trble81

I'm defin. not an expert but is there some sort of water conditioner that you can use that will "eliminate" (I think by binding to) trace metals in water...?

You should just put up a WTB thread to see if anyone has one to get rid of.... Or you could just go to Home Depot. According to their commercial, their "professionals will help you through any job..." :wink: I don't know jack about carpentry so I'm the last one to ask... --Mike

I could see the news story now... Man looses grip with reality and hand when using explosives to remove pump parts in his home...

I've always assumed that it was a looks sort of thing, putting the heater in the sump. Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

Step one, cut a hole in the box....Step two, ..... wait ..... wrong thread..... :wink: Step one, type in words to search on the forum search engine.... Step two, read what comes up... Step three, post so you don't seem too dumb: Wet vs. Dry Skimming Foam draining is a critical stage for most skimmers. One problem with drainage is that some organics are washed away with the draining water. There is always an equilibrium between organics in solution, and those actually attached to the interface. As water continues to drain, some of the organics are lost. Further, as some bubbles pop and their organics are redistributed into the nearby water, the local concentration of organics in the water between the bubbles in the foam can rise to concentrations far higher than are present in the aquarium. For this reason, the most effective skimming, in terms of total organic removal, comes from removing somewhat wet foam, rather than waiting for this same wet foam to drain prior to removal. The primary difference between wet foam, and drained dry foam, is that additional water and some organics have drained away. A dry form is more efficient in terms of the amount of organic removed in relation to the water volume, and all skimmers and their potential adjustments strike some balance between removing more water and slightly more organics, or less water and slightly fewer organics. Perhaps a careful analysis of different types of skimming will, in the future, show this expected result experimentally. Please feel free to still voice opinions on the subject.

sounds like you need a little CENSORED black sticker on that pic :wink:

I'm glad we went the right way with picking this skimmer for our tank... But as far as wet vs. dry...? Right now we have it at it's lowest point while the break-in occurs.

that's awesome

Our new AquaC Remora came in yesterday and we hooked it up to our tank (yahooo). When I was reading the directions, it talked about adjusting the collection cup whether or not you wanted to skimm wet or dry. Now I've read discussions between people regarding this subject and I want to know what's the difference. I know the fundamental differences (a lot white frothy foam vs. not) but I was wondering what's the advantage of one over the other (if there is one). I apologize in advance for any fights/arguments that may break out as a result of this question. :wink: Thanks.

could it be because of color similarities?

On a medical note (not an M.D. but my degrees are in Bio, did research on prostate cancer, and worked in a hospital lab for 2+ years) you could be allergic to the proteins you're coming in contact with. It's def. in your tank if that's the only time you have those reactions (especially the hives). I would def. let you Dr. know if you continue to have these reactions or if they get worse. Hives and sneezing is one thing but you don't want to have any breathing issues. --Mike

Thanks for the book suggestions. I check out Amazon or Boarders/Barnes and Noble to see if they carry. We're running a Cascade canister filter and it's working out great so far. I do clean out the filters and it seems to be reflected in our water tests. I've heard some similar things about the Fluvals (mainly about how flimsy some of the clips that hold the top on are). I've heard some real good things about Eheim canister filters (along with their pumps in general). We really appreciate all the input you guys give and the more, the better!

All, As my wife and I look at all of the posts on the forum and navigate through the many photos that are posted, I constantly have a question bouncing around my head. That question is sump vs. canister filter. Our current tank is a 35 gallon Hex with a canister filter. When we decide to get a larger tank, that pesky question will come up again. We plan on trying to get a tank via the WTB forum before looking into LFS tanks. So if the one we get is already drilled and includes a sump and all that, well, we have our decision then. I'm just curious as to the pros and cons (minus the whole mechanical filtration aspect, of course). As a follow up, could any one suggest a good book that would help novice reefers, like us, in setting up all the plumbing and what-not that's associated with having a good marine aquarium. We're always in the mood to learn! Thanks in advance!

Your tank looks great! What kind of camera did you get? I am looking for a new one myself.

Raf, let me start off by saying that with a tank like that, you could use any camera and it would still look amazing! I wish we had half the corals in our tank that you have. At least then I would have more to take pics of. Anyway, the pictures you have do look great though and that is exactly what I want to be able to do. Thanks for the IMHO.

I agree with taking a sample to your LFS for a confirmation check. That way they can't tell you that your tank parameters are all screwie and that's why the fish you just bought from them kicked the bucket two min after adding it to your tank (assuming they have a 14 day guarantee or something like that).

sounds like you need to call a priest and "exorcise the demons"

Thank you so much davelin and stevil. That was exactly the information I was looking for. I think I am just going to have to go to the store and see which one "feels" better. I know that the lens/lenses I choose will make more of a difference in the long run anyway. And I completely agree stevil, if you can't see what makes a good shot, the camera doesn't matter at all.

I read somewhere that if you're going on vacation for a couple fo days, it's ok to feed them before you go and they'll be ok for a day without food. Is it acceptable to have a person only come and feed you tank like once during a 4 day vacation trip (assuming you have a timer and for your lights)? I understand checking on them but I'm talking about the actual act of feeding.

I'm also interested in this as well. I was looking the other night on Marine Depot and there's a lot of choices (and differences in prices).

Steve, Just wanted to let you know that the order for an AquaC-Remora went out to Marine Depot last night. Hopefully this snow/ice/sleet storm won't push the delivery off too much (I just did the standard delivery). Oh by the way, we did the soak and the skimmer started working again...and then it stopped...and then sort of again...so on and so on... (I can't wait until we get one that actually works!!!)

I do have a point and shoot now and it is ok, it's just old (only 2mp I think). I have a regular film camera with removable lenses and I love being able to use it for all sorts of different things, I just hate that I have to find a dark place to change out the lense so I don't expose the film. I think I am definately leaning towards the Rebel. Thanks for the opinions and experiences.

Thanks for the reply though madmax.

I am looking for an SLR. Hopefully staying at or under $1000. Most of what I have been seeing and looking at are in the $700 range.

I have been looking to buy a new digital camera so that I can take pics of our tank and the fish that we are getting and I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for a good one. I have been leaning towards the Canon Rebel XT, but if someone has one that they use and love, I am open to recommendations. Also, if you recommend your camera, try to post examples of pics you have taken with it. Thanks Everyone! ~Heather