puttputt

mmmmm bacterial broth can i get bread with that Isn't this a great hobby. So many different theories and so many great tanks using all of them.

reef, what glass would be weaker, is starfire more or less scratch resistant? Is TM saying that starfire glass is weaker than normal float? I'm asking because I'm looking at using it so need to know as i think your one of the few with it.

well worth it especially if its scratch resistant as well? Reef, you'd know?

that front only I presume Chim, I agree with you, the difference I was quoted between the 2 was only a few hundred (plain vs starfire front)

mincing words?, that was a good discussion on systems with a whole lot of ideas being thrown about. I've said a number of times in alot of different posts that I run a refugium, and feed Pohls CV daily for the corals benefit. Layton may be the only one not actively feeding his sps??, not sure about that. I was asking a genuine question, raise your eyebrows at someone else.

CE, is there anyone on this board that doesn't feed the SPS??

you should have got a test certificate with it drifty, I see if I still have mine at home.

Chimera, not willing to disturb the sand bed at all, but bring around a natural sponge, drop it in the ref for a couple of weeks and then take it home - should work a treat.

opius, I have macro in my main tank as well, escaped from the fuge, and regardless on how well I try to control nutrients, its grows well, and drives me crazy. When I break this tank down, every last bit on every rock will be removed. On the plus side, the bits of halimedia(sp?) are very nice.

good article CE. I guess it's a good time to come clean 8) and admit that I have a 1m refugium with a good thick sand bed in it full of all sorts of life, and like you Cracker the glass in the refugium is covered of copepods of all sizes, amphipods, worms, mysid shrimp, larval stage "plankton" etc. I'm sure the majority of these get through my pumps into the tank.

yep quite often, (sneak over to see jetski ), would really like that Wasp. Waimauku isn't that far!!!!

and fay, I believe you!!

fair enough Mod and Cracker, I'd love to see your tank and talk to you about it. Shawn.

cracker, don't get carried away. I have learnt alot from this forum, and alot of others, I have also tried alot of differnt ways over a number of years, I've keep marine tanks for over 25 years. I certainly am not too proud to learn or close minded by any means, or convinced that any way is better than any other. I've seen photos of your tank, and comments from others, i seen reefs tank a number of times, and pictures of pies and they are all nice tanks, conciderably better than my own. Its just a discussion, the reason why we have this board is to discuss, and it was IMO a good discussion, was anyway.

its pushing the definition of plankton to include the muck stirred up in a aquariums sand bed. yes it may contain pods, worms, bacteria, but plankton of the types that sps corals can or would consume.?? the majority of corals (sps) we keep in our tanks are gain the majority (98%) of there food from the algae theykeep within and sharing of the nutrients that they produce. Don't get me wrong Cracker, i know you have a very nice tank and your way of keeping them is as good as any, but it's not the only way to keep healthy corals, fish etc, nor, as was the initial point, give better colours in sps corals than any other way.

your not in IT by any chance are you Chimera

so the crap coming out of a sand bed when your stir it is plankton??? You wish cracker.

hey pacific blue, very nice, good coraline growth, and good clean looking tank. Keep up the good work.

When I had a ssb, i vacuumed it weekly during water changes and the crap that came out of it every week convinced me to remove it - not bombers tank, or anyone elses, just my experience on my tank. My tank is going very well, healthy growing sps, good colours, (and in less thn a year,) clean healthy vibrant fish, no nitates, unmeasureable phosphates... sand is paramount, absolutely not.

I don't think BB necessarily gives better colours, nor do I think SSB or DSB give better colour. I don't think sand, lack of or depth have any thing to do with your acro colours. Not maintaining your sand bed, or not skimming enough or having low current areas in a BB affect colours by raising nutrients.

I'll stick to 12mm. May not need it but seems prudent to me.

definitely starfire 12mm.

Quote i got for starfire front, 2.3 x .9 x .65, euro bracing, centre overflow (but I'll be going with 2 corner overflows), 12mm glass - $1800

come on Wasp, putting sand in will improve your colours. No wonder you put a smilie face after it.

looking forward to it Chim, "Puttputts upgrade"