How big can I go while keeping the same light?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Beverly

A quote taken from Reefkeeping Magazine's article "Bubble" Algae: Selected Descriptions, Controls and Comments, by Horge Cortez-Jorge Jr.:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

"Much has been said about the danger of liberating spores when popping the vesicles of bubble algae. This is particularly true for members of Order Valoniaceae, but even then, the vesicles are said to be a sporulant risk only when having reached at least a third of their full size. Even if spores escape when you botch the job of vesicle-removal ('vesectomy', anyone?), those escapee spores have to run the gauntlet of herbivorous filter feeders, filtration equipment, and the wild lottery of hitting a good, unoccupied spot to settle and grow. Those spores will eventually be released anyway if you don't remove the vesicles."

The whole article is quite interesting. I use a modified screwdriver method described:

"My weapon of choice ought to be a small stainless-steel flathead screwdriver, sharpened to wicked excess, and used to gouge out the offenders at the anchorage, even including a thin veneer of rock. Bare fingernails can be unreliable for removing certain 'bubble algae', and can invite injury and infection. I have seen small manicuring scissors, carefully bent in a curve, used to snip off vesicles 'at the root' -but this almost surely leaves the anchorage structure intact, and likely ruptures the vesicle."

Ok acording to that article the spors are not so much of an issue in the two most common types of (what we call valonia but isn't) Ventricaria ventricosa, and Boergesenia forbesii.

at any rate, for something like this once again a reef keeping article from an online mag isn't creditable enuf to form a educated opinion, I was hoping you had an actual study or something...

Steve

[Beverly]

Steve,

Scientific studies or no scientific studies, I will NEVER, EVER again scrub valonia off my rocks. When I did so repeatedly in my 42g hex, when it was running, the valonia in the tank ended up taking over to the point where it was everywhere.

As a result of my personal experiences with this invasive, ugly pest, I now remove affected rocks from the tank and excise the rock surrounding the valonia, as well as the valonia. This PITA effort has erradicated valonia in two of my tanks, and reduced it to almost none in the third tank.

[OCDP]

Updates..

Still waiting on the word for the Cube, and when it can be built, etc..

Over the weekend I added an AC500 to my 20g. This will more than likely be used as a fuge on the Cube tank. I love this thing, it adds a nice extra amount of flow to the back wall of the tank, so there are no dead spots in the back of the tank now. Also, I can run carbon and sponge now and already the tank water looks much more clear. Ahhhh.... carbon!

I also decided to go ahead and purchase a 24" Aqualight Pro. I should have this within the next couple weeks... I am really looking forward to using one of these fixtures. It is just much more sleek and nicer on the eyes. It will be great for my cube (24x24x18) Because now I have the 150w HQI + the 2 actinics. More light!

Would I be able to make the cube 24x24x20 now if I am using the aqualight pro? Or is the extra actinic not going to do too much for the tank?

Anyways... there's some progress, things are looking up. The two (well, three things really) that I need to get out of the way are the stand (which won't be built until April) The Cube... and I really want an RO/DI unit for this tank. I am just not sure if I will be able to add it as soon as I'd like.

That's all for now.

[OCDP]

Updates..

Still waiting on the word for the Cube, and when it can be built, etc..

Over the weekend I added an AC500 to my 20g. This will more than likely be used as a fuge on the Cube tank. I love this thing, it adds a nice extra amount of flow to the back wall of the tank, so there are no dead spots in the back of the tank now. Also, I can run carbon and sponge now and already the tank water looks much more clear. Ahhhh.... carbon!

I also decided to go ahead and purchase a 24" Aqualight Pro. I should have this within the next couple weeks... I am really looking forward to using one of these fixtures. It is just much more sleek and nicer on the eyes. It will be great for my cube (24x24x18) Because now I have the 150w HQI + the 2 actinics. More light!

Would I be able to make the cube 24x24x20 now if I am using the aqualight pro? Or is the extra actinic not going to do too much for the tank?

Anyways... there's some progress, things are looking up. The two (well, three things really) that I need to get out of the way are the stand (which won't be built until April) The Cube... and I really want an RO/DI unit for this tank. I am just not sure if I will be able to add it as soon as I'd like.

That's all for now.

[OCDP]

Update?

Ordered my cube from Gold's yesterday. Dimensions of 24x24x20. Once I get that I will have more motivation to get it going.

Also got myself some nice (what I believe to be) pink panther zoos and a moon coral. I'll try to take pics later on.

That's all for now.

[OCDP]

Mine as well make this a new tank diary thread while I'm at it!

New cube is in! Should be picking it up either tonight or tomorrow. That was quick