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[Dr_Gonzo2000]

Hiya Guys

I've had my 200ltr FOWLR tank running now for 18 months, and i would like to
start taking things one step further by introducing some corals. I have
added a some and have achieved a degree of success, but i think that i need
to do a little more homework.

My setup is:

200ltr tank
30lbs of live rock
Tooth Corl (Given to me 6 weeks by my LFS 6 ago and growing strong)
Starburst Polyp
Assort Mushrooms
Kenya Tree Coral
Trumpet Coral
Pumping Xenia (on last legs)
Yellow Fiji Leather Coral
Sun Coral (In my DIY cave)
2x Ocellaris Clowns
Citron Goby
Green Mandarin
Strawberry Fish
Fireball Angel
Redleg/Blueleg Hermits

I have with in the last 8 weeks made the change to T5 lighting as the
ballast unit died on the T8's which i had been using since day one, and i
have noticed a difference in coral growth (but it's still too early to say
exactly how much difference they have made)

I do a 10% water change on a biweekly bases using RO water and Redsea salt,
i have also started using Kents essential elements instead of individual
doses of Iodine, Calcium etc.

Can any of you guys recommend a couple of books/web sites on the keeping of
corals, i have had a look at a couple of sites (Reef Central is A1) which
have helped me progress this far but i'm unable to find a "step by step" or
idiots guide. Also where can i get Coral frags from in the UK?

"Question of the day"

Why can i not keep Pumping Xenia alive for more than 2 weeks with out it
dieing?

Thanks again guys and have a cracking festive holiday.

Regards

Antony
(PS Sorry about the grammar)

(remove nospam)

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Anthony,

I personally believe that Xenia are the perfect reef tank barometer. If it is
doing poorly, something is off in my tank. Dosing Iodine helps, as they need
it. However, if your Alkalinity is off (goal range is 8 to 11 dKH which matches
natural sea water), it will shrivel up and die. Nitrates are bad on it as well.

Regarding sites, Google is your friend. I read here, RC, and the DFWMAS message
board. But there are others, and I'm sure people here will point you the right
way.

You can find some personal observations about various corals on my ID page, but
nothing in depth:
http://www.melevsreef.com/id/

Marc


Dr_Gonzo2000 wrote:

> Why can i not keep Pumping Xenia alive for more than 2 weeks with out it
> dieing?
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Dr_Gonzo2000]

Cheers for that Marc

I forgot to include my tank parameters on my initial post, which are.

Nitrate 5ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm
Ph 8.4
Dkh testing this afternoon once a get a new kit

I'll post my Dkh readings later.

Thanks again Marc

Antony
"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Anthony,
>
> I personally believe that Xenia are the perfect reef tank barometer. If
it is
> doing poorly, something is off in my tank. Dosing Iodine helps, as they
need
> it. However, if your Alkalinity is off (goal range is 8 to 11 dKH which
matches
> natural sea water), it will shrivel up and die. Nitrates are bad on it as
well.
>
> Regarding sites, Google is your friend. I read here, RC, and the DFWMAS
message
> board. But there are others, and I'm sure people here will point you the
right
> way.
>
> You can find some personal observations about various corals on my ID
page, but
> nothing in depth:
> http://www.melevsreef.com/id/
>
> Marc
>
>
> Dr_Gonzo2000 wrote:
>
> > Why can i not keep Pumping Xenia alive for more than 2 weeks with out it
> > dieing?
> >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Chris Taylor]

"""Also where can i get Coral frags from in the UK?"""

Where are you based in the UK? There's a place referenced in this month's
Marine World magazine called STM; based in Sevenoaks. They have a 'coral
farm' and sell frags.

