Temporary Babysitting Setup

[albert_dao]

Friend selling house.

Me, free tank.

Mismatch sump.

Will be moving soon.

Big tank too much of a hassle to set up and move with.

Temp tank set up.

There, I said it in as few words as possible. Here's the details thusfar:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/PVC.jpg

Mess of PVC I pulled out my car to make this all come together.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Cube.jpg

This is the tank that's suppose to be set up. It's 36" x 28" x 28" of Starphire, beveled and polished edges, Euro-bracing, external Herbie-style overflow (henceforth, the SUPER WICKED overflow), the whole nine yards. I didn't go with black silicone - not my cup of tea.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/FTS-1.jpg

Here's what ended up happening. Not much to say here other than it's looking rather... ghetto. The tank itself is also Starphire, 30" x 18" x 18" with the same trimmings, including that SUPER WICKED overflow.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Elos.jpg

Sump detail. No baffles. No microbubbles. It is the miracle of Awesome Albert design and the SUPER WICKED overflow. That's an Elos NS-500 in there. Doesn't look so much a skimmer as a piece you'd display on a prominent shelf in the house somewhere. My girlfriend wonders how I can justify $700-ish for what looks like a glorified penis pump. I contend with an arguement against her $1200 - $3000 purses that she never uses. There isn't much discussion after that.

Edit Okay, under threat of spending lots of long nights on the couch alone, I am retracting the previous statement and enacting this one:

I wonder how my girlfriend can justify her $1200 - $3000 purses, she counters with my frivilous spending of alike sums on what really amounts to no more than a glorified penis pump.

There, I did the "right" thing.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Overflow.jpg

Here's that SUPER WICKED overflow I keep on mentioning. It kicks @$$ and is SUPER WICKED, much like me.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Manifold.jpg

Manifold I made to feed the Phosban and Zeovit reactors. That's a Sequence Snapper on there. It's rated at 2500 gph. I have it throttled down a bit. I left the wrench there for obligatory masculine purposes. It makes the picture look so much more manly. If you stare long enough, you might even be able to hear me grunting in a manly fashion.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Phosbanmod.jpg

Modified Phosban reactor.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Zeomod.jpg

Modified Zeovit reactor. I don't know why the picture turned out this way. I may submit this photo to one of those paranormal sites, claiming orbs. I rule.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Unions.jpg

Unions EVERYWHERE! AAAAOOOGAH!

The vast majority of you are on the edges of your seats. I know. But that's all for now. More to come once I finish with leak testing.

[andresont]

I love it when its new , clean and no salt creap !

[blaster]

This made me chuckle

[SuperFudge]

Very nice,

I definatly heard the manly grunt, but i also predict to hear a womans banshee scream when the tank bottom lets go becuase you didnt use a ply wood sheet underneath it to even up the pressure on the bottom.

Sweet stuff though,Marc.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

LOL. Albert. You make me laugh.

[christyf5]

:rofl:

SUPER WICKED d00d :wink:

[albert_dao]

Very nice,

I definatly heard the manly grunt, but i also predict to hear a womans banshee scream when the tank bottom lets go becuase you didnt use a ply wood sheet underneath it to even up the pressure on the bottom.

Sweet stuff though,Marc.

Just corrected that oversight!

<jet pilot>

Womanly scream averted. Operation success.

</jet pilot>

[albert_dao]

UPDATE:

Replaced the Sequence Snapper with a Hydor SELTZ L45. It rocks. Makes Mag-Drives look like wimps.

Here's a quick review I snatched from a PC cooling site:

http://www.systemcooling.com/hydor_l30ii-01.html

Okay, read that, imagine the article's about the L45 and imagine that I wrote it. I know, you all want one now. Quickly, head out, replace that crappy old Mag-Drive with one of these. You'll thank me.

