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In addition to the fact that pumps run 24 hours a day, which has already been pointed out, for lighting you also need to consider the types of ballasts in use. A coil and core ballast is usually only about 65% efficient. So if you are using 325 watts of MH lighting, and using coil can core...

When I hade to make a similar choice I went with the Tunze streams and their multicontroller. As pointed out, you can angle the pump. To be fair, at the time the Vortech pumps were brand new, and I felt Tunze had a better reputation in the hobby. I will say it paid off. I messed up the...

Like a lot of possible projects, the correct answer is, it depends. Putting multiple tanks into a single system has advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages are a larger volume of water, all the water is the system is more or less the same, and you only have one system to deal with...

It sure looks like a good reactor, and if you got a bargain price on it, that would be great. OTOH, a reactor like that could easily handle a 500 or 1000 gal tank. For a 125, you don't need anything that big. In fact, you may not even need a calcium reactor at all. Since the initial outlay...

Carlo made an excellent post on what to do to get a nitrate reactor going again. However, you also might want to test your water and see if you really need one. If the system can maintain nitrate levels close to zero with out the reactor, you don't need it. It will then be one less thing you...

In addition to what Carlo stated, inspect the bulbs. Sometimes you bend or break a pin and don't know it. Also try swapping bulbs and see if the problem follows the bulb.

I think anyone that's been in reef keeping for any length of time has torn their tank just about down and rebuilt the aquascapeing and/or the filtration system. To do good aquascapeing, you do need to have some sort of plan. No matter how big the tank is, some planning is needed. Other wise you...

You could use anything that pumps up to 300 gph at about a six foot head. However,there are some other considerations. You may want the pump to drive other items, such as flow through a refugium, or some reactor such as a phosban reactor. Always buy top quality. It's least expensive long...

I was going to post something similar to what mladencovic posted. I generally agree with the post. The design in the article is poor, and what you really want to build is a Nielsen reactor. As noted this reactor is air tight, and this is important when dealing with kalk. If you feel rich or...

Actually mollies are a brakish water fish and do much better in that or full strength SW. They are often recommended for algae control in FW planted aquariums. Like any fish if they don't like the algae, they will not eat it. So if you have tons of red slime or green hair don't expect mollies to...

I would also wash a new filter sock before using it. You just never know if there is anything on it. Even if it's harmless, it could be something that messes up a skimmer. To clean mine, I just run them through the washing machine with no soap. That gets them much cleaner than I can get them...

It's easy enough to see if you have a CO2 problem. Turn the room heating down, and open a window foe a few hours, and see if you get a change in pH that you can't otherwise explain. It's not unusual to see drop in pH in the winter, especially if the house is tight. Some people have resolved...

Keep in mind that sponges and soft corals are often part of an angel's "in the ocean" diet, especially with the larger species. Putting an expensive leather in there is about like offering a plate of cookies to a kid. I'm afraid the coral or the angel will have to go.

LED's usually do last many hours. If some are burning out, I suspect it's because they are being over driven. In other words, the current is too high for the LED. It's a trade off, more current gives more light. You could likely replace them if you are good at soldering small electronic...

What you plan is reasonable, but it's only going to make a difference if the stand will span more joists. Since the stand is only 24 inches longer, it's only going to span one or two more joists at best. It may not make that much difference.

If you are going to build your own MH fixture, I recommend single ended bulbs. Double ended bulbs put out a lot of heat, and generally need a fixture made out of metal, and even more important, they require UV blocking glass over them to prevent UV from damaging your livestock and you. If you...

Most likely, the dry winter air and home heating are increasing the evaporation rate. The amount of replacement water you need to add is not at all unusual. My 125 gal reef evaporates about 2 1/2 gals of water a day. Needless to say, I use an auto top off system.

The brands are not too much different, but the key factor, especially with 250w ballasts or larger, is to always get electronic ballasts. They are a lot more energy efficient, and even though they cost more, you'll make up the price difference in a year to two years. They also run cooler, and...

Spilling water around a SW tamp is a given. Yes, even a modest amount can do a lot of damage to a floor, especially if it's one of these new composite flooring systems that should never get wet. A carpet will likely be more of a problem than it's worth, since it will retain water. It's always...

The few Sera products that I have tried all seemed to be good. However, I have not tried their test kits. I will say that the price on them looks too good to be true. Since they are priced lower than other aquarium grade test kits, I doubt that they are lab grade test kits. O have used Elos...