Address :
74 London Rd
Riverhead
Seven Oaks
Kent
TN13 2DN
Ph 01732 454 190

Regards


Chris


"Dr_Gonzo2000" > wrote in message
...
> Hiya Guys
>
> I've had my 200ltr FOWLR tank running now for 18 months, and i would like
to
> start taking things one step further by introducing some corals. I have
> added a some and have achieved a degree of success, but i think that i
need
> to do a little more homework.
>
> My setup is:
>
> 200ltr tank
> 30lbs of live rock
> Tooth Corl (Given to me 6 weeks by my LFS 6 ago and growing strong)
> Starburst Polyp
> Assort Mushrooms
> Kenya Tree Coral
> Trumpet Coral
> Pumping Xenia (on last legs)
> Yellow Fiji Leather Coral
> Sun Coral (In my DIY cave)
> 2x Ocellaris Clowns
> Citron Goby
> Green Mandarin
> Strawberry Fish
> Fireball Angel
> Redleg/Blueleg Hermits
>
> I have with in the last 8 weeks made the change to T5 lighting as the
> ballast unit died on the T8's which i had been using since day one, and i
> have noticed a difference in coral growth (but it's still too early to say
> exactly how much difference they have made)
>
> I do a 10% water change on a biweekly bases using RO water and Redsea
salt,
> i have also started using Kents essential elements instead of individual
> doses of Iodine, Calcium etc.
>
> Can any of you guys recommend a couple of books/web sites on the keeping
of
> corals, i have had a look at a couple of sites (Reef Central is A1) which
> have helped me progress this far but i'm unable to find a "step by step"
or
> idiots guide. Also where can i get Coral frags from in the UK?
>
> "Question of the day"
>
> Why can i not keep Pumping Xenia alive for more than 2 weeks with out it
> dieing?
>
> Thanks again guys and have a cracking festive holiday.
>
> Regards
>
> Antony
> (PS Sorry about the grammar)
>
> (remove nospam)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Dr_Gonzo2000]

Hiya Marc

I brought a "reef success calk" kit and after testing my chemistry it turns
out that the Alkalinity is around 4DKH.
"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Anthony,
>
> I personally believe that Xenia are the perfect reef tank barometer. If
it is
> doing poorly, something is off in my tank. Dosing Iodine helps, as they
need
> it. However, if your Alkalinity is off (goal range is 8 to 11 dKH which
matches
> natural sea water), it will shrivel up and die. Nitrates are bad on it as
well.
>
> Regarding sites, Google is your friend. I read here, RC, and the DFWMAS
message
> board. But there are others, and I'm sure people here will point you the
right
> way.
>
> You can find some personal observations about various corals on my ID
page, but
> nothing in depth:
> http://www.melevsreef.com/id/
>
> Marc
>
>
> Dr_Gonzo2000 wrote:
>
> > Why can i not keep Pumping Xenia alive for more than 2 weeks with out it
> > dieing?
> >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

There's your problem. ;)

Marc


Dr_Gonzo2000 wrote:

> Hiya Marc
>
> I brought a "reef success calk" kit and after testing my chemistry it turns
> out that the Alkalinity is around 4DKH.
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi Anthony,
> >
> > I personally believe that Xenia are the perfect reef tank barometer. If
> it is
> > doing poorly, something is off in my tank. Dosing Iodine helps, as they
> need
> > it. However, if your Alkalinity is off (goal range is 8 to 11 dKH which
> matches
> > natural sea water), it will shrivel up and die. Nitrates are bad on it as
> well.
> >
> > Regarding sites, Google is your friend. I read here, RC, and the DFWMAS
> message
> > board. But there are others, and I'm sure people here will point you the
> right
> > way.
> >
> > You can find some personal observations about various corals on my ID
> page, but
> > nothing in depth:
> > http://www.melevsreef.com/id/
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Dr_Gonzo2000 wrote:
> >
> > > Why can i not keep Pumping Xenia alive for more than 2 weeks with out it
> > > dieing?
> > >
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> >
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Dr_Gonzo2000]

"Chris Taylor" > wrote in message >...
> """Also where can i get Coral frags from in the UK?"""
>
> Where are you based in the UK? There's a place referenced in this month's
> Marine World magazine called STM; based in Sevenoaks. They have a 'coral
> farm' and sell frags.
>
> Address :
> 74 London Rd
> Riverhead
> Seven Oaks
> Kent
> TN13 2DN
> Ph 01732 454 190
>
> Regards
>
>
> Chris
>
>
> "Dr_Gonzo2000" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hiya Guys
> >
> > I've had my 200ltr FOWLR tank running now for 18 months, and i would like
> to
> > start taking things one step further by introducing some corals. I have
> > added a some and have achieved a degree of success, but i think that i
> need
> > to do a little more homework.
> >
> > My setup is:
> >
> > 200ltr tank
> > 30lbs of live rock
> > Tooth Corl (Given to me 6 weeks by my LFS 6 ago and growing strong)
> > Starburst Polyp
> > Assort Mushrooms
> > Kenya Tree Coral
> > Trumpet Coral
> > Pumping Xenia (on last legs)
> > Yellow Fiji Leather Coral
> > Sun Coral (In my DIY cave)
> > 2x Ocellaris Clowns
> > Citron Goby
> > Green Mandarin
> > Strawberry Fish
> > Fireball Angel
> > Redleg/Blueleg Hermits
> >
> > I have with in the last 8 weeks made the change to T5 lighting as the
> > ballast unit died on the T8's which i had been using since day one, and i
> > have noticed a difference in coral growth (but it's still too early to say
> > exactly how much difference they have made)
> >
> > I do a 10% water change on a biweekly bases using RO water and Redsea
> salt,
> > i have also started using Kents essential elements instead of individual
> > doses of Iodine, Calcium etc.
> >
> > Can any of you guys recommend a couple of books/web sites on the keeping
> of
> > corals, i have had a look at a couple of sites (Reef Central is A1) which
> > have helped me progress this far but i'm unable to find a "step by step"
> or
> > idiots guide. Also where can i get Coral frags from in the UK?
> >
> > "Question of the day"
> >
> > Why can i not keep Pumping Xenia alive for more than 2 weeks with out it
> > dieing?
> >
> > Thanks again guys and have a cracking festive holiday.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Antony
> > (PS Sorry about the grammar)
> >
> > (remove nospam)

