Chick-in-of-TheSea journal

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/9/2022 at 4:08 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

My husband was looking in the fridge for the probiotics the other day and he says, which one is it? The one that says Repashy? 🤣

Goes great with the avocado toast. 😂

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/9/2022 at 1:19 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

Goes great with the avocado toast. 😂

I could see how he could mistake it for a probiotic. It does say Repashy Superfood.

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

I went to Sea World yesterday. Thought I’d share some of the sites.

I was standing alongside the Dolphin nursery, and this young one surfaced to prop her snoot… and took a nap!

Manta, a roller coaster I went on. 
 

Aquariums to enjoy in line for Manta.

After riders are seated, seats tilt to flying position. Uncertain girl on the right was not smiling after her ride 🤣. I thought the ride was great.

Mako was even better. Very steep and high speeds. Must be a hyper coaster, but I didn’t look it up to be sure.

The third coaster I went on was Icebreaker. When you board, the whole train slides sideways to a different track where you go forward and backwards a couple times and do some corkscrews. It was “just ok”. Not as thrilling or as fast as the other two.

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s a moray.  (Sorry- diver humor. LOL)

Nurse shark resting.

When I noticed the sawtooth shark I got so excited and frantically trying to access the camera app. Come to realize my one foot was on a moving walkway starting to put me into a split.  🤣

Hence the crappy photos.

In Antarctica, this one little penguin friend was taking a long time to decide which was the best spot to jump in the pool. I didn’t catch all of his decision-making in the video, there was a lot of cute little hopping up and down off of the rocks, each hop followed by a look in the pool with head tilts. This video captures how the story unfolded.

The whales in the whale show participate voluntarily. If they choose to participate, they get treats like fish, a special jello the trainers make, ice cubes, and rub downs. If they choose not to participate, that’s cool too. I’ve been to some shows where the whales didn’t want to do stuff, so the trainers will just play videos and teach the crowd about conservation efforts and how the animals are very social with each other and with people. We still got to see the whales swim around though. They just didn’t feel like doing the stunts that day.
 

SeaWorld explains they take great care to ensure the animals’ social needs are met and that they have enrichment in their environment. (Side note: There’s a movie about controversy re: Sea World; I didn’t watch that.  What I know from living here is Sea World is very involved in marine rescue, my cousin has been behind the scenes in the training program and had a positive experience there, and Sea World made changes since the movie such as people no longer get in the water with the animals.)

The show I attended, the whales did some jumping, and sliding out onto a platform, and the customary sideways swimming while using her tail to splash massive waves onto the audience.

These splashes go about 10 rows back, so that goes to show the power these creatures have!  Then the trainers announced they were starting an audience participation bit, but the whales decided to just perform the grand finale, so the show is always different. The AV crew is equipped to change music and lights or whatnot quickly based on what the whales choose to do. The show ended when 5 whale tails emerged from the water and waved goodbye. (Cute)

Random photo/video dump. One part of Sea World is dedicated to Sesame Street. I’m cool with that. It takes me back.

 

Who remembers Telly???? I had forgotten about him! He’s so old school! 😍

And I had forgotten about this gal too- I do not remember her name. Robin, maybe?

 

Nativity story performance

And most of the day I could feel my skin burning - how they pulled off an outdoor ice show in FL, I will never know. But they did. These guys did everything - triple axles and the spins, the slinging partners around with their faces just above the ice- but most impressive were the handsprings. 

Funny, I haven’t been to the parks in some 10+ years (except Universal). Company I used to work with would let us all go in for free once a year after dark. So this year my mom & I thought it would be nice to go when the parks are all decorated for the holidays.

Edited December 10, 2022 by Chick-In-Of-TheSea

[Guppysnail]

Thank you for sharing such a delightful experience. 🤗

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/10/2022 at 5:07 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

Nurse shark resting.

Literally my favorite. Then there's the great white. Oceanic white tip.

