Recent content by BrianH

You could just use a smaller tank(whatever will fit in your stand) for a sump. Try doing a search on google for DIY sump and you'll get a bunch of hits. As for protein skimmers, I suggest getting the best skimmer your wallet can afford. I learned my lesson a while(and a few cheap skimmers)ago to...

Are you looking for an in sump or HOT skimmer? Brian

IMHO your tank was way overstocked. A new 35gal. tank is not big enough for a hippo tang much less 1hippo, 1 damsel & a maroon clown. Are you sure the tank was fully cycled? It sounds like they died from ammonia or nitrite. I would cycle the tank, make sure it is cycled, then add fish...

I would read the instrution manual since I have seen some power heads that say do not submerge. Brian

How long has it been in your tank? Starfish in general are very sensitive to changes in salinity. I usually take 2 hrs or more to acclimate them. I also make sure the SG of the acclimation water matches my tank before I move them in. One of the reported causes of leg loss is poor acclimation...

Following kribbz suggestion, you will need to dose more of the part 2(calcium) than the part 1(alkalinity). By dosing equal amounts of the two, you will keep your levels constant. I believe the recommended dosage is 4ml per 4gal. That suggests a dosage of about 16ml per day of each part. Try...

Fishlips, Try searching for Live Rock on google. Many(if not most) of the MO dealers of pacific LR are in Cal. Brian

I think that personal preferance plays a part in clean up crew selection but here is what I would put in a 40 gal reef tank. Hermits-I would go with about 10 scarlet leggs to start. I''ve had bad experiences with the blue leggs eating other critters in my tank. Crabs-You could get a couple...

I have a mix of fiji and Fla. aquacultured rock. I really like the aquacultured rock due to all the life it contains. I even received a green open brain coral on 1 of my rocks. Brian

I would recommend the Remora Pro or the Double Bak Pak. Brian

IMHO since you bought cured LR you will not experience a "cycle" in the normal sense. The LR you purchased came with its' full biological capacity and therefore is processing the ammonia from the shrimp. I would just add a little more LR (to get you up to 1 - 1.5lbs per gal). I would not add any...

If the live rock you are buying is Florida aquacultured rock you will get many hitchikers including the clams, featherdusters, macro algaes, bristle worms, etc. Brian

Hi, I have one of the refurbished hospital dosing pumps. I keep getting a flow error when using the pump. The is no blockage since I see the kalk solution dripping out the end. Does anyone know how to either disable the flow sensor or how to avoid this problem? Thanks Brian

The only problem I see is that many puffers see shrimp, snails & hermits as snacks. Brian

swishyfishys, I'm not saying that this is right, but, I keep a mandarin in my 50 gal reef. I have about 70lbs of live rock. 30lbs of the rock is Florida aquacultured rock. I'm not sure this makes a difference but between the florida rock, the live gulf-view live sand and feeding with DT's, my...