Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[rishma]

Thanks I have a Maxspect ls-90 that came with a Maxspect sk400 skimmer, crazy to me that the company would pair that skimmer with that size tank. (66 total gallons) but with displacement I say about 50-55. I have had done nothing but fiddle with that skimmer and cannot get it to skim, it is way over rated for my tank so it has me questioning my reefing knowledge and I’ve used a many skimmer over the years….lol. thanks for the input. I’ll look at the 9012, I’ll have to see where I can fit it in the sump as I think it has to take water in through the grates near the top and uses magnets so I’ll check my sump placement to see if I have a place that uses an exterior wall for the outside magnets. . crazy though but I think it is more expensive than the 9410 and has similar tank size recommendations so might be over rated as well. Edited to add that it requires 10 inches of water and my sumo is about 8 inches of water :(
Sorry Randy didn’t mean to high jack your thread.

I used a 9004 on a 50-60 gallon system and loved it. It also requires a slightly higher water level but I don’t know maybe it was 9”. I recall making my weir 1” higher to make it work. That was the tank that made me love that skimmer. Bought another one after that tank.

 

[rishma]

4. The two BRS 50 ml/min dosers I use for AWC failed off. Replaced under warranty, but I expect to need a better method long term.

Those are unreliable by reputation. Your experience is common.

I prioritize reliability and there are a lot of good options for dosing pumps. The most reliable I ever had was a liter meter. I think they’re still available. My first one ran for 15 years before the electronics that control it finally died.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Those are unreliable by reputation. Your experience is common.

I prioritize reliability and there are a lot of good options for dosing pumps. The most reliable I ever had was a liter meter. I think they’re still available. My first one ran for 15 years before the electronics that control it finally died.

Thanks. Yes, I'll be planning for a failure and replacement. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How’s your Tunze 9410 doing for you? I need a new skimmer but my tank is half of what you have so thinking the 9410 would be overkill and not really be beneficial for about 50-55 total gallons. Debating on that or a deltec. Tank is looking good!

Unlike Rishma, I have only previously used two other skimmers. They both used massively more electricity, with an Iwaki MD55RLT as the pump for each.

But I am quite happy with it. The extended overflow pipe allows me to send the skimmate to a salt bucket, so I never need to worry about overflow issues. It seems to run steadily on and on, and needs no adjustment after placing it at the right depth into the water (by putting a flat rock under it).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sorry about the nem! Been rooting it along. Look forward to seeing the next attempt.

Thanks. I'm keeping my eye on sources!

I'd elect wither a gigantea or a magnifica, depending on what seems a good choice first.

 

[X-37B]

How’s your Tunze 9410 doing for you? I need a new skimmer but my tank is half of what you have so thinking the 9410 would be overkill and not really be beneficial for about 50-55 total gallons. Debating on that or a deltec. Tank is looking good!

9410 is not overkill for a 50. I run one in my 35 and 50. You cant overskim.
I run 2 oversize skimmers on my 150. Was 2 Tunze 9430's now one 9430 and a 28" LifeReef venturi.
Get the 9410dc over the standard 9410.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

New Fish Arrive!

Got my order from Dr Reef today. Fish were double bagged, and no outer bag leaked. One inner bag leaked partly, but all fish are in the display and seem fine.

I used what I think may be new acclimation directions on the Dr Reef site. Temp equilibrate the bags (I did this in my basement sump), then pour off the water and add the fish. No mixing for salinity acclimation.

Wild caught female mandarin went first. It was easy to pour the water through my hand, and when it went into my hand, I added it to a large yogurt container 1/4 full of tank water. Then up to the display and in it went. It first tried to snuggle into the elegance, which had me worried, but before I could do anything, it came out.

Remarkably, the male mandarin (tank raised) came right over and greeted her. I missed the initial interaction, but it seemed friendly and they moved around together and eventually disappeared into the rocks together.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Carberryi Anthias

The anthias are beautiful and very feisty. Dr Reef sent 6, presumably in case one does not make it. When I tried to do what I did easily with the mandarin, I nearly lost control of the first anthias and it started flipping around wildly when the water drained out of the bag. They all were that way and one tried to jump out of the container.

But all are in the display without incident and are schooling together. They were uninterested in TDO chromoboost pellets, but did eat mysis. Hopefully I can get them to eat a dry food from feeders when I’m not around.

