Pies

DOC - I sure do remember saying that, why? Chimera - i'll swap you my IWAKI for your IWAKI (you still have a 40?)? Might be able to work some dollars out depending? Anyway to change the subject away from Chimeras tank for a minute, whats the verdict on my reef rack? Pies

The only thing important about shifting water through the sump is holding the temprature, otherwise its no more important than any other type of flow. I am aiming for 30x minimum, 50x peek but its not an exact science. Chimera - The fish won't care if its 150x. The ocean is a lot more forcefull that our tanks every will be especially on the reef. I KNOW I couldn't stand on a reef when its in full swing, am confident I could stand in my tank without being washed over Pie

Nodle - Pics? Did you have trouble starting the hole? Any tips? How thick was the glass? Piemania

Always good to see photos of other peoples tanks. Looking good! Pie

Wow so busy at the moment its hard just finding an hour for the tank. Just about finished the reefrack system. Need to add one more support and cable tidy it all together, then clip out some bigger holes to improve flow and fish access between the layers. Note the uprights that provide the feet that hold the sheets of eggcrate are glued to the bottom of the tank. Last time I used a rack I didn't glue them in and regreted it. If rock moves or you knock the feet they can be hard or impossible to get upright. Also the rack moves far less when they are fixed, which will be another hastle out of the way/minimised, rockslides are really frustrating. This is the right hand side, used to support the 'wall of rock'. The is the left hand side, much smaller, this is to support the single bommie. I am keen to get water it, but seems to be very 'one more day', either way this tank will be wet this weekend. Maybee Got 3 more PVC return pipes to glue, but I have decided to shorten one pipe which is going to be very awkward, so am putting it off a little. also need to quickly wipe down the inside of the tank from dust, plastic particles etc. Pies

Yeah if you look at photos of bi-colours they actually often show 'stripes n spots'. Often most visible when late at night or disturbed. Nothing to worry about. Pieman

Smoking is bad for you? I don't belive that, its a conspiracy designed to distroy the power the cigerette companies held in the 80s. If it was bad for you and definatly caused health problems it would't be for sale. Pie -~~~

I agree with the whole Zeovit thing. However after seeing some of the positive changes that happended to my tank after using it, I am currently planing on using it in my new tank. I was using carbon at the same rate as after I introduced the Zeovit and water changes where also done the same as prior to its use. I did clean my skimmer more, but its because it was making so much more mess. It would be nice to know whats in it though, but thats obviously not going to happen Pie

Photo taken off a reef near Castaway Island (the one from the film) in Fiji while at the FNZAS conferance this year. Approx 20m deep. Stone corals are the most common corals on the reef, infact the reef wouldn't be there without them, hence the reason stone corals are classified under 'reef building corals'. Acropora & Porities i would guess as the most common. Pie

I'm confused, so its not a little eerie its actualy a little hermit?

By far this had had the biggest impact on me and and the way I do things: Pies

Don't forget the coral. No amount of phosphate resins, vodka, zeovit, karma or skimming is going to make a naturally green coral pink. Pie

I agree with Ira, dremal it out. Will take hours and hours but can easily be done. Pie

Cut them in half and you will have 2, cut into 4 and you will have 4 etc. The real question is how do you kill the damn things. Pie

Kermit you have confused me? Actinic is just a name given to a 'blue wavelength', phillips give there bulbs the designation of 03 actinic. Do you want blue or white? Actinic is not a colour. I am using triphosphur white 6500k and Narve Blue (actinic) on my reef, 2 of each. Pie

Same rules should apply to the refugium as to the tank as far as I am concerned. The rack just helps keep the dead spots down like you say. I also like the idea of getting the rock higher, as I assume you like me will be growing frags in the refugium too? My sump has a rack, but its the rack on the existing tank as its becomming my sump. Pie

Kermit - Do you want white or blue? As actinics are made in both (D&D do a 50/50 as well). From what I understand, actinic lighting is nor important but many people prefurr the colour from the blue 03 actinic from phillips (often rebadged). For 6500k white, just about anywhere has them (master trade, coreys, thorn etc). For blues, pet stors, Alois (aquanet) has imported some so check with him or the stores he supplies, Radium lighting in Auckland do the NARVA blue tubes (which use the phillips 03 Blue Actinic process). Pie

PetPlanet - The care of the coral is not really the issue, most people who have had them survive shipping have few problems with them, similar in difficulty to most LPS type corals, the issue is survival from transit. Again, updated info on Eric Bournemans forum on RC. Pie

Thats it.

Cheers Chimera - Steve - Your Iwaki is a 30 as well? Another hole? Ummmmm no!

Call it 3m-3.5m depending on how high the water level will be in the sump. Then it hits the T, which is approx 400mm each side before it hits the elbow and reduces to the 20mm. Pie

Pics soon. Finalising the reef racks and return plumbing tonight, so if I can get time I will post some pics, however Gordon Freeman arrives at my place at 9pm and I can't see myself wanting to do anything but hand out with Gordy from then on. The reef rack system is supported by 50mm down pipe, heavly drilled to provide 'mini refugiums' and help continue water flow under the rockwork. Using white eggcrate lighting defuser (which I will add was so hard to find!!!). Also the return plumbing will be finished tonight. I need to remove one of the Sea Swirls that is currently on the old system. I also need to add some cable management conduit to keep the wires tidy and out of the way. I may also add some touch ligts or fluros under the cabinet so I have some light to work with. Then its add water and a heater. Let it settle for a few days, check for leaks, check the closed loops. Then drain, and re-fill with good water, add rock. Then wait a few days, add sand, more water (1/2 fill ish) then wait and build rock structures. Add more water and organise 'ghetto' system for linking both tanks together. The its move all rock from sump 1 & 2 to upstairs, disconnect sump 1 (sold). Then its all on. Ohhh and i'll need to sort out lighting during this time. I am going to use my RDLT30 IWAKI for a while as I can't afford to buy a better pump right now. If this doesn't work out, I will just have to run the tank seperate for a while, which means i won't be moving sump 1 & 2 rock until its all 'combined'. I hope its not going to be an issue. Phew! Still lots to do. Pie

Advice - here is my take on it. We have all recived bad advice, and I know I have given advice which has turned out bad too. However, ulitmatly its you (me) that is responseable for the decision. You will soon learn whos advice is worth listening too and whos isn't. Get lots of advice, and follow the one that feels right to you. If your still unsure, wait until you have more time to sort it out. Most people who give advice are doing it for the right reasons, its up to you to decide if what they are saying makes sense for the way you operate. As for LFS advice, the advice I have had from stores, and the advice I have heard has been shocking. I personally find more value from using forums like this, RC/UR etc. Often advice is given because of commercial reasons (what they have is what they sell, what they sell is what they know). Not always because they are trying to screw you, more likley because they don't know any better. The best advice is saugt from someone who does't have any financial interest in your decision. Ask a shop if you should buy that Copper Band Butterfly fish, then ask me. I suspect the answers recieved will be different. As for which is right, well only you can decide that. Not to say that the LFS couldn't be of value, but it hasn't worked out that way for me. There must be a good one out there somewhere.. . . Pie

Well I like it

The articles i've read regarding 'Cycle' are not very flattering, no experance with it myself. Cracker - how do you know if it worked? You can't test for bacterria. OR can you? I personally don't think its worth the 'risk' or money. Most if not all the tanks from people on here were started and are running without the use of the 'snake oil' potions. No bottle can substitute for patience and a good routine. YMMV. Pies