oxx155

I stopped using IO Reef Crystals because of the "extras". I still use regular IO exclusively.

Its definitely grown some since the meeting, and some of the system changes I am making definitely makes the whole system kick azz

I have a lot of things coming up, but if the date is an open Sunday for me then I probably could make it and maybe be a stop on the tour. But, it really depends on the date.

http://www.reeftek.com/reef-relief/index-products-aatoc.htm I am not sure if they sell them anymore, I wish they would as its the best auto-top-off that can handle a city water line pressure. I run my city water to it, then through the RODI, so it reduces waste, and only runs water when I need it. I have 2 - 100GPD+ RODI units from BRS. Its probably about a 30-40% water change every month. I would have to say its the best investment I have made in my entire system, even if it cost a little bit of money, it was way worth it. Overall picture of the setup City water comes in and branches to two AATOC's One AATOC feeds through a 5 stage RODI and into a PM Kalk Reactor and tops off the level of the entire system The other AATOC feeds into another 5 stage RODI and fills the reservoir once a month LitermeterIII pulls 10 gallons over the day out of the system and into a drain A Litermeter III second pump pulls 10 gallons over the day out of the reservoir and into the system I mark my calendar the day I turn the Litermeter III on and make sure to turn it off 29 days later to refill the reservoir with RODI water and salt (Instant Ocean, 7 bags) I find this keeps my system incredibly stable (except for PH, which I still have issues with bouncing around). I replace the tubing each year and other related items (RODI filters, Dart circulating pump, Litermeter parts, etc.) I really don't even think it takes me an hour a month to do all of this, but I have plenty of other things to do that keep me busy, LOL. Anyway, I have heard of many other ways of doing an Auto-Top-Off system, thats just my way.

I have a 300 Gallon reservoir outside that has freshly mixed saltwater. A Litermeter III pulls 10 gallons a day out of the system and dumps it down the drain, at the same time pulling 10 gallons of fresh seawater out of the reservoir and into the system. This is done slowly throughout the day, everyday. At the end of each month I shut down the Litermeter III, use an AATOC to automatically fill the reservoir with with RODI water over a day, pour the salt in and let a Reeflo Dart mix it all for another day. Then turn the Litermeter III back on. Each month its about 1 hours worth of work and absolutely no mess, buckets, or hoses. Best thing I have ever added to my aquarium, keeps my salinity very stable and the system is healthier for it.

What would be a killer price on the Calcium Reactor? I thought $200 was a pretty good price, but maybe not? Thanks

Been using Dobie Pads for as long as I can remember (at least a couple of years). I put them on my magnet cleaner and it cleans everything real well. Even gets some of my coraline. Fred Meyer sells them.

Its time for me to clear some stuff out. Those that know me know that I change my mind often and I end up changing something I shouldn't have done in the first place, that is what I did with these two items. 1. TEK 48" T5 Fixture w/ 8 bulbs & hanging system. I will also include 8 used bulbs (for a total of 16). I purchased this fixture from Liquid Sunshine when they were closing thinking I would use it over my refugium (replace my 4 light fixture), but I quickly found I prefered the 4 bulb I have. So, I am asking $200. SOLD 2. Geo 618 Calcium Reactor w/ Panworld 40x pump. Does not come with CO2 Tank or Regulator and does not come with second chamber seen in picture. Does come with 18 pounds of CaribSea Arm Extra Course Media. It does have a port for a PH Probe and I will even throw in a PH Probe (used but in fine working condition, still wet). I purchased this a while back with the understanding that it could handle my tank, only to find out it was made for tanks up to 350 gallons, so I had to upgrade to the 818. I am asking $200. Both are a little dirty from use, but are in fine working condition. I accept cash, paypal, or credit card. I cannot ship because I don't want the take the chance of anything breaking. I will not hold an item without a down payment. I am located in Springfield, and you can either message me through here, send me an email at douglasfoster@comcast.net, or call me at (541) 915-2423. Thanks Douglas

I feed 25 sheets of Little Fishies Nori Sheets every 3 days (10 Green, 10 Purple, 5 Red). It barely keeps up, sometimes they are completely out (and the net has been picked clean) before I get a chance to even look. I recently built net containers out of 1/4" mesh to hold the seaweed, this way they can graze when they want and there is no worry about chunks being torn off and going down the overflow. There are two containers, one on each side of the tank, so there is less fighting when I put the seaweed in.

