chimera

take a 10 or 20 litre bucket - thats what i do. just back the car down the boat ramp and walk back and forth about 10 times! i wouldnt do it when there are boats there though, the oil from the motors just dont do wonders for your tank.

always a man of lengthy detail was just a thought

Well I finally got this underway a few weeks ago by digging it out - wow what a heap of dirt! I laid the concrete floor on Sunday, 3/4 of a metre done by wheelbarrow - now thats dedication The room is under the house, slightly back from being directly under the fish tank (which is in the wall in the lounge and taking up half a bedroom!) Will post a progress pics shortly of the room and my plans for it...

Pies - I assume you do all this by using individual timers? ie: to turn on the powerhead to stir your kalk, then another to turn on the dosing pump to add the water etc? Perhaps you would be better off with a single computer to do all this?!

Thought it was too good to be true, add another AUS$465 for the actual wavemaking device! I thought a simple Eheim pump would do the job but I see what you mean RE: pulsing... damn.

what do you think of these (ocean motions wavemakers) http://www.reefonline.com.au/shop/products_new.php not too bad i didn't think for the price (compared to scwd for example) thoughts?

I almost refrained from submitting anything for fear of being flamed by others!!! However, IMO (IN MY OPINION), UGF's and HEAVILY planted tanks do not mix well - generally, the water movement under the filter plate is too much for the roots to cope with. However, by reducing the water flow under the filter plate to a minimum (not too much that it starves aerobic bacteria) it will be less of a problem. Remember that plants gain nutrients via their roots and leaves. More importantly than the issue of a UGF though is water chemistry, eg: an appropriate level of potassium, magnesium, calcium, CO2 etc is required. In all honesty, find out for yourself. Each person who submits a reply will have differing opinions...

wanna have a "worst smelling skimmer" competition steve?!! ha haaa!

they are cool cameras - i've read alot on them and they have great reviews!

ok, so have any of you actually looked under your UGF's? im sure you will be surprised. anyways, my entire point of the post in the first place was to give the poster a different viewpoint. read this - i know its the article that you say "the critics say this and that, but dont believe them" but its worth while knowing other viewpoints and where others stand - otherwise what you have written "is just your opinion". The following article is a fairly neutral (ok, they dislike them but they do push points for and against) UGF: http://www.bestfish.com/ug.html Personally, I like them - I just like to know reasons why people dislike them. To quote one paragraph from their excerpt: "Usually, after a few months of operation, the gravel begins to pack with so much silt and dirt that circulation stops and the bacteria suffocate. Since the filter still appears to be working, water quality deteriorates, usually unnoticed until it is too late. If the tank is medicated or overfed, an even more rapid die-off of the culture may occur. A speedy water change may avert disaster, but this is the sort of headache and frustration we are trying to spare our customers" Again, it's JUST ANOTHER VIEW POINT. They are not necessarily right or wrong!

i believe the skimmer is needed for water changes - new NSW or ASW still needs its crap taken out (IMO)

for ch&%^%ts sake, did I once say that UGF's are crap???!!! No, in fact, I think they are excellent and dont understand why people never use them in the first place. If I went back to freshwater, I would most certainly use UGF again. I am basing my "facts" on what I have experienced over the past 7 years, not what is written in books or posted on forums. That is the problem with these forums, they are all down to personal opinion so its each to their own. I have found that I DO get a buildup under the plate after a long period of time. Perhaps you should re-read my post Bill, did I actually say 90% of people dont use them??? NO. I said I believe that you will find a large majority of people will find a buildup of gunk under the filter plate after an extended period of time. This minimises the amount of oxygen flow and reduces or even possibly kills the good bacteria causing it to have a negative effect on water chemistry. Again, only going from personal experience. And I am not saying that "I am right and you are wrong". You are quite correct in your reasoning but before flying off the handle, perhaps read my original post - I NEVER stated UGF's are crap (and in fact agree with you, they are excellent only if you are thorough with water changes and maintenance) and ok, my 2nd point was incorrect so apologies for that - it was what i was lead to believe obviously by an inexperienced lfs employee many years ago. i'll add IMO to my posts of this nature in the future

hmmm, still disagree with you Alan. yes, the undergravel filter itself is what the bacteria grows on. it is highly likely that you will need to clean out the filter one a year unless you are extremely thorough in your maintenance. i guarantee you that 90% of those with ugf's will find a build up of gunk (dead roots from plants etc) that the undergravel filter just cannot keep up with.

depends how much muck. you need to clean them out every 6 months - 1 year depending on stocking levels. you should have SOME muck there though - that is the nitrifying bacteria that breaks down the crap in your water.

yeah, blah blah blah, talk talk talk wassup and welcome!

i think steve is doing you a favour ira, yes or no???!!! its highly likely you will utilise it somewhere...

some new, some obvious, some already been utilised but good simple tips all round incase you're interested... http://www.coralreef.dk/DIY.htm I like the simple yet effective "nozzle" crimping tip.

my motto is "knowledge is power but gadgets make less work" :-)

i got my last batch of NSW from arkle's bay on the hibiscus coast (close to where i live) i drove around all the beachs at whangaparoa checking out the tide, whether it was in an enclosed bay or whether the water appeared to turn over substantially, whether it had storm water outlet to the beach, etc. Arkles bay seemed to be the most open (subjected to good water movement from the rangitoto channel) plus had very very good access from the boat ramp (almost backed the boot into the sea!!) As mentioned earlier, perhaps we could get a list of good/easy access beaches for NSW?

now come on, how can you take anyone seriously with an alias 'slartibartfast' :lol:

wow, all this hype but what are they worth? do you have any calcium reactors for sale? am in the market for one if you got any at a good price.

great, I'll send you my contact details, make sure you put it in a stocking too - can you dress up like santa and deliver it?! it makes it more exciting that way

Im considering the Korallin C3001 Calcium Reactor & check valve from Reefonline (AUS$630 includes air freight, 3 - 10 days) They have a bubble counter builtin and dont need a pH controller due to their design. Does anyone else need anything new? If we can bundle it in with my buy, we will probably get a better buy price. If you are keen, let me know!

hmph, not fair!

Aquarium computer... http://www.aqua-medic.de/cgi-bin/php/display_product.php3?p_id=149〈=en&cat_id=11