cracker

Layton, what do you know about silica sand in relation to the release of silicates?

I wonder if bacteria can consume these as in the second stage of bioballs...

Another intersting thing to think about is the relesae of green DOCS from the caulerpa. If you sit some in a bowl for a couple of minutes, green DOCS leach almost instanly into the bowl. This cant be good returning to the main tank. They state the mud somehow removes this. HOW?

Ahh... I also notice the high amount of potassium in the mix. This will be assisting the faster growth of the algae. A mojor source of fertiliser products.

Go on...

Hey PIES, your post on saying that Skimming is an natural is not quite true either, (If thats what you meant). The crashing of the waves and white tops creates heaps of foaming action which ends up on beaches. As seen on a very stormy day. I still think Skimming is imperative. Just my thoughts!

Reef, I have another type of algae in my sump that grows like a mother $%#^@# and may benefit your sump if you want to give it a go. Grows heaps faster than mexicana and the Sawtooth. It looks like little teardrops. Will post a pic.

I am running quite a large amount of Caulerpa also and the stuff grows like crazy simply sitting in a bare glass dam which overflows directly into the sump. But I am still struggling to get the DOCS lower in comparison to the waste that is being produced from the water column. I wonder where the silicon/quartz comes into it.

First time I have read this thread front to back. Interesting topic. Will be good to see the results. The link to the German web site was impressive. No skimmer? WICKED. I reckon it must be involving autotrophic de nitrifying bacteria within the MM. (Maybe heaps more effectively than a DSB. The large amount of Aluminium could be associated with the clarity. (Aluminium sulphate is a pool floculant which grabs and binds extremely small particles into large lumps that can be mechanically filtered or siphoned). And the large amount of Iron could be involving the other metal eating bacterias that Layton was chatting about earlier.

once a month.

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles...

BBBBBB

BBB

Thats only if there is no turbulance with incoming falling/crashing water.

Or her!

Why dont you ask him!

Nothing wrong with good aeration. As Brian said can make for good salt creep. Usually this occurs when falling or trickling water is entering too close to main pump intake. Try moving pump or breaking fall of incoming water with sponge or something. Small bubbles is good if anything, there is shitloads on a natural reef whan waves break etc.

Sorry to hear about that dude. My litle yellow clown goby is looking like he is struggling too. He is eating bugger all and getting skinny. It happens to the best of us. The suction from the power head would have probably been quite painful I would imagine. It would be similar to being stuck to a bloody jet engine intake. would $^@* HURT.

Melaleuca is actually an Australian/American native tree very similar to a GUM tree.

Another thing Pies, I had Fays anemone in there just after the first water change and there was still a touch of it in trhe system. But this did not affect the other anemone. Te stuff is just too strong. The dose rate probably needs to be reduced, but buggered if I am going to check!! :lol:

One of my large hardy snails curled up its toes and karked it within 24 hours of administering also. It is sitting there rotting 'cos I cant reach the damn thing!

The reaction took place instantly after administering....Fay has had issues too evidently. I would definitely not use it again....It smells like Peppermint oil...Too potent. Cheers

Attention reefers. If you run a reef, be advised to NOT use melafix. It creates big issues. Please refer to "INFO ON ANEMONE PLEASE" Cheers Craig

And here are the pics... from this... To this... The poor thing has taken four weeks to recover from MELAFIX. But, She SURVIVED!!

The poor thing has been ejecting crap now for close on three weeks. :evil: