be putting triple DI'ed RO water back in to my system. This should eliminate any problems that may have stemmed from the use of tap. Corals are mighty resilient, as long as the SG, temp, and PH are on point. The huge pain is going to be all of the carp all over the living room. I will really have to watch out for Alk swings cramming all of that rock and coral into a 40g. I sincerely don't think it will be a problem, just alot of work.

If I was you, I would try and get your flow to where there is a dead spot in one corner. The RP will congregate in areas of low flow. Then just suck em all out.

[Medinafish]

Eric

I have a 50 gallon and a AquaC Remora Pro sitting in my garage that you can use if you need some space for your rock and/or corals. You are welcme to it if it will help. Barry

[ErikH]

Thanks Barry!

I had thought about using FWExit but I would need four pounds of carbon!

[ErikH]

Ok so I made a planaria vacuum. It consists of Duct tape, (what diy project doesn't) a piece of PVC pipe and a 3/8 inner diameter tube. I put the tube through the PVC and have just a little bit hanging out the end. I tape around the end to secure it. Then start siphoning. It works GREAT. The RP STINK like dead coral!

[ErikH]

Ok so tonight was productive. :D

My wife brought home some supplies from Wally World.

She brought me mug hooks, which I use to hide cabling in my stand. It works great!
She also brought me some 50lb test line and some sinkers, which I used to make a DiY hangar for my new (to me) Tek series 6x39w T5 rig for my 40g breeder frag tank.

Good thing is it all fits under the stand. :)

[chunkymonkey]

why not use some ss leader line? this way you know it'll be long term hangar for the lights, just out of curiosity....

[BIGBIRD123]

I have a black 40g tub, if you need more space...lmk

[ErikH]

elaborate? :)

[ErikH]

oh you mean stainless steel?

My wife was at walmart, quick fix. :)

[chunkymonkey]

Yeah, I figured it was an at the time fix after posting...put up some pics for us to see the end results.

[ErikH]

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/Dual%2040g%20Breeders%20All%20Lit%20Up/DSC_0996.jpg


The whole shbang!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x315/erikharrison/Fish/200g%20Oceanic/Dual%2040g%20Breeders%20All%20Lit%20Up/DSC_0994.jpg

I had to turn all the lights on - 2 of the halides, but the breeder's lights run opposite the main tank's lighting.

[Europhyllia]

very snazzy. I like what you got under the tank as much as the tank itself!

[ErikH]

ACK!!!!

Hello Erik,

Thank you for the email. Unfortunately the manufacturer had issues getting a part for the reactor and will not be able to get us a shipment of these until the end of October. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Once the item comes in we will ship it out to you. You may also cancel the order if you’d like. If you have any further questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Kenny L,
Customer Service (customercare@marinedepot.com)
MarineDepot.com (http://www.marinedepot.com/?utm_source=MDEmailSignatureEmployee&utm_medium=MDEmail&utm_term=MDEmailSignatureEmployeeLast&utm_content=MDEmailSignatureLast&utm_campaign=MDEmailSignature)
( 1.800.566.3474
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Very frustrated!

[Europhyllia]

I didn't realize MarineDepot even carries the pellet reactors. Have you checked with Aquarium Specialty?

[txg8gxp]

I got mine from aquarium specialty, but I even had to wait with them. I think nextreef is having a hard time keeping up with everyone changing to pellet systems.

[ErikH]

I went to next reefs site and tried every online store. They are all on backorder. I too believe they are having trouble keeping up. I am more ticked off that MD showed the item as "in stock" when I purchased it, they shipped my pellets and after they were shipped I received a notice stating that they were backordered on the reactor. I am going with a different reactor, mr diy himself and I are going to discuss this later. I have been going back and forth with MD for over a month on this, and this was definitely the last straw.

[txg8gxp]

Any reactor with 5/8" or larger fittings and down tube should work fine.

[Europhyllia]

as long as it has small grids instead of the large sponge holders (and no sponges)

[ErikH]

Any reactor with 5/8" or larger fittings and down tube should work fine.


as long as it has small grids instead of the large sponge holders (and no sponges)

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! :) I sent MD an email stating my frustrations. The most frustrating part is that it showed as in stock when it was not. Then after the I received notice that the rest of my order shipped, I received a notice stating that it was on BO! I really wish they had made the connection between the pellets and the reactor so I would not have had this unpleasant experience. We will see what they say.

[ErikH]

Ok, so I have a ton of new updates!

Got 2 MP40w powerheads installed (100% reefcrest), got a new chiller, and got a (DIY) biopellet reactor finally. Everything is installed and going. Next Tuesday I get my shipment of FWE from BlueZoo as well as some of their stanky fish food.

Took PAR readings today, and took a video with the results. Gotta review it to add them to a FTS.

Reinstalled my 4th halide!

[Europhyllia]

So are you all giddy and bouncing off the walls now with all your new stuff hoarded and plugged in ;)

Enjoy! :)

[ErikH]

Giddy and broke! Yes, this hobby is fun! Knocking on wood there's no more AEFW!

[ErikH]

3..... 3 MP40s.... aaaa aaaaa aaaaa (in my best "the count" voice)

My fish are swimming like they are in a dryer.:rolleyes:

[Mr Cob]

how you gonna go post that with no HD utube?

[ErikH]

ha, I will. I got like a 1" swell going on right now. Too cool. I desperately encourage anyone on the fence about spending the money for an MP40 to BITE THE BULLET. These things are OUTSTANDING! I am so proud of my tank at this point - the RP! :p I got the additional MP to test the theory that RP goes away in the presence of high flow low nutrient tanks. I need to retest my wawas to see if the levels are low or not.

[TexasTodd]

Um, what is "RP"? Is that new language like Allan and Clone using "sick"? :)

TT

[ErikH]

Red Planaria! The RED PLAGUE, LOL.

[TexasTodd]

Ah, those do suck.