Recent content by mattboy

Hi; I assume you've got the full range of micromesh, up to 12,000 grit, and that you're wet sanding with all them, right? What I've found, and I've only used the stuff on black sheet and clear tubing, never clear sheet, is that once I get to about 8000 I'm basically ready to go to a buffing...

I've often thought that propagating host anemones is one of the best things we as reefers can do to make an environmental statement, because the removal of host anemones from nature is probably one of the worst things that our hobby supports. I had an E. quad split in my nano; this ocurred after...

I'm pretty sure on the larger eheim (300gph) the inlet is a 1/2" female thread if you remove the hose barb. So, for that side, you just use a 1/2" close nipple and you're done. On the output side, you need a 3/8" close nipple and a 3/8" to 1/2" bushing. At least that's what I remember; I haven't...

I just bought one of the new blueline HD pumps to use in a closed loop. Apparently, they're very similar to the japanese iwakis. Usually I'm a bit skeptical about blueline stuff, but this pump looks to be very well made, and quite a bit cheaper than the iwakis. I have not yet set up my new...

I just ordered 2 new sea-swirls (it looks like beans and rice for a while) and also want to hard plumb. I called the company, spoke to Ed, and he said that all the new ones are now being fitted with threaded PVC elbows instead of hose barbs. He also said that lots of people send their old...

Actually, for 6" cast tube (1/4" thick wall) expect to pay at least $35 a foot, probably more, unless you can buy in bulk, or get a great deal. Locally in San Antonio, 4 1/2" tube is almost $3 /in. when bought in small quantity. If you find a great deal, please post! Thanks, Matt

I actually just finished a sump/refugium that I'm happy with. I'm also thinking of building 2 skimmers; the one for the course and a smaller one (4" tube) for smaller systems. Right now on the market there seems to be either large beckett or downdraft skimmers suitable for systems larger than...

Thanks, Sanjay. It appears then, that for my application, the best thing to do is to mount the parallel reflectors with the bulbs parallel to the tank. This way I'll get the most appropriate light spread along the length of the tank. Matt

Sanjay; (or someone who knows this) Does this mean that the bulb orientation in the visual representation is vertical or horizontal with regards to the diagram as it appears on the page? since the y axis is the same on both diagrams, I'm assuming the bulb would be oriented the same way for the...

Due to the size of the skimmer, 7X12 plus gate valve and pump, it looks like I'll be going outside the sump. In fact, I ended up making the sump a couple of inches shorter to get a solid 8" or so of stand space to put the skimmer. I'm not really a fan of submersible pumps, so I guess I'll have...

Here's a seemingly stupid question. The flow through my sump is about 600gph. If the skimmer pump is drawing almost double that, how does it affect flow through the sump? Let's say I run the skimmer next to the sump, on the right side. This is the side water drains to from the tank. The water...

Brian told me at some point that the footprint for the smallest skimmer would around 7"X12" plus a gate valve. Something like 28" tall, and fed by a big pump; mag 18 or equiv. I'm thinking this is too big for my 100 gal system, and am considering making a smaller skimmer (4 1/2" tube) along with...

I don't get it. You have 3 parallel walls right? How do you get to the one in the middle? Just apply solvent near the top or bottom and have it flow all the way along the center wall? I guess that must be what you're suggesting. In that case, you'd be using pins on the outside walls, but not the...

Teresa; I think i understand what you mean; you're concerned about the tight space getting weldon under the baffle when you're gluing the final piece of the box. I might suggest you find a smaller applicator bottle; I know the local plastic supply store here has them. This would give you a bit...

Brian; I have an idea; after we finish assembling the skimmers, we could send them to you, and you could demonstrate polishing techniques on them 8) Actually, I bet I could bug my friend the guitar maker here in San Antonio for help with polishing. Since he hand finishes each guitar with...