Control

Considering the health of his own tanks and the breading that goes on in them he has every right to show prejudice. More like 1985 and I am yet to see a modern system do as well as his and the fact is that they can't. I can't see anything wrong with the article. it seems to be just like all the others showing what other people are doing and what he thinks of it. Considering that he has run systems that I'm sure all of the rest of you have not I think you guys should show some more respect for him and other people that have done it and clearly shown great continued success rather than just listening to those who have just read about it.

That looks awsome Reef. I wish I had the resources to make a system that size.

I hate the stuff, I'm sick of scrapping it off the glass. However, as it has already been said it is a good indicator of tank health.

Not all algaes are the same Layton.

I think your only talking about the refugium type's that have a base and yes they are a problem, however it is the base that causes the problem not the algae. It's not that simple, you must consider how much calcium your tank needs. Are you running a calcium reactor as well. In my main tank I use a diy dual chamber reactor as well, the first chamber is the cycle and the second runs at output speed just to clean up any Co2. I think the method would be more helpfull as the amount of calcium that would be used would vary from tank to tank. Use the same amount of calcium that you are currently using in your top off but moniter your tanks calcium levels more closely, you will probably find that you are putting more in than before because this method is more efficiant at dissolving the calcium and less wastefull. I first make a paste of vineger and calcium then I add vineger to the calcium in very small amounts say about 10 ml (no I don't measure that) with a gentle stir until it stops reacting with it. It is obvious when it stops but look closely. I then add my top off water. Be gentle but make sure it stirs. Sit over night and carefully pour the water off the top leaving the undesolved calcium behind. Now you will see how good your calcium really is. If the vineger didn't desolve it your tank would have no hope in doing so. Do not try to reuse what is left in the bottom, throw it away. You now have dissolved calcium in your top off water. Do not use cheap vineger You will quickly learn why cheap food products are a rip if you do so and waste calcium in the proccess. I use DYC white vineger. You can actaully taste the differance in quility when you put some on your tongue. The smell is allot weaker as well.

My point is that this sort of thing should be a last resort. There are other ways to fix the problem. Better to stop it first rather than have to fix the result of a system that is failing. Well controlled algae filters are a prime example of this. The problem is that people don't use them properly and/or don't know how to maintain them correctly. Most just leave them to build up problems and then wonder why everything crashes. Also people need to be more aware of what they are putting in there tank. The info on water supplies is availible through the Councils and in most cases it is online. You and I are lucky living in Christchurch as we have one of the purist untreated water supplies in the world

Ok I've read some more of the post and I have to agree with Layton. Vodka and/or viniger are not the sollution to the problem you are trying to fix. All it will do is aid the fight not stop the problem or control it at the level of control that is needed.

I'd just like to add to this thread, not that I've read all of it. I use Viniger to desolve Calcium for my top-off water. There are two advantages. 1 The calcium in the top-off is completely dissolved. 2 The only real byproduct of the reaction is organic carbon which is consumed by bacteria. I have been doing this for years without any problems.

Dogmatix I haven't run that system for along time, The tank cracked in the front while running in my garage during a move around I did with them and I lost over $1500 worth of stock. I have said this before. The only big system I have running is is my main 6' tank which is nearly empty and bearly surviving. I have managed to keep some turf algae in the tank and intend to put a turf scrubber on the tank, When It's established I'll remove my poor old DIY skimmer. My biggest problem is that I can't afford to stock the tank with our current sercumstance so there isan't much insentive for me to do it at the moment. I did activate my site but I haven't done anything to it yet. Most of my internet time is spent trying to help my wife who has managed to get out of hospital for a couple of days for my daughters 3rd birthday.

Not a problem Have you got anything that is differant from mine. not that I gave a very good description My favourite is the Halimeda Discoidea it's not aggressive and is a really bright green unlike the others. Its interesting watching the new leafs grow they seem to form in stages.

Have any of you that use Zeolite monitered the KH when you first added it to your systems, how quickly did it rise, what was the time frame. Sorry for butting into your thread Chimera but I should defend myself. Cookie Extreme wrote. What a load of B.S. I have always argued that there are many ways to keep marines, and stated some of the ways that I have keeped them as examples against the people in this forum that think there is only one way to do it, which has always caused arguements. You seem to be forgetting that I was the person who suggested, and spent a long time argueing with, and being abused by people for my efforts, that we should make sticky threads to show people how to set up tanks of differant types and over differant cost ranges and explain the pro's and con's of each so people could make up their own mind based on what they want and can afford. I have stated many times that my tank isan't much to look at and wont be untill my wife's inquirable medical condition improves and her medical bills go down so I have some spare money, I'm sorry if you find this inconveneant. If you are that desperate to see it, fly down here and have a look at it, I've got bigger problems to deal with. If your going to mouth off about people get your facts right. Better still don't do it at all.

I've got a few differant types. One that looks like very fine feathers two that look like pig fern, one has short leaves with jagged edges. What seems to be two variations of one that looks like scollops stacked on top of each other, Halimeda Discoidea. The second variation seems to be a minature and I don't believe it has anything to do with age because it is very old. I also have one with a diamond shaped leaf with seems to be a minature.

Woks right I was trying to think of the same thing but couldn't remember the name of it. Get rid of the Ethalene Glycol and use the Mono.

That's looking good, I think the Anti freeze is the best way to go. Check for current and I mean very low current in the anti freeze, it will slowly eat away at the alloy if there is one pressent.

That makes a differance. The blue that I used was lighter than that. it also depends on the final look you want to create and that can depend on what you put in there as well. I've seen tanks that look good both ways.

What a cutie. I miss that age allot with my two.

Yes some pics would be handy to compare from anyone. I put a similar blue on my 6' then changed it to black, maybe I should have done half and half so i could compare them more easily. It doesn't have anything on it at the moment.

As long as your not putting to much wattage onto it I can't see light to be the problem. Have you overdone the Iodene, I don't no if you use it but it can be a problem if not used correctly

What temp are your bulbs, remember that 20K penitrates further than 10K I set my tank up with 20K at one end and 10K at the other. You may need to put it in some shade and see what he does.

I think it should be black not blue

Dam that would be nice but we can't at the moment sorry.

Nice mix, that looks great.

Ive been there a while know too. That the problem isan't it, can we get a complete list from MAF Does anyone know if we are allowed Neon Goggy's.

Anyone for local hermit crabs at $50 a piece. Someone needs to give that guy a good B/Slap

No definatly no damsels of any kind They are far to teritorial for a small tank. You must consider these things with a Nano or Pico tank. Think about peacefull fish that can be tranferred to your bigger tank when and if need be. There are allot of small Gobby's. Also use fish that tend to sit around, and don't need to swim much like blenny's. Scooters are good too. Small clowns are fine but think about what you will end up with in your big tank. Also if you haven't already talk to these guys. http://www.nano-reef.com