subsea
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Posts posted by subsea
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As I made my own calcium reactor, I may be incorrect in the operation of your reactor. In the initial start up of reactor, there is leeway to adjust effluent flow or CO2 input to get effluent pH down. During next lights out, run reactor without CO2 input.
Patrick
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The fact that you run a calcium reactor means that you are adding co2 to make carbonic acid to bring your pH down to dissolve your media.
With a pH of 7.5 the aroggonite will dissolve on its on without the addittion of CO2.
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That is a large drop in pH when the lights go out. While it is true, that removing carbon dioxide from the skimmer will move you in the right direction, it makes more sense to me to look at the photosynthetic contribution to carbon dioxide. With a large population of corals, when the lights go out, they will respire carbon dioxide.
I would use every method I could to assist with air water contact gas exchange at night.
1. Increase surface agitation of water in display tank.
2. Where water flows from display to sump provide as much rubble as possible to increase air water contact.
With a pH of 7.5 your aroggonite should be dissolving into the water and offsetting the pH drop. Considering that aragonite will begin to dissolve when the pH drops below 8.1, I would maximize my use of aroggonite. Set up a cannister filter full of aroggonite and run it at night.
Patrick
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Hide eggcrate in frag propagation tank. I place 3/4" PVC pipe as spacer on top of 1" aroggonite substrate. This makes for a stand alone frag tank.
Patrick
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If you want to know more about tank parameters, then ask the question on the tank build thread. Why is it necessary to have a TOTM competition to learn about methods. If we wished to make it a learning experience, then a 5 year minimum set up requirement should be paramount in prerequisites. It is relatively easy, with money and knowledge, to set up a show tank to win a picture contest. It is entirely different to maintain healthy vibrant systems for the long haul.Patrick, I can see your point about competitions, but as a newbie, it would be cool to see what tanks can look like with various housekeeping methods. I spent a lot of time going through the FTS thread when I started. It'd be nice if people listed the basics for each one. Age, filtration, lights, type of water, and anal retentive-ness.
How cool would it be to have an impromptu check. Post a picture at a random time without having an hour or more of sprucing up to make sure no algae is visible on the glass. See what the tanks look like every day, not just when company comes
.Patrick
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Patrick,
So as far as dissolved oxygen, my PH with the skimmer on went threw a swing of about 7.78-8.12, with the skimmer off its around 7.58-8.05. To me that's not that big of an issue I guess. I have seen a dramatic change in the colors of my corals w/o the skimmer. When I had my 120G in the wall it was always testing this testing that trying to keep the PO4 low. Now all I do is water changes every 2wks and feed the fish. I was really wore out doing all the work, and now seeing that a little algae everywhere isn't a big deal and the corals are growing leaps and bounds I think I like the simple way. Thanks for the compliment Patrick. I need to schedule a meeting here at my house maybe to show PPL that you don't have to have a spik and span tank to have coral grow and thrive.
With respect to pH fluctuations, it has always been my belief that a constant pH was not healthy for marine eco systems. Within our lagoons and salt water marshes there is constant flux in all parameters, yet these systems are the nursery to the ocean. These systems feed the earths population. I always back a winner. I emulate nature.
Patrick
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I would enjoy the ARC meeting that you proposed. For many new comers to this marvelous hobby, "The Tank of the Month" pictures can be a daunting goal. Instead of rest and relaxation to be enjoyed, it sometimes becomes more work with less play. I consider it good stewardship for this hobby when leaders as yourself say, "slow down and smell the roses". If we made it more fun with less emphases to maintain sparkling clean systems, we would have a more diverse membership in our hobby.
I remember the first MACNA conference I went to, both Eric Borneman and Anthony Calfo said to feed your corals. Anthony was a proponent of skimming and Eric did not encourage skimmers.
Healthy bacteri populations in our reef tanks promote stable long term success in our eco systems. Filter feeders, including coral, consume bacteria. At the very least, aggressive protein skimming removes food for the coral and skews bacteria populations.
As I have been skimmerless for more than 20 years, I rely heavily on janitors. One of my favorite janitor events is to lay on floor with my 6 year old grandchild. Each of us gets an illuminated magnifying glass and we visit the "little people" in my 30G mud/macro refugium. The enjoys of life can be very simple.
Laissez la bonne temps roulee,
Patrick
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No it doesnt affect the corals, i wanted to go with a little dirtier tank this go around. I think it is cotton candy algae. A UNLS tank is just so close to the edge of a disaster that this way the tank feeds itself. The algae was there B4 i did the LEDs. It has actually gotten better. Thank you for the compliment.
