lotusstar

This is a great thread. Some very good ideas here.

Hey everyone. I have a 92g tank that I've had for a little over 2 years. The clam I have had for a little over a year. It has always seemed rather happy, it's been growing, the mantle is out and colored well while the lights are on. It's kept itself in the same spot this whole time. My tank hasn't had a single livestock change in the last 6 months or so. Last night when I fed the tank the clam looked exactly like normal, I don't have a lot of corals and this was my only clam so I looked at it quite often. While feeding the tank it didn't look damaged or distressed at all. This afternoon after waking up, I worked a graveyard shift last night, the clam shell was empty and the clam was decomposed. I'm really at a loss because my tank had been doing so well, and I haven't added anything new or had any major swings that would indicate a reason for it to suddenly die. I only have 4 fish, yellow tang, royal gramma, potters angel, and 1 chromis. The only bioload change was my 2nd chromis died about 6 months ago, and I never replaced him. All the other fish have been in the tank about as long as the clam. My paramaters checked out good. I use API test kits, except for my hanna checker for phosphates. All these parameters look consistent with the last several months of log sheets. PH 8 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 2 cal 420 alk 8 mag 1240 sg 1.025 temp 78-80 Phos 0 *hanna checker* I haven't changed salt mixes, I have a 400w 14k metal halide, bulb was changed at the beginning of february. I'm rather stumped at what could have caused this, i have snails for a clean up crew with a few hermit crabs. None of those have ever messed with the clam before though. I don't know what else to say, anyone have any clues as to what could have caused my clams death so rapidly? Also water changes are done every other week of 15 gallons, I siphon the sand each week. Water changes are done with 0TDS water with a BRS RO/DI filter and Reef Crystals salt. It's been 1 week since my water change. Should I do a quick water change to get some of this decomposition out? I have an ATB 840 skimmer, and run carbon and GFO in separate reactors also. Thanks

I would like the watermelon frag if it's still available. Thanks! Jason

Hey everyone, Thanks for all the replies and suggestions on the flow for my tank. I just ordered tunze, a 6105 and controller, a 6065, and a 6045. Hopefully those 3 will give me sufficent flow and enough randomness to be successful with SPS. Thanks again, everyones help was very much appreciated. Good luck!

Dajmasta, Thanks for the suggestion. Not crazy about wave boxes as the ones I've seen always seem rather obtrusive in tanks less than a couple hundred gallons. As for rock work you bring up something I hadn't thought too much on in regards to flow. My rock structure is somewhat of an atoll I guess you could say. Makes a U along the side walls with just 1 rock in the center. The atoll structure has several little caves and nooks but is not very tall. The tank is 24 inches but the rocks at their highest is probably 14 inches but most stay low around 10-12 inch. The look I'm going for I guess is a lot of corals low in the tank with open swim room above the structure. Now when you say keep the flow parallel are you suggesting the higher flow pump blowing "over the reef" and creates turbulence after hitting the glass and reflecting downward? All this has been most helpful, I really appreciate it.

Hmm pbnj, ive never heard of that. Ive heard of sea swirls at least but not this. I will however remedy that and look into it today. Thank you very much for adding yet another option to me but at least maybe one that will work.

Toxiq yeah they are way past 2 years old. Mike thanks for the reply. Yeah that's what I was afraid of that it'd be too powerful. The tank is 4 foot from the outside corners but that's minimal space. The side walls are 32 inches or so. The 6105 may be too much, which sucks cause the next lower controllable is the 6055 but only does like 1450gallons max so that's not powerful enough. These decisions are driving me crazy i swear

Yeah can't do that this time though. A couple of my pumps are leaking voltage, that's what brings me around to upgrading so going to get rid of the tunze 6025's I have now. Really trying to figure out if an MP40 vortech or tunze 6105 will be better for my tank. And then just a couple smaller non controllable pumps. Maybe 2 6045's then. That might cover all the corners of the tank well and help me be successful with SPS. Thanks for the tip on modding, just not going to help this time, I probably should have mentioned that I was replacing the voltage leaking tunzes. Any other suggestions for me though?

Hey everyone. So as the title says I'm wondering about flow. Over the next month I will be upgrading and trying to find the best option for my situation. Would love some advice from veterans. I have a 92 gallon corner. A pain to get flow in all the areas but love the tank anyway. Currently have 2 K3s and 2 tunze 6025s. Not much flow maybe 30x, that's fine for the few soft corals I have currently but plan on turning the tank to all sps over the next year so needing to upgrade flow. I was thinking tunze, 2 6045s that do about 1150g an hour and 2 6065s rated around 1700g per hour. I'm concerned cause it's about 60x+ flow but contsant. Not sure how the fish would enjoy that. So was suggested to me to go with tunze 6105, controllable which brings up another option. Was thinking maybe 2 which are very powerful so would hate to create huge sand storms or rip flesh off corals so not sure about this. I do like the idea of only having 2 powerheads in the tank. Less clutter the better but not sure with the odd shape tank even if at max flow if I would still have dead spots etc. Then also thinking maybe bite the bullet on a vortech mp40 or 2. I hear awesome reviews except for noise and have never heard these pumps in person so not sure what to make of the noise levels. And since my tank is in the living room right next to the couch loud pumps no matter the performance will get vetoed by the wife and kids. So anyone have any suggestions? Are controllable pumps really worth the extra expense? Or would the 4 tunze non-controllables be successful for sps? If controllable is the way to go which option would be best? Performance wise and quietness? Thanks all for input. Happy thanksgiving!

92 gallon Oceanic reef ready corner tank dimensions 48" front corner to other corner, bows across the front 34" for each side panel 25" tall stand, cherry wood, smoke glass door 29" tall 120 lbs live rock 70 lbs live sand fish, corals, and inverts ATI BM160 protein skimmer 2 x heaters 2 x tunze 6025 powerheads 2 x hydor koralia 2 x maxijet 1200's BRS Fluid Reactor 2 drew dosing pumps 15 gallon DIY sump 10 gallon ATO setup, pump, heater 10 gallon QT tank, filter, heater, canopy, light 400w Metal Halide lamp with new 14k phoenix bulb book shelf type canopy for light fixture clip on fan for water evaporation several other pumps and things fish related. Great tank, just don't have enough time for it for awhile. Will help tear down the system and load it but can not deliver. Located in Temple Texas, about an hour north of Austin. Asking 1200$. Feel free to post any questions and I will gladly answer as quickly as possible. Thanks!