packman9111

I know this treatment is contraversial at best, but I'll offer it for what it's worth. I was in the process of getting my house ready to sell when my blue hippo started showing signs of ich and progressed into, at least what I considered hopeless, full blown case. Still eating but covered in spots and starting to breath heavy. I had no time to catch an QT and had pretty much given into the realization that I would lose all the fish in my tank, even tho the only other fish whith symptoms was the yellow tang with some mild scratching. As a last ditch effort to save them, I began adding fresh ground garlic and fresh grated ginger to the food to soak for about 10min before each feeding. I was not very hopeful and thing they did look worse before they started improving. That was about 8 weeks ago and they have not shown any signs of return for about a month. I will emphisis this was a last resort and should not be substituted for proven treatments and I will never .... ever put myself in a position to have to take that kind of chance with my fish again and will always .... always QT and treat with hypo or copper. Rick

I have a 110g complete setup for sale, but if ur lookin for the chiper chick'n it's probably a little rich for ur blood. It's set up w/72g bow front for sump in the basement and have pretty strong pump and may be too much if your lookin for under stand sump. I'm asking $1000 and all the equipment is listed on the member's "for sale" forum. Rick

When I was checking, Aquarium Center in Randallstown was the cheapest around, for tanks but don't think I called wally's. I'm told they pretty much sell at cost and make it up in livestock & supplies. It's also quite a trip for you VA folks. Rick

Does anyone know where you can find stainless steel piain hinges locally, preferably on the MD side. Thanks - Rick

Sure hope my tank's ready by then, but think it's a long shot. :( If not, may be looking for donations soon afterward. Rick http://www.wamas.org/cgi-bin....;t=3933

If you are lucky enough to have Harbor Freight Tools, I bought a multi-pak of bits (like 21 pc) which was marked like $6 and change, but when I got to the register, they rang up at like $3. Not the best quality, but was able to get two holes in 1/2 inch glass with a couple bits left over! Works for me!! Rick

I know Aquarium Center usually stocks them, but currently out of the size I need and takes a couple of weeks to order. Thanks - Rick

Haven't bult my hood yet, but have an op to buy used bulbs, so have a couple questions. plan to use 440w vho. i have ic ballast and endcaps. is $10 for vho bulbs used 3 months a good deal? how much clearance is required on ends for bulbs? ie 46.5 bulb typically used for 48" hood? thanks - Rick

Check out this thread. http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=58832 if you're not already a member, you may have to join to see pics. Rick

I guess it doesn't matter where you drill out the back of the back of the tank, as long as there's gravity to carry the water to the sump. This is just the way the guy at Marine Scene explained it to me.

That's exactly what I have is a 110g. I'm planning on using the half of hang on overflow that goes inside the tank, drilling a hole in the bottom, installing a bulkhead, plumbing down with an elbow near the bottom and out the back of tank via bulkhead, drilling through and out the back. The skimmer box if you will (I have two) will be attached to the inside top of the tank in each rear corner. Does that make sense? Rick

Haven't yet, but plan on doing both! I have a 110g that I have disassembled and will plan on drilling it first. Haven't decided if I'm going to go the dremel route or buy a bit. I'm doing that first before I invest and $$ (I need new top and bottom frames) so If I mess it up, nothing really lost (tank was free). I will then remove all old caulk and reglue and seal the tank (after ordering new frames $30 each - ouch!). At first thought about using 100% silicone from HD, but after close inspection, tube says "not for continual underwater use", so I'll spend the $8/tube of aquarium sealant from LFS. Rick

I have been looking for a chap 48x18 tank for some time. I finally came across a free 110g (I think - 48x18x30). What is the best stratagy for repairing the leak. At first, I was thinking, remove all the caulk and re-caulk the whole thing. The owner thinks the leak is in the upper part of one corner - should I just concentrate on that area? Looks to have been used for fresh water - is there any way to tell if copper has been used in it? I too would like on the second floor. Will be against a wall that is over the I beam, 2x8 floor joists. Would you recomend a structural engineer. Thanks - Rick

The goal of the massive wc is to remove all non-RO water. Think the tap water I was using before the RO could still be providing nutrients for the algae. Thanks again Rick

phosphate <.2 after 50% WC.

No direct sunlight. Light is 130w Dual daylight 16,700k/10,000k // Dual Actinic 420nm/460nm by Current. Did about 50% WC today and will do again tomorrow. Nitrate is near 0 but will check phosphate later. Tks.

just returned from vacation to find my tank so green that i can't tell who's alive and who's not. i made the mistake in the begining of using tap. system's been going for about a month and tank has cycled. Amonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0 (which suprised me), PH around 8.2. I haven't tested other params. the tank is 26g BF, 45lbs fiji LR fm Marine Depot Live and assortment of snails, herms and one blue damsel. Started w/seaclone which was pulling lots of junk, but upgraded to remora which just added before leaving for vacation. Both skimmers were running while I was gone. Also just invested in RO and only had a chance to make one 3-4g change with RO water before I left. I had ditom when I left and knew the cleaning crew were having trouble keeping up. Made another 3-4g WC when I got home and mixed about 8g more water for tomorrow and plan to only run the lights for a couple of hours tomorrow. Is there anything else I should be doing? BTW not that it really matters, but only the remora is running now. any help appreciated - rick

Does anyone know who on the MD side sells aquac skimmers, specifically the remora??? tks - rick