Bill B

This listing sez it is 250 Watts Metal Halide Reef Bulb HQI 20000K FC2 DE. As mentioned the ballast is electronic. Does this shed any light (pardon the pun) on any mismatch? edit: Actually now that I have some terms to search I eventually found this. ARO Electronic Ballast-250W It will run any 250 watt lamp.. * Works with all 250W lamps. * Works with 250W HQI double ended lamps. Doesn't this mean it should be the bulb, or is there something else I am not aware of. Thanks Bill

Not long ago I got 2 cheap MH bulbs off Ebay, just perfect for my budget. The first a 150 I pushed with a Sun park electronic ballast and it was fine. I like it. The second a 250, I just tried to connect to my ARO electronic ballast. All it does is crackle right when I turn it own and then 'spark' apprx. every second, but the bulb never seems to 'ignite' and burn. I only let it do this for about 15-20 seconds before I turn it off for fear of some other problem, but have tried 3 or 4 times. I have an old bulb in it which is fine. The ballast wattage is appropriate for each bulb. These are DE bulbs. Does this just sound like a defective bulb, or some other glitch? Thanks Bill

I'm not trying to be rude either, really, but most people I have known would say there is no difference between a 4 ft 75 and a 4 ft 90 when it comes to swimming area for tangs. JMO Bill

I am assuming that it is not reef ready and 'the light' is just a standard 4 ft. florescent. Is that correct? Thanks Bill

I believe Ric is refering to Aquahub.com. I also got my components from them. Going a little more of the DIY route they were even cheaper than autotopoff. Bill

Sorry about your fish Carrie. Actually you may be correct but more in an indirect sort of way. The new powerhead may have been the final component to its demise, but not the cause. I agree with everyone else that one K4 definitely would not be too much for your fox face. I have both. What may have very well happened is that your beloved fish was in trouble and it was not evident to you. I have lost two Fox Faces in exactly that same way. They seemed fine one day, the next they were on the outside of my K3 (now K4). Seeing my healthy Fox Face now swimming all around my K4 I realize that they must have been so weak even the relatively small pull of the powerhead was too much for them to overcome, whereas healthy it was nothing. I believe if the extra current was a problem it was because the fish was already in trouble. Even if the current was a big problem (which I don't believe it is), there should still be ample room for your other fish to stay out of the current. At worst the new powerhead may be showing you that something is already amiss. Good luck. Bill

Actually Holey Rock being a calcium product, will help to keep the pH higher, which is why it is used so commonly in tanks needing higher pH. However, I have heard some say it can contribute to hair algae in SW tanks for some reason? Bill

I assume CPR and Cyclone are the same or similar. I am using one each on my 29 (not the combo). I would say it works 'OK'. I really like that it has such a small 'footprint' in the tank. That being said, it really needs the little surface skimmer/bubble trap add on box which will add to the in tank presence. I also added an airstone to mine. Looks uglier but works better. Maybe a stronger pump would have the same effect but I am not sure if it is advisable to add bigger pumps. Apparently the refugium part is also prone to trapping air. Mine has never overflowed but the water level does rise regularly. The refugium and some cheato has helped with nitrates. Like I said OK but not great. Of course, maybe the combo is better? HTH Bill vw's comments about the Accela pump might well be the solution to not needing the airstone mod.

You can download the coupon from their website: www.rivercityaquatics.com Bill

PM sent - I am VERY interested in the smaller mh. Thanks Bill

Lookin' good Alex. I had some minor concerns you would put it in a bad spot and it wouldn't want to really expand for you, but it looks like that definitely is not the case. It was nice to meet you. Enjoy. Bill

The frogspawn has been sold, but otherwise there is still some of both of the other corals left. Just PM me for my address and phone # if you would like to drop by. I am available much of the time day or night. Thanks Bill

Yellow Polyps - Dave's photo contest is same item $1 Polyp rounded down to nearest $5 (eg - 18 polyps = $15) - 4 or 5 available $5-$15 A number of differrent brown palys and zoa - green centers, long lashes, giant palys, Orange PE (but most would call these light brown) - 5-10 polyps - $5 not a good pic couple of other misc 'commons' - $5-$10 Thanks for looking Bill

pm sent

While I am far from an expert on the subject, here are a couple things I have observed. Some people feel like VHO's give a better color actinic and/or perhaps it is just more of it. I definitely do not agree with the size comparison. Especially in retros I believe 2 - 4 ft VHO's at 110 watts ea, with a little slim electronic ballast are going to take less space than 4 T5's, especially since VHO bulbs typically have built in reflectors. Perhaps this is why they are still popular, especially with 'old timers' = because with no more space than 2 t5's with reflectors you can have twice the watts, albeit slightly less efficient watts. JMO Bill

Alright Laura, I confess. I put that urchin there

Just wanted to chime in that intentionally causing a spike could be the proverbial cutting off your nose.... Unless you've intentionally done this before it sounds mighty risky. JMO (Not to be too patronizing but are you sure this is Xenia and not Aptasia? When they are small they do look a little similar.) Bill

Hi - wondering what a few of your beautiful tank inhabitants are, and more specifically if they are 1.5"/$10 fragable. Top left purplish; top center red; and just above red another purplish . Thanks Bill

Wow what a nice lookin' tank. What is that red thing top center right behind what appears to be maybe green birdsnest and then the purple just above the red? Is either of them part of your 1.5" for $10 plan? Thanks Bill

GONE Thanks Bill

Hi Cindy I would like a frag of the Tri Color please. Just let me know what a good time to drop by will be. As usual I am available day and nite - and close Bill

I'm not trying to make a big deal about this 'discussion' but I have to dissagree whole heartedly with this attitude. Frankly, there is a long debate that could be had about how humane aquariums and aquariums owners are and lord knows nature is sometimes just down right viscous. But none of this addresses the 'fight'. In this instance someone put two animals together for the express purpose of seeing WHICH WOULD DIE FIRST and there is nothing redeeming about that. It's just flat out wrong!! IMHO Bill

I've got a NIB Koralia 4 I would let go for $45. Bill

Troy Please do check. I have no problem with the age. These are additional lights, so if they are not burning 100% to start with, that's almost a bonus. Feel free to call, if you prefer - 784-4475. Bill

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