Steensj's Deep Blue 34 Shallow. Shutting Down Tank Due To Work...

[Steensj2004]

Update:

 

Stuff is doing amazing, great extension, amazing growth( thanks Dave), and everything looking better than ever. Current info:

 

PH: 8.1

Temp:79.5

Salinity: 1.024

Calcium: 380

Magnesium:1300

Alkalinity:8dkh

Nitrate: No Trace

Phosphate: Barely a Trace, possibly 0.0ppm

 

 

Damsel Photo Bomb, lol

 

 

New shop nearly all set up, been taking up most my time lately:

 

[HarryPotter]

So if you could start over, would you go with the Deep Blue 34 Frag again?

 

I am considering it and for only $175, its a steal for a 36x18x12 tank!

[Steensj2004]

So if you could start over, would you go with the Deep Blue 34 Frag again?

 

I am considering it and for only $175, its a steal for a 36x18x12 tank!

Frankly, I can't answer that.... The only reason I went with the 34 gallon was because I have super limited space. Ideally, If I was to start over again I would have enought room for the 80 gallon Deep Blue frag tank....However, in this size range of tanks, absolutely. I love the tank for what it is. Solid quality, good clear glass( screw that Starphire glass garbage), and overall a killer tank. IF I started over I would drill the rear panel for a 3/4" return and use both the holes in the overflow for outlets to the sump. You really can't beat the footprint and price.

 

Tested again today,

PH: 8.1

Temp:79.5

Salinity: 1.025

Calcium: 440

Magnesium:1340

Alkalinity: 8dkh

Nitrate: No Trace

Phosphate: Barely a Trace, possibly 0.0ppm

 

Dosed calcium as it was low before, in very small quantity....went a little high, but should be ok Everything looking amazing.

[Steensj2004]

Also, really close to putting together a small tank for one of these little guys....

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+19+76&pcatid=76

[Steensj2004]

Newest additions, Rainbow Tort( sorry about the bad pic, it's pissed and sliming up anyway ). Lost some color in the store, hoping to bring it back!

 

Red Starfish, little-bitty guy, about 1.5. Inches across

[Steensj2004]

Messing with the ,"Photo" setting on my Bluefish Mini, here are some practice pictures, Enjoy!

 

Yellow Tang:

 

Starry Night Blenny:

 

Mandy:

 

Corals:

 

 

[Steensj2004]

Add some of liquid crack to the food.....

 

and watch my little crack addicts when I drop some in, lol

 

 

 

General video:

 

Mr. Crabby:

 

[plainrt]

Looks like your on way to nice mixed tank. Shop looks sweet

[Steensj2004]

I have some Red Gracilaria, and it's growing this red fuzz, like red pulled apart Cotten balls, any ideas?

 

 

The green is some other macro, however, the red stringy stuff is growing in the the Gracilaria. Suggestions?

 

FTS,

Looks like your on way to nice mixed tank. Shop looks sweet

Thanks! Long way to go, it's getting better every day

[Steensj2004]

Ditched the reactor, PITA to get ROX carbon to work because of the little bitty pieces of carbon. Bought doser instead. On a fun side note, my buddy has a FW tank and his Angelfish had bebes....

 

[metrokat]

I have some Red Gracilaria, and it's growing this red fuzz, like red pulled apart Cotten balls, any ideas?

 

 

 

 

Cotton candy macro. Considered invasive, I personally love it. send it to me.

[Steensj2004]

Cotton candy macro. Considered invasive, I personally love it. send it to me.

John from reef cleaners said it was a filament to attach itself to the rocks etc. but hell, if it grows out and turns into Cotten candy I'll send yah some! It's secluded in the sump, any macro in there is good in my book!

 

Anyone use one of these Eshoppes Doser pumps?

[Steensj2004]

So, Need some help from the forum rats!

