Blog Comments

the biggest reason people do water changes is to eliminate the nitrates in the water since it is the final process in the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate cycle but if all parameters stay within check and nitrates stay low you are correct you don't necessarily need a big water change if any, but a good salt mix and the right size water change will also replenish your parameters and eliminates the need for dosing (aside from heavy sps and lps tanks that have to dose calcium) just my take on it

Blog Update!

Originally Posted by gerbilbox

It looks like evisceration. Sea cucumbers are unique that they can expel their stomach, digestive track, and sometimes other organs, but like its starfish relatives, they can regenerate body parts and organs. It's sometimes a defensive maneuver, and I see what looks like "spaghetti strands" (Cuvierian tubules) which are very sticky to entangle their predators and can be toxic. They can also be triggered to eviscerate due to stress, and one of my textbooks states that it may even happen seasonally. I would carefully remove it, with gloves, so it wouldn't fowl your tank.

Sorry, I don't think it's birth. Sea cucumbers are usually broadcast spawners (send out sperm/egg into the water), but some species can brood their larvae on their body.

I will take a look when I get home. I think that it has been moving but it very little so I can't discern if it is moving on its own or if it is from the flow of water.

Originally Posted by melev

Wow, I really don't know but I love that you documented it with a bunch of pictures. This is the type of cucumber I keep in my tanks, and I purchased only one way back in 2003 or 2004. Since then, I've had over 11 in my system so I can always move the extras to other tanks, the refugium, etc. I thought they broke themselves in two since I've never seen a tiny one (unless it was starving itself and shrinking away) before. I'll ask around for more input.

Thank you Melev. I took even more photographs then what I posted and this was withing the span of two days. I hope someone can positively identify it.

It looks like evisceration. Sea cucumbers are unique that they can expel their stomach, digestive track, and sometimes other organs, but like its starfish relatives, they can regenerate body parts and organs. It's sometimes a defensive maneuver, and I see what looks like "spaghetti strands" (Cuvierian tubules) which are very sticky to entangle their predators and can be toxic. They can also be triggered to eviscerate due to stress, and one of my textbooks states that it may even happen seasonally. I would carefully remove it, with gloves, so it wouldn't fowl your tank.

Sorry, I don't think it's birth. Sea cucumbers are usually broadcast spawners (send out sperm/egg into the water), but some species can brood their larvae on their body.

Wow, I really don't know but I love that you documented it with a bunch of pictures. This is the type of cucumber I keep in my tanks, and I purchased only one way back in 2003 or 2004. Since then, I've had over 11 in my system so I can always move the extras to other tanks, the refugium, etc. I thought they broke themselves in two since I've never seen a tiny one (unless it was starving itself and shrinking away) before. I'll ask around for more input.

I'm definitely leaning toward purchasing it next week. The only other Hang on Back Protein Skimmers that I have been looking at would be the Reef Octopus and the Deltec MCE600. Both manufacturers run their price around $300 to $500.00 for their Protein Skimmers which is a bit on the high end for me at this point. I'm not to annoyed with Micro Bubbles, I actually have gotten used to them but I would much rather have that with a consistent foam head then anything else.

I have the Nac6E and could not be happier. The one thing i will say is that you may have keep an eye on it until it breaks in to insure you don't have an over flow. Also the build quality seems good but this is also my first skimmer so just my 2 cents.
FYI here is mine http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php...-Nac-6A-review

Video 2 shows a poop ton of micro bubbles going into the display. However, it seems to be working well enough.

It does have a pump that hangs inside the tank.

The main issue I see with the Aqua C Remora Protein Skimmer is that I don't want another pump dangling inside the display area. It is just a pet peeve of mine to keep it as natural looking as possible. Please correct me if I am wrong but does the Aqua C Remora Protein Skimmer have this unsightly looking pump suspended from it via tubing to function?

Adam, I had that same Aqua C Remora and I could never get it to work right. I have heard the same thing from others that they love it, but either mine sucked or operator error kept it from workng right for me.

I've used this skimmer in the past and had good results. It's a HOB so may be worth looking into.
http://www.marinedepot.com/protein_s...ra_pro-ap.html

Originally Posted by Convict27

Looks like it is coming along nicely. How long did it take you to put the LED assembly together?

It take about 2.5 hours to assemble. It probably would have taken less time if I didnt have to search for items in my toolkit and had them ready before I began.

Looks like it is coming along nicely. How long did it take you to put the LED assembly together?

Originally Posted by cyano

Looking good, and thanks for the good amount of pics to go along with it

Thank you. I will keep the entries and photo updates coming!

Looking good, and thanks for the good amount of pics to go along with it