Hello all: First off, thanks Rob and everyone for adding so much to the enjoyment of a great interest we all share.
I have two questions--
1. I am using a product called Phyto-Feast from Reed Macriculure. I am using the concentrated form, not the live form of the product. When I feed, should I turn off the returns to the sump? If so, for how long? My concerns is that the phytoplankton will get filtered by the 100 micron sock that I use and/or the protein skimmer.
2. Totally unrelated, but I have a male lyretail anthias--who was doing just great. He was a vigorous eater. I feed him mysis shrimp, cyclop-eze, and plankton--all thawed frozen products. Recently, a couple of days ago he stopped eating. I have tried garlic extract to add to the foods, but he still won't eat. He looks like he is interested, goes up to the food, but does not take it. I am thinking of trying a live food at this point. Any suggestions?
When I feed phyto, I add it to my system while the pump is running to get it well circulated around the tank. Then just before it begins going down the overflow, I shut off the pump. The time I leave the pump off is determined by my schedule at the moment. I'll leave it off at least 10 minutes but, if I'm not running off it will stay off 30 minutes to an hour. It dosen't hurt to allow your system a quiet period. After all the ocean tide comes in, stops for about an hour and then goes out twice a day.
On the Anthias, I would definitely try some live food. How long have you had him?
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
I never turn anything off when feeding my phyto. I have heard others say that they turn off the skimmers and pumps, I just never have. I think I will start shutting down the skimmer and pumps during that time and see if I notice any change.
Amp, you bring up a good point abouth the "quiet period" . I think I will program my controller to shut my powerheads off for about 45 minutes of so every day.
I have had my anthias for about 6 weeks, and what is really frustrating is that he was eating so well until an abrupt stop. I have no other anthias in the tank, and maybe it is just an unnatural environment without a school of anthias? I am trying the live food tonight...
Well, thanks for the advice Saxman and Amphibious. I tried just about everything suggested but I lost the anthias yesterday. All of the other animals in the tank are doing great--water parameters are fine. Thanks again.
Sorry for your loss, clavo. Don't take it too personal though. The fact of the matter is, fish are still being caught using drugs, cyanide being the drug of choice although I've heard of them using bleach, too. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize the trauma drugs cause our prized possessions. Many die during collection and are discarded. Some make it through the rigors of the exporters holding facility, bagging, shipping, Importers holding facility, bagging again, shipping again, transfer to LFS's tanks and all this while not being fed, it's a wonder any make it through this gauntlet. When we finally buy them in good conscience that we're getting healthy specimans and then lose them to no apparent reason, you have to suspect drugs or poor handling conditions. It's my long held belief that no one along the chain of facilities from collector to the LFS cares enough about the specimans to give them the kind of care that we do. If you know of a LFS that seriously does care, give that LFS your business because they deserve it. I know there are a few.
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
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