Recent content by rickh

I just installed an Arctica Titanium chiller. It is about the size of a computer case, makes no noise and cools great. The strange thing is the cooling cycle. I thought if you set the chiller to keep your tank at 79 for example, the chiller would keep the tank right at 79--with a little...

I use my Remora as a HOB skimmer on the sump. Just lengthen the tube. I contacted AquaC and they said it was fine. R

Do you have a cover on the tank. If not get one. Please

Thanks for the info. The well water has so many minerals the unsoftened water will stain sinks red in a few days. If I use the softened water--it has a ton of sodium from the process. RO water on the other hand has no minerals--this isn't good for FW either. R

I live in the sticks and have well water, very hard well water. I have a FW tank with mollies and the like. For 2 years I have been hauling "city" water from work. Not fun. The well water has loads of Iron, etc. Should I try the well water? Should I use the softened well water? Should I...

The lights you linked us to don't appear to be high output T5s. A 4' HO T5 puts out more than 28 watts each. R

Do you know how a water softener works?? It softens the water by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium. The sodium doesn't come out of solution and cause problems like the Mg and Ca. The increased sodium levels in softened water may play the devil with your membranes in the RO...

I have about had it with my crabs. There are about 6 small red or blue leg crabs in a 37 gallon. They kill all my snails. I have seen them grab a piece of fresh "Prime Reef" as it floats along the bottom. They check it out and let it go. Why eat frozen food when there are tasty snails. What...

Thanks for the info. I really don't want to have to supplement the Mandarin with purchased pods. I am already dosing the coral with quite a collection potions. My tank has copapods, but I wonder how many are lost to the filter sock?? R

I have a 37 gallon with a small refugium and about 60 Lbs of LR. It currently has a clown and Black Cap Basslet. I would like to add a Mandarin in 6 months. Can this setup realistically support a Mandarin?? If not I might substitute a Carpenters Flasher wrasse and a Yellow Clown Goby for the...

Thanks for the input. I like the Black Cap, but I am concerned about the light. It's a small bright tank and I don't want to take up a "fish slot" with something that hides all the time. The Pseudos can be nasty, but the Fridmani is better. Maybe.

Help!! I am looking for a peaceful fish to add to 29 gallon. I was about to get a Royal Gramma or a Black Cap Basslet. Then I read that they are a deep water fish, love caves and hate bright reef tanks. So they will hide all day. The Fridmani Pseudochromas is supposedly a peaceful...

You don't particularly want a powerful pump. The manufacture should have recommended a maximum flow rate through the UV. If the water moves too fast the contact time is too short to be effective. R

The tank is doing great-- 10 different corals, crabs, etc. R

Is it advisable to put two young Ocellaris Clowns in a 37gallon as the first fish. I am worried about them either killing each other if they don't pair or killing other tankmates if they do pair. thanks. R