S
steve-s
Guest
That your LFS is more concerned about losing the sale of the LR knowing what he'll make on just selling the corals won't even come close. If that's his position then if it was me it would also be his loss to all future business as well.MarkW19 said:
I've just told my LFS I plan to use baserock instead of LR, and he's said he won't supply the corals to me because he doesn't think my tank will be able to sustain the corals we've talked about, certainly if all added at once, with baserock instead of LR, because he has a "responsibility" to ensure the livestock he provides are given the right environment.
Either he wants me to spend loads on LR with him (he doesnt do baserock), or I've actually found a LFS that cares...
What are your views on this??
For the most part no, it really depends on the coral species. On the ones we have discussed there would absolutely no concerns. There are certain coral (mainly LPS) that when stressed expell enormous amounts of nematocysts into the water which in a smaller tank can be a concern but none that you or I have talked about. Even then, simple carbon use for a few days after inroduction will remove the water problems just as easy as a skimmer (if not better).In The Concientious.. it says that adding more than one coral at once can overload the system/skimming (I dont even have any skimming!)/bacteria etc. because of the amounts of slime each coral can give off after being put into the system. It suggests leaving 2 weeks between coral introductions. Do you agree?
It's always a good practice to transfer corals underwater and not touch them with bare hands. That said though the ones we have discussed will not be harmed by doing so. They should in fact be able to be handled by the rock they are attached to.Also, when the corals have been acclimated over the hour, can I pick them up out of their bags with my bare hands and place them in the tank? ie. is it ok without gloves, and can the corals be out of the water for a few seconds?
Yes when coral and other animals deposit CaCO3 in their growth it will deplete both alk and Ca. That I can remember, we have only discussed soft corals and none will affect the levels.And, calcification will bring alkalinity (and calcium) levels down won't it, which may affect pH - do the corals I've chosen calcify a lot or not much, compared to other corals?
The depletion of alkalinity will not necessarily affect pH unless the pH levels where troublesome and low to begin with. If your pH is at the proper level and stable now, there is no reason that will change any time soon. Ca has no direct affect on pH.
I'm not totally sold on the dipping process but if you intend to keep the newly aquired rock seperate to be sure it does not need have additional die off, that will also give you the proper time to examine the rock for unwanted hitchikers. If the rock is as well cured as your LFS claims, there most likely won't be any. Personally I would opt for a high salinity dip rather than the seltzer dip but that's me.Since I'm going to QT the LR for a week and test for ammonia etc. (if I do get the LR), the main thing I'm worried about is hitchhikers - pistols/mantis etc.
I'm planning on doing a carbonated SW dip before it's put in my tank after the QT, but I guess it's not 100% certain it'll get them all out, and also could damage the rock as far as bacteria goes etc.? What are your views matey?
Cheers
Steve