250 Gallon room-divider project log - Page 3

The Reefer91 · #51 02/19/2007, 10:09 AM

that worm was freakin' disgusting! seriously, i'm never eating breakfast while going on reefcentral ever again!

Jeff, gorgeous pic of the clown, your whole tank is so beautiful(trying to butter you up so i can do this). by the by, how would you like to post some equipment pics?

ufchristyb · #52 02/19/2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rekn
the worm still alive?

He wasn't doing too well having been drowned in San Pellegrino, so we put him down.

--Christy

The Reefer91 · #53 02/19/2007, 03:55 PM

Jeff or Christy, i have a question.

you guys dipped your corals before putting them in, what did you do, what was the procdure and what products did you use? thanks.

jeffbrig · #54 02/19/2007, 04:43 PM

We usually drip acclimate corals to the tank water, then toss in a 3-5X dose of Interceptor and let them go a minimum of 6 hours, sometimes overnight (w/bubbler and airstone). Then we add Flatworm Exit and give it at least a half hour to work. After that, we do an iodine coral dip (I think the one we have is made by Seachem) for 5-10 minutes. Give it a couple of good swishes, rinse in clean tank water, and in it goes. At any point along the way, we also give it a thorough inspection with a magnifying glass, looking for any nasty critters. I also typically remount frags, or scrub a colony's base (not the tissue) with a brush to dislodge anything that may be on there.

Sounds like a lot of work, but it's actually pretty easy to do.

Wait a couple of days for tank/equipment pics, trust me. New skimmer pumps are coming, new bulbs are on the way, and my electrical work is almost finished.

The Reefer91 · #55 02/19/2007, 04:48 PM

sweet deal. thanks for the info on the procedure. doesn't sound too complicated!

i'll be sure to copy, paste and print. thanks again.

jeffbrig · #56 02/19/2007, 04:52 PM

BTW, for the iodine dip stage, the best you can use is probably Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure. It's more than just simple iodine, but people report it's also somewhat effective against acro eating flatworms (if not 100%). We'll probably switch to this when we use up our current bottle.

The Reefer91 · #57 02/19/2007, 04:54 PM

where do you buy interceptor? is it the same thing that is used for heartworms in dogs?!

jeffbrig · #58 02/19/2007, 04:58 PM

Yep, the heartworm pill. I buy it from my vet. A little honesty about what I was planning to use it for went a long way. We don't even have a dog.

The Reefer91 · #59 02/19/2007, 05:02 PM

ok, and how do you determine how much to use, as i doubt it comes with aquarium dosing

jeffbrig · #60 02/19/2007, 05:42 PM

I buy the small dog variety, and use 1/2 a pill to treat in a 5g bucket. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but that's a few X the recommended dosage. Corals are fine even at 100X dosage, you really can't have too much. In tank dosing would be another story entirely.

Stile2 · #61 02/19/2007, 06:01 PM

California is pretty tight when giving prescriptions even pet perscription. The vet I called wanted to see the coral in his office.

My Mom has Rotties so she got some for me.

Pays to know people.

bureau13 · #62 02/19/2007, 09:16 PM

Yeah, my vet wasn't having it either...however if I printed out one of those articles originally written about the research, maybe should would have been interested. So, I bought a puppy.

OK maybe that wasn't the only reason, but it did solve the problem...

jds

ufchristyb · #63 02/20/2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bureau13
Yeah, my vet wasn't having it either...however if I printed out one of those articles originally written about the research, maybe should would have been interested. So, I bought a puppy.

OK maybe that wasn't the only reason, but it did solve the problem...

jds

You should go to our vet. He's really cool on the whole thing, and a great vet too.

--Christy

jeffbrig · #64 02/24/2007, 11:13 PM

Almost 2 years after putting the tank together, today I FINALLY retired the old power strip that was running most of my tank equipment.

The stand and canopy now contain 5 heavy duty timers, 9 switches, 5 GFCI receptacles, and 10 standard receptacles (GFCI protected, of course) spreading equipment over the 3 electrical circuits powering the tank. Everything is clearly labeled, and there are even a few empty slots to allow for future growth.

I'll post pics soon (late tonight or tomorrow)

Fishboy1230 · #65 02/25/2007, 01:40 AM

WOW, best thread EVER, 5 nights+++ Now im up to date!!!
Subscribed!
Pictures of electrical work and full tank shots are good =)
p.s. ur pictures are my backround!!!

Ah64av8tor · #66 02/25/2007, 11:35 AM

Jeff & Christy,

I got the package on Friday thanks.

Its Sunday

1.026
480
3.8/10.4
1350

jeffbrig · #67 02/25/2007, 11:56 AM

Greg, I'm way ahead of you this weekend. Electrical - done. 2 new acro colonies - done. And, the mandarin is about to get moved to the display. He's been through 5 tank transfers in 8 days, and handled it all VERY well - I caught him in a clear plastic container and moved him in water each time, no nets.

1.0248 (skimmer's been pulling lots of wet skimmate, raising)
8.2 pH
1050ppm Mg
6.7 dKH
390ppm Ca

I just put in the last of the Magnesium solution I mixed to raise it to 1300+. Calcium and alkalinity solutions has been going in, probably up to 8dKH and 415ppm currently. I'll retest once I finish adding everything.

The 55g QT is also doing great
salinity 1.0094
Amm <.25ppm
Nitrate 10ppm

I think I'm going to recalibrate my pH probe and salinity meter, just to see how they're doing. Then I'll talke some pictures.

Might be about time to start fidding with that calcium reactor and litermeter pumps, too.

Ah64av8tor · #68 02/25/2007, 12:35 PM

It sounds like you are on a roll....I don't want to slow down any momentum you might have left.

The skimmer running wet is that from the new Eheim pumps? or is that still on the list?

jeffbrig · #69 02/25/2007, 12:38 PM

No, the new pumps are due to arrive Tuesday, these are still the SP4s.

Ah64av8tor · #70 02/25/2007, 12:42 PM

Do you think they (sp4) would be to much for my 12-1...you might have to loan them to me

jeffbrig · #71 02/25/2007, 12:51 PM

I think they would work fine on a 12-1. The bubbles don't quite go to the bottom of my 12-2 (6" taller), and you can always change the angle of the pump outlets by placing elbows inside the skimmer.

ufchristyb · #72 02/25/2007, 05:13 PM

YIPPEEE!!

Our target mandarin has been added to our display and he is happily floating around picking at pods. He seems very comfortable in his new environment.

Our giant RBTA (she was bigger than a dinner plate) also split over the weekend. We have two good sized splits, and I am pretty sure we have a third tiny one as well. Time will tell.

--Christy

Dollarbill · #73 02/25/2007, 05:45 PM

Fate, will bring him out for sure. Just leave the rock out for a day or 3 or freeze it if your in a damp climate. Hope this helps. db

Dollarbill · #74 02/25/2007, 05:46 PM

woops, responded to the wrong thread. SORRY! db

Ah64av8tor · #75 02/25/2007, 06:03 PM

Christy,

I hope this mandarin works out for you, and congrats again on the split!

My RBTA has steadily been on the move and has caused a lof of frustration for me and the Clowns. It is now on the oposite side of the tank close to the Frogspawn that the ocellaris host in, you can see where this has lead.