Some testing done today of Calcium and Alk. These were the two measures that had me worried the most, since I'd imagine them being the most in flux in a new tank. Since the SPS frags were a deal I couldn't pass up, but it was early in the tank, I was a bit concerned. Thankfully, the tests are backing up the dosing I've been doing. Each test since I've had the SPS has yielded the same results: 10.5 dKH and 450 ppm Calcium.

I'm really tempted to get one more frag.... a local reefer has a 4" green slimer frag for $15. I'm doing my best to hold off on any additional purchases under after Christmas. That's when I'd like to buy the pair of chalk bass, so I'll need all of my pennies!

Of course, that assumes they are in stock then, which they currently are not.

Oh, and referring back to the three options from earlier. Perhaps it would be best to simply get a rubbermaid that will fit the area? That way, I could have the best of both worlds, with a tank that will fill the area under the tank while still providing a larger volume of water. I probably won't use baffles on this tank, because I plan to just have a fuge and equipment in the sump. If I end up with a skimmer down the road, I might go with a HOB such as the one DH is using. Hm.... I wonder how much a plastic container would run me....

Well, the deal on the K1 fell through. However, I found a K2 for sale at $20 + shipping. Would a K2 be a bit rough on a 29g tank?

Nope K2 will be fine. (maybe even a little too soft)

Oh yeah for $15 get the slimer foo!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! That's what I wanted to hear. That will give me 1200GPH with the Koralias (nano, 1, and 2) and about 400 or so from the return. If I'm doing the mental math correctly, that's a 55x turn over. Fantastic.



Well, here's the other factor. Calvin is selling 1" frags for $10... and he also has a blue stag that I really want as well. Still, I might get the 4" frag anyways, just because it would be nice to have a ready-made larger frag.

And if you want you can start to frag it sooner to
trade
sell
take care of your buds with presents
Or just enjoy its fullness!!!

Precisely! Ok, you've talked me into it.

First of all, NOT MY PHOTO.



I got this photo from the local guy, with the difference in sizes. As you can see, the $15 slimers are huge! The tri-color large frag is $15 and is in the top right; the small colony is $20, and is in the lower left. What do you think? Large frag or small colony? I'm leaning toward the small colony.

IDK can't really tell but the top one looks to have better color, or it is just these old eyes of mine. If the coloring looks the same to you go for the colony.

The slimers are beautiful!!!! My suggestion is when \ if you get one mount it so that the branch is horizontal. This allows more corallite (sp.) exposure and you will get more branches growing from the one. If you mount it standing vertically like it is will grow cactus like.

Just sayin.

Good call! It is indeed hard to tell from that photo. The guy is selling a lot of corals right now, but he said he'd hold them until I came over to make a decision.




Well that explains a lot. The slimer in my 20L is growing like a cactus/tree. It's getting good and fat though. I think this bigger slimer will go in the 29g, because the 20L is overcrowded as is. Now I just need to figure out where to mount a 4 or so inch slimer horizontally in the 29g.

1. Get slimer
2. Grow out slimer and frag for DHaut
3.??????
4. PROFIT!

I think #3 should be "ship to DHaut." Other than that, it makes perfect sense!

Or
3.Sell at above market price to enhance the thickness of MJ's wallet.

Law school has had a significant thinning effect upon the wallet after all.....

Hey MJ, about the fragging gig. Here is the article I like to go back to from time to time. Calfo does some good explaining here.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...threadid=708423

Thanks!

*Runs off to read....*

Ok read it. That's good stuff! Of course, cutting a slimer down the middle would make me rather nervous. However, it has convinced me of the benefits of placing this puppy horizontally!

Har har har!


No reason for that outburst at all.

Yeah doing the banana split gig seems a little bold to me too. But I thought the disc slicing to be pretty cool too. Someday when my colonies of SPS have grown I am going to try both of those techniques.

Same here. When my green slimer gets big enough that I can lop off an inch or two just because, I'll give it a try as well!

Here's another question for ya'll. My Reef Octopus recently started churning out bubbles again from the output, something it hasn't done since break in. Do I need to tear it down and clean it, or is this just break in, part 2?