Tangs! YAY! I guess I am the Tang lover. I used to have 12 in a 450 gallon, I have since lost a few (bad decisions on my part), but I am sure I will eventually have up to 15. Anyway, 90 is on the small side for 4 full size Tangs, you could go a year or so, but eventually you will need to either lose 1 or 2 (I am sure I can provide a good home for them for you, LOL). Or it gives you a good reason to upgrade to a 180 and use your 90 as a sump. Keep in mind that Tangs eat a lot too, so if you reduce you may save some money. Best of luck

Thank god you have a small tank! Get them out and move on. I have a huge Tomato Clown in my tank that is the bain of my existence (attacks my hand, attacks corals, attacks other fish, squirts water out of the tank and shorts out lights), but its in a 450 gallon tank and almost impossible to catch him (been trying for 6 months), and have even offered friends $100 if they can catch him (no one has). Feel lucky that this is a pretty easy learning lesson, take them to a store and maybe you can get some credit.

If this doesn't go through I would be interested in buying the clam, I don't know how I would pick it up and transport it though.

Thought I would throw up all pics I have of all the tangs I have had, wish I had more pics, I have had some great tangs over the years.

I currently have 4 - Yellow Tangs Sailfin Tang Desjardini Sailfin Tang Blue Tang Chevron Tang Naso Tang I will be soon adding a Purple Tang

He is even bigger and better looking now. Unfortunately though recently something attacked the tangs (it might have been the big tang just before I got rid of him) and I lost 2 yellows and a purple, they were all three missing pieces from around the spike on their tails, definitely looked like bite marks. I haven't had any problems since. I recently got a Chevron Tang to add to my collection, and am looking for another Purple or maybe Black. I still currently have 4 Yellows, Desjardini Sailfin, Sailfin, Blue, Naso, and now the new Chevron. I have been extremely busy with work and family this summer and the front glass of the tank has a ton of coraline algae on it, so I have to do some heavy scraping before taking more pics. Everything else though is doing very well and growing very big, I hope to have more pics before the end of summer.

Make sure to write down all names, what they said, and get things signed if possible. CYA as much as possible, someone down the line will attempt to fight this, but if you have all paperwork and names admitting fault then they won't win. If it comes down to it you just threaten to go to court (or hire a lawyer for $500 and add it to the bill) and they will most likely pay out to get rid of you. But, if you have no proof of who said what and the insurance coverage than you have nothing to win with. I once shipped a tank with UPS and it arrived broken. I asked for insurance, but it never got insured because I guess something didn't get marked right. Anyway, I threatened to close my account with UPS and they paid up (which they should have).

LOL, I could never figure out what it was either. I am glad it went to a great home.

I don't know the exact type of Tang, but he is about 8"-10". I got him from Liquid Sunshine when they closed, but he is just not working for me in my refugium or my main tank (it was a pain to catch him LOL). Anyway, I am asking $100 which I think is very fair so I am pretty firm. He is a good fish and didn't pick on any of my other tangs and he has a very healthy appetite. You can PM me for more info or to purchase.

I have tried quite a few different types from several markets, but nothing that holds up as well, looks as good, and gets the tangs going as much as the Julian Sprungs brand. I always wondered how people got their tangs so thick (girth), but now I know that it just takes tons of seaweed.

Finally got both protein skimmers dialed in and pulling out about 5 gallons of crap every other week or so. Just doing some maintenance this summer and pulling out old and replacing with new. I am also going through everything I have in storage and will probably have some stuff for sale some time in July. I want to spend a fair amount of time this summer learning how to use my new camera so I can take some awesome shots. I even got a Wide-Angle lens so I can take really nice full tank shots without splicing the pics together! I have a before pic of the tank and hopefully next week I will have an updated tank shot and I will be able to show how much everything has grown. A lot of people asked why I didn't have the big tang (that was in the refugium) in the main tank, so I decided to move him in and thankfully he seems to be getting along with everyone. Now with 12 Tangs in the tank I am going through 12 sheets of seaweed every other day! I buy the Julian Sprungs 100 Sheet packs in green, purple, and red twice a month now. I swear these fish eat better than I do. I also feed twice a week Rod's Food Original with some Rod's Food Fish Eggs. I also feed twice a week a mix of Reef Nutrition's Phytofeast Live, RotiFeast, OysterFeast, Arctipods, and FuzzyPhytes. I am still doing the 10 gallons a day automatic water change system and its amazing at keeping things pretty stable. The only issue I still have is my PH going from 7.6 to 8.0. I am trying to figure out how to keep it between 8.0 and 8.2, but I haven't figured it out yet. Anyway, more to come later.

Just got a new Canon T2i Digital SLR. So here are some of my first pics with it. I hope to learn more about the camera and take better pictures as the summer progresses. Before After

woo hoo! Over 10,000 views! I hope I can update this thread this weekend.

Thanks, I learned a lot about my camera at the meeting, so I hope to be able to take some great pics soon and update this thread.