dapettit

How long typically does a test kit last i.e. Seachem?

No offense but I don't think it's appropriate to go down this path. I would suggest contacting one of the staff.

I like the suction cup idea, arcylic tank no scratchie. . .

YES! if works I may buy one for myself. If I catch'em he's yours! Dave-

Will it also work as a fish trap?

That's what this site is for!

+1 agree wholeheartedly!

We all have obsessed over our tanks. We research & find conflicting ideas. We hook up with "that guy" who has the tank we envy. We started with a 29 gallon. Making minor change actually were big change due to tank size. When I first got into this hobby, I tested twice a day, always fiddling with something, had my hands in my tank, etc. Then I met a gentlemen in this hobby, that I respected. He gave me the one piece of advice I really needed. He told me to "slow down &quit messing with the tank". It was harsh & kinda peed me off. But he was right. I only test my water once a week (now I hardly test, the tank will tell you when it has a problem). I quit messing with the different pieces of equipment, and I hardly put my hands in tank (I have tendency to break corals). I would also suggest taking your water to another LFS just as a comparison. I use ELOS test kits for most of my tests. I use the Seachem kits to test Calcium & Magnesium (they have same I can test to verify the kit is good). I also use a Hanna Checker for Phosphaes & a refractor to measure salinity. Like it's been said "Don't take what you read or are told as gospel." Take it slow. What may work for me or anyone else amy not work in yoru tank. If the tank is not showing any signs of stress then let it run itself. FYI, what are your nitrates at & what are you basing "to high" on. Take a look at this link: Water Parameters Dave-

I used DT's, brand name, or locally grown phytoplankton. I think Jake & ClarkiCircus culture it. Like I said I didn' see any significant change in growth or color in my tank when using it.

When I first start my reef in 2007 I would feed oyster eggs, phyto, cyclopeeze, and reef roids. Never saw any significant improvement. When I would spot feed with the reef roids my corals would slime like crazy. The most growth, color and polyp extensions I has was when I was running my calcium reactor. I currently use Red Sea Pro salt mix, & the "cheap" pulserite bulbs. I have seen a 1/2" growth on my cali tort & my Tyree tri-color acro is coloring up nicely since I changed bulbs about a month or so ago. Dave-

Do you feed Cyclop-eeze or fine filter food? If I remember I may put a pinch of cyclop-eeze in when the food is thawing. But, I usually forget to. Dave-

I have never feed my corals. Or I should say I never spot feed them. They get the food just like everyone else in the tank. I did have a calcium reactor on the tank about a year ago. Dave-

This is what I started with:

LOL

That is my Strawberry Chalice. It started as a 1" cutting.

Awww, shucks, thanks I'm guessin it was worth the wait. . . Remember this was before the crash. Robin has also re-arranged the aquascaping

OK here is the latest photo before adding the contents of the 58 and re-aquascaping, but after the crash, I was playing with some new software so the colors may be a bit vibrant.

I agree it is interesting. . .

As you can see there are a variety of answers to your questions. I'm no expert. All the advice given is good. As far as what works for you will be mainly trial and error, as the is no one all encompassing answer. Like I always say; what works in my tank may not work in yours. There are just to many variables. I run GFO & GAC with a filter sock on the overflow. I change the sock out every three days, the GFO & GAC are changed out every two week when I do a 45 gallon water change. I also ran an Eheim canister filter on our 29. My schedule was the same as brian.srock. FYI, I feed my fish every other day and give them a sheet of nori everday. Every time I walk past the glass they act like they are starving, kinda like Pavlov's dog, they associate you with food. It is learned trait. I don't feed my corals my tangs poop enough for that. Also don't add any supplements I can't test for. Dave-

I have a dremel as well as a bone cutter. Northeast Austin.

I got a nice piece of blue tenius, from Don Duncan, to replace a large colony I lost due to a tank crash. Oh, and Pat gave me a couple of pounds of boil crawfish to take home. They were yummy. James, your daughter was the highlight of my day. Choice a cute little girl! Dave-