Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[carol3]

Well Randy, what do you think now, is it cyano?

 

[BeanAnimal]

Well Randy, what do you think now, is it cyano?

Seeing the broader photos of the tank, I am not so sure now. I thought it may be a tough film algae with cyano growing on top because there were no blotches. However, looking at the uniform growth on the other surfaces in the tank and that it is everywhere, I would retract that and say it very well may be coralline.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’ve never seen cyano that was tough like this were a razor blade did not easily take it up. It’s a different color than most of the coralline I have.

I’m guessing it’s a different species of coralline that grows in a somewhat flatter configuration so that a razor blade does not as easily get under it like the predominant coralline species I have.

But I cannot rule out something else, which may be getting a better grip than usual on the rougher parts of the glass (recall I tried to buff those out without success).

 

[sixty_reefer]

I’ve never seen cyano that was tough like this were a razor blade did not easily take it up. It’s a different color than most of the coralline I have.

I’m guessing it’s a different species of coralline that grows in a somewhat flatter configuration so that a razor blade does not as easily get under it like the predominant coralline species I have.

But I cannot rule out something else, which may be getting a better grip than usual on the rougher parts of the glass (recall I tried to buff those out without success).

Could you remove a small patch and add a little vinegar to it? I’m curious whether it fizzes, that could tell us quite a bit about what we’re looking at.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Could you remove a small patch and add a little vinegar to it? I’m curious whether it fizzes, that could tell us quite a bit about what we’re looking at.

Maybe. The question is whether I can get big enough bits off. I might try that tomorrow.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Maybe. The question is whether I can get big enough bits off. I might try that tomorrow.

If it fizzes, you could potentially be looking at a calcified red alga such as Peyssonneliales or some form of coralline algae and if it doesn’t react, I’d be more inclined towards bacterial.

First records of the genus Seiria (Peyssonneliales, Rhodophyta) in the western Pacific with descriptions of three new species | Phytotaxa

phytotaxa.mapress.com

 

[EnterName]

No scope.

As a microscopy enthusiast, I am very disappointed!
Especially if the red stuff turns out to be Cyanobacteria, I would love to see it under a microscope.


I absolutely love the coralline algae in your tank, btw... Maybe I should try a bit more white light as well...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Zombie Update

The zombie fish rolls on. It’s now been 54 days since I got the Carberryi Anthias that seems to not move or eat. It just hangs vertically against the back glass. It has to be eating something, I presume…

FWIW, the other four are thriving as are all other fish.

 

[Reefering1]

Zombie Update

The zombie fish rolls on. It’s now been 54 days since I got the Carberryi Anthias that seems to not move or eat. It just hangs vertically against the back glass. It has to be eating something, I presume…

FWIW, the other four are thriving as are all other fish.

At what point do you put it out of its misery?

 

[tharbin]

Zombie Update

The zombie fish rolls on. It’s now been 54 days since I got the Carberryi Anthias that seems to not move or eat. It just hangs vertically against the back glass. It has to be eating something, I presume…

FWIW, the other four are thriving as are all other fish.

Randy,

Have you tried putting the zombie in a different tank or maybe an isolation box? To me that looks like a healthy fish that is trying to avoid aggression.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Randy,

Have you tried putting the zombie in a different tank or maybe an isolation box? To me that looks like a healthy fish that is trying to avoid aggression.

I don’t think that is the case, but I admit I have not tried that. There are no seemingly aggressive fish in the tank, and everyone gets along fine, although that does not mean he isn’t afraid of them.

He won’t even eat food the others all eat even when it floats right by his face.

FWIW, the other Anthias dive for the rocks and hide if I startle them, he does not move.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The Gang!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Powerhead Cleaning

Finally decided to clean my Tunze powerheads this morning. Flow was way down due to coralline and green algae on and between the ribs of the openings.

I put one powerhead in feed (off) mode, detached it and the magnet off the back wall, and pulled it slowly out the front of the hood, trailing the cord behind it.

I lowered it into a 1.5 gallon solution of tap water and 5-10% muriatic acid in a salt bucket. Bubbled like crazy. I then covered it and turned the flow back on. Left it running for 30 min, then feed mode again and moved it to clean tap water. Ran 5 min, then into another bucket of clean tap water and used a toothbrush to remove all deposits. Almost looks new with lots more flow.

Repeated with second powerhead, and both are back in with much more flow. Annoying chore, especially the one with the attached anemone guard that required removal,, but clearly needed.

Some tank pics:

 

[EnterName]

I always used 80% acetic acid and hate it... Maybe I should switch to muriatic acid for this task, as well. 30min doesn't sound so bad. Acetic doesn't always get the job done and you still need to scrub a lot get rid of the coralline. To be fair I just let it sit in a measuring cup without any water flow, but using muriatic acid can't be worse than the stench of highly concentrated vinegar

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Aside from the smell, I’ve heard that acetic acid can damage some types of equipment, presumably by penetrating plastics (via uncharged acetic acid) that muriatic acid cannot.

 

[EnterName]

I used acetic acid assuming muriatic would be worse for the equipment. But chemistry is weird sometimes and being the stronger acid doesn't has to mean anything as it seems

However, I cannot report any damages to the pumps (6 years old) even though they were sometimes sitting in like 40% acetic acid for hours. Maybe I got lucky with the used materials, maybe it's not an issue after all. Still good to know though. Thank you!

 

[bureau13]

I soaked a (very old) Vortech wet side in acetic acid once and it seemed the magnet swelled up inside, which I think I read was a possibility if the acid gets inside. I haven't had that issue with citric acid, which is what I used last time, although I'm pretty sure I used a weaker (too weak) solution. By the way I hate that job. The Vortechs aren't bad, especially if you keep a spare wet side, but I also have some gyre-style pumps on the back, and that's a real PITA. And I swear they need it all the time.

 

[bureau13]

(double post, sorry)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here’s a thread on vinegar concerns:

Beware of Vinegar - The Pump Killer

I have posted bits and piece of my vinegar story over the past three years, and I thought it would be beneficial if one post contained all that I've learn. You'll be surprised! This story will contain three parts; my history with vinegar, the cause and simplified chemistry what's happening...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Tank Update

Things are going well. Remarkably, the demented Anthias is still hanging on!

I do need to come up with a better way to attach macroalgae to rocks I sink to the bottom when I’m away. Rubber bands just are not cutting it. Even expensive silicone rubber bands for cooking are half broken after a week. I suppose I could tie it on with nylon fishing line. I’m open to ideas!