Hiya Chris

I'm in Winchester, Hampshire which is down near the south coast. I do
have a very good LFS which is on the edge of Porton Down, but they do
seem to have a rather limited range of corals.

RGT my somewhat low DKH reading, whats the best way to raise this to
an acceptable level and over what period of time should i be doing
this (over 2 weeks or small increase on a dayly basis).

Cheers guys

Antony

[Chris Taylor]

""I'm in Winchester, Hampshire""

You're about 30 Miles away from me. There is a reasonable shop in
Farnborough with a decent supply of corals, not small frags though but
rather medium size stuff. I wouldn't be buying (anything on a rock) from
them for the next few weeks though until they've killed off their aptasia
outbreak. If there were prizes for the largest aptasia they'd be going for
gold.. Let me know if you're interested and I'll monitor this for you and
advise when it's sorted (save you the drive).

Maidenhead aquatics usually serve me well but they appear to be running down
on stock in both of the local shops (Ascot and Woking) lately. There should
be a couple of their shops down your way, try www.fishkeeper.co.uk for your
local.

"""RGT my somewhat low DKH reading, whats the best way to raise this """
Not sure if its the best way but I use Tropic Marin Triple Buffer, its
simple to administer and served the tank well. Just follow the instructions
WRT the volume of your tank vs the 1 spoon per 16 UK Gallon per week and
monitor. If you wish to do more gradually, divide the spoons per tank volume
by a week, use daily (or whatever takes your fancy), and monitor over the
course of the week.

Something to keep in mind while you are doing this is to keep an eye on your
calcium as both calcium and alkalinity have an effect on each other. Your
Calcium level should be around 400 and DKH around 8. As always though it is
usually better to make small adjustments in your tank. Your tank seems to
have been running moderately well (besides the pulse coral) and there seems
to be no urgency to make large scale changes.

Someone on this group (sorry if I don't remember who) posted a really useful
link which helped when I was trying to get Calcium and DKH within parameter.
Here's the link:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Good luck with your tank.

Best Regards (and merry Xmas)


Chris

[Dr_Gonzo2000]

"Chris Taylor" > wrote in message >...
> ""I'm in Winchester, Hampshire""
>
> You're about 30 Miles away from me. There is a reasonable shop in
> Farnborough with a decent supply of corals, not small frags though but
> rather medium size stuff. I wouldn't be buying (anything on a rock) from
> them for the next few weeks though until they've killed off their aptasia
> outbreak. If there were prizes for the largest aptasia they'd be going for
> gold.. Let me know if you're interested and I'll monitor this for you and
> advise when it's sorted (save you the drive).
>
> Maidenhead aquatics usually serve me well but they appear to be running down
> on stock in both of the local shops (Ascot and Woking) lately. There should
> be a couple of their shops down your way, try www.fishkeeper.co.uk for your
> local.
>
> """RGT my somewhat low DKH reading, whats the best way to raise this """
> Not sure if its the best way but I use Tropic Marin Triple Buffer, its
> simple to administer and served the tank well. Just follow the instructions
> WRT the volume of your tank vs the 1 spoon per 16 UK Gallon per week and
> monitor. If you wish to do more gradually, divide the spoons per tank volume
> by a week, use daily (or whatever takes your fancy), and monitor over the
> course of the week.
>
> Something to keep in mind while you are doing this is to keep an eye on your
> calcium as both calcium and alkalinity have an effect on each other. Your
> Calcium level should be around 400 and DKH around 8. As always though it is
> usually better to make small adjustments in your tank. Your tank seems to
> have been running moderately well (besides the pulse coral) and there seems
> to be no urgency to make large scale changes.
>
> Someone on this group (sorry if I don't remember who) posted a really useful
> link which helped when I was trying to get Calcium and DKH within parameter.
> Here's the link:
>
> http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
>
> Good luck with your tank.
>
> Best Regards (and merry Xmas)
>
>
> Chris

