Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[jonelder68]

Cyano? In Refugium

Recently I’ve been getting a greenish brown scum on the water surface of my refugium. It is likely some type of cyano, but seems to like the surface.

It can become thick enough to scoop out in just a day. I’ve not yet tested N and P since I don’t yet have the kits I want, but will soon.

Turning off the skimmer might be making this issue worse. I don’t have a true overflow from the refugium unless the drain holes become clogged, and I likely don’t want to overflow the scum into my return chamber and then up to the display anyway.

I already have one accessory powerhead to give flow in the refugium, but I may need to upgrade it.

Alternatively, I might ramp up the power in my return pump and divert a lot of the flow into the Brute chain to increase the flow through it without increasing the overflow noise at the display (which has been nicely low).

There’s no sign of this scum in the display or any other brutes, but the lighting is currently low in the display. That could be one an issue in the future, though the display does have a lot more flow and also true overflows.

Is the “scum” turning into a clear then later brown snot strand?

 

[Freenow54]

Thanks. :)

I keep meaning to do that lol

 

[Freenow54]

Last year we had seven different bears, and one large mother and four cubs kept devastating the bird feeder. She would stand on her hind legs, and just push the metal pole to the ground.

Man finally triumphed over beast when I took a long 4x4 from the barn, buried it deep as I could set it, then mounted the metal pole on top of it. She could climb the wood, but not the metal pole, and did not have the leverage to bend the metal pole while holding onto the wood. She tried and failed to bite through the metal pole. lol

They don't like moth balls. that is what we use in our camp maybe ammonia ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Bears are a menace. Our property in the u.p. has black bears in the area they make a mess of everything and can obviously be dangerous especailly to kids and small animals. My Grand father used to tell us to get in the house before dusk as that is when they are most active. It was like living with vampires lol.

My wife got me a can of pepper spray for bears in case I accidentally got between the mom and her cubs. Not sure if that works on vampires. Lol

 

[Miami Reef]

What color bears are they?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What color bears are they?

They are officially black bears. Which can range from brown to black, but all we have seen are actually black.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Is the “scum” turning into a clear then later brown snot strand?

Not really. It’s a greenish brown foam scum. Not snotty. Not likely normal dinos.

 

[Miami Reef]

That’s horrifying. I can’t imagine that outside my front door.

Are these statements true?

“If it’s black: fight back”
“If it’s brown: get down”
“If it’s white: good night”

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here’s a fun video of the mom and cubs walking through the yard last year.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That’s horrifying. I can’t imagine that outside my front door.

Are these statements true?

“If it’s black: fight back”
“If it’s brown: get down”
“If it’s white: good night”

We like them. Lol

I’ve heard that too, and I suspect our local bears would run away if I yelled at them, except a mom protecting her cubs.

We saw what we think we’re at least three of these cubs (now much bigger but not like mom) in the yard this year, without mom.

 

[Miami Reef]

We like them. Lol

I’ve heard that too, and I suspect our local bears would run away if I yelled at them, except a mom protecting her cubs.

We saw what we think we’re at least three of these cubs (now much bigger but not like mom) in the yard this year, without mom.

Don’t get me wrong. I like them too. The video of the cubs skipping toward the mama-bear is adorable.

I thought they were aggressive and was imagining a blood-thirsty bear out my door at night, like a horror film.

 

[rtparty]

That’s horrifying. I can’t imagine that outside my front door.

Are these statements true?

“If it’s black: fight back”
“If it’s brown: get down”
“If it’s white: good night”

Joe Rogan talks about bears quite a bit and that sounds right from what I’ve gathered.

Black bears aren’t a serious issue. Brown bears are a pretty serious issues. Polar bears have no fear of humans and kill at will

 

[jonelder68]

Not really. It’s a greenish brown foam scum. Not snotty. Not likely normal dinos.

Just curious. I started with a surface scum with TBS rock/sand and ended up with a cotton fuzz that turned into brown snot on the rocks. Hopefully you don’t have that. Though the reef cleaners cuc order cleaned it up ASAP along with some Pom Pom macro. If so don’t pick it without removing from water column best you can.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Just curious. I started with a surface scum with TBS rock/sand and ended up with a cotton fuzz that turned into brown snot on the rocks. Hopefully you don’t have that. Though the reef cleaners cuc order cleaned it up ASAP along with some Pom Pom macro. If so don’t pick it without removing from water column best you can.

Thanks. :)

 

[twentyleagues]

My wife got me a can of pepper spray for bears in case I accidentally got between the mom and her cubs. Not sure if that works on vampires. Lol

No pepper spray does not work on Vampires. They would be adverse to a garlic spray though. I am going to develop a garlic/pepper spray that will be an all in one answer to pretty much either issue and if for some reason you dont have either issue you can use it on your steak. (the eating kind not the stabby kind that would just be adding insult to injury).

 

[twentyleagues]

Black bears are a little more worried about their own health than messing with something that is or could be aggressive. Typically being big and loud makes them want to get away. When young are involved though all bets are off.
I never understood the brown get down thing. Bears will eat carrion so that would make an easier meal. Not saying you will win a fight bare handed against a bear...hmmm.
The polar bear is a stay away and if its coming for you do whatever you need to do to survive situation. I like to keep a potential enemy at hand and do the trip maneuver. Or carry a large Boom stick. Or dont go where they are known to hunt its too cold anyway.

 

[Freenow54]

My wife got me a can of pepper spray for bears in case I accidentally got between the mom and her cubs. Not sure if that works on vampires. Lol

If the bears has a dump and it smells like pepper they don't have to worry about looking for you

 

[Freenow54]

The problem with bears , and I speak from personal experience is that they become used to humans. People love to try to get ( one with nature ) . I used to do when I was 17 organized Government trips for under privileged children . My friend talked me into it. We always took the younger ones 13/ 14 they were already doing B and es and stealing cars but weren't sticking guns in peoples faces. I was really green and a sow with cubs in a clearing at the end of a potage wanted our food. Children running every wear. Long story I was a canoe paddle away from her , we survived. That was in the south end of Algonquin Park 4 hours drive north from Toronto. That was where all the tourists went for their nature getaway. When you got to the North end 1 week of continuous peddling , and portaging 30 to 35 miles a day ( not with the kids ) the bears would spot you from the other end of the lake and take off. \when they become accustomed they are dangerous because they are VERY near sighted. They look cuddly but are lightning fast. Your bears look well fed and very healthy by the number of cubs she has . Just give them room , and hope you dont meet Dad bet hes about 1,000 lbs

 

[Freenow54]

Apparently They will make a kill then drag the kill to a spot , and give it a shallow grave burial then return when YOU rot and eat you up. That is how they hunt a man killer bear. Find the body back off then post up , and wait