The everything's wrong 75 build

[kdx7214]

So I've had a few issues with the tank since I last updated this thread.

The 6-bulb T5 fixture died and has been replaced with two Noopsyche K7 Pro III lights. So far I'm pleased, although the PAR they put out (300) is a bit lower than I expected.

A few months ago I was at a LFS in St. Louis and they had a yellow coris wrasse for sale. After much debating and checking of the wallet, I talked to the sales guy and he shot me a deal, and it is now living quite actively in the tank. The sales guy threw in what I was told was a fluorescent red montipora, which I was later told was actually a turbinaria, which in the end turned out to really be a chalice that is not fluorescent red. It was struggling for quite a while, but finally seems to be recovering thanks to a lot of great advice on here. I'm eternally grateful for the kind folks that offer their time to help.

Recently I was doing a water change and something weird happened. A rather large aiptasia moved into visibility. I watch the tank daily for about an hour and always find something new. For two years I've not seen a single aiptasia. Then this beast with the 4" top just randomly wandered into view. My extended family was over and I showed them the pest and explained how I'd have to deal with them from now on. My mom asked if there wasn't a predator to take of it, so I went into the berghia/filefish discussion. Then she randomly gave me the cash to order a Biota green filefish to take care of them. I was more than a bit shocked. It arrived today and is happily swimming around the tank. I can't say I'm surprised though, when I opened the box it positively reeked of marijuana lol. I wonder if the fish was as baked as the guy who packed it lol.

 

[fishface NJ]

You cracked me up with the pot smell. It was a chilled fish while in transport.

Good luck with the tank!

 

[Projects with Sam]

So I've had a few issues with the tank since I last updated this thread.

The 6-bulb T5 fixture died and has been replaced with two Noopsyche K7 Pro III lights. So far I'm pleased, although the PAR they put out (300) is a bit lower than I expected.

A few months ago I was at a LFS in St. Louis and they had a yellow coris wrasse for sale. After much debating and checking of the wallet, I talked to the sales guy and he shot me a deal, and it is now living quite actively in the tank. The sales guy threw in what I was told was a fluorescent red montipora, which I was later told was actually a turbinaria, which in the end turned out to really be a chalice that is not fluorescent red. It was struggling for quite a while, but finally seems to be recovering thanks to a lot of great advice on here. I'm eternally grateful for the kind folks that offer their time to help.

Recently I was doing a water change and something weird happened. A rather large aiptasia moved into visibility. I watch the tank daily for about an hour and always find something new. For two years I've not seen a single aiptasia. Then this beast with the 4" top just randomly wandered into view. My extended family was over and I showed them the pest and explained how I'd have to deal with them from now on. My mom asked if there wasn't a predator to take of it, so I went into the berghia/filefish discussion. Then she randomly gave me the cash to order a Biota green filefish to take care of them. I was more than a bit shocked. It arrived today and is happily swimming around the tank. I can't say I'm surprised though, when I opened the box it positively reeked of marijuana lol. I wonder if the fish was as baked as the guy who packed it lol

haha! that's how you can tell it was packed with care!

 

[kdx7214]

haha! that's how you can tell it was packed with care!

It's was hilarious! The fish was well and truly calm too

 

[kdx7214]

Haven't been able to do much with the tank lately. Had surgery that didn't go well and have spent a few months dealing with the after effects from that. I finally got my phyto station upgraded yesterday. I now have two 2L bottles each for Nannochloropsis oculata, Tetraselmis chui, Isochrysis galbana, and Rhodomonas salinas. I'm awaiting some new 3/16" rigid tubing to complete one of them for the Nanno culture, but I've grown it for years and am not worried about it for the two days needed for it to arrive

The setup uses a 30g long tank I was given. It's got room for eight 2L bottles across and another full row behind it. The light is an LED fixture that came with the tank. I just designed and 3d printed some brackets to hold it on the side. I already have a grow light from my hydroponic chilli peppers and tomatoes that I grow over winter, so I might mount it on the back and get four more types. Or I might not.

In the picture the cultures are, from left to right, Nanno, Tetra, Iso, and then R. Salinas. I've never grown R. Salinas before and am not 100% sure if this culture is viable or not. But we shall see.