Oh yeah, just a quick comparison between a few popular pumps from this flow range:

Hydor L45
Max Flow 925 gph
Power Consumption 50 watts
Max Head 8' 8"
Price $100.00

Eheim 1262
Max Flow 900gph
Power Consumption 80 watts
Max Head 11' 6"
Price $175.00

Mag-Drive 9.5
Max Flow 950 gph
Power Consumption 93 watts
Max Head 14'
Price $110.00

Sedra 9000
Max Flow 900 gph
Power Consumption 90 watts
Max Head 17'
Price $110.00

[Delphinus]

:eek: <blink> ... <blink> ... People liquid cool their PC's? I had no idea.. Wow.

[muck]

Where you been Tony? :lol:

[Der_Iron_Chef]

People will do anything to cool down their PCs. As evidenced by me, who once put his laptop in the freezer because the cooling fan was broken....and then fell asleep....for three hours.

Seriously people, learn from my mistakes :D LOL

[albert_dao]

Which is all besides the point. Let's stay on topic here guys - EVERYONE GO OUT AND BUY A SELTZ. They are ub3r x 5000 vs Mag-Drives and other similar pumps.

[albert_dao]

Today's updates:

- Filled the tank with RO/DI water.

- Added Ocean Pure Pro salt to 1.025.

- Filled up the Zeovit reactor.

- Filled the Phosban reactor with Silicarb.

- Tossed on a Profilux controller.

- Jacked the 2' HOT5 display unit from the store and rigged it over the top of the tank using some Aquactinics riser brackets.

I'll play with the controller over the course of the week.

Harry Potter kills everyone with an Uzi.

You're welcome.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Today's updates:

- Filled the tank with RO/DI water.

- Added Ocean Pure Pro salt to 1.025.

- Filled up the Zeovit reactor.

- Filled the Phosban reactor with Silicarb.

- Tossed on a Profilux controller.

- Jacked the 2' HOT5 display unit from the store and rigged it over the top of the tank using some Aquactinics riser brackets.

I'll play with the controller over the course of the week.

Harry Potter kills everyone with an Uzi.

You're welcome.

Oh yeah. Just "tossed on" a Profilux Controller. lol. *sigh*

And so help me god, Albert, I was ready to come down there and kung fu your a$$ when I read "Harry Potter kills...." ;)

[christyf5]

And so help me god, Albert, I was ready to come down there and kung fu your a$$ when I read "Harry Potter kills...." ;)

:rofl:

[albert_dao]

Updates:

- Seeded the Zeoreactor with some stuff from the store.

- Added some 20ish lbs of rock from my friend's tank. I had to scrub a lot of hair algae off it though. Pretty queer.

- Rock came with to RBTA's. Whatever... I have test kits and loads of free time.

- Added a Koralia 3 and 4 to produce a gyre flow effect.

- Forgot the camera at the store.

- Yelled at my roommate for eating peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon and not cleaning it. I'm allergic to peanut butter. Cleaning it off the spoons is such a hassle. I don't know what the crap, but is it really that much more effort to run a spoon under hot water for 15 seconds while scrubbing? God. Why are people so lazy? I think it's cause they play too much WoW. That game is retarded. I watched my roommate/friend go from being a super mega pick-up artist/ladies man to a sedentary, unmotivated jack-hole because of WoW. Parents, don't buy this game for your kids. If you do, you've pretty much have gauranteed their untimely failure in academia.

- Stared at live rock and anemones until I was satisfied with the flow.

- Sat in front of the fridge for two minutes . I need to go grocery shopping. You can't make anything with ketchup, lettuce and mustard.

[christyf5]

- Sat in front of the fridge for two minutes . I need to go grocery shopping. You can't make anything with ketchup, lettuce and mustard.

You obviously haven't gone to college. One of the few useful things I learned there was how to make food from condiments.:wink:

Hello lettuce rollups! :razz:

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Which is all besides the point. Let's stay on topic here guys...

"- Yelled at my roommate for eating peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon and not cleaning it. I'm allergic to peanut butter. Cleaning it off the spoons is such a hassle. I don't know what the crap, but is it really that much more effort to run a spoon under hot water for 15 seconds while scrubbing? God. Why are people so lazy? I think it's cause they play too much WoW. That game is retarded. I watched my roommate/friend go from being a super mega pick-up artist/ladies man to a sedentary, unmotivated jack-hole because of WoW. Parents, don't buy this game for your kids. If you do, you've pretty much have gauranteed their untimely failure in academia."

