eddi

Amber's concern is very valid. I am not color blind and yet I have a very hard time judging the exact color shade of the various tests. In some kits that can make a huge difference.

Phil, Thinking outside the box is always a good idea, (oh my God, I sound like my Sr. Management) but what will the horizontal overflow buy you? Sounds like an awful lot of customization for little in return. I would go with the 400s. On a 2' high tank you will have temperature issues, make sure you design the canopy high enough to both give you room to reach in the tank as well as heat dissipation. One light set up, ever? Dream on!

Phil, I realize this may be bucking the trend, but why have an overflow at all? What exactly does an overflow buy you, especially if you have a big enough refugium? Have 4 holes drilled, use two for drains and two for returns. I would also strongly recommend a separate sump and refugium, connected together. I realize space is an issue, but if you can swing it I think you'll be glad in the long run.

Brian, For the tank only, you can try Superpets in Alexandria. They have a fairly good selection, just avoid the livestock. If you don't mind driving, the Aquarium Center in Randallstown (close to Baltimore) has probably the largest selection of tanks in stock anywhere around here. I was just at Roozen over the weekend and they have many more than they used to, but still nowhere near the AC. If you want an idea of requirements for clams, feel free to come by. I have several. Eddi

I met someone at Wallys and recommended this site but that was quite a while ago. if that was you, I am glad you took my advice and welcome; if that was someone else... weclome anyway! Purple algae growing after 5 months is a good sign, keep it up!

Whatever method you choose, do it quickly. Do not let bubble algae get established in your tank or it will be next to impossible to eliminate it. I know. Michael, if bubble algae releases spores when popped what is the use of adding Mythrax crabs? They certainly do not swallow them whole!

I have used most of my Mags inline and I have never had any problems (at least so far). They will pump water but not pull it, therefore they need to have water in them before they can work. I realize this may be too late but I drilled all my bulkheads a little higher than where the pumps would sit so gravity would force water in them before I turned them on.

Lee, That sounds perfect, we are taking Karen's parents out to breakfast on Sunday and we should be home by then. I will call you on my way home so you don't waste a trip out. Thanks.

Lee/Garrett, I will take a little of all; Lee, You are more than welcome to come by the house but are you sure you want to do that? I don't know how mobile you are so I have no problem coming by your house and bringing you a cup of my sand. How does Sunday sound? Garrett, I appreciate the offer but I sure hope you are not coming up just for that, are you? Whenever you are in the area and can come by will be fine with me. Thanks to both of you.

I will be redoing my refugium this weekend and would like to add as much diversity as possible. If anyone in the Northern Virginia area can afford to prune a small bunch this weekend, please let me know here or PM me. I will be glad to come pick it up and return the favor whenever possible. Thanks.

Dave, thanks for the e-mail address but I went ahead and ordered 5 through Cooltouch. I have a feeling I will eventually need them all. I actually found a local shop that sells capacitors, but not for MH ballasts. Replacing a capacitor in a proble start ballast was easy, there was plenty of room. Doing the same in a pulse start one is a whole another story, everything is crammed together very tightly. Krish, you cool yours? There is always one! I guess I am going to have start doing the same.

Lee, You can replace just the capacitors, that is what I did last time. The ballasts themselves are fairly hot to the touch but that should not explain why three out of four capacitors have now failed. I guess the ones they use are just plain cheap. The problem is that I have not been able to find them locally so I am stuck ordering them. Since it is me and we all know my luck, Cooltouch lighting is moving today and they can't ship them until tomorrow which means it will be Wednesday evening before I will be able to replace them.

I have 4 250W Cooltouch ballasts, over the weekend a capacitor in two of them has failed. At least I think it is the capacitor; back in January I had another fail and that is what it was. If that is truly the case, three out of four have now failed. Today I called them to order replacements and Kim informed me that all ballasts should be cooled by a fan to avoid the capacitors from failing. Never mind that my ballasts are in the open with several inches in between each of them. Never mond that the capacitor has a label on it that says it can stand up to 100 degreed celsius. Am I the only one that does not have a fan cooling my ballasts?

You are assuming I understand the principle of the flush kit correctly. Brave soul. However, if that is the case then you should be able to do the same on your own. Basically, all you need to do is bypass the flow restrictor.

I don't remember how much I paid for the flush kit, I have it had a number of years. I think basically all it does is bypass the flow restrictor so the water rather than being absorbed by the membrane and filtered, rushes over it to remove various sediments that have accumulated with time. Does it work? I honestly have no idea as I have always used it.

Hi all, I have a 4" colony and I noticed that at night it puts out real long (up to 3") feelers. does anyone know if this coral is particularly stinging? I have done several searches but have not been able to find much information on it; I have Bornemann's book but I let someone borrow it and I don't have it back yet. Thanks.

Kent also sells a flush kit you can add to your unit. I flush mine for 30-60 seconds prior to use every time.

I bought mine at www.inreef.com, they had the best prices I found.

FYI... Many of you probably saw, or will see, it but just in case here is the link to an article in today's Post on a report on the state of the oceans. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28711-2004Apr20.html

Amber, Anyone driving that far deserves to see as many tanks as possible. I live 15 or 20 minutes away from the symposium and would love to have you over and show you my tanks. If you are interested as the day gets nearer PM me to set up it up. Eddi

OK David, you are now liable for anything that happens to them....

Michael, I had my house built 7 years ago and knew where I wanted to have my 125. I talked to the construction foreman, explained what I wanted to do and where and asked for his opinion. Mine is running parallel on a joist and it is exactly on it. He strongly recommended installing a second joist as a precaution. I don't think it he just wanted to squeeze more money out of me as it was only $200. Is there any construction near you? Go find the foreman and ask him. If not, hire an engineer. You may not need it, but a couple hundred dollars is highly worth your peace of mind.

Steve, I would have to respectfully disagree with you. I have several brains of all different kinds (trach, maze, scolymia, lobo, cyanaria) in both of my tanks, I have never directly fed them and they are doing very, very well. I have a scolymia in my 125 that when fully extended after I feed the tank must be 12"-14" in width and 4"-5" in height. I have it next to a cyanaria and it simply dwarfs it (I have a pictue in the gallery). I simply dop them in and forget them. If only all corals were that easy! I have had more than my share of problems, but never with any of the brains. Of course, now that I said that...

Nathan, I switched to XMs as well. I had 2 Ushio 250W 10K and one 250W Radium and I went to 2 10K and 1 20K XM. My initial impression, and I am way too lazy to take pictures and post them, is that the 10k are a bit on the yellow side and the 20k is not as blue as the Radium. However, yesterday was my first day with the new lights and I am actuallu acclimating them this time so I imagine it will be weeks before I see their true color.

David's (Chideloh) hot pink milli is really nice. David, are you fragging that yet???