Reefkeeping South Africa » Items by Ross

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Items by Ross

Marine Aquariums of South Africa

• 

  Lost World Discovered Under Antarctica

  Posted: January 4th, 2012, 6:33pm CST by Ross

  I saw this today and thought it was quite interesting...
  
  Lost World Discovered Under Antarctica
• 

  Nano stream + Profilux

  Posted: December 12th, 2011, 6:56am CST by Ross

  Hi George
  
  I just switched from a 600 litre system to a 70 liter system (don't ask)
  
  On the big tank I ran VorTech MP-40s but they are mental strong for my nano and they vibrate so bad they make the cabinet into a sub-woofer box.
  
  I am interested in putting in a nano stream. I think it would be the 6055 unit but I want to control it with my Profilux.
  
  The way is see it, is the pump with it's controller and a cable.
  
  What would this setup cost me?
  
  Thx,
  
  Ross
• 

  Refill C02 bottle

  Posted: August 2nd, 2011, 7:56am CDT by Ross

  Howdy guys
  
  I need my C02 bottle refilled. Hopefully Idol has so I can swap it out.
  
  I was thinking, what if they don't have. That could be a problem as I am sure this could mess with my tank a lot.
  
  I tried a local Paintball shop and they looked at me like I was stupid. When I eventually got them to understand they did not have the right connections.
  
  Any Paintball or other places you guys can think off in the Sunnighill, Randburg, Randpark Ridge area?
• 

  Teapot Thinggy

  Posted: July 21st, 2011, 9:23pm CDT by Ross

  Hry Guys, I was looking at my tank after the MH went out and I noticed this little guy on my Clam. It looks like a teapot to me. Soft with a mouth that reacts to light and fish and then a trunk of some sort sticking out the side.
  
  I would say all in all it is just under 2cm in height and the round chubby body is about just under 1cm in dia at the widest point.
  
  It does seem to move as I have not seen it before and even since I saw it, It has moved a little on the clam.
  
  Sorry the pic is with my Phone as I did not want to miss it incase it got away and was not seen again.
  
  
  
  It is on its side compared to my sketch....
  
  
  
  Any ideas...
• 

  Frustration - What to do

  Posted: June 1st, 2011, 6:21pm CDT by Ross

  Hey Guys
  
  I am at a crossroads with my reef. From day one I have had all sorts of bad luck with it (ask the guys from Idol). Things looked like they were coming right but it is still a massive struggle.
  
  Softies and LPS have always done well. SPS looked good and were growing like crazy but colors were not so great. Changed up the lights and the colors were amazing and growth was still good.
  
  I had an aptasia problem and I got a Kleins Butterfly to help sort it out. He did a good job for a bit. I knew I took a chance with him as a coral nipper and eventually he gave up on the aptasia and turned to my corals. He is gone now but my corals are in terrible shape and they don't look like they will make it.
  
  I also have a massive infestation of little white start fish (i did research them and some eat algae and some are a problem) I just keep trying to get them out when I see them.
  
  Parameters are all good, even wrote and app that I log everything in and graph all my readings etc. I have tried the big water changes a week, one big water change a month and then long spaces of time between water changes.
  
  So I wanted to "start over". I was wondering if I removed my big island of rock, the SPS one with the aptasia would this be a big hit on the tank. I only want to take them out to try get the aptasia off. How long would the rock have to be out the water for the ones I don't see to die? The problem here is this is going to be tough on the good stuff in the rock.
  
  I would also replace the sand at the same time, any problems?
  
  Fish would stay in the tank, and SPS that I think might have a chance will be put on plugs and also left in the tank.
  
  Just don't know anymore... other option is a nice listing in the classifieds :(
• 

  Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

  Posted: June 1st, 2011, 8:56am CDT by Ross

  Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM and Canon 1.4x Extender for sale.
  Excellent quality, hardly used. I do not use this lens at all.
  R13500.00 as a package.
  
  
  
  
• 

  Broadachers Pet Shop

  Posted: April 3rd, 2011, 10:27pm CDT by Ross

  Name and Shame here peeps... :dft007:
  
  Was at Broadacres this morning for some chow. Friends had always told me there was a pet shop three that had marine stuff so decided to pop in. Was not to impressed, dead fish and aptasia.
  
  Anyway that had an awesome green SPS that I liked so I decided to come back after eating to decided if I wanted it (forget what it was)
  
  After returning and getting the frag, I was waiting at the counter to pay with my 9 year old daughter when the lady behind the till, rushed past us and pushed my daughter out the way and against the wall. Firstly she was very brave, but I walked out and told them in no uncertain terms to shove the coral.
  
