lduncan

... so that's why you moved to Wellington, for the weather. :-) Layton

They're probably the old style ones which are illegal to sell this year due to new standards. :lol:

I'd say that bangaii cardinals are the easiest to breed and raise the fry. (if you can find them) Usually because the fry are a couple of mm when they are released by the male, and can eat gut loaded baby brine shrimp straight away. Most other fish require rotifers and other small foods. Layton

I think gigas, maximas, and deseras are relatively easy to get. But those croceas are impossible to find. Reef had some in last shipment. Not many though. That was the first time there have been any in for almost a couple of years, I think. Croceas are I think the nicest by far. Prices? not too sure. Layton

Never dived (scuba), but it does interest me. Pies I imagine Palau would be great! A pilots licence would be great too Ira. To much to do too little money. Layton

Steve Weasts tank is still #1 in my opinion, but the goldflake angel is cool.

Great minds think alike. Layton

6'x2'x2' Fish Sohal tang Blue tang 2 x Yellow tang Brown Tang Dispar anthias green chromis 3 x royal dottyback ( 1 pair and a spare) Pair Ocellaris Clowns algae blenny madarin fish Coral Heaps of misc acros green Pavona Meurilina Gold Crown Sacrophyton White polyped sacrophyton Pink Sinularia Green Sinularia flexibilis Yellow Porities cylindrica Litophyton Platygyra White Xenia Hydnophora Purple tipped Eyphillia Green Branching Hammer Pink Seriatopora Yellow Stylophora Red Stylophora Pink Montipora digita Purple Montipora digita Green Montipora digita Green Montipora capriconis Light green with blue polyps encrusting montipora Purple/Blue with red polyps encrusting montipora Millepora Caulastrea Some of the acro species I have: yellow chesterfieldensis blue tipped granulosa purple with yellow corallites horrida green hyacinthus cream/green jacquelineae blue tipped microphthalma millepora purple tipped nana humilis valida secale + lots more I don't know. Crocea Clam Layton

If he can afford one yes. It saves wasting money on a lower quality skimmer now, then upgrading later. Layton

http://www.aqua.net.nz/ "reef" imports them. He should be able to point you to a shop which has one suitable. Layton

My tank costs around $130 a month in electricity to run. 3 x 400W halides are the majority of the costs.

I wouldn't bother with 150W halides. 2 x 250 Watt would be better. for the small price difference. running costs are obviously higher Layton

Just out of interest. Do you have a link for info on the temperature controller you use?

Make sure it's an ATC version (automatic temperature compensation). Other than that it will be fine. No brands really. Layton

just on heaters i'd recommend using two or more lower power heaters ( RAIH ). If one gets stuck on it reduces the chance of you're tank frying. Or alternatively use a separate electronic heater controller. Layton

send me you're address Pies and i'll send some your way.

Don't worry, I won't be running out of frags any time soon. My tank is full of stuff. Just waiting for when I get some time to plan this new tank, looks like I'll just wait till uni is done and finished though. Just spend too much time there to get anything else done. Layton

I think we usually agree on the fundamentals ... don't we?

I'd say they're essential for any tank (but for different reasons) Reef tanks - absolute salinity matters and can have significant effects in my experience. Fish only - hydrometers are too damn easy to break, a refractometer pays for itself in no time. Layton

It is poor advice, almost inexcusable for anyone that has run marine tanks for any length of time to say that you could do without a skimmer, no matter what type of tank you are running. How does algae distinguish a fish only tank from a reef? Does water quality not influence the health of fish? Alois and Jetski - looks like you wasted a lot of money on skimmers for your fish systems in your quarantines. Apparently because they are fish only, you don't need one. Layton

Anyone interested in frags? My green cap is growing out of control. Also got some other acros. Layton

either is good for me.

It's no fight. If people want to ignore my advice so be it. But I give it for a reason. Tell me this. How does algae distinguish between a tank which has coral in it, and one that doesn't? Layton

A skimmer is a requirement for any tank, whether it has corals or not. Layton