Islandoftiki

Mini-Jet 404 with the end covers removed. Actually, the rear end cover removed and the front end cover cut in half and the top half glued to the housing... this keeps the intake of the pump spaced away from the glass. Here's my build thread of the competition pest tank on Nano-Reef: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=297134 Note: With an more powerful pump, you'll have trouble keeping the tank cool without a chiller... or a fan and an ATO.

I have several that have grown from absolutely nothing, so as the tank matures, more often pop up, and there are some really neat colors. Expect to find more as time goes on. Sponges are often considered one of the signs of a healthy tank.

It's a hitchhiker thing.

Sponges are generally non-photosynthetic. I'm not sure if there are exceptions, but these aren't. They're filter feeders. I really like the yellow ones. I have red, purple and black ones, too. They usually favor shady areas.

Anybody have any thoughts on getting more vertical growth? Less light? Mine is about 2 inches below the surface with 96 watts of T5 HO ATI bulbs above it. I could lower it down, but only by a couple inches. Perhaps they grow up when they're trying to reach the light? When they have plenty, they grow out?

My pistol shrimp moved my hammer coral smack dab into the middle of my favorite ricordea florida. The ricordea was the most affected. I'll bet the hammer will send out sweepers for the next week or two.

Here's a good one. Fab.com is selling these "Serene Seahorse Systems" as home decor and they're described as Seahorse Kits for the Beginner. http://www.sereneseahorses.com/home "Kit does not include water or food. (food available at most local pet stores)" It's pretty disgusting that they're selling these as home decor for the beginner. Live animals are not home decor, and seahorses are not for beginners.

I'd probably skip the live rock in the back chamber and instead go with filter floss, and whatever chemical filtration you intend to use, such as Chemipure Elite and/or Purigen. I would also stick a skimmer back there if it were me. Your DIY Media basket looks great.

Probably baby shrimp. Did you see the video of my shrimp giving birth? It sounds like your tank is doing well.

I got to sit in this: http://www.xcor.com/products/vehicles/ez-rocket.html The engines on that thing are amazing.

So, the field of competition that the pest tank is entered into is shrinking. We originally started with 50 contestants. Every month, the field has been almost exactly halved. As of August 1st, we're down to 5 remaining entries, which is kinda sad, but on the bright side, every single one of us that makes it to the end will receive a prize. But at this rate, with the final day of the competition being October 1st, I figure two of us will be splitting all of the prizes. Or I'll win them all...

Don't forget, there are lots of smaller private aerospace companies in the market that are doing amazing things. And they compete with each other, so we'll see costs drop, less waste and more innovative designs. Comparatively, these smaller companies run on a shoestring budget and do some equally amazing things. I have family in the private aerospace industry, and the stuff they're doing is remarkable. That said, that EDL routine in the video boggles the mind.

All is well with my tanks. Fan is keeping the 10 gallon 79 degress max. The pest tank has a chiller, so no worries. The 7.5 gallon majano tank is in the basement, so no worries there. Central AC keeps it from getting overly hot in the house.

Awww, that's too bad, Derbird. After the competition is over, we can figure out how to frag my green slimer pancake...

The coffee and donuts idea is great. Jeramy, you want to organize that event?

Nice fixture! Don't turn it all on at once and fry your corals to a crisp!

Great turnout last night! I think at had about seven people at one point. The last of us finally called it a night around 11pm after a quick field trip to my place to show off the pest tank and the majano propagation tank.

Bump for you last minute folks! For those of you who are new and don't know any of us, look for the colorful PNWMAS sign that will be on our table... and the guy wearing a grey and black fedora hat.

I have some spare chaeto with no aiptasia. It has majanos!

By the way, folks. Make sure to "vote" Yes, No or Maybe so we can have an idea of how big of a table we'll need.

Woot woot! We'll make sure to get a big table!

I went to the one called Sex, Drugs and Sea Slime. It was a great presentation and had everything to do with the ocean, unusual fish/invert reproduction, etc. I've been to several others and enjoyed every one. You should join us for the Happy Hour tomorrow if you like to drink and nerd out at the same time. You won't be disappointed.

Ok, folks. This is going to be a good turnout... Rumor has it there are even going to be some freshwater folks there! Because apparently the saltwater crowd is too tied to their tanks or something? The mind boggles as to why more of you aren't joining us.

Treat the source of the problem and not the symptom. Derbird is exactly right, you have excess nutrients coming from somewhere and not leaving the system. Most often, overfeeding is the main cause of excess nutrients. Can you give us a detailed description of your system, lighting, filtration, type and number of fish/clean up crew and your maintenance practices? Try to be as detailed as possible, and we may be able to serve up a solution for you that gets to the root of the problem.