"- Sat in front of the fridge for two minutes . I need to go grocery shopping. You can't make anything with ketchup, lettuce and mustard."

Ahem - Pot. Kettle. Black.

:wink:

BTW Albert, what's with your egregious use of homophobic lingo? Homotesticle? Queer? Hmmm.

Oh sorry, I'm off track: tank sounds good. Want pictures.

[digital-audiophile]

I'll trade you a rock with no RBTA's for the rock with RBTA's if you are itching to get rid of them :p

[albert_dao]

@ Christy

- I go to SAIT. They didn't teach me nothing about survival, only about debits and credits. Jackwads take my money and don't even teach me useful stuff. God.

@ Drew

- I'm not homophobic, I just like those words. They punctuate my daily vocabulary with happiness and joy.

I'll have to remember to bring home the camera today. I took some PIMP pictures at the store and they need a home.

In the meantime, here's a picture of a turkey, a monkey and an elephants bum:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Zoo/turkey.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Zoo/monkey.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Zoo/elephant.jpg

@ Greg

- No can do, they don't belong to me and my friend (Cyril) has an emotional attachment to them now that his girlfriend is gone.

Speaking of which, why would anyone take a six week vacation to Vietnam, China, or any other semi-third world country? Cyril's girlfriend has confided to him via phone and whatnot that she's dreadfully bored and has the runs on a daily basis. I mean, what was she expecting?????? OMG, </wrist>

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Speaking of which, why would anyone take a six week vacation to Vietnam, China, or any other semi-third world country? Cyril's girlfriend has confided to him via phone and whatnot that she's dreadfully bored and has the runs on a daily basis. I mean, what was she expecting?????? OMG, </wrist>

Hah! I think a vacation is what you make of it. I've been to SE Asia (actually, lived there and then visited a half dozen times again), and it's amazing.

[albert_dao]

Hmmm, maybe I'm just too spoiled by gadgetry and modern convenience.

Anyway, does anyone have any stock suggestions? I was thinking a school of ten or twelve Yellow Tangs - you know - to disperse the aggression. That, or maybe a small human child.

[ClubReef]

@ Christy

-
Speaking of which, why would anyone take a six week vacation to Vietnam, China, or any other semi-third world country? Cyril's girlfriend has confided to him via phone and whatnot that she's dreadfully bored and has the runs on a daily basis. I mean, what was she expecting?????? OMG, </wrist>

Vietnam is cool!!!

-where else can you drink beer with ice cubes and get away with it?
-have pho at 5am in morning
-take your wife on a nice date for $2.50
-have your own driver, tour guide and chef for less then 1 hundred a week

Great place to visit!

[albert_dao]

I dunno, but I bet you that if your wife played WoW, you could take her out all month slaying fiends at the low monthly fee of $14.99/account.

[ClubReef]

lol...does your roomate urinate in a cup while playing WOW? It's sad how technology is ruining lives

[albert_dao]

Not yet, but he recently picked up a foam rest for his left arm...

[i have crabs]

i vote for 20-30 cromis and a trigger

[fkshiu]

I'm not homophobic, I just like those words. They punctuate my daily vocabulary with happiness and joy.a

In other words, they make you gay :)

[albert_dao]

... This thread is taking a swift downward spiral into the depths of very non-Christian values.

I lol'd.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Hurrah for non-Christian values!

I keed, I keed....

Were you serious about the ten or twelve yellow tangs? How about a giant school of....something. Anthias?

[albert_dao]

Why Anthias? Why not Naso tangs?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

In retrospect, I know I meant to suggest a school of Moorish Idols.

[i have crabs]

mabey a octo of some kind and a little lego pirate boat so you can sit in your winnie the poo undies and play pirates of the caribean while your roommate plays wow.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

lol.

