View Full Version : My Sad Tank
This is what it is looking like now - the pictures aren't too good as my camera died on me yesterday, so I had to take them with my phone camera.
LHS of the tank - with Coral rock and a few peices of 'borrowed' live rock - thnx Manny..
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/533J0015.jpg
LHS - Center Not really finished Hopefully I will be getting some more Live Rock (my own this time) from 17000Ltrs at the weekend.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/533J0018.jpg
RHS of the tank - just a couple of peices of coral rock in there so I had some idea of volume etc..
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/533J0017.jpg
Before you have a go - remember that it looked like this before.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/sadpicbefore.jpg
Let me know if you think I should change anything - I know you can see the pipes etc but hopefully when I have finished aquascaping it then they will be mostly hidden.
My tank isn't drilled so everything is on show - I just don't have the room at the moment for a sump tank - esp in the frame its in
edited: Can't tell my right from left - can really but didn't this time! ;)
Originally posted by Ducati916@Apr 4 2005, 21:56
nice neo mastif mate
:)
In other words - stick to the dog breeding :(
He was only a puppy when I took that - the sofa has now gone and that is where the tank is instead (they ate the sofa :unsure: )
unk
Please do not take this the wrong way but......
You need to add a SERIOUS amount of Live Rock into that tank to replace the Coral Rock.
Coral Rock should seed after a while but you seem to have far too much in there to be useful at the moment. The inate biological filtration will not be sufficient..........
Please take this constructively - no tank is perfect. You are on the start of a long journey and have the most wonderful opportunity to get the foundations right before embarking on it.
Good luck !!!!!!
Hi...
You probably have a little too much rock.... depends on what you want to keep.. but if I were you ... I would open up the left hand side a bit.. so that more flow can be obtained....
If not.. it is likely it and below the eggcrate could become a detritus trap...
Are you pushing water under the eggcrate?
All starting tanks look uninspiring. I know mine did and still does struggle to look anything more than rock and corals stuck on! ;)
elliot
Originally posted by elliot@Apr 4 2005, 22:53
Hi...
You probably have a little too much rock.... depends on what you want to keep.. but if I were you ... I would open up the left hand side a bit.. so that more flow can be obtained....
If not.. it is likely it and below the eggcrate could become a detritus trap...
Are you pushing water under the eggcrate?
All starting tanks look uninspiring. I know mine did and still does struggle to look anything more than rock and corals stuck on! ;)
elliot
Yea - I am getting about 20kg next week for the tank - the Coral rock was in just for a rough idea as to what it would look like.
Then adding a futher 20kg at the end of the month - I can't afford it all in one lump so to speak
Their two Big power heads blowing underneath the egg crate and I was thinking of putting some coral sand down underneath the egg crate as I think it looks a little (well a lot) bare.
I don't like that much rock in it - but it looks totally void of anything with the 3 peices of rock I had at the moment.
I agree this is the best time to do anything about it and I will remove most of the coral rock at the weekend when i get the real stuff sorted. I will post more pictures then. Don't get me wrong I am greatful of any advice - even if I don't like it. :D
Hi there
If it's any consolation I think it looks much better than your first attempt. It really shows that in the couple of weeks you have been on the board you have read, listened and acted on the information at your fingertips. :thumbsup:
I can totally understand why you would want to put the ocean rock into "play". No fun looking at a bare tank waiting for the LR to arrive. How big is the tank again? In Litres? I wouldn't add too much liverock as it can restrict flow. Better to have less rock with better flow than loads of rock and no water going through it.
Like your use of pipes to move the water around. Also have you thought about building an edge around your eggcrate using your friend's acrylic and mounting it a few cm off the bottom? This way you can put a little bit of sand at the from for aesthetics and keep the area under the LR clean.
Keep up the good work
Sharon
The egg crate is off the floor of the tank by about 1cm - used acrylic to make a rim, though you can't really see it from that picture. Do you think it should be higher?
Trying to get the water moving around there are pipes at the back which you can't really see being powered from a couple of other power heads.
Still toying with trying to get the sump somewhere but with the dogs any open water - or water they can break into get at becomes a drinking bowl.
