JoeBlog

This is definitely true about Custom Aquatics. If I didn't have friends and family in the US in order to avoid the GST issue, I would most likely go through them. The only thing is that service is paramount to me and I have heard from other people as well that this is a down fall for them. Are you sure that Custom Aquatics has the 1" SCWD? I just checked their webpage and could only find the 3/4", which translates into something like a 1/2" ID tube (bad news for pumps that aren't pressure rated). I already have one of these and used my Dremmel to bore the holes out a bit more! Even with this though, the flow is still a problem.

I'm not interested in making a buck on the deal, but more than happy to help out another reefer. You've already helped me out heaps with your posts on your new in-wall tank! I've gotten quite a few ideas from you for when I get around to doing the project myself. I will be putting another order in shortly for the new 1" SCWD (when it comes out supposedly at the end of the month) and a couple more of the Hamilton bulbs. You are more than welcome to piggy back on that order for a few things. The only problem is that my Dad gets a bit pissy about big heavy boxes. I pay the shipping, but I don't think he likes having to drag it down to the post office. When I bought my AmpMaster, I had to hear about it for weeks! :evil: All that means is that if you wanted a lot of stuff, we may have to space it out over a few orders. I have quite a few mates back there as well who I am sure would be willing to play the middle man as well. I will let you know when I am doing the order for sure. Are you in a big hurry for a particular item? What is your e-mail so that I can let you know? As for future purchases, I am thinking about getting an oceansmotion 4-way. I e-mailed the guys and they said that a 240V motor should be available soon. It would be great if there were a few of us NZ reefers interested so that we could possibly get a bulk order discount as well as share on the shipping costs.

I purchase from Marine Depot all the time. Recently, I have gotten an AmpMaster 3000 pump, books, test kits (to fill up the order), Hamiton 14K 250W DE bulbs, etc... I think that they are great and will continue to order from them in the future. It helps that I have family in the States, so I have the items initially sent to them from Marine Depot (free shipping within the US) and then have them ship it to me (avoids GST and cheaper shipping options). 8)

I asked Bob (Redwood) to order him in special for me and it was $140. Really cool fish! My latest purchase and quite happy with him.

I don't know if this should really be in this forum, since you asked Brianemone, here is my scene. I made the same unfortunate and stupid mistake as quite a few new aquarists by going down to the LFS without a clue about marine tanks and spent a heap of money on stuff/setup that I later find out that I really don’t want/need. That was about a year ago and since then I’ve been maxing out credit cards and spending heaps of DIY time making up for those errors. I certainly don't blame the LFS since the initial setup would have been fine for someone else, but it just isn't what I would have purchased if I was a little wiser (did a bit more research) at the time. The tank is a 5x2x2 with a wet-dry filter (which I am going to ditch during the semester break and build a new sump) and 3x1x1 refugium that I’ve just started in hopes of creating a mangrove (but can’t seem to find any, so it just has various macro algae at the moment). Since the initial screw up at the fish shop, I’ve taken quite a liking to the DIY stuff (which also falls into line with the large discussion in another thread on prices here in NZ) and have created two fairly large skimmers (1 Eurostyle and 1 countercurrent), which pump out heaps of sludge daily. Also over break, I’m going to DIY a metal halide setup since I only have 6 floros now. I think my corals will be much appreciated. Although, the tank is located out in my conservatory and it gets pretty good natural sunlight for about 4 hours each day (given the sun actually makes an appearance that day!) and so far no major issues about algae blooms that everyone warned me of. In fact, I had worse problems with algae (hair, red slimy stuff, bubble, etc…) when it was in the middle of my living room, but that was most likely due to my lack of husbandry knowledge/skills at the time. I am pretty well stocked with fish: Kole Tang, Yellow Tang, 6 line wrasse, Coral Beauty, White Tail Pygmy Angel, Bi-colored Blenny and a Jeweled Rock Skipper. If I can get these Anthias off of Layton, I think I’m pretty well set for fish (possibly verging on overstocked when they are all full grown!!). As for corals and inverts, I have a 2 cleaner and 2 fire shrimp. I really want to get some starfish, snails, crabs, etc... , but can’t seem to find any down here. For corals, they are mostly LPS, leathers and quite a few various types of mushrooms. I would love to get into the SPS stuff that are in most of your tanks, but they will have to wait until I get the new lights as well as I will have to read up on compatibility with the stuff I already have. Possibly some tough decisions in the future!! I unfortunately don’t have any pics to share as of yet, but it would be a bit embarrassing anyway compared to some of the masterpieces on this thread alone. I will see if I can get a digital camera from one of my mates later on and could possibly get some tips from you guys on my setup. I would like to thank everyone for all their discussion in this forum since most of my learning comes directly from here as well as others like WetWebMedia, Reef Central, etc…! Cheers, Steve Sorry for the length, but I always have a tendency to ramble!! In this case, pictures would speak a 1000 words!

Chimera- No, not "just" starting, but definitely a newbie compared to the tanks and experience that are presented here. I've had my tank up 11 months now and my buddy has had his up for maybe 4-6 months. My wife really wants something along the lines of a school of Chromis, but I think that the colors of the Anthias would be much nicer.

Hey Layton- I may be interested in those Anthias and a mate of mine may also be interested in your tang. We are both new reefers here in Christchurch just starting to get our systems up and running. Send me an e-mail. Maybe we can do business on the fish and possibly get together for me to pick your brain on some tips for this whole reef business! Cheers, Steve [email protected]

Just about every plastic supply shop carries this stuff. I got mine at one and so has Pies (apparently). I would bet the first or second shop you called in the phone book would have them. Good luck!!

If you support it with approximately 2†diameter PVC short tubes spaced a few inches apart (which I imagine you would do with whatever egg crate you find), it is more than study enough. I even stood on mine and it was fine. The total weight of your rock may be 70 lbs or even much more, but it is widely dispersed.

Most plastic suppliers carry it as light diffusers. At least, that is where I bought mine. The only worry about some of these types is the size of the square. The smallest that my local plastic shop had available was 15mm. I’ve read somewhere that 10mm is that largest hole that you should use, but I went ahead with the 15mm anyway and all seems good so far. It is pretty fragile stuff and there are always some broken sheets in a box. If you can get a hold of one of these out of a remnants bin, they are next to nothing. I bought a 2’x4’ sheet with a corner broken off for around $5.