Jeremy,
Your tank looks very nice. How long did you run a UNLS tank? I have never experienced the SPS rage. From my point of view, it made the hobby more work and more expensive than I cared for. When you mentioned running a more nutrient rich system, have you found some SPS that like more nutrients? I noted that you turned your skimmer off a week ago. Without skimmer, during lights out, have you found lower dissolved oxygen levels in the main tank.
Patrick
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I love the explosive color of the Yellow Tang. I find them peaceable in solitaire are in schools of five and larger. Very impressive tank.
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Sorry about glass needing cleaning.
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Thinking about putting 2 powerheads in the back corners pointing up to the water's surface to kill the last dead spots I have. Any reccomendations?
Great looking tank. How do you like your BML lamps?Thinking about putting 2 powerheads in the back corners pointing up to the water's surface to kill the last dead spots I have. Any reccomendations?
With respect to circulation using power heads, random turbulent flow with streams converging producing eddy currents. Point the power heads in each corner to travel past the center line of tank. This would provide converging streams near the center top of tank that should produce randhom eddy currents near the surface. The water air interface of our aquariums surface is critical for good pH control in our reef tanks. When carbon dioxide is respired by photosynthic corals and macros, pH will drop if the carbon dioxide is not vented from the water.
Patrick
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135G Rock/Macro Lagoon
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75G Jaubert Plenum at 11 years: reduced light
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55G Rock Lagoon with morning sun thru east window.
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I know that you like to have rock and sand from different parts of the world for diversity. If you want a couple of pieces of TBS rock I'd be totally ok with a rock swap at some time.
I may be buying another 'package' soon as I'm going to upgrade my tank.
I am very interested in Tampa Bay Saltwater for their diversity, the micro inverts along with micro fana and fauna. Let me investigate their site and see if we can do something together. Did you go to the airport for pick-up?
Over ten years ago, Richard and I talked business while I was on a drilling rig, in 5000 feet of water, 150 miles south of New Orleans. As it turned out, he was two miles from my location fishing in a big turnoment and came by the rig with a yacht full of models on the back deck.
Patrick
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I am green with envy about you getting the Package. I have considered them for many years, but never pulled the trigger. I am happy for you.
Patrick
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Amen.
A good rule of thumb for me is "Mean what you say and say what you mean".
Keep the peace,
Patrick
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Grog, did you get different types of gorgonions from "The Package" at Tampa Bay Saltwater.
Patrick
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Between 1966 and 1972 I was a mechanic in the Air Force on muti-engine reciprocating aircraft. Looking for adventure, I voluntered to work in close support in Vietnam for ground operations using antiquated aircraft from world war two. Puff the Magic Dragon was outfitted from Douglass DC6 and DC7 which was the workhouse of air transport during WWII. After four 90 day combat tours in Vietnam, I got all the excitement that I need for the rest of my life.
After returning home, I entered the Texas Maritime Academy and gradulated *** lada with a BS in Marine Engineering. For thirty five years, I worked as a deepwater subsea engineer in offshore drilling. For two years during those 35 years, I worked in the municipal waste water treatment industry.
At this time, I am deciding how I am going to make money growing seaweed.
Patrick
Drew, you have started a very interesting thread.
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I'm a stay at home dad. Have lots of hobbys though. Classic cars, classic bikes and build stuff for people. I build everything from bridges to piers to decks, pole barns, etc. Even dig out ponds. Last one I dug out was 350' long by 100' and 20' deep.
We may need to talk about a water retention project on my wet weather stream bed. Come out and visit sometime.
Patrick
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Good looking stuff you got there. Send me something in red. I likie red.
Patrick
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http://marineplantbo...bookcupress.htm
I have had this macro for about six months. It is attractive and slow growing. I also got some small sprigs of feather caulerpa which has taken off with a vengance. Instead of two mirrowed sides with feathers, it has three mirrowed sides. At this time it is 12" tall and growing up and out. I have not been able to identify as of yet. Maybe some taxicologist can help me out when they come for the April Meeting.
Patrick
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Michael,
Your tank is looking great. Quite a lot of biodiversity. We are going to need to have a "friendship garden party" to spread out this biodiversity. I'll bring the Red Ogo Cheviche.
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Michael,
You are looking good, brother. I look forward to seeing your tank next week when I go up north for the ARC March Meeting. The 10G lagoon tanks are also coming along nicely and I will get some more ideas when I see yours. For me, this is turning out to be more fun then I could have imagined.
La bonne temps roulee.
Patrick
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KimP's in-wall room divider build
in Tank Builds
Posted
Kim,
Tim told me that you did it with your bare hands.
Even if the tank is not up and running, let us consider MUSTER. What a way to initiate the new house.
Laissez la bonne temps roulee,
Patrick
PS. On a side note. Our VIP TOUR of UT Marine Bioscience Department is on. We moved it to the week after Easter to get both department heads involved. Jerry says no problem with your infant.