dskidmore
Aquarium Advice Addict
If you aim one of the power heads along the surface, you'll get plenty of air exchange without the bubbles. If you have live rock, you want to avoid bubbles, as bubbles trapped in a live sponge will kill it.
9-12 months depending on daily usage. It’s a good idea to have extras, especially if you have corals. They could last as long as 2 years though so if you don’t have corals and they are just used to light your tank then replacing them when they go out is fine IMO.TheChad said:1. How long do the PC bulb's last? Is it worth having extra's laying around?
I don’t because I don’t like to clean them but I do use plastic guards to prevent fish/inverts from getting sucked up. If you can’t find one to fit your ph then I would use the sponge.2. Do you guys use the pre-filter sponge on your powerheads?
I’d recommend around 3” from the sand just incase you get sand stirring fish/inverts.3. How far above the DSB should the intake tube for the canister filter be? The tube is too long, and I am going to need to cut it to length.
Sorry, it looked just like the Coralife ones I should have realized it was too good to be true. I had to pay $200 also for Coralife. It really doesn’t state which brand it is. You might want to ask the seller just to make sure.P.S. tecwzrd that light on ebay isn't a coralife... So the cheapest I could find was the websight you origionally posted for $195.
tecwzrd said:TheChad said:Sorry, it looked just like the Coralife ones I should have realized it was too good to be true. I had to pay $200 also for Coralife. It really doesn’t state which brand it is. You might want to ask the seller just to make sure.P.S. tecwzrd that light on ebay isn't a coralife... So the cheapest I could find was the websight you origionally posted for $195.
Ebay version
Coralife
I Just got a reply from the seller... "Unit is made in the united states by workhorse - 5 year warranty."
One of the sellers feedback's for this light said "Light is cheap..."
I'm willing to bet that picture is of a coralife, either that or the knockoff brand coppied coralife's design..
-TheChad
You could DIY it. For PC I'd suggest an Ice Cap ballast and end caps. I'm not clear enough on MH to suggest anything but a retrofit kit. My lighting isn't the best yet, but it didn't take too much effort to build my plywood hood.TheChad said:1. Are there any better, cheaper, or different options for PC or MH lighting when using a canopy on top of the tank?
The live sand provides the bacteria, the shrimp provides the food. Dead matter on live rock can also provide the food. If you want to try going without the shrimp, monitor your ammonia levels. If ammonia never goes up, you need a shrimp or other ammonia source.TheChad said:2. With 40lbs of Non-Live sand (On Bottom), and 40lbs of Live sand (On Top), Do I still do the Cocktail Shrimp cycle methoid, or does the Live sand cycle the tank?
Yes, that is a valid variant of the method. The exact number of shrimp, and what pieces of equiptment to turn on when varies by who you ask.TheChad said:3. Is the Methoid Here, Correct for the "Cocktail Shrimo Cycling Methoid"?