Recent content by bobber

Actually, I would want to be cremated and my ashes scattered in the ocean so that the mermaids can feed.--Bob

I would not use beach sand. What Krusk had post is a better idea but still not avisable. The shores are natures protein skimmer. You would have to go out quite a ways to get pure LS for a tank. Think about the amount of water in the ocean compared to the size of your tank. Now add the...

That is denitrifacation. In other words, your DSB is working. It is a good sign. You'll actually start to see tracks in your sand against the glass as well. That is also a great sign that your DSB is doing its job.--Bob

I'm not sure what you mean by sand holder thing. Explain, please. Adding the sand slowly works well, but cloudiness is unavoidable. It will clear up. --Bob

The swing arms going bad takes quite a while before the readings are off. Rinsing the hydrometer in cold freshwater after each use will help keep it working properly. A refractometer this early in the stage is not neccesary, IMO. I have been using the same hydrometer for the past two years and...

Why not have TWO tanks? A FO and a reef. Just a thought. Lionfish are reef safe, but I DO NOT suggest them. They are carnivours. They eat tons and produce even more waste. Not good if you are trying to keep your nitrates down. Treble, it is really up to you. Reef tanks are not for everyone. HTH--Bob

Is the question about a plenum or a refugium? If plenum, then no they are not needed. IMO, DSB works very well. If refugium, then, for what you are trying to accomplish, I would say yes. It wouldn't hurt anything. HTH--Bob

Yes this will continue. Unfortunately, that is part of their nature. They eat the critters that make your live sand live. Depending on the size of your tank, they could "kill" a lsb very quickly. --Bob

Have you thought about a MH/VHO combo? With only one 175w MH and two actinic/two daylight VHO bulbs, heat would no longer be an issue. You could run a temp controlled fan and it would help keep the temp down. By running both types of lighting, the MH would only have to be on for four hours, thus...

Your sand bed is very new to see any decline in nitrates. I agree that the nitrates shouldn't be where they are at. Have you had your water parameters checked by you lfs? They might be able to assist in finding the problem. Another thing, everyone's tank is different and it takes time to learn...

I agree that Maxijet is the way to go. Dependable and the wavemaker option with the PH really make a difference. I think too many PH's will make the tank seem cluttered. Just my opinion-Bob

I don't think so. What kind of sand did you add? Do you know the grain size? HTH-Bob

I'd put a million bucks on the yellow tang! They LOVE the stuff. Just a hunch-Bob

Your pH level is not bad. Your pH will change at differrent times of the day. I would think give it a little more time and things will be fine. HTH-Bob

Peppermint shrimp do rid your tank of aiptasia. It took mine a while to eat it cuz it was geting used to my normal feeding and relied on that food and ignored the aiptasia. I had to stop feeding the entire tank and feed fish independantly, almost starving the shrimp before he FINALLY the one...