I have removed some of the coral rock since reading the earlier comments but as there are 3 shelves to the egg crate it doesn't look much emptier - though it is
The tank set up is as follows
Tank :Size 4x2x2 dunno what that is in Ltrs sorry
filtration : - 2 canisters
1 has Rowaphos and a bit of filter floss - to hold the Rowaphos in place.
The other has Polyfilter and some carbon.
Was hoping to just have the live rock for filtration.
Skimmer : SeaClone150 I am looking at upgrading that towards the end of may - it is already pulling some green liquid off even though there is not a lot in the tank.
circulation 2x powerhead 1200 - not too sure of the make but apparently they pump 1200 ltrs per hour - they are doing the 2 small 'closed loops' you can see
2x Maxijet 1200 + 1 x Maxijet 1000 - the 2 1200's are blowing towards the bottom of the tank and the smaller one is just as a general circulation pump.
Today when i did some tests these are the results I got.
Salinity 1.025 / .026
Ammonia 0
Nitrate = 0.25 (99.75 less than it was before)
Nitrite = 0.00
PH = 8.4 - 8.6
temp 27c
I know I should be getting most of the equipment out of the tank but as i said until I can figure out a 'Dog' free sump my hands are tied.
before you suggest doors - they don't like them anywhere and any chance they get any door gets ripped off - don't ask me why they just do it...
edit: 'cos my spelling is pants!
Originally posted by unklematt+Apr 4 2005, 21:47--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (unklematt @ Apr 4 2005, 21:47)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Ducati916@Apr 4 2005, 21:56
nice neo mastif mate
:)
In other words - stick to the dog breeding :(
He was only a puppy when I took that - the sofa has now gone and that is where the tank is instead (they ate the sofa :unsure: ) [/b][/quote]
tank looks like its coming along well, is this your first set-up??? certainly looks better than the before shots.
how many neopolitans have you got????? absolutely stunning dogs :wub:
if they take to doors i take it its the hinges they have a problem with. why not make a stand thats sits slightly prouder at the front with a sliding door (vertically) that can get dropped in from above like on small yachts. with a bit of skill it could look no different to a standard stand but i'm sure they would struggle if it didn't swing. unless they can work out how to grab the top and pull vertically but that would then involve them in evolving to stand on their rear legs and pull vertically upwards.
I have 2 Neo's - Dog and a Bitch - though this does increase every year for a couple of months!
Not too sure if it is the hinges or the fact that there could be food or water behind it. I have thought about sliding doors but that still would be awkward to work behind. Though doors that slide across and lift out is certainly an idea. :idea:
They haven't evolved enough to lift peices of wood up but they have figured out how to open both the oven doors. The dog even figured out how to open the grill, stand on it to get on to the work surfaces and then into the overhead cupboards to reach the food up there.
If I get something new he will sit and watch me using it and the second I walk away he will try opening it with his mouth.
So far I have gone through 3 fridges, 1 freezer - a complete kitchen and 2 sofas with them...
But as they produce 8 - 10 puppies every year (@£1500 each) and he gets between £500 - £750 every three months. Also I am the only house on my road ( I live in a mid terraced house) which hasn't been broken into - well would you be brave enough to risk it? - I don't really want to get rid of them!
anybody want one - this is this years litter. Before you ask it wasn't posed. All the dogs sleep together, the bitches spread out
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/puppies1.jpg
Last one left - little bitch,
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/puppy2.jpg
With the 20kg of LR, the tank will soon be flourishing. A 4x2x2 is a good size. And let me know about the algae when you're ready.
Those dogs look great!
S.
Ahhh, they are well cute. I'm affraid you don't do a good job of selling them describing all the damage the parents do. :P
The last bitch went on Sunday -- thank god! was just about to kill them all hehe. Miss-E (the mother) is now fast asleep on the sofa, well she deserves the rest!
Any How I just thought I would let you know where I am upto with my tank...
I got my LiveRock on Saturday from Mark (1700ltrs) and put it into the tank the same day.
However I still haven't Aquascaped it as I am not very good at that sort of thing. Anyhow I have done some tests and these are the readings:
Nitrates: 50 -- High but I expected it.
Nitrites: 2.0 -- which is bad I know as it was at zero until I put the rock in.
Ammonia: 0 -- gone down.
Ph: 7.8 -- Not too sure if this is low or high.