I am SO disturbed by that image.

I do like Anthias. They're pretty, the way they school is cool (too cool for school), and they're readily available (though I suppose lots is readily available to you).

How about a Trigger Tank?

[albert_dao]

LOL @ Corey

Great minds think alike.

@ Drew

Titan Trigger?

Definitely. There's at least 40 gallons in the main tank to work with.

As far as what I'm inheriting from Cyril, off the top of my head:

Marine Betta
Saddled Tobey
Blue Lined Dottyback (RARE)
Tomato Clown
Tobacco Basslet
Chalk Basslet
Some kind of Istiblennius

A bunch of hair algae covered live rock (I was really happy, no, orgasmic about this one)
HUGE Green Echinophyllia
Galaxy Coral
Hammer Coral
Frogspawn
Pearly Bubble Coral
RBTA's

Hmm, probably more, but that's all I can think of.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Why don't I have any friends who feel the sudden need to dump all their aquarium gear on me?!

Hey Albert, if you need to get rid of some of those LPS, let me know ;)

[albert_dao]

:P Well, I guess the term "inherited" was misleading. I'm babysitting.

On a brighter note, the shock of moving caused one of the RBTA's to split. Hurray!

New stock should be coming in on Friday. I'll probably add something like a brittle star to the tank then.

[michika]

I LOLed very hard throughout the whole thread.

i_have_crabs, you win at life! That is one awesome comment!

[albert_dao]

So yeah, unloaded all of Cyril's stuff today. I'm tempted to drill holes in the rock to make it more porous.

I hate hair algae. Scrubbing that stuff was a hassle and I didn't even get most of it. Reflecting on the past half hour, I should have just tossed all the rock in boiling water and been done with it.

Yay, two weeks of testing to go before I can start bringing home the cool stuff.

[Moogled]

Why don't I have any friends who feel the sudden need to dump all their aquarium gear on me?!

Hey Albert, if you need to get rid of some of those LPS, let me know ;)

Pwned. I've been harrassing Albert for the last two years for him to get a tank and provide me some economic relief through corals. He finally relented after I beat him at a game of bumdarts. Hole in one.

GIT IN LINE, BRUTHA!

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Albert, I know this might sound ridiculous...me give you a suggestion...but why don't you throw a sea hare or two in there? At least for a week or two?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Pwned. I've been harrassing Albert for the last two years for him to get a tank and provide me some economic relief through corals. He finally relented after I beat him at a game of bumdarts. Hole in one.

GIT IN LINE, BRUTHA!

Pwned. Heh.

:2gunfire:

[albert_dao]

Albert, I know this might sound ridiculous...me give you a suggestion...but why don't you throw a sea hare or two in there? At least for a week or two?

Won't need to. Zeovit kills hair algae EZ.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Word to Big Bird.

[albert_dao]

Alright, update:

Took some pictures. Will upload soon.

Brought home some of the rock that had been "air curing" in my backyard for the last year :_(

Just finished going through it with a screwdriver and bristle brush to get rid of all the spiderwebs, pill bugs, grass and dirt. Soaking in a couple buckets right now.

I'm going to drill this stuff enough to run 1/2" PVC through it. Gonna go for an arch.

All the fish are in the tank safely. Kinda boring though. Not exactly my first, second... or sixth choice when it comes to species, but whatever. Here's what I've got:

Sixline Wrasse - HUGE AND FAT! Like little Chinese grandchild huge and fat.
Tobacco Basslet
Chalk Basslet
Marine Betta
Tomato Clown - Might pick up a mate for this one. I'm on the fence...
Istiblennius lineatus?
Saddled Toby


I dunno, pretty bland stuff thusfar. I'll fix that in the next couple months though.

[Moogled]

Modesty is unrequired when I KNOW you will make an awesome tank with almost anything.

Hurry up plz. ZZZZZZZ

[digital-audiophile]

Those aren't boring fish at all!

[albert_dao]

Okay, since I have found my camera (it was being a ninja behind the store computer), here's a few updated shots taken tonight.

