goat

Yeah, might check Para rubber too. The pic is only an example of the texture.

I am after some filter sponge material, like the stuff pictured. Corse. Its not for any particulare brand, I would prefer to cut it to size myself actually. ANY idea on where to look for such a thing, most LFS sell filter sponges for specific filters [unfortunately].

Pic of the tank [before I even had marines in it. Some here may recognise it. Sump is below. Wont be using the closed loop system, the 2 Vortechs I already have will give enough movement I figure. ************* Question on coral rock. Does it grow algae on it in a freshwater system? Obviously grew coraline algae in my marine setup, just dont really like the look of white coral rock. Probably looking to mix back and white coral sand too. Pepper look. I have a boat to build so this project is not high on the list as yet. Just getting stuff together and ideas. Will stick with the 500W element. I have an Omron PID temperature controller and solid state relay to run the element. Will give me plenty of grunt should it get cold outside. With the PID and solid state relay the element is only really half on anyway.

A 500W element should heat this puppy ok?

Yeah la, forgot. Been a while. PC blew up a while back, only just set up another one. Man, its a pain not having a PC! I was heading overseas so had to put the coldies to one side, then the trip got canned. I figure the cichlids will be easier for someone else to take care of if I go away for a few months. I will get back into marines one day.

Cheers. Yeah, I will be looking here for fish when the time comes for sure.

Lol, I just checked my coral rock. Its sitting in fish bins outside and getting rinsed daily atm with the amount of rain we are having!

Thanks. I see your adds on trademe. Cool. Im in Sth Ak so now that far away. I see adds on trademe for some in Papakura and Takanini selling cichlids also. I will search what minerals to add. I have a dosing setup some place (ex marines). I was thinking of using some crushed limestone as one media in the sump. Good idea? I have a couple of reactors as well that fit in the sump, so if you have ideas of stuff to put in them, fire away. Activated Carbon may be useful. The 'live' coral rock is now dead too. Been in the sun for sometime. Will need to be cycled in new tank setup. Will coral rock stay white in a freshwater tank or go brown? I dont want tank to look too stark if that makes sense. I see members using black sand too, will look at heading that way. So much choice.

Cheers so far. As for types to stock, no idea!! I had no idea there were as many varities as I am seeing here! I am open to suggestions, and also advice on where to buy (I see some members sell) I do like the look of this tank My Mixed african tank - cichlid_fan Other than that, I guess I have a lot of reading to do. I will keep the 2 Vortech MP40 power heads I have to give some random flow. May as well since I have them. Is there any use for my RO/DI unit. I used it to top up my marine tank. I am on rain water supply here where I live so my ppm is pretty low anyway at 20-30ppm. I read somewhere it isnt good to add pure di-ionised water to fresh water tanks?

Am I correct in assuming that if the skimmer operates in 9" of water (for agruments sake) then that is the depth I am limited to in my sump? Being my sump has 3 stages |skimmer|fuge section|return|.

Ok. Ive recently got one of these (second hand) No instructions. It looks pretty simple. From what I researched on the www, you stick it in the sump (no suprise there) in about 8-10" water (so may need to be packed up underneath the base depending if the sump is deep or not. You also can adjust the height of the black standpipe for internal water height as well? The top part unsrews and can be removed for cleaning So its that simple?