On 12/10/2022 at 5:07 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

Funny, I haven’t been to the parks in some 10+ years (except Universal). Company I used to work with would let us all go in for free once a year after dark. So this year my mom & I thought it would be nice to go when the parks are all decorated for the holidays.

Awesome to hear. Hopefully it was extremely enjoyable.

[TheSwissAquarist]

On 12/10/2022 at 2:07 PM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

penguin

Penguins are the funniest creatures ever! Complete birdbrains, but are surprisingly agile underwater. Picture from my last visit to Basel zoo.

Along with a sturgeon (?) and a superbly camouflaged Gaboon Viper.

[Bev C]

@Chick-In-Of-TheSeai finally got caught up  with your thread   and still catching up on the forum it was  nice to see you get new  babies  and enjoy them ,,,  love seeing your photos of the different trip photos   many hugs 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

Thanks @Bev C!

Tonight I heard a noise from the filter. Heard it over the Tv. Like an occasional click. (??) Opened the filter, putrid smell. Couldn’t figure out the click. Biowheel was spinning; things looked fine. Disassembled filter (with gloves on), rinsed out intake tubes etc. Still ???

Meanwhile the aquarium looked hazy and smelled bad. Had the hardest time finding Hampshire but he was fine. So were all the other snails. Fish seem ok too but maybe breathing a little heavy?  Some snails went to the surface to breathe air. The only thing is I can’t remember if I have 9 black neons or 10. I counted 9. Idk. Roy, the fella I quarantined for a few months, was there. All good with him.

I did a water test for ammonia. It was zero. Again, ???  So I changed water and vac the tank. Used Prime. It’s a mystery. I do think the clicking from the filter was just air bubbles going into the intake. 

Soooo… after all that I went to the mailbox. 3 lily bulbs from @Guppysnail. Thank you! 😍

Since the moonlighting is on and I just upset everybody with the night time emergency (?) water change, I put the bulbs in some dechlorinated water under the grow light in my garage.

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/10/2022 at 6:52 PM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

I did a water test for ammonia. It was zero. Again, ???  So I changed water and vac the tank. Used Prime. It’s a mystery. I do think the clicking from the filter was just air bubbles going into the intake. 

Did it sound like a glug or was it a very sharp sound like a pebble on glass? Did you physically remove the impeller and inspect it and the shaft? (See video for why I say shaft)

Potentially this noise?

 

On 12/10/2022 at 6:52 PM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

Fish seem ok too but maybe breathing a little heavy?  Some snails went to the surface to breathe air.

I would add an air stone just until you get it figured out.

Let me know if you need anything. Hopefully you find it. Most common reason is a piece of substrate gets sucked up into the pump impeller.

Not a joke. literally every time I have maintenance on mine I have a flashlight and check the bottom of the HOB container. Every two weeks I disassemble the pump (usually).

That second one is because of testing, but also just because pump in filter can cause some weirdness sometimes. Especially with only course sponge and something like sand.

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/11/2022 at 1:51 AM, nabokovfan87 said:

Did it sound like a glug or was it a very sharp sound like a pebble on glass? Did you physically remove the impeller and inspect it and the shaft? (See video for why I say shaft)

Pebble on glass. Also noticed some minor bypass. After I reloaded the sponge, the bypass stopped.

I did remove and inspect the impeller and as much of the housing for it as I could access. I also stuck my finger in the impeller compartment and could not feel any foreign objects.

Edited December 11, 2022 by Chick-In-Of-TheSea

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/11/2022 at 3:04 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

I did remove and inspect the impeller and as much of the housing for it as I could access. I also stuck my finger in the impeller compartment and could not feel any foreign objects

Yeah. That impeller design is a little weird. I don't know the pro/con but typically the "good ones" will have the impeller molded or press fit around the shaft itself. There is a rubber or ceramic bushing that fits into the motor to keep it stable. I believe the marinelands use a plastic guide and that might be what you're hearing. The plastic guide hitting the pump housing or the impeller trying to spin and it's rubbing on the housing.

