Jump to content

Curtis Scott

BB Participant
  • Posts

    678
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Curtis Scott

  1. Can't edit this original post above so I'll post an update: Prices reduced
     

    Acrylic sump 11"D x 12"H x 37"W - $80  $65 (the brown stuff is on the outside bottom, tank is clean and holds water, no leaks

    Gryphon wet saw, used once - $330 $275

    CS1 Skimmer with recirculating sicce pump, back up like new sicce pump and new sicce needle wheel - $170  $130

    Apogee par meter w/ mounting - $230  $180

    Large Mag scraper and reg size mag cleaner - $55 $40

    Rowaphos 1000ml - $55 $40

    RODI 4/5 stage with inline TDS meter - $25

    Avast Large Porthole - $40

  2. Acrylic sump 11"D x 12"H x 37"W - $80 (the brown stuff is on the outside bottom, tank is clean and holds water, no leaks

    Gryphon wet saw, used once - $330

    CS1 Skimmer with recirculating sicce pump, back up like new sicce pump and new sicce needle wheel - $170

    Apogee par meter w/ mounting - $230

    Other random stuff - make an offer

     

    PM or text is key

     

    18

    19

    20

    21

    22

    23

    18

    17

    16

    15

    14

    13

    12

    11

    10

    9

    8

    7

    6

    5

    4

    1

    2

    3

     
    Think the price(s) are too high? Text 757-343-4227 with offers, or for more info or better pics
     
    * Frag trays and Phosban reactors have been sold
  3. Acquired them today (yesterday) from Centreville Aquarium, my fish took right to them. I have a 20g long I'm thinking of setting up for this. 

     

    I've watched a video here - 

    and it seems straight forward.

     

    Has anyone else on here done this successfully long term? If so please share your process. 

     

    I think Paul B. has a video on this somewhere also? I can't seem to find it atm. 

  4. Testing with Salifert kit, I currently dose Brightwell Potassion to keep my potassium level around 425-450ppm. This supplement has had a noticeable impact on coral coloration. All my corals are brighter and deeper colored, especially the blues and purples.

     

    I'll have to look into the cheaper alternatives mentioned above when I run out of the BW Potassion.

  5. I started putting together a list. 


     


    One of the following:

     

    White Tail Bristletooth Tang (small, currently out of stock)


     

    Kole Yellow Eye Tang (med 3-1/4" to 4-1/4”, might be too big for my tank?)


     

     

    One of the following:

     

    3 x Black Axil Chromis (med)


     

    3 x Blue/Green Reef Chromis (small)


     

    3 x Kaudern's Cardinal, Captive-Bred (small)


     

    &

     

    2 x Firefish, Purple (Indonesia)


     

    Six Line Wrasse (med)


     

    Tail Spot Blenny (currently out of stock)


     

    Midas Blenny (small)


     

     

    Ideally I would order everything at the same time, but with a couple fish not in stock, it might not be possible. I look forward to knowing what you guys think about the list. Any recommendations or other considerations?

  6. Not sure on your reasoning for the bare bottom but in doing so, you're missing out on so much (not judging at all so please don't take it like that). Gobies and pistols have one of the coolest relationships to watch in the aquarium (highly subjective of course). The diversity that ends up living in the sand is pretty incredible and adds another dynamic that is otherwise missed. I'm not going to tie the substrate to any benefit or detriment to the health of the tank, only the cool factor that the additional critters bring to the display. Early in my hobby adventure (obsession is more appropriate I imagine) I went through a phase where I wanted the more exotic fish (and corals at the time) but that subsided over time (there are still a few things that I really want of course) and I shifted to fish that were prone to doing well in a closed system. I didn't care for the banggai cardinals initially (I remember when they initially started popping up in stores and were going for ~$100) but have really come to appreciate them the last couple of years because of their very unique shape. I never had firefish in my early tanks because I looked at the price and was put off for some dumb reason but now they're near the top of my must have list because they're flat out gorgeous (and the way they move adds a great dynamic to the tank as well). Royal grammas were kind of lumped into the same situation but they're great too (always darting in and out of rocks). While they may not have the instant wow factor that other fish can provide, they all move slightly different and/or occupy different areas in the aquarium that just add something cool.

