streamline.by.design Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Check your Mag. It is the key to keeping your CAL and ALK balanced. 1 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 35 minutes ago, streamline.by.design said: Check your Mag. It is the key to keeping your CAL and ALK balanced. Unfortunately, I don't own a test kit for Mag, nor do I have an LFS who can test it for me. The only things I can test for are temp, Sg, alk, and calcium. My phosphate kit just expired, and I doubt I'll be replacing it (only used it a couple times). Next time I'm at an LFS, I'll look at their kits for Mag Funny enough, I was just thinking as I tested, "I wonder what my mag's at" I re-tested, and post-water change, calcium is 440, and alk is 7.3. I will definitely be doing another water change. It raised about the same amount before/after this water change as two weeks ago, but overall, alk was lower this time. I am going to do some reading into dosing, because doing twice as many water changes to keep alk up isn't practical for me, and clearly the corals are consuming it faster than my bi-weekly water changes are correcting it. And RSCP costs me $100 a pail at the nearest LFS, so I'm guessing dosing would be cheaper. Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 Thought it was time to post a new FTS I forgot to clean the glass Here is the damage to the lobo. I dipped it on Sunday, and in the couple days since it doesn't appear to have worsened. I'll do another dip soon. Not giving up hope! The five plates I have removed so far. All seem healthy The orange acan has looked bad for the last week. I think it's time for a dip 5 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 I decided to make a quick video. Zeus made an appearance! 5 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 Today we got out class schedules for next year, and like usual they need to be changed. I'm torn. One option will give me a hard socials teacher, new math teacher who may or may not be good, and physics 12 with a hot teacher who people either love or hate because of how he teaches. Option two gives me an easier socials teacher, a math teacher who's awesome, but art in the place of physics. Do I choose the hard course or the easy course? I really want to get the most out of my free education, so I feel like I'll take the hard course...the struggle! I've been eyeing up some blastos on Canada Corals, and I just got paid today, so I'm very tempted... Quote Link to comment
Lula_Mae Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Would you rather study art or physics for that last class? Frankly I would choose a good math teacher and a good socials teacher, whether s/he is "easy" or not--what's easy for one may not be easy for another! And I'd always pick art, but that's me, art was my favorite subject. Oh, and I shouldn't say blastos are always a good idea, but I will! 2 Quote Link to comment
Thunder Goose Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 I always recommend a good math teacher. I'm a community college professor and lots of my students come in weak in math. It really slows down their progress and affects them even in classes you wouldn't expect. Besides a lot of reef keeping requires basic math skills - if you want to raise your alkalinity by 2 how much baking soda do you need to add? 1 Quote Link to comment
Lula_Mae Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 2 hours ago, Thunder Goose said: I always recommend a good math teacher. I'm a community college professor and lots of my students come in weak in math. It really slows down their progress and affects them even in classes you wouldn't expect. Besides a lot of reef keeping requires basic math skills - if you want to raise your alkalinity by 2 how much baking soda do you need to add? The best math instructor I ever had was at a community college--I'd hated math all the way through school and enrolled in her calculus I class right after graduating high school. She made calc seem simple and even easy and I REALLY enjoyed it! I would've taken calc II and III with her too had I not moved away lol. 2 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 9 hours ago, Lula_Mae said: Would you rather study art or physics for that last class? Frankly I would choose a good math teacher and a good socials teacher, whether s/he is "easy" or not--what's easy for one may not be easy for another! And I'd always pick art, but that's me, art was my favorite subject. Oh, and I shouldn't say blastos are always a good idea, but I will! That's where I'm torn. I really enjoyed physics this semester, but I did struggle with it occasionally. The social studies class with a teacher that gives A LOT of homework would be in the same semester as physics. I think I'm going to go speak to the physics teacher to see how much of a leap in difficulty 11-12 is, and how much homework he gives. Because I only have so much time in the day. I really enjoy art. It's relaxing, and there isn't homework. Perhaps I'll push physics 12 to grade 12... I think blastos might be my favorite coral. I want to collect as many varieties as I can! 2 hours ago, Thunder Goose said: I always recommend a good math teacher. I'm a community college professor and lots of my students come in weak in math. It really slows down their progress and affects them even in classes you wouldn't expect. Besides a lot of reef keeping requires basic math skills - if you want to raise your alkalinity by 2 how much baking soda do you need to add? I really like the teacher I had this year because of the way he teaches (it makes sense), and the homework he assigns is optional. I could keep my math grade up no matter who the teacher is, but I would probably enjoy math with my teacher from this year more. Quote Link to comment
