subsea

One thing that I love about this hobby is that the addicted reefers love to share there addiction. Youse guys are so much more knowed up then when I started this hobby. Liz, the substrate can have phosphate also. Some inorganic forms of phosphate will not show up on most test kits. Use the red algae as an indicator and you don't need to test so often. Some forms of Caulerpa have the highest ratio of phosphate to nitrate, by as much as 10 fold. Food is always a source of phosphate. Unlike nitrate, which has de-nitrification (anerobic digestor in a waste water treatment facility) in our deep sand beds and the interior of the live rock. We do not have bacteria to remove phosphate. I do not consider "dilution as the solution to pollution". At best it is a bandaid. It is expensive with a large system. I prefer multiple nutriant pathways. Chemical removal with a phosphate resin, in my opinion, should be continuous as should be the use of activated carbon. For me it is mandatory because I do not use a skimmer nor do I do partial water changes. Algae is inevatable on the coral reefs of the world. Thus the reason for the herbivors on the reefs. Just my $.02 worth. Patrick

Liz, I am interested in two of the 55G containers. Will you be going to the January meeting. I can Paypal you the money, if you need it. I have seen the elements which settle in the bottom of the estuaries and bays near the coral reefs of the world. It will surprise you how sturdy the marine eco-systems are. Too many people trying to scare people with doomsday. Considering all the stuff that I ingested during my hippie days in the 60's, I can testify that the human body is fairly industructable. God did not make any junk. We as human beings sometimes turn his creation into junk. Anyway, excuse my soapbox. I would like two of the barrels. Patrick

Hey rainbody, Because I am an aggie and an engineer, I do two back-ups on my displays. Deep sand beds use tremendous amounts of oxygen. In the event the power goes off, I use inexpensive (less than $20) back-up air pumps. Because I lived in hurricane country, I had auto back-up generators but over the years I have come to use double redundacy. Just a thought. Patrick

Mama, I like the reflector efficiency of Current T5 fixtures. Go to the factory customer service and get the efficiency of the model you want to know about. A standard 55G tank is 13" (outside to outside). The fixture dimension which you listed is 14". What do you think? I would change out T5 Current bulbs at the first opportunity, but I do like the efficiency of their reflectors (most above 95%). I think you are overkilling with 8 bulbs. Patrick

The term live sand is a loaded gun. It means many different things to many different people. It is more important to discuss grain size and of secondary importance is the chemistry of the calcium carbonate of the media. I try to use the aroggonite form of calcium carbonate because of its buffering capability at a higher pH but it is not mandatory. Without sounding too condensending, may I suggest you read up some more before you get your feet wet.

Wippit, You have hit the nail on the head, each system is unique. Because I work 14 days on and 14 days off with no one home, I have used an extended refugium system. With refugiums and remote deep sand beds, I have left my tanks for two weeks with no observed ill effects. I often enjoy observing the little critters in the refugiums more than the display tanks. Patrick

Sounds like fun. As we get closer to the date, I will commite some finger food from the barbie que grill. Some time if I am passing thru South Louisiana, I will bring some Cajun Ethnic Food. Patrick

Deep sand beds and seaweed refugiums will feed your tanks naturally. When setting up systems, focus on the bottom of the food chain. Establish micro inverts and fauna diversity before moving on to higher level inverts ( coral and fish ) . The biodiversity in the micro fauna and fana not only provide food but the also process waste (multiple nutriant pathways), "one mans poison is another mans food". Many natural reefers wait 6 months to a year before adding the top of the food chain. Happy reefing. Knowledge without wisdom is useless. Patrick

A reef tank has a dynamic progression of dominate critters. Each goes through its cycle. Very similiar to a "climax forrest" on land. Enjoy the view.

Hey J, Many reef keepers focus on the refugiums more than the show tanks. Daniel Knop, German expert reef keeper, had a wonderful exibit at the Pittsburg MACNA conference. Mature reef systems, especially skimmerless natural systems, produce abundant mini-inverts with much diversity. Patrick

These two sources have excellant detrivore kits. The bacteria and worms are even more important than the pods. As a general rule, six months are longer should be devoted to establishing the bottom of the food chain.

Hey Pumkin, I have sent you an offer via your e-mail address. The offer applies only if your 75G tank is the standard 18" high. Patrick

Hey Pumpkin, I have many different soft corals and a few mushrooms. I also have three different red macro-algaes including Dragon"s Breadth, Tang Heaven Red, as well as another Reg Gracilaria that is people ediable. Is your 75G tank the standard 18". Patrick

Instead of RO water, use vinegar or lemon juice. Consider the small volumn required and in my opinion you could use something caustic like kwasser water. Patrick

Andrew, I have a SeaClone with MaxiJet 1200. $40.

You have not had the xenia long enough for it to be settled in. It does not like changes. Plus, when you add the iodine, can you measure the results. If not, use your water change as a source of idione. When xenia likes where it is it at, it will take over given a chance. Pat c

I am driving down to San Antoine. I plain to leave before 9 AM after the rush hour traffic. I am filing a "wrongful termination" law suit at the Federal Building. Not sure how long of a process it will be. I do know I want to leave San Antoine before 4 PM. Any body interested in going along for the ride. I am open to visiting musems, zoos, marine ornamental or any reef stores, if you know where they are in San Antoine. I am a "country boy" and am not accustemed to the "big city". Patrick

I am interested in the 20G tank only and only if it is less than 13" high. I have numerous types of macros (mostly red), including Dragon's Breath and some Tang Heaven Red. I also have a bunch of Clove Polyps (Clavularia). Come look if you are interested. Pat C

May the "Bird of Paradise" desend upon the two of you. Stay cool. It will be cool and wet today. Patrick

Michael, I would like the purple mushrooms. It sounds like the sixties, whith all the pychedelic (sp ?) colors, "I love it". Pat C PS I am running a bit late. I live by the Salt Lick in Hays County. I should be there by 4 PM.

Mark, Sounds like the makings of a nice meet. The weather could not have co-operated better. You must have "friends in high places". I have some country ribs and chicken that has been marinading. I'll cut it up in small pieces for finger foods, if it is OK. Pat C

I'll be there if the creek don't rise. Even if the creek rises, with a name like "subsea", I'll just go throw it. Pat C

IN THE NATURAL REEF ENVIROMENT , we would have an abundance of micro algae on the reef without the herbivores. It is all a "Question of Balance". Christin, you seem to be fixated on HA. In addittion to all the other preventative cures, might I suggest a "little patience". Pat C

Sounds like a party, Pat C