My Aquarium

[GaryP]

lol @ JimD. Kalk the cure-all

It is the cure all for Dinos. Nothing else will control it. Dinos are highly pH sensitive.

[cbianco]

I know gary...

I was just laughing because I have read more about kalk and its abilities these past few days, than I ever came across in my whole life.

Christopher

[JimD]

Why would you call it a "prophylactic" measure? Sounds more like the implimentation of a direct objective... :-)~ Oh, and do you mind if I squeeze "Alk" in there between Ph and sensitive in your post? lmao

[Thunderkat]

Have all my fish (both of them), live rocks, and coral transferred over to my two holding tanks. I have the rocks and fish, and emerald crab in my 10 gallon, and my corals in my 5 gallon aquarium.

The 10 gallon has a emperor 20 with biowheel, heater, digital temp/pH meter, and a filter sock full of fresh activated carbon. The tank has a hood with a flourescent light also.

In my 5 gallon aquarium it has a little filter with biowheel built into the hood, the hood also has a light in it.

Inside my 5 gallon tank I have a pump that is drawing a suction from it and going to the UV steralizer (die evil dinoflagellettes!). The discharge for the UV steralizer is going to my 10 gallon aquarium. Connecting the two tanks are two siphon tubes to keep the water going from the 10 gallon to the 5 gallon aquarium.

Whoever wanted that sand from my main tank its ready for pick up. Just PM me and I will tell you how to get to my apartment.

Despite the conditions of my main tank one of the mushrooms had a baby ^_^

[Dozer]

Thunder- Good luck and I like the approach you are taking! Seeking out a website like this and asking long time successful hobbyists such as GaryP to actually come over and help you roll up your sleeves and tackle this shows initiative and a sincere desire to do the right thing(s). I think you should be applauded for your efforts and for keeping your temper when others might get really defensive and feel personally attacked in your situation (fwiw I don't think they were meant as personal attacks, but it still doesn't feel good to be on the receiving end of things sometimes). Kudos to you for swallowing your pride and taking it like a man and all those cliches.

Comment to everyone else: Sometimes we forget but we need to remember that our group is somewhat isolated. What I mean by that is that we often only tend to see the more serious and successful aquarists. Unfortunately I would venture to guess that the vast majority of people who attempt to get into this hobby end up with tanks that look worse than Thunder's. He stands out on this site because those other aforementioned people would never make it here for everyone to scrutinize. I guess this is my long-winded way of trying to say that he's doing better than a lot of newbies out there are I bet and given his desire to learn will likely soon do much better if I had to guess.

Just my 1.5 cents, and all JMHO!

Yikes, I hope that didn't sound like a soapbox, I just like when someone new to the hobby seems to actually care- as opposed to those that we've all been next to at a fish store saying all the things that make us cringe.

[Tim Marvin]

Set-up a plenum and you'll have a lot worse that that in a few years. It is very commonly known that plenums do not work long term without a maintenance routine and changeing sand out. Very labor intensive. You'd be much better off useing a refugium, and they are much easier to maintain.

[NaCl_H2O]

Wow, I have missed this entire thread ... must be working too much :(

Thunder, keep asking, doing, and learning! Folks here are passionate about this hobby, if you couldn't tell ;) I haven't battled dyno's, but Gary is the right source to help you out, glad you pulled him over to take a look. Some serious attention is definitely required, and some investment in a DSB, skimmer, etc. Folks here are very willing to help, loan equipment, or cut you a great deal on custom equipment. Don't buy any high priced commercial (possibly junk) equipment without asking your friends on MAAST first.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to keep posting and PM'ing any of us that can help.

Glad your blenny & others are alive. Keep an eye on those small tanks, they can go haywire FAST!

[Thunderkat]

The main aquarium is finally empty, dried, and crystal clean. My pumps are also very clean now (thanks for the vinegar idea Gary ^_^ ).

That vinegar eats the calcium carbonate right off too.

I don't know how you people with tanks larger than 55 gallons do it. That tank was hard enough to carry on my own without damaging it, I would hate to think about a 100 or larger. Maybe if I gripped 'em by the husk...

I am going to let the tank sit dry for maybe a day or two days to make sure the dinos are dead. I let it stand for a day with bleach and tap water but I have no idea how tough those dinos are.

I can't seem to get the pH to my temporary tanks over 8.25. I need to get it to 8.5 or higher for elimination of dinos so my corals and the rocks can be clean.

My fish seem suprisingly happy even after being put in the smaller tanks.

The algae blenny swims back and forth between the tanks through the siphon tubes. Crazy fishie :lol

[thedude]

Sounds like youi're doing everything right! Keep us posted and may I say, good work!