Paul

This Coralife Skimmer is - a hunk of junk - and that's being polite. It overflows, produces little skimmate, is noisy, and worst of all, is absolutely horrid about producing microbubbles. Anyone care to share their recommendations for a skimmer, preferably one that sits in the sump, sized for a 65g tank? My preferences would be: Effective, quiet, on the small side, modest cost, auto water level adjustment (if needed), drain line from the collection cup, nice if it comes matched with the correct pump. And good about not flooding the tank/sump with microbubbles! Ideally, it would be a model someone has in stock that I can go pick up today. But I can live with the delay if I need to order it off the net. -Paul

That would be the f stop (aperture). Try setting it higher, walking up the stops until you get the focus you want. The aperture walk to try is: 2.8 -> 4 -> 5.6 -> 8 -> 11 -> 16 -> 22. You may have to tinker with shutter speed a bit at the higher stops. -Paul

Really good start Ty! You might want to try turning off autofocus if you can, and also narrow up the aperture a little. That will give you a bit deeper focus. The depth of field you can hold with any particular focal length and distance is dependent on the lens aperture. The more you have to open the aperture to get enough light, the shallower the depth of field. -Paul

How about plastic screen material? Pretty easy to cut to size and put in a lightweight frame.

Typical AGA tank with the MegaFlow overflow built in. I'm not sure how thick the glass is, though I am thinking 5/16". The DSA tanks look really nice, but are really expensive, and I expect they would not work on this stand either. -Paul

I was actually just trying to calculate the stress that brace is actually taking. I don't trust my math, or else the plastic bracing around the tank has to be something really special, because the torsion appears to be almost non-existent when static. Water movement, however, can put a ginormous stress on it, albeit for only a few seconds at a time. (*sigh*) I guess the people building the tanks really do know what they are talking about. So yes, I agree that draining the tank would be a good idea before doing any mods on it. An example of poor planning on my part - this just keeps getting more and more complex. I like the idea of just putting couple lights over the tank, though the lighting cost would increase both in routine electric costs and in bulb replacement costs. On the other hand, replacing the tank would be an option, but with what? 36LX18WX25H is a hard set of dimensions to replicate. -Paul

Euro brace? I'll have to go google that. I like the idea of two glass braces and just chop heck out of the center one. Q: Would an acrylic bar do and could it be bolted to the existing plastic with a couple nylon or plastic nuts and bolts? -Paul

Aw phooey- well, if it's so, it's so. Can't change what is. I like the idea of replacing the cheapo black plastic with a pane of glass, but not sure how could I do the replacement without draining the tank. -Paul

One small miscalculation when Karen and I finally put the tank together. We hung a Current Sundial pendant above the thing, not thinking about point sources and shadows. The result was predictable. The tank has not been 'scaped yet, and there is a bit of a sandstorm still brewing in this picture, but you can see that I need to do something about the issue. I am starting to dream about what 90 seconds with my dremel tool could do. (Have to polish off the rough edges after all... Okay, I am about half joking, but that silly *** brace in the middle of the tank doesn't seem to be taking any load at all right now. If it were to disaapear, then me and my shadow can part ways. But I do not want a living room full of water either... Advice? I suppose I could just sell the sundial (its less than a week old - tank was just setup on Wednesday pm. ) Then buy two clip-ons or hang two small pendants. Or buy a 36" fixture. It would help if I didn't make Scrooge McDuck look like a spendthrift. -Paul

Eh, are you talking about in the last couple years or so? Because they are "saltwaterfish.com" now and have the same supply side for rock as about a half dozen other companies in Florida. We bought some rock from them (hell, we didn't *know* about prof!) and are very happy with it. Needed a bit of curing of course. Tampa Bay Saltwater is really good too, but a bit more costly. -Paul

Very very cool indeed! Best of luck on the start of your new parenting journey! It takes special people to do what you are doing. Please do share what you can, when you can, and when your adoption process goes through, it will be family picnic time! -Paul

Don't want the little fellers to starve, and right now, the little tank has enormous carrying capacity. Ain't nothing else in there! A little Mysis shrimp it will be. Thanks! -Paul

Karen went a bit overboard when ordering a cleanup crew - DF&S had a deal on free overnight shipping apparently. Anyways - she got a bit too many! What does one feed hermit crabs, peppermint shrimp, bumblebee snails and such when there is a dearth of flotsam and aiptasia in their new home? Right now about all that is in there is a few bits of golden brown diatoms from the initial cycle on the tank. -Paul

I'm really sorry to hear this happened to you. Let me know if there is any way I can help. -Paul

Retreat! Retreat!! Killer rabbits you know...

