Tank Progression: 60 gallon

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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by *GSP*Fan* »

Pufferpunk wrote:No direct flow at it?
The first location it did have at least moderate flow I'd say. I tried to adjust the poweheads numerous times to lessen the flow and even block it more by moving some of the smaller pieces of rock. That location was just hard to lessen the flow in. I was afraid to move it up in the tank much father straight away without it getting used to the light. After that branch started dying I began searching for causes and now from my understanding flow can be quite bad for them if its too much. Now I'm thinking it had too much. It is moved up higher now, after I noticed the recession on that branch and not getting as much flow as it was.

It'll be much easier to get better flow once the new powerheads arrive, which actually those should be coming with that test kit today. The maxijets have a very direct flow and everything I've read has said the Koralias flow is wider.

Are there any signs that I could look for or may have already seen that could pinpoint more as to what caused the branch to die? I know test results can't be ruled out yet, but I don't know how to tell if it was something like flow or even some sort of parasite.
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by Pufferpunk »

I've mostly see that with mine from direct flow. Now, I have the flow going over the top of it.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by *GSP*Fan* »

Pufferpunk wrote:I've mostly see that with mine from direct flow. Now, I have the flow going over the top of it.
Okay, thank you. The flow is what I assumed it was after some reading but didn't want to dismiss other issues without some input. Especially with the reaction after that one water change and that it hadn't been opening as fully, though I guess it getting tired of the higher flow might be part of the problem. Still stumped as to why the ricordia aren't opening.

Anything I can/should do to help it now? I'm assuming that one head/branch is done for but I'd hate to it to happen to the rest after being in higher flow for some time. Its definitely in lower flow so I'm sure that'll help but just wanted to ask.

Do/did you feed hammers or similar? It seems that its usually recommended to feed what my searches but I wasn't so sure as to how to go about it. Pretty easy with the brains.

I had about forgot about the new powerhead coming in this package, if they are indeed there when I get off work I should be able to work with the flow even better.

Also, my LEDs came in but I have not got them up and running yet. I tried to place them on the tank with the stands they came with but it won't work with my skimmer on the side unfortunately so I've got to hang them. I've got the hooks in the ceiling but waiting to see how to best go from there. I did have them turned on and was messing with the dimmable feature and like what I see so I'm pretty excited to get them up and running..
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by Pufferpunk »

Every LPS has a mouth. Did you follow that like I gave you on feeding & also on folks going back to T5s from LEDs?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by *GSP*Fan* »

Pufferpunk wrote:Every LPS has a mouth. Did you follow that like I gave you on feeding & also on folks going back to T5s from LEDs?
I have seen the mouths on the hammer, just hadn't tried to feed. It was rather simple with the brains. I guess it wouldn't be too difficult with the hammer so long as it responds to the food, just didn't know what to expect.

I don't remember following a link about feeding but I do remember there being two links in a single post that wouldn't load. I'll continue to look back through and see if I can find it, I started looking but will continue to.

I did read through the conversation about the LEDs and going back to T5s or MH afterwards. I plan to hold on to the T5 fixture for a while, if not indefinitely. I certainly hope I like the LEDS, hate to of wasted the money.
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by Pufferpunk »

Can't you return them?

The food will stick to the hammer's polyps. You turn the flow off when you feed?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by *GSP*Fan* »

Pufferpunk wrote:Can't you return them?

The food will stick to the hammer's polyps. You turn the flow off when you feed?
I'm sure I could. I've spoken with the owner (or whatever the correct term is) of the site that carries the LEDs, thats all they carry is the lights. He seems like a nice enough guy and has helped me out quite a bit. The lights do have a warranty, 2 year I think, so I'll be good if anything goes wrong.

I mean I'm hoping I won't have to return them and that I do like them. I did like them what little bit I saw when I tried them out but can't speak for long term yet. I do like knowing I won't have to worry about replacing bulbs and all.


Ah, okay, I wasn't sure of anything sticking or not. I noticed it did very easily with the brains, surprised me there.