     

    Not saying you are/were but don't be like me and make silly decisions just because. Think a few steps out and picture what they will look like against the rest of the stuff in your tank vice they appearance you see with just the fish. Contrasting shapes and colors can really make something pop when they're together when it otherwise may not. Peaceful community fish really add something as they tend to be out and about vice hiding and waiting their turn.

     

    I understand. Prior to my current set up I had sand. I like how clean I can keep my bare bottom tank and plan to stick with it for now. I'm just thinking of sixline because they don't require sand.

  7. Since I posted this topic I’ve thought about starting completely over with stocking fish. My tang is getting too big and needs to be re-homed soon. The wrasse is beautiful and I’d love to keep him, but I could see him being a bully to new smaller fish. That being said, I’d like some guidance in determining what fish I should consider.

    What is the temperament of the purple and wrasse?
    Tang is mild mannered, but out growing the tank.

    Wrasse is always hunting and pecking the rocks and at times a bully when it comes to feeding them. He eats mostly at first then the tang.

    What is their size?
    Purple Tang is ~3.5”
    Wrasse is ~4”+

    What does the aquascape look like? is it very minimalistic or looks of caves and under-hangs?
    There are many hiding places for small fish and 2-3 cave like areas for medium/larger sized fish. Check out a FTS here  (bad pic)

    What motivates you to select a fish for your tank?
    Unfortunately, the fish I have are starting to out grow my tank. I would like to have more fish in general.

    What aspects of the fish do you enjoy most?
    Good reef mate, color, personality, and will it thrive in my set up.

    How often are you able to feed the LRS or other foods?
    I feed the reef frenzy once daily and use New Era Aquaculture 110gm MarineGrazers every couple days for the tang, but the wrasse picks at it too.

    How big is that fine sand container?
    6x6 pyrex bowl about 3.5” tall with 2” of sand in it.

     

    ....................................................................................................................................................................

     

     

    The only fish I've thought would be nice to have is a small White Tail Bristletooth Tang and a good hunting wrasse, maybe a small six-line since they don't require sand. I also like schooling fish like dart fish and chromis (but I know these guys can be aggressive).

     

    Since I'm deciding to start over with stocking new fish, what do you guys think about the above and what else should I consider?

  8. Apologies for the delayed response on this topic. 

     

    I say a harem of anthias

     

    I would love to have anthias. Sadly I know my feeding regiment might not be suitable for them to thrive. 

     

    hey Curtis, glad to help. what is the temperament of the purple and wrasse? what is their size? what does the aquascape look like? is it very minimalistic or looks of caves and under-hangs? what motivates you to select a fish for your tank? what aspects of the fish do you enjoy most? how often are you able to feed the LRS or other foods? how big is that fine sand container?

    all of these topics are things to consider for the long-term health of the specimens and maximum appreciation by you of the fish. it'd be great to get some more detail.

    If you'd like to talk fish and a stocking plan for your tank in detail via PM, I do this for lots of folk which helps avoid some common impulse buys that don't always pan out like we wish, and would be happy to help out!

     

    Thanks Marco! I'll get these questions answered and PM you ASAP.

     

    Marcos is defintely great at helping you with a stocking plan!  All the WAMAS vendors are very helpful.

     

    Also, Sharkey breeds bengaii cardinals, so if you're interested in that species, I'd recommend asking her when her next brood will be available. Buying from her helps support a WAMAS member, as well as helps support the captive breeding of a threatened species.

     

    Thank you for the info on the bengai cardinals, good to know. 

  9. Does the wrasse eat your snails and hermits?

     

    He definitely loves to hunt, but I haven't ever seen him pick at my snails or crabs. He gets fed LRS Reef frenzy daily which keeps him fat and happy.

     

    They also are sand dwellers if not mistaken.

     

    He has a container of fine sand he sleeps in. While I know this isn't ideal, he is a very healthy and personable fish.

     

    Did you have any suggestions for new tank mates for them?

  10. I usually run a low nutrient reef tank, but I've been battling green slim algae (cyanobacteria) for over 4 weeks now and I've tried everything I could think of that has worked for me in the past.