Calium: 390 --getting there (slowly)
Also noticed my first Cocipod - but also noticed a wierd white thing on the front glass - it's white and looks a little like a filiment worm of some sort.
well the cocipod has gone :( But never mind I am sure it will reappear.
I took some pictures today - borrowed a camera from work - so here they are..
Left HandSide of the tank
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/14_04_05_1.jpg
Right Hand Side
Pinched the Callurpa (sic) from a friend..
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/14-04-05-2.jpg
First sign of life - dunno what they are but they are alive and kicking...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/14-04-05-3.jpg
The rest are what I came home to today - Granted it is the dogs sofa but even so
Which one do you think did it?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/guilty.jpg
Was it him
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/guilty2.jpg
or her?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/guilty3.jpg
BlankFrank
14-04-05, 21:21
I'd sump the pair of them to be on the safe side :D
I am going to speak my mind here :o I hope it is taken in a constructive way. But after seing your tank , and the condition of it , The state you are breeding LARGE dogs in , and the general welfare of livestock.
I personally would not sell you a mouse. I think most would agree but will be scared to. But thats the way it is.. i could go on , but not .
Sorry if i have offended you. but MY god what are you doing ................. :o
WTF DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?
THE TANK IS EMPTY - IT HAS ROCK IN IT! THAT IS ALL!!!! THERE ARE NO FISH / CORALS ON IT
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT CONDITIONS AM I BREEDING DOGS IN? THAT IS A SOFA THEY SLEEP ON -- THE DOGS DESTORYED IT AS THEY WERE LEFT IN BY MY G/F BY MISTAKE -- DO THEY LOOK HUNGRY? NO! DO THEY LOOK MISTREATED NO! ANYONE WHO WANTS CAN COME DOWN AND SEE THEM - I DON'T MIND. IF YOU WANT MY ADDRESS TO REPORT ME TO THE RSPCA - ASK ME!
THERE ARE SEVERAL PPL ON THIS BOARD WHO HAVE MY ADDRESS - ASK THEM FOR IT IF YOU WANT IT.
IN FACT - IF YOU HAVE THE NEED TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER ASK AND I WILL CALL YOU!
WHERE DO YOU GET THE RIGHT TO SAY THAT I MISS TREAT ANIMALS!
;)
OK... seriously though - why an acro colony... not wise in a new tank....swap it for credit whilst it is alive
elliot
Nick Derbyshire
14-04-05, 22:45
Hmmm ok peeps. :idea: If i can be of any help mate then just give me a shout. It is sometimes easier to discuss over a cuppa or a beer rather than make judgements based on digi pics.! I also have them bio balls for ya but no i'm not playing chuck the bio ball for the doggie :lol:
I would wait a while before putting any more delicate corals in there though mate. Mature water to some people is a few days or weeks old. truly mature water is 12 to 16 months old where your system is settled and established.
Just take it slow and get it right first time. :thumbsup:
Originally posted by elliot@Apr 14 2005, 22:41
;)
OK... seriously though - why an acro colony... not wise in a new tank....swap it for credit whilst it is alive
elliot
acro colony? hmmm wrong thread! the tank is totally void of life at the moment. I put LR in it the other day!
Originally posted by Nick Derbyshire@Apr 14 2005, 22:45
I would wait a while before putting any more delicate corals in there though mate.
delicate coral? again are you looking at different pictures -I have only added LR! unless you class a couple of pieces of Calurpa 'delicate' then I am confussed.
I don't mind critisim but to say I am cruel to animals is wrong! -- that is not aimed at you Nick
Nick Derbyshire
14-04-05, 22:51
ahh it does look like one in an early pic mate, must be a bit of coral skeleton with the live rock.
Not sure about the egg crate on the bottom of the tank though, unless you have it raised up so there are no dead spots.
Originally posted by Nick Derbyshire@Apr 14 2005, 22:51
ahh it does look like one in an early pic mate, must be a bit of coral skeleton with the live rock.
Not sure about the egg crate on the bottom of the tank though, unless you have it raised up so there are no dead spots.
Nick --The egg crate is raised - and there is nothing in the tank but LR.....
eveyrone else! --
I am not happy about being classed as being cruel to animals! I am not and anyone is welcome to come see the dogs and the 'condition' they live in too see that.
