The Indecisive Journal Of Trod's 5 Footer

[Trod]

Brilliant - I think we should all go out and buy a poking stick

Not so silly Bagu, you should have seen us in the shop, comparing, bending etc that was silly

Seffie x

Not half as funny as, once we eventually decided on which one to get, we walked around the shop and it became a pointing stick

 

[seffieuk]

Brilliant - I think we should all go out and buy a poking stick

Not so silly Bagu, you should have seen us in the shop, comparing, bending etc that was silly

Seffie x

Not half as funny as, once we eventually decided on which one to get, we walked around the shop and it became a pointing stick

Oh indeed, arm Trod with a pointing stick at your peril everyone gave her a very wide berth, including the fish she was pointing at

Seffie x

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, this advice might be a little too late, but running carobon filtration can at least lessen the wonderful rotting ocean smell...

 

[Trod]

Well, this advice might be a little too late, but running carobon filtration can at least lessen the wonderful rotting ocean smell...

Ah Ha thanks ski, I will look into that, as we are on the verge of packing bags and moving out
I knew it was going to smell a bit, but this is getting daft

The water is now totally green, I have just done another 20% water change, going to do it each day now until water starts to clear.
Skimmer didn't turn up yesterday (Oh no not again, I'm thinking )
Seffie I might be coming over to borrow yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bagu]

Well, this advice might be a little too late, but running carobon filtration can at least lessen the wonderful rotting ocean smell...

Ah Ha thanks ski, I will look into that, as we are on the verge of packing bags and moving out
I knew it was going to smell a bit, but this is getting daft

The water is now totally green, I have just done another 20% water change, going to do it each day now until water starts to clear.
Skimmer didn't turn up yesterday (Oh no not again, I'm thinking )
Seffie I might be coming over to borrow yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what does it actually smell like ?

hehe

 

[Trod]

It smells like a stagnant pond

Right Ski, I'm buying my plane ticket and coming over to give you the biggest kiss in the world

I have just been to LFS and purchased a filter system, with extra carbon and after some very rude words, (why do these things not come with idiot instructions ) and a very wet floor, because I didn't put the lid back on properly, more really rude words!!! I have it up and running.

God I hope it works fast

 

[seffieuk]

I've got 50 litres of water sitting here if you want it?

could send over 25 litres, then swop the can for another 25 litres and then keep making more, if you get my drift - that way you could do bigger water changes?

Right Ski, I'm buying my plane ticket and coming over to give you the biggest kiss in the world

Emmmmmmm if you are going over to see Ski I better come as well to protect him.....................

Seffie x

 

[Trod]

Thanks seffie, its not so much the RO water, its the mixing it, I can make water pretty quick but I can only mix and heat around 70L at a time.

I'm hoping the filter will at least sort the smell out and 70L water changes should be ok, just keep everything crossed


Ok 2 plane tickets it is then

 

[Trod]

DAY 6 Live Rock curing

Smell has almost gone (thanks again Ski) (breathes deeply!) The water is beginning to clear, I can actually see the LR again

I have just done another 20% water change.
Couldn't resist a bit of testing too PH is 8.4 and I did ammonia expecting it to be off the scale but I was pleasantly surprised it is reading 1.5 (using salifert test kit)

All coming along nicely

 

[Ehudd]

DAY 6 Live Rock curing

Smell has almost gone (thanks again Ski) (breathes deeply!) The water is beginning to clear, I can actually see the LR again

I have just done another 20% water change.
Couldn't resist a bit of testing too PH is 8.4 and I did ammonia expecting it to be off the scale but I was pleasantly surprised it is reading 1.5 (using salifert test kit)

All coming along nicely

sounds exactly like mine, ammonia was almost nill, than couple days later, bang, off the scale. Its been almost 2 months, and my nitrate is almost gone from the cycle.

Put a powerhead just under the surface of the water, so its sucking in air, and sends micro bubbles to the surface. You dont have corals so it wont be a problem, and it is a really good method for skimming, easily clear the surface of muck in an hour or less.

 

[Trod]

Put a powerhead just under the surface of the water, so its sucking in air, and sends micro bubbles to the surface. You dont have corals so it wont be a problem, and it is a really good method for skimming, easily clear the surface of muck in an hour or less.

Already ahead of you there Ehudd did it yesterday after putting in filter, also got spray bar facing up wards and its working a treat

 

[SkiFletch]

Glad I could help Trod . People with really big tanks and really big skimmers use the carbon trick on the skimmate that can also smell that bad . Carbon has a bigtime affinity for Hydrogen Sulfide which is the primary odiferous agent you were dealing with.

So wait, does this mean my advice is so good that I don't get a visit?

 

[Trod]

Day 7 Live Rock curing


Just a few pictures of how its going.

Not very clear but real seaweed!!!!!!!!!!!(mind you don't know if thats good or bad )

And FTS (lights on only for picture!!)

I've done another 20% water change, will now fill tank to top and start water changes every other day for next week.

 

[Ehudd]

Day 7 Live Rock curing


Just a few pictures of how its going.

Not very clear but real seaweed!!!!!!!!!!!(mind you don't know if thats good or bad )

And FTS (lights on only for picture!!)

I've done another 20% water change, will now fill tank to top and start water changes every other day for next week.

What i really enjoyed about my uncured LR was after it had cycled, you watch your go from brown and dead looking, to purple and covered in life.
Its a hard and stressful process, but your water will be rock solid after!

 

[Trod]

Yes must admit at the moment its hard to imagine any life in there. But I know what you mean about cycling your own rock, the feeling and satisfaction I'm going to get when its all done will be great

Quick question, having read numourous articles on cycling Rock I came across one that recommends adding Phytoplankton. Any thoughts?