 

Tank is looking better than ever, lights are ramped up to 60% blues and 57% whites. Everything has responded well to the slow and careful increase, polyp extension is out the roof! I plan to leave the lights here for a while and watch growth before adding any more light.

 

My large Emerald passed away, he was likely old when I got him, biggest I've ever had. He was kind of a a-hole, so not to tore up.

 

On my water chemistry, I have some issues. I haven't been dosing Alkalinity buffer, but my DKH is high as crap?! Maybe my test kit is effed but I tested 3x and it says 10dkh? Other stuff is in range:

 

Salinity: 1.025

Calcium:430

Magnesium 1330

 

Thoughts?

I also really wish I would have painted the back pane of glass black, wonder if I could get something on it now, maybe a black background roll or something?

[ninjamyst]

paint the back glass green with GSP...

[Steensj2004]

paint the back glass green with GSP...

Lol, uhhhhhhhhh, hard pass

[metrokat]

 

My large Emerald passed away, he was likely old when I got him, biggest I've ever had. He was kind of a a-hole, so not to tore up.

 

cracked me up

 

 

Thoughts?

I also really wish I would have painted the back pane of glass black, wonder if I could get something on it now, maybe a black background roll or something?

Hey who you calling a rat!

 

So stop the buffer and let it fall naturally. Use the buffer for minor increases, not decreases.

[jedimasterben]

10dkh isn't through the roof. 10-12 is actually commmon and in range.

[Steensj2004]

10dkh isn't through the roof. 10-12 is actually commmon and in range.

Really? I thought ALK was supposed to be around 8?

cracked me up

 

Hey who you calling a rat!

 

So stop the buffer and let it fall naturally. Use the buffer for minor increases, not decreases.

I haven't been dosing or buffering Alk at all, only calcium and mag. I don't have much in the tank so use age is slow on all 3 elements.

 

Yeah, I was wrong, it was the smaller emerald, the big ahole is still in the tank.... Grrrrr

[jedimasterben]

Alk can be anywhere between 7-12 and still be ok. Lower nutrient systems need lower alk unless you feed significantly more to make up for it.

[Steensj2004]

Got a new toy today,

 

Ehopps Doser IV:

 

Makeshift Testing Station,lol:

 

 

So far I like it, seems to be well made, easy to learn to program. However, during a dosing test @ 20mL, pump one dispensed 18mL and pump two dispensed about 18.5-19mL. No idea how to calibrate of it pumps can be calibrated. Hmmmmmmm, I suppose it isn't that bad off as 1mL isn't a lot. However, there is so little info online about this doser I am not sure if the damn thing can be calibrated.

[Steensj2004]

cracked me up

Hey who you calling a rat!

 

So stop the buffer and let it fall naturally. Use the buffer for minor increases, not decreases.

Hey Kat, you really want some of this cotton candy algae stuff? My friggin sump macro is tanking off like crazy, I could probably get you a chuck?

[Steensj2004]

Some new tank mates,

 

Unknown acro, but it's sweet as hell:

 

 

A few peppermints:

[Steensj2004]

The peppermint shrimp I added we lousy with eggs, now I have about 2000 babies blowing around my tank!( all the white specs)

 

And this was a fraction of them!

Any chance one or two might survive?!

[Steensj2004]

Been having some issues with the tank, no idea what is going on. Levels are all on point, not dosing anything to speak of as I don't have enough corals to make much of an effect on the levels.Had a small bacteria bloom for 24 hours too.... Corals acting weird, one Acro browning out. Things looking better today, maybe I had something on my hands?

[HarryPotter]

Been having some issues with the tank, no idea what is going on. Levels are all on point, not dosing anything to speak of as I don't have enough corals to make much of an effect on the levels.Had a small bacteria bloom for 24 hours too.... Corals acting weird, one Acro browning out. Things looking better today, maybe I had something on my hands?

 

Maybe when you were in the tank you stirred up some detritus, causing a small bloom and excess nutrients? (Causing bacterial bloom and /or coral browning)