tom39

Is this the type of plug that you are referring to? https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61zzFxiIi0L._SX425_.jpg

Looks happy to me. Thanks for sharing. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Looks great! Thank you for sharing. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Welcome to the club. I find that the easiest way to post pictures is through the use of Tapatalk. The up arrow on the left side of the comment box in Tapatalk brings up a menu for adding pics, links and attachments. HIH Tom Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

That was hilarious! I loved it, thanks for sharing.

So when you did Blackout days 1,2 & 3, are they in between days 4&5, 5&6 and 6&7? In other words, are the blackout days actually day 5, 7 & 9 in the treatment?

My guess would be from the HOB filter (looks like a Fluval AquaClear) seen in the 2nd pic. My thought is that the water exiting the filter in a waterfall fashion is causing air bubbles to be introduced into the water column and as they rise to the surface they are coated in protein oils and collect as foam and as seen in your pics. One thing that may help would be to raise the water level to just right above the lip of the filters outlet so that the water does not fall back into the tank and import bubbles. Not positive that is the culprit but it would certainly be a simple and cheap way to eliminate a possible cause. HIH Tom

This may not be exactly what you are looking for but the price is appealing and it may offer you a bit more room to work in than the 10g that you currently have. http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-rs100-small-reef-sump

Unless there is some sentimental attachment to the remaining livestock, I would post them for sale as it would be too much of a hassle to try and keep everything alive. From what you have listed all are readily available at most any LFS or online merchant anyway. As for the tank and equipment, sell it all and start over after you are settled in and the timing is right. I would not however try to sell as a whole set-up or large package deal. From what I have seen and heard from others trying to do the same, you will get low-balled and end up selling your setup for pennies on the dollar. I would try and break it up into smaller sales and sell the tank, stand and sump as a package deal. Then the remaining equipment I would evaluate the age and condition post pricing accordingly. The sand I would pitch. The rock, if it is quality rock, I would clean the rock, box it and price accordingly. HIH Tom

+1 for BRS I like that they have done the math for you and there is no guess work when it comes to mixing. I also like the quality and purity of their stuff. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Have you considered an Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS)? I have been using one for some time and would not go without one. They are not cheap but IMO they will pay for themselves in time and money spent on water changes, cleaning supplies and chemicals. This is the style of ATS the I use. It is an older video but the concept has not changed.

Which peristolic pump are you using?

If you want to pay more you should definitely go to Walmart. The per ounce price of Mrs. Wages pickling lime at Walmart vs Kalkwasser from somewhere like BRS is at a minimum $0.08 more per ounce. Price per ounce of Mrs. Wages PL at Walmart is $0.26/oz Price per ounce of BRS Kalkwasser is $0.18 if bought by the gallon and only $0.15/oz if you buy it by the 5g bucket. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mrs.-Wages-Pickling-Lime-16-oz-Pack-of-6/17339182 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-kalkwasser-calcium-hydroxide-aquarium-supplement.html#tab-full-details I am not promoting either or stating that one product is better than the other but I see no reason to pay more if you don't have to. Also, BRS is shipping everything free. Which means that you don't have to run to a store, waste gas, fight traffic and spend more money.

I received an email from Hanna that gives the 10 mistakes that their technical staff see most often. I found it to be informative and thought that others might also. Hanna's Top 10 Mistakes in PH Measurement http://hannainst.com/blog/top-10-mistakes-in-ph-measurement/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=phmistakes_April2016

Is your RODI equiped with a RO flush valve? (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/membrane-flush-valve.html) If not, you may want to consider adding one. Flushing the RO membrane a the start of each use would greatly increase the life of the membrane and help with the high numbers. Also, as many have said prior, having a higher pressure coming in will aid in the reduction of TDS and also increase the life of the membrane. The description in the link recommends an operation pressure of 50-60psi (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/75-gpd-reverse-osmosis-membrane-dow-filmtec.html) IME with my setup, the pressure entering my RODI averages about 65psi and has a TDS of 95-100. I flush the membrane for the first 3-5min every time I use it and I never make less than 65g of water at a time. My TDS coming out of my membrane is 1-2TDS and it is 3+ years old. Additionally, because of the low TDS coming out of the membrane I am able to make about 500-700g of water before I exhaust a DI cartridge. Hope it helps

I would like to thank you for your post and appreciate you sharing your experiences and years of insight. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

He seems like one happy fellow and it looks like he loves to eat. Great job putting in the time to get him to eat so well. Thank you for sharing. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Without the use of water the bit may wear a little more due to heat than if used with water Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Been running a Sicce 3.0 as a return pump on a tank with a Bean animal overflow for over 3 years. The pump has never failed and it pumps so constantly that I have not had to adjust my overflow gate valve in more than 2 years. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Is this what you are refering to? Fluval G-nodes, which is Fluval's biological filtration media? http://www.fluval-g.com/mediaoptions_e.php#

One thing that you may want to consider is that foam insulation doesn't breath and may trap moisture and allow an opportunity for mold to grow. Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

Congratulations Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

I use a check valve, I like them because I like the idea that the return line doesn't have to fill up each time the pump is shut down. The added benefit of limited drain down is nice too but I also account for overflow in the event that it doesn't seal or fails. Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

How big is your sump and how much equipment do you have in it? For my setup I only have about 8 pieces of equipment, so about once every 6 months I disconnect everything, take everything including the sump out, hose and soak everything in vinegar for an hour. Then I give it all a good scrub and put it back in. The process takes about 2-3 hours but it is definitely clean.

The weather prediction for next Saturday is: 51° mostly sunny! :-) Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk