KP

My momma damsel took off basically all of my cleaner shrimps whiskers. :evil:

Here is Layton's diagram of the full siphon. The idea behind this method is to prevent the valve from ever getting air sucked into it, which makes all the noise. Think of a bathtub, when you pull the plug out its pretty quiet up until the air starts getting sucked in and gurgling ect. To stop the gurgling we need to install a smaller plug hole so that the amount of water exiting our bath is the same as that coming into with the tap (return pump) on so the water level doesn't drop. To get the height where we want it, so no air is sucked into the plughole or splashing from the tap, the plug hole must be precisely the right size to allow the same flow of water out at a certain pressure (water height) than that coming in from the pump. Water level * Valve hole size = Water flow in (constant) So by making the valve hole size smaller (closing) the water level is going to need to be higher for the same flow. Similarly, making the valve hole size larger (opening) this will drop the water level. This is how we control the water level. The pic doesn't really show it, but this is the reason you really need a method of prevent foreign objects (snails, big chucks of food :oops: ect.) from getting down the pipe and blocking the ball valve (making the valve size smaller) or it will raise your water level. Several methods are: - To drill heaps of little (4mm) holes in the pipe with a cap on top - Use a stockman style preventative - Whatever you brain can conjure up. There is another advantage/disadvantage to this is that if the valve size has been set and the return pump changes the amount of water that it pumps (could be due to varing voltage, height of sump water level, old pump ect) this will mean that the water level will change: Water level * Valve hole size (constant) = Water flow in return pump pumps more, water level will be higher return pump pumps less, water level will be lower a summary to setup: Slowly close the valve until the water level stops where you want it, come back later on; if too high open a little; if too low close a little. Continue until no more change. Then your good to go... Sorry if I have complicated the issue but thats how I think of it :roll:

Don't forget the full siphon, basically the stockman but with a ball valve under the bulkhead.

Although I not too experienced, I agree with pies, I had similar problems when I changed my alk/calc too fast. Not sure if you have dosed recently...

Can see why you would be embarrassed :lol: :lol: Seriously thou, its going to be a cool little tank, just the one anemone planned?

this thread is a wounded bull

:lol: :lol:

My dottyback is the angry beaver in my tank :-?

I'm special 8)

Thanks Alastair, I'll get some vodka then, will have an update in a few weeks...

Vodka has crossed my mind a few times, but have been hesitant because wasn't sure if it should be used in such early stages of setup. Have used phosphate remover a couple of times, seems like a quick fix though. Might get some more sand and get a DSB going and start some vodka.

Oh so thats why, thanks Wasp. So should I resist to urge to get some phosphate removers to kick the green algae or let the tank mature and take care of it? not trying to divert thread tho :-?

...and start up the a Georgia Aquarium... Man that would be sweet

holy crap, nine shrimp, got a small army there IMO, I would give it a few weeks to clear up on its own, no point doing work you not need to do.

Wow he is a guts, I feed a cube to my 9 smallish fish, but my clowns seem to get me to hand feed them quite a bit extra :roll:

Cool CBB, looks pretty healthy, is it eating well? How long has your tank been up? I got some pretty mean diatoms when I started but cleared up by itself. Now have got a few patches of green algae.

haha, doesn't look very creative...

Just make sure the the overflow can handle the extra current...

Sorry, but who are you quoting? :roll: :roll:

Get a better skimmer instead

Thanks Evil, just standard fine grain sand

Has this guy heard of image compression, its like dial up speed on broadband. :roll: I love the way the corals grow when they hit the surface

very nice

They don't like the taste of softies very much

haha, yeah, I haven't quite mastered the art of photography, they are pink hairy mushrooms and pink polyps