Robb in Austin

+ infinity. Love me some RCA.

Google also. Heck, check RC as they have 10923851345 forums/members/threads. Lotsa useful info there. But. +1 to Brooks's input.

They will poop stuff out of their mouths from time to time, can be white or brown IME.

I'd see if someone down there has a refractometer you can borrow; heck, take a teaspoon of water to them and check it. I'd be wary of the hydrometer being accurate. I know they can be, I would just want to double check it before treating your tank.

There are articles about this under our resources tab at the top right of the forum. You're welcome though!

http://reefcentral.c...45Alk_Chart.jpg Based on your numbers, I'd say you are spot on. Here is a link to RC/RKmag's reef chemistry articles http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605

I'm not sure I understand the whole LED thing, AT THIS POINT IN TIME. (I'm not yelling, just making a point.) I get the economics of using them, but until they come down in price is it really feasible, even for DIY? Have there been enough studies done to say yes they can and will support our livestock?

I think you know what I mean, but just for clarification for Christian; it's the controller itself. The box you program with the pretty display.

The short version: You have a user interface which connects to a powerstrip, which has everything plugged into it(from lights to heaters to powerheads to ATOs), that controls everything based on parameters you set. Those with more experience can and will chime in on specifics. The long version: Spend some time with Google. Research, read, learn.

Can you id them for those of us with less knowledge on zoo names?

The tank went live on 1/25/11. I added a sixline and yellow coris wrasse earlier this month. The six line is doing fine. The YCW lasted about 3 days. I am done with them, this was the second one I've tried. About a week ago I added a sailfin tang I got from Laura. I was hesitant to add a tang due to fears of bringing in ich or getting one that wouldn't eat. But, when Laura's came up, I knew it would eat and was most likely ich free. So far he has been great, has started eating flake and pellet, and just adds that splash I wanted in the tank. Today I did the first water change. It was a bit different then doing one on a non drilled tank. I did the majority of the change from the display and a little bit from the sump. I was able to vacuum some goo out of the sump. As I was filling the display tank and watching the water rise it occurred to me that I better start the return and see exactly where I was in terms of needing to quit adding. Fortunately I was short and not too full. Whew.

Derry, got pics?

Someone take pics!

I like clams!

I'm with RG, pull the bioballs, replace with rock or maybe some macro algae(sort of a DIY turf scrubber-Google). The problem with the bowfront, as I alluded to earlier, is getting something in that space would be difficult. The way to test would be to pull the old one out and use a cardboard box of the dimensions you want and see if you can get it in there. From what I've read, most bowfront stands wanting big sumps utilize two part setups connected together.

Make sure you can fit that sump in the stand. Bowfront stands tend to be tight. I'd second getting rid of the bioballs in the mean time. Can you post a pic of what you have now? It's possible that maybe you can modify it and make it work.

J; Here is an article that may help: http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/macro_flora_photography.htm And like Dave said, practice, practice, practice.

True, it's not the same. But it's pretty close. I think in an ideal world one would have a powerhead, a wavebox, and the return(assuming the tank has a sump).

That is just about the perfect size for tank work, as well as being an excellent all around lens.

I think by inhabitants he meant coral. Get a Vortech, it'll do both! (But, I might be biased.) You might need two though, 1 for flow, 1 for wave=$$$$$$

@jeremy; what is your macro lens? @don; if you dont know what you want, get a point and shoot to start. start at walmart, best buy just to get your hands on some and then precision on n.lamar when you purchase. the brand of camera doesn't really matter, although canon and nikon have the biggest market share. as such, they have the most support but it becomes a ford vs chevy thing in the end. using an slr can be intimidating. if all you want is to take macro pics of your tank, an slr and lens will become an expensive point and shoot if you dont have some understanding of photography basics. photogrpahy is even more expensive than reefing.

Hellloooo Laura!!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thanks for finding that Mark, I dug around their site last night but didn't/couldn't find it.