Lula_Mae Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 15 minutes ago, fishfreak0114 said: That's where I'm torn. I really enjoyed physics this semester, but I did struggle with it occasionally. The social studies class with a teacher that gives A LOT of homework would be in the same semester as physics. I think I'm going to go speak to the physics teacher to see how much of a leap in difficulty 11-12 is, and how much homework he gives. Because I only have so much time in the day. I really enjoy art. It's relaxing, and there isn't homework. Perhaps I'll push physics 12 to grade 12... I think blastos might be my favorite coral. I want to collect as many varieties as I can! I really like the teacher I had this year because of the way he teaches (it makes sense), and the homework he assigns is optional. I could keep my math grade up no matter who the teacher is, but I would probably enjoy math with my teacher from this year more. Did you see my new blastos? I looooooooove them! 1 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 45 minutes ago, Lula_Mae said: Did you see my new blastos? I looooooooove them! They're gorgeous! If I ever see some like those, I'll be sure to snatch them up! 1 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 Why oh why do I torture myself? I just browsed Canada Corals and they have FOUR blastos that I want. I may need to make an order... They also had a blue porcelain carb, a small St.Thomas mushroom, and a blue discoma carlgrenii! Might have to ask the mom about a "congratulations you passed grad 10" present 2 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share Posted June 17, 2017 I'm about to do that extra water change I mentioned earlier this week. I decided to test alk and calcium before. Calcium was at 425, and alk was down to 5.2 again. The corals seem to be consuming alk like crazy, but calcium not so much. The baby plates are probably sucking up a decent amount, as well as Frank the hammer, who has been sprouting little heads that will probably not grow past nubs (that has been my experience so far) but they do make a lump of skeleton. I haven't had time to read up on dosing or order anything yet because there's only a week and a half left of school, so I'm spending a lot of time on my final assignments of the year. As long as everything continues to look healthy, I don't think this is something that needs immediate attention. Extra water changes will be fine for now. 2 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 I found a baby plate that had been lost before I glued them down. So now I have 6 on frag plugs! 2 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 Happy Father's Day! This year, because my dad is a big Batman fan, I decided to pick an image and paint it onto a poster paper. I think it turned out pretty good 5 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 The blasto addict in me won! Four blastos ordered, and a St. Thomas! Frosty berry blasto Neutrino blasto Purple sun blasto purple sun blasto_zpsjhwb4mq2 by orb1915, on Flickr Radiant red blasto radiant red blasto_zpsbomvp58l by orb1915, on Flickr Teeny St. Thomas mushroom st. thomas mushroom_zps66dxmpfx by orb1915, on Flickr I have no idea where I'm going to put all this, but I'll find a spot! My wallet is hurting...the neutrino and radiant red were nearly $50 a piece Naturally, I'm worried those two are going to die, because whenever I buy something expensive it dies The St. Thomas is pretty small, but it's also way cheaper than all the full size ones. I'm hoping it grows as quick as most mushies, the tonga frilly mushroom I bought a couple months back is already getting big. In other news, I fixed my class schedule. I kept the hard social studies teacher, but I got into an art class, and thankfully the only way math and art could both fit in my schedule was to have math with the best math teacher. They're only moving people into that class if it's the only way to make their schedule work, because everyone wants the same math teacher Today I broke off a few more plates. One accidentally broke in half I glued each piece to its own plug though, because the one that was damaged last time still puffs up, and I think it'll be alright. I have a few crappy pics to post up, just to I can point out a few things. I think I might get them up tonight 4 Quote Link to comment
Lula_Mae Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 18 minutes ago, fishfreak0114 said: The blasto addict in me won! Four blastos ordered, and a St. Thomas! Frosty berry blasto Neutrino blasto Purple sun blasto Radiant red blasto Teeny St. Thomas mushroom I have no idea where I'm going to put all this, but I'll find a spot! My wallet is hurting...the neutrino and radiant red were nearly $50 a piece Naturally, I'm worried those two are going to die, because whenever I buy something expensive it dies The St. Thomas is pretty small, but it's also way cheaper than all the full size ones. I'm hoping it grows as quick as most mushies, the tonga frilly mushroom I bought a couple months back is already getting big. In other news, I fixed my class schedule. I kept the hard social studies teacher, but I got into an art class, and thankfully the only way math and art could both fit in my schedule was to have math with the best math teacher. They're only moving people into that class if it's the only way to make their schedule work, because everyone wants the same math teacher Today I broke off a few more plates. One accidentally broke in half I glued each piece to its own plug though, because the one that was damaged last time still puffs up, and I think it'll be alright. I have a few crappy pics to post up, just to I can point out a few things. I think I might get them up tonight Those blastos! I think St. Thomas mushies are a bit slower to grow than others but they do eventually grow and yours is a nice one! 1 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 There's a lot! All these frags