jamesbuf

You guys really need to stop messing with BRK like that. Is kinda funny though.

Didn't realize they were that good at pulling nitrates out. Might have to put some in my refugium. I here about people letting it grow out of control. I've had mine for 3 weeks now and I haven't noticed any growth at all. I thought most of the corals grow so slow its easy to maintain where you want them to be. Guess I'll find out. You mentioned that they are good nutrient exporters, I'll bet thats why they are growing so slow. I've got 2 skimmers, and a refugium with chaeto and two types of caulerpa. Its competing for nutrients. Thanks for the comments guys. James

I've already got two types of zenia, purple and redish-brown colored. I think the purple kind is the coolest looking thing I have thus far. Their little fingers blindly grasping is pretty cool. I'm definitly on the lookout for some other types if they exist. I am curious to know how fast they really grow?? And besides, if they grow too out of control I'll just scoop them out and throw them in my soon to be setup trigger tank. CARNAGE!!!

Crap....didn't think of that. back to the drawing board. Now I remember why I haven't had an airstone since my freshwater days.

Well my liverock is just liverock, with alot of coraline on them. I don't have any expensive sps and probably will never have any. I'm a fish lover, but I also just want my rock to look nice. Whats wrong with the zoos and mushrooms spreading all over the tank???

I've had plenty of people tell me that good lighting is all these guys need to grow and multiply. I've definitly taken small pellets and fed my mushrooms before, but I was curious to know of any additives to the water which may help them grow? I know alot of people are against water additives, but I'm not talking about minerals. All I have is a big frogspawn, a few colonies of zoos, and 2 types of zenia. I'm more into the corals that sway and move around, and I really want them to spread over the entire tank. I know patience is key, but I also want to make sure I'm providing for the best growth possibilities. Thanks guys. James

I just thought of an idea. Instead of trying to force water down the back side of the tank to disturb debris settling, why not help the current coming under the front of the rock and back up the rear of the tank. Could I lay one of those long long air stone curtains along the rear bottom to help force current upwards?? Havn't had an air stone in my tank since the freshwater days so I'm not sure if it'll look good or not. I've found 72" and 48" ones on ebay too. hmmmmmm

Gotta agree with everyone else. Only been there once, and it was well worth the 50 minute drive. Thank god I'm trading in my Cherokee soon, cuz I'd be spending $100 on gas a month to visit BRK!!! Great service. The only fish store that I've visited that doesn't mind taking the time to educate the consumer. I learned more in 15 minutes of talking with the staff than I did reading for hours online. Thanks again guys. 5 week countdown before I put in an order for a few triggers!!!

not a bad idea. It won't be constant flow downward, but its better than nothing. Just gotta clean out these powersweeps so they actually sweep!

So I've had my remodeled tank setup for a couple weeks now. I have all my powerheads and current-makers pushing from the top rear and sides, to the front and down, like I'm seen most people do. I'm already starting to notice that debris is getting pushed towards the back of the tank and collecting under the LR. I was thinking of somehow reversing the conventional direction of current, so that instead of the water pushing everything under the liverock, the current will flow straight down the back of the tank and forward once that current hits the bottom, hopeully forcing the debris out from under the rock to get collected by the overflow. Has anyone else ever thought of doing this?? I really wanted to try this setup but is seems that all powerhead equipment attaches to the side of the tank and pushes straight out at a 90 degree angle from the glass. Do they make powerheads that suction to the glass and spit the water straight down??? Are there any down sides to doing this?? I guess once you have money for Tunze equipment you guys don't have those problem, but until I have Tunze money, I gotta find a poor man's method.

Thanks for the help. Not sure how I'm gonna be able to get the water down below the exit gate. I still think I need a larger pump. Finally found the instruction manual online and the evolution 500 calls for a 900gph pump and I only have a 700gph pump. I'm pretty sure that will do the trick since the foam is a few inches from getting over the top. I also replaced the bioballs before I set it up. Ebay here I come

anybody have any experience with this type of skimmer???

Definitly post the pics once you have them. I'm looking to setup a trigger tank to be plumbed inline with my 125. A 55 would fit nicely. What kind of stand is it?? Wood? Metal??

So I've had my ETSS Evolution 500 setup since Saturday night. I don't know if I need a stronger pump for it or what??? My berlin HO turbo is kicking its ass. I've gotten a little bit of light green water in the collection tub, while the berlin has filled up half way with dark green sludge. I've even adjusted the outflow but the bubbles that come up aren't even really that colored. I have a mag 7 on it right now, but I'm wondering if I should start looking for a used mag9.5 or bigger. I need a submersible so I'm thinking I should stick to the mag series. Also, does it matter how deep the water is in the sump where the skimmer is?? Any suggestions?? Thanks guys.

I agree with the nassarius snails. I bought 5 large nassarius snails last Saturday from BRK and they are amazing. I've only ever had turbo and glass snails. The nass come out as soon as I put food in the tank and start looking around for food. I'm definitly getting some more.

Definitly an awesome use of old equipment. Nice work.

Absolutly beautiful. I really need to switch from crushed coral to a DSB. How do you keep a send bed looking that fresh and nice. Again, amazing looking. Definitly keep posting pics when you add more stuff. Can wait till I have a large storage/wash room to put in a wall tank. Just a little thing called grad school to get thru.

Jake, Do they just stay in your refugium and get sucked up when they make it to the pump??? Can you just add eggs into the fuge and have them hatch???

With the recent weekend of storms now gone, I was curious to find out if anyone has backup plans for power for their tanks. I did a search and found some rig-gigs for batter power backup, but nothing concrete. Has anyone found a commercial system that would offer some limited power??? I know you can buy a backup power for your desktop computer, but not sure how long those would last. I'm guessing that it might sustain a heater and an airstone for a little bit of time??? Anything is better than nothing right??? Thanks guys. James

I already flipped the rock back over. He looked like he was still in the process so hopefully he will continue with the process. Its still one of the feakiest things I've ever seen in a fish tank. weird

I just bought the skimmer so I guess its a moot point to tell me about it now. Can't wait to see what crap it gets out of my water.

I figured everyone is probably at the BRK social right now, so just please just respond when you guys get back. I don't know what to do. My newly puchased bubble tip anemone is committing suicide. He was lodged underneith a large rock, and when I rearranged my tank with newly purchased LR, I decided to flip the rock so he could get more some light. He's pulling himself apart!!!!!!! What the H-E-double hocky sticks. I don't know if anyone has had this happen before, but please shed some light. Could I have scewed the water parameters with rearranging the tank????

I'm prepared to buy a new skimmer for my 125gal. I already have a Berlin HO turbo, which alot of people say arent' that good, but I find it pretty good actually. I get a good cup of green smelly gunk every week. I'm eventually going to hook up another tank to house a couple triggers (I miss the carnage!!!!) and have that go inline with my other tank. So say if I get a 55gallon for that, I need a skimmer for around 200gal. I'll still use the berlin too of course. Somebody has a ETSS Evolution 500 for sale for $200, right in my price range. A new one costs $385. Are these skimmers good?? I know the deltecs are good, but I don't have deltec money. I searced and read a few posts on skimmers, but wanted opinions on the aformentioned model. Any help is much appreciated guys. James

check this auction out. 700 Gallon gallon reef. 14 people have already bid it up to over 10K and its not over the reserve yet. http://cgi.ebay.com/Live-Coral-Saltwater-A...1QQcmdZViewItem

Those triggers are nice. I had been looking for pics of those all day after one of the guys from BRK mentioned them. Reef and Invert safe triggers huh, I gotta get some. Hopefully BRK sees this post.