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I am not in the field but I do find this very interesting. Just goes to know that we will never know more than we do not.

I found a couple of DIY links and of course left them at home so I can't post them now. I plan on building several and test them in my system so I will let everyone know my experiences. I have a 360 with 8 returns being powered by 2 MAG 24 therefore I don't have a whole lot of flow. I have not needed a lot because I don't have any SPS. Well, I would like to start so I am planning on quite a few changes. Eductors are the first. I will take pictures and log everything and may even share it with everyone if I don't revert to being the laziest man in the world.

I came across an article on eductors and thought it was interesting read. Does anyone have one on their tanks and, if so, have you really seen a significant increase in flow? Any idea who sells them? Thanks.

DCDeacon, If your 70 gallon is reef ready, seeting up a 20 gallon refugium is very easy. It's not that hard even if it is not, but I personally do not like hang on back overflows. If the 70 is empty, you can have it drilled. I have set up a number of refugiums and can give you some ideas, PM me if you would like.

Phil, Man I feel like a shmuck! Happy b-day!

Phil, I am getting old and you know what they say, memory is the first to go (well, maybe second depending on who you ask). Actually I think I have 8 4x4s braced by 2x2s on all sides, top and bottom, to prevent the posts from swaying left to right or front and back. The sheet of plywood is sitting on the inside 2x2. It is actually very solid. I am sure it would hold considerable more weight than it has. But, as I said, I am old so I could be completely lying. I will verify when I get home, you are more than welcome to stop by and take a look if you care. I specifically did not use foam or insulation material on the plywood, but now I don't remember why (see the pattern?). I did a fair amount of research and remember reading a number of posts where people stated that was actually counterproductive because the material could end compressing unevenly and causing stress points. My stand is level but not vertical. If you look at the water level from the side, the front is 1/4" higher than the back. I called the company that made the tank to inquire if that would be an issue, sent them pictures to show the level and they stated the tank would not be compromised. Of course I am not sure they would back that promise up in writing, but it has held so far. The stand is on carpet on top of cement so I knew the chances of being level and horizontal were slim.

Phil, I built the stand for my acrylic 360 using 6 4x4s and braced them at the top and bottom with 2x4s. I used a 3/5 plywood sheet underneath the tank. I am not the world's greatest handyman, but that was 5 years ago and the tank is still standing.....

Hi all, I uploaded a few pictures of my 125 gallon reef tank. Take a look, comments are welcome. 125 Reef Thanks.

Michael, I have the GB/CB combo in both of my other tanks and while they are much bigger than the 29g, they often wander in each other's territory without any issues at all. The CB in my 125 are much bigger than the GB (easily over twice their size), but again that has never been a problem. Will it be in a smaller tank? I certainly hope not!

Mike, I am going to tag along as I am setting up a 29 as well. Mine is going to be crustaceans heavy though. I already have a cleaner, pistol and a fire shrimp, I plan on adding a peppermint, a mated pair of coral banded and a mated pair of gold banded so I am not sure how many fish other thand a goby for my pistol I will end up having.

Dave, I can't imagine needing a 50 pound bag. If Lee's offer still stands I will split a bag with him.

Dave, I would be interested but I have a couple dumb questions. Is the Hydrated lime used the same way as kalk (or Mrs. Ball pickling lime)? What is the shelf life? I would imagine a 50 lb bag would indeed be a life time supply. If it works out I would be interested in a half or whole bag, if no one else wants to split one. Thanks.

His tank is truly beautiful, the pictures do not do it justice. He has some rather hard to find pieces and everything is growing well

Bill33, many people have them in their tanks, however you need to know what you put in your tank and understand their requirements as well as impact on the rest of the livestock. CBs are iffy in a reef tank. They will eat feather dusters. They are likely to pick at clams. They also can be difficult to get to eat. Jamie, if those arre acceptable risks to you they make a great addition to a tank.

Lee is right, I do have a CB and clams. I will note up front that I have a large tank (360) so even though it is fairly well stocked there is plenty of swimming room. I have found that my CB tends to bother the clams only if they are in the sand bed. I had two Croceas on the sand and he would occasionally pick at them. I moved them up on the rocks and he has completely ignored them. Another interesting fact is that I have a large Squamosa (about 6") on the sand and he has never even looked at it. Good thing because I could not move it. I have also noted that my CB has started to pick on a couple of brains I have on the sand bed. I have several, all on the sand bed, and he is only picking on two that were showing signs of distress (some skeleton showing). My opinion, completely unscientific and totally unproven, is that they sense a coral's defenses are down and go after it.

Love. Yeah, that's what this room is full of.

Buon compleanno, Antonio!

Nuthin! When you say should I frag it, are you talking about the toadstool? If so then no, not yet. First of all toadstools are almost indestructible; second, they can easily look really bad for even weeks before coming back. I would say to wait and watch.

Robert, I have seven, yes seven, Cooltouch ballasts and over time every single ones has failed due to a blown capacitor. However I have never had two go out at once, that is kind of odd. I bought a bunch of capacitors from the company a few months ago and they were $10 each, very reasonable. I called yesterday to get more and they told me they were $45 and could not believe that I had bough them previously for $10. I am not sure if they made a mistake when I bought them or what, but needless to say I am now trying to find them locally.

Quazi, I am jealous. I have a severe bubble algae problem and I first added emerald crabs to see if they would help (they did not), then I added a Foxface as I heard real very positive feedback on the eating habits. Nothing. Did you do anything special to get your Foxface to eat bubble algae?

Nothing really works on bubble algae. Once it spreads, it is almost impossible to get rid of it. If you only have one rock that has the algae on it, take my word for it, toss it.

Michael, I have heard the same thing about the Copperband butterfly and actually had an Australian one in my 125 for about a year before I lost it. I did have a few aptaisia stocks in that tank which disappeared, but can't positively state it was the fish. Not that it mattered as the CB makes my short list for favorite fish. I have one currently in my large tank. Now if I could only eliminate my bubble algae I would be one happy camper. I don't want to say I have a lot of it, but if I could sell it I would be able to pay for my daughter's college education. And her kids'. And her kids' kids.

Xeon, I read a post on RC a while ago about Joe Juice's ingredients. Apparently the owner of Inland Aquaria (I think) contacted the maker to inquire about the ingredients because there are none listed on the bottle. The maker refused to disclose them as, his arugument, he was in the process of getting a pattern and trademark. Small issue: if you are going to pattern something you must disclose the ingredients. I think the ingredients are so simple that he is afraid that once the public learns how easy it is to make (ie, white vinegar) people just won't buy it. I did try it and it seemed to work on the spot. The aptaisia stock simply shriveled up and disappeared. However, it has come back and spread heavily and I don't know whether it was due to my non getting it all, or JJ actually spread it.

Reverai, I am starting a 12 gallon nano and would be interested in the rocks. Do you have pics by any chance? If so, shoot me an e-mail please.

Mos, I will be glad to give him a good home and give you what you paid for it, if you still have it. I will look for you at the symposium.