Sharkey

Anyone made one of these for water top up? Did it work? With the temp going up im starting to get tired of water top up. But don't really want to go for a water level switch. I just cant bring myself to add one more device for the power company's pleasure. And its starting to look a bit crowded with plugs. I just counted the number of plugs, and I have ten already!!! Out of curiosity how many do you guys have?

Compositionally, any substrate you choose is almost certain to be made of aragonite or calcite. Both are forms of calcium carbonate, but arguably aragonite is to be favored for it’s better solubility and buffering capacity in seawater (providing necessary bio-minerals, buffering pH, and supporting calcification). Aragonite can begin to dissolve, in fact, at a high pH over 8.0 (a still safe level for marine life), while calcite does not readily dissolve until the pH falls well below 8.0. This means that calcite is not likely to impart any significant benefits (buffers/alkalinity) into the water until the pH falls to a level that is too dangerous for most marine life. In this regard, the old argument of dolomite & crushed coral versus non-calcareous freshwater "gravel" for marine aquariums in the early days was a moot point (they were all calcite).

Sorry to hear the bad news. I had the same problem early in the year major pain. Lost a couple of nice fish Learnt my lesson Quarantine tank is worth its weight in gold.

very cool How big do they get?

So layton what is the best way to run a tank ?

isn't it funny every time we start to talk about the "Best set up" E.g. dsb bb etc etc its like some one has hit a nerve. Could this be because we each run and are passionate about our tanks? And would like to think it is the best way because it works so well for us. But the truth is all these methods work. Its like some one saying you are bringing your children up ok but this way is better. If there's one thing you learn about kids its that they are all different and all need to be treated different just like our tanks.... Now let talk about a more serious issue. The best Skimmer...

My waters free.I get it from work. They use a glass water distiller in the testing lab so i get 20 Liters at a time, and your right it would use alot of power and it has a lot of waste water also so not so good if your on tank water supply and every drop counts in the summer. So no problems for me theres got to be some perks with your job right?

yeah im on rain water. No way I would put that in my tank. (Its only fit for human use) I use distilled only for the top up and NSW for water changes.

I would suggest reading more about DSB Anthony Calfo has some good advice on reef central. There are a lot of tanks that use them with amazing results. Here in New Zealand there seems to be a anti-Dsb thing going on. But if nitrate control is your aim. You will get the results with a DSB. But as we all know what works on one tank might not get the same results on another. You could try Anthony's DSB bucket as a test its a simple method. Basically a bucket with sand on the return to your sump. My feelings about DSB are they are very good if used properly. Or they can be a big problem if you don't. Read read read.

Thanks for the feed back guys. Pies what is the balling method? :roll:

I had an idea that I want to bounce off you about calcium reactors to see what you think. We use a calcium reactor to drop the PH of water. So it will dissolve the media in the reactor. This in turn brings the alkalinity up. I use distilled water and a powdered supplement to reach this goal and it works well. But I realize in the long term a reactor is the way for stability and long term cost saving. But I had an idea, What if I put the reactor media into the containers of distilled water to dissolve as it has a low PH also (between 5.6 and 7 as a rule), it would be in advance and drip feed into the tank. That way I could use the water for top up and as alkalinity control? I could run an air stone in the 20l pails for circulation what do you think? The alkalinity could be controlled by the amount of media in the pail? :-?

For what its worth i use water from the west coast for my tank water changes just out from glenbrook so not to far away from you fay. And everything couldnt be better. Xenia and leathers hard corals no problem. :-?

I have the yellow one , Thought it was going to die. Got use to the light and is doing well. I have heard the edges change colour under intense lighting any one found this? :-?

I made some rock the as per the garf site. Just couldnt bring myself to put it in the tank. I think your better off paying for the real thing Save yourself alot of trouble

Very Nice More pics please

1.What system of sand bed/ non sand bed do you use? dsb 5 inch 2.Why did you choose this? curiosity and looking on the net / Wanted to try it 3.a)Asthecticially which type do you prefer? I like all of them if the tank is nice b)practically which do you prefer? All work its a matter of choice 4.Have you ever experienced the "crash" if using a dsb? What happened? No 5.Are you happy with the current system you are using? Yes 6.What are the benefits/negatives you have found when using this system? Benefits the tank was to deep now I can reach the bottom no negatives yet 7.Have you ever changed/considered changing your sand/no sand system? If so Why? Yes at leat twice a week have read so much for and against. Really like the look of zeovit and bb so maybe in the future also the advice from the more experience guys here, have warned against it. But the results are excellent so if it isn't broke don't fix it , My tank is 18 months but very happy / Will have to take some photos soon 8*.Labour or National O don't vote it only encourages them

I use distilled water for my top up. From an all glass lab unit at work (Worth $1500)I looked at buying one but carrying containers looks like a good option at that price. It does an excellent job. But have read of problems with other types using metal coils "that would be a big mistake". Also do 5% water change every 3 days with NSW this works best for me but every tank is different

Thats wrong Its more than a couple

Very interested in seeing how it goes, please keep us updated

I'm confused why this system and not a Normal heater?

I think pies has given some good advice. Its one of the "hot topics" and you will find all can work BB,Dsb, Etc just comes down to personal preference Just like filtration so many different ideas. Infact your ideas on filtration will have an effect on you sand bed e.g. Zeovit +BB , Berlin+ Live rock. There are some beautiful zeovit systems. One thing I would suggest is look on the net at tanks that have the results you want and base it from there. How many times do we see someone give advice that seems good only to see there tank. Proof is in the pudding!! (I have DSB but find myself getting pulled towards Zeovit)

Thought it would be good to see what the Single best thing everyone has done to there tank over the last year. And the single worst thing Best Started using NSW/ With DSB Corals look very happy. Worst Put a fish Straight in the main tank with out quarantining. all fish got white spot

Me to viz Doc here i come. Show me the Fish

Mine grows like crazy!! Help its taking over my tank!!!

And I would test your replacement water. Seems strange to be that high after such a large water change? :-?