squiddly
-
Posts
829 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Store
Posts posted by squiddly
-
-
I have the Neptune Apex and you can control your tank from virtually anywhere you have an internet connection after some configuration of your Apex. There is a very thorough document out there for configuring the Apex. As Origami2547 mentioned there an app that can do it with as well (Android and IPhone), but you may not even need to use an app. I have a Evo can can monitor and control my Apex from virtually anywhere. At home I monitor and update programming in my loft and see the changes instantly. I can look at the status, turn outlets on and off, view graphs, change programming, etc. all from my phone with no app. There are so many possibilities!
I'm really fascinated by the possibilities with controllers. I have an aquacontroller jr. on the 24 right now until I get my III back from where it is (and reset up the web server configs). I haven't figured out how to do the feeding settings easily yet, so may be asking for some assistance. I have a lot of trouble reprogramming the Jr. due to its line editor (much prefer the keyboard for that).
I'm currently using mine to turn several sets of lights on and off, turns lights off and fan on at a certain temp, has alarms set but I haven't set up the light or buzzer or whatever to be its indicator, does temp control (of course) and will monitor pH once I replace the now long dead probe.
What improvements does the Apex have over the III?
I'm going to not hijack the thread by asking about other types of apps for ipad/iphone so I'll ask in another thread.
-
That is a TON of shrimp, do you do that often? How are your water params after doing that? Love the shot of the Starry? blenny and blue zoas.
Yes, it was a ton of shrimp. It was a one time deal to try to entice the fish. An hour after I put the shrimp in, I cleaned the filter canisters and sponges and did a 25% water change. Parameters stayed rock solid. Hooray!
Thanks re: the shots. It's a Starry. He's got a ton of personality.
-
After attending the Frag Fest for a bit today and getting some new glue and better instructions on how to be more effective in attaching things to other things. The plan was to make it easier to place things with the possibility of them staying put rather than having various critters moving them, flip the zoas upside down, redecorating, etc. When we got home I set about doing this, didn't stick things to my fingers or my fingers to my fingers too much (acetone is my friend), killed some aptasia, did a water change, and put some pix in my Aquapod gallery.
Diamond Gobi
Gut fed brine shrimp to try to induce a stubborn fish to eat
-
Where did you get the xenia from? Its very pretty I would think its blue xenia... and if it is you got a huge peice...
I got it from my favorite Koi shop :-) BRK.
-
I also heard from somewhere -- I don't recall where, so can't vouch for authoritativeness -- that xenia also need a tad more iodine than many other corals. I've supplemented with some since then and my pulsing xenia look better, but I would be hesitant to draw a direct correlation because I've also been changing some of the other parameters in my tank (flow patterns etc.). I also have to be careful not to overdo it because I can't test for iodine, and more isn't necessarily better. But I thought I should mention it.
That makes sense. I have some to supplement with. I'll try a bit of that. Thanks.
-
Hi Dave! Long time, no see, I hope all is well.
From a wild source (most of them), getting them to eat is just one hurdle to overcome, usually what you find locally (and online) is wild caught which have a very high incidence of parasite and disease so that needs to be dealt with as well. Initially with a deworming / medicated QT, and then long term with slightly subdued temperature. The slightly subdued temperature is to slow pathogen metabolism enough such that you have enough time to first notice the problem and then do something about it before they succumb to it (also in our closed systems, often the slightly subdued temperature allows them enough time to battle and beat the problem themselves us needed to interfere).
I had tried seahorses (as you can see from the pic) but I made bad choices. I did have a species specific tank, the temp was low just for them, I bought what I thought were aquacultured Kudas before I found out HOW they aquaculture the Kudas, and despite all of the help I got from boards, a vet that prescribed meds, constantly running to Superpets to buy live brine because they just wouldn't wean, etc., I lost them all. It was heartbreaking. I was hoping pipes would be easier but given all of this and the fact that I have a full time job now I can't see myself being able to provide the time and effort needed to do right by them.
Perhaps later, when I have a local mentor who can be a second set of eyes to help me catch things I might miss. As I learned, it's not just the know how, the stock of meds, the pristine conditions, etc., but if you haven't SEEN a given problem before, you're much more likely to either miss it or misdiagnose it and provide the wrong treatment. So much easier when you can bounce it off of someone else.
I'll keep following threads about pipes and horses to keep learning so when the time comes I'll be able to do it right.
-
It looks like blue xenia and mine started to go when the phosphates went up. I would say you should test for them. The blue xenia I is the harder to keep and grows a little slower from my experience. Does the picture show your unhappy xenia? Pretty sure thats what blue xenia is supposed to look like. Unless it was a bigger piece and its getting smaller or its another type of xenia I wouldn't worry as long as your levels are good.
The tops seemed to be shortened from what they were when I got it, which is what worried me. I'll pick up a phosphate kit hopefully today and let you know the readings. Thanks for everyone's help.
-
So its blue xenia or another type?
The peppermints are the ones I was talking about I've heard people loosing xenia to them.
The type of xenia is very important for instance I can grow pulsing xenia day and night, but blue xenia is a lot harder in some tanks.
If it was me I'd go in at night with a flash light and see if the peppermints were picking on it. I had xenia growing like a forest in my biocube back in the day.
There are like 6 types of xenia do you know what kind it is?
