Neilan

Since you're curing your rock, I'd go ahead and start skimming now. That's how I cycled my tank.

I've been using those pumps for about a year now. Love them. no issues whatsoever.

I know a guy in the FW realm that setup a replenishment system that I guess could work for SW too if thought through properly. Basically he setup an overflow that dumps into a drain, and once a week he just pumped fresh water in. In theory that could work for SW too (you wouldn't want it running constantly as it would overcome your evaporation and your salinity would fall) but it could work in a controlled manner.

I have a 55g tank you can take if it'll help

Thanks Brian. Doing some research to figure out the best method. Even a large 1500VA UPS won't run that long if I end up running the heaters at any kind of duty cycle. Gonna have to look into a deep cycle marine battery and inverter, see if that'd be any better.

I still consider myself relatively new to this hobby. This past weekend I lost power for 5 hours. Not a big deal, compared to what others lost, but it got me thinking on ways to backup my system. Installing a generator isn't really an option, so I'm looking at UPS battery backup systems as a potential that will provide at least some level of hours of protection. So, what to backup? Obviously, heater(s), but in terms of maintaining some flow what is preferred? Should I backup my return pump, or allow the sump and fuge to go cold to sacrifice for the tank and just maintain 1 or 2 of the powerheads I have in the DT? The 2 powerheads I could run for far longer than the return pump just based on power consumption. My return pump is a Mag 7, which according to the specs draws 60W. Or, I could just run my 2 K2 pumps, which only draw 4.5W each, and get much more duration out of the UPS. Would this be sufficient? Obviously I'd have to bring the temps in the sump/fuge back up to normal before putting them back online when power returns, but in my mind this is the best option. Am I on the right path?

I didn't know they did this, but I just saw someone at Home Depot when I was there getting theirs fixed.

We lost power here for about 5 hours yesterday afternoon. First power outage I've ever dealt with since I've had my reef tank to make me nervous. Tank is in my basement, which runs much cooler than the rest of the house already. Blanketed it up within the first hour and temp only dropped 1.5-2 degrees, so I'm grateful it was so insignificant. I need to go buy a battery powered air pump, and/or a generator, cuz I was worried like crazy all yesterday afternoon.

All Fixed, thanks!

Not 100% sure what that means exactly, but I'm a paying WAMAS member, membership is good until 9/14/2010 according to my membership card.

me too please, can't get into members area

Battling them right now too. Did a 150% dose of Flatworm eXit 2 weeks ago, going for round two today. The stuff didn't affect my corals or fish, but didn't wipe the worms out 100% either, so I'll try again.

I like the geissman bulbs

I think I do, but I'm a hike from you

Home Depot, lowes, etc. It's in the lighting section since it's primarily used as a cover for fluorescent office lighting.

I did the PVC legs and eggcrate top, assembled with zip ties thing too. Works like a champ.

I'm running an Eshopps overflow and have had no issues with it.

Yup, cerith snail eggs

I was in today for the first time in a while. New display tank is coming along very nicely!

http://aquariumwatertesting.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf

Have you tested to confirm your Phos is high? GFO can help to reduce your phosphate levels

Obviously 0 is what you want. I just got my unit less than a year ago. THe first month I was encountering the same issue it sounds like you were. TDS all over the place, and my flow rate was super slow it seemed. I went ahead and replaced the Membrane and that solved my problem, so I just had a faulty membrane, even though it was sealed in the bag when I got it.

So I kinda forgot I started this thread many months ago. The tank is coming along quite well IMO. I've reached a loading point where this week I've found the need to start dosing 2-part. Here's some shots, at random, over the past few months to catch this thread up. I'll do better about keeping it alive. Most Recent FTS - 5/1/09 I'm no photographer, as you can tell.

Bought mine right away

I have a 1x65W PC current usa fixture available, no bulb for it though