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I've known people who've collected their salt water on the Jersey Shore. Plastic 55G drums were used for transport. Note that any vehicles you use will eventually suffer rust damage. To collect water ideally, you should go out 3 to 5 miles in your boat. Then you should filter the water with...

While a DIY salt mix is indeed a noble scientific experiment, I think you'll find that the cost to create a quality 150G quantity of it will exceed the cost of a commercially available salt. Even volume users, like public aquariums, buy their salt in bulk from commercial sources. You'd...

I think the Hidden Reef salt you're referring to is MEI Crystal Sea Marinemix. I was in Philly 4 weeks ago, and I got two 150G boxes of it for less than $20 a box. (They also have it in pails for something like $25.) The Hidden Reef has always had great loss-leader prices on salt. (I have no...

I recently added glass lids to my 180 because the manufacturer of my LEDs implied there would be warranty issues if I didn't use them.

I like modular hardware - I'm not a big fan of multi-functional hardware. Ever see those TVs with built-in VCRs or DVDs? They cost more than a plain TV, and when the TV goes south, you need to replace your DVR (or VCR) too. My dosing preference is for individual stand-alone pumps and a...

I've been running a DIY Sulfur filter for a few years now. The NO3 in my 600g system doesn't get above 6ppm. I also dose carbon.

At the MACNA held in Pittsburg (I don't remember the MACNA number) one speaker mentioned that there was a company in Europe that had managed to successfully breed and raise Cleaner Shrimp. The company hasn't released any info on how they accomplished this - it is a "trade secret". Seems like...

Not happy with the internet acrylic suppliers? I'm not sure there are any retail sites in northern NJ that will cut acrylic to size. The one site I've used in Northern NJ now has a minimum charge, and I won't reference them. If I needed cut-to-measure acrylic pieces, I'd take the PATH into...

Daniel, What is the phosphate level those pellets keep your system at? And, the brand of the phosphate kit you are using for your testing? Thanks...

This thread kind of makes you wonder why people buy MP-anythings...

Is anyone happy with the results of their using "Bio-Pellets" to reduce phosphates? I'm delighted with the nitrate reduction, but my phosphate reduction is questionable. If you are happy with your phosphate reduction, please let us know the brand of pellets you are using, the phosphate...

I think the jury is still out on the Alk Checker: http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/chemistry/103282-alk-readings.html

I hope Ronald Oldfield didn't receive a government grant to do that study. Anyone have a link to the actual study, and not just a synopsis?

BTA Caveat Getting a BTA to move to where you would like it to be is an effort akin to herding cats, and probably not worth your time. That said, there is a caveat --- I've had more than one RBTA hide out in the rocks away from direct light. When they finally emerge they're small and mostly...

Another Source of Micro Bubbles Micro Bubbles are frequently caused by poor plumbing practices when joining PVC pipe with PVC fittings. A bad glue job can not only result in a water leak - it can also result in air being sucked into the assembly via the venturi effect. The bubbles will be...

Steve, Good luck with your search for a valid Bryopsis eater: "Sea hares, nudibranchs, urchins, emerald crabs, chitons, and even the larger Astrae tuber will nip at both of these species [Bryopsis pennata and B. plumosa], but rarely consume it with any effectiveness." The above quote is from...

"Skinny Dipping"? At our relative ages it is more like "Chunky Dunking"!

Olivier, Red Sea Desjardin Sailfins are well known to eat bubble algae. My big tank only has bubble algae at the waterline where my Asfur can't reach, but I don't recommend them for reef tanks. Bob

Sandee, The way to quite these linear piston pumps is to (assuming the pump is in your basement) hang it from a basement beam with a bungee cord. The stretch material of the cord absorbs the vibrations (and sound) quite nicely. This will also work with large vibrator pumps. I have a...