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rsarvis

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Posts posted by rsarvis

    nEW TO SALWATER a FEW QUESTIONS

    in New to the Hobby

    I'm not sure why adding live sand would affect your salinity measurement. I do second the suggestion above about making sure there are no tiny bubbles on the swing arm, that will make it swing up quite a bit, so maybe it was an erroneous measurement?? :why:

     

    Re the refractometer suggestion, although more reliable, they're a little expensive, so I wouldn't rush out and invest money in one to start out with. I still use a hydrometer (i'll prob get excoriated for admitting it, though).

     

    As noted by others, be cognizant of the weeks-long cycling process; you'll definitely need testing kits to watch that process to know when the cycling process is complete.

     

    Where in NY are you? I get up to NYC fairly frequently (probably be there in a couple weekends); if you're in the city, we could meet up and talk fish. :cheers:

     

    As for what the store told you, re reef set-ups taking years and lots of $$, it does get expensive, but hopefully you can buy stuff used from other hobbyists. It definitely doesn't take years, though, to get to a nice satisfying set-up. I started out in the hobby just about a year ago and I have what I think is a pretty nice system for a newbie. (My plumbing was all done for me, though.)

     

    But you do have to take time, several months for set-up, cycling, aquascaping, etc. It's a great hobby, but it takes patience. My cardinal rule: don't do anything with your tank when you have to go to the bathroom! :bb:

    T5 bulbs - brands, websites, and combo suggestions

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by rsarvis

    I have a 180 with an Aquactinic Constellation fixture, i.e., 14 T5 36"/39W bulbs (7 on each half of the tank). My tank's been up for almost a year, so I'm figuring it's time to start rotating some new bulbs in...

     

    As background, the fixture had some bulbs in them already when I got them, don't remember exactly what, and I've added a couple Geisemanns since then. I've been running something along the lines of 3 actinic+, 3 aquablue+, and a midday. (That's per side, as is everything below.)

     

    I usually turn on one switch (with 2 actinic+) in the morning (9ish) and turn it off late at night (11ish); and a timer turns on the rest (the aquablue+, third actinic+, and midday) for about 8 hours.

     

    My questions are:

     

    1) What are brands that are good from both a quality and expense standpoint?

     

    2) What are good websites that usually have bulbs for good prices?

     

    3) Any suggestions for changing up the combo of bulbs or my timing? What would you do differently?

    Is it too much light, or is it on for too long?

     

    4) Assuming lighting is a major factor when it comes to red slime, what do I want to keep in mind in choosing new lighting, given that I have some rocks that always grow red slime, but no other algae problems. Is this more a matter of bulb choice, or a matter of my bulbs being old, or other?

     

    Thanks.

    Kalk/two part

    in General Discussion

    If you decide to try the two-part solution, I'd be interested in trading you some two-part for some of that kalk bag. I'm thinking of trying to drip kalk. I have a 180g, and I think I'm getting to the point with SPS, etc., that two-part is a pain. I still have quite a bit left of these ginormous two-part jugs, so maybe we can do some experiments with each other's supplements. :cheers:

     

    I have a bag of kalk but no reactor. I got it from Howard and I think he just mixes a bunch in with ro water and lets it go through a drip loop into his sump. Then I was told that you are not supposed to put the powder itself into your system just the effluent. Is there a good way to use it without a reactor? If that isn't the way to go what else should I be dosing. I see that a lot of people dose two part? what is that exactly?

    New Wally's

    in Vendor Experience

    This is suh-weet! I live about 1 minute from Wally's. It was a decent store before the ownership change, but very expensive. Hopefully it'll become an awesome store and get more competitive on pricing...

    Salfert test kits

    in General Discussion

    Just saw this thread. I bought a new salifert alk test last week, but still have some left in my old one, so i could give the remainder to you. Looks like you have it covered, though. Let me know if otherwise.

     

    I bought the magnesium test kit, too, (from pacific east) but they are out as well. hmmm.

     

    Thanks Scott. I went ahead and ordered express. Its interesting to note though..... This seller is out of the magnesium test kits. Something is going on w/ Salfert. I wonder what? Appreciate the help everyone, thats what makes the club so good. Bob

    New to area

    in General Discussion

    I'm off Old Keene Mill Rd and Huntsman - you're welcome to stop by and check out my 16 gallon sps reef and my 18 gallon seahorse tanks.

     

    Matt

     

    That's really close to where I grew up. Huntsman at Sidenstricker.

     

    Jeff, I now live about 15-20 minutes from you, about 5 minutes from Landmark mall (395 at Duke St). Let me know if you want to come by to check out my tank. If you coordinate with me and have a big container, I could have some rodi water for you.

