tomanero

and if you're looking for a float valve locally John at Kingfish (off Burnett and 183) http://www.kingfishaquarium.com/index.htm Call first to make sure someone will be there.

Another option, depending on your setup, is to use a timer with a pump. You'd have to figure out how much water is pumped per hour and what you would need, but timers are pretty reliable.

I'm with you, Gabe. I manually fill my Top Off container. I never have more water running into the system than can be handled should a problem occur. I've spent enough hours with a wet vac in my life already. I like the Top Offs that use a powerhead to add water to a system. This way, I can mount the powerhead high enough in my top off barrel where it will run dry if a problem occurs. I'd rather replace a $20 powerhead than wet vac my living room.

If you intend to install two drains instead of one, the results of the calculator cannot simply be halved, because, for example, the cross-sectional area of two 1" pipes is only 1.57" while the area of one 2" pipe is 3.14." In other words, two 1" pipes cannot handle the same amount of water as one 2" pipe, and, in fact, will handle far less. The correct formula to convert the results of the drain calculator for use with two pipes would be: the diameter returned by the calculator is represented by the letter d. sqrt((((d / 2)^2 * pi) / 2) / pi) * 2, so a 2" pipe would equate to sqrt((((2 / 2) ^ 2 * pi) / 2) / pi) * 2 = 1.42". Rounding up, two 1.5" pipes could handle the same flow as one 2" pipe. Ok, unless you are a math freak, you probably tuned out pretty quickly on the last paragraph. That's okay, there is a good rule of thumb that alleviates the need for the mathematics. All that needs to be done is to reduce one standard PVC size down from the results of the calculator and you should be safe. In other words, one 1.5" pipe could be replaced with two 1.25" pipes. Two 1" pipes could replace one 1.25" pipe. Even better would be to use two drains of the size recommended, which would allow one to be completely clogged, but the system could still handle the full flow without missing a beat. Got this off the reefkeeping magazine website.

Always room for one more. Welcome. In regards to catching fish... some of the LFS either sell or rent traps. You put food in and wait... I've heard varying opinions on how well these work. (this coming from someone who basically dismantled a tank to catch a bi-color angel)

Lighting is also tank specific. I went with 2-250W MH Lights on my 6' tank. I didn't use a third since there's an 18" glass brace in the center of my tank so I figured why waste money when the penetration will be minimal through the brace. I used 4-36" PC's (I wouldn't suggest going with PC's but I had them already. Go with T5's or VHO's for actinics as suggested). Since I'll have less light penetration in the center of the tank I'm going to arrange my livestock accordingly (have the less light demanding species in the center of the tank and the SPS's on the sides. I've also found it's harder to work inside the tank in the middle under a center brace. There's my 2 cents worth.

Can you be a little more specific? LOL Thanks I'm going over this morning to check it out.

Replied on MAAST but if read here first... I'd like 100# of sand when available. Thanks

Karen, Could you give me the name on the bag. I went there and didn't see the pulverized limestone. Must have missed it. By the way, I have buckets and a 32 gallon trash can you can borrow. Let me know.

Where can you get pulverized limestone around here? I went to Lowes (620/183) and HD (lakeline). Neither had it.

Thanks, Andrew. I plan to attend. Looking forward to seeing your tank with occupants.

Karen, If the rocks still available I'd be interested in splitting with you. Just let me know. I'm in NW Austin. Thanks, Steve 512-461-3120

Just a few I had saved... http://www.regal-plastics.com/austin.html Regal Plastics for acrylic and Weld-On http://www.hardwarestoreinc.com/ This is a local mom and pop hardware store (to which I have no affiliation) but if it's beyond the realm of Lowes or HDepot you'll find it here in regards to plumbing supplies (all size hose, spaflex by the foot), nylon bolts, fittings, etc., etc. It's a DIY'ers heaven. lol http://coralreefbazaar.com/store.php Another good local source for the "harder-to-find" items. I'm sure you've found the local stores but I'll list two. http://www.rivercityaquatics.com/ Great people. Carlos and his staff are always there for you (buying or not). (Where I come from it's called "doin da right ting") lol http://www.kingfishaquarium.com/index.htm An "up-and-commer"

Our prayers go out to your families.

http://melevsreef.com/closedloop(old).html Karen, Check this out. A lot of good info on his site plus this link is for a closed loop on an undrilled tank. I just setup a 110g and drilled it myself. You can see in the pic the overflow going to the sump which is a hang-on, not drilled. Other pics in my blog. Let me know if you have any questions.