I am that disgusted that anyone could think that I am that I am thinking of quiting this board. I have tried to be helpfull open about my 'limitations' about reef keeping but to say I am cruel to animals really cuts deep!
well guys, I dont know what to do here.
Matt pm me and I'll deal with.
I think the comments by fire999 were way to personnel but will only close if asked.
Rare I know but it has been constructive upto that point.
'Craig
matt one person has critised you, so please no quiting the board...
Nick Derbyshire
14-04-05, 23:02
Oh cool, i'm not a speedy reader so i just looked at the pic :o. oh well all seems pretty much ok.
Love ya dogs mate, was real interested in the last one you had but her in doors said in no uncertain terms NO!
BUT there sooo cool! I miss my dooggie!
Originally posted by craigg@Apr 14 2005, 22:59
well guys, I dont know what to do here.
Matt pm me and I'll deal with.
I think the comments by fire999 were way to personnel but will only close if asked.
Rare I know but it has been constructive upto that point.
'Craig
I have nothing to hide - but thank you anyhow!
I am disgusted that someone would think that I am cruel to animals and by asking you to close this thread would feed fuel to the fire.
If anyone wants to report me to the RSPCA my post code is L205EA - not posting my full address for obvious reasons but if you know how to use Multimap you can find me.
I know my tank isn't the best in the world - but hey even everyone had to start somewhere. However I have been breeding dogs since I was 21 yrs old and I have only lost 2 puppies in all that time!
So what they ripped a sofa to pieces big deal! did I batter them to within 1 inch of their lives? Hmm I don't think so they were sat on the sofa when I took the dam picture!
From the pictures you can't even tell how big the dam room is - or what is in there! You mightn't like the color scheme but that's about it!
Not happy at the moment!
Originally posted by craigg@Apr 14 2005, 23:01
matt one person has critised you, so please no quiting the board...
Sorry but animal cruelty hurts more than child cruelty to me - at least a kid can say 'that person hurt me'
I am not sure - at the moment - what I am going to do but needless to say I am really disappointed by that person's responce. and other responces he has made in other threads!
cool but matt remember it was one person that had a pop.
Elliot and Nick spotted what looks like an acro colony in your first picture with your new 20kg of rock.
if you mean this:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/acro_question.jpg
then that is a peice of rubble I got of Mark (17000Ltrs) to use to fill the gaps but I liked it and sat it there...
if not let me know. I promise you that they only life that is on the rocks is what I pointed out to you...
Just wanted to say Matt that your dogs look great. I have a boxer who was pretty destructive as a youngster so I understand the sofa thing only too well! How much do the pups go for by the way?
Good luck with the tank.
Originally posted by Teesh@Apr 15 2005, 00:01
Just wanted to say Matt that your dogs look great. I have a boxer who was pretty destructive as a youngster so I understand the sofa thing only too well! How much do the pups go for by the way?
Good luck with the tank.
enough to cover a new sofa - pay off some of my mortgage and this years holiday..
Originally posted by unklematt+Apr 14 2005, 22:07--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (unklematt @ Apr 14 2005, 22:07)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-craigg@Apr 14 2005, 23:01
matt one person has critised you, so please no quiting the board...
Sorry but animal cruelty hurts more than child cruelty to me - at least a kid can say 'that person hurt me'
I am not sure - at the moment - what I am going to do but needless to say I am really disappointed by that person's responce. and other responces he has made in other threads! [/b][/quote]
Dont leave the BB :) - certainly not for one persons comment.
As you say, we all start somewhere.... and tbh you cannot come to a better place :)
As you have said... and fair dues.. there is no life in your tank....its hard sometime to determine a live acro from a dead one.....
Fully support your indignation at being classed as cruel to animals... not funny in the slightest.
Chat laters :)
e
Fully support your indignation at being classed as cruel to animals... not funny in the slightest.
I agree
seems fire999 has a little thinking to do regards jumping in on threads and the way he replies to people.
i have only seen 2 of his posts , this one and the thread on acropora-house regarding my stock pics.
still cant understand his gripe as i paid david bailey to teach me. :lol:
on the other hand , maybe i should be selling these dead acros as bleached live acros. could make a load from them
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
unklematt
just dont worry , you get these responces sometimes. used to upset us all i am sure , but life is too short.
has fire999 posted any pics of his tank ???????????// ( sorry just spotted it )
mark
dead/alive acros at resonable prices
jamie reefer
15-04-05, 11:35
Hi Matt
Got to echo Elliots and Garys comments mate,please dont leave the board due to one person comments,some people should keep their comments to themselves.
