Recent content by sstephen

I'm currently using a Maxi-Jet 900 and a Mini-Jet 606 in my 20G. According to the specs for these pumps that should give me about 380gph. However, I'm not too happy with the current flow in my system. I'm planning on getting either a Maxi-Jet 900 (or 1200) to replace the Mini-Jet. I think that...

Although test kits can be wrong, I'm not so sure this is the case here. In the article I mentioned in my previous post, the author notes that the low Calcium, high Alkalinity test results are common in aquariums that are out of balance. The Calcium levels should be corrected by (slowly) adding...

I was following this thread because my tank has a similar problem with low Ca. Currently, I've been using Salifert All-In-One for dosing Ca and Alk (I plan to switch to a two part system, but since I already have this stuff, I might as well use it). Today, while looking through some old articles...

I've got a young aiptasia anenome growing on my glass at the moment. It appears to be white as well, although it's starting to look more and more like the big one I just eliminated.

I just tried the NaOH method last night and it seemed to work. I haven't seen any sign of the anenome yet, but it may be a little early to declare victory. One piece of advice to anyone else who might attempt this: don't apply more than few drops (like 3) at the most of this stuff. As the...

I second supaboy1981's advice. IMO, Pet Kingdom is the most expensive of the stores listed and they seem to be understaffed. It's hard to get assistance there. I was also not terribly impressed with the LFS in La Mesa. Several times, I noticed dead fish floating around in their displays, and at...

It seems like some people may be overreacting to the situation. As Green Lantern pointed out, kparton only just set up this tank. Personally, I would have (actually, I am doing this) waited a little longer before adding anything to the tank. By feeding your tank right now, you are continuing to...

LR is about $4 - $8 a pound here in San Diego. You can get even better deals if you buy larger amounts. I don't know how good Marine Depot is for LR or livestock, but I've bought dry goods from them. They are one of the best sources for aquarium equipment that I've found. You might want to look...

Getting into the 100s? 8O What part of San Diego do you live in? It has been getting hot lately. Fortunately, I can keep the room with my aquarium in the mid to high 70's. If I didn't have that air conditioning, I'd look at installing a fan in the canopy or even a small chiller. If you have a...

Matt, Do you have any personal experience with porcelain crabs? They seem like an interesting addition to a mostly filter feeding tank. I've also read that Sally Lightfoot crabs have a tendency to climb out of an open tank. Was that ever a problem for you? Scott

Hey Alex, I'm right where you'll be in few months...I've just set up a 20G nano myself. My live rock is just about done curing. I might add some snails and crabs by the end of the month. I'm sure there are plenty of people on this board that can describe a Deep Sand Bed (DSB) better than I can...

That's an excellent method. I'll keep it handy for when the wife isn't looking. :wink:

One of the suckers just appeared out of my curing live rock over the weekend, and now the wife won't let me get rid of it! I told her if it moves, it's dead.

Brandon, You mentioned 100% water changes. Are you mainly keeping corals and other inverts from the intertidal regions of a reef or is it mainly a garden reef setup? That seems a little harsh on the inverts (although it's hard to argue with your success). Do you have any soft corals as well (I...

Yeah, I'm a little hesitant to go with a Tridacna Maxima in that lighting. I'm sure a Derasa or Squamosa would do ok, but I don't have a larger tank for them. Living in San Diego, it probably would not be hard to find someone else to take it when it outgrows the tank, but I don't really want to...