Aquatopia

Cool - thats a start - any more wanna add their list? Kermit - nice choice on the Purple tang and the forcipiger (beaker) - i recently learned you can keep several of those together. Brianemone - sounds wonderful. Is that classified as a nano ? - i love the six line wrasse, although im used to them being called pyjama wrasse. Lovely colouration.

No, for the reasons stated above. Remember; 1) A return at the bottom could lead to the entire tank emptying if the pump fails unless you use a non-return valve (which would be retrictive on water flow and quite expensive). 2) It would not create any surface agitation for gaseous exchange (see earlier for description).

That one should be FINE for your tank - here are the specs of the AP600 For Aquariums up to: Heavy Stocking 500 Ltrs (111gals) Normal Stocking 750 Ltrs (167 gals) (16mm/20mm flexible connection) Water Throughput: 600 Ltr./ h (133 gall/h) Dimensions: L: 280mm W: 210mm H: 600mm The installation kit is extra and includes: Installation Kit for AP 600 Hard pipe connection: Pressure - 20mm Return - 32mm Includes submersible pump, Shut-off valve, PVC Pipes/fittings, degassing sponge and flexible hose. Usually an aquabee. This can be done semi DIY though. Talk to Reef who is a member on here as Layton said above. He will be able to point you in the right direction.

Whiptails would be cool, but probably start with corydoras. I have to admit - i love most catfish though.

Sorry, i HAVE to say it, Eeeeeew! Hope the fish is ok - not sure I'd be too happy if someone pulled that outta me aye ! Just a thought - have you considered emailing one of the big fish organisations - they may be able to identify. Well, thats put me off my ribeye steak for sure.

buzzy DELTECs ROCK (but Im biased - Ive seen them in action and i reckon they produce a fantastic level of fine bubbles and hence a really good skimmate). Your LFS should be able to help out with supply. Or keep your eyes peeled for a second hand one (but be quick cos they are rare as hens teeth). I have not heard good reports of Prizm. In fact when someone took over the LFS where i used to live and installed a prizm skimmer, all the regular guys were up in arms. Having said that they may work for someone depending on what you expect of them. A skimmer is an essential part of your setup and as such you should try to get the best one you can afford. It gives you scope for the future that way.

Hi, Could anyone in Christchurch who is currently breeding catfish please either PM me or say hi on this thread. I want to set up my own little breeding program - starting off easy of course - and would welcome your assistance and advice. Thanks

Hi guys - i know some people have detailed their tank inhabitants in various other titled threads, but i thought it might be interesting for all of us to list them here in a specific location. It may show general trends also, which would assist newbies in their choice of fish. To that end, perhaps when listing you could annotate your fish or inverts with the letter B, P, or E - which would stand for (B)eginner, (P)rogressing and (E)xpert. Also, at the bottom, maybe you could just note the overall size of your system so we dont get anyone looking and thinking they can add 20 fish to a 3 foot tank. I could devise (with your suggestions if you like) a legend for abbreviations. And get a moderator to put that on as a sticky for reference. This could include abbreviations for equipment used too. What do you think? Would only take 10 mins each.....

Non return valves are generally expensive too, and have been associated with reduced flow (not good). But hey - every problem has a solution. For example, if the cost of ball valves was a stopping point and you wanted to save up for them, then you could just cap off the bulkheads rather than pipe them out and put ballvalves on them. However, this would mean draining the tank down when it comes to installing the pump (at which stage you would add the ball valves too). Ultimately, whatever you do, if you do it right, its not a cheap hobby - but a very worthwhile one.

Another reason why you might not want to return to the spraybar in that location is that you are not creating much water movement on the surface - which is beneficial for gaseous exchange (release of carbon dioxide and take up of oxygen). Some closed loops incorporate a spraybar for continual (or alternated use in the case of something like flow splitting device - more of those later if you like) use. Other systems utilise a spraybar in that position either as part of the return or as part of a closed loop, but they are isolated using a tap. In this way, they become a sort of "reef flush" system controled by you to be used as and when you wish. Deltec integrated aquariums have this as an option (although they are somewhat more flash for your buck !).

$15-20/25 for a hydrometer generally $140 approx for a refractometer. But if its more accurate (and this accuracy generated better results as has been suggested) then i reckon its worth it. Thats the route im going on my setup.

Shae - my opininion is that "more appropriate" rather than "better" may be a suitable definition. It depends what you want to keep and what your budget it. Powerheads can "do" for the meantime, and indeed, many people use them all the time successfully. They add clutter to the tank though, can be considered unsightly (and whilst they can be hidden by rock, this makes it difficult to access them for maintenance if needed), and contribute to additional temperature - which may or may not be a critical issue depending on how easily you can control the ambient temperature and that of your tank. More people are adopting the "closed loop" nowadays, where budget and practicality affords it. If you are setting up anew then i would go for it. Even on my small 1100x500x600 tank i will be installing one. Then as i go bigger (cos im sure i will at some stage), the pump that is running the closed loop can be put to some purpose.

Chimera - when are you upgrading? lol That is SOME set of pumps.

Sweet - good to know its possible.

Cool BK - will look forward to meeting you and talking Discus and guppies too. chris

Hi BK. Well, welcome to the hobby in advance. It would still be good for you to come along to the meeting I am sure. Could i suggest you cut and paste this question and start another POST though, because this one is really just so we can arrange a meeting. It could get a bit confusing for you to follow the answers to your questions otherwise.

Im glad this post has been placed. Ive been thinking the same thing. Saw a refractometer and thought - hmm, fancy gimmick, whats wrong with the tried and tested plastic one. Now I have read this, its certainly on my list of necessaries. For the chch guys, I have seen them in Organisms (guys if you read this free plug i expect a credit !!), for around the $140 mark. Is this the right sort of price? Are there different makes? Or would they all be much of a muchness?

scary - do a google on ball and chain - sounds like thats what you need, lol. can't help but chuckle in fortunate hindsight.

Ira - that sounds scary aye ! aren't you supposed to keep running water on the area you are drilling too?

Hey Layton - check me down for a frag too - but i need to find a temporary home for it as Im still in the process of designing etc. But would be good to have something to put in when its all set up, if thats OK. But keep the guys who have tanks already above me in line - thats only fair aye. Chris

Sweet ! That would be great.

Hi 15th would be better for me too in that case. And also, plans on DIY skimmers and halides would be welcome too. Cheers Chris

yip - same here - either should be good.

Sounds a nice idea - i like cubes - stop - you are making me think of changing my plans !!! lol. 2x2x2 is pretty much 50gallons full up, although it will be less than that taking into account displacement for sand and rock, and the gap at the top. Then you can add back for the water that will be in the sump. Have you had any thoughts on how you will lay out your rock in a cube? I would try to think of something that makes most use of the diagonal measurement within the tank. That way it will appear that there is more space than there is. As far as the return goes - i will not offer any definite advice as i am still learning about aquatic plumbing myself. There are other guys on here who can advise you though. I would have thought that with a suitably rated return pump you could achieve some good flow - maybe think about Oceans Motions squirt or 4-ways if your budget extends to those (see www.oceansmotions.com). It kind of depends on what you are going to keep in the tank though. Looking forward to seeing the finished result. Are you keeping a log of how your ideas progress? It will be interesting to look back on it.

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