     

    Then I noticed it, when the wet side of one of my scrappers became detached... both of my nano mag scrapped contained completely broken up magnets and were rusting into my tank. These were the nano scrappers I had (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20034)

     

    Once removed them both, I started to run some extra carbon and a poly filter. Since then the green algae has really started to subside. 

     

    I remember reading something about magnet cleaners rusting into reef tanks a long time ago when I first started out in the hobby... I have also read that increased iron levels can lead to green algae blooms. My theory is the metals (iron) in the rusty magnets were contributing to the cyanobacteria. I've had red cyanobacteria due to poor nutrient export, but haven't ever had the green colored algae. My iron test gets here today/tomorrow and I hoping by then my iron levels will have improved.

     

    Does anyone else have any experience with this or rust in a reef tank in general?  Anything else I can do or look into to help my tank recover?

  11. I purchased this to help battle some small patches of cyano(green type), help with my water clarity, and improve my nutrient export via skimming. 

     

    Bottle recommends dosing 1ml per 25g daily. This seems a little much to me. 

     

    Anyone with experience using the product, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the recommended dose.

     

    How do you dose and how often? What are the pros and cons you've seen while using it?

  12. I couldn't dip today, instead I'm making water for a water change and will dip in a couple days using the throw away tank water. I have a few large colonies and will probably need to make up 2-3 gallons of water with bayer for dipping.

     

    Yeah, hopefully the spread is limited. Especially if everyone who buys acros is doing the right thing and dipping, inspecting, and quarantining them. Oddly enough, I don't fault the seller. It's my fault for not taking proper steps. Never again though. I'll dip quarantine and inspect every coral from now on. 

     

    Bonsai is getting it pretty bad.  :angry:

  13. It's been a while since I've posted.

     

    A few months back I purchased some sps frags from a very reputable seller in the NOVA area (not naming names here, please don't ask me). He assured me there were no pest. He also told me it would be risky to dip these frags because they are smooth skins. (Oregon Blue Tort, Red Dragon, and Banana Lokani type) His tank was immaculate, and against my gut instinct I placed them directly in my display tank. Immediately I noticed red bugs on all these frags. I have plenty of interceptor so I treated for red bugs, thinking no biggie. A few months went by, life was very hectic and my tank was neglected for a bit. When things started to go bad, they went bad fast. I had an Alk swing and some of my SPS start to RTN on me. Once I got that under control, I noticed a couple of my acro colonies with dead/white spots on the bottom of them, toward the bases. I did some research. I was so devastated once my internet searches confirmed what I feared what was cause.

     

    I messed up big time. I got into SPS and didn't set up a proper QT process. Now I have AEFWs.  

     

    For weeks, this experience had destroyed my excitement for this hobby. A lot of swearing and talking about maybe just getting out for a while and starting new in a couple years. My brother, who got me into the hobby, came up to visit last weekend and we talked about my options. I really love this hobby, so I've decided to push forward. Last weekend, I purchased a melanarous(sp) wrasse for my DT. Wednesday I purchased Bayer and set up my old JBJ 28 with water change water from my DT for my QT. I plan to frag/cut off bases/dip and QT what is remaining of my acros/SPS. 

     

     

    I have a few questions for those who have done battle with AEFW using Bayer dips and QT.

     

    Would it be safest to remove all my SPS from my tank, dip and QT? Or are the AEFW only going to go after acros?

     

    If I remove all the SPS(or just acros) from my DT and into the QT, will the AEFW die from starvation? If so, when would it be the safest to add SPS(or just acros) back to the tank? I've read 2months, I've read 6months. 

     

    Planning to start dipping process tomorrow, can you point to a trusted source/online guide for using Bayer dips on AEFW? I've seen many variations online.

     

     

  14. This is happening to me right now. 

     

    "There was a problem with the request

    • We're sorry, there was an error processing your request: No bean specified"

     

     

    I even tried logging out of both avast and paypal and starting over, no dice. I'll give another shot in about 15min.

  15. it could be the impeller...

    when u turn it on ..do you hear a hum sound close to the motor 

     

    if u do then its likely just the impeller

    open up the single screw and then use the soft side handle of a vice grip to rotate the impeller cover counter clockwise..

     

    the impeller come of easily after that

     

    I do hear the humming sound, I'll give this a shot. Thanks! 

×
×
  • Create New...