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I have not lost any coral to my Klien in the 2 years I have had it BUT they are not reef safe so I may be just lucky. I have Frogs, Hammers, Ric, Mushrooms, Xenia, GSP and Zoas. I also had a Raccoon butterfly that would eat aiptasia, that was a FOWLR tank.

My Yellow Tang never touches my bubble algae. Only thing I know of that eats it is Emerald crabs. I understand that you don't want to burst the bubble in the tank as that will spread it and make matters worse. If that is the case, won't an emerald crab eating it cause it to also spread ?

I had a major Aiptasia problem in my 156, they were everywhere, hundreds of them. I had neglected my tank for a long time after a crash. I tried a File Fish but it did not make it, in the few weeks I had it, it did not touch any Aiptasias. I got a Klein Butterfly - Marine Scene almost always has them for under $30. For a few weeks it did nothing, then one day it found that Aiptasias were yummy. In a few days, all Aiptasias were gone. It has been over 2 years since and I still don't have any Aiptasias, only a few in my sump. I do see one every now and then but the Klein takes care of them. I suspect that once you have Apitasias in your system time you will always have it. For this reason, I never let any thing from my 156 touch anything in my other tanks which are still Aiptasia free. My Klein never bothered my corals but I don't have SPS, mainly softies.

Have you considered a long tank that can be viewed from 3 sides ? You could have a 2' wide by 6', 8' or even 10' long; have a 2' gap between the wall and fish tank. You can still see the 4th side from the enclosed space. In my tank, I have LR in the middle and can see all 4 sides; fishes love to do laps and I can see that Goby/Shrimp regardless of where is chooses to make his new barrow. Kind of a distance for you but have you considered Incredible Corals in Manassas for a custom acrylic tank ? I like the software you used to show your basement layout, what software did you use ?

So it decided to munch on Corals when it got older?

So I am toying with adding a Koran to my 156G. I know it is not reef safe, I don't have fancy corals, a few frog sprawns, hammers, ricordias, zoas and lots of mushrooms. I do have a Klein Angel that is not reef safe that has been there for over a year with no problems. Could a Koran also behave like my Klein ?

Anyone in Fair Lakes who want to get this $38 deal too ? I don't think I want that may boxes.

I too have nitrate and Hair Algea issues. I am thinking of getting the BRS dual reactor -> http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-dual.html Using BRS GFO and Biopellets in the "Carbon" side of the reactor. Will this work i.e. GFO and Biopellets side by side ? BRS suggest using 1 cup of Biopellets per 50 Gallons, Since I have 200 gallons, would I have to by 2 dual reactors, and Laura with 400 would need 4 dual reactors ?

fyi ... $25.49 at http://www.saltysupply.com/Eheim-Feed-Air-Automatic-Feeder-p/eh3581.htm $6 ship

When I was waiting to start my 156 with old LF that was infested with Aiptasias and Mahanos, I left the old rock out on my deck in below freezing temps at nite and full sun in the day for a few weeks. Than started to cure those LRs in a tub before using them. Worked well for me, no Aiptasias

Increase Nitrate to what level before it becomes an issue for your corals ? max 50ppm ?

I have a generator in case power is lost to the house. Just a simple one, enought to power tanks and heat house, that's about $300. I also have multiple heaters (3) to heat my 200G of water. This way, if one goes bad, the other would still be working.

I have too many BTA to count, over 10. Some are huge, like 8" when open. Some are tiny, about 1" All from a single BTA I bought 9 years ago.

Red Leaf Scorpionfish It really does behave like a leaf, blowing in the wind. It you did not know better, you would think it is sickly, about to die.

What ever happened to WAMAS Tank Tours ? It sure helped me with I got started.

This is a pair of Black Ocellaris. When I got them both, they were already black. They were about 1.5 inches at that time. I had assumed the Black Ocellaris are born black. ??

Though I share this. I have had this clown for 9 years. This is the first time I have seen her lay down flat on her BTA. Thougt it was dead at first ! Who says fishes don't lay down to sleep

My 156 tank also went though a period of neglect after a fire. It was not long before aiptasia took over the entire tank. Only mushroom would grow and they took over big time. Even a Kenya tree would not make it ! Start back by getting a Klein Butterfly. It got rid of all the aiptasia in time. The tank has since recovered and I now have various Zoas and other softies. The Klein does go after many SPS. It does not bother my other corals. Hope all goes well with you son. We also had issues with my daughter at birth but she is now a healthy 14 year old.

I have some to spare if you need it.

Looks like Jack is corect about TDS creep. This morning, the bucket of water is reading 11 TDS, since it was 125 last night,fresh RO should be under 10 now. Yes, flow is that slow that I can leave it on overnight, flowing to the same bucket (160G IO salt mix bucket) I use to get that entire bucket fill up in under an hour. I had to use a timer to remind me than, In the last 6 months, setting the timer has gone from 45 mins to 99 mins (max for the timer). Now there is no need for one ! I will try what Tom suggested about cleaning out he membrane and than may be get a new flow restrictor and ASOV.

I have my given up on my 5 year old Typhoon III. RO rate had dropped to 5 gallons in 6hrs or more ! I had given up on RO/DI mths ago because that rate was even worse. Pressure gauge is broken. Since I don't have any fancy corals, I figured 35TDS was not too bad. It is now 125TDS ! So I bought a brand new set of filters. The membrane is less than 2 years old. Still crazy slow rate and 125 TDS ! I have decided to cut my losses and just buy a new one. Now I am undecided between getting another typhoon or the BRS 5 stage. Typhoon -> http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1EXTREMETYPHOONIII/EXTREME-TYPHOON-III-150-GPD-RODI-with-Gauge-TDS-Alarm-Dual-TDS-Meter.html BRS 5 Stage -> http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-5-stage-water-saver-plus-ro-di-system-150gpd.html Seeking comments about these two. I know they are suppose to end up with the same GPD but does the two 75membrane of BRS produce a better flow rate than one 150 membrane of the Typhoon ? Thanks Mike

Has anyone been able to keep a Caribbean Lettuce Nudibranch alive in their tank ? I am thinking of getting one for hair algae control. Don't know how long it will survive since I do have a Flame Hawk and rather large (6") fishes in my 156G

I am reporting all of you for animal cruelty