plugs have plates on them. Usually when I vacuum my sand bed I move every coral so I can get as much of it clean as possible, but I don't think I'm going to be doing that for a while P6201707_zpsxxlv42x0 by orb1915, on Flickr Jim was very photogenic today P6201705_zps0k2cyypk by orb1915, on Flickr This candy cane has finally grown a second mouth. P6201703_zpsfxer3dsd by orb1915, on Flickr The tonga frilly mushroom has grown quite a bit I think P6201700_zpskhksi9ei by orb1915, on Flickr Today the toadstool flopped all funny. I think it's shedding I'm going to move this blasto a bit so that it is out of the shadows A couple shots of how large the watermelon favia has grown. The first one is blurry because it's at a weird angle. It extends further back than shown in the pick P6241856_zpsmjebl1zp by orb1915, on Flickr A year and a half ago I think I've finally found a place where this toadstool is happy. I realized it was the flow, not the abrupt change to high light, that upset it the last two times I tried to place it The blasto has nearly recovered! It's made great progress in the last few days. The little ones off the sides are growing pretty well, I feed my blastos a lot! I think the nuclear green polyp is growing to close, I may have to relocate it. This is the biggest of the baby plates at just over an inch across. I think I'll keep that one I might be wrong, but I almost think that the lobo is getting better. It looked like it regained some color. I will continue dipping and feeding The dendro has been looking so good lately. I still feed it regularly. I love how vibrant the green has become (the picture washes it out) The trumpet has nearly healed. I hope it likes where I put it, slightly in the shadows I'm pretty sure these are pink leopards. While coral browsing, I found some that looked very similar This was a quick pic I took a few days ago The Japanese leather has grown a fair amount since I got it almost 6 months ago 6 months ago 3 Quote Link to comment
Lula_Mae Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Everything is looking great! So glad your corals are recovering! 1 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 27 minutes ago, Lula_Mae said: Everything is looking great! So glad your corals are recovering! Thanks! I'm really happy that the blasto is healing, I was a little worried about it in the beginning. 1 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 Apparently it's going to be 6-8 days before I even hear from Canada Corals because they're very busy When I do get an email, I'll try to pick the soonest shipping date possible because I want my blastos!!! I've been looking into 2-part, and I think I might get b-ionic. Once alk was up to normal levels, I could use both parts. Would it be possible to dose every couple of days? Or would that mess it all up? This whole low alk thing is really stressing me out, because I know I have to do something about it. If I do start dosing, I'm definitely going to have to ask some questions. Quote Link to comment
Weetabix7 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 12 minutes ago, fishfreak0114 said: Apparently it's going to be 6-8 days before I even hear from Canada Corals because they're very busy When I do get an email, I'll try to pick the soonest shipping date possible because I want my blastos!!! I've been looking into 2-part, and I think I might get b-ionic. Once alk was up to normal levels, I could use both parts. Would it be possible to dose every couple of days? Or would that mess it all up? This whole low alk thing is really stressing me out, because I know I have to do something about it. If I do start dosing, I'm definitely going to have to ask some questions. It's pretty impressive to me that your tank looks so healthy with Alk being low like that. It's been a few years since I used B-Ionic (getting ready to start using again soon), but I suspect you could use it every other day. 1 Quote Link to comment
fishfreak0114 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 45 minutes ago, Weetabix7 said: It's pretty impressive to me that your tank looks so healthy with Alk being low like that. It's been a few years since I used B-Ionic (getting ready to start using again soon), but I suspect you could use it every other day. I find it weird that everything looks healthy still, and I'm worrying because I don't know how long that will last. Do you think I could dose it twice a week? With my schedule, I couldn't do every other day. Maybe my mom could pitch in. Quote Link to comment
Weetabix7 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 10 minutes ago, fishfreak0114 said: I find it weird that everything looks healthy still, and I'm worrying because I don't know how long that will last. Do you think I could dose it twice a week? With my schedule, I couldn't do every other day. Maybe my mom could pitch in. Well, your tank obviously looks healthy and with that being the case I say try twice a week and see how it goes. 1 Quote Link to comment
SelectedByNature Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 2 hours ago, fishfreak0114 said: Apparently it's going to be 6-8 days before I even hear from Canada Corals because they're very busy When I do get an email, I'll try to pick the soonest shipping date possible because I want my blastos!!! I've been looking into 2-part, and I think I might get b-ionic. Once alk was up to normal levels, I could use both parts. Would it be possible to dose every couple of days? Or would that mess it all up? This whole low alk thing is really stressing me out, because I know I have to do something about it. If I do start dosing, I'm definitely going to have to ask some questions. It's funny because I had the mini st-tomas mushroom and that radiant red encrusting Blasto in my Canada Corals cart. xD 1 Quote Link to comment
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