First off, a few things I grabbed from Cyril's:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/scroll.jpg

Yellow Scroll Coral - I dunno, if it doesn't color up in a couple months, I'm going to see if Cyril's cool with me selling this thing.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/hammer.jpg

Branching Hammer Coral - There's some damage to the polyp that exposed the skeleton, but you can't see a hint of it during the day. I'm not too concerned now that it's looking so damn healthy.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/galaxy.jpg

Brown Galaxy Coral - About as exciting as the live rock around it... This guy gets to sit behind the rockwork when I start adding nicer coral. Yeah Galaxy!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/porcelain.jpg

Porcelain Crab & bleached out RBTA :( - Angriest crab on the planet. His (yes, it's a he) anemone should make a recovery over the next few months.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/blenny.jpg

Istiblennius sp. - Grumpy looking bugger eh? I'll get a better shot of him when he decides he's not going to be a bastard.

Here's a shot of the skimmer:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/elosskimmer.jpg

I cleaned it about an hour ago. Pretty impressed so far. Wish it didn't cost me an arm and a leg though...

Okay, here are the corals I added a couple days ago:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/acan3.jpg

Green Acanthastrea

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/acan2.jpg

Red/Blue Acanthastrea

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/acan1.jpg

Green/Red Acanthastrea

I glued all these down with the Korallen-Zucht Speed Glue. This is a GOOD product. Totally outclasses epoxies as far as I'm concerned. Around the same price too. Comes in a powder form, easy to prepare, and easy to mold. As an added bonus, it cures looking all textured, much like bleached live rock. My coral didn't recede where it contacted the adhesive either.

Okay, now for the full tank shot:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Full-Shot.jpg

MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY!

I need more coral... Well, more to the point, I need more coral that doesn't look like junk. I'll probably snag some of the Ricordia's at the store tomorrow. That and maybe a small frag of Acro.

ATTENTION NATE - Did you ask Dave about that Acan yet??????

Oh yeah, before I forget to mention it, the Zeovit has totally vaporized the hair algae that was growing all over most of the rocks (the white ones weren't from Cyril). Wish I would have taken a before shot, but oh well, y'all iz juz goin 2 tak3 mah w3rd 4 iT kkZ??!1?

[Moogled]

Nice.

How about a shot of you in your skivvies as well?

<3 <3 <3 <3

[Nate]

Dave is interested....interested in those alien eyes...pm me if you want

[midgetwaiter]

Nice.

How about a shot of you in your skivvies as well?

<3 <3 <3 <3


http://homepage1.nifty.com/kmisty/image/toothpick.jpg

:p

[albert_dao]

@ Marco

Aaron's on it.

@ Nate

I'll see what I can do. Alien Eye or Watermelon?

@ Aaron

Use twice a day for proper oral hygiene.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Looking good! What's that in the bottom right? The green? Looks like Echinophyllia to me...but it's also 7:30am. Bzzzzzzzzzzz..........

P.S. Nice to "meet" you yesterday. Look forward to seeing that seahorse set-up in action!

[Nate]

both the alien eye and the watermelon...he is willing to purchase both colonies as well if you are up for that/willing to part with them

[albert_dao]

@ Drew

Yup, big Echino. Good to meet you too!

@ Nate

No way of parting with those things; frags - yes, parting - no.

[Delphinus]

That glue sounds neat, will have to try it.

How long did the Zeovit take to nuke the hair algae? That's awesome.

Tank's looking good.

[albert_dao]

@ Tony

Like a week, tops.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Albert, Justin from WetWebMedia said the following about Zeovit:

"What I understood about the Zeovit system led me to feel there was very little margin of error in the system, requiring the constant checking of levels and maintenance of filtration aspects."

Would you agree with this?

[albert_dao]

@ Drew

Justin's statement is a valid one when one reflected on Zeovit as it was back four/five years ago. Since then, it's become very user friendly. For the most part, it's as simple as dosing the three liquids each day and taking the time to observe your tank's inhabitants and making sure they're not reacting adversely to the system. If I notice anything looks funny, I cut back on the dosing a bit and things usually resolve themselves. From there, I have a baseline from which I can work my dosing regime around.