I think that the fellow selling this really means that 'All Sales Final" bit - meaning not even a no-DOA guarantee. You totally risk loosing $200 plus shipping on this. I thought about buying one and contacted the seller - he was really arrogant about not providing even a DOA guarantee. And if you read through the feedback, there are at least 17 people who are unhappy with him over the past year, and a LOT of the positive feedback looks like it came from the same group of non-English speaking people. Lastly, these turn out to be the "Odyysea" lights, which are knockoffs of Coralights, I think. (YMMV...) When you get a well made unit, they are alright, though apparently known for problems with fans and less than stellar quality bulbs that peak just a bit lower than they really should. But - you run the risk of getting a piss poor one, or one that was mishandled, and again, you have no recourse with the seller. If you do decide to buy it, please do pay for it with a credit card through PayPal - at least that way, you might stand a chance of getting your money back if the thing is a true turkey. Caveat emptor! is the watchword here. -Paul P.S. I much prefer caveat venditor myself...

Yipes! We have a leaker here folks! Cat Damage actually! Anyone have a small overflow box they would be willing to sell, like soon? Thanks -Paul

You know after thinking about that a little more, I do believe Mike of the Racer Sect has a really good point though. If someone is to sell a coral for significant dollars, they had darn well better be able to prove where it came from and why it is, at least at the time of the sale, a limited edition. People do not like to get scammed, and some folks will get aggravated enough to do what it takes to "make things right." Probably the biggest reason we are not rich right now - I don't have the stomach to knowingly scam someone. -Paul

Being as commercial enterprises all call their products, which are pretty much identical, by different trade names, I think the whole issue is moot. A cnidarian labeled with a trade name is still the same cnidarian, even when sold under another trade name. And the trade name has an advantage - you can trace the lineage of the stuff, at least back to one point. Basically - I am all for trade names. I would prefer the scientific name to be used as a subtext on them though. My suggestion for the name of this beauty is "Morning Starshine" or "Twilight Stars". -Paul P.S. What's the story with this LEE fellow?

Ventana up in Round Rock will probably do it for you. They have done some custom jobs for me before. 388-9400 I think. -Paul

Oh, I knew you needed the $$ in advance, but I did not think you had enough orders for a second one. I'll send you some bucks now. (In fact, it is already in your Paypal account.) -Paul

That works for me - just let me know when and if I need to transfer $$ to you. -Paul

Is that the Precision Marine model 100? It should be about 19" tall if so. Might work just fine. Have you got a photo of the wee beastie? Thanks -Paul

I'll do a bucket if there is a slot left. Just let me know and Ill send the $$ over by PayPal. -Paul

... before I order 'em off the net. I'm not too stuck on brand names with this in most cases - homebuilt will do just fine for some things. Used gear is not a problem. If you have it laying around, we can probably make a deal. (1) Skimmer to sit in a sump - needs to be able to skim 50 gallons, so if commercial, I want one rated for a 100 gallon tank or better. (2) small tank for top off water - 5 to 10 gallon will do just fine! (3) a couple small water pumps (4) In tank pumps for flow (5) 48" lighting, MH 14K preffered, T5 4X56 or 6X56 acceptable. With or without bulbs. Pendant okay if 250w or better. 150w okay if you have two of em! (6) a 55/70/90 tank stand, 48" high would be great. Needs to be enclosed to hide sump and etc. (7) Timers/Plugin GFI gear I'll be checking RCA tomorrow for this kind of stuff, and will be putting in a order with TFP or the good Drs about the middle of next week. I figure keeping cash local in the community is a good thing, so I'll preferrentially buy stuff from club members first. Just let me know. PM, post, or call me on my cell. 512-630-5759. -Paul