lowsingle

Good point, perhaps I am grasping at straws, but I don’t want to spend more, a better strategy would be aqua-biomics tests before and after followed by a longer term test, but I’m just a hobbyist ? Darren

So I started my new tank with dry rock that I ran in my sump for several months. So my new build has been up for almost 3 months but I am not happy with progress. My parameters are all solid and I have good coralline algae growth but a test frag of green slimer died in a week (and that is a hardy sps). So I decided to add some live rock to try to speed the bio-diversity progress. It arrived today and the quality was impressive. It looked as good as live rock did “back in the day”. They also have some nice shapes to them. Mine had pods, a shrimp and even a fish in it! I am curing it now….I hope I can keep it looking good. Anywho, I will post in the free section but if you are looking for a fish or a piece of live rock I plan to give one away as it is more than what I need. Darren

Looks good, I too love lagoon tanks, but no sand? Darren

I have an apex yet still choose to use my tunze as it has never failed on me….I have had it for so many years…..all I need to do is purchase a new pump every few years. It is probably one of the top reef gear purchases I have made. Darren

I remember the days of chillers and I hope not to go there again, but this time I have a couple advantages. First I have a large sump in my basement that will act as a natural heat sink. Second, I will only keep the halide on for 7hours a day. Third, I am running it much higher than in the past (for better spread). I will report back and we will see…. Darren

My pics are terrible, it is something that I hope to work on this year….you have to see it in person….for the first time my pearl wrasse actually looks pearly. Darren

So I upgraded my tank and decided to focus more on aesthetics so I went back to a 250W reefbrite fixture with reefbrite blue led supplements and I am really happy with the look. I am using the 250W radium 20K mogul bulbs. This could be the best look I have seen and I have had every style of light you could imagine over the ~30 years of reefing. I forgot how nice these bulbs make a reef look…..I wish I had done this before….good coverage and good twinkle without the fake look and my fish look so much prettier under a more natural looking light. I figure I would just spread the news as it was a post on Reef2reef that got me to consider the idea. Darren

For online fish I go with reef pro store, for local I go with Reef eScape (who can order fish for you). I have multiple fish from both vendors and am quite happy with them. I have heard good things about TSM but have never purchased from them. Darren

Yes indeed, merry Christmas WAMAS Darren

Thanks for posting this…..I didn’t know it was available…. Darren

Anyone going to this? I am hoping to go….I have two of his books and love TLF’s carbon dioxide pellets (way better than the BRS brand). I am going to ask him about incorporating one of his mangroves into my lagoon set up….. Darren

So sad, anybody know what happened? Darren

Wow, sad day indeed if this is true. Darren

Thanks for the heads up….he is such a pleasant guy….I had a chance to speak with him at reefapalooza NY…..I will have to mark my calendar….. Darren

Great thread and even better work….how great would it be to get this guy to adulthood Darren

Really cool fish, I had to get rid of my aiptasia eating filefish as he chowed on LPS….cool personality though Darren

Nice, I hope you all are having fun! ?

Sadly I won’t make it this year…..hopefully someone will post the presentations like BRS has done in previous years. Have fun Nikki! Darren

Thanks all for your thoughts on this…..I ultimately went with dual sicce 7.0 snc pumps. I will post my experiences once I get it up and running Darren

Keep up the great work…..how cool would it be to have one live to adulthood Darren

Hi all, I am looking for advice on a good return pump for my new set up……my aquarium will be on my main floor and my sump will be in the basement, total head is about 11 feet. Also, I will run two returns so I don’t need a ton of flow in one pump. Any first hand experience would be much appreciated….currently I am looking at sicce and versa, but I am flexible. Ideally something with a phone / app interface so I can control from the display for feeding and the like. thanks for the help, Darren

Have you seen the longnose butterfly picking at your corals? I have a copper banded butterfly and would love to include a longnose as well…. Darren

Where did you get the fuzzy chiton? Those are hard to come by Darren

Your tanks are looking great….I love that holy grail micro! Darren

Glad I had a chance to get caught up on your journey……that sunset was beautiful Darren