    What corals should a total noob start out with first?

    in New to the Hobby

    I have some fairly easy newbie corals, monti digi frags, green mushrooms, yellow polyps, kenya/xenia (plague corals to some...). I'm in Annandale, let me know if you'd like some, I can give you some for free. They all grow fairly quickly and are not hard to keep.

     

    120g

    2x250w MH 10k, 2x96w pc actinic

    2 x 140w VHO 10k, actinic - not yet in use

     

    My tank seems to be about done cycling. A few macro and coraline algaes are running wild, worms and pods are everywhere, and the cleaner pack seems to be happily running about.

     

    I'm not even sure where I want to go with this tank but in general, I'm more interested in corals than fish.

     

    What I'd like to have is a little guidance about which corals might be the best to start with as I begin the learning process. Also, anyone have a particularly good source of where I can get info on specific corals (that I'm hoping people name here).

     

    I am in no hurry; just want a plan.

     

    Thanks much!

    Matt

    Recommendations for bright BLUE!!

    in General Discussion

    I'm coming up on a year in the hobby (bought my tank early December, but didn't have it all set up and running until early February)--woohoo! :bb: I've got a decent amount of stuff in there, but most of my tank isn't too colorful (green, brown, or non-bright other colors).

     

    My main colorful non-greenish/earth-tone things are a big yellow tang, a yellow watchman goby, a firefish, a bicolor pseudochromis, a couple of red plate coral frags that are growing out nicely, a yellow sps something, and a sun coral. And a staghorn, which is purplish, but it isn't that bright a color, IMO.

     

    I'd like to get some ideas for nice bright blue things, corals, fish, inverts, etc. What are your favorites? :cheers:

     

    I'll also take other color ideas if they're inspired. :biggrin:

    Hair Algae

    in General Discussion

    Hey Lance,

     

    I agree with zotzer re: Trochus snails. When I first started out, I had an algae bloom, and I got a bunch of trochus and margarita snails. They were both like lawnmowers, it was incredible; I would move them from spot to spot and they would mow it down. The trochuses were absolutely amazing at their HA-eating skills. The margarita snails were also pretty good, but they died out 'cause they couldn't turn themselves over when they fell onto their backs. I still have some of the original trochuses, which have grown pretty large, and it appears that I now have several babies as well, which is really cool.

     

    -Rob

    New member looking for help

    in General Discussion

    Very exciting, Jeff! I know I'm not the only one that wants to check out your tank. Do I smell a tank tour in the making?? :bb:

     

    (yauger, did Raf get in touch with you about a couple boxes he's held for me for a while? I didn't know you work at Wally's; I live 2 minutes away so I could pick it up from you there. PM me?)

     

     

    Hello all.

     

    I am a new member in the Falls Church VA area.

     

    I previously had a 110gal reef tank set up for several years, and had various success with fish and corals.

    After becomming frustrated with the lack of space for the "systems" being wedged under the tank, and then building a seperate gameroom in my backyard, I decided to up grade to a 630 gallon reef tank that is a room divider in an ocean themed arcade room.

     

    The new tank has a dedicated room in the lower level for the systems. My friend Adam has been helping me design and build the new system. Right now we are working on the plumbing, with an expected water in date of thanksgiving or sooner.

     

    I met a WAMAS member at Wally aq. today and thought I would give the group a try.

     

    If anyone would like to stop by and check out the tank email me I would be glad to show you.

     

    I plan on going to the frag exchange at Kilmer, and can bring pics if anyone is interested.

     

    Thanks!

     

    Jeff

    "Ocean Arcade"

    703 407 8663

    customstonescaping@excite.com

    Temperature during acclimation process

    in General Discussion

    I find that when I'm drip acclimating, the tank temperature being added is easily dominated by the temperature loss of the water in the bucket. So what do people do, put a small heater in the bucket you're dripping into? Or should I just go back to the pouring-water-every-5-minutes-into-the-floating-bag method?

    rbta split

    in General Discussion

    How long did it take to split? Just a couple days or over the course of last week? (wasn't sure which Monday you were referring to)

     

    Last wknd decided to change out tanks and add a sump. We went from a 24 allinone to a 29 bow with sump. In the process of arranging the rock we must of somehow pinched the base of the rbta. The next day the rbta looked odd cuz one part was sticking out a hole and the other part hiding under the rock. On Monday we realized that it had split in two. One piece is now in a hole in the front looking great and the other is on the move. Hope that both will make it.

     

    We have never had any of our anemones in the past split and I am a huge anemone lover so its real exciting to me. When the second one comes out will definately post a pick. :biggrin:

     

    Melinda

    cardinal fish

    in General Discussion

    quick Q about bangaiis. do you have to feed them at night since they're nocturnal, or do they eat when you feed during the day?

