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Geoffwehler

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Posts posted by Geoffwehler

    Instant Ocean vs. Reef Crystals

    in General Discussion

    It probably wouldn’t shock the system too badly if phase it in over time. You may need to ramp up dosing a bit. I switched back 4 years ago and it’s like it never happened. My local petco sells the purple bucket for $29 and I haven’t looked back since.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Anemone and Mandarin Dragonet

    in General Discussion

    Besides the mandarins - I'm a little concerned about that many different species of anemones in such a small tank. Perhaps you might get a bit more lucky, but I've known people to have issues with just having an LTA and BTA in the same tank. The theory that is tossed around is some kind of biological warfare between them. I'm still on the fence if the different species of nems are actively putting out chemicals to attack one-another, but I've seen/read more cases of problems with multi-nem species tanks than peace (problems especially seem to happen with a LTA in the mix). Condy's are also not a natural host anemone, and have been known to be fish eaters in some people's tanks - but then again a Haddoni is a "host" nem and I've seen one eat a clownfish.

     

    Why are you trying for so many different species of anemone's? If this is your first go at any anemone I would strongly suggest starting with a single species (BTA in my opinion). Of the four you say you want, it's a fairly forgiving species, host anemone for some species, readily available via propagation, and comes in a variety of colors. Make sure to protect your overflows and powerheads.

     

    LTA's can be a good anemone, but are harder than BTA's - especially during acclimation to your tank. Sebae's are more difficult still, and I'm not a big fan of Condy's - they don't associate with any clownfish, pack a potent sting, and is known to wander around.

    8374fe5d3ddc5e020f04e505bbaa5108.png

    c459ffee0c8405100f3fa9ed885c4c2d.jpg

    Have 7 Nems in here. 3 different species. Clarkii loves his Condi

    Spends his days in the LTA and sleeps in the Condi. Never gives the BTAs a second look.

     

     

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    Son wants a fuzzy dwarf

    in General Discussion

    I think the 40 breeder is a better choice. It's much easier to get good flow in this shape of tank. The longer and skinnier 55 can be trickier without multiple power heads to keep detritus suspended in the water. Also, it may be easier to aqua scape due to the larger front to back dimension. LEDs are great, but as explained above. Lion fish generally lurk in the shadows. You won't need a tremendous amount of light. An Evergrow LED will allow for expansion as your system matures and like most fish only systems, eventually house some sort of corals. You will get better light coverage with the 40 than a 55 as well.

     

     

     

    CS-2 Pump recommendation

    in Avast Marine Works

    Posted Image

    Main display tanks are a 125, 40breeder, and a 20 long that replaced a 50 gallon that leaked on me. Almost three years later and I still haven't trimmed the front.

    Posted Image

    Behind the scenes are another 20 long with live rock rubble to gravity feed pods into main 125 display. Below that is a 20 high that is a deep sand bed and macro garden that falls back into the sump. To the right of that is the CS2 in question. It's about 6-7 feet to the right of the sump and approx 18" above the sump water level.

    Posted Image

    The sump is a 75 with about 20lbs of rubble. I just swapped it in place of a 55 on Saturday and skimmer output has increased a bit but quality of foam seems better. More stable at least (dryer & fluffier) without any adjustment. This is what promoted me to post. I just don't think I'm getting the most out of the skimmer. Btw, I've never had a problem with this skimmer. Overflowing, constant tinkering, or anything else people typically post about skimmers.

     

    This system is very lightly stocked at the moment. 9 smallish fish total.

     

    Here's a list and a few pictures.

    P

    125G: 5 small fish. Pair of juvenile false percs, purple firefish, royal gramma, a potters angel, and the coolest long spine urchin (thanks Pants)

    Posted Image

     

    40B: yellow tail damsel, dwarf hawkfish, and a neon dottyback.

     

    20l holds a Condy and it's host Clarkii (the odd couple!

    Posted Image

     

     

     

    CS-2 Pump recommendation

    in Avast Marine Works

    Thank you guys for the responses. I'll reach out to avast support directly on this one. Isaac, when I purchased the CS2. It came to me with a MJ600. I upped it to a MJ1200 because of the distance from the sump and rather smallish tubing. It makes send to me that a smaller pump would allow more contact time in the reaction chamber. How is it that you run two psk1000's and a MJ? I have a psk1000 on the recirculating pump. Are you teeing two feed pumps? I'll post some of the requested specifics below and whatever response I get, just in case anyone else is wondering the same or similar. Pics to follow.

     

     

     

    CS-2 Pump recommendation

    in Avast Marine Works

    I am always thinking about a build thread. At this point I've got two years of pictures stored. The layout has changed countless times already. It's just such a daunting task. I'll try to reach out to Jason. Thanks for the contact name!

     

     

     

    CS-2 Pump recommendation

    in Avast Marine Works

    Hi folks. I purchased a CS-2 Black Pearl about 6-8 months ago from another club member. I'm sure I'm the 3rd or 4th owner by now. I was wondering what the recommended pump size is for this skimmer. I've read all the threads that are here and various others through google searches. I'm just not convinced I've got this operating at peak potential. It works well but just like the previous threads, I'm just not getting the volume of skimmate that I used to with a smaller other popular brand. I'm using a MJ1200 currently. The skimmer is less then 2 feet higher than the sump water level but it is about 6-7 feet away in a fish room. I'm using 1/2" clear vinyl tubing to get there. Water quality seems okay in general. No worse than it was anyway. I just want to make sure I'm getting the most out of this unit. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

     

     

     

    Coral Transport

    in General Discussion

    I have small good quality coolers and I would definitely bring them inside. I think as long as the car is up to temp they would be fine for a 90 minute ride home. The all day part of the meeting plus wherever they came from plus a ride home is a very long time though. Any thoughts? Not necessarily about heat but the whole process.

     

     

     

    Coral Transport

    in General Discussion

    Any other suggestions? I was just wondering the same thing. I'm an hour and half away. I know if the cooler is inside all day and the car is warm it won't be too bad, but it sure is cold right now.

     

    Baltimore Fish Store

    in General Discussion

    Let me add that all these guys have been vey nice and attentive. Customer service has never been an issue with any. I'm just saying that an enthusiast may get bored in Baltimore if they were limited to what's currently available.

     

     

     

    Baltimore Fish Store

    in General Discussion

    +1 ^^^^^

     

    CTE is great but way over priced. I used to buy salt there. Box of reef IO/RC was $50 all summer into fall. Then they raised their price. They're out of the ball park on live stock, but it all looks great. House of Tropicals has some amazing fish at reasonable prices. Corals were lacking luster. Go Fish is rather smallish and can be hit or miss. I only go there when I'm in the area and haven't bought anything since the summer from them. Very nice though. They gave me a bulkhead gasket and nut in an emergency one day for free. IMO, Baltimore is dead in general. Even the local club forum is lucky to see a new posted thread in a day or two sometimes. It's actually been a bit of a struggle. The Wamas members are so generous but being in northern MD it's difficult to coordinate some of the deals and not always worth it unless you can set up a few deals and make a day of it. I can't wait for Aquarium One to come to Frederick!!

     

     

     

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