  Just had to voice my opinion. Don't people realize in these times they need to make and keep customers. Shocking!!!
• 

  Profilux + Inverter

  Posted: March 13th, 2011, 10:17pm CDT by Ross

  Hey Guys, was not sure weather to put this under this forum or power cuts. Suppose it fits in both.
  
  I run my system with a Profilux. With winter coming and also just the fact we have such an unreliable power system here in SA I want to figure out how to get an inverter setup running.
  
  I currently use a non pure sine wave if that is how you put it inverter with 2 sun sun in the tank running off 4 12 volt gel batteries if the power goes out during the night. This is a manual setup and somebody has to be here. During the day there is no problem as I run a gennie. (Dont think the neighbors would like me to run that thing all night).
  
  The best option would obviously be to put the inverter ( will be looking to get a pure SW with deep cell batts)before the Profilux and if there is a failure, everything keeps running but that is a lot of watts to drive and I can not afford that kind of battery power. What I would like to do is run the Profilux and in some way have it just run some of the equipment like the return and maybe a VorTech.
  
  Is there a solution for this that anybody knows of. Maybe a serial type connection to the Profilux from the inverter. (Vatos I reckon you would probably have the best ideas about this)
  
  The only other option I can think off is to get another digital power bar for the Profilux and have the equipment I want to run in the power failure on that bar and let the inverter setup put power into that bar only (and maybe keep the Profilux running)
  
  Ta,
  
  Ross
• 

  Copper Band + Tangs

  Posted: February 27th, 2011, 7:03am CST by Ross

  Morning
  
  My aptasia problem is starting to bother me and chemical and zapper do not seem to be cutting them back enough.
  
  I think I am going to have to try a CPB and some Peppermint shimp when I can find some large enough.
  
  My problem is I have a Yellow, a Sailfin and Regal tang. The Yellow is a bit of a bully. The others are chilled.
  
  I am worried about adding the CPB. I really don't want the poor guy to get hurt.
  
  Obviously lights out when adding.
  I have heard a smaller specimen would not be to much of a threat and be left alone.
  A mirror on the side of the tank to keep the tangs busy.
  
  Any other ideas?
• 

  Calcium Reactor went caput

  Posted: December 19th, 2010, 7:18pm CST by Ross

  Hey Guys, I have a problem and not sure what to do about it.
  Last night my Calcium Reactor pump burned out (I don't mean a faulty impeller, this was smoke and electric burn smell)
  
  I have tried to find a replacement pump and being Sunday will have to try again tomorrow.
  
  My problem is I have been watching my Ph and it is going up, was 8.2 this morning and is 8.4 now. I did remove the entire reactor from the system this morning to get the pump out.
  
  I have now put the reactor back and have a slow flow of water through it and the CO2 on.
  
  Should I panic that the reactor id not there or will the tank be ok till I can find a pump?
• 

  Brownish Algae

  Posted: November 28th, 2010, 8:19pm CST by Ross

  Hey guys, have a funny brownish algae show up on my rear and left pane. (the ones that don't get cleaned) there was a good coraline growth and now this.
  
  Nitrates, Nitrites 0
  Ammonia 0.01
  Ph 8.2
  Kh 11
  
  I don't currently have a po4 kit cause nobody seems to have the Tetra M kits.
  
  I dose Vodca, Vit C, and Koral Color (but the algae started before the KC). Calcium reactor and carbon reactor are fine.
  
  Cut down on my lighting for a week.
  
  Also cut down my feed quite a bit. Fish and Corals. Frozen food is always defrosted and rinsed.
  
  No new additions.
  
  Only issue I have is battling to get my SG up. It is at 1.022
  
  
  
  
  
  Hope this post is ok. Posting from iPhone.
• 

  Bubble Algae Ideas

  Posted: September 17th, 2010, 1:02pm CDT by Ross

  Hey Guys, need some input.
  I have bubble algae in my tank :(
  
  I am going to scrape the majority off, but there is a ton under my Chalice. Not sure how to get at that cause I don't want to break the coral. Any clever ideas?
• 

  Testing T5s

  Posted: September 3rd, 2010, 9:43am CDT by Ross

  Hey Guys, need a little input here.
  
  Spent the other night putting a second T5 ballast into my light unit. It all worked fine till I neatened up the wiring. Anyway, I think it is my end caps as I pulled them out of another light pendent I had.
  
  How would I test the lighting without end caps to make sure that is the problem. Any ideas.
  
  I was thinking of trying some banana clips (small ones) and being super careful when attaching them to the tubes. I am sure the gurus here will have a better method for me before I blow myself and my house up.
• 

  Sun Coral Question

  Posted: July 18th, 2010, 8:01pm CDT by Ross

  Howdy
  
  My wife picked up a great looking Sun Coral yesterday. Most of it opened up after about an hour in the tank so I though while we had the chance to feed it.
  
