Astinus' Build *A work in Progress*

[Astinus]

I Really appreciate the Frag Ecam TYVM!

[RayWhisperer]

Pull the rings.

[Astinus]

TY Ray. I will.

[FlowerMama]

Right. It was Gulf Live Rock. Tons of sponges, macros, imbedded clams, purple and magenta coraline.

[Astinus]

TY FlowerMama. I thought it was that supplier. I was really impressed with ur Re-build.

[StinkyBunny]

Pukani is an open structure rock, very light and porous. I will tell you this, soak it and scrub it well for at least a month. There are a metric shittonne of sponges in there that need to be rehydrated to be removed. if you don't clean it, you will be VERY sorry.

 

Here are some pictures of different rock:

 

Indo Air freight, VERY expensive, but very nice, the nicest of the air freighted rock shipping right now.

 

 

Pukani: Very light and porous, to the left of the Clarkii clown.

 

Tonga branch: Very dense and I don't think there's a hell of a lot of biological activity inside this rock. AKA Dongz.

 

 

Fiji slab: Dense and porous at the same time most pices are less than 4cm thick and they appear to be cut from tabling Acroporas.

 

That's a full 28kg box, I use it mainly for leather corals, cuts quite easily.

[FlowerMama]

I'm most in love w/ the sponges and colors on the rocks- the large and small clams, the rose coral, etc. Barely saw any worms of any kind, not as many brittle stars either.

[StinkyBunny]

This is dry boat rock FlowerMama, they're dead, not live like air freighted rock is. If it was, I'd leave them alone in there. Sponges produce a hell of a lot of compounds essential to reef life. Fiji boat rock is collected, cleaned, dried and thrown into a container for 4-6 weeks. I can't even imagine the smell when they open the doors on that container, lol.

[RayWhisperer]

Lol dongz. I thought that was just a local nickname for it.

[Astinus]

Wow...EWWWww and NICE!

Yeah, I am just thinking out loud, perse.

Just ideas. But, that is WAY down the road yet.

I really do appreciate the input and education on the Different rocks.

 

How do u folks like the Current Pics I posted up t'day?

Comments, observations? Algae?

[StinkyBunny]

Lol dongz. I thought that was just a local nickname for it.

 

You'll have to ask Kat about that name, that's all her, those branch pieces are hers now.

[RayWhisperer]

Astinus, you are growing some algae (looks like 2 or 3 varieties) midway up. Also, clean your glass.

 

I'm sure Kat likes her Dongz thick. Like the one on the left.... I guess that leaves me out of luck....

[metrokat]

[Astinus]

Aye aye Capt

Yeah the algae has been oncoming slowly for the last 3 months.

Some glass issues are outside tank..rest is milky film.

[RayWhisperer]

I get it, Kat. My Dong isn't big enough. You don't have to smack me when I'm down!

[Astinus]

Can anyone recommend a good FW Forum?

I am having issues again with our 75. (Non planted) Fish Only tank.

Cloudy water. Been fighting this issue off and on for about 2 or 3 months now.

[RayWhisperer]

Bacteria bloom. Heavily stocked? Not doing enough water changes? Not cleaning your filter enough?

That last one always takes the cake. " I rinse it in the sink every week!" Yeah, that ain't gonna work well long term.

[Astinus]

I was told it was Bacteria Bloom.

Not to heavily stocked.

4 or 5 Barbs

http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-species/freshwater-profiles/barb.aspx

 

4 Black Tetras.

http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-species/freshwater-profiles/black-tetra-2.aspx

 

4-5 inch Pleco

 

1 LARGE Catfish... 5 inches?

http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-species/freshwater-profiles/upside-down-catfish-2.aspx

 

I do need to do a WC and do some Filter maint.

[RayWhisperer]

What kind of gravel? Vacuuming it much?

Also, what kind of Pleco? You know, most of them are just shitting machines, right?

[Astinus]

The Colored crap Shar wanted. Blue mostly.

[RayWhisperer]

I find sand woks way better in FW. Doesn't allow much crap down into it. Makes for easy cleanup with a siphon.

Edit; works, not woks.

[Astinus]

What kind of gravel? Vacuuming it much?

Also, what kind of Pleco? You know, most of them are just shitting machines, right?

Unaware that Plecos were shitting machines. Was purchased mostly to help control algae.

Which I only get on the Cover.

Let me see if I can find a Pic of a Pleco that closely resembles ours.

[RayWhisperer]

Probably just a common Pleco, then. Those and gibbiceps are the worst of the crap producers.

[Astinus]

TY for the input Ray.

Last time I did a WC and heavy cleaning, I set off a cycle.

Did not lose any Fish. I Do vacuum the Substrate pretty heavy though.

[RayWhisperer]

Do it in thirds. Week one, 1/3, week 2, 1/3, week 3, the last 1/3. That way you can clean your filter every week as well, without removing too much biological filtration.