Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[BeanAnimal]

He said the valve was not releasing gas even when the pilot button was pushed in to try to light it.

What ever it is, the old water heater is now on their truck. Too late to fly out. lol

Wow - then not thermocouple and definitely the valve. I assumed wrong.

Likely for the best. $700 in parts for an appliance that didn't likely have $700 in life left in it isn't a good bet.

Sorry, I can't help with the algae problem one way or the other. Decades in this hobby and I can't always sort out why it comes or goes.

 

[Hans-Werner]

I have a theory about the hair algae problem. Both, hair algae and cyanos prefer fresh substrates rich in nutrients (fact, not theory). When for example corals are dying, I think more often cyano and hair algae are the result and not the cause of the problems. I think this is the case here too.

The green coralline algae you have shown some weeks ago are no different species but it is a patch of dead coralline algae. Some of the pigments break down faster and this made it appear dark green. Also the brown batches on your rocks are dead coralline algae that may have died recently. It may or may not be a consequence of the antibiotic treatment. Coralline algae live, like many other algae, in symbiosis with bacteria and archaea for vitamins etc.. Also, at least in their pigments, red algae are very similar to cyanobacteria. Maybe they share other biochemical characteristics also.

The dead coralline algae are fresh substrate enriched and very rich in nutrients. Coralline algae are rich in nutrients "by nature". The GHA are just making use of these nutrients and are the first colonizers. It is a partial "initial phase". After the GHA have used up the nutrients they most likely would disappear like at the end of an initial phase.

This is in my eyes the best explanation I can give about the GHA problem.

 

[jonelder68]

I have a theory about the hair algae problem. Both, hair algae and cyanos prefer fresh substrates rich in nutrients (fact, not theory). When for example corals are dying, I think more often cyano and hair algae are the result and not the cause of the problems. I think this is the case here too.

The green coralline algae you have shown some weeks ago are no different species but it is a patch of dead coralline algae. Some of the pigments break down faster and this made it appear dark green. Also the brown batches on your rocks are dead coralline algae that may have died recently. It may or may not be a consequence of the antibiotic treatment. Coralline algae live, like many other algae, in symbiosis with bacteria and archaea for vitamins etc.. Also, at least in their pigments, red algae are very similar to cyanobacteria. Maybe they share other biochemical characteristics also.

The dead coralline algae are fresh substrate enriched and very rich in nutrients. Coralline algae are rich in nutrients "by nature". The GHA are just making use of these nutrients and are the first colonizers. It is a partial "initial phase". After the GHA have used up the nutrients they most likely would disappear like at the end of an initial phase.

This is in my eyes the best explanation I can give about the GHA problem.

That’s my thought/experience also. Similar to when you kill off dino’s it leaves behind a nutrient rich surface for cyano to repopulate in place. Why many go from Dino’s to either a cyano or GHA outbreak. The abundance of nutrients left behind is a breeding ground for the next optimistic plague. TM nitribiotic was the best solution I found. It seems to consume up all the left over nutrients and help out compete anything from taking over. Along with manually removing as much as possible. Big fan of the TM nitribiotic!

 

[exnisstech]

Just a gas fired water heater for tap water.

Mine crapped out the day before thanks giving a couple of years ago. Unit was $500ish at home Depot and I had it in before family came over for dinner TG day.
I have to say I just don't understand this code people talk about. Are some of you asking someone for permission to replace or fix something you own? I'm from the what they don't known won't hurt them camp.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Mine crapped out the day before thanks giving a couple of years ago. Unit was $500ish at home Depot and I had it in before family came over for dinner TG day.
I have to say I just don't understand this code people talk about. Are some of you asking someone for permission to replace or fix something you own? I'm from the what they don't known won't hurt them camp.

lol

Code is strongly enforced here. Even the meter replacement is mandated by the state.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I greatly appreciate all input, but I'm not really seeing the dead coralline as a significant source. Most, if not all coralline is thriving, and the algae grows on it as well as anywhere. It also grows well on bare black plastic surfaces.

I suspect I have this total set of events that is driving it, with uncertainly relative contributions:

1. Plenty of N, P and trace elements. I'm feeding much more often (and more total) than I did in my old tank to keep fish such as the anthias thriving.

2. The algae got ahead of me and is now longer than my CUC wants to tackle. They apparently prefer to scrape glass and "bare" coralline on rocks.

3. Low flow to keep noise to a minimum. The now longer algae is slowing it down even more locally, allowing detritus to settle into the algae.

4. Low pH (compared to my last tank using kalk) which boosts available CO2.

5. Warm white light that is fairly bright.

I've been manually removing some, but it is harder than it sounds. lol

Turning down the light intensity is one easy effort that I will try when I'm home for an extended period to monitor.

I got a new set of snails and such a few weeks ago, but they are losing ground still.

i had thought my yellow tang and foxface would keep it under control, but no.

 

[exnisstech]

lol

Code is strongly enforced here. Even the meter replacement is mandated by the state.

