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Notice the fine print ... Windows users must download and install the Yahoo!® Widget Engine before installing the NanoPlanner™ widget. Notice that you need to take some other piece of software, something that I suspect in the long term is sure to be a source of unwanted advertisements or...

Algae control is all about controlling nitrates and phosphates. Don't think that because your test kits read 0 or very low values, that you do not have a problem. Nitrates and phosphates can be bound up in live rock, the sand bed, and even in the algae you are trying to get rid of. Things that...

I think you'd have an easier time of it if you matched the water in the QT tank to the SG, pH, etc of your main tank befre you begin the transfer back. Do this very slowly, over a period of several days. Then you only need one bucket, and can drip acclimate the fish using that, just like you...

Yes, cloudy water can be caused by fine dust in the substrata, but before you go and start replacing it, make sure that this is your problem. A bacteria outbreak can also make the water look cloudy. This can be caused by something dyeing or by overfeeding, especially with frozen foods. So can...

If you think the 20Ks are too blue for your tastes, you can always soften it a bit by putting 10000K bulbs in place of the actinics. I have used a different brand of bulb every time I replaced the bulbs on my fixture. I didn't find any problems as such, but they do vary a little in color between...

MH bulbs are a very personal choice. You'll find that you will need to balance the light that can be use by the corals or plants against how you want to view them. Since you mention "shrooms & zoos", if you don't have SPS or other light loving corals, you can go with 20,000K MH bulbs. The light...

For an ATO you want a pump that can pump a low volume of water over a long period of time. A lot of people like these Aqualifter pumps (offsite link) - http://www.aquahub.com/store/product31.html I happen to use a diaphragm pump like these Reef-filler pumps (offsite link) -...

When it comes to keeping corals or coral morphs like zoanthids, water quality and lighting are everything. Just because your test kits do not show a problem doesn not mean you don't have one. I suggest making water changes using the best quality salt you can get until you have changed about...

You could consider this option. If you are going to do this, I would recommend a large powerful hang on the tank skimmer. I would also use pumps built for flow, such as Tunze streams, rather than power heads. As noted, watch your fish load, and I recommend you look around for something other...

I'm usually not a big fan of canister filters on reef systems. If not cleaned regularly, they tend to become dirt traps, and turn into nitrate factories. If you had a much larger tank, I'd be recommending going with an overflow and sump. However, this can be overkill on a 45 gal tank. In a...

Usually with sandbeds, you either want about 4 inches, so it is deep enough to do proper denitrification, or you want just enough to cover the bottom. When you have something in between, it tends to become a dirt trap, yet it's not deep enough to do a lot of denitrification. I would either...

In my opinion, I would go with the method danthemanj recommended. This is a natural method, and the rock should be maintained in a bucket or tub until ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all reach 0. Durring the process, you want to keep the rock out of light, since you do not want to start growing...

I don't see any real problem with what you plan to do. I did something similar years ago when I lived at another location. If you are really worried about it, you could install another trap above your main house drain pipe and connect the RO/DI unit's waste water there. The other thing you...

I'm not too surprised. I once had a long nose hawk decide to land on an anemone, and the fish was promptly eaten. Off hand I think this was a carpet anemone. About all you can do is write off the fish, and figure your amemnoe got a very expensive meal. I'm sure the anemone will be fine.

Before you do this, think about it carefully. Since you don't plan to keep SPS corals, it's unlikely you need MH lighting. In addition, you'll get a lot more heat out of MHs, compared to T5s or PCs. So make sure you really understand the various factors involved with MH before you spend the...

I should have also pointed out that air should be kept from kalkwasser. If you expose it to air, it becomes much less effective. This is why it's usually best to use a kalk reactor when using kalkwasser. A reactor will provide a constant supply of water, and at the same time, keep air out.

Generally small bristle worms can be left alone. Really large ones, as in over a foot long, you may want to remove because if it dies, it can foul a lot of water.

Using kalkwasser can be a good idea. However, the use of it depends upon what is right for your system. If you have a system where the calcium is being depleted from the water by the corals and other livestock, and you can't keep up with this via normal water changes, then kalkwasser is a good...

I have mixed feelings about attempts to limit collecting. Like many other issues, there is no simple solution. Yes, I'd like to see more captive breeding, but so far, only a few species have been bread in commercial quantities. Most of them are smaller fish. Being able to breed and raise fish...

Yes they are nice, and the price isn't bad, but I guess I'm an old foggy when it comes to checks. Since it's a business transaction, I always get the plain checks, with just standard printing and so on.