I don't know what kind it is unfortunately.
-
Hmm, maybe raise your salinity up to 1.025 since it's a reef tank and not fowlr? I don't think that's causing any problems though.
What is your phosphate level? I never tested phosphate than got a hanna checker. My levels were much higher than I would have though despite nitrates at less than 5. I added some BRS GFO, and that helped bring them down.
What is your PH? If it's too low that could expain the bluespot not taking well?
In regards to pictures set up an account with flickr or one of the like. Link pictures with the bb code on here. It's free and easy.
Goodluck
Hmm, don't know the phosphate level. I haven't tested for it.
I was going to use picassa for photos, until I found out that if you're a Google+ user, and you share photos, those you share them with can reshare and you can't turn it off. And they can see everyone you've shared them with. I'll have to find an alternative, or post them to my own server.
-
Whats your lighting/flow. What kind of xenia are we talking about. I can't tell from the picture, but its its pusling and its in high flow it won't pulse. I've also heard of some types of shrimp eating it.
Its an aquapod 24 with stock sunpaq lighting, upgraded pump for more flow, and extra filtration. It has moderate flow now. The Xenia is not pulsing. I have 3 peppermint shrimp.
-
In terms of feeding needs/style, pipefish are very similar to seahorses. You could be successful in a dedicated tank, but even assuming they'll take prepared foods they'd be out-competed by your other fish and slowly starve.
Ah, if only it could be easier.
-
This is a dumb question, I've heard of people having trouble with xenia if their tanks are too clean my guess would be that some corals would be the same way what are you using to control your nitrates?
I'm using frequent water changes to control the nitrates. I haven't had to use anything else as yet. Trying to avoid additives, etc.
-
Do a water test for nitrite, ammonia, nitrate, and even test your salinity. Haven't you lost a couple fish? Have you removed them, or did a clean up crew at least eat them?
All water parameters are good. Nitrate 0, Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0. Salinity 1.022. KH 9.3, Alkalinity 3.3. The fish I lost were immediately removed (or removed himself in one case). I do very frequent water changes, and have backup filtration. I have 10 lbs of live rock, 1.5 inches of live sand, all other corals, fish, crabs, shrimp look fine.
I think the blue spot never acclimated properly. He was hyperventilating when he arrived, and continued to do so until we lost him. The diamond gobi jumped out. The goniapora I was having trouble with has fluffed right back up.
I tried to put up photos, but am having trouble figuring out how to make a gallery for this tank. I'll keep trying.
-
Two week old xenia seems quite unhappy. Anyone have any ideas?
-
I have had 3 different pipes in pairs and none lasted more than a year (some less than 6 months). I had most of them eating frozen mysid as well. I would not expect them to live too long.
Doesn't sound like it's worth it...
-
What else is in your tank?
2 clowns, scooter blennie, blue spot jawfish (new one), BTA, some zoanthids and polyps. I have a super filtration system, way overkill. Added a hot magnum canister to the aquapod's sponge filtration. Frequent water changes.
-
I'm musing about putting one in my 24. Is there anything I should know about the pros and cons? I'm just starting my research at this point and would love to hear stories from successful or unsuccessful attempts at keeping these cool critters.
-
I'm musing about putting one in my 24. Is there anything I should know about the pros and cons? I'm just starting my research at this point and would love to hear stories from successful or unsuccessful attempts at keeping these cool critters.
-
My snowflake moray -- that I've been setting up a dedicated tank for -- also managed to join the carpet surfer's club this week.
OUCH! I love those. Would love to have one, but hubby won't let me have any more tanks (for now...*evil grin*)
-
After losing my blue spot jawfish, today I was at work when my husband told me that somehow the top was not put on the tank, and my gorgeous diamond gobi jumped out and died. Very unlucky, and very depressing. RIP Mr. Diamond Gobi.
-
Despite valiant attempts, he died overnight. I'm very sad.
-
There are usually 2-3 as door prizes at the meetings, also maxi mods or a small koralia are very low wattage pumps that will run for a significant period of time on a UPS
I have to find the time to show up at one again. It's been a long time :-)
-
If you'd like to borrow one, PM me ASAP.
I'm good for now, but thanks very much. Our power is back. I'm hoping it doesn't go out again, but am recharging the UPSs while waiting for the generator repair person to fix the silly thing. Meantime I ordered a battery pump that will hopefully arrive this week.
-
What kind of fish you have?
2 false perculas, 1 diamond goby, scotter blennie, blue spot jawfish. It's the jawfish that isn't eating, although he hides enough that he may be sneaking some when I'm not looking. The goby is making such a mess of burrowing that I had to get a lot more sand.
iPad aquarist apps?
in General Discussion
Do you use any apps for your record keeping, controllers, etc.? I bought aquaplanner pro for the ipad and wish that I could do more with it, such as upload photos with notes, have a stock list, possibly calculate bio load based on what you have in the tank, and change dates on the notes so you can, for example, make notes on critters you may have installed the week before you bought the program. It would also be great to be able to record water chemistry parameters over time and graph them. This doesn't do any of those things, but it does allow you to keep notes in one place, and set up notifications for basic reef-keeping activities. It keeps your tank notifications from clogging up your calendar.
However, I'd like an information management program for my tank that has a lot more information keeping capability than this one has. Has anyone found one? Thanks!