 

[fishface NJ]

That is such a cool setup. I have always wanted to try to grow phyto and pods. I'm afraid I'll crash it and wasted my money on the setup


Hope you are feeling better. Here is to a speedy recovery

 

[kdx7214]

That is such a cool setup. I have always wanted to try to grow phyto and pods. I'm afraid I'll crash it and wasted my money on the setup


Hope you are feeling better. Here is to a speedy recovery

Thanks! From what I've found, phyto is incredibly easy (and cheap) to grow. All you really need is 2L soda bottles, some 3/16" rigid and flexible tubing, an air pump, a fertilizer, and a light. The cultures for the phyto are cheap enough even I could afford them. I think I paid $15 each for one 8 oz bottle of each of the four. I've also found places I can get tiny little samples of them for $10, but I'd rather have the larger size. The light can be a $5 grow lamp from Walmart. I just used the LED fixture because it came with the tank and was free.

The reason I grow two bottles of each is in case one crashes I still have a back, although I've yet to have a crash. Maybe I should take some pictures and make a post about how I grow them. That might be helpful for a lot of people.

I've not yet tried rotifers or pods. Those are another thing on my list of things to grow when I get the money for a setup. I have to operate on a really small budget lol.

Thanks

 

[fishface NJ]

It would be great if you write up how you set up and run it....to the smallest detail

 

[kdx7214]

It would be great if you write up how you set up and run it....to the smallest detail

I'll start working on something like that. I can't promise it'll be great, but I'll do my best to get the info across. Thanks!

 

[kdx7214]

For the past four months I've been struggling to deal with a massive valonia and GHA outbreak. I've removed all the rock daily, picked off what I could, and toothbrushed the rest. The dang stuff seems to regrow in full over night. So I decided today that I'll make one last attempt to control this. Next paycheck I'm going to order some pithos crabs and a new CUC kit from @reefcleaners. Hopefully that'll take care of it. If not I guess I'm either going to have to deal with it being ugly or get some Vibrant.

 

[Projects with Sam]

fluconazole work on it?

 

[kdx7214]

fluconazole work on it?

I thought that didn't work on algae, just on other pests. I'll have to look into it more, although I'm not necessarily comfortable medicating the tank for something like this. I need to figure out how to get things balanced. I'm just getting frustrated as this is the same problem I had trying to keep a coral tank 20+ years ago.

 

[Projects with Sam]

I thought that didn't work on algae, just on other pests. I'll have to look into it more, although I'm not necessarily comfortable medicating the tank for something like this. I need to figure out how to get things balanced. I'm just getting frustrated as this is the same problem I had trying to keep a coral tank 20+ years ago.

do yourself a favor: https://a.co/d/7WlLZuo

 

[kdx7214]

From time to time I randomly check craigslist to see if there's anything interesting aquarium wise in my area. Today I saw a 210g tank and stand for $400. It's currently still filled and has fish in it. It's pre-drilled for a sump. And here I am without the money or any way to move it.

 

[kdx7214]

I haven't had an update in a while, but last weekend I noticed a patch of bryopsis growing in the tank. So I ordered some fluconazole and dosed it at 4x the dose (as recommended by R2R for valonia). No changes yet, so the waiting begins.

My wife was looking in the tank today and noticed the bryopsis and said "Is that pretty green stuff what you're trying to get rid of?" I just sighed lol

 

[kdx7214]

Day 6 of fluconazole treatment. So far no losses, although I am worried about one SPS. The GHA is mostly unphased but the bryopsis is light brown and fading and the valonia is now turning clear/white, even in the darker places in the tank.

 

[Projects with Sam]

day 10. just wait for it.

 

[kdx7214]

day 10. just wait for it.

I'm counting down the hours I'm also really liking the pithos crab I added. Every night that little sucker is chomping down on the small valonia. Hopefully once it's all gone it'll keep things more under control. I might order a few more since two didn't survive shipping.

 

[kdx7214]

The fluconazole experiment continues. It's now been 10 days and most of the GHA is now gone. The bryopsis is completely gone with the 4x dose I used. The valonia problem is still massive. The stuff is growing on the underside of rocks that I can't easily get to (they're epoxied together). I might end up having to use vibrant after all, although I'm going to wait a few more weeks to see. The red turf algae looks unchanged so far.

 

[kdx7214]

So it's been 20 days of fluconazole in the tank. GHA is completely gone as is the bryopsis. The valonia thinks it's a nice day spa and is actually spreading. As much as I hate to, I think at this point vibrant might be the only solution.