tHEcONCH

... with Aliens

Err... where are the lights?

It isn't ideal, IMO - unless you are only keeping a couple of quite small fish, its probably a bit small. The filterbox won't work like a skimmer unless you put a skimmer in it.

Abducted by Aliens (again) :roll:

In that case you want to aim for a nuetral pH, but with a little bit of hardness for your guppies. A lot depends upon the nature of you water from the tap (so test that and post the parameters up so we can be a little more specific), but as a general rule all you will need to do is add some bogwood to your tank. Bogwood releases all sorts of (beneficial) compounds in addition to lowering pH. Stay away from 'PH-UP and PH-DOWN' type products - it is really important to maintain a stable pH. Bogwood will also stain your water a tea colour for a while (it will eventually stop), but there are ways around that too if you don' like the look.

Limestone (and Cuttlefish) raises pH! Before you do anything, tell us what sort of fish you want to keep and then we can suggest the most appropriate method. In many cases a nuetral pH (7) is fine.

I think I have a metaphysical problem - just like Dr Who - I just don't have enough time and space. I've recently taken down tanks etc that I used to breed relatively straight forward freshwater fish (Discus, Rams, Whiptails etc), so I think raising Mandarin fry might be beyond me at this point. Do you know of anyone who is actually geared up for this sort of thing? I'd be interested to know what resources you actually need available to make this a realistic proposition (and if it will all fit in my fishroom).

Wow! I hadn't actually expected anything this soon - I just assumed they were 'courting'. Maybe I'd better get some Rotifiers from NIWA too.

I didn't notice any, but I'll keep an eye out if they do it again - do they just release them into the current?

No photos I'm afraid (my camera sucks in poor light), but I spent half and hour last night watching the Mandarins dancing by moonlight - they would do a kind of Waltz around each other in circles on the coral, then lock together and levitate motionless to the surface. As soon as they broke the surface, they would separate and dive back down, then do it again. Ah... lovebirds :lol:

I'd just put my hands around the base (palms on the gravel) and shove the whole thing, gravel and all, to where you want it. Smooth out the gravel afterwards.

So does my tapwater (teeheeeheee)

:lol: I've actually come to the conclusion that I've taken the max about as far as I can. Everything from this point will be built/purchased with eventual transfer to another (bigger) tank in mind. I'm not going to bother with MH lighting etc., but building the sump will be a good learning exercise in itself, so other than that, I'm pretty much done. Time to just sit back and enjoy for a while, I think.

If all else fails, fill up the bath with water, take the top off the filter, and slowly / gently submerse the whole thing. Put the top back on (underwater), carefully lift it out, dry it off, and refit it (without tipping it over). Plug it in.

Ohhh! How about an optional fitting for a sump overflow?

They should be fine (and so are a lot of other smaller Plecs for that matter). They are quite helpful, IMO.

Yep - I'm just working on the overflow / plumbing. John has been kind enough to lend me one of the unsold units so that I can fiddle about without splashing water everywhere this weekend - I'll probably build a couple of the successful design in case someone wants to copy it.

OK, I've decided to reveal my secret Pod production facility that keeps all my fish happy, even though I never feed them. I know the following image may be shocking for some, so please sit down and make sure you are ready. Its not pretty. This is the back wall of my RSM, which you can't see from the front. Just remember that although it flies in the face of conventional marine tank 'cleaner is better' wisdom, it does actually seem to be highly beneficial. Yes, go that hairy algae!

Yea, it might have to go and live in the sump (once I've built it)

So RSM owners, it seems as if Red Sea want to know how the RSM could be improved. If you actually have an RSM and want to share your thoughts, please post them here so that they can be noted. Here's a few from me: 1) Use better quality components - although the 'all-in-one' concept is great, RSMs are shockingly unreliable because of the poor quality components used in their manufacture. Light timers, ballasts, LEDs - in fact all of the electrical components need to be upgraded. 2) Create a channel behind the tank so that the main power chord can be exited on either side of the tank 3) Move the corner splash screen screws away from the top hinge mount so that fat-fingered people like me can undo them without ripping skin off knuckles 4) Make the power chord channels along the top of the tank deeper so that the shrouds are not forced up and open, and generally clean up the mouldings so that there are fewer corners and crevases that trap salt etc. 5) Extend the fittings on the circulation pump so that currents can be better directed / controlled 6) Relocate and 'open' the overflow so that surface film doesn't get trapped, especially above the circulation pumps. A straight overflow box would work far better than the grill arrangement which clogs easily 7) Put a decent sized knob on the end of the hinge rods so that they can be removed easily when required 8 ) Modify the hinges so that the hood opens more 9) Provide a Halide lighting option 10) Remove the glass 'retainers' that position the stock skimmer so that a Deltec or similar unit can be retrofitted if desired 11) Reposition the media bag so that they can be exchanged without having to remove the circulation pumps - provide a more convenient location for resins etc.... Any more ideas?

Another random shot

What do they do?

OK - is this little crab a goodie or a baddy?

I feed mine a staple of Novotabs, but as mentioned anything freeze dried (other than 'river shrimp') seem to go down well.

Ok - be prepared for AAAAAMaZEmeNt! Here is my random critters tank! You'll note the tasteful garage decor and loving attention to detail in the placement of the rubble pile. Rather than the usual bright colours thing I've gone for the 'rustic / slimey look with this one.