Thinking about down sizing
- Thread starter Dave3112
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Tomoko Schum
Valuable Member
H@rry-
You also need to try to talk 8ball out of shutting his down.
You also need to try to talk 8ball out of shutting his down.
H@rry
Troll
Sorry but I can't talk to him. He's over at the evil empire! :hell_boy:
Tomoko Schum
Valuable Member
Oh, but I bet your significant other could. 
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Dave3112
2500 Club Member
I am still on the fence about taking my big tank down:squigglemouth:. I want to cut my utility and maintenance bills down as well as the maint. time. BUUUUUUTTTTT I have worked so hard at getting my colonies to where they are. I would have to get rid of them to downsize and start all over with frags again. I don't know what to do. I do know that I need to get rid of this **** bubble algae whatever I decide to do!!!!!!
Tomoko Schum
Valuable Member
I hope you don't have to tear down your big tank.
Do you know how much of the electric bill is generated by your big tank? I know your tank is bigger than mine, but my 180, 75, and a couple of other small tanks do not add so much to the total electric bill for my house. I don't remember now, but I added up all the power consumption on my tanks based on the wattage and the number of hours they run. I was bracing myself about the total cost, but I was rather surprised that the tanks did not cost as much as I thought. FWIW, except for the three MH lamps, I am using energy efficient equipment everywhere possible.
As for the bubble algae, my bubble algae busting team, foxface rabbitfish and power blue tang, has practically wiped out all bubbles out of my display tank. There are a few in my sump and fuge, but practically none in the display.
Even though some foxface have a bad reputation for eating softies, I think it's worth giving it a shot if you are plagued with bubble algae. My foxface cleaned up both red and green bubble algae from my 120 and 180.
Earlier I thought that my current foxface was nibbling on my soft corals, but it turned out that it was aiptasia which were hiding behind the corals and touching them. He did eat my bambam and tubs blues last year, but he has not touched any other zoanthid after that. When my AOG and scolymia started looking terrible, I immediately suspected my foxface, but I was wrong about that. Now I need to go after aiptasia instead
.
Do you know how much of the electric bill is generated by your big tank? I know your tank is bigger than mine, but my 180, 75, and a couple of other small tanks do not add so much to the total electric bill for my house. I don't remember now, but I added up all the power consumption on my tanks based on the wattage and the number of hours they run. I was bracing myself about the total cost, but I was rather surprised that the tanks did not cost as much as I thought. FWIW, except for the three MH lamps, I am using energy efficient equipment everywhere possible.
As for the bubble algae, my bubble algae busting team, foxface rabbitfish and power blue tang, has practically wiped out all bubbles out of my display tank. There are a few in my sump and fuge, but practically none in the display.
Even though some foxface have a bad reputation for eating softies, I think it's worth giving it a shot if you are plagued with bubble algae. My foxface cleaned up both red and green bubble algae from my 120 and 180.
Earlier I thought that my current foxface was nibbling on my soft corals, but it turned out that it was aiptasia which were hiding behind the corals and touching them. He did eat my bambam and tubs blues last year, but he has not touched any other zoanthid after that. When my AOG and scolymia started looking terrible, I immediately suspected my foxface, but I was wrong about that. Now I need to go after aiptasia instead
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H@rry
Troll
Regarding the bubble algae, a lot of people swear by emerald crabs. I remember putting a dozen emerald crabs in one tank once. You could see them at night with a flashlight. They were picking on the rocks but not the bubble algae. I remember seeing a couple of them propped up on a bubble picking at the rock. Little by little they disappeared. I think they might have eaten each other. The bubbles were still there.
About 6 months ago my 190 was just one big bubble farm. In September I got a foxface and 10 Red Mithrax crabs. I understand that they are more of a reef crab while Emeralds are more of a shallow inshore grassbed crab. Now the bubbles are almost gone. I don't know who to give the credit to but I think it was a joint effort. Reeftopia has the crabs.
About 6 months ago my 190 was just one big bubble farm. In September I got a foxface and 10 Red Mithrax crabs. I understand that they are more of a reef crab while Emeralds are more of a shallow inshore grassbed crab. Now the bubbles are almost gone. I don't know who to give the credit to but I think it was a joint effort. Reeftopia has the crabs.
Dowtish
5000 Club Member
ok Harry, that sounds good. I'll see if a couple of friends want to tag along. I will just have to make sure you and Dave are going to be around at the same time. It will be a N. AL tour of sorts.
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Dave3112
2500 Club Member
If I add any crabs or other fish I have to catch the melanarus and the scribbled rabbit fish. I thought that the rabbit fish would eat it but he has proven useless in that effect. I guess it has to be the fox face lo. Thanks for the support y'all!
I did not train it on purpose but I have trained a copperband B'tfly to eat my aptasias.I run from tank to tank to add rocks or coral with them and he/or she attacks as soon as I am clear of the tank.It has become a game getting rocks in there for him,I have tempted him with zoa's and xenia and he does not touch the corals.He also eats some prepared food so we are all happy.:wink:I am fixing to pull some racks and put them in just so he can play.LOL.I do have a foxface here that just came in from SA. last week.
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Dave3112
2500 Club Member
Well after a lot of thought and encouragement from you guys on here I have decided to keep the tank running. I have about 200 lbs of dry rock (Marco and BRS) that I'm going to put in a stock tank and let it start doing its thing. I will use the water change water from the 125&220 so it shouldn't take long to get cycled. Then I am going to pull all the corals and rocks out and totally re-scape the tank. I know that it will be some work but I feel this way is the best way I can get rid of the bubble algae, hydroids and aptasia. And still be able to save most of my colonies.
Anyone have a 100 gallon stock tank I can use for about a month? Or sell dirt cheap. LOL!
Anyone have a 100 gallon stock tank I can use for about a month? Or sell dirt cheap. LOL!
I have a 150 gal tank that is'nt being used if you want to come down this weekend and get it.I wont be using it,it is actually for sale but no takers.I could use it out of my way to help straighten out the garage befor I head out of town.
Jason
Jason
