reefman

Anyway, to give the promised background - We ordered this tank in early December, with the plans to set it up the week after Christmas. Part of the tank got stuck in Customs, and it didn't arrive until the beginning of January. When Kingfish did get it, a forklift had damaged the stand, which caused another delay. Because of other commintments, this was the first weekend we were going to be able to do the set-up. Our corner tank started having problems last Sunday, and we have lost several corals and had to do several water changes. To add to everything else, both our dogs got sick this week. So...with everything else we haven't had a chance to get the other things ready for the tank set-up of the new tank. It seemed to make sense, since we have already waited so long, to delay one more week to make sure everything else was locked down. We should be able to get those things done this weekend, and be ready next weekend for the set-up. I hope I haven't inconvenienced anyone, and hope we all can get together next weekend. Stephen

I can't beleive this! I just wrote 3 paragraphs and hit reply, and the thing didn't post it. Arg! I had new sites! Anyway, we are delaying the tank set-up until next weekend. I'll give a longer explanation when I'm not so tired. I hope we can re-group on this next Saturday. James, thanks for dropping the tub by. I moved it to the back yard when I got home. Stephen

Thanks Steve. Location: 11610 Autumn Ridge Drive. Austin,Texas 78759 Just off 183 and Oak Knoll Time: Saturday, Feb 9th, morning. Should have a more precise time later in the week, but I'm guess right now at around 9 or 10. Should only take about 15 - 30 minutes. Stephen

Friday morning is when we plan to take down the wave tank. If you are up here sooner, that cool to, we could just put iti in the garage till then. Stephen

You mentioned using Miracle Mud in the refuge. Have you used it before? I have it in a CPR HOB refuge, and could not honestly recommend it over sand based on my experience, and the expense of it. I don't have anything against it, just that I have not seen all the miracles happen they advertise about from it. I think the success I've had on that tank are as much a results of a Deltec calcium reactor, Euro-Reef skimmer, and plentying of testing and addiing supplements as anything the Miracle Mud has done. Stephen

Kingfish and I will be setting up my new Elos tank Saturday, and could use some help moving the tank off the truck into the house. It should only tank about 15 minutes, but I would feel better if we could have some extra hands for this part of the set-up. Anyone that could lend a hand would be appreciated. Does anyone living up north have a 50 - 65 gal tub we could use for a couple of days? Also, James, unless someone else up here has one, I would like to take you up on borrowing the 50 gal tub. Do I need to pick it up this week? Will it fit in the back of Nora's SUV? Thanks everyone. Stephen

Nora, Lauren, and I plan to be there. Stephen

48" Current Outer Orbit light fixture. 2X150W double ended metal hilide lamps, one side 10K and one side 20K. 2X54W Dual Compact actinics. 2 extra Dual Compact bulbs, used 2 months. 6 extra HQI bulbs (most are 20K, but I think 1 is 10K). $400 Upgraded to 400W Luminarcs. Had great SPS growth when I had them on. Stephen

I must have missed it. What is your phosphate (and for grins, your Nitrate) readings?

jsr, You said you have been fighting algae from the start, how long have you had the tank up? Are you sure its not a cycle its going through? When I set my first one up, I thought I was going to go nuts with algae, but after it went thru the "cycle" (I'm not referring to the standard nitrogen cycle), it finally went away on its on. I don't know anything about the skimmer you have, but I definitely would not trade the skimmer for a fuge. I have a fuge on one of mine and love it, but I got a Euro-Reef skimmer first. Also, what is your clean up crew (snails, etc.)?

When you PM me, I'll answer back with my phone # so we I can explain over the phone if need be. Stephen

KarenM, If you are interested, I have a 135 reef-ready I need to move, so I can set up the 200 we want to move to. Its 50"Lx24"Dx 24-25"H. Its acrylic, would come with the stand, canopy, sump, pump, 2 metal hilides, 2 VHO actinics, and either a Trigger or Aerofoamer clone skimmer (your choice). I might could throw in a Hydor or two, depending, It was originally set up for closed loop, but was not planning on selling it that way (but would if someone was interested). However, it would raise the price, because that would mean including a Dart and Sequence pump, and a lot of flexible PVC piping. The tank started leaking, and can be repaired according to Brian at Kingfish, but I would be basically giving away the tank to whoever bought the rest of the system. Brian said he could get a glass tank for it (if someone wanted to replace the acrylic one) for around $300-$350. I could even throw in a 4" Hippo tank that is currently living in my frag tank. I have two 90gs, and have a Hippo (bigger) in one, plus others. Per Gabriel's comment about them being too big for a 90, I have had the larger "Dori" for over a year, and had always planned on finding her another home if she got too big. So far, she seems fine. I agree with the other comments. It seems the size doesn't make much difference in maintenance. Its about the same for a 50, 90, 135, etc. No matter what the size, you still have all the functions you have to perform. I'm sure a 300-500 would be a different story, however. PM me if you are interested in the system, and we'll see what we coould work out. Stephen

Thanks James. Man, you must have been typing as soon as I posted the thread Sorry we didn't get a chance to talk more Sunday. Stephen

Here are a few more I couldn't resist to post, and have nothing to do about the question about enough lighting. Stephen

Per the dude's instructions, I'm posting pics of my wave tank and the attached 40g frag tank. I'm questioning if I have enough light on the frag tank. Currently, it has 4 t-5's (2 white blue, 2 blue atinic, all Geismann). Here is the set up. This is the wave tank. The is the frag tanf from the side. From frag tank trying to look up at the lights. The light are so close to the water, this was about impossible. Stephen

Sorry Captain Bob, was just wondering who you were and trying to make a joke. No offense meant. Stephen

KarenM, If Mawshi doesn't have any to sale (don't want to stomp on her thread) I have some I can give you. Just let me know when you are in N Austin. If not far from River City. Stephen

Lurker, I PM'd you. Reeflover, I PM'd you too. Who is Captain Bob? I hope I don't see this system in a couple of weeks in their "consignment" area. Stephen

Those are really gorgeous clams! How much do you want for them? Just kidding, of course. Seriously, I'm heading up to Steve's in a little bit to get some Emerald crabs, so thought I would let you know in case you wanted to holler at each other... Stephen

Nora, Lauren, and I are all planning on coming. Stephen

I am planning on coming. Stephen

I've read somewhere where duct tape is suggested for bristle worm spines too. Stephen

I have nothing worthwhile to say, I just wanted to put something somewhere to try out my new avatar Stephen

I have the Maroon Clown, Anemone, big Paly rock, and the Cabbage Coral. I was about to call Steve at Horizon Pets, but if you will get with me right away I will hold off. My # is 257-9550. Stephen

Since no one has offered to sale or trade, I need to get rid of the following (for free): Cabbage Leather (around 6" x 3" - 4") Yellow Paly's (big piece, can be broken up) Pink Paly's (also a lot that could be broken up) Maroon Clown (unless I can drop him off at an LFS, you could very well save his life if you decide to take him)- (Maroon Clown currently spoken for by rocco_and_hermits, could change tomorrow after 11:00 AM depending on what they decide) There maybe be a long tenacle Anemone in there, but since he retreated under the rocks I won't know until I break down the tank One rock small rock (maybe 8" x 4") with small pretty toadstool, clove polyp's with green centers, and fury green mushrooms (currently promised to Headless Donkey, but he if decides he doesn't want it, it's up for grabs) Tons of mushrooms, mainly purple, but some blues. You will have to pick them off the rock. Please PM me or call 257-9550 b/4 10:00 or after 11:00 tomorrow. I'll be at breaking down and changing the sand on the corner tank all day tomorrow. Stephen