     

    I have 2 bangaii's, 10 glass cardinals and 2 red stripe cardinals all together in my 280g. The glass cardinals school together, the red stripe cardinals are always breeding so the male always has eggs and hides, the female is swimming among the corals. The bangaii's hide in the back of the tank and only pop up when I feed the tank frozen food. At night the bangaii's rule the tank since they are nocturnal feeders, this is the only time I see them swimming but I have alot of large fast fish who probably keep them in hiding during the day.

    George

    looking for a blue fish

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by rsarvis

    I agree that blue reef chromises look great esp. when they're small and especially in a school.

     

    For yellow, how about a canary blenny? Beautiful bright yellow, smallish, with a crescent tail. If not, watchman goby is a good choice as well, but not as brilliant yellow.

     

     

    blue reef chromis and get a few to school....

    white BTA

    in General Discussion

    From what I've read, an anemone that's white isn't in good health; is that true? I have a bubble tip anemone that is white, and that's how it came. It was in decline (you might recall my posts) until I started feeding him regularly, and now it seems to be doing great, although its tentacles aren't as long as I seem to recall them being originally. But assuming the lack of color is a problem, is there any way to get its color back? Or am I needlessly worrying?

    tank sitter needed 9/20-9/24

    in General Discussion

    Thanks, everyone, for your replies! I really appreciate it.

     

    It sounds like it would be least out-of-the-way for Rascal and ChrisS, so I'll work it out with them and if needed, I'll follow up with Brian and David.

     

    Chris, I believe I will be available Oct 5-7, but let me verify with my gf. I'd love to see your seahorse tank; I've thought about doing one, but haven't done anything yet. How big is it?

     

    If you guys are free Saturday, I'll be at home working most of the day, so if you come by, I can show you what I do. (Mike, I bought my six-line from you, right?). If Saturday doesn't work, we can do it another time; or I can leave written directions for you.

     

    Just give me a call, 510-681-4996, or let me know on here.

     

    And if you have suggestions for catching my last green chromis, I'd love to hear it. :bluefish:

    tank sitter needed 9/20-9/24

    in General Discussion

    I'm going to be out of town for 5 days, Thursday 9/20 through Monday 9/24. This is the first time since getting my tank that I've gone out of town for more than a 3-day weekend, so I'm asking for some help in taking care of my little buggers. (I'm more than willing to reciprocate when needed.)

     

    Would anyone in the Alexandria/Springfield/Annandale area be able to stop in at my place to feed, top-off, and maybe add some two-part? It should only take you 10 minutes (if that). Ideally, I'd like visits Friday and Sunday (can be different people, of course), but I'll take a single visit on Saturday.

     

    I live at the corner of Braddock Road and Little River Turnpike. (see here.)

     

    Let me know and I'll invite you over for a drink while showing you where everything is.

     

    Thanks!!

     

    -Rob

    ick

    in Welcome to WAMAS: FAQ / FYI / Hobby News

    I've definitely heard that ich is usually present in tanks but that healthy fish usually won't succumb to it absent other stress factors; I don't know what the truth is, but that's what I've heard from several knowledgeable people. I've also definitely heard that certain (all?) tangs are especially susceptible to ich, notably hippo tang, powder blues, powder browns. So maybe you just happened to pick the most susceptible species and that explains your luck.

     

    Is ick alway's in your tank. I was told that fish live with ick at all times. It just affects the fish when it's stressed. I have had two tanks crash from ick.first time a powder blue tang and the second time it was a powder brown tang.I used kick ick and it didnt work. Now my naso tang has ick . This time I took the NT out and put him in the QT tank and I put kick ick in.This time I can save some money .Kick ick is 31.00 a bottle ,Tring to treat a 210 is $$$$$.I also feed garlic with my food and I have a 30 watt uv. I must have the worst luck when it comes to ick.

    Check those pumps and pipes periodically, people!

    in General Discussion

    I'm not the best person to answer that, as my pipes don't look that bad yet, so I haven't had to clean them yet, but I've seen long, large, flexible pipe cleaners for pretty big pipes. If you have flexible hosing with hose clamps, it's probably not that hard just to take them off and clean, and probably not that expensive just to replace the pieces as needed; otherwise, with PVC glued together and all, not sure what's best.

     

    My pump, though, I cleaned out the foam filter really well and then took off the panel to the impeller and gave it a good cleaning. There was also a little rubber flap that seems to have gotten a little deformed, too, so i straightened that out, though I don't know if that really mattered. Put it all back together, crossed my fingers, and turned it on, and it worked like it used to. Forgot how loud my system is when it's working properly!

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