Recent content by plankton123

fungia: just transitioned from 100G SPS tank to 7 gallon nano. <grin> My 7G tank cost me $10/gallon whereas the 100G cost me $50/gallon. Hope you have been saving your pennies. Consider some of the other needle-wheel knockoffs; such as ASM. My ASM/G3 worked just as good as the Euroreef 6-2...

No worries. You are probably correct that if pockets of air collect underneath a coral then there probably either a) isn't enough circulation or b) there isn't enough of the correct circulation. In your context of a nano vase (or this now a pico reef?) with mostly soft corals then any micro...

Yup, must agree that the new(er) GLASS bow-front tanks look very nice. 7G nano with 13W 50/50 PC lighting is prolly a good start. If you go to a 20" footprint then you can easily add the newer 96W quads that Coralife sells. Sweet lighting system for about $99.

Micro bubbles should be avoided if possible, since coral tissue can be damaged if bubbles collect underneath. e.g. I have an m.cap (nice swirling red) that can collect bubbles underneath the swirls (if you can picture it). However, if you have a nano full of just zoos and shrooms then prolly a...

For a nano try to go glass if you can, since it is less prone to scratches. And, in the off chance that it leaks or fails the small volume won't do too much harm. I've recently sold my 100 gallon SPS tank (Acrylic) and you should see what the inside surface of the tank looks like!! Yikes...

I agree with the other posters that it 'depends on species'. I've had very good luck with the photosynthetic blue sponges in my 7 gallon nano. Unfortunately, I don't know the species, but it is not the tubular one but grows in flat sheets. It is very blue and can have a waxy surface. Sponges...

Better link might be: http://www.instant-algae.com Looks like Tahitian Blend sold by brineshrimpdirect takes four of Reed Mariculture's algaes and preserves them in antifreeze. I don't know if that means Instant Algae doesn't. But, I do know that Reed Mariculture has some live cultures now...

Yea, there is no reason you can't have a continuous roti culture and just take 3/4 off every week to two weeks. Most roti growers I know grow them in the dark and drip food into the roti tank. However, I know a few that were able to successfully maintain a naturally sunlit tank and added live...

The antifreeze in the pastes will leave a film that will eventually lead to more bacteria growth unless you change water very often. If you can manage it live nanno (e.g. DT's is the way to go). You can always start your own nanno culture that you can feed directly to your tank and to the...

Ernie, Coral growth/color/health appears the same before/after phytoplankton additions. HOWEVER, the sponge, tunicate, pod growth has been substantial. I also have some clams that appear better after the phytoplankton additions, but again kinda hard to quantitate. Scott

Had bad experience with Coralife 6500 years back. Have had no problems with Ushio _and_ AB bulbs. I like the color of 250W AB 10K using HQI ballast. The 250W 10K W ushios are slightly yellow under HQI ballast if you can believe it. You can get 250W 10K ABs from hello lights or ocean...

esmithiii, Avoid the dead, freeze dried stuff. [See the article by Toonen on said topic for full review]. WRT DT's you can grow your own phytoplankton at home for next to nothing. Just order some Nanno disks from Florida farms, some algal fertilizer and a pinch of light and away you go. I...

Thanks for the ideas. Guess I'll keep the 10k ABs for awhile longer... One person recommended a pair of 10Ks or iwasakis and a single radium (maybe center of tank). An idea... Scott

Been using 10K AB and Ushios 250 mogul bulbs with HQI eballast for months now with good coral growth and color. But, I've been wondering if Radiums would be better? Any experience out there with 250 Radiums and coral growth? How about 20K? Thanks. Scott

Without center-brace go for 3 halides. However, if you have a center-brace (like me) two halides mounted perpendicular is best. Currently, using 250 ABs driven my icecap eballast. SCott