The other thing about the system that people usually don't get is the advocation of high potassium levels. This isn't because Zeo depletes the potassium. Rather, it's because Zeovit requires that your water be as close to NSW levels as possible. Potassium is found in concentrations comparable to calcium in NSW, but most salt mixes are no where near this value. Low potassium levels with any probiotic methodology can be a root cause of STN in SPS corals.

Last thing is the plethora of products that you see associated with Zeovit. Outside of the basic four (bak, start2, food7 and the media itself), these products are only supplementary and used for color refining in well-established Zeovit systems.

[albert_dao]

Added a Venustus Angel today. I've had this thing at the store for weeks and it was eating like a pig. No one even asked about it, so now it's in my tank.

I was initially worried that it would be really shy, like most of the Venustus Angels I see (most of which don't eat), but this little guy has settled right in and even comes out to look at you when you're in front of the tank.

I'll try to get pictures over the next couple of days to show him off. :D

[albert_dao]

Here's an overview on the Zeovit system:

http://zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10354

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Thanks Albert....I'll check it out a bit more. But one more quick question: would you really only bother with Zeovit if you're running it on a predominantly SPS tank? Or would LPS and Soft corals benefit as much?

[albert_dao]

You'd run it if you weren't interested in fighting algae :D

As far as nutrients go, just feed more and you're in good shape.

[albert_dao]

Well, the Venustus has settled in quite comfortably and is eating like a champ:

Day 1 - Just introduced

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/venustus3.jpg

Day 2 - Swimming about, but only around the rocks

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/venustus2.jpg

Day 5 - Happy fish, almost obnoxious :D

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/venustus1.jpg

Debating on what to add next :)

[Snappy]

pretty groovy Albert

[Richard_Dicosimo]

Sweet tank albert

[albert_dao]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna pick up the pair of Ebli Angels at the store today. That will just about finish it for me and fish.

[ClubReef]

You should pick up a goldflake and let me know if it's reefsafe :)

[albert_dao]

OH YEAH!!!! I am so doing that. I've wanted one for a while.

[Delphinus]

Sweet angel!! :cool:

[Delphinus]

The other thing about the system that people usually don't get is the advocation of high potassium levels. This isn't because Zeo depletes the potassium. Rather, it's because Zeovit requires that your water be as close to NSW levels as possible. Potassium is found in concentrations comparable to calcium in NSW, but most salt mixes are no where near this value. Low potassium levels with any probiotic methodology can be a root cause of STN in SPS corals.


So is Potassium something you can/should dose on a Zeovit tank, or is it more a case of, you should use a salt mix that has a better potassium level to begin with? What's the recommendation for that, generally?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Update, pleeease. :)

[albert_dao]

Oh yeah, I should eh? Okay, give me the weekend to take some new pics.

[albert_dao]

AIIIGHT, CHECKIT YO:

Firstly, a few growth shots:

Freshly mounted (Aug 05):

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/acan2.jpg

Now (Sep 18):

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/red-acan.jpg

I know, the tightly focused shot that would make a National Geographic photojournalist envious.

Anyway, I didn't really capture it, but there's a ring of tiny polyps around the larger ones and the colony has encrusted the Speed Glue adhering the frag to the rock.

The other frag:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/acan1.jpg

Now:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/acan-2.jpg

Better color and encrustation. Actually, the color change kinda surprised me. I didn't think the bulb swap would make such a noticeable difference in the coral. On note: KZ Fiji Purple bulbs RULE. I no longer have any actinics on the tank, not enough slots, and the color still rocks. Can't wait til I get a better fixture with more bulbs.

Also, you'll notice that the godawful diatom/cyano is completely gone. Zeovit FTW.

Okay, on to the new additions.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/pink-zoos.jpg

Pink zoanthid.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/orange-yuma.jpg

Orange yuma I'm babysitting for Steve, of fish holding fame (lol).