Photos below, first one is the one impeller I actually like the design of. Second photo is of the marineland and yours should be something similar.

Steel vs. Ceramic shaft, which is slightly delicate. Should generally work without issue.

That second video I linked might be replicating the issue you heard?

As long as we rule out impeller, pump is fine, meaning just trying to dislodge whatever is caught up in the filter somewhere.

Please remind me of the model you have and I can try to dig up some disassembly photos or something.

Edit: might be the same + solution. It's showing that plastic section lifting up again, mentions a plastic tab to secure the impeller and that it's either broken or no longer aligned.

I can't say for sure, but I assume the assembly is that the impeller is assembled, the shaft is inserted, and then the end caps are press fit on the shaft. If the caps slip, that makes the impeller slightly too long and rub on the housing or intake pipe. Unsure if that's the cause or the tab that both of these guys glued.

I did have a video of the tidal with the air noise @TeeJayaand I had that issue. I can't find it, but I'll dig it up if need be.

Hopefully it's an easy fix. 😞

Edited December 11, 2022 by nabokovfan87

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

The tunnel arrived. A bit big for the 5g; it’s shading out the crypt, but Geppetto is enjoying it.

 

[TheSwissAquarist]

Looks a bit big, but at least he’s enjoying it!

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/11/2022 at 6:20 AM, nabokovfan87 said:

Yeah. That impeller design is a little weird. I don't know the pro/con but typically the "good ones" will have the impeller molded or press fit around the shaft itself. There is a rubber or ceramic bushing that fits into the motor to keep it stable. I believe the marinelands use a plastic guide and that might be what you're hearing. The plastic guide hitting the pump housing or the impeller trying to spin and it's rubbing on the housing.

Photos below, first one is the one impeller I actually like the design of. Second photo is of the marineland and yours should be something similar.

Steel vs. Ceramic shaft, which is slightly delicate. Should generally work without issue.

That second video I linked might be replicating the issue you heard?

As long as we rule out impeller, pump is fine, meaning just trying to dislodge whatever is caught up in the filter somewhere.

Please remind me of the model you have and I can try to dig up some disassembly photos or something.

Edit: might be the same + solution. It's showing that plastic section lifting up again, mentions a plastic tab to secure the impeller and that it's either broken or no longer aligned.

I can't say for sure, but I assume the assembly is that the impeller is assembled, the shaft is inserted, and then the end caps are press fit on the shaft. If the caps slip, that makes the impeller slightly too long and rub on the housing or intake pipe. Unsure if that's the cause or the tab that both of these guys glued.

I did have a video of the tidal with the air noise @TeeJayaand I had that issue. I can't find it, but I'll dig it up if need be.

Hopefully it's an easy fix. 😞

After reassembling the filter and moving the airstone away from the intake, no more noise.

On 12/11/2022 at 9:32 AM, TheSwissAquarist said:

Looks a bit big, but at least he’s enjoying it!

Yeah it’s not gonna be a permanent thing in there. But it’s ok for now, he’s having fun.

The crinum is recovering.

And here’s Kratos doing his thing. 
 

[TeeJay]

On 12/11/2022 at 6:20 AM, nabokovfan87 said:

Yeah. That impeller design is a little weird. I don't know the pro/con but typically the "good ones" will have the impeller molded or press fit around the shaft itself. There is a rubber or ceramic bushing that fits into the motor to keep it stable. I believe the marinelands use a plastic guide and that might be what you're hearing. The plastic guide hitting the pump housing or the impeller trying to spin and it's rubbing on the housing.

Photos below, first one is the one impeller I actually like the design of. Second photo is of the marineland and yours should be something similar.

Steel vs. Ceramic shaft, which is slightly delicate. Should generally work without issue.

That second video I linked might be replicating the issue you heard?

As long as we rule out impeller, pump is fine, meaning just trying to dislodge whatever is caught up in the filter somewhere.

Please remind me of the model you have and I can try to dig up some disassembly photos or something.