  Well that did not go to well, as the food hit the water from the end of the turkey blaster my shrimps devoured it. Also they ran all over the Sun so it closed up. I know a lot of people put a half coke bottle over it but mine is in a over hang.
  
  Any ideas or will it be ok for me to move it to a more suitable space feed it and then put it back?
  
  Ta,
  
  Ross
• 

  Coral Reference

  Posted: July 7th, 2010, 9:22am CDT by Ross

  Hey Guys
  
  I know books have been discuses before, but I just need some input.
  I was ref books that I can carry with me to the LFS probably in A5.
  For fish I have figured out that A Pocket Guide to Marine Fishes is the one to go for by Scott Michael.
  
  Is there anything similar for corals. I hear that Corals a quick Ref Guid is good but it is hard cover.
  
  I am not looking for huge detail marine books, I already have:
  The Reef Aquerium Vol 1 & 2
  A Guid to Saltwater Aquarium
  Dr. Burges's Atlas of Marine Fish
  Reef Secrets
  
  Ta,
  
  Ross
• 

  Removing Sand Bed

  Posted: July 2nd, 2010, 1:43pm CDT by Ross

  Howdy Guys
  
  I have play sand for my sand bed in the display tank.
  It is to fine and there is always some in the water column and I am sure it is grinding my impellers to bits.
  
  I am going to start changing over to Argenite by doing about a 1/4 to 1/3 of the tank at a time. Was just wondering how long I should wait between changes.....
  
  Ross
• 

  Mark my Chemistry Homework

  Posted: July 2nd, 2010, 1:01pm CDT by Ross

  Hi Guys, still trying to get my head around this water Chemistry.
  Some Background, I have a Calcium Reactor and a Kalk Reactor.
  (Kalk is on Top Up)
  
  My readings are:
  pH 8.1 (Will be low because of the Calcium Reactor)
  KH 9 to 10dKH
  Ca 517
  pH in CaCO3/C02 Reactor is 6.7
  
  I don't think the readings are to bad as I have only just started putting coral in the tank and the frags are tiny but I am suffering from Calcification on my equipment.
  From what I understand I will need to add ALK(KH) to get the Ca down.
  To do so I need to add something like baking soda (for a 50gal, 16grams will raise by about 1meq/L) A teaspoon will be about 1.7 dKh.
  
  I have also been setting the Calcium reactor. I have turned the pH in it up over the last two weeks from 6.5 to 6.8. (ProfiLux controller) I understand that a higher pH in the reactor causes less Calcium coming out of it.
  
  Ok my brain hurts, hope that makes sense.... am I on the right track or about to cause a tank to explode
• 

  Have I set this up right?

  Posted: June 27th, 2010, 2:53pm CDT by Ross

  Hi Guys, 20 hour power outage again yesterday. So frustrating.
  I have a Gennie that is wired into the house so during the day I have no problems (assuming somebody is home).
  
  The problem is I can not run the genny at night. 98 DB will drive the neighbors insane. I shut it down at 8:30pm last night.
  
  Obv I can't leave the tank off at night. So today I went out and decided to build a inverter setup to run the tank at night. Just not sure if I did it right.
  
  I have 4 gel batteries like the ones they use on alarms. These are connected in parallel to a 550watt inverter. I then output this to the return pump that is 65watts. I do plan to put a small emergency heater on but was testing now to see how it works. The return works but every now and again it jinks like it is turning off and on quickly. I am charging the batts now just in case but each of them is at 13.83 volts so that sounds about right to me.
  
  Any ideas?
• 

  ProfiLux 5.00q Firmware

  Posted: June 20th, 2010, 11:46am CDT by Ross

  Hey Guys
  
  Just checked there is a updated Firmware for the ProfiLux 3. This is from 5.00p to 5.00q.
  
  Anybody done this one and know what the additions/changes are.
  I cannot find any info on the update and this thing is scary to mess with, if it goes down with a bad flash, my tank is dead in the water... so to speak.
  
  Ta,
  
  Ross
• 

  UPS - Confused

  Posted: May 3rd, 2010, 11:00am CDT by Ross

  Hey Guys
  
  Been trying to read through the threads but it is way to complicated for my brain at this time of the week.
  
  I want to connect my tank to a UPS (Will connect the ProfiLux and one Plugbar to the UPS. The other plug bar that will run lights and heater will be to house power). I saw a 1000 something UPS at Incredible over the weekend. I will obviously have to work out what my return and other pumps use, but what is all this talk about modified sine waves and unmodified.
  
  Also once I know the wattage for my needs, how to I convert that into the UPS power rating.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Ross
  
  PS this will be used for short periods of time for when I am not home. I have a geni wired in so once I get a message that power is out, I or somebody else can head over and turn it on.