I don’t see any aggression with any of the current fish.

 

[rishma]

Carberryi Anthias

The anthias are beautiful and very feisty. Dr Reef sent 6, presumably in case one does not make it. When I tried to do what I did easily with the mandarin, I nearly lost control of the first anthias and it started flipping around wildly when the water drained out of the bag. They all were that way and one tried to jump out of the container.

But all are in the display without incident and are schooling together. They were uninterested in TDO chromoboost pellets, but did eat mysis. Hopefully I can get them to eat a dry food from feeders when I’m not around.

I don’t see any aggression with any of the current fish.

I love those Anthias! Congrats. Beautiful

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks. I agree they are beautiful!

 

[jonelder68]

Carberryi Anthias

The anthias are beautiful and very feisty. Dr Reef sent 6, presumably in case one does not make it. When I tried to do what I did easily with the mandarin, I nearly lost control of the first anthias and it started flipping around wildly when the water drained out of the bag. They all were that way and one tried to jump out of the container.

But all are in the display without incident and are schooling together. They were uninterested in TDO chromoboost pellets, but did eat mysis. Hopefully I can get them to eat a dry food from feeders when I’m not around.

I don’t see any aggression with any of the current fish.

Once they see the other fish eating it they will devour it. My dispar love it along with any food. As long as it blows around in the water column vs floating or sinking straight to the bottom.

Super pretty! Anthias are my favorites.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

One of the Anthias is not looking good. It is not eating mysis along with the others, and won’t swim with them. It is orienting with its bottom toward the glass, near the bottom.

 

[jonelder68]

One of the Anthias is not looking good. It is not eating mysis along with the others, and won’t swim with them. It is orienting with its bottom toward the glass, near the bottom.

Oh no! Mine one by one did this also over 48 hours on an order and all but one passed away. Hoping this isn’t the case for you .

 

[offthehook]

The anthias are beautiful! Hope the other anthias pulls through

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Unwell Carberryi Anthias

Got 6 Carberryi Anthias yesterday. 4 are swimming and schooling and eating in the tank. One likes to hide, but comes out at feeding time.

The 6th is the concern. I didn’t think it would make it through the night, but it did, staying in the same place, not eating or doing much of anything except a little movement.

All of them got the same Dr Reef qt protocol for diseases, and there is no apparent disease. It may have gotten damaged somehow during shipping, packing, unpacking, etc. I just don’t know what is wrong.

It seems more properly oriented today, but moving less.

I have very limited fish treating skills, but if something I can do might be useful, I’m happy to try. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

@Jay Hemdal

Yesterday:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Some pics of three of the others;

 

[dwest]

Randy, I’m jealous. I’d love to have those anthias and the female mandarin. They all are on my short list. Good luck!

 

[offthehook]

Some pics of three of the others;

Have you seen any aggression at all from other tank mates? My experience with anthias in general over the years is shipping can be tough on the more delicate species and it could be just that. I’m pulling for them , they are beautiful! Are you supplementing with any garlic or selcon etc? If the ones that have fallen behind are eating perhaps soak in some garlic power and/or selcon. Years ago when I had my borbonius, I couldn’t get him to eat no matter what I tried. He stayed in the corner and never came out, I started dosing with some vitamin c to the tank itself and adding selcon and glaric to food and it came around to be fat and happy. Just a thought and my 5 cents since Pennie’s are no longer being made ;)

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Unwell Carberryi Anthias

Got 6 Carberryi Anthias yesterday. 4 are swimming and schooling and eating in the tank. One likes to hide, but comes out at feeding time.

The 6th is the concern. I didn’t think it would make it through the night, but it did, staying in the same place, not eating or doing much of anything except a little movement.

All of them got the same Dr Reef qt protocol for diseases, and there is no apparent disease. It may have gotten damaged somehow during shipping, packing, unpacking, etc. I just don’t know what is wrong.

It seems more properly oriented today, but moving less.

I have very limited fish treating skills, but if something I can do might be useful, I’m happy to try. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

@Jay Hemdal

Yesterday:

I don't see anything of note in the photos. I presume these were held in the same tank at Dr. Reef? You might want to confirm that, as that can help rule out tankmate aggression from the other anthias.

I'd say then, that this is transport/acclimation stress. If it is, that should resolve by tomorrow - either good or bad.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, folks. I’m not seeing any aggression between any fish in the tank.