Bubble algae
We have a pretty good crop of Bubble Algae (Valonia ventricosa) now with no idea how it got started. And we let it get out of hand. The tank was free of this nuisance from the beginning and started about…
reef
Fresh water top off
For the 140 gallon system, we have been undecided about a freshwater top off system because we were undecided about adding an external refugium. Initially, we installed a 60 gallon glass cube as the sump tank with the intention of…
Water movement
For water movement in the display tank we are using a gyre power head pump. Placing the pump near the top of the tank gives surface agitation. Placing the pump near the corner gives a a circular motion moving water…
Saltwater make-up
We are making a minor change to make the process a little easier and to save a few dollars. The idea is make about 48 gallons of new salt water at one time. We will stay with a 24 gallon…
Algae control, scrape it
In general, we don’t “fight” algae. In part because our tanks get a lot of natural light and a few hours of direct sunlight. So we scrape it off the glass into the water column and let a filter sock…
Saltwater make-up
We live near a coast, so we could buy from a local fish store (LFS) natural saltwater (NSW), or artificial saltwater at $1.00 per gallon, or make it ourselves from RODI water and a salt mix. At this time, we…
Freshwater top-off
A problem with reef keeping is the terminology. For lack of a better term, the industry uses, “top off” or “topping off”. Over time, depending on a few factors such as room temp, humidity and system water movement, the freshwater…
System update, UV
We added a UV sterilizer to our 200 gallon system. Almost a year old now with livestock from the easy list with the exception of a Copperband Butterfly. We intend to add more fish, possibly some from the intermediate difficulty…
Feeding update
In our 200 gallon system. Copperband Butterfly: Target fed live blackworms and clams so he gets his share of food. The other fish would out compete if food was simply dropped in the tank. And too much food would be…
UV Sterilization
Are your fish your pets? What can be done to care for them? UV sterilization kills free-floating microorganisms in the water. The UV light from the sterilizer can kill free floating algae, bacteria, and viruses. The sterilizer can be essential…