My First Salt Water Tank.

[Thunil]

Good idea on the in-tank refugium. If you do get another scooter blenny try to get one that is accepting prepared foods like enriched brine and mysis shrimp that you can target feed, using a pipette or a turkey baster, to the dragronet. I dont believe that that refugium would be able to support a dragonet for a long period of time but if you get one that takes prepared foods it might work.

 

Edit: BTW the stringy green stuff in your fuge looks to be chaeto, a good macro algae that will provide a place for pods to breed and it will absorb excess nutrients in your water.

 

Good luck,

Daniel

[prasadl]

Thanks for valuable comments.

 

I found this passage in this forum.

 

"Reverse schedule

Coral have zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae). Zooxanthellae use CO2 during the day, and expel it at night. Chaeto uses CO2 during the day, and expels it at night. Now say Cheato's day was actually night (turn on light at night, turn off during day). It is expelling CO2 during the day, feeding zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae expel it at night, chaeto eats it. It reduces the CO2 load at night, which prevents the following:

CO2 = lowers pH. Lower pH = calcification unable to occur. Calcification unable to occur = stony corals unable to grow."

 

Can Chaeto be tricked to change its biological clock simply by changing light cycle?

If this work it sounds like good idea. Can somebody comment?

 

If that work I am going to hang my Fuge outside couple to filter and use separate light to implement reverse schedule. I wonder florescent grow lamp use to accelerate plant growth should work for external fuge?

[Zack]

That is an amazing little nano you have there prasadl! Loving the pics. Good luck! That is going to be an awesome nano reef.

[smedge]

Can Chaeto be tricked to change its biological clock simply by changing light cycle?

If this work it sounds like good idea. Can somebody comment?

 

It's not a biological clock. It's photosynthesis and the calvin cycle (also called the dark cycle and the carbon cycle). What is happening inside of your coral/chaeto is controlled purely by light/dark cycles. If light is shining on your corals or chaeto then they are photosynthesizing and using a large amount of C02. If light is not shining on them they are taking the high energy intermediates created during photosynthesis and using that energy to fix CO2 into carbohydrates (storing the energy in a sugar that can be broken down and used later) a less CO2 intensive process than the light cycle.

 

So in essence if light is shing on it, it's using CO2 (hence raising Ph). If light is not shining on it it is using a lot less C02 (effectively lowering Ph as CO2 diffuses back into the tank from the atmosphere). Nothing you can do is going to trick it to offset what is happening inside of the organism. It is controlled purely by the presence or absence of light.

 

Edit: BTW awesome tank.

 

Also if you care about the science, the "dark cycle" is called that only because it does not require the presence of light to run. It will actually occur as long as the end product of photosynthesis is readily available, light or no light. What I said above is still true just a little simplified.

[AcroporaLokani]

Oh I love your xenia, Its my favorite coral.

[lakshwadeep]

+1 to smedge. Many people set their refugiums for opposite (relative to the display lights) lighting schedules. Since CO2 levels lower the pH, having the opposite lighting helps to create a more stable average pH throughout the day.

[prasadl]

Also if you care about the science, the "dark cycle" is called that only because it does not require the presence of light to run. It will actually occur as long as the end product of photosynthesis is readily available, light or no light. What I said above is still true just a little simplified.

 

Thanks for explanation. Yes I do care about science. This is my other hobby!

[smedge]

Thanks for explanation. Yes I do care about science. This is my other hobby!

It's a picofoil :-D

 

Man that thing is awesome.

 

EDIT: Finally made it to the end. "Awesome" doesn't even come close to descibing the finished product.

[prasadl]

Thanks.

 

I have been experimenting with idea of a low cost fuge and finally came up with this version. It use standard filter and old specimen container I already had hence no cost.

 

Items needed.

1. Standard hang-on filter (Whisper power filter $10 @ WM)

2. Large specimen container ( $5 or get old one from LFS for a buck)

3. 1" U tube from LFS ($3 or make one from PVC pipes)

4. Green stuff to put in the Fuge.

 

Thats it.

 

1. Just hang filter and Specimen container side by side behind the tank.

2. Pull out the filter tube, turn it sideways and insert it in to the fuge.

You might have to extend the filter side of the tube with PVC tube to get it over the side wall.

