Posts by darrie53

I have a friend who is talking about how he runs a refugium on a 10-gallon tank and it sounded odd since many of my own refugium tend to be almost double that size. That got me thinking about it all, and I was curious if many it was just me not running across many nano-tanks who are in the reef realm. What are some of the smaller tanks that you all run that have a refugium?

Is there any known reliable controller that can be used (that isn’t an Apex unit) that has this functionality? I know there are a bunch of others but their probes tend to get messed up since they aren’t used for saltwater tanks unfortunately.

I have several questions below that I would love some answers to!

1. Can I install the reactors in line? That will eliminate the need for multiple water pumps.
2. If I install them in-line, in what order should I do so?
3. Nitra-Guard and Phospha-Guard essentially require an airline to be injected into their reactor. There is quite a large flow of air involved, and I don't want air tumbling through the other subsequent reactors. Is this a legitimate concern?
4. To increase the effectiveness of Nitra-Guard and Phospha-Guard. What kind of reactor is suitable, to inject not just air but also a small amount of vinegar via an automatic doser?

I'm considering all pieces of advice and opinions. They will be much appreciated. Thank you!

Hi!

I already have a small tank to use as the sump and I was wondering if a bubble trap is necessary I am trying to do this as cheap as possible. Also can someone please tell me what those overflow things are why can't I just use a inlet tube.

I am building a sump for m tank and was wondering if bubble traps are really needed?

Hey folks,

I have a a light fixture that is about 3 years old that is on about 6 hours per day. I am wondering how long these stay effective? Do they have a shelf life? I am assuming they do.

Thanks!

I do, since without the temperature difference you may not see your fish adjust or change their colors, try to breed, etc. I’ve even heard and read a few studies that I will need to link in here, that have shown keeping the tank at the same temperature can actually reduce their lifespan and immunity since they get too adjusted to that temperature over time that any variation can throw their body into “wack”.

I would say it was after the second tank, I realized that keeping fish is for sure a hobby but can overwhelm someone’s house easily. Each tank to me, really can be a different environment with totally different species housed within from around the world - it's basically like being able to see the wild or parts of the world in nature within your house, especially when you make the tank match their home environment with decorations, plants, woods or rocks, etc.

My worry is just making sure that while you raise them, that you can give them the best diet to be super beneficial to the fry.

Do you source the food from somewhere specific? Or do you also try to make that food from home (ex; purposely growing algae in a tank and scrapping it off to feed to these brine shrimp)?

I’m not sure how common this is for other people, but how often have you randomly checked your tank and noticed these odd chips missing from the glass? Not so much that it is cracked, but a chip like it was damaged by decoration or something else random?

How do you end up dealing with them or getting them fixed - or do you not get them fixed since you can’t see them when the tank is filled with water?

I appreciate the follow up, and the level of detail that is within the study that you created.

What is the recommended concentration of hydrogen peroxide to dip frags in to remove any algae or containment when placing in a new aquarium?

What are some things you consider to be misinformation in this hobby?

For example, I’m fighting a tank crash right now because I got lazy with my tank. I think this is ultimately due to overcomplicating things that I hear people say are necessary on YouTube or even online.

Where did you originally learn about sumps and did you think they were a good idea at first or were they an odd idea using another tank for custom media/water movement?

Just make sure you give them a tank that has and maintains a calcium/hard water content - since they use that to keep their shells hard and not cracked/rotting through.

Otherwise they are slow eaters, and can move around in the water and sometimes outside.

As always I appreciate you keeping this updated and going!

Count me in!

Where are some good places where you have purchased equipment or the necessary aspects for making your own actual alive food at home?

Any secret aspects you add to make it more beneficial to those fish or inverts that eat it? I personally will make sure my brine shrimp are super-fed with high-quality algae to make them even more of a mixed diet food that is high in nutrient quality.

Pros: cheaper overall, thinner fixture, no heat, wide light spectrum produced, cool visual effects like storms, clouds, etc.

Cons: if they break or don’t work normally means you have to replace the whole unit, heat can be a con if you want warmth at the top, some units can still be pricey dependent on LED quality

I’d wash them in white vinegar and soap, and let it sit in there for a few days completely submerged. Do not boil them since that can cause them to explode or crack.

I personally wouldn’t use beach rocks since you have no idea of the stuff they have soaked in the super long term, or even what type of rock (and any chemicals/metals that it may be apart of).

Could you add the sources for some of the statements made within the disease-related pages (and maybe others)? Specifically looking for any scientific documentation or studies were done that would approve such aspects discussed.