Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Magnifica Update

I fed the magnifica a piece of scallop yesterday which it consumed (as it always does when offered). I have been sparing in my direct feeding of it in case it has internal bacterial issues, but it looks very good now and I think I’m going to take the opposite approach and feed it more often to see if that makes it happy.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Bacteria Addition

In an effort to try to help defeat the cyano, I decided to try dosing some Microbe Lift Special Blend. I know from other folks that it smells horrible and that is no exaggeration. I tried a small (~30 mL) test dose to check the smell level and make sure the system responded ok. I turned off the UV and added it to the return section of my sump. Definitely do not want an open bottle in my living room.

Everything seems to have had no reaction, which is good. I was afraid my magnifica was reacting negatively when I saw its mouth open an hour after dosing, but when I looked over 30 seconds later it was tightly closed again. Just a passing thing, I guess, maybe from yesterday’s feeding.

The two pics below show it about a minute apart and it has not been open since so I am not concerned.

I’ll plan to add a bigger dose tomorrow morning, just before we go out for a while. lol

 

[dwest]

Bacteria Addition

In an effort to try to help defeat the cyano, I decided to try dosing some Microbe Lift Special Blend. I know from other folks that it smells horrible and that is no exaggeration. I tried a small (~30 mL) test dose to check the smell level and make sure the system responded ok. I turned off the UV and added it to the return section of my sump. Definitely do not want an open bottle in my living room.

Everything seems to have had no reaction, which is good. I was afraid my magnifica was reacting negatively when I saw its mouth open an hour after dosing, but when I looked over 30 seconds later it was tightly closed again. Just a passing thing, I guess, maybe from yesterday’s feeding.

The two pics below show it about a minute apart and it has not been open since so I am not concerned.

I’ll plan to add a bigger dose tomorrow morning, just before we go out for a while. lol

Are you doing the bacteria in conjunction with calcium carbonate?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Are you doing the bacteria in conjunction with calcium carbonate?

No. I did the calcium carbonate for a couple of days with no apparent benefit. I’m going to try the bacteria as it’s recommended single dose in a week, and see if anything is different after a while. If not, then maybe the combo.

I just don’t think the combo makes sense for coralline covered rocks. The calcium carbonate will bind organics. The bacteria will coat surfaces that may include coralline. Just not seeing a reason to want bacteria on calcium carbonate on the coralline. Maybe makes sense for bare rocks though.

 

[Dan_P]

Bacteria Addition

In an effort to try to help defeat the cyano, I decided to try dosing some Microbe Lift Special Blend. I know from other folks that it smells horrible and that is no exaggeration. I tried a small (~30 mL) test dose to check the smell level and make sure the system responded ok. I turned off the UV and added it to the return section of my sump. Definitely do not want an open bottle in my living room.

Everything seems to have had no reaction, which is good. I was afraid my magnifica was reacting negatively when I saw its mouth open an hour after dosing, but when I looked over 30 seconds later it was tightly closed again. Just a passing thing, I guess, maybe from yesterday’s feeding.

The two pics below show it about a minute apart and it has not been open since so I am not concerned.

I’ll plan to add a bigger dose tomorrow morning, just before we go out for a while. lol

What is the bottled bacteria going to do that all the heterotrophic bacteria that came with your live rocks can’t?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is the bottled bacteria going to do that all the heterotrophic bacteria that came with your live rocks can’t?

It’s a matter of numbers impinging on The newly exposed coralline and other surfaces after I blow off the cyano. Their may also be autotrophs in it (Purple non sulfur bacteria).

But I’m not claiming it will work. Just trying a plausible treatment.

 

[rishma]

I still do not follow on the concern about bacteria on the coraline. I cannot imagine how that hurts anything. I bet there is a ton of bacteria on the coraline already

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I still do not follow on the concern about bacteria on the coraline. I cannot imagine how that hurts anything. I bet there is a ton of bacteria on the coraline already

I want the new bacteria to coat the coralline and deter cyano from attaching. That would be thin and likely invisible.

What I have concerns about is coating the coralline with a white haze of particles of calcium carbonate that may not be optimal for the coralline, or attractive. It sounds like painting it over with bare rock covered with bacteria, then hoping the coralline can grow on that new bare rock.

 

[Dan_P]

I want the new bacteria to coat the coralline and deter cyano from attaching. That would be thin and likely invisible.

What I have concerns about is coating the coralline with a white haze of particles of calcium carbonate that may not be optimal for the coralline, or attractive. It sounds like painting it over with bare rock covered with bacteria, then hoping the coralline can grow on that new bare rock.

If you had the time, there is an opportunity to do a little investigation. You might earn a research badge too :-)

Select a patch of coralline with cyanobacteria growth. Keep it meticulously clean with a turkey baster for at least two weeks. Result will be cyanobacteria growth does not return when you stop the daily cleaning.

On a second cyanobacteria patch, keep it lightly coated with calcium carbonate (daily application of a slurry from an eyedropper). Coralline might bleach from shading. Cyanobacteria will either grow over the CaCO3 or the mat will disperse.

 

[rishma]

I still do not follow on the concern about bacteria on the coraline. I cannot imagine how that hurts anything. I bet there is a ton of bacteria on the coraline already

I want the new bacteria to coat the coralline and deter cyano from attaching. That would be thin and likely invisible.

