4R00P3R

You realize the December meeting is this Saturday, right? Maybe you'll have time to come and show off your inverntory. I might be interested in some. I have a digital scale that measures as low as 10lbs increasing by 1/5 lb increments.

I prefer the hammerhead float and the tiger shark float from http://www.algaefree.com/

Well of course you do. They're $70 and $100!

Wow. More people have viewed the meeting topic poll than this thread. It looks like there aren't going to be many people at this point. Get the word around so we'll have a crowd.

I would not drill the tank. If you have an Oceanic, the resale value is pretty good, but not if you drill it. I recommend a standard overflow box. Usually they are rated with "up to ___ gph". If you have a 180 with a 55g sump you will most likely want a Mag-Drive 9.5 or an Eheim 1262. You could even use one as large as a Mag18. These should provide about 750gph of flow (or 1200gph for the 18) so you need an overflow box that's rated accordingly. I use a Mag12 and I only have a single overflow, but it just barely keeps up with the pump (possibly bad pump or under-rated overflow).

I also use a mag float, but prefer to use one size larger than they recommend.

If you scrub it this way:

..... _____

<--|_____|-->

instead of this way:

.... __

<--|7|-->

<--|7|-->

<--|_|-->

I think it works a lot better.

Magnets asside, I prefer the old fasioned scraper because when I get a small featherduster or sand or anything under the magnet it scratches the glass.

They don't have kalkwasser on the list!

Just FYI - be careful with hang-on type over flows. If you have a power outage bad things can happen because the overflow can lose siphon. when the power comes back on the return pump will flood the tank. I highly recommend using a drilled tank for a reef aquarium.

They will only loose siphon if your hose is lower than the U pipe. I wouldn't worry about that. I use a hang on and never had a problem when my power went out. We all prefer drilled tanks, but cost and practicallity prevail. I recommend the eheim, or mag drive pumps. There is a poll thread in the other section addressing this exact debate. You will find more info than I can give you there.

I have some rhodactis to trade.

Is the xenia light or dark pink?

All three you're offering sound interesting. Do you have any pics or can I come see them?

So the PVC pipes are attached to an external overflow that lead into the sump? What size overflow would suffice for an 180gal tank?

Sorry guys, I'm pretty new to this all! I'm extremely excited to get this tank up and running though! Thank you for everyone's help!

That depends on the size of the sump and the velocity of your return pump. Like I was trying to say, the pump will say a size of pipe needed. You should use a pipe at least that large, but preferably one or two sizes larger for the overflow.

This one is in Raleigh, NC.

Here's one...oh wait, you don't want to see that.

How about this one:

Let me know if I should use that one or change it. Suggestions by non-competitors?

Another way, that I should have thought of earlier, to measure the necessary PVC size is to find out what the return pump recommends. then use at least the same size or preferably one size larger PVC for the overflow.

how far between the bulb and the water, and between the water and the coral? 15" should be plenty. did the coral start acting up before or after the water change? I would guess that it's a water quality issue. I would test your parameters. Are there any anemonies or stinging corals in your tank? As long as the coral isn't dead it will "bounce back" if you fix the problem.

Hey! It's December now! It looks like Greenmako wins with 7 votes.

I'm willing to let someone keep them on loan for up to a month if you can't afford them immediately. They need a new home with a larger tank ASAP. Please feel free to make an offer.

I also have a couple hair algae pics. I don't know what you all have against it. I think it looks cool and I don't have to buy as much food or feed on schedule.

if we all wait for used stuff to become available then we won't get new stuff now. if no one gets new stuff now there won't be any used stuff for sale.

what's gonna happen?

I'm asking for new speakers and a detachable showerhead. No new reef stuff. Sorry.

what kind of lights? what wattage? how close was the birdsnest? when was your last waterchange? there are too many factors to answer the question. please give more details.

most tanks cannot be drilled through the bottom because it's made of tempered glass. if it's not tempered you will need to build an internal overflow box or use sloted PVC that goes all the way to the surface of the water. fish proteins and oils rise to the top of the water and that's why overflow boxes are used. they skim the dirty water from the surface.

I'm not sure what you mean by "'spit' out over/right on the top of the overflow box into my tank". the pvc stays within the overflow box, and the return pipe doesn't go inside the overflow box. you will want your return pipe and overflow pipe on opposite sides of the tank if possible. to calculate the size of the holes, you need to know the size of the pvc fittings. you find out the size of the pvc by...oh my physics class isn't going well...calculating the force of gravity on the water minus the force of friction due to the pipe. then based on force you can get velocity. after you know velocity you can calculate how many GPH your return pump provides and use the same GPH(velocity) as the amount that goes in the overflow.

you need a skimmer, a return pump, a heater, and preferably a bubble trap. there was a recent thread about bubble traps. if you look it will tell you exactly what that is. some people will also use the sump to keep a UV sterilizer, extra live rock, plants, sand, and a secure area for breeding pods.

like they said, the bigger the better, as long as you can afford it(that's where i have problems ). just make sure you get a sump that's not too tall. to check height requirements place your skimmer under the tank as elevated as possible off the floor accounting for clearance necessary while removing the skimmate cup. then measure from the floor up to the recommended water level of the skimmer. some water will drain to the sump when your pump turns off, so you need to know how much cu. ft. of water will drain. add the determined height of drained water to the height of water during normal use,then you will know the maximum water height and how tall of a sump to buy.

I would just siphon it in Karen. Then you don't have to buy a pump.

As far as cleaning the overflow box goes, I would take it off next time you turn off the return pump during a water change. Then you can use the water you took out during the water change to rinse the overflow box and other things that need rinsing like sponges(smallest to largest).

I have used

Binswanger Glass Co

1416 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX

(512) 472-2421

It's going to be expensive for that much glass; you're still buying new and not used. You also need a brace across the top like most large tanks have. I don't know where you got the 1/2" quote, but thickness depends on shape as much as gallonage. Where did you see 1/2"?

The only thing I can think of that wasn't mentioned is that your skimmer needs to be submerged within a certain range. I think the Euro-Reef is 6", but you should check the manual or customer service. Then you will know how much to fill your sump.

I planned to put these in my reef tank, but decided to go with different fish. They have been in my quarantine tank for about a month and they love to eat. Unfortunately the quarantine tank is not size appropriate for long term fish keeping so they need and deserve a new loving home. They are both about 4-5 inches. I paid $150 for the pair about one month ago, so I think that it's fair to ask $145.

PM for pictures.

If you're considering those fish I would make sure you plan to have an aggressive tank. Despite the advertising, they are not typically considered "reef safe".