n8dogggg

Hey guys, I've been out of the Saltwater game for a few years and am getting back into it. I've got a 12 gallon jbj nano cube set up and going through its cycles now, but the only problem is...the hood I have is defective. So I have two choices...I can either upgrade the lighting, or hope that someone else has and has a hood sitting collecting dust. If not, what is a good CHEAP way to get some lights going in the busted hood I have? Thanks for any help!

Sorry I didn't see this forum earlier. I haven't posted the equipment I am planning on selling since I am breaking down my tank...But in the list is a JBJ ATO which I bought for $100 at BRK about 5 months ago, I am looking to sell for $70. So if things don't work out the way you want it with the DIY...let me know via PM.

it'll be the easiest money I ever made I'm in if there is enough interest... Good fatboy incentive for me!

I actually had 3 in my tank and one died a while back. So for months now I've had 2 in my tank and they seem fine. I'd like to add more soon though.

After reading this, I'm NEVER changing my MH bulbs!!! J/K...Thanks for the early morning reading, Sugar Magnolia.

Does this mean I should put a halt to the Zoo soup I was planning on making for the Wamas meeting? Glad to hear you are ok.

You know what? Who makes up these names??? I've seen so many zoos go by different names that I stopped even trying to memorize them. I call that zoo you have the one with the yellow inside and green outside. So From now on I will call it Skittle Zoo! I mean really...Gorilla Nipples????

bump on this subject because I'd be interested to know as well.

You know you just posted the same site I posted? Thought you had something new and interesting!!!!

Well, I believe the mystery of the guck has been solved. It apparently is a cyano...More specifically BGA (Blue/Green Algae) and even more specifically possibly named Monera Cyanophyta. Ehhhh, but I could be off on the kingdom and division. Never-the-less, according to some of the research I've done while hard at work shows pictures consistent of what I've seen in Tom's tank. In addition, I found a site/article that explains just about anything you'll ever want to know about this ugly beast! Happy reading and God speed!

After seeing the pictures and the tank in person, I'd like to go ahead and cast my vote for TOTM here? J/K Please help this man. I've seen the growth and am two steps away from calling a priest for an exorcism on the tank! I mean, Tom has some great coral in there and I'd one day like to get a frag or two. Not to mention the poor Foxface that's in there. Is this goo bad for livestock or just real ugly to look at? I'm not sure if this stuff is Dinoflagellates because on the article you sent, it looks more like a green algae. This stuff is as the pictures shows. A dark red/brown looking beast!

Dont mean to hijack this but it seems like useful information for this forum, if one does decide to get a RO/DI unit, what is the minimun amount of stages you would recommend? Of course more is better, but for some of us that would like to work our ways up to the $300 Unit, would a 3 stage be ok if I were looking into it?

Wow, I didn't even think of that. Good idea John. I'll have to keep that in mind for such an occasion. Out of curiousity, does a home depot or lowes rent out generators? I know in Florida they do for hurricane season. that may also be an option.

Oh maybe it's those blue spot lights you use on your tank? Do you know what kind of light they push into the tank? They aren't PCs or T5s or VHO...what type of light are they?

Oh I didn't even notice you were a first timer....I would like to say Welcome as well!!!

Large trashcan/newspaper/match. You might be able to find someone that can loan you a generator for the power outtage. At least you know ahead of time.

darn, now that's comedy!!

I'd call that, short and straight to the point!

Now I've seen a lot of people's sand and I don't know if this helps but Tom has some pretty nasty crap living down there. Is there a way to maybe sift his sand and get rid of some of the nastiness in there or is this a null issue. Not to be mean, but Tom has crashed a tank or two in his day (haven't we all) and much of the sand has been recycled from those tanks. Could this be a part of the issue? If not for Tom's sake, for the sake of the fish and coral in the tank, please help this man out. Let's say I loan him some more powerheads to up the flow, what else can he do?

There's got to be something more than flow going on here. I mean I've seen his tank...I've seen him scrub the rocks clean and do a 75% water change, and then w/in a week the whole place was covered with **** (no better way to discribe it). Now granted more water flow is a start, but I don't think it's anywhere near gonna end his issue. When within 3 days time frags, glass, snails, etc can be covered in this stuff. Sumfin aint right!

phisigs gave me a frag of montipora months ago that was almost all the way bleached (I requested it) and only after a few months it was and is still a awesome green color. One of my favorite pieces now. There's still hope.

I wanted to personally thank Chris for the frag fest he put together. It was more than worth the hour and 20 min trip to DC. Had the opportunity to not only grab a bunch of frags (kinda went crazy on that), but also got to see his light configuration, which I am now proud to say is also my light configuration. Took my hood down and changed it the day after! So good lookin out Chris! PS roughly about 90% of the polyps are open now.

I don't go into DC much, is your place near anything that would help me convince my wife that she could come with and we can make a day out of the trip?

Thanks for all the responses, yall really helped make my decision. Now all I have to do is find a good retro VHO kit.

So basically everyone is for VHO and no one really feels strong enough to back T5s. AIGHT!