chimera

Many people use it without any problems. Just like those who use ASW, the same applies. It seems NSW for most people is cost, ASW for others is down to convenience. I dont buy the one is better than the other debate, they both have their goods and bads. I'll define what you need to know and state the facts with NSW... - NSW is free, ASW costs - NSW you need to collect, ASW you brew from home (convenience/time so simply a personal preference) - NSW contains (Takapuna) 1100Mg, 380Ca, 7kH which is at or below the minimum desired levels (that being 1250-1350Mg, 380-450Ca, 7-11kH) Assuming a 20% water change, typically not a huge top up for the average aquarium. - NSW contains (Takapuna) 0.25ppm ammonia (Again, assuming 20% water change, diluted with what will be close on 0ppm ammonia will be even less ppm. In an established system, what remains will be taken up very quickly) - NSW contains salinity (Takapuna) of 1.026 (most keep their aquariums around 1.024/1.025 so usually just dilute with a small amount of RODI water) - NSW and ASW both contain other trace elements used in your aquarium, the difference being NSW works it out itself - NSW should be collected up to an hour before high tide and never after heavy rain incase of any run-off Also bear in mind ASW has varying levels of trace elements from one brand to another, so you really dont know what you're getting. Too unpredictable. Sound familiar? Just because it's all packaged and pretty, dont think its fully trustworthy and reliable. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1/view From link 2 above,... For all intents and purposes, choose ASW or NSW for water changes based on convenience and cost

NSW is fine, perhaps moreso for well established tanks. Just ensure you collect an hour before high tide and dont collect after heavy rain. Many people use NSW and have stunning tanks. Its also a tradeoff between ease of collection and cost

yup. for more tricky rock drill it and use cable ties. i used a couple last night to hold a pillar together. works a treat.

and just to be clear, absolutely in no way affiliated at all...

lookup on the domain name I have been informed by Michael Tan that he is setting this site up as a global fish forum, not specific to NZL'ers. FNZAS and "the other NZL marine forum" are dedicated to NZL hobbyists. As with any other forum, it will only do as well as the members that register and use it. Personally, I'm sticking to "the other NZL marine forum" and ocassionally FNZAS.

blatantly obvious i was going to do it wasn't it?

another fish web site in nz http://www.reefersworld.org/ oh what fun.

interesting article, good that they bring those to justice with some strong punishments. you'd get a slap on the hand for doing that over here

that is a good price, get one puttputt!!!

I believe that is incorrect. 1073.160 is freshwater only, but ONLY if you are using it submerged. It will work for saltwater if you use it externally (not submerged)

exactly, when TDS reads 0 from a 4 stage, whats the 6 stage going to do that a 4 stage does not? bring it down to -10? (yeah I know layton, tds is not accurate in the way it measures dissolved solids but its close enough to give an approximate representation)

pods, mysis, bristleworms, sponges, worms - anything that adds some biodiversity and helps clean up or provide food

so all other non-bacterial "life" just appears out of the blue? you get the bad with the good, something you learn all too well on forums too

depends on where you buy them from, 350 pounds overseas http://www.aqua-digital.com/ProductDeta ... uctID=1139 but then you are likely to want additional probes with it too so more $$$

volkster, see the top of the reference links section at the top of the forum PS: whoever keeps deleting my posts please send me a PM and explain to me why...

:lol:

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/guidelines-updated-commercial-activity-rules-changed-vt18590.html

i got one of those in my tank - a dead one, but exactly the same :lol:

even dead coral?

http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/food/bbs/how_to_bbs.html

struth its the same old @#$% every time i visit. reef get off your boat, "i was told" is not concrete evidence. probably from your hands after you stirred it up yeah, must be why jetski, cracker and pies tanks are so crap. if you are that concerned, run it through UV. i picked up 800 litres from takapuna today. i store it in a 1,000 litre container under the house, leaving a power head in it to keep it circulated. the cost of ASW is the only thing that stops me using it, this hobby is expensive enough as it is. getting NSW gives me an excuse to go to the beach every now and then anyway

not funny, just exceptionally rare!

yup, bigger IS better

only 3 months? :lol: you dont want 5 foot, you want 6 foot minimum, trust me

break it down sell it off, if i stay in auckland (more likely now) i'll buy a heap of acro's off ya (actually, maybe i buy your tank too and replace my current one...)