Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Jimmy,
Sorry to hear about your outage. I'm in Livingston - east of you on 10. I have some room in my halide lit 135 sump if you think you could use it. The water parameters are good - I didn't lose any power.
Bob
In Defense of Bristleworms...
I manage to get nailed by a bristleworm at least twice a month. That said - I still want them in my tanks. I have some that are a good 4 or 5 inches long. They are very effective at cleaning up carrion. Some hobbyists think they attack clams, but they are only...
It was a sad day for Tunze when they had to admit that they duplicated the test and had to agree with the test's flow results. I've watched the VorTechs since they were first demonstrated at the MACNA in Boston, and must admit that I've never been impressed. They just aren't as bullet-proof as...
Olivier,
I keep hearing that Ice Cap is out of business, but I have no personal knowledge to back up this assertion.
I recently took an older 660 off-line (replaced VHOs with LEDs). You can have it for $40 - doesn't hurt to have a back-up while one is in the shop.
PM me with any interest...
Bob