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It is possible to use UV light on a reef system. I have used it before, but I do not currently use UV. I recommend you use UV only if you have some specific problem that UV will solve. Don't run out and get one because you want another piece of gear or the LFS told you it was a good idea. UV...

It's been my experience with my RO/DI unit that durring the winter months, the amount of water produced is far less than it is in summer. It seems that the very cold water being used is the cause. You could try using hot water, but it's more expensive since you need to heat it, and hot water...

I've tried two different types of check valves. I considered them to be of good quality, and I did test the end result. Initially they did work. However, like anything in a reef over time they develop heavy bacteria films and collect other material passed through the filtration system. The end...

This is one of the great times where you don't need to spend any additional money on your reef. If you see a color you like in a tank, ask the owner for a few scrapings. Most people I know would be happy to give you some. Additives such as "Purple Up" are IMHO a waste of money, and are not needed.

Like everything else, fixing the low levels means figuring out what the source of the problem is. First make sure your water is at the proper salinity. I highly recommend using a refractometer for this. If your SG is at 1.020 verses 1.025, your water will have 20% less salt in it, and your...

Re: New to the Hobby? Read this... I would also suggest that anyone new to the hobby obtain several books on state of the art reef systems. Then read and study the material. To have success with a reef requires a lot of background knowledge. While the information is on the net, it's not all...

That is my entire point "if you change water frequently with a good salt, you won't have to supplement." . Perhaps because I've usually had good calcium levels, I've never see a drop in magnesium. Yes, magnesium is needed to maintain calcium, and all the factors related to it. The only time I...

The only thing I can tell you is my experience. I see my Ca level drop, mostly due to coral growth, and I do not see a similar drop in Mg. I question your numbers because Mg is present in SW at about 1350 ppm, with calcium present at only about 400 ppm. If Mg was being depleted at a rate 9...

I would agree with the previous post. In addition to the bulb, the $199 unit is almost certainly going to come with a coil and core ballast. This will waste energy. An electronic ballast will pay for itself in energy savings. I highly recommend them.

I did read you question. Since you were asking about a battery charger, and for use as a backup, I assumed you wanted it to charge a battery for backup to one or more pumps on your reef. This does seem to be what you want to do. Now if look at my original reply, you will see that the...

After about 15 recommendations for magnesium supplements from Bulk Reef Supply, I can't add much to that. However, my question would be, why do you need to adjust magnesium? Unlike calcium, it doesn't get depleted by the livestock. I would suggest that if you are getting low readings, check...

The reef is an excellent example of what can be done with equipment that is generally considered obsolete by today's reef standards. No mater what systems was being used, it is an excellent reef. However, other than as an experimental system, would you recommend that method to anyone today. I...

I believe you are looking at things from an incorrect point of view. Salt water is the lifeblood of your reef system. If this isn't correct to start with, no amount of lighting, filtration, or other equipment can solve the problem. The way this should be viewed is you have a bundle tied up in...

I have known people to use plastic cutting boards, cut to fit the tank bottom. Obviously for a large tank you would need quite a few of them. They are tough and just about indestructible by aquarium standards. You can not easily glue anything to them, but this isn't as bad as it sounds, since...

You can run VHOs less than1" from the top of the tank. They don't need to be placed far away like MHs. If fact you'll usually get the best light out of them this way. But... you want to let the tank fallow for awhile. So if you have no hight light requirement corals or other livestock, you can...

Well, read the entire page. It only puts out 1200ma at 15v. That's not a lot. Then look at how long it would take to charge anything. Most batteries they are talking about would need more than a day to charge them, and that's at a 50% discharged, not completely run down. I don't think you...

That's the problem. You don't know wich one is bad. It could be either. Get another quality brand, and retest, and then you can at least pick the "majority choice".

There was a very recent thread on this subject. In case you didn't see it, here is a link - http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=14880.0

I've found that DE bulbs tend to run a lot hotter, possibly because manufactured fixtures for them often don't use fans. As pointed out they must be run with a UV blocking glass shield. I think it's a little easier to get a good reflector around a DE bulb. On the other hand, you have to be...

If you have not already done so, get yourself a few books on state of the are reef systems. The knowledge there will help you prevent beginner mistakes. On the subject of supplements - With the exception of calcium and related supplements, I feel most supplements are a waste of your money...