Nope something has changed, there should not be a "Breaking in Part Deux" I would say clean up and see what happens. The water level has not changed on ya has it?

Nope, no change in the water level. I've got baffles in the sump, so the skimmer always has the same water level in its chamber. I just sat with it for a bit, and even the bubble level going up to the skimmate cup was varying... sometimes pushing water, other times falling way down. Yeah, time for a cleaning.

Well I gave it a cleaning as best I could (it doesn't breakdown into to many parts) and still, bubbles. I'm going to play with it for a while to get it dialed back in, and see if at least it's keeping the water level stable. I haven't run it since discovering the bubbles a day or so ago, so I can imagine some fluctuation for now, as it attempts to catch up on skimming. If it goes back to being stable at least in the skimmate, I might just get a filter sock for the output, and that should solve the bubble problem.

For now, maybe I shall just run the skimmer during lights out. From what I've read, the "micro-bubble causes death" stuff is just myth, so I'm not terribly worried about anything other than the aesthetics and DOCs.

So the guys at the LFS think that my skimmer pump might be dirty (some tiny piece in the venturi apparently can get stuck) so he suggested a vinegar bath. Looks like I need to go get a jug. Anyways, pictures!







Sweepers???

Here's the new additions to the 29! The 20 has a new addition as well.

A tag-along star (what kind?)


A 4" slimer


Slimer side-view

Sweet new stuffs MJ!

Nice brittle star hitcher too

Thanks! I'm really happy I decided to pick this stuff up. For a total of $30 (including the tri-color colony in the 20), it was a deal I couldn't pass up!

How's it going Richie? Did you see the pic in the 20L of the sump coming together? Your overflow will soon be put into use!

Great deals there Tyler.
Going with a tub sump eh? Always wondered how peeps made baffles / dividers and such for those. They bow so much when filled.... anyway I'm always watching bro

oh, btw-
Dats yur overflow now my friend.

I'm actually thinking of going baffle-less in this tank. It's going to mainly be a fuge, since I don't really need a skimmer without fish. I also don't have the money for a skimmer right now, so that plays a role. I went again with a Sedra pump, which has a cover over the intake. I'm hoping this will do the trick. Just to be safe, I might do a double layer of eggcrate around the return pump, with plexi glued to it, to prevent the sand from getting to it. Whatcha think?



Yeah, I know. But like we've talked about with frags, it's nice having something from another NR member involved with our tanks. So I suppose it's my "formerly-Richie's-Lifereef-Overflow."

That's one way....also may want to take a look at Yardboy's ghetto beauty thread- I seem to recall a rather slick DIY he did there to help with micro bubbles. May have actually been on the sump inlet

I'll have to check that out!

Star is a serpent. Richie's a noob.

Ok, it's time to duke it out. Duel at high noon, or flip each other for it?

Meh, could be ....but pretty sure I have seen mini brittles with the same pattern.

And am I really taking heat from a guy who built his stand out of plywood and built it so his skimmer cannot be removed??

you'll take it and you'll like it!



NINJA EDIT@!

your kung-fu is not strong

Score one for Richie!



Yeah, that does look similar. But what does LA know.

What kinda guy brings kung-fu to a gun fight?

ok geez, you win.....don't get yur granny panties in a bunch

admit it. i'm right. and i saved money on my stand. win-win.

Yeah, bunched granny panties could really hurt your head.

^^har har!

True. But what about the damage done when you eventually have to remove that skimmer?

i've been sitting in WL chat alone for like an hour, lol. I am such a loser.

I already did.

Are you hitting the bottle again this evening??

just a couple quick cuts and that will be fixed. no damage.

Arrrrrrrgggg, me ardy!

nope - i'm just too slow for you guys. i did have root beer though.

aww


Too slow?? ya out post me like tree to one!

meh, imma go bump my thread.

That's some dedication. I'd join in, but I'm working on the tank and catching up on the DVR.



Sounds like it!



Unless you are hitting the sauce, in which case, you'll have a hole cut big enough for a Mack truck to drive though!



It's tough keeping up, isn't it?



Yeah, DH is a post-master.




You would.