Hiya Chris

Cheers for the link it's been very useful, it also brings me back to
my chemistry classes back at school.

I have found Maidenhead to be rather expensive, for instance i paid
£10 for my sun coral and about the same again for my frogspawn coral.
With that said Maidenhead do have a larger range, and most peices are
in very good condition. My local branch (Fair Oak) also has a
fantastic range of aptasia which has remained untreated for the past 6
weeks.

It would be fantastic if you could let me know when Maidenhead have
the aptasia under control, as i don't mind spending a couple of extra
bucks for a good piece of coral.

Have a great Christmas and most of all take care and try not to drink
too much ;)

Thanks again

Antony

[Chris Taylor]

"""let me know when Maidenhead have the aptasia under control"""

Just to try and save Maidenhead's reputation (ouch!), they don't have an
Aptasia outbreak. My local fishy shop (not a Maidenhead franchise) in
Farnborough does. I'll keep an eye out and let you know. Sorry for any
confusion on this.

How's your tank coping with the frogspawn?

Later


Chris

"Dr_Gonzo2000" > wrote in message
om...
> "Chris Taylor" > wrote in message
>...
> > ""I'm in Winchester, Hampshire""
> >
> > You're about 30 Miles away from me. There is a reasonable shop in
> > Farnborough with a decent supply of corals, not small frags though but
> > rather medium size stuff. I wouldn't be buying (anything on a rock) from
> > them for the next few weeks though until they've killed off their
aptasia
> > outbreak. If there were prizes for the largest aptasia they'd be going
for
> > gold.. Let me know if you're interested and I'll monitor this for you
and
> > advise when it's sorted (save you the drive).
> >
> > Maidenhead aquatics usually serve me well but they appear to be running
down
> > on stock in both of the local shops (Ascot and Woking) lately. There
should
> > be a couple of their shops down your way, try www.fishkeeper.co.uk for
your
> > local.
> >
> > """RGT my somewhat low DKH reading, whats the best way to raise this """
> > Not sure if its the best way but I use Tropic Marin Triple Buffer, its
> > simple to administer and served the tank well. Just follow the
instructions
> > WRT the volume of your tank vs the 1 spoon per 16 UK Gallon per week and
> > monitor. If you wish to do more gradually, divide the spoons per tank
volume
> > by a week, use daily (or whatever takes your fancy), and monitor over
the
> > course of the week.
> >
> > Something to keep in mind while you are doing this is to keep an eye on
your
> > calcium as both calcium and alkalinity have an effect on each other.
Your
> > Calcium level should be around 400 and DKH around 8. As always though it
is
> > usually better to make small adjustments in your tank. Your tank seems
to
> > have been running moderately well (besides the pulse coral) and there
seems
> > to be no urgency to make large scale changes.
> >
> > Someone on this group (sorry if I don't remember who) posted a really
useful
> > link which helped when I was trying to get Calcium and DKH within
parameter.
> > Here's the link:
> >
> > http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
> >
> > Good luck with your tank.
> >
> > Best Regards (and merry Xmas)
> >
> >
> > Chris
>
> Hiya Chris
>
> Cheers for the link it's been very useful, it also brings me back to
> my chemistry classes back at school.
>
> I have found Maidenhead to be rather expensive, for instance i paid
> £10 for my sun coral and about the same again for my frogspawn coral.
> With that said Maidenhead do have a larger range, and most peices are
> in very good condition. My local branch (Fair Oak) also has a
> fantastic range of aptasia which has remained untreated for the past 6
> weeks.
>
> It would be fantastic if you could let me know when Maidenhead have
> the aptasia under control, as i don't mind spending a couple of extra
> bucks for a good piece of coral.
>
> Have a great Christmas and most of all take care and try not to drink
> too much ;)
>
> Thanks again
>
> Antony