What I have concerns about is coating the coralline with a white haze of particles of calcium carbonate that may not be optimal for the coralline, or attractive. It sounds like painting it over with bare rock covered with bacteria, then hoping the coralline can grow on that new bare rock.

You dosed the tank with calcium carbonate already and I expect you found that the rocks did not stay coated with white particles. I do not believe that adding bacteria to the calcium carbonate with make it more sticky or change that outcome.

I think the idea is the particles are a way to deliver the bacteria to the cyano better than just dumping in the water. I’m not sure I buy it but see no harm vs dosing them separately.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You dosed the tank with calcium carbonate already and I expect you found that the rocks did not stay coated with white particles. I do not believe that adding bacteria to the calcium carbonate with make it more sticky or change that outcome.

I think the idea is the particles are a way to deliver the bacteria to the cyano better than just dumping in the water. I’m not sure I buy it but see no harm vs dosing them separately.

We will see what, if anything, helps!

 

[Tradevg]

I’m sure you probably know this but I recently saw this interview with Lou Ekus and BRS. Lou touched on some interesting info regarding cyano which was new to me. Posting in case it helps.

 

[areefer01]

I’m sure you probably know this but I recently saw this interview with Lou Ekus and BRS. Lou touched on some interesting info regarding cyano which was new to me. Posting in case it helps.

Probably would have been a good idea to put the time stamp marker so he doesn't have to go through the whole thing. Not to say he has a short attention span or isn't busy but may have helped zero in.

 

[rishma]

Every time you post a pic of that magnifica it makes me want one. Then I have to remind myself that I removed my anemone last year because it was a nightmare. I’m rooting for you.

 

[jonelder68]

Every time you post a pic of that magnifica it makes me want one. Then I have to remind myself that I removed my anemone last year because it was a nightmare. I’m rooting for you.

Same…so tempting! But hard pass.

 

[Tradevg]

I’m sure you probably know this but I recently saw this interview with Lou Ekus and BRS. Lou touched on some interesting info regarding cyano which was new to me. Posting in case it helps.

Probably would have been a good idea to put the time stamp marker so he doesn't have to go through the whole thing. Not to say he has a short attention span or isn't busy but may have helped zero in.

You must be the wife. If long and short chain carbon makes sense then skip it. Else watch it at 1.25x.. it’s informative. Cyano first mentioned around 6min mark.

 

[areefer01]

You must be the wife. If long and short chain carbon makes sense then skip it. Else watch it at 1.25x.. it’s informative. Cyano first mentioned around 6min mark.

No, I'm not.

On the other hand no need to be rude. My opinion is that it is proper etiquette is all when posting a video with a tip or suggestion. Maybe this is just a "me" thing and not etiquette at all.

Hope your evening is well.

 

[VelocityTech]

Fish Update

Unfortunately, the female mandarin that I added several days ago is not be be seen. Like the previous time I tried, I saw her the next day after addition, but not after that. I will keep watching for her, but I'm convinced something got her, such as one of the mantis shrimp. Anyone know how long these Florida mantis shrimp live in a tank? lol

The azure damsels seem to be doing fine, with a couple of caveats. One seems to hide in the upper corner of the tank. It may be afraid of the others, and if that continues long term, I might consider rehoming it. But more significantly, I found one of them (maybe that one) sucked up against the intake of a powerhead. It just could not get loose. I tried to gently push it off with my finger, but could not. Putting the powerhead in feed mode (off), it immediately swam away. In case this might happen again, I would like to incorporate a short section of very low flow in the powerhead controls (say, 5 seconds at 0-2% and then a minute or so at 65%. But I don't see how to make that possible, and started a thread in the equipment forum. I can only see how to make symmetric cycles so the low is the same time length as the high flow part of it.

Question on Tunze Hub Control of 6105 Powerheads

I have two Tunze 6105 Eco powerheads and am quite happy with them. I control them via the online Tunze hub, which also has done a nice job. Today I found a small fish (a new azure damsel) sucked up against the intake and it could not get loose. I thought at first it was dead, but it...

www.reef2reef.com

I had this happen to a very small regal tang. It took some time for him to learn to keep away from it. Got stuck a few times over a 2 day period. No issues since.

Glad to see the updates! How's the cyano?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m sure you probably know this but I recently saw this interview with Lou Ekus and BRS. Lou touched on some interesting info regarding cyano which was new to me. Posting in case it helps.

Thanks, I’ll check it out. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Magnifica Update

The dang anemone somehow made the jump to the back wall last night, and is very close to the powerhead.

Since I’ve been unable to find a nem guard for the Tunze, I’m going to make a guard that I can at least use when I plan to be away. I am first going to try with a collapsible steamer from Whole Foods. I’m hoping with a mix of cutting and folding, I can get something that fits in the corner where the pump is, and which can keep the anemone from committing suicide.

This is the pre-work steamer. Plan is to cut a hole in the middle of the yellow part to fit over the outlet of the powerhead, probably with the folding parts facing in toward the inlet section of the powerhead, and then expanded as needed to block the anemone path to the inlet sections. I may need to remove some of the folding sections to get it to fit between the overflow and the glass side of the tank (which is where the powerhead lives).