Big Changes in my TANK

[prattreef]

Sorry the great migration North starts Thurs. evening. Think you might be able to stop by Tues.? RD

 

[jhale]

Sorry the great migration North starts Thurs. evening. Think you might be able to stop by Tues.? RD

I'm not sure what my work schedule is next week, but if I have time on tuesday I will come over.

 

[jf2381]

Wish i could help but I'm off to Rochester, NY on Friday. Good luck with everything.

 

[Pedro]

J, why don't you try using the acrylic rods to make interesting rock structures. I have a few pieces here that i am going to try it on. Just gotta get all the stuff together. Might be an interesting little project. You can then create a rock formation that will add dimension. Sort of like building peeks. Or how about some tonga branch to break things up.

 

[ShaunW]

Jon have you though about drying out on your deck a good amount of you present rock? That would kill the aptasia, plus there is a reason that your rock has never become coraline algae encrusted. I would think about getting 30-40lbs of new rock if I was you. Then add just a little of your old rock as base rock. At 38th street you can pick up dead rock (that would quickly become live) for $1.50/pound last time I was there. It is slate and different porous rock. The slate is what all the ledges in my tank are originally made of. Within about 4-6 months they became unrecognizable as the original rock, filled with coraline algae and different sponges, etc.


JMHO!

 

[jhale]

J, why don't you try using the acrylic rods to make interesting rock structures. I have a few pieces here that i am going to try it on. Just gotta get all the stuff together. Might be an interesting little project. You can then create a rock formation that will add dimension. Sort of like building peeks. Or how about some tonga branch to break things up.

I was planning on making 90 degree corners out of egg-crate about the hieght of the tank and zip tying the rock to that to make a tall structure.
I have a bunch of flat rocks that could form ledges as well.

what glue would you use for the arylic rods? IC-Gel?

Jon have you though about drying out on your deck a good amount of you present rock? That would kill the aptasia, plus there is a reason that your rock has never become coraline algae encrusted. I would think about getting 30-40lbs of new rock if I was you. Then add just a little of your old rock as base rock. At 38th street you can pick up dead rock (that would quickly become live) for $1.50/pound last time I was there. It is slate and different porous rock. The slate is what all the ledges in my tank are originally made of. Within about 4-6 months they became unrecognizable as the original rock, filled with coraline algae and different sponges, etc.


JMHO!

the problem is the aptasia is on every rock, and in the sump.
I'm not sure that this would curtail the growth of the aptasia.

Belive it or not the petco on union square has some very large nice show pieces of live rock.

 

[Pedro]

J,

I think that you would have to use epoxy for the rocks. Drill a hole, insert, epoxy, and there you have it. Just gotta be careful as the live rock is a bit brittle to drilling. Just a thought.

BTW, i never got a grade for my homework!

 

[jhale]

from my experience with the aqua epoxy it does not like to stick that well to plastic. I will order some to reenforce the zipties.

I just got some carbide tipped bosch drill bits made for concrete, they have to work on live rock also. I'll be using master's plan of zip tying the rock to eggcrate, I think the epoxy will add to the strength of the stucture.

I'm going to re-visit my bio-tope thread for ideas.

 

[LeslieS]

Hi JH,

At this point, I am not working Friday. If I do, it will be an hour or so at most so I am available to help. I loved taking my tank apart so much that I want to do another!!!! Also, after picking Bryopsis, I am ready to advance to picking Aiptasia

Also, with that much flow going through the area with the DSB, is it going to pick up sand and carry it back to the main tank?

 

[brattramp]

Jon, We've not yet met, but I'd be happy to help out. I teach at a law school, and classes don't start till the end of Aug., so I can swing by whenever.

 

[nanoreefer22]

J,
I PMed ya earlier, if you need help with the move in and out I'll be there .
-Kris

 

[spykes]

john take out the rock and kill each aptasia with a sodering iron.

 

[jhale]

thanks guys I'll let you all know where and when in a couple of days.

Shaun and Ink have me debating whether I should get new rock.
If that happens then plans will change. For now I'll go with plan A.

Leslie the flow won't disturb the sand too much, the water enters at the top of that chamber, by the time it reached the sand it would not push it around much. there would also be lots of macro to difuse the energy of the flow coming in from the overflows.

 

[Pedro]

LOL, make sure the soldering iron is on a GFI......Reefers i tell you...:biglaugh:

I think the torch would be quicker....One of those ghostbuster kinds :kidding:

 

[Pedro]

J, i know the feeling. I am having the same debate myself. It's just like starting over. But you will also have to keep an eye out for any new stuff you get or you will be down the same road a few years later!

 

[jhale]

Okay I'm not starting over.

For those kind reefers who would like to help I will be starting this project this coming Friday the11th.

I will first be removing all the coral and placing it in rubbermaid tubs.

then the rock will be removed and placed in tubs as well.

the last things to be taken out will be the fish.

I will need to drain the sump and scrape out any aptasias inside it as well as the overflow. The durso's will be removed and cleaned (they will have to come out anyway)

I will then be removing any aptasia from the tank itself.
I will need help killing the aptasia on the rocks and dipping the acropora's.

Then the fun begins of me placing the rocks back in the tank in a new and improved aquascaping.

If you want to stop by and help please pm me, or give me a call at 646 263 8102.

 

[Deanos]

Jon: About attacking the aiptasia on the rock. You don't expect to be able to "nuke" them once you disturb the rock?! :scratch: They'll withdraw in their hole and be nearly invisible out of water. And I'd be surprised if they opened up in a Rubbermaid to allow kalking.

 

[jhale]

Dean, I think if they are in a container that lets light in they will show themselves, we'll see.

I know i will not get all of them .but some of them will be a good start.

 

[ShaunW]

john take out the rock and kill each aptasia with a sodering iron.

:lol2: now that is original and medievil (sp?) ! Dave, I like the way you think, !

 

[ShaunW]

John, bite the bullet and get new rock! That is my best advice and I will leave it at that. You have had your tank up for more than a year without any coraline algae present on your rock. Based on your SPS growth your rock should have been covered with pink, red and green by now. There is something inhibiting it's growth in your present rock. So kill two birds with one stone, bake the rock in the sun, killing the aptasia and whatever is preventing coraline (cook it after you bake it). That will remove any excess nitrate or phosphate.

40lbs of new rock should get you well on your way until your old rock is ready to go back in the tank, i.e. 1-2 months.

Friday I have to work otherwise I would help you. If you need help over the weekend LMK.