The frag tank update. Recently someone asked for some pictures.
Here it is from above. Light reflection and all. All pumps and fan off.
From the front it looks much better.
So here is a little more information about Algone. It is some type of mystery product that will clear aquarium water if it is cloudy for some reason. That is how it is advertised, but I don't know if that is actually the case. I bought it solely to lower nitrates, as a LFS told me he's been using it on his heavy-feeders (tanks he services) and had great results. Now since I don't actually know my true nitrate readings, this may be an effort in futility, but I'll get another test kit in the near future to make a further comparison to my current nitrate kit.
I got a picture of my Pseudochromis elongata tonight, right as I was feeding the tank. His little face poked out a few times, and I usually only see him 1 second each day.
I took a few pictures, and even this fish appeared fat in one of them. LOL
Okay kids, don't try this at home....
I've been battling PO4 (phosphate) for months, and this one coral has continued to adapt to whatever I've put it through. Originally it was yellow, then it turned vivid green. Then I pulled it out of the tank one day for pictures of an interwoven brittle star hitchhiker I discovered, and it turned dark brown. Lately, it is closer to milk chocolate, like a glass of the stuff kids love to drink.
Time for a long overdue update. First of all, water tests have been published. Nitrates are sky high, but I have a feeling that the nitrate test kit is faulty. Jimmy Walls came over with his test kit and the reading was much lower, like under 10ppm. Mine says 75ppm. Just in case, I'm treating the tank with Algone, a product that is supposed to absorb nitrate. I may have to pick up another kit just to get further comparison numbers.
The Hidden Treasure page has been updated with some new links. A video was added, the Pico tank page was added, the Model M sump was added, the Nano tank was added, and a few other items were corrected or cleaned up.
The Identification Page was updated and now there are 198 items listed. Some newcomers are:
I picked up a few new frags for the reef tank. Here are all the details on Reef Central.
I also modified my Euro-Reef skimmer to run silently. Premium Aquatics sells a kit for $40 that has all the matching parts, including a gate valve to dial in the skimmate production precisely. I installed it a couple of days ago, and am pleased with it.
I was able to capture another plate coral yesterday when it blew off the main skeletal structure. I put it in the Pico tank inside a Salifert beaker to keep it safe from being sucked into the pump.
Also, Casper seems to be changing colors somewhat. I think he looks nice. :)
I made a new webpage just to document the Pico tank.
http://www.melevsreef.com/pico.html
I did a 54g water change on the 280g, and cleaned out the sump of all detritus. The skimmer was cleaned as well, and it was nice to discover how easily the Sedra pumps disassemble for cleaning.
