LCDRDATA

I don't think you need to worry too much about shadowing from the center brace. What kind of tank are you looking to keep (i.e. FOWLR, mixed reef, SPS-dominated, etc.)? That's going to have a major impact on the intensity and distribution of your lighting. For example, I've got a pair of AquaticLife 8000164s on my FOWLR. They're low-profile, sit right on the rim of the tank, and very inexpensive (~$100 for both) - but they would be wholly inadequate for anything other than fish.

Deepest condolences for your loss. I'm sure someone in the Club near you can help you inventory and figure out a fair valuation for everything.

You mentioned an XL biopellet reactor - I'd suggest going with the large model of Avast's new Spyglass reactor. Additionally, you will probably need some kind of screen top - if AA would do a version of what they're putting on their new AIO line, that would be really sweet.

Looking good! One question, though - given the higher heat conductivity of copper, and assuming there's decent air flow around it, do you even need the water flow and heat exchanger? I understand in some ways that's the whole point of the exercise, but just curious.

Looking at the site, it appears you can order with or without a pump.

Very nice - congrats and good luck!

Outstanding!

+1. If the problem is in your parameters, and they're not so far off as to be immediately lethal, rapid changes will likely do more harm than good (especially if you over-correct and have to back off). Test so you know where you are and where you want to be, and spend the time (say, at least several days to a week) to get there gradually.

I'll take them - will PM to make arrangements.

All I can say is, WOW! I know what I want for my next media reactor! One question - for setups with limited head space, how much vertical clearance do these need to allow for removing the reaction chamber to fill/change the media? Obviously you can start tilting it when you pull it off the pump, but that only gets you so far. Thanks!

You've got me there - because they're not very bright? There are protective skin coatings, so maybe they are using one of those. Either way, It does provide a nice scale of reference. You're very welcome - my wife thought I'd appreciate it, and I thought others would as well.

This just showed up on my wife's facebook (original URL here)- what a gorgeous creature! Rare Sighting of a "Blue Dragon" Spotted on the Shores of Australia By Kristine Mitchell November 20, 2015 Depending on your tastes, this bizarre little blue creature may inspire either aww-worthy shrieks of excitement or a bit of discomforted shock, possibly a combination of both. Meet the blue dragon, one of the weirdest and most wonderful little-known animals in the world. The proper name of this mythical-looking creature is Glaucus atlanticus, or blue sea slug, and although it is much smaller than its fictional brethren of lore (only about an inch or two in length) it has a host of nasty tricks up its sleeve—er wing? They spend their lives upside down, attached to the surface of the water and floating along at the mercy of the winds and ocean currents. Blue in color, they blend in with the water in order to camouflage themselves within their environment. And though petit, these baby dragons are also dangerous: they predate on venomous cnidarians, such as the Portuguese man o’war. They store the stings cells collected from these cnidarians within their own tissues, and use them as a defence on anything that bothers them. Handling a little blue dragon could result in a painful, and possibly dangerous, sting. Although rarely spotted by humans, one of these alien-like specimens was caught on film after washing ashore in Queensland, Australia. via [The Dodo]

I've got several, if Northern Virginia isn't too far.

Almost since I got into the hobby, I've been wondering when someone would make an LED that would swap 1:1 with a T-5 bulb. Well, per this Marine Depot blogpost, it looks like someone has. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot more info yet, but especially with a fixture with greater than, say, four bulbs one could hypothetically mix and match pretty well. Or just move to all LED without getting a new unit. I expect availability is still rather limited - has anyone in the club tried these yet (or have an inside line in information)?

I've had mixed success with hydrogen peroxide; sometimes it kills the algae, sometimes not, but any damage to corals I've tried it with has been minimal at worst. I mix standard over-the-counter peroxide (3%), diluted with 4-5 parts tank water to 1 part peroxide, and soak with circulation for 5-10 minutes. If it's practical, it's probably worth a shot, but don't expect miracles.