YHSublime

Jimlin, are you still heading out to Hawaii? What an awesome spot to start a reef tank, if that's the case, take it with you!

It's weird about the DP. A lot of reefers have said it's O.K, and just as many have said absolutely not. I've only been dealing with essentially 10-12 gallons of water, so an investment in an RO/DI didn't seem logical, and all my water is bought from my LFS. I'm picking one up soon, as I'll have two tanks that will be using it, so then it wont be a problem. It's just a matter of finding room in my apartment, right now keep 10 gallons on hand in my coat closet, which has been a perfect system. It hasn't seemed to affect my LPS, but the peice of SPS I have in there just is, I'm a firm believer that's because of my lighting, as my water quality is (close to) perfect, at 2, 20% a week. Also, I'm 90% positive that my nitrates were so high with a slight spike of ammonia because of the sponge I found right before my pump. It had been soaking up filth for 3 months, and when I gravel vac'd the "sump" it was a cesspool.

I don't know what you paid, but the buy/sell/trade section here is always rocking and rolling with great deals. I've found that bow front tanks run a little bit higher, but there are always deals. I've found the WAMAS forum to be a little slow moving compared to others, but much more rewarding and personal (I've meet many local reefers, all of who are willing to talk about/share the hobby, and pass advice along.) I think this is the tubing you're looking for: http://www.amazon.com/Loc-Line-inch-Ball-Socket-Flexible/sim/B001EHI1CM/2 For testing kits I use the API saltwater, and API reef kits. Like Jimlin mentioned above, a hanna checker would be nice. I also have a refractometer. It's becoming less time consuming as I move forward, but still a PIA. I've seen strips (just a dip in the water) and they are fairly reliable, although I'm not sure how pricey. I threw a pair of Percula Clowns into my 14 gallon, they are fairly tiny, and I'll move them to my new build within the next quarter of a year. I would recomend them, as they are hearty, and personable... personable of course implying that they beg for food if I stand close to the tank. Maybe a gobby or two, if you're not worried about your sandbed. I'm sure people will chime in with better advice than mine. I find that if you post in the "new to the hobby" section, people are pretty quick to help! Hows that clam doing, btw? When I get a bigger tank I might make the move on one!

Nice! Looks perfect. Also interested to hear why you're moving to another tank, and what type?

Stopped and visited Monkiboy tonight, picked up some sweet corals: I also picked up the two hammers in the back from another member today. Hey there rock anemone, you do what you want (follow the pathway up in the middle, it's new home <sigh> Tonights FTS: Also, enjoyed this: And last but not least, my clowns are enjoying this coral, can anybody explain "hosting" to me, and is it possible they might have chose these pink palys?

They pair up and hang out all the time. One is also asserting dominance. This has become less of a problem, but it was bad for a week. Looks like the worst is over.

My hydrometer is calibrated, and reading correct, my salinity is spot on. Everything has leveled out, and I think the culprit was a sponge I found in my back chambers that I didn't know was there. I found it when I was looking for one of my clowns that kept jumping! I will post test results tomorrow.

I'll take the thermostat and thermometer and the hang on.

The toadstool has been one of my favorite additions to the tank. First day or two there were no "hairs" coming out of it. I was shocked when it sprouted green tentacles all over! Watching everything grow has been awesome!

Nice looking tanks man, welcome aboard!

Looking really good, keep then coming!

Updated: Added some new Pink and Green Palys from Cees Reef (Thanks Curtis, they are looking awesome in the blues!) The pics reflect with the whites, but I'll probably put some up later to show how nice they are in the blue lights. They have since opened up almost all the wa: Peppermint getting friendly on the toadstools: Pink Palys: FTS Also found these growing on a shell:

Ok. I'll make it happen before I go to bed. Thanks for holding my hand through these trials and tribulations!

Aaaaaand, now it's upside down. I don't quite get it, but, "let it be," right small reef?

Every time I read things like this, or see things like this, I can't help but think of this, "D*** nature... you scary!" http://youtu.be/Y45xj38z4pI

Woah. Mother Nature is wild.

So, came out last night and checked it out in the moonlights, it had squeezed through the rack, and was hanging upside down. Figured I'd let it be until the AM. Found it on the other side of my tank on the back wall, made quick work of that! At least it's on the "open" wall and not behind the rock...yet.

Wow. Well done! Looking great.

Thanks for the heads up. I plan on having my 40 setup by the time it grows. I expect good reactions once they get under these lights:

Looking good. Did you end up making your own sump, or buying?

I love that blue (clam?) Looking good!

I think I'll get a baster tomorrow (I should have one anyways) Just checked it out in the moonlights, and it's hanging upside down from the rack that it squeezed through. Wonder if it'll drop?

Oh how embarrassing! Well, thanks for setting me straight! I'm still learning as I go! Thanks for encouraging!

Then it's probably not excited about being stuck in a rack at the moment. My lights are off for the night, think I should go and move it, or it can wait till the AM?

Picked up a new Hammerhead Frogspawn tonight. Also realized my rock anemone is having some trouble walking all over the place. Put it on a rack and it looks like it's fallen through. But it's opened again, which it wasn't for a while. I'll set it free tomorrow when the lights come on again. Some pictures of how my tank is looking now.