reef

ph 7.6 is fine, mine goes from 7.6 - 8.1 during the day. The tank above is just been set up so ph/kh, does not matter,

Minor Algae is normal for setting up tanks, however if you add a PO4 remover it will help to reduce nutrients in the tank so that the algae will starve and substantially reduce growth, Algae does not just use po4, it uses the waste in your tank which will come from the rock You could also turn the lights off as algae can not grow with no light.

defiantly, if you have good water quality. Most tanks i have set up hardly get any algae growth, I would start to add a good po4 remover like Deltec po4 remover to help to reduce phosphates. Having a good protein skimmer will also remove waste before it becomes a issue and gets stored in the rocks.

Turn the lights off, the Algae and the diatoms will die

Get a decent protein skimmer will help. your overflow is trying to be one

Some guy on NZMAS has the same tank as your? http://www.nzmas.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9530&start=60

Not heard of people promoting sand and then changing it to keep white, sounds like a lot of work. I tend to change my sand once every two-three years and it stays white to a degree because it is a Aragonite base and i stir it on a regular bases. Most sand in New Zealand is calcite and falsely labeled as Aragonite. Aragonite is expensive, Calcite is cheap. Calcite is very hard so it does not break down so hence it can start to go brown, On the other hand Aragonite is soft so it breaks down over time;

try this one http://www.nzmas.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4060&hilit=dsb

I would remove the aquafuge , pretty much a waste of time as it is to small to remove anything, just get a decent hang on skimmer. The sand is fine as it will provide a base for bacteria to grow.

Would look at something bigger like 200/300L. Nano tanks are too hard to look after as the water quality can change so quick.

Pointless looking for it overseas, you can't import it without having permits.

Test to get when getting a marine tank KH phostphate magnesium calcium Nitrate Salifert test kits are good choce for marines. Would leave tank for 6 weeks then start to test for ammonium and nitrite

1000D is more than most of us will ever need. If anything getting better lenses is more important.

most of it

I prefer to dump water with ships ballast water direct into the ocean.

Everything is cheaper overseas; however we have freight and MAF. It would be a waste of time importing frozen foods unless you do it large qualities, and the only way you can sell enough is to wholesale them to the stores. On top of that you also need to store the frozen foods. plus you need to part with plenty of cash to pay for the freight and goods. I really doubt you would be able to do it much cheaper.

Some updated close up pics

A skimmer will help., however the tank is too small. Small tanks get so dirty quickly and heat up during summer.

Aquafever in Hastings has some which is in your area.

Looks ok for the price, You need to also take into account that you will have to spend $2000-$3000 on stock and some more equipment.

We can only work with the regulation to get livestock approved. last time i checked my overseas suppliers have many fish that we don't get which could be added to the allowable list.

sure, because the bread and butter fish can be imported in qualities so it pays for itself, rare fish are risky and hard to get, however you would add them as part of a big submission.

why would you waste your time with only rare fish. When adding fish you would be get the ones that are generally available.

cost excludes time to do research etc, if you got a consultancy company to do it would costs over $10k, But done for the love of it, labour would be free. Only issues is that no many hobbyist have the skills to do the research or put a document together.

It does cost , but if you added 20 or so fish species for say $3000 that is peanuts. If no fish are added the same fish will keep coming in, which is boring.