3. Insert 1" U tube in to tank and fuge. Use air tube to suck out water to start siphon action. You are done.

 

Now put green stuff in the Fuge and start the filter.

 

 

Take a look at my no cost external Fuge. I am building LED light array for it, to implement reverse cycle

 

[prasadl]

Fuge completed. Light in place, Fully covered with black paper and reverse cycle working.

 

Fuge light not visible at night.

[prasadl]

ID please.

 

........... Is this a starfish? ......................................... Brown worm? ........................................... What are these long brown things?

[lakshwadeep]

First is probably an asterina star

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchstars.html

Second is a bristle worm, of which the vast majority are harmless

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html

Third I'm not so sure. Maybe hydroids, which have a powerful sting.

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchodds.html

 

 

Also, since you like doing a lot of DIY work and learning about lighting, I suggest checking these two online magazines:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com

http://www.reefkeeping.com

[prasadl]

Thanks.

 

War against Terror!

My stealth fighter against Aiptasia, hardly see him though, hope he deos his job!

 

[prasadl]

Survival VS Brotherhood

 

I notice my large mushroom turning sideways and not opening fully few days. Upon closer look I saw little mushroom underneath. Is it trying to share light with little brother I thought, but dismiss that thought because survival of the fittest I knew as law of the jungle. But now little bother is grownup and can reach for light on his own large one open up again. Hmmmm... may be my imagination running wild ....may be not!

 

 

I love the dynamic nature of my aqua space. I see different things every day. What a wonderful way to start the day. Have a cup of coffee sitting in front of the aquarium looking for new lifeforms!

[prasadl]

Looks like he drank too much. Whats going on?..........My Colt forest, very easy to frag.

 

Feather-duster growing fast ...........................New! Bubble coral

[prasadl]

Blue Damsel rocks!

 

Yes, If you want indestructible fish to cycle your tank Blue Damsel is the one.

 

I choose it because I liked its good looks but only yesterday realized how hardy it is. Yesterday I saw two fine true clowns at my LFS and decided it is time to get them in my tank. LFS guy said they will not go well with damsel so reluctantly decided to trade damsel. Went home and got him in to a specimen container and draw back to LFS. When I reached there I saw LFS is closed, specimen container overturned and damsel lying on my carpet. I remember breaking hard about 10min ago during traffic jam and figured damsel may have been lying without water for that long. With LFS closed I have no way of getting any salt water and damsel look very much dead. But out of desperation I scooped him up back to the container and pour little water drained out from carpet in to it and he came back to life. He survived in that few spoon full of dirty water during 20min journey back home and live happily in my tank now. WOW what a fish! So I wanted to keep him if I can somehow but I want to have clowns too.

 

Is there any way I can keep Blue Damsel and Clown fish together?

[lakshwadeep]

I don't think so since the tank is only 10 gallons. The damsel will only get more aggressive as it ages, and the clowns will have little space to hide.

[squirrelieygrrrl]

hey prasadl,

 

wow now thats some story about your damsel! sounds like hes one bullet proof little bugger! your tank looks great! also i love that fuge idea! i had been toying with the idea of doing an AC fuge mod, but i already have a lot of flow in my tank. your fuge design seems like the perfect solution to my dilemma! so i hope you dont mind, but id like to use your design. ill be tagging along on your thread, as im a sucker for a 10 gal. keep up the good work!

 

~squirrel

 

edit: i have a couple of questions for you about the fuge though. first, did you ditch the surface skimmer? second, does the water level of the fuge have to be higher than the level in the tank? also do you have any other tips for me? thanks a bunch!

[prasadl]

hey prasadl,

 

wow now thats some story about your damsel! sounds like hes one bullet proof little bugger! your tank looks great! also i love that fuge idea! i had been toying with the idea of doing an AC fuge mod, but i already have a lot of flow in my tank. your fuge design seems like the perfect solution to my dilemma! so i hope you don't mind, but id like to use your design. ill be tagging along on your thread, as im a sucker for a 10 gal. keep up the good work!

