Recent content by Marty M

They're almost identical to RIO pumps. I used a new 3000 in the sump for a few months. And then like RIOs of the past it quit and sent that yucky burning electrical smell throughout the house. Luckily no damage was done.

Terry B: Wouldn't a new fish require hyposalinity or copper treatment during the Q period to guarantee it is not carrying at an unobservable level? Thirty days of quarantine alone would suffice for inverts and corals as long as the Qtank has no fish, but simply observing a new fish is not a...

You have to control nutrient import and export on your terms. Your current nutrient level will fuel a certain level of algae growth, no matter what. If your alkalinity and calcium are maintained, then desirable coralline algae will use some of it. Hair algae, Halimeda, Valonia, or Caulerpa will...

I personally wouldn't do it because it is a very slow grower in my system. I had three nice pieces that barely grew in a year. I had to frag the best one because it got stung by a mushroom and receded uncontrollably. It may take a long time to get a nice shape again. Does yours grow fast?

If you siphon or filter out as many as you can, a natural predator may then keep it under control. One Six Line Wrasse has eliminated them from my main tank. They are still in the refugium and sump. A slug called c. Varians will eat them all before it dies if you can keep it out of your...

Hi Greg, That is exactly what I have done, but my system doesn't evaporate very much, so it was a little slower. If you top off with water that is approximately the same as the tank, the s.g. will still increase, but at the rate of evaporation which is more gradual. Some individual corals may...

If you have to treat a fish, the coral skeletons and some sands will absorb copper and some other meds. This can complicate dosing and it will remain in the system forever. Natural substrate may put your fish more at ease. You might consider silica sand as it doesn't suck up copper, like...

I am not familiar with your particular skimmer. But, if an air line feeds your pump, they tend to clog with salt. You can simply put the open end of the air line under water, letting it draw tank water instead of air for a moment. That usually cleans out the line. A little fresh water would be...

Good idea to quarantine and add them together. I would also stock all the other more peaceful fish a couple months in advance. You should give the Sohal the same consideration as the Clown Tang, as the Clowns are at least, and probably more, aggressive than a Sohal. The Achilles for that matter...

What's wrong with foods that have a binder?

And what would be good sinking pellet?

Sometimes a new fish needs an established fish or two to demonstrate how the meal program works in your tank. You know like you are his friend. I'll put one or two of my sociable Occelaris clowns on the job if I have trouble getting a shy new fish to eat. They learn not to be afraid of you

What kind of bio filter is in the 20? I keep bioballs active with an ammonia product. I add a few drops every couple days to maintain it. If I want to quarantine a fish soon, I'll spike it with a little more ammonia. It usually zeroes out in a day and your ready to go. If the nitrates get too...

Go for the liquid and syringe. It's a solvent that seeps into the seem and instantly fuses the two pieces. It's dry in minutes and cured overnight. The only warning is to practice on some scraps because drips are unsightly and permanent. A plastic shop would probably do it for you for a few...

Plastic shops sell acrylic buffing products. I think one is called Brillianize. Definitely remove all the sand grit from the tank walls very gently before cleaning with a magnet. They scratch easy.I am learning the hard way on an old tank. I'll be much more careful with a new one. The biggest...