Bry

When I emailed John about my missing items, he was very cordial and took care of it.

Anyone get a few more hermits than expected? I'll be emailing John. I didnt get a small order (4) of "assorted hermits".

I'm in no rush so execute it whenever you're ready

Ah, luck... just put one kid down for a nap and momma isn't home. argh! I'll figure something out.

Wow, according to tracking the package showed up at the post office again this morning. I hope it didn't sit in a truck all night. *stinky*

I'm right there with you. Up until this week I was making salt in a 5 gallon jug. I'd RO/DI the water in there, toss in about 1/2 cup of salt per gallong (used Red Sea) and then drop in a very small water pump. Been doing it long enough I knew how much salt to put in. [back when I used the ozarka style water jugs I'd to go out every once in a while and shake the jug to stir it up - not great but had no problems from it.] Always wait a minimum of 3 hours after mixing, prefer 12-24 hours. Also not great, I didn't test the salinity to match the tank... I just slowly poured into the sump. All worked out.

Just this week I got a 55 gallon barrel (was actually cheaper than the 32 gallon I had planned) and started making salt in there. The plan is to drop a Maxi Jet 1200 in with a tube on it to pump the water up into my 5 gallon jugs for the transport to the display tank. From there I'll use the Aqua-Lifter to pull water out of the 5 gallon into the sump. (I don't quite have the Aqua Lifter so I'll just pour it in again slowly.)

Keep in mind I don't have fragile animals or corals yet so I knew I'd be ok with the pour-in. Sometimes I'd even turn off the return pump and let the water roll around even longer in the sump before going up to the DT. When I get the aqua lifter I'll make that system smoother/safer.

I'm betting mine isn't the best but I don't have a situation where all the extra equipment can be by my DT. Pouring the salt in quickly isn't what some would advise but I knew my hardy animals and Xenia, mushrooms and Zoas would be fine. Hope that helps. Don't be nervous.

Well it was good to meet you but I wouldn't want to even be a fly on the wall whenever the USPS guy shows up.

Dang, I forgot to mention the lights out for 2 - 3 days while cleaning.

Can someone share the secret pick up address or directions? I can only imagine the I-35 parking lot thus far.

I think JB said he'd PM when they arrived

JB, think we should head over now? We'll drink all your beer and crown while waiting.

Oh dear God don't make this happen during 5 oclock traffic! haha

Is there a way to get our membership card without being at the meeting? I'm in Cedar Park with the duty of watching a 4 and 2 year old all day. Trust me, you do NOT want my two year old near your tanks, fish or jacuzzi.

I'm not sure exactly which step(s) got mine under control. I did several things at the same time including not aggravating the sand so much when I took out the dino. Eventually it all started calming down. I run a sump with a light on at night so the pH doesn't fluctuate.

I also started using Kalk. I don't know if the pH from that helped but it surely didn't hurt. I ran my skimmer wetter to so eveyrhing blew out (my skimmer is not as big as yours though.)

And I'm not sure if others would suggest this (I don't have much coral and nothing fragile) but I popped off a powerhead and manually moved it around the front, back, sides of rock and blew out some things that settled in. I guess at this point I cannot help much more than to say keep doing what you're doing but that answer is no fun. I did the things above and kept doing cleaning (never took a rock out to clean it, just brushed it lightly with a toothbrush in tank) and eventually it stopped.

I'm now running GFO but it's too early to tell what effects that having. Good luck.

Leading up to the outbreak were you doing regular water changes? How much? Foam filter cleaned often? I know you have test 0 nitrates but I had a sponge on my return Mag 9.5 that I forgot about in my changes. It was pretty bad, now I don't even us it any longer as I've added a filter sock to the downward flow from my tank.

What about the flow inside your tank?

I was reading this: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/rhf/index.php But I don'tknow how I feel about raising pH. Maybe since you have QT you could try it. Personally I'm a bit skiddish on doing it until I google it more.

Yes I've had to deal with that myself. How old are your bulbs? How's your circulation? What do you use for filtering? Have a clean up crew? I know you syphon but how big is your water change? Skimmer?

I'm in Cedar Park too. If you are worried about killing more fish/corals, you can borrow my 10 gallon and emperor 400 filter to transfer water, etc to while you figure this out.

yes I need about $40 worth

Hey JB, did he give you a tracking # this time?

In the fall I'll be due to renew my T5's. Anything wrong with the ones they sell at Petsmart or Petco? Zoo Meds and Coralife I believe.

I did see Wave Point online at Petco.

I would like that Koralia PH and to take a look at what other powerheads/pumps you may have. I'll PM you.

I have only had mine for a couple of months, but it has not rusted yet.... It has gotten really good reviews on their website.

Sorry, I meant the rust mentioned on Hydor's note. I have read good reviews and even a video review on the BFS refractor. May be starting a group order there soon.

Check out the one from BRS, $39.99.

Bulk Reef supply Refractometer

This is the one that I bought and I have been happy with it.

Yes I was looking at that one as well. That is what got my curiousity about $25 vs $40 vs $140. The rusting parts may be part of the price difference.

Here's what I had including the "maybe's" and luckenbach's need to do it by this weekend:

Me : 2 any brand

Mindflux 1 Red Sea Coral Pro

Woods 1

RobR75 1 Red Sea coral Pro

Salt Dreams 3

lmluckenbach 2

Robb in Austin 1 Red Sea Coral Pro

Myvirtue 3 Red Sea

14 so far if I could have gotten by this weekend.

I'm looking to get the non-digital, typical ones you hold up to the light to see through. Just searching for salinity refractometers I see them from $35 to well over $100. I think I've seen them even much higher.

Question is... what's the difference? Leather pouch vs no pouch? I hope it's not accuracy. Most of the reviews on all of them I've seen have been happy at each price point. There are a few people were unhappy but it seemed like they got a bad one. So is there a reason to buy the $144 version over the $45 version?

Gracias from Cedar Park,

Bryan

Well guys, I think I'm goint to wait another couple of weeks on this one. After a few days we're only up to 10 and that's with a few "maybe's". Unless I get more responses right away I'll save all of you and myself from delaying plans on needed salt. I'm sure I'm just a little too close to the prevous group buy to get a strong response at this point so time will help us.

I have several powerheads and pumps

if you have any particular models in mind, let me know

, will be in austin, round rock, pflugerville area thos up coming weekend

Honestly, at this point in my employment, or lack thereof, I just should focus on costs. I've been spending time reading about different low-middle end powerheads and have come to the conclusion that I cannot be picky, if they work I'll take anything for the salt mixing and something at least 900 gph for the main tank. I will get picky and worry about reviews and quality later.