Recent content by gbtower

you can also try boating supply stores, although the bulkheads I've seen there are usually not pvc (some other plastic i can't recall)

you can get plastic wing nuts at http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=Nylon+Screws&product%5Fid=Nylon+Wing+Nuts

I'm building a new ca reactor. Planning on using 4" acrylic for the main body. In my area, it's easy to get 4" ABS caps. I haven't yet found 4" PVC caps. Besides, I like the black color better So, what type of cement would work for ABS-acrylic bonding. www.ipscorp.com lists Weld-On 1802...

Just to add a few more thoughts on the subject: 1. A gas reaction chamber is a good idea. If you use a co2 diffuser like the ones used on fw planted tanks, you can skip the needle valve after the co2 regulator. The co2 could be bubbled up a column of water with the water entering through the...

Chlorine is definitely harmful. That's why it's used to keep tapwater "clean". Just depends on its concentration. So if you're adding only a little bit at a time, any effects would probably not be noticeable. But like SB said, I'd worry more about the other nasties. They don't evaporate so...

Sounds like too much trouble. Just make sure you have enough aeration in your tank , or have your calc reactor output to your skimmer intake, and you shouldn't have to worry about co2 overdosing.

How long has your tank been set up?

I can't speak for the coloration of your corals, but it seems that the 2 175s would provide better coverage for your 36" tank. They will, however, produce more heat than 1 250. The 250 will also provide more intense light, although less in quantity.

Put it on ebay!

Well, the only thing I can think of is gas bubbles from photosynthesizing algae, usually due to insufficient water circulation. If you've got a lot of diatoms or cyano on your rock then that could be it.

I'd wait until you get the calcium reactor online and stable. It'll take a bit of fiddling to tune your system after adding the reactor so why not wait until then before you start adding SPS?

My SPS are being attacked by some virus or bacteria. Symptoms start with swelling and slightly darker discoloration of the affected polyps. After a couple hours, the swelling turns into white mush and "pops". It has affected 4 types of acropora, a montipora digitata, and a porites colony...

Tanks don't lose much heat through the walls, even if the tank is glass. I wish I had some references for you to look at, but I think something like 80% of heat loss is through evaporation. If your cover is too tight then you'll keep all that heat you gained over the day. Just try propping...

IMO, DIY is just as good or better than the ones you can buy. For one, you can save a lot if you keep it simple. Just use a single pass gravity-fed reactor. You save on the pump (and replacements), on the extra plumbing fittings, on the needle valve (or whatever you use to reduce the output...

Plans look good. You can put the refugium beside the tank. That should be fine. I would ditch the L shaped output. Have both the output and overflow stick out horizontally. Then you don't have to worry about bubbles. You probably don't even have to drill the "in" hole. Just plumb the pump...