 

~squirrel

 

edit: i have a couple of questions for you about the fuge though. first, did you ditch the surface skimmer? second, does the water level of the fuge have to be higher than the level in the tank? also do you have any other tips for me? thanks a bunch!

 

 

 

Not at all, I am so happy to contribute something to this forum that helped me a lot so I love the idea of others using my designs.

 

I am using the surface skimmer attached to a larger siphon tube. Since the water is gravity fed I had to use larger intake tube.

 

No, Since power filter suck water out from fuge, fuge water level drop below the tank depending on input flow rate through the siphon. I will post a detail diagram tonight.

[squirrelieygrrrl]

thanks a bunch!

 

if you would, please also post some more detailed pics of the setup, so i can get a full grasp of how to set it up. im not using the same filter or surface skimmer. so i hope i can use your general idea. essentially from what i can gather you have the intake from the filter in the specimen container, then a seperate u tube going from the fuge to the main display. then your surface skimmer is attached to the u tube? correct? i might modify your design slightly though, using a power head plumbed to the specimen container instead of the filter intake. just an idea. i cant easily move my filter intake to accommodate the fuge, as it is kind of shoved in between my rock work. maybe if you like you can check out my tank set up (the link is in my sig) and give me some input, to help me figure out how i can make your basic design work with my setup. heres the basic digs on my filtration, im using a rapids mini canister filter, a powersweep power head, and a smaller redsea powerhead (which i robbed from my co2 system for my fw setup) the surface skimmer is a tom aquatics one, its a tad bulky though. the nice thing about it is i can change it from a regular filter intake to a surface skimmer by changing where it intakes from, with a simple turn of an adjuster. the surface skimmer does need to be attached to a pump to work though, as it is not gravity fed. so that is why id like to plumb the redsea powerhead to the fuge, if that is at all possible. thanks for helping me out with your great and simple fuge! i hope this wasnt too long winded. im just chock full of questions.

 

~squirrel

[prasadl]

Sorry I couldn't do anything last night because I had a problem with my new clowns, so I thought.

Help - Clowns behaving strangely!

I had a sleepless night but it seems to be a false alarm and I am happy they are OK now.

It is amazing to watch how the dance tango all the time in perfect sink. Always together even when having food. Looks like I got a mated pair. They hang around Xenia a lot, looks like they might host it

 

[prasadl]

squirrel,

 

You have way too much equipment, Do you need all that?

My philosophy is simple, that is emulate nature the best we can with minimal gadgets. Don't get me wrong I love gadgets but since we depend on live rock for filtration, photosynthesis for food and water movement to move food to non moving species all we need is lights and water circulating fan. My refugium too reflect that simplicity by using just the filter i to circulate water through refugium.

 

So basic principle is simple you need container to put sand and Cheeto and circulate tank water through it.

There are two basic ways to do this

 

1.You need siphon tube to get water to the refugium and pump to pull water out from refugium to the tank. Since water flow rate through siphon is very low either you have to use large diameter siphon tube or reduce flow rate of the pump. Later is preferred because that reduce overall flow rate through refugium given enough time for Cheeto to do its job. This is how most standard refuges work.

 

2. You can use a pump to get water in to the refugium and let water flow in to the tank from it like famous AquaClear filter mods. Again flow rate has to be reduce by restricting input tube or modding impeller.

 

Then you can implement reverse light cycle by having separate timer to illuminate refuge at night to reduce PH imbalance between day and night.

 

I have no idea how effective these things are in real life but DIY give me knowledge and keep me entertained. So jump right in and have fun. There is no exact way of doing these things. You improvise as you go along.

 

It is the journey not the destination that matter.

[prasadl]

Location, Location !!!!

 

Well, it seems clowns moved to Torch coral......New! little brother arrived and doing well.

 

After I moved them to lower level away from light my new bubble coral and blue/green mushroom doing much better!

[Lizzie1324]

Cool tank!

Those clowns are gorgeous, and that's a funny story about the damsel

The torch coral looks great, keep up the good work

[prasadl]

How small it can be ?

 

My little kid wanted to keep blue damsel so I created 1g salt water tank in his room all out of stuff in my junk box. I have colt frag in there which is doing fine and 10w CFL ( finally 10W per gal ). I know damsel need more room but this is only for few days.