Bitricker

I'm also not sure about how this all balances with PH? I understand that it can drastically change the PH so I've been watching it closely... I'm going to be leaving for about 2 weeks in July to get married so I need to understand all of this well enough to write up directions for the house sitter.

They sure are pretty fish, but don't they like to eat coral? someone was just on here trying to get rid of one that was munching his acans if my memory serves me correctly.

So I'm trying my hand at a couple of sps and I was wondering what you guys keep you levels at. Ca seems pretty straight forward, but I'm not sure why folks keep their dKH higher than would be found in the sea. Can someone enlighten me? It is my understanding that in the sea dKH is around 7, but it is recommended to be between 8 and 12 in an aquarium. Also what products do you guys use to maintain your levels? Right now I am using some ESV 2-part that I got w/ a tank I purchased. I'm fairly poor, so I'd love to hear about solutions that are a good balance of cheap and reliable. I certainly don't want to be killing things so reliable and safe trumps cheap. Thanks, Tony Edit: my current levels are... Ca 375 (have been slowly bringing it up) dKH 8ish (has been fairly stable from the get go, tho it was starting to drop off) PH 8.2 (between 7.8-8.0 in the AM) Ammonia/Nitrates/Phosphates 0

for sure, it supports her ....

PC are slightly more efficient, T5 have slightly better spectrum, VHO will give you the most power for a given length but are the least efficient of the 3, of course you will be buying less bulbs so it would probably balance out.

hey now ... your trying to cost me a rock ... lol. PM sent a while back, forgot to post.

that is insane for a 55g ... I didn't even wait for mine to grow before I upgraded to a 120G. so impatient ... lol

he said roughly ... lol ... give the man a break

Abstract from an article about crabs and stony corals : Stony corals are the foundation of coral reef ecosystems and form associations with other reef species. Many of these associations may be ecologically important and play a role in maintaining the health and diversity of reef systems, rendering it critical to understand the influence of symbiotic organisms in mediating responses to perturbation. This study demonstrates the importance of an association with trapeziid crabs in reducing adverse effects of sediments deposited on corals. In a field experiment, mortality rates of two species of branching corals were significantly lowered by the presence of crabs. All outplanted corals with crabs survived whereas 45–80% of corals without crabs died within a month. For surviving corals that lacked crabs, growth was slower and tissue bleaching and sediment load were higher. Laboratory experiments revealed that corals with crabs shed substantially more of the sediments deposited on coral surfaces, but also that crabs were most effective at removing grain sizes that were most damaging to coral tissues. The mechanism underlying this symbiotic relationship has not been recognized previously, and its role in maintaining coral health is likely to become even more critical as reefs worldwide experience increasing sedimentation. ...I can see if I can find the article through the school library if anyone is terribly interested

lol ... I think that most anemone's are a big pain in the ... none the less I think that the relationship w/ clowns is pretty darn cool. Point being I would put a dingy coral in my tank if I really liked the crab. I also think that some of the pocillopora are at least OK looking, good coloring even if I'm not impressed with the structure.

HDMI and component send essentially the same signal. HDMI just adds audio, so no you wont "see" a difference unless the component cables are not shielded, or you look behind your TV and see that big mess of cables.

lol ... figures I don't want them either. I talked to my uncle who is a mechanic so I'll probably get the jeep running better and check back. So far as breaks, It just needs pads, the tuning I don't know. Me and tools just don't get along all that well ... lol.

So I have a 2002 ford escort that is in good condition. It's no fun to drive but it should last forever. It was bought for my finace when she started school becuase it had high safety ratings. Buy it for your kids $2000 OBO (sold) I also have a 97 Jeep grand cherokee than needs breaks and a tune up. $3000 OBO. I'd also consider trade for a subaru outback or another car that my 100lb lab would be comfortable in. oh and a hacked PSP that I never seem to find the time to use if somone want to make an offer. ...that's all for now

should be fine w/ just the bulb and ballast.

Agreed ... I've seen small increases in ammonia just from moving a rock and kicking up a little sand, a good stirring could cause a large spike.

wow, makes me excited for the new one. Big thanks to all the sponsors, even though I wasn't in on this one

I run 2x150w 14k and 2x96w PC for actinincs, and the acro you gave me is very happy mid tank. I think a pair of 250's or even 1 and some actinics would be sufficient. You might need more light if you want to keep sps or clams at the bottom of your tank, but otherwise think that it is overkill.

I don't see why we couldn't make that meeting, we tried to go to the Christmas party so Ms K could meet everyone but there was no where to sit so we left. Of course we have very little to swap, at least not anything I think folks would want, but it might be fun anyhow. Still gotta check with the other half, she's the planner....

where is it at?

Thanks Tim, didn't realize you were open on Tuesday now. I can sleep easy now. And I was joking about you trying to take days off ... lol.

there was a fellow on here earlier day looking to replace both a superman and rainbow monti in his wife's tank. you might look him up, I'm sure he would be extremely appreciative.

no but I am about to replace my genx-70HP w/ a smaller pump if you are interested. Probably better to just get the new mag tho unless you need a pump this large.

I'll bring mine in tomorrow to compare readings.... unless of course someone on the west-side invites me over. I just don't want to deal with the traffic tonight. The zoo's are doing much better, one of my acan's has fully recovered, the other still looks bad, I may still salvage a couple of heads tho. The linkia sadly did not recover(sad). I know it happens, but I feel kinda bad as it could have been prevented had I unpacked faster. I know starfish are sensitive to changes in salinity ... I should have figures it out faster ... live and learn I guess.

I've got an extra mogul socket & attacked reflector that you can borrow. the cord attaches to a sunlight supply ballast which I no longer have.

apparently nobody is awake on the westside? maybe they have jobs ... lol. [language filter] Tim for taking days off ... lol.