I've never turned the flow off when feeding the fish. I've fed the brains on a couple occasions. I've done it during a water change so that the flow was off because of the water level and all. I've also fed formula one pellets with the flow on with no issues and fed the smaller trachy covered in a cut bottle to keep the CUC away, especially those shrimp. Shrimp kinda aggravate me, I thought they were supposed to be shy but they climb on my hand almost every time I stick my hand in the tank, definitely startled me the first time. I also know they can certainly steal food a lot easier than the hermits or nassarius snails. Oh yeah, turns out those snails weren't eaten by the wrasse, just decided to hide out for a bit apparently. I believe they may have bred during that time as well. I noticed two of the snails side by side and with a good difference in size, I don't recall having any added that small to begin with. Rambling now....
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by Pufferpunk »

LOL, leave your hand in there for a bit & let them clean under your nails!
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by *GSP*Fan* »

Pufferpunk wrote:LOL, leave your hand in there for a bit & let them clean under your nails!
I don't think I could handle that lol. It just feels so weird whenever they climb on my hand. I didn't even know they were known to clean until I did a google search after having them climb on my hand. Everything else just seemed to say they stayed hidden and came out mostly at night, mine have been pretty brave from the start though. I believe I read somewhere they were part of the cleaner family or something like that, I forget specifics.

However, they were hiding more the first couple days and even nights after adding the puffer, sensing danger I presume. But they were out and about last night for sure.

Found a couple pictures..out and about during the day on several occasions,before the puffer anyway.

Image
Image
Image


Anyway, one of my packages from Dr.Fosters and Smith arrived and it should have my test kits and new powerheads. I plan to test as soon as I get a chance to tonight and I'll post the results. I'm sure I'll need the feedback.
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by Pufferpunk »

Those are Peppermint shrimp. You should get some Fire shrimp--so pretty!
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by *GSP*Fan* »

Pufferpunk wrote:Those are Peppermint shrimp. You should get some Fire shrimp--so pretty!
Oh yeah I knew what kind they were. They were on sale for like $2 a piece at one point from a site I had ordered a couple corals from. Since they weren't that expensive I went ahead and got them even knowing I was getting the puffer.

I've seen the fire shrimp online and they are nice I just didn't think it'd be the best idea to spend a whole lot on shrimp with the puffer coming and all. Though she hasn't exactly tried to go after them, crabs, or snails yet I know that could change.

I believe I remember reading through some thread on here that you kept at least crabs with a toby, did you have luck with shrimp as well?
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C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
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Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by Pufferpunk »

I did but eventually they disappear.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by *GSP*Fan* »

Package did arrive. :)

Image

So far I'm liking these powerheads better. I did work with them a while trying to get them positioned correctly but I still need to do a bit of tweaking I believe. I hate trying to get them just right, takes up so much of my time.

I also tested last night with the Red Sea kit. I may be off some in either direction as it was much first time doing these sorts of tests, may take some getting used to, but I believe I did and read them correctly.

Here are the results from every parameter I tested last night:


Red Sea API Salifert

Ca- 430 Ammonia- 0 Nitrate-10-25 Temp- 79
Mg- 1320 Nitrite- 0 SG-1.026
dKH-12.6 PH- 8.2



My most recent water change before the testing was early Saturday morning. I performed a water change of about 15 gallons early this morning to continue to lower the nitrates.

I need to look more into what levels (mg,ca,dKH) would be the best for my tank) from my understanding as of now I believe the Mg and Ca are good but I'm not sure about the dKH.
Pufferpunk wrote:I did but eventually they disappear.
Ah, I see. I definitely won't be surprised if the peppermint shrimp disappear at some point.

I fed the tank today with squid and mysis. I see the puffer going after it and even taking a bite but I saw her spit it back out. Guess she's just being picky? She doesn't look thin or anything to me at all. I was just surprised to see it spat back out.
Last edited by *GSP*Fan* on Thu Feb 21, 2013 5:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Pufferpunk
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Posts: 32987
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
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My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

Post by Pufferpunk »

You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Re: Tank Progression: 60 gallon

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