By the way your dogs look like they are in excellent condition and look like they are well looked after....
Keep ya head up mate....
Kind regards Jamie
SpanishTony
15-04-05, 12:51
Agree with Elliott, Gary and Jamie's comments. If we do not welcome new members the odds are that they will still continue with their reef tanks without advice posssibly causing more dead livestock and corals.
Membership of Ultimate Reef has expanded my knowledge, has certainly helped me avoid making costly mistakes and ensured the health of my livestock.
Tony
Matt.
Don’t take me wrong on the next comment.
Must admit the first photos of the pups looked a bit rough.
On a BIG plus point.
They all looked happy and healthy and pups have to do what pups have to do (or have you got a way of training them to use puppy bogs?) who gives a s*** about a couch. Do we all live in Buck House?
You have also said on the thread how much they go for (1 pup costs more that a standard Perc 120)
As you seem to only sell privately I am sure the prospective owners would not spend that sort of cash if they where not happy with the conditions they where brought up in, and I am sure you have the regular extortionate expense of Vet’s visits and bills to prove this.
Re. the tank.
Me and my eldest son are setting up our second tank at the moment and wish I had joined the reef earlier to get advice. We made loads of mistakes and lost a few inhabitants over the past year.
And at the cost of stock and setting up you don’t buy something to see it die.
Keep with it, the folks on here will help, some will banter, the odd few will criticise, but don’t let it get to you. As most offer constructive help.
Pete
As you say 'pups have to do what pups have to do' in the picture you see 7 of 10 pups - the other 3 are off camera. They were just about 2/3 weeks old when that was taken.
As you have a son you will remember what he was like when he was learning to eat - food everywhere? if not then he was very talented.
It is no different with a puppy but imagine it with 10 of them - walking in and out of the bowls? as soon as they have eaten they do 1 of 2 things! sleep or dump.
I don't know if you have breed dogs or seen pups that old - if you have then you would know that they saying 'let sleeping dogs lay' is a very appropriate saying.
As soon as that picture was taken the sheets were removed and clean ones put down. That picture was posted to show how 'cute and funny' they were.
So far - upto this litter - I have sold just under 150 puppies ALL to private owners and ALL through recommendation from other owners of my puppies.
I would not sell to someone I didn't feel could look after the dog - and I am sure I would've been reported to / Investigated by the RSPCA before today if they had.
My vet bills alone each year would cost over £5,000 - £6,000 if i actually sat down and figured it out. As would their insurance and other fees.
Unclematt has pm me a couple of days ago, and i replied, I now think we can put an end to this. :)
Bt remember there were a couple of others that jumped on and started very heavy critisisim about acros etc.............. they were wrong too , and then started being all nicy nice. :o
So dont put it all on me , just because they didnot have the balls to say something first. :o
Phil
If you look at the pic with all the sleeping pups , the food everwere and whatever, you have to agree unclematt , all you had to do was put a fresh sheet down before taking the pics :rolleyes: It just does not look good , thats what i was saying, maybe a bit too harshly. :blush:
The tank will be thriving soon, mate, with all that LR. Keep the pics coming.
S.
Originally posted by fire999@Apr 16 2005, 09:26
If you look at the pic with all the sleeping pups , the food everwere and whatever, you have to agree unclematt , all you had to do was put a fresh sheet down before taking the pics :rolleyes:
Had I moved them - to change the sheet then I would've lost the whole meaning of the photo - Huddling together like they were!
Ahoy...
There is life starting to show now - a couple of small polyps and bits
And nice to meet you and the dogs earlier. Fine specimens they are too!
S.
Originally posted by ahoy@Apr 17 2005, 19:27
And nice to meet you and the dogs earlier. Fine specimens they are too!
S.
and you - though there is no way you are meeting my g/f you are too dam good looking. :blink:
Was surprised that digit took to you like he did - you were lucky!!
Thanks for the Calurpa - it was, as you said, teeming with life. I can already see a small bristtle star on the glass and loads of 'pods.
Thanks once again
hows this tank going at the mo? :thumbsup:
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