Jonathan's Reef

Hello! I've had this chalice for a few years, and I'm not sure what kind to call it. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

If your system is low on calcium or other trace nutrients, I suppose that could weaken the skeleton. Perhaps get some supplements if you don't already use them. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Thanks for the idea. I think I want something a little more sleek, but I will take a look. May be able to get the look I'm wanting.

My wife and I are getting our first home, and I am looking to build a dining table out of a couple book-matched tree slabs. I found a likely vendor for the slabs (though I'm still searching if anyone has any recommendations), but I want to make the stand for the tabletop out of steel. I was wondering if anyone here works with steel or knows someone who does. Prices vary greatly on Etsy, so I would feel better picking someone based on a rec. Thanks! Please message or Tapatalk message me. Mods, if this is the wrong forum, I apologize. Please point me in the right direction.

I love the idea, but I can't make it down there on Wednesday. If you ever want to get up into DC though, I'm in. DuPont perhaps... Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Good points. Thanks. I'll get that Ca test kit. Appreciate the link too. I feel like I've been in the hobby so long, and it's kinda sad that I'm just seeing the value of all this. My corals and display overall could be in such a better place. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Don't know about sales, but I got my da Vinci clowns from Monkiboy who runs a private business out of silver spring. Message him directly for stock. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the input. I will give that a try and see how things are looking over the next two weeks. I don't have Ca or Mg test kits, but it sounds like the relationship of Ca to alk is such that watching just alk should do the trick in most cases. You all make a lot of sense regarding tools. I'll try by hand now and see how things go. My next big upgrade will likely be a controller, so this'll be a good way to measure my need. Thanks again! Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I've always added a cap full or two of various solutions to my water when I do a water change, but after today's WAMAS meeting and the excellent talks, I feel like I need to step up my dosing game. Joe recommended the ESV b-ionic products, so I'm going to look into the ESV salt and the 2 part b-ionic dosing components. I've got a 50g mixed reef tank with a skimmer and fuge in the sump. Does anyone have any recommendations for dosers, for other brands they've had success with, and more information in general on how to monitor parameters and decide what dosing is right for me? Thanks! Jonathan

Glad you caught it. Thanks for the tips. I'm counting down my days and hoping I can get all my parameters in line soon so my corals stop bleaching too. Lots of dead fish = unhappy corals + lots of algae, sadly. Man, sorry to hear that too! Do you know what the culprit was?

Thanks, I'll be sure to look there as well.

Yeah, I should have. If it happens again, I will be sure to document it as it's happening. Thanks for the thoughts. I will take the order of additions into account as well. I've already started looking into QT tanks. Doesn't look too bad, so now just to find a place to put it out of the way in the other room where the wife will be ok with putting up with it for a few months.

Sound advice indeed. I am definitely not going to run out and buy something because it was recommended to me again. I didn't even do that with the powder brown, but I guess that the fact that I really wanted one made me focus on the positives and ignore the negatives. On my next round, I'll do a better job of researching and ensuring compatibility with the system and tank mates. As you said, it's expensive enough, but I just feel so darn bad that I killed all those fish! Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

Wow! This is a pretty fantastic list. Lots of great options in there. I like the idea of some of these true nano sized fish so that they really have space and won't ever make the tank look crowded. Thanks so much for the great suggestions. How did you come up with this so fast?

Just saw the spelled out list you updated. Thanks a lot. I'll give that a thorough look through.