trble81

I've got those PVC gloves that come all the way up your arm and I use them when hand feeding my condi the silversides it so loves. Sure I look like a messed up super hero when I put them on but at least I know I'm safe (plus, it's great when you don't want to strip down to a t-shirt in order to go elbow + deep into the tank).

Had the same problem with my 2 azure damsels and a new Royal Gramma that I put in that tank before. Poor Gramma got beat up pretty good...then started holding his own (facing off against them and opening his mouth real wide as to say, "back off dude!"). The down side is that I think he got beat up way too much (fins were really messed up) and didn't make it. We've basically decided that the fish we currently have in the tank will remain the same with no additions until we set up the new tank and do it right (well...at least keep the meaner fish until the end...) Best of luck, though.

Very cool. I've already gotten some pumps planned out but they're nothing special (modded MJ900s), but I was looking for an awesome pump to help me out with getting good flow in the planned 90 gallon. I was starting to price out what I had in mind or different options (like 2 controllable Korelias and the Hydor wavemaker) and noticed that an MP40w is priced basically the same. Time to save some pennies...

I've got a Vortec question that I'm hoping owners or former owners or just people in the know could answer. I guess my question is how wide is the flow? Is the water movement coming off the pump pretty compact (essentially is it pretty directed or stream-lined coming off the pump) or is the flow coming off at a wide angle (even though the pump is X diameter, it's moving half the water in your tank, for instance)? Seeing the wave action in some videos, I would get it would be the wide angle sort of movement but I figured I would ask. Thanks in advance and I'm sorry if my wording is terrible...it is like 6:20 in the morning...

Just to give you an idea, I've got a purple condi anemone and I directly feed it a silverside twice a week and I broadcast feed my tank some frozen cyclop twice a week... Fish are happy (2 false percs, 2 azure damsels) and inverts (anemone, mushrooms, polyps) are happy. Best of luck!

Are you feeding you anemone enough? A well fed one shouldn't go hunting and eating your healthy fish...

Totally was going to say the same thing.

Nice pics! How about some FTS...?

I was doing some searching online for equipment and stumbled across aquacave.com...anybody have any experience with them? Their prices seem pretty good and they have a bunch of stuff that I'm going to get, plus I think that the site says free shipping over $175. Thanks!

Just checked out the WAV....pretty cool....pretty cool indeed. Thanks for the info regarding the pumps. I was wondering about the decrease in flow and I'm surprised how dramatic it is. I'll def look into the Eheim submersible/internal and the Reeflo Dart (3600 GPH, right?). David, if you could post some pictures of the external pump set up, I think that would really help me out (and I'm sure many others too). I'll go with a separate pump for the UV. What I want to do is to make sure I don't get ich outbreaks. What pump would be a good idea to use? Thanks again!!

Yeah, I've got power heads lined up to create some good flow in the tank. I just didn't know what return pump was appropriate. I like the idea with the ball valve to restrict the flow to the sterilizer. It'll probably take a little fooling around with but it's worth it to make using a sterilizer ACTUALLY do what it's supposed to do. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Just a copy and paste from the website for the GPH ratings...

So I'm putting together our first "big" tank (90 gallon) with a sump and need some help with what to do. So the tank is already drilled and when the plumbing is re-attached (disassembled in order to get it to my house from a fellow WAMASer) they'll go down to the sump under the tank in the stand (I'm sure you'll see a post in the DIY for help on making a sump from an older tank we have soon). My question is what type of pump to use as the return. My plan is that I've got a UV sterilizer that I'd like to plumb in-line with the return. So the idea is to go from the return pump, to the UV, to the tank (planning on using a sea swirl or something similar for the return into the tank). The inlet/outlet for the UV is 1/2" and 3/4", respectively. So I guess my question breaks down into parts: --- What rated pump should I look for (GPH)? The pump will have to push the water 4.5' up to get back into the tank. --- Is the idea even possible (taking into account the outlet of the return pump, what to work with on the sterilizer, etc, etc)? And if it's not possible, what's the best way to incorporate the sterilizer (25w Gamma UV that is listed as HOB or inline) into the sump....idea...plan...thing? As an FYI, I won't be putting a fuge in the sump...have an HOB one that I'm going to use. Thanks in advance!

Jason, I picked up a Gamma UV sterilizer (25W Dual Mount Max GPH for bacteria control: 2,000 Max GPH for parasite control: 1,200 Dimensions: 26" x 4" x 2-3/4" Max Gallon size: 125 Fittings: 1/2",3/4" in/out) from Dr's Foster and Smith (was on sale for like $125 or something for their anniversary sale, normally $159). It's considered dual mount, meaning you can do a HOB or an inline option with it.

I read that article as well but I'm nowhere near as creative as I need to be to attempt something that looks better than the "pile-o-rocks"

It was about 9:30 when we were watching the sky constantly flicker and the rain pour down and we said, "wonder if the power will go out?"....then....bbeeeeeeuuuuuuu...power out until midnight. I agree with the relative wussy-ness of the grid in this area (we're BGE up here)...

As a fellow film star (Couch) I'd like to say congratulations... BTW, I'm the clown on the far right of the movie poster...it's distributed in Russia.....yeah.....Russia....

Totally knew it was going to go down that path....

3 comes with a built in reverse flush...i think (that's sad because i bought a 3 the last group buy)...

My wife was first interested in the hobby and wanted to start a tank....then she got me interested...then I'm the one doing all the work (cleaning, building, purchasing)...and now I'm the primary person... Funny how that happened...

Really nice!

Have your wife buy you an iPod touch for your b-day/Christmas/anniversary... I got mine last Christmas from my wife.

I wonder if you put less than the recommended amount in (what every they say on the side of the container) would that make a difference?

Be careful with the angels. All three say that a 30 gallon tank is a minimum, but that may be an understatement (I too am a fan of dwarf angels but after having a convo with an LFS owner, I understand now why he strongly suggested to wait until I upgrade from my 35 gallon to something larger). With that being said, gmubeach has a point. All three of those angels will probably pick at the mantle of your clam (along with probably harassing a coral here and there). Also, you'll need to pay close attention to the aggressiveness of the angels. I read somewhere that if you intend on getting a flame angel, for instance, it would be best to add it last. That way your other fish have had time to get their territories squared away so if Mr. Flame Angel decides to step on some shoes, he'll get some resistance, putting him in his place. Do some research and keep your bio-load of your tank in the back of your mind.

I replace the carbon in my tank once a month (I believe that's what the manufacturer of the carbon recommends). Basically I just dump the old carbon from my bag and replace with new, and rinsed, carbon. I also run it 24/7.