Recent content by ReefLion

Thanks very much for all the suggestions. Regarding lionfish, the only shrimp I was really considering were peppermints, for the aiptasia, but then again if I have a good aip-eating fish then I won't need them. Do lionfish eat hermits as well? Keep in mind this will not be a reef tank at...

I'd like to set up a 180 FOWLR. It would be supported by a basement sump system of approximately 200 gallons, including a 75 gallon stock tank with a DSB and live rock. The display tank will have live rock and a small layer of sand. The sand in the display will be just for looks, so I don't...

Hi Dave. That colt has grown significantly since that photo. At full extension, it's probably not twice as big but getting close. That's after one small frag was taken. Let me know if anyone wants a frag and is near Philly. Tim

The link below is an old thread with a picture of my colt. It is actually a bit pinker than it looks in the photo, and it is definitely not dyed. I've had well over a year at this point, and it grows like crazy. Tim http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t ... light=colt

Try this old thread on "nitrate factories." If you do a search on that or "nitrate factory" on this board you should get some info. Tim http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t ... ht=diffuse

It looks like flexible PVC. Great stuff. I go to savko.com for all plumbing. Tim

You will get die-off, but bacterial populations should be fine. I am surprised you get zero on your test kits. I would re-confirm that with another kit, or at least wait a few more weeks. Tim

I agree with Jason on the height. The difference between 24" and 30" high is substantial when it comes to cleaning the glass/acrylic. I would highly recommend staying at 24" or less unless you are really willing to work hard during cleaning from time to time. Tim

Agreed. Regular airline tubing can be fine, but more rigid polyethelyne is a little better for avoiding kinks, etc. Tim

If you do a search on this board for 'plenum' and 'deep sand bed' or 'DSB' you should pick up a lot of threads on this. My opinion is that a DSB provides the advantages of a plenum without the added difficulties. Tim

The vario is noisy at high speeds, but once you slow it down it is very quiet. It sounds like yours is having some kind of problem in that you cannot slow it down, so it might be worth sending back. I highly recommend them overall, however. I use two of them. Tim

If it's gurgling I recommend a Durso standpipe, and re-do of the drain plumbing to flex PVC so as to minimize fittings. Tim

I assume the Iwakis are external? If so, then a submersible pump might help, assuming you could add a couple degrees without problems. Another option is basement sump, if that is feasible. Put all that stuff in the basement, plus minimizes heat issues. Try to reduce plumbing joints, if...

Sounds like a wise move. If you can keep them near each other, you can use the same sump, although you'll have to be careful about the water quality degrading a bit with messy eaters in your system. Tim

Trigger gave some excellent advice. The only thing I would maybe say differently is that it is possible to keep lots of nice things with PC lighting. What you need to do now is make a realisitic assessment of what you might want to keep in the future. Then work your lighting around that...