Kenneth

I have also been thinking about building my own fuge, because I want it to conform to a certain shape. I also plan for it to sit on a stand, rather than actually hanging on the back of the tank (I already have a HoB Skilter filter --- so I do not need anything else hanging on the back). The only problem that I anticipate is the intake and water-return design. I've been thinking about making it similar to a giant HoB filter: one in-take tube for intake and the water would then overflow back into the tank like a HoB filter. Perhaps even better, I would buy the CPR setup, if it had a protein skimmer, filter, and fuge in one unit, and I would just eliminate the Skilter filter/skimmer combo that I currently have.

Thank you for pointing out to me the reef-compatibility of the camelback shrimp. I have read varying reports online. Perhaps this explains why my mushrooms have been closed. The camelback probably comes out at night (since they are nocturnal) and feasts on them. When I re-arrange the live rock this weekend, he is going to go. Anyone wants a camelback shrimp? BTW, I noticed the coral banded shrimp was agressive towards the cleaner shrimp, but he seems to stay in his own little cave and I have not noticed any significant problems as yet. I will be keeping my eye out. And I am planning on a larger tank in the near future. Kenneth

Bob, Yes, sometimes I am careless in informal writing, but that won't happen again on this forum. However, the second item you cited as an error was not. In "American style

I'll pass along the message to Vu. As you can see the Valentini Puffer is rather young, and he never bothered the shrimp, snails, or hermits, etc. He was a good reef inhabitant for me, but he did produce a lot of waste and my tank was just too small for him, even though he is only about 2 inches long.

With my 400gph filter/skimmer and 500gph powerhead, I was thinking that the flow was actually too much for a 25 gal, but I was concerned about lighting, since many rocks are stacked on top of each other, that can lead a number of dead spots. This weekend, I will try rearranging the tank, and I may take out a couple of large tufa rocks that I trying to make "live." After the great advice I received on here, I think I will get a 40 gal breeder and order a new stand to accomodate it. I really want a 10 gal sump with fuge to go with it, but I am totally ignorant on this, but I'm doing my research; the plumbing and configurations are so myriad. Any advice would be appreciated. BTW, I have become a WAMAS member (mailed the check yesterday)!!! I look forward to attending the next WAMAS activity. I've already met Vu, who took my Valentini Puffer from my hands. He's doing fine in Vu's 210 gal: http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x44/kmr...rdam/Puffer.jpg I'm Kenneth BTW. I teach high school English in Arlington (and also live in Arlington).

The Valentini Puffer that I gave to Vu looks happy in his new home: http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x44/kmr...rdam/Puffer.jpg

Thanks. That gives me some assurance that I just have not jumbled together too much live rock. I do have a rose bubble tip anemone, but he was "deflated" when the pic was taken.

Sorry about that. I made my gallery public.

I can't attach a pic, so it's in my profile. My tank is 12 D x 20 H x 24 L and this is my rock formation. I'm just wondering if this is too much rock and whether it's just stacked too high? Should I leave it as it is?

The HoB CPR refugium might work; I was just looking at one in Wally's Aquarium this past weekend. It's a possibility, but I'll have a lot of crap hanging on the back: big Skilter 400 and the refugium. The new tank size would be a 40 gal breeder. I think the Skilter 400 can certainly comfortably handle that.

I have an idea that I would like the more experienced hands to consider. I want to have a ten gallon sump divided into two sections. In one section, I would have my Skilter 400 filter/skimmer combo (hang on back) filtering and skimming. The water would then go into a refugium and would finally be pumped back up into the tank. In this way, I could use the skimming capacity of my Skilter. These are my plans to replace my current 25 gal tank with a 40 gallon breeder. I know I could simply use the Skilter as a HOB for the main tank, I really like the idea of having a refugium. Would this work?

Talking about flow: I have a 25 gal thank with a 400 gph Skilter filter/skimmer. I also have a 500pgh powerhead that I disconnected. Is the Skilter 400 sufficient?

I currently have a 25 gallon and will upgrade to a 29 or 37 gallon. Is this load acceptable for the size? (with a Skilter 250 filter/skimmer combo): 30 lbs live rock, Inhabitants: 1 pajama fish, 1 neon goby, 1 lawnmower blenny, 1 camelback shrimp, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 coral banded shrimp, 1 sea cucumber, 1 brittle star, 6 dwarf blue-legged hermits, 2 turbo snails, 1 feather duster, 1 scarlet scallop, 1 brown button polyp frag, 1 arrow crab, 1 clurlicue anemone, 1 bubble-tipped anemone

Thanks for the advice. I have new to the hobby -- only about 6 months of experience. But all is going well. Thanks again, and I would also like to check out the other places you recommended.

The reason why I liked the long tank is because at Super Pets in Annandale, they have a demonstration reef tank with beautiful rocks and corals that is long and rather thin in relation to its overal proportions. They start with small rocks at the front and gradually step up to almost the top of the tank to the back. It is peppered with corals etc and you can really see everything.

The 37 gallon tank's depth is 12 inches . The complete dimensions are 36 in length x 12 in width x 20 in height. Kenneth

I currently have a 25 gallon reef tank with a Skilter 250 fillter/skimmer combo. But tomorrow, as a replacement, I plan on buying: -- an Oceani Biocube 29 gallon all-in-one system OR a 37 gallon (long, tall, and thin -- nice form factor for a reef): unsure of the type of filtration I will use (canister?, trickle?) Clearly, the all-in-one system is easier and convenient. I am not fully informed about installing a trickle sump system with a refugium, but I am really attracted to the system. Any advice on which is better for the long-term enjoyment and maintanance of either system?

The Puffer now has a great new home in a member's 210 gal tank. -------------------------------------------------

I can take a pic this evening when I get back from the gym.

My Valentini Puffer has become too much for my 25 gallon tank. He is healhty, fun, and active -- anyone wants to give him a good home? I am in Arlington. If you are interested, you can email me at kmrotterdam@yahoo.com to make arrangements to get him. FREE!!! I just want him to have a good home. --Kenneth--