Michael Young

Joe, care to explain how the CO2 recirc work?

Woah woah woah, is that sarcasm I just detected? Hold on to your horses dude. I offered my opinion on the pros and cons on the use of kalkwasser and the calcium reactor which you didn't elaborate for all to share that's all. Nothing more. Keith, don't count on me to offer any insight to the question you posted cos I haven't a clue in what you were saying. I'm no chemist and my very limited knowledge on calcium and its use is restricted to the hobby of reef keeping only. Rumor's too kind.

Yes, kalk will indeed boost calcium level. This was the question posted by Infinitereef and I was merely answering that question. However, in retrospect, I should have stated that kalkwasser, while increasing calcium level will also increase pH and alkalinity of the water. I agree that dosing kalkwasser as the main calcium supplement can be tricky at times due to the reasons you cited; but it has also been discussed ad nauseam by forums everywhere that using a calcium reactor as the main source of calcium supplement is not entirely fool proof as well. (A bane you said? ) A calcium reactor, if not used correctly, will cause the depression of pH due to the use of CO2, which in turn will lead to the proliferation of nuisance algae among other things. That is why IMO, a calcium reactor is best use in tandem with a kalk reactor because of the latter's ability to precipitate PO4 and increase pH. One is a good hedge for the other. Therefore, by saying that kalkwasser is an impratical way of boosting calcium without pointing out its advantages and the disadvantages of the ca reactor is a little misleading. After all, dosing kalkwasser has been practiced for many years (and still in practice) with success before the invention of the calcium reactor.

Read this article..

Yes, you can use CP as well as BP for larvae enrichment.

astro, just keep adding water until its time to add more kalk.

Kalib, not to worry. U can use CoralPlankton now

AT, pardon me for my ignorant but what the f**k is QALA/SCV? Everything seems to be back to normal now but it was a royal PITA just trying to logged in only 20 mins ago. #$%@#$% BTW, I think your host is not being very honest with you cos the minute you contacted them, everything seems to get back to normal.

Everyone will say good things about their products, but you've got to draw the line somewhere right? Do you not think that people with no experience in keeping fishes will want to buy one of these when they see the claims on the brochure? One reason I'm sure why we are seeing so many 'giving up sale' on SRC is due to misinformation from some retailers.

They also say nitrate is not only HARMLESS but ESSENTIAL for the well being your precious fishes...

Here's the write-up.

Hey guys, picked up this brochure from a LFS today and I thought I might show it to you guys. The back of the brochure also features a write-up by a local Chinese newspaper. I wonder what's next? A filter system that will attain immortality for your fishes??? Here's the inside of the brochure

Just lifting my fingers... anytime dude.

I think its a Tangaroa Goby Ctenogobiops tangaroai

Salted fish, I believe there is a pic of the Beckett 1408 foam nozzle posted on SRC; just do a search and you should see it. The Beckett nozzle actually doesn't cost that much but since it has to be imported from the US, the freight cost really jacked up the price. I can get hold of lots at less than $40 per piece if any of you are interested. I really don't see the cost effectiveness of a self-made Beckett skimmer. Add the cost of the Beckett nozzle, gate valve, acrylic, acrylic glue, time etc. and it's really quite expensive.

Why don't you check out the promotion I have on Beckett skimmers. You don't need a dual Beckett unless you have a very large tank IMO.

Marineman, descriptions on BP and CP can be found here and the brochure describing all 3 can be found here. How much to feed and how long one 30ml bottle will last depends on the number of corals/inverts you keep. There are also feeding recommendations on the 3 different bottles for you to use as general guidelines. I suggest you browse through my forum and the product review forum for more information. Credit cards? I'm afraid I don't sell them online. If you want me to deliver a bottle to you, there's a surcharge of $15, otherwise you can find my authorised retailers here. Thank you for your interest. Mike

Squirting CP directly into your tank is not recommended beacuse it may not spread enough to be taken up by all your corals which I assume are located in very area of your tank. Please use the recommended method of mixing it with a cup of tank water first.

I think there's nothing much you can do except to remove them by hand. You could also try reducing the photo period of your refugium and replace the phosguard.

Justin, read this article by Randy Holmes-Farley. It should help.

I agree with you that cost should not be the deciding factor when choosing a skimmer... if money is no object. Cost is always a major factor for most of us whether we go out and get a H&S or a Weipro. I for one will always go for the best I can afford. The reason I was asking him why H&S was because he was at first hesitant in even getting a skimmer and the next moment he was so adament about getting the H&S. So I thought I should at least let him know there are cheaper options that will do the job just fine for him.

I do not have any experience in aquacultured sps corals but their needs should still be the same to those harvested from the sea because unless these aquacultured species have been altered genetically that they no longer habour zooxanthellae, they would still need light to manufacture food. Anyone care to share their opinion? I feed my corals phyto and zooplankton.

OK, I see your point. If you don't want a hang-on skimmer, then you really need to have a sump to hook the skimmer on. Which means, you'll need the overflow box (you can get that from Ian), a sump and the skimmer. Question: Why do you need to get H&S skimmer, there are loads of cheaper skimmers out there that will meet your needs just right. I do not have any experience with H&S but I do know they are pretty costly. I said that you need to get the skimmer first because that's what I'd do if I were you facing the similar situation. Where did you read that lights emitted by T5 tubes have a sterilizing effect on your aquarium? T5 does not emit any UV rays and your refugium will take time before it'll begin to absorb nutrients. And even, then you'll still need to harvest the macro algae to export these unwanted nutrients.

I think the guy's not giving u good advice.... BTW, Hydnophora are quite similar to acroporas and they need also need intense lighting and good water flow.

... how does one tell if he's really over skimming or not? I suggest you make the skimmer as your first priority before the T5s and the refugium.