Edit: might be the same + solution. It's showing that plastic section lifting up again, mentions a plastic tab to secure the impeller and that it's either broken or no longer aligned.

I can't say for sure, but I assume the assembly is that the impeller is assembled, the shaft is inserted, and then the end caps are press fit on the shaft. If the caps slip, that makes the impeller slightly too long and rub on the housing or intake pipe. Unsure if that's the cause or the tab that both of these guys glued.

I did have a video of the tidal with the air noise @TeeJayaand I had that issue. I can't find it, but I'll dig it up if need be.

Hopefully it's an easy fix. 😞

Yes I'm pretty sure mine started sucking in more air once I drilled the extra holes in the bottom of the uptake tube. I mean I still sucked more air after doing the initial mods filling in the skimmer and such. But it started doing it more frequently once I added the uptake tube holes. It makes sense though. Pulling more water=faster clogging=pulling air faster. So once a week I pull the intake and basket out for a cleaning. Then once a month I pull the motor out and clean the motor box and impeller.

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/11/2022 at 7:02 AM, TeeJay said:

Yes I'm pretty sure mine started sucking in more air once I drilled the extra holes in the bottom of the uptake tube. I mean I still sucked more air after doing the initial mods filling in the skimmer and such. But it started doing it more frequently once I added the uptake tube holes. It makes sense though. Pulling more water=faster clogging=pulling air faster. So once a week I pull the intake and basket out for a cleaning. Then once a month I pull the motor out and clean the motor box and impeller.

Is it still consistently happening? Maybe there is a pinhole or something somewhere?

Glad you got it sorted @Chick-In-Of-TheSea

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/11/2022 at 11:43 AM, nabokovfan87 said:

Is it still consistently happening? Maybe there is a pinhole or something somewhere?

Glad you got it sorted @Chick-In-Of-TheSea

Anytime I have filter issues I know you and @TeeJay have my back 🙂

[TeeJay]

On 12/11/2022 at 11:43 AM, nabokovfan87 said:

Is it still consistently happening? Maybe there is a pinhole or something somewhere?

Glad you got it sorted @Chick-In-Of-TheSea

About once a week it will start to do it. The sponges are pretty filled up and the pre filter sponge is pretty dirty. So I think it's just doing a better job and keeping the water cleaner faster if that makes sense. And I do feed a couple of different types of food at once to that tank since I have critters of all sizes in there. So I'm sure that adds to it as well.

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/11/2022 at 10:48 AM, TeeJay said:

About once a week it will start to do it. The sponges are pretty filled up and the pre filter sponge is pretty dirty. So I think it's just doing a better job and keeping the water cleaner faster if that makes sense. And I do feed a couple of different types of food at once to that tank since I have critters of all sizes in there. So I'm sure that adds to it as well.

I'll have to get that resolved for you. We'll figure it out. I'll send a message on the tidal thread once I have details.

Not good!

I have been running the mod for 6+ months? I've heard it once, for 2 hours, randomly. Never heard it again. I do want to modify my mod. So I'll do that and "fix it" so to speak.

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

I put a lily bulb in the 29 and another in the shrimp tank, now that I’ve cleared the jungle out of there. Geppetto will get his bulb on Tuesday when I do his water change.

 

[Bev C]

Geppetto has a nice hang out   my Barney might like that  he has a cave at the bottom  but he  loves hanging allot on the top and sides 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/11/2022 at 8:36 PM, Bev C said:

Geppetto has a nice hang out   my Barney might like that  he has a cave at the bottom  but he  loves hanging allot on the top and sides 

Geppetto doesn’t spend much time at the bottom.

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

I sent that huge swim through back. Now Geppetto has a new swim through. Can you find it??

 

[nabokovfan87]

Hastafolia?

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/14/2022 at 8:41 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

Hastafolia?

Nope! I mean, he does swim through that but it’s not new.

He likes to rest on it. He put some bubbles under it too.

Edited December 15, 2022 by Chick-In-Of-TheSea