Daniel

Hmm, my bulb combo is somewhat blue, but still not blue enough for me (I personally like the color of Radiums on magnetic ballasts): ATI Blue+ GE 6.5k ATI Aquablue Special ATI Blue+ ATI Aquablue Special ATI Blue+ ATI Blue+ If blue is what you want, you probably shouldn't have the GE 6.5k. I'm considering changing to this next time I swap lamps: ATI Blue+ KZ Fiji Purple ATI Aquablue Special ATI Blue+ ATI Aquablue Special ATI Blue+ ATI Blue+

Sweet deal.

Wish I saw this three days ago...I bought HC-GFO, Rox Carbon, and MgCl2.

If you haven't done so already, get some good test kits. If you want your SPS to do well, minimize your fluctuations in Ca, Alk, and Mg (and pH). Trust me, stability is key...I have a coral "graveyard" in my garage to remind me of the times I didn't keep conditions stable.

The grain size would also have an affect on the quantity of salt you'd mix in. Seems like a nice idea. I think I'll try it.

They all look like PCs

I have. Based on the those results in the previous post, it looks like the D-D, Tropic Marin Pro, and Tunze are the best (imo)... of course, we all know there's a ton of variability from bucket to bucket.

Sold. Thanks.

It will perform to the original specifications without the mod. It's a decent skimmer, especially for the price.

It was used for under 4 months, but hasn't been used in over a year. I still have it in the original box. Asking $80. Paid a lot more. This is similar to the Red Sea Wave makers, except that it can handle 100 watts per channel (three channels can be controlled with one "always on") and it uses a "soft start" on the channels to reduce wear on the pump. Product Details: *The Aqua Medic Wave is a four channel pump controller for randomizing water circulation in the aquarium. The Wave uses a microprocessor based controller that can operate up to three circulation pumps and one filter pump. *The Wave can activate the pumps with 8 different programs to simulate many different current patterns. Between 0 and 3 pumps are operated simultaneously and the frequency of switching can be adjusted. *The fourth channel (filter pump) runs continuously except when feeding the aquarium, particularly when feeding plankton to filter-feeding invertebrates, a feeding pause button can be activated which turns off all 4 pumps for approximately 10 minutes. *An integrated light sensor ensures that during darkness, no more than one pump is active at any one time. *Each channel uses a "soft start" power up for extended pump life and can be used for Oceanrunner pumps or power-heads with a maximum power draw of 100 watts each. AquaCave link: http://www.aquacave.com/wavemaker-up-to-4-pumpsbr-by-aquamedic-678.html

Uhhh, those look like Tunze Nano Streams...

Are you referring to the skimmer or the mod?

I also still have this. Asking $50. Won't come with the air-pump mod, unless I can find it.

I just realized that I still have this. Asking $180. Has less than a week of usage.

I believe you are correct.

My ballast in my grow-out tank died. Need a 175w ballast for about a week, maybe two weeks at the most. I just need something until my replacement arrives. If none are available to borrow, I'd be happy to trade corals in exchange for one. I have SPS, zoas, other softies, and lps.

I saw Roy's tank the other day and I was reminded of the reason I love metal halides. The shimmer effect is mesmerizing. Shimmer is the result of an intense point source of light. When the light strikes the rough surface of the water, it disperses into the water at different wavelengths, creating what appears to be "ripples" throughout the tank. Since T5s are broad (and not a point source at small distances or in relatively shallow tanks), the shimmer effect does not occur to any significant extent. For those of you with T5s, and assuming you care about the shimmer effect, what do you propose as a solution to achieving the shimmer? Switching back to halides is not an option. I need something to supplement my T5s. I've heard of people using LEDs and halogens with mixed results, but nothing definitive. If LEDs will work, is there a commercial product I can use? My moonlights create a lovely shimmer at night, but their effect is muted when my T5s are on. If there isn't a commercially available solution, what LED bulbs would work best? What brand, color temp., quantity, etc? Daniel

Agreed. Avoid the clear vinyl tubing if it'll be exposed to any light. Algae loves to grow in there and kill your flow.

Thank you, sir. Will give it a try. It looks like the Marineland Holdfast stuff I just bought.

I'm looking for cheap epoxy because the prices for the 4oz tubes are killing me ($15 + tax at the LFS!). I know BRS has tubes for a bit less. Where do you guys go for your epoxy? Is there something I could use safely from the hardware store (Lowes, HD, etc?) I need the epoxy for mounting corals. I would prefer something that doesn't take too long to set, but I'm looking for a longer working time than super glue gel.