Recent content by ofalegend

I have the 5 stage RO/DI plus from Bulk. Get in on a group buy though if you go with them (PM me if you need more info). Good unit, and with the 150GPD water saving upgrade kit, makes more than I could ever possibly need. Granted the upgrade isn't necessary, but it cuts the amount of waste...

LOL, meowzer, I really did TRY, but I absolutely could not bring myself to put that god-awful looking putrid smelling thing in my sink. I don't think it'd feel clean even if I poured a gallon of bleach behind it. Quote: Originally Posted by meowzer LOL....everything of mine goes in the kitchen...

What about the brown film/gunk that sticks to the lid of the collection cup and inside the neck? How do you get that off and how often do you clean it? I'm figuring it'll be a lot easier in the summer when the garden hose is on, but I am NOT getting that thing anywhere near my sink, so its been...

I just emptied my Super Reef Octopus XP1000SSS for the first time last night and OMG, that is the most disgusting smell I believe I've ever been exposed to. It literally gagged me (and I don't gag easily)! How does anyone run a tank without skimming all that stuff out??

I've always found UPS to be an absolute NIGHTMARE. I almost never have a package arrive from them without some issue or another. They also keep delivering my neighbor's packages to MY house. I placed a group buy order not long ago and of course 2 out of 3 boxes arrived even though they were...

Oh, no, I plan on covering the rest of it. I have 10lbs each of Fiji, Pukani and Tonga Branch dry rock coming in Tuesday, so the rest of the frame will be covered soon. The rock is zip tied to the frame for stability. For the next year or so (until the tank gets well established for corals)...

Saltwater is in the tank, cycle complete (cured the 45lbs of Live Rock in a tub before adding to the DT, then used the cocktail shrimp method to finish the cycle):

Very rudimentary and basic PVC stand to aquascape live rock: 10lbs of dead rock and 45lbs of live rock currently, 20 more lbs of dry rock due in Tuesday:

Added the partitions and installed the 20 gallon long sump (test tap water here). My only regret: glass was bought at Lowes so its way too thin. Wish I had went with thicker glass, I'll just have to be careful during maintenance. Left section is the primary drain, Super Reef Octopus XP1000SSS...

Progress continues. Painted the tank frame black with Krylon paint (this is only the second coat I think)...

Interesting! Either of you guys a member of the East Tennessee Reef Club? Thinking about joining, but I'm not yet decided. :) I'm back in the hobby after a 10 year break. Just ordered my RO/DI system and a Super Reef Octopus XP1000SSS skimmer for my 72 gallon bowfront.

Wow, I just noticed you're in Knoxville! Small world! As for buying the rock, definitely go with online, there are a couple of LFS in Knoxville, of course (Aquarium on Papermill and Coral Reef on Kingston Pike), but LR is extremely expensive there $12.99 a lb I think at Aquarium and $10 or $11...

Quote: Originally Posted by NVMYCJ Hi guys! Confused about the use of dead shrimp and LR for cycling purposes... 1. How long does the shrimp have to stay in the tank, while cycling? The shrimp (raw) should stay 2-4 days, long enough to get an ammonia reading. Once you have a reading on your...

It does, yup. But I just noticed the 5 stage is "out of stock"...grrr. Was trying to save on shipping by ordering both (XP1000 skimmer and RO/DI unit) from the same place. AWI wants $25 for shipping, and its free from BRS. BRS has a 6 stage unit for another $43 ($242.99), which includes...

XP1000 it is then! I figured there was a reason it was $100 more, you do get what you pay for. The RO/DI unit is $199.99 for a 5 stage RO/DI with a built in pressure guage, TDS meter and flush kit. Standard system without the TDS meter, guage and flush kit is 159.99. Then one of the site...