chimera

i got a pic of my poor wee blenny after he went down the fish hydroslide note his colours almost completely faded. he is ok now thankfully!!!

Jo1 is correct for the media layout. That is how I had my 2213 setup for years (took the recommended setup off Eheim site just to be sure) and worked like a charm. Had to clean it once every couple of months - but depended on how many and what type of plants I kept more than anything else.

there's always a possibility something will happen with anything you do. its simply time vs the risk involved. in this case, low risk (according to glazier) so i opted for 20 minutes with risk of tank cracking versus 20 hours+ of stripping it out completely (well, still with plenty of other risks involved) here's a pic of the 2 additional valves:

got the additional 2 holes drilled for the closed loops today. only one thing went partially wrong... as i emptied the tank (to about half-way) about 1/4 of the way down i started hearing a flip-flapping. took me a few seconds and noticed my blenny was in one of the closed loop outlets (that isnt 'connected' yet) i opened the ball valve and out he popped into a icecream container and put him back in the tank. he's not looking too happy at the moment, colours have gone pale and his tail curled over. but, now the tank is filled back up again he's back into the same spot! you'd think he'd learn the first time. as i was pouring water on the drill bit to keep it cool, i could actually feel my heart beating harder and faster as it reverberated through my chest!!! that was some of the most stressful 20 minutes this year so far :-? additionally, i did NOT have a 3rd hole drilled (4th outlet hole) for the closed loops. it was basically a decision based on retaining tank strength. as suggested by cracker instead (who was here when the drilling was happening) a pipe up and over the side of the glass coming out nearer the centre of the tank should give some alternate current. i might even put the pipe near the front and pointing backwards. i will post a picture of the new valve's tonight!

user error probably :lol:

wow, normal conversation again

thought i'd get some pic's tonight - specifically to see future growth progress. first up, here's a small xenia I got in May of last year and the same xenia now (left one in the 2nd pic) and some more pic's of random corals etc... (really need to get a quality camera!!!) and finally a green acro just awaiting to colour up

:roll:

agree EXACTLY with what pies says, eheim are da bomb.

i got some too, you know where i am, pm me a time if you wanna pick some up. trade ya for a small frag

this particular brain coral (Platygyra sp?) needs medium to high lighting while most other brain corals (open, red, etc) require low to medium light levels.

put it half way up - your tank is reasonably deep at 700mm. requires medium to high lighting

Exactly, it is commonly believed that a filter has to be mucky to encourage the growth of nitrifying bacteria - wrong! If anything this can have the opposite effect with faster-growing heterotrophic bacteria competing for resources such as oxygen. There is also the possibility that many of the decomposition products from the breakdown of rotting organic matter may inhibit nitrifying bacteria, either by direct toxicity or creating a hostile microenvironment. In order to thrive, nitrifying bacteria only need a relatively clean environment with a steady supply of ammonia and oxygen. ps: nice smiley!

yes, they can produce nitrates if they become clogged and are not cleaned. dont use them, they are (pretty much) pointless. its your skimmer and live rock that are your main sources of filtration. also water movement is what you want and the sponge will just reduce the flow.

an interesting topic of debate and highly amusing retorts from the two of you,... but for f@#$@# sake either give it up or get to a conclusion. :roll:

typically 10 - 15% every 2 weeks at the moment. will increase this to 20% when i can find a larger container and better method of transport! last change was 30% (300 litres!)

so long as it's bright and shiny and makes my corals grow im happy westy1 put some pic's of your tank up looks good from the little i can see!

i've just ordered 2 x 250W 14K's. Am going to get a 400W 20K for the middle of the tank at a later date. Couldnt decide 10K or 20K so went somewhere in the middle and just hope it'll look good. If not, bummer!

no no, save the $3 and spend $10 on plastic sheet, $25 on a moulding and $50 on labour to make one

anyone need some caluerpa? ct was discovered (1m square) in 1984 in monaco,... read the rest here, interesting... http://www.isima.fr/ecosim/ct.html

my mate that im buying it off is a sparky by trade so he can sort it measured up roughly where i want the holes cut tonight. dont think its going to be too much of a major. I ordered the union ball valves through mico this afternoon and got them to put tank valves aside for me. also bought some fosroc rtv from hollywood fish farm... $14.95 so not too bad for a retail store. re: lighting, i think i'll go 250W 14k, 400W 20k, 250W 14k. will add the 400W later on. where can you get a decent reflector from? i also took a photo of the tank (lights had just turned off, moonlights on although hard to tell with flash on) tonight as i was moving the timber for the kitchen flooring inside. this gives a better impression of what an in-wall looks like! from kitchen: from lounge: so much room on that wall i could almost go to an 8 footer.... whoa STOP!!!!

eric = hummingbird, amusing joke to do with steak i believe?! i fed (frozen) brine shrimp to my fishies tonight after they've been on a flake, spirulina and nori diet for quite sometime. man they went absolutely nutz. have not seen my blue tang chase food that hard out in a long time. feel guilty that i havent given them some decent food since the frozen marine tucker ran out a couple of months ago!!! suppose its like a kid going to mc d's for the second time

Hahahaa! Yes, cracker came over to have a looksee and noticed I didnt have a weir plate. Created one with a bit of perspex and de walt drop saw and she's skimming higher with finer bubbles. No extra crud yet but it certainly looks like it functioning better! Cheers dude. BTW, ya learn something new every day... didnt know a drop saw could cut perspex so well!!!

news flash: chimera can no longer clean his reef tank or arrange his corals. he has no arms.

fire coral or millipora. if you ever get one, take real care handling it. alois gave me one a while back, I was ripping out some hair algae tonight and the bastard stung me on the wrist. holy @#$%!@# it hurts!!! oh great.... http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/27758-3.asp