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/cristata.jpg

Euphyllia cristata.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/cyphastrea.jpg

Green Cyphastrea. Cyril picked this one up randomly. He did a good job. He got a cookie.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/encrusting-monit.jpg

Barney encrusting Montipora. Really, much more purple than the picture would indicate.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/acan-maxima-hand.jpg

Acanthastrea maxima. HUGE polyp!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/acan-maxima.jpg

In tank.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/purple-monti.jpg

I know, I'm a bastard.

For Tony:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/doliatus.jpg

Not mine :( Never fear though, I'm getting a new fish list tomorrow and they MIGHT be on it. Cross your fingers man! I wouldn't mind a few more myself :P


EDIT: I forgot to mention this, but I'd like to extend a wholesome and heart-warming thanks to Marco (moogled) for joining the "KING ALBERT INSPIRES ME, MY LIFE HAS MEANING NOW" club. Thank you, my friend, and may the Force be with you.

[albert_dao]

Alright, now for the FTS shots in sequence:


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/FTS-empty.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/Full-Shot.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z264/albert_dao/Temp%20Tank/FTS.jpg

[Delphinus]

Sweet pics. Thanks for the doliatus pic :p Fingers are crossed!!

Hey do you think it's typical or atypical for the two doliatus to buddy up like that? Are they normally pretty easygoing like that or do you think they're a male/female pair?

[albert_dao]

Pretty much all rabbitfish will buddy up IME. Of the species I've owned/had longterm experience with to date (guttatus, puellus, puelloides, magnifica, virgatus and vulpinus), I've never had a problem with keeping pairs (unsexed). Small groups were usually unsuccessful though.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Nice work. Looking good!

Do you stock KZ Fiji Purple bulbs now?

And...how does one join the KING ALBERT INSPIRES ME, MY LIFE HAS MEANING NOW club?

[albert_dao]

Yup, just the Fiji Purple for now. Maybe the other bulbs later down the line.

Regarding the club; consider yourself ENROLLED Drew. Congrats. May the Force be with you.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Wicked. I also enrolled you in my club, "FROM NOW ON, DREW GETS EVERYTHING AT HALF PRICE".

[michika]

Wicked. I also enrolled you in my club, "FROM NOW ON, DREW GETS EVERYTHING AT HALF PRICE".

I would also like to enroll in this club, but with one small change, replace the word Drew with Catherine!

[albert_dao]

I would also like to enroll in this club, but with one small change, replace the word Drew with Catherine!

:( Dunno about that Catherine...

But aside, I DO have some fantastic news for you! You've also been enrolled into the KING ALBERT INSPIRES ME, MY LIFE HAS MEANING NOW club. Congrats and may the Force be with you.

[Delphinus]

So is Potassium something you can/should dose on a Zeovit tank, or is it more a case of, you should use a salt mix that has a better potassium level to begin with? What's the recommendation for that, generally?

Bumpity :razz: !! (Just noticed I never got an answer to this. Apparently I forgot all about it, but now that I've read this question again, the desire to know the answer burns my cognitive psyque with all sorts of dissonance .. :mrgreen:)

[albert_dao]

Ahhh, CHECKIT TONZOR:

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10655

It's a bit of a sales pitch, I know, but it answers your question.

[Delphinus]

Ok, so in that one spectacular run-on sentence in the second post, I gather that K is indeed something that is actively dosed, and not just relying on water changes. I'll read the rest of the thread when I have some more time, but for now my curiousity has been .. satiated? (is that a word? I think it is anyhow. I'm sticking with it.) Hopefully the rest of the thread has.. you know.. commas and periods and stuff. It's funny how you don't notice the job that they do until they're not there.

[albert_dao]

omg that post was lol.

[michika]

:( Dunno about that Catherine...

But aside, I DO have some fantastic news for you! You've also been enrolled into the KING ALBERT INSPIRES ME, MY LIFE HAS MEANING NOW club. Congrats and may the Force be with you.

Yay! I feel like my life has meaning now! :lol: What a fantastic club!