Parrothead's 55 gallon Reef

[Parrothead]

Charlie,

Googled your ideas, I don't think thats him, My fault the pic is horrible, the polyps look just like star polyps but there are 5 polyps on a single stalk, vs lots of individual single polyps that disappear into the mat. My youngin and mentioned rolls it's polyps up when I get to close, I'm really sorry about the pic.

Robert

[charlie]

How close is this to your star polyp colony?

[Parrothead]

With the colony being the north pole, go southwest 8 - 10 inches, upstream into the K2 Which blows just across the bow of the colony.

If it was a transplant he would have had to swim around the world to get to that particular piece of real estate, but wouldn't start forming a mat, vs the stalk? My mystery child is growing up vs. out. I will see if I can get my hands on a camera today somewhere that will give me a better pic.

Robert

[charlie]

Do you think that maybe this is something that came in on the rock, and is just now showing itself. That is always a distinct possibility too.

[Parrothead]

Thats what I'm betting on, just curious to know what it is. I have all sorts of really cool growth on the rock, everything from bi-valves to tunicates(forgive the spelling), got some real cool, dark bluish to purple cabbage shaped plants growing on one piece of rock, they are about the size of a dime and one is about the size of a quarter.The rock has turned out way better than I expected, All I do is watch my water quality, wipe the glass down, and keep the circulation filters clean and kicking.

I do want to do more but right now my business is off about 65% from this time last year, I'm just a small 2 man operation, that is about to reduce his work force by 50%, hate to do it to the guy, but just can't take the pain any longer.

Even then any new additions will be few and far between, starting with the Skimmer, That is the first purchase to be made.

Robert

[charlie]

You gotta do what you gotta do Robert, you just hope your co-worker understands that. Things will get better!!!!!

[cdearing]

Charlie, Gene, Mike and everybody else,

"It appeared a couple of days ago, I was checking out the tank as usual and saw him, it is sometype of polyp coral, its about a 1/2 inch tall white stalk with 5 (currently) brown star shaped polyps, I have a pic but the
But as Charlie has drilled into me take your time with the tank, it will pay off, and it certainly does, I've got all sorts of cool growth going on, have actually started a garden along the front and in one of the corners(green feather looking plants) cdearing has some in her tank for reference, will proably have to start removing it from the tank, hate to get rid of it. Might talk to lfs, they have virtually no marine plants available. Got other stuff growing but can't get good pics till I get my camera back."

Robert,

That was caulerpa that I had growing on the sand at the front of my tank. It was growing like crazy so I kept cutting it back, everytime I did a water change until I finally just took it out all together. When I get my sump up and going, I'll add some there. Just didn't want it taking over my tank.

Cynthia

[Parrothead]

Hey Cynthia,

Thanks for the id, due to current economic constraintsit's free and does look pretty cool, I've got a lot of open sand bed area so for now I will just plant little gardens around the tank, mine is kinda of a featherly shape, is that what I saw in yours? let me know. Good to hear from you, sense I'm an honorary member of the NW Montana Reef Club, that's what Charlie said anyway. I do have a good line on a sump, pump, overflow box and all the plumbing along with a skimmer, not the skimmer I wanted but due to above comment it will help for now till things improve. Will update as things progress.

Tanks,
Robert

[Parrothead]

Hey Charlie,

Will be adding a skimmer tomorrow, it's not the remora pro that I wanted, but I need to get a skimmer on the tank, I'm getting a Odyssea PS-75 for 25.00 it's only 6 months old, Don't blow a fuse on me Charlie, it's only a temporary tool till things improve a bit where I can get the proper tool, I figured it would be better than no skimmer. Anyway, just on update for you.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Do what you gotta do Robert!!!!! Any skimmer is better than none. Who knows, maybe this one will give a fine performance and you won't get the Remora.

[Parrothead]

we will have to see what it does, reviews are mixed, I rather listen to you and others, you guys got some very nice tanks, and equipment is one of the important things, just below knowledge. as I said, we will have to see what it does.

Robert

[charlie]

Yep just wait and see Robert. I have no experience with that skimmer, so who knows????

[Parrothead]

Hey Charlie,

Got the skimmer in and running, still working on the dial in, but got nasty's collecting in the cup, unfortunately, it does have a small leak around the intake manifold of the powerhead, got some spare parts will try to repair, if not I'll seal it with aquarium sealant till I can get a new powerhead for it. As stated above it's collecting goo already, will be getting the sealant tomorrow as everybody is closed now. Just wanted to touch base and give progress report.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Good sign that it is making crud already!!!

[Parrothead]

Update time, so far so good with the skimmer, have had to empty collection cup once a day since repairing powerhead this last monday, has been producing a disgusting, foul smelling goo, I didn't think the tank water looked that bad, but it seems to be doing a good job for a bargain basement item. Bit noisy but that has turned into a white noise usually associated with this hobby anyway. Did attempt to add a Royal Gramma Thursday, he was fine for a couple days, then last night I noticed he was sorta of stuck to the K2, gently removed him from there, he swam around a bit and before I could get my net, he disappered, cannot find fish, or corpse, so I don't know if he is hiding up in the rock somewhere or if he got dined on by some creature yet to be discovered, Anyway skimmer is kicking which brings me to my next question,

With the skimmer doing it's thing, is there any additives that I should be adding to the tank at present time, trace elements, calcium etc?

The only corals are a GSP, my little brown star polyp looking thing(still unidentified, but growing)a mushroom rock(just had 2 more babies), plants(getting mowed today)lots of tunicates and sponge, also the coraline algea on the rocks would like to keep it healthy as well, it's starting to grow on the back glass, I've been waiting for that to happen. And all the other filter feeders, worms, etc. usually associated with Live Rock

Let me know if or what I should be adding at this point.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Good news on the skimmer!!!!!
Robert, what test kits do you have? I don't really think you need to adding anything at this point, just make sure that you maintain the levels you are currently at if everything looks happy. Regular water changes should replace most of the elements you would be watching for anyways. You don't really have any calcium demanding critters in there!!!! How often do you test your water parameters?

[Parrothead]

Aquarium pharm. master test kit, just test the basics, amm, ph, nitrate, nitrite, nothing fancy, I proably need to pick up a few more advanced stand alone kits, right? I test once or twice a week, water changes are 10 gallons every other week, scheduled for one today.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Hey, those will get you by. I take it there isn't a calcium or alkalinity test. I think you are past the point of the ammonia, nitrite tests. Your system sounds like it is starting to get a little more stable, so what you need to be looking at is the Ca., Alk. and Ph. maybe the Magnesium if you really wanted to get technical, but until you start adding the calcium eaters, your regular regimen should get you by. JMHO

[Parrothead]

Should I get the ca. and alk test kits?, I get my water from the lfs, both top off and salt for the water changes, I check the salinty and usually have to add a little salt mix to get it up to the 1.025 I try to maintain. they run around .023,

[charlie]

I would Robert, because God knows, one of these days, you are gonna walk by a "calcium eater" and it will be something that you just can't turn down. Know what I mean.