KarenM

OK. When do you need them by? I can drop them off early next week when I'm out your way.

Hey, after you fixed my computer you can have both if you want. Goby is just fine - there are some pics of him in the gallery from a few days ago.

Yikes! I've never even heard of flatworms!

So you're saying I should remove all the tubing and clamps and use PVC pipe and fittings? That would probably be better.

OK, so I took one of the black loclines off, which left a threaded end. I had a piece of tubing that just fit over that threaded end. I put the tubing on and adjusted it so that all the air was out of it. Still bubbles. So I opened the valve wide open. The bubbles decreased slightly, but they're still there. I held a flashlight up to the clear tubing leading from the pump. I saw bubbles there with the old sump, but I don't see bubbles there now. That tube tees off to the clear tubes that lead back up into the overflow boxes. No bubbles in those tube, and neither is leaking at the connection to the tee or to the overflow boxes. That leaves only the pipes that come from the bottom of the overflow boxes up to the locklines. Most of that is underwater, except for at the top of the pipes there are 3/4" 90s, 3/4" threaded couplings, and the loclines. I removed the locline on the right, so the only possible place for air to be entering is the 2 sides of the 3/4" 90. Right?

I have one, I'd like to not put my hand/arm into the tank. And holding it by the very end of the handle, there's no pressure on the blade and it just moves across the coraline. Does that make any sense?

There's a gate valve, but if I slow down the flow there are just fewer bubbles. Craig and a I are thinking it might be old, worn out locklines that are letting air in between the segments. I want to take them off so I can try something else temporarily, but they're glued on. I don't think there are siphon holes, but I could be wrong.

Craig is the nicest guy ever. Not only did he sell me his custom made sump that he constructed himself, but he installed it for me, too. Even rerouted all my plumbing to make everything fit. It looks fantastic (will post some pics later) and the bubble-trap is working perfectly. The skimmer is now in the sump, and there's not one single bubble on that side. The skimmer is even working better now that he re-plumbed it. If you need a new sump, get with Craig. But I've still got the bubbles shooting out of the return nozzle thingies. I guess that leaves only the return pump and the piping that could be causing the bubbles. I know I don't have what would be considered a "good" system (it's an older PM skimmer and Little Giant pumps) but I can't afford to replace everything at once. If I replace the return pump next, does it have to be the same kind (brand, etc) as what I have now?

Looks like you have enough containers but I have the plastic 55 gal drums you're welcome to.

I have one of those, but my tank is 24" tall and my arm is not. I'd really like something that I can use daily, without disrupting the sand and all the fish.

I have a good sized magnetic one, but it really takes some scrubbing to get the green algae off, and it won't even touch the coraline. Using it kicks the sand all around, too.

I have the magnets and the long handled razor blade, but I'm looking for something better. I've decided to leave the back glass for the snails and urchin, but I want the front and sides clean, free of algae and coraline. What's the best scraper/cleaner, how much does it cost, and where do you get it?

You could get some dark colored poster boards, cut them to fit the glass, and tape them up there. Or tape up some of those black trash bags.

Oh,man, that article is sad. Hey Rich, still want the xenia?

These are the light blue barrels you can get at the Home Brew place that are all one piece- not the ones with removeable lids. I used them to mix water when I upgraded in Oct and as top-off tanks for awhile. I enlarged one hole on each barrel so I could put a powerhead in it. I'll trade each for a small bag of sand or chaeto with pods.

I know this is a longshot, but does anyone here do tilework? I'm considering spending my bonus this year getting my kitchen and laundry room tiled. I've never had this done (previous homes were bought that way), and I'm wondering how much this would cost. My kitchen area is roughly 30X12 (not measuring, just staring at it and guessing). If I move out the appliances and pull up the linoleum, anyone have a wild estimate on how much tiling would be for 12x12 tiles?

I've had the same problem. I've got maybe 10 of my 50 snails left. I suspect my large hermit is partly to blame, though I see the tiny hermits all over the snails, too.