Recent content by Reallybigtoad

How long will live sand stay alive? I've had my tank torn down for 3 weeks. (don't ask, long story) so my live sand as been in a large rubbermaid tub (wet) for 3 weeks. Is anything going to be left alive or should I start over? thanks, -todd

Wow! How does the noise level compare between the Sequence and the Dolphin. I'm in need of a high volume pump like the ampmaster, but noise is a serious concern for me. Is the Sequence as quiet as the Dolphin Ampmaster 3000? thanks, -todd

What size ballast would I need to run 2 96W PC's? thanks, -todd

The simplest way I found to frag is to just place a small piece of rock next to the Xenia stalk and let it spead naturally. (the patient way) If your like me, and have a hard time waiting, you can cut the Xenia off at the base of a stalk. Be aware, they are really slimy and can be difficult to...

How much gunk is your skimmer removing on a weekely basis? I recently tried a product called AZ-NO3 (Absolute Zero Nitrates) that has seemed to help me reduce my nitrates. It works by bonding to the disolved organics so your skimmer can more easily remove them. Also, have you checked the...

Thanks, thats what I thought but I just confirmation so I can purchase the correct pump for the application. -todd

How does head pressure figure into a closed loop system? How do you calculate it? I have a pump rated at 500GPH @ 0ft, how would the output be affected by head pressure? thanks in advance, -todd

This may be a dumb question but... what happens when a mangrove shoot grows too tall? It seems like eventually they will raise above the light. How do you prune these? I want to add one to my refugium that is already growing other macroalgae just for more diversity and a different look. Any...

Refugiums that is. What did you think I was talking about? I'm wondering how big is your refugium and how much flow does it get. I'm designing a custom sump and trying to figure out the optimum way to plumb it. I've heard some say minimum flow, others say it does not matter. What do your think...

Thanks for the replies. Any DIY Ballast recommendations for the Iwasaki's? -todd

I'm considering adding 3 250W Metal Halide to my 180G reef. Tank houses a mix of soft and LPS, with a few SPS and 1 crocea clam. I'm currently running 600W of PC. 4 X 96W daylight, 2 x 96W 03 Actinic. I want to add the halides and switch the PC to 4 x96W 03 Actinic. In researching, I've...

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like I should remove it. Anybody in Southern California looking to trade a Coral Banded Shrimp?

It's a 180G reef w/ 5in DSB and approx 200lbs of LR. The tank has been set up for about 5 years, but the DSB was added maybe 1 1/2 years ago and seeded with Live sand, fresh LR and some donations from local reefers DSB's. Only 1 banded shrimp, 1 peppermint shrimp, a few hermits (planning on...

Can anybody answer this for me? Who else is keeping a Coral Banded Shrimp in their reef with a deep sand bed? -todd

Any reports of Coral Banded Shrimp preying on DSB critters? Will they eat bristle worms and such. I have 1 CBS in a 180 ga reef, he's been there for at least 2 years, no reports or him going after any fish or corals, but I'm wondering if he's chowing down on my critters. Any thoughts? -todd