sde219

I'm planning to setup two 30g Oceanic "cube" tanks side by side with a common sump so that I can keep both a reef tank with smaller fish (think clown gobies and similarly sized folks) and a tank for some less reef/small fish friendly fish including possibly a very small triggerfish if I can get one (although I'd probably toss some softies into this tank). Initially, I'm planning to toss a Sunpod 150w on each tank but in the long run I'm planning to use a better light over the true "reef" either a 250w double ended pendant or perhaps a 400w SE pendant with 64w of actinics. I always assumed I'd be using a lower intensity light over the other tank. As I was sketching out the plumbing yesterday, it dawned on me that two tanks immediately next two each other with different lighting might look a little strange. I was thinking of going open top but that would almost dictate identical pendants. Looking for some input or suggestions. I'm open to anything. Thanks, Steve

I have a Koralia set to start 30 minutes after my halide comes on and turns off 30 minutes before the halide shuts down. I have no real reason for doing this other than I get the feeling that some of my corals don't like as much flow when the polyps aren't open - they retract more tightly under high flow than they do with limited flow. I also like changing the current/flow in my tank to stir up some settled waste and get it to move to the overflow. It's my understanding that some pumps handle the wear and tear of going on and off better than others but I haven't researched it much because I'm not cycling this pump on a tight cycle. Just my experience and my opinion.

That looks like a Mojano Anemone to me. How many of these bad boys do you have?

Anyone interested in a group buy from Ken's? I need a small list of items.

I had a torch coral mounted on the side of my tank across but below and to the left of a powerhead. It seems that the powerhead flow shifted to be direct at the torch and it looks like it got beat up pretty bad - one or two heads just look droopy, but two look like they've shed skin. I'm debating pulling the whole colony out or fragging it. The tank and system is pretty small (33g) and relatively new (recently moved - 3 weeks). Any thoughts?

Glad to hear that despite the problems - it's not ending terribly. Sounds like you had good safety/preventative procedures in place.

It's wrong that I find the writeups on this website, such as the section before, funny?

You're actually not the only one.

Glad to have read this story. I stopped in almost exactly a month ago. I was pretty impressed by the bangai cardinals they were breeding. I was considering trying to get a pair down the line. I was a little concerned about the business practices of the place though. Sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience.

WOW! Those frags are really incredible. I'm half tempted to road trip out there.

I can be a VA picker-upper. I live right at Rt7/I66/I495. I'm in for 3.

I thought you just sold your tank? Find something new already?

How do you want to do open-top with the retrofit? Are you planning to make an entire fixture, floating canopy, or something entirely different? It's pretty easy to do the ballast connections - you can get plug sets or if you know some techie people with extra computer pieces, you can make quick-disconnects so that the canopy/fixture only has cords coming out and the ballasts are stored below. Do you have ballasts to use or a preference on how to wire them? IE 2 bulbs per ballast, 4 to one ballast, or something different? It'll be easier to map out a design with some of these restrictions in mind.

Hey Bob, How would you recommend hooking into compression lines? I think the same valve would work but I'm dreading the thought of dealing with those connections. Any advice? Thanks, Steve

I think the item was left with a third party at a more convenient location for the buyer.

If it's any help, I'm driving from Falls Church to Pasadena on Sunday. If the item is along the way, I could at least get it back to you without you wasting gas.

Hard call, Paypal might agree it was not delivered to the buyer.

Congrats Doug. That's really great. Please keep us posted on how it goes and what works for you.

I really like the rockwork you setup at the beginning. Made the 30 look larger than it is. It looks great for placing corals and providing plenty of open space. Can you post a new Full Tank Shot? Any verdict on what was killing your fish?

I definitely understand this one. I've heard a variety of things about the bio-benefit versus bio-hazard aspect of DSBs particularly when moving one. Because of the fish involved a sandbed of some depth is necessary. Does anyone have any specific advice on moving a DSB?

That would be the one. I was trying be vague because I don't want to disparage the item for sale. I was just pretty disappointed to see a decent number of Majanos. I suspect using kalk would be a solid option. I've got other concerns about moving an existing setup particularly one with a deep sandbed also. I was kinda hoping that getting an existing setup might provide for a plug-and-play type tank. This more likely to spend a few weeks challenging me. If that's really the case, then the setup is too much immediate hassle because the rock has a decent amount of colonies, msshrooms, and ricordeas I would want to keep and it's the biofilter for some fish I'd like to keep alive.

I'm looking into buying a reef setup locally. I'm planning to keep all of the livestock(perhaps sans a tang), corals, rock, and equipment. I'll be selling the tank/stand because I'd prefer to use a 65g tank I already own and will be able to plumb in advance of receiving the existing setup. Unfortunately, the tank has a pretty large population of Majano anemones - on the rock, on zoo colonies, near ricordeas. The setup is arguably fairly priced but I'm trying to decide whether getting back into the hobby with a immediate issue in the tank is too much of a hassle to combat. I'd really like to let the existing owner know whether or not this is a problem that 1) I could deal with at the existing price, 2) maybe I should ask for a discount in light of the issue, 3) is too much trouble for someone who was buying an existing setup largely for the convenience. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Wish I could make it. For some reason, my reserve center schedules drill every single weekend I'd rather be doing something else. This weekend I miss the social, December I miss the meeting. It kind of reminds me why I never made a meeting when I first joined by in 2004. Here's hoping the spring meeting doesn't hit both of the mandatory weekends in April and May.

Anyone up for a day trip for this? My car gets solid gas mileage so hopefully this won't be too pricey of a trip. I'm mostly intriqued to see a frag swap this large. Steve

Terry and Patti: My apologies for RSVPing and then bugging out. A group of friends wanted to go to Great Country Farms yesterday and I don't think I can do the drive on back to back days.....too much stuff to do around the house. Maybe if Doug is up for a tank tour in the near future, I'll beg to swing by check out the 750+ gallons. Thanks for your hospitality though. Steve