John

I am running a 30 gallon/10 gallon sump with a Rio 2800 SS (rated at 782 GPH) and the flow is strong, but with having two bulkheads for drainage and a nice return flow deflector I have no dead water zones nor need a powerhead in the tank, which gives a nice clean look. I use a filter sock in the sump and have a Remora AquaC skimmer powered by a Maxijet 1200 (rated at ~300 GPH). Thus, the tank turns ~19 times an hour using mechanical filtration and ~8 times through the skimmer... Looks like the Rio 2500 is rated for 748 GPH, so 30 gallons + 10 gallon sump (guess) = 748 GPH / 40 Gallons = 18.7 Gallon turnover per hour... I am new to the hobby, so I am not going to say I have great experience with this setup nor am I going to bless your setup, but thought I would share my configuration with you to see that it can be done. My buddy ran this very setup for 4 years with success, so now it's my turn; 3 months and still working.

If you cap the top of the bulkhead (inside the tank) be careful that you don't use something like PVC cement because you're just going to run into the same problem you are facing now when you want to go reef; i.e. How do I save cemented bulkheads? You may be able to cap the inside with something like a PVC endcap and seal it with aquarium-safe silicon. Later you can break the seal with a razor-blade and use your bulkheads again. or Destroy the bulkheads on there now, place a sheet of glass over the holes and use aquarium-safe silicon to seal it. Then, when ready to go reef, just razorblade the silicon and get new bulkheads. or Trade your reef-ready tank for a FW tank

Setup has been replaced with a 250W Icecap Ballast and Pendant from reefhunter! BEFORE: http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/124604...4_641_67615.jpg AFTER: http://www.wamas.org/forums/uploads/124857...4_641_85239.jpg

That would be very interesting because I've located 3 new sponges in the tank just this week, white hairy looking ones...they actually look like a dried clump of superglue

I need help identifying a white film, skin like substance that is spreading from a frag I purchased a few weeks ago. The frag is a green zoanthid that came with bubble algae on it...I did not remove the bubble algae, but now I see this white/translucent skin spreading onto my live rock...is it the zoanthid, bubble algae, or something else? Thanks

Day two the new Icecap 14k MH bulb would not illuminate no matter what I tried, so I was off to do more research...I found that the ballast I have is really a PFO AQI 250 EYE, which means that it can only use the Iwasaki 250W 6500K bulb, which is the bulb I was trying to replace. This ballast is a Mercury Vapor Ballast and can only use Iwasaki bulbs, and the only bulb offered in 250W is the 6500K bulb. The following thread is where I found the info: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting...uble-check.html Thus, I am now looking for a normal ballast to run my new bulb...I just hope it's not blown after 8 hours of running on a MV ballast. I'm shocked it started up in the first place seeing that it needs an electronic or magnetic ballast. Anyone have an suggestions on a 250W ballast to run a single SE Icecap 14k bulb? Was leaning toward Icecap so that the bulb is paired with the ballast. Thanks, John

That's a great suggestion...I will definately do that...Thanks

I would like to also add an interesting observation. I was running a MH daylight bulb before and my button polyps (zoanthids and palythoas) would stand tall with long stalks...with the new 14k bulb, they don't stand as tall...maybe the old bulb had lost its intensity (I don't know the age of the bulb) or maybe its the change in color spectrum, or both... Anyway, I found that to be very interesting and thought I'd share it with everyone! Thanks!

So, I'm an idiot...There was no problem with the bulb/ballast matchup...the bottom plate of the socket was not making contact with the new bulb...I had to pull it forward a little bit and then the bulb fired up no problem... Therefore, a PFO Ballast works well with an Icecap Bulb (SE) Sorry for this thread!

I have a 250W MH Ballast made by PFO Lighting (AQ 1-250)...I tried to replace the bulb with a 250W Icecap 14000K style bulb this morning, but it will not illuminate I did notice the new bulb is about an inch shorter than the previous bulb, so I'm guess a new bulb is in order, but what am I missing? Thanks

I agree with Jan...Fins and Feathers offers a great selection of coral...I have stocked my tank with coral only from Fins and Feathers and everything has been thriving...they are one of the few LFS stores that offers a great selection of frags, which appeals to me since I am running a "nano" tank. They offer great incentives to buy, like their weekly raffle and wamas membership discount!

I was recommended to Marine Scene by a friend (a loyal patron of Marine Scene for 10+ years) when I started my tank...in fact, my tank used to be one of their livestock tanks. I was fortunate enough to find some really interesting and moderately priced live rock, healthy fish, and hardy inverts at Marine Scene. Marine Scene's staff has a wealth of knowledge which I've utilized both over the phone and in person. Although some things may be "pricey" for us froogle-reefers, they have a vast selection of product in-stock so you should be able to find whatever you need in those emergency runs or "on a whim" runs.

Although I am a few months into the hobby, I will admit that I have been to Petco for information/pricing/etc and I have been really impressed with the short lady at the Petco in Manassas and also the main fish guy in Ashburn (apparently he used to work at an aquarium in Texas)...I will say that the Ashburn location was treating a disease with copper ~6 weeks ago or so when I was buying live rock...they would not sell me the rock to avoid a setup disaster. Although I had to go to elsewhere for the rock, I appreciate their honesty! I was extremely disappointed with the staff and tanks at the Petco in Fairfax, so I'll never go back to that location again... That's my Petco experience!

I became a member last week and had no trouble using the paypal receipt as proof of membership at a few of the vendors already! Although I am a new member, it is already apparent to me this organization maintains a high focus on ethics and professionalism. Thanks for all your hardwork!