trble81

If you that worried, you can always dump a small container of flake food in the tank and let it rot. You'll probably stink up the joint but you'll be assured that there was some ammonia in your tank.

When I cycled my tank, I never got any ammonia reading. I used LR that I got from another member (which was ~1 year old). I started to get nitrite readings, showing that there was some ammonia but not the typical long spike. I still cycled it for ~ 4 weeks prior to any fish being placed in the tank. Is that the norm? I would say no. It's always safe to let it cycle like 5 weeks or so to make sure. But I would agree with using shrimp or flake food as the ammonia source. --Mike

Did you treat the water at all before filling you tank (like with Prime or something similar)? What are your parameters? Did you see any spikes that you would normally see during the cycle?

Here's a dumb question, did you toss a level on top of that thing to see if it's level? I only ask because the second to last picture you have up there makes it look not level (it could just be the angle of the picture, though). Also, I'd like to suggest you wear a cup while working on this project because there was a pic of you sitting on the chair with the drill in your lap and the bit pointing at your "business".

I wonder who that could be...

pods?

How about a thick acrylic sump from NAGA......?

I believe that there's a CPR model that has a protein skimmer incorportated into the HOB fuge...

Awesome advise, as usual, guys. I'll keep my eye out for those brands and deals...

How about the reliability of the manufacturer?

I posted a thread a few weeks ago about lighting for a 90 gallon that we will be getting in the near future. From the suggestions on that thread, it seams that purchasing fully assembled lighting (after taking careful measurements of the canopy, of course) will take away the hassel of a DIY system (especially if you're electrically challanged like me) and will cost roughly the same. I looked at this item online at Marine Depot's website: Current USA Fluorescent Nova Extreme Fixtures. It seems pretty cool. Is it any good (the whole thing/manufacturer)? I saw a thread in the product review section that is a little old but Current USA got bashed by someone and got pretty decent marks from a few others. If you don't like that particular type, can you suggest something similar? We're basically looking for T5 lighting without spending a fortune. Thanks in advance and happy cinco de Mayo!!

Is it better to go with a fixture as opposed to a DIY kit, you know, to avoid all the hassle of wiring? Also, would it be advisable to get a fan to aid in air circulation, even though they are T-5 lights (and a fixture will most likely have a fan built in)?

All, The 90 gallon that we're getting is going to have a DIY canopy. We are going to put 48" T-5 in it for lighting. Ok, so here's the question: what do I buy? Are the retro-fit kits what I want to look into or do I have to go totally piece-by-piece. Also, where's the best place to order? Thanks for helping out a noobie.

Looking nice. We also got the majority of our LR from Steve. It made what we had in there look like nothing. The nice thing is that everything now has a nice purple hue. But I'm getting off topic... Any way, nice tank. I know a lot of people like to change their aquascaping as often as they change their mind. We don't mainly because the tank we have right now isn't big enough to do anything different than what we have right now. We are going to be getting a 90 gallon, so I'm sure we'll be changing our aquascape regularly when we set it up

Paramaters are fine. Every thing that needs to be zero is at zero. The nitrates are < 20, but it's only a FOWLR and I do a 20% water change (along with meticulous cleaning of the canister filter) every week. Reason why I asked the question is I used purple-up when the tank first started (no livestock, just LR) and I've got the majority of the bottle left just sitting around. I don't dose and I noticed a couple of white or flakey spots on my nice and purple rock (but there are new spots of growth as well) so I figured using a little every once in a while couldn't hurt.

Also wanted to say welcome and kudos on the Gears of War avatar

I agree with the puppies thing. My wife and I have two cats, both from a not-for-profit rescue group in our old home town (Buffalo, NY...GO SABRES!!!). If we wanted to buy a dog, we would look into the many that go without homes first, then probably breeders. I think locking up dogs like that spreads disease and is just freaking unfair to the animal. Like I said, I only have 1 snail from them (we were in the mall and I remembered) but was curious about their fish. I personally would like to see fish have an actual tank to swim around in (as opposed to a shoebox display tank) and having a QT system is always a plus (kudos to SCALES and BRK). As for the knowledge....well...that's why we paid to be members

You could always get one of those containers that hang off the edge of your tank (into your tank) and put the yellow-tail in there and let your gramma swim around to pick his territory. Then, release the yellow-tail and they may square off, but your it may lay claim to a corner and show the yellow-tail who's boss. What Jason said with the rock work also works well. It's a good trick with adding clowns that may fight.

All, I used Purple-up when we first set up our tank (when the rock was the only thing in it, no livestock). We've got like a half a bottle left and I was wondering if it's ok to dose with livestock in there. I only ask because of the temporary effect it has on the water clarity. Thanks.

Nice. Thanks for the tip. One more question about this topic. Is there an advantage of a HOB fuge over a fuge that's part of your sump? Water is going to flow through both, regardless, but how does it affect how pods get into your display tank for your fish to munch on?

Do you remember where you got it from?

We really have to suck it up and go. It'll be ~ 1 hour drive, each way, but it sounds like it's worth it.

Chip: The idea of rigging the fuge so that the tank stand supports the weight (and not the tank edge only) is a good idea, regardless of the size. I'll have to make sure I go to a hardware store and pick up the appropriate supplies to do that, prior to setting it up and getting it filled with sand and water. Another question: Where's a good place to get fuge lights? I know even the CPR ones don't come with lights.