I get it but don't know how anyone is going to know if someone is replacing a water heater unless someone is watching the house. I guess I'm not a rule follower because if what I'm doing has no effect on anyone or their safety, I'm not asking. I understand the safety part of code but much of it is just BS to generate revenue. I have family that lives in PA not too far from Philly and every single house that is listed for sale has to have a septic system inspected and they all fail and have to be replaced. And of course, they have a list of approved contractors that can do it. There was new system installed when they bought their home and when they sold it less than 5 years later the entire system had to be replaced again before the sale could be completed. I guess I'm just a rebel or whatever we're called these days. Probably a good thing I live where I do, I'd never make in a housing development with rules even if they are there for my protection

 

[areefer01]

I get it but don't know how anyone is going to know if someone is replacing a water heater unless someone is watching the house. I guess I'm not a rule follower because if what I'm doing has no effect on anyone or their safety, I'm not asking. I understand the safety part of code but much of it is just BS to generate revenue. I have family that lives in PA not too far from Philly and every single house that is listed for sale has to have a septic system inspected and they all fail and have to be replaced. And of course, they have a list of approved contractors that can do it. There was new system installed when they bought their home and when they sold it less than 5 years later the entire system had to be replaced again before the sale could be completed. I guess I'm just a rebel or whatever we're called these days. Probably a good thing I live where I do, I'd never make in a housing development with rules even if they are there for my protection

I may be reading this wrong but it is the installation that follows the code. Code being rules for lack of a better word. Contractor, builder, or even home owner can do the install, that doesn't matter. What matters is that they followed code. Same with permits.

If not, and something happens, insurance may, or may not, be affected. Depending on the state that may or may not be a bigger issue. In la la land, er, California, it is a very, very, big deal.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I get it but don't know how anyone is going to know if someone is replacing a water heater unless someone is watching the house. I guess I'm not a rule follower because if what I'm doing has no effect on anyone or their safety, I'm not asking. I understand the safety part of code but much of it is just BS to generate revenue. I have family that lives in PA not too far from Philly and every single house that is listed for sale has to have a septic system inspected and they all fail and have to be replaced. And of course, they have a list of approved contractors that can do it. There was new system installed when they bought their home and when they sold it less than 5 years later the entire system had to be replaced again before the sale could be completed. I guess I'm just a rebel or whatever we're called these days. Probably a good thing I live where I do, I'd never make in a housing development with rules even if they are there for my protection

I would not replace a gas appliance myself, and no plumber will go against code (at least here).

 

[X-37B]

I greatly appreciate all input, but I'm not really seeing the dead coralline as a significant source. Most, if not all coralline is thriving, and the algae grows on it as well as anywhere. It also grows well on bare black plastic surfaces.

I suspect I have this total set of events that is driving it, with uncertainly relative contributions:

1. Plenty of N, P and trace elements. I'm feeding much more often (and more total) than I did in my old tank to keep fish such as the anthias thriving.

2. The algae got ahead of me and is now longer than my CUC wants to tackle. They apparently prefer to scrape glass and "bare" coralline on rocks.

3. Low flow to keep noise to a minimum. The now longer algae is slowing it down even more locally, allowing detritus to settle into the algae.

4. Low pH (compared to my last tank using kalk) which boosts available CO2.

5. Warm white light that is fairly bright.

I've been manually removing some, but it is harder than it sounds. lol

Turning down the light intensity is one easy effort that I will try when I'm home for an extended period to monitor.

I got a new set of snails and such a few weeks ago, but they are losing ground still.

i had thought my yellow tang and foxface would keep it under control, but no.

Have you considered a sea hare?
It will eat it all then you can gift it to someone or return to your lfs.
It has worked well for me in the past vs chemicals to kill it.

 

[exnisstech]

I may be reading this wrong but it is the installation that follows the code. Code being rules for lack of a better word. Contractor, builder, or even home owner can do the install, that doesn't matter. What matters is that they followed code. Same with permits.

If not, and something happens, insurance may, or may not, be affected. Depending on the state that may or may not be a bigger issue. In la la land, er, California, it is a very, very, big deal.

Ya I love it here, I didn't even get a building permit for my pole building and I wired it and installed the gas furnace myself. I think code has a purpose but often I feel it is a bit over the top. I don't need the proection tho I'm sure some do.

I would not replace a gas appliance myself, and no plumber will go against code (at least here).

I would not do it if I didn't feel confident in my abilities. I wouldn't expect a plumber to go against code and there's no reason to violate code other than not asking permission. The problem I have is having to ask permission then pay someone to do something I am capable of safely doing myself. I guess my grandfather's advice to never pay someone to do something I can do myself stuck. Growing up poor probably had a effect also.
apologies for the sidetracking the thread.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Have you considered a sea hare?
It will eat it all then you can gift it to someone or return to your lfs.
It has worked well for me in the past vs chemicals to kill it.

Yes, it's under consideration.

Will it eat long algae?