Gouldian

Agree with DeadmanZ, the black sponge is too porous and may not trap the white particles from your tank. White particles are common in new set-up so not to worry. If you intend to increase the effectiveness in removing the white particles, your may want to try the below product which can be bought from several sponsor in our forum. It's Clear (6 oz) - $25 It’s Clear™ is a natural, “reef safe” water treatment for removal of suspended organic particles including protozoan stages of oodinium and cryptocaryan. Useful in controlling microalgae and bacterial blooms. Restores brightness and clarity to the cloudiest saltwater or freshwater. Will not damage filters or equipment. Not a bacteria based product. This is a patented cationic polyelectrolyte made from a deacetylated form of chitin called chitosan which is derived from crustacean shells. This positive charge, combined with a high molecular weight and high charge density makes it ideal for flocculating organic turbidity. It’s Clear is nontoxic to fish, mammals and aquatic plants when used as instructed. This is a clear viscus solution that will not discolor aquarium water. Does not create a gummy or gelatinous mat on filter beds like alum sulfate. Filters do not have to be turned off and water exchanges are not required after treatment. A six ounce bottle will treat up to 4000 gallons based on full dose levels. Excellent shelf life. Chitosan has been safely used in public aquaria like Sea World Orlando, Sea World California, Oregon State Aquarium & Minnesota Zoo.

Time to pop by liao.

New research published in the journal of Nature Communications on Tuesday, shows that the coral grouper, a predator reef fish, uses sign language to guide fellow hunters where the prey is hiding. In this ground breaking study, the unusual relationship between the coral grouper, the giant moray eel, and the Napoloen wrasse was discovered. By cooperating, the three species maximize their changes of getting their next meal. The study states that the grouper performs a high frequency shimmy or body shake in front of the moray as a general invitation to join in the chase. The second signal is a referential gesture or headstand, which the grouper performs vertically and head down, indicating to the moray or the wrasse where the prey is hiding. Source: - http://www.examiner.com/article/reef-fish-uses-sign-language-to-hunt

Change frequently and use sparingly.

Let me know if you need my help. We can arrange for a date for a visit.

Costa Rica’s majestic coral reefs, covering approximately 970 km2 of the seabed, have multiple benefits for nature but especially significant economic value. The Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), , shows that 97% of coral reefs are endangered by human practices that continue to push into the marine ecosystems. Although many do not know, numerous populations in the world live off of reef food supply but that reefs increase the gross domestic product (GDP) of a country by generating by productive activities such as tourism and fisheries. The unit value per hectare of a reef is about more than 1,000,000 dollars, which to Costa Rica this represents up to $ 582 million to the national economy. Source: - http://thecostaricanews.com/the-economic-and-natural-benefits-of-costa-ricas-coral-reefs/15239

A new study by scientists from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Technion, Israel's institute of technology, discovered that a soft coral called Heteroxenia, found in the reefs off Eilat, pulsates continually except for a period of one-half-hour just before sunset. The study does not answer the napping question, but the scientists do have a theory. “During the day the coral uses the photosynthesis to generate its food, and during the night it goes through respiration like other animals,” Uri Shavit, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Technion in Haifa told The Media Line. “Just before sunset when the level of oxygen is very high it can take a rest without harming its metabolism.” "The pulsation creates the optimal conditions for the photosynthesis of the algae.” Source: - http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/new_israeli_study_explains_corals_pulsation

"The Philippines will take part in the world’s largest gathering of leaders and stakeholders seeking to ensure the sustainability of and opportunities affecting the future of marine environment. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje will represent the country in the second Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS), which will be held from April 22 to 24 in Washington, D.C. Organized by the World Ocean Council (WOC), SOS is an international conference attended by policy makers and executives from different parts of the world that distinguish themselves as leaders in ocean stewardship and sustainability." Source: - http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/24/13/ph-join-world-protection-oceans-marine-life

"An interdisciplinary research team from Northwestern University and the Field Museum of Natural History has a surprising answer: The corals themselves play a role in their susceptibility to deadly coral bleaching due to the light-scattering properties of their skeletons." "Using optical technology designed for early cancer detection, the researchers discovered that reef-building corals scatter light in different ways to the symbiotic algae that feed the corals. Corals that are less efficient at light scattering retain algae better under stressful conditions and are more likely to survive. Corals whose skeletons scatter light most efficiently have an advantage under normal conditions, but they suffer the most damage when stressed." Source: - http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country=0&special=&monthyear=&day=&id=60371&ndb=1&df=0

Welcome back bro! Looking forward to your awesome set-up.

Bro, Your carbon in your tank for 2 years has been transformed from a chemical filter to a biological filter. When carbon is new, it trapped whatever impurities that passes through them and also houses bacteria. After they are saturated, them cannot function optimally as a chemical filter but bacteria that house in them will continue to be there. With the above, it is advisable to use small quantity of carbon and charge frequently. For your case, I will remove and replace with some new carbon and continue to replace them every 2 weeks. Hope that helps.

Hi guys, Just wanted to pitch-in in hope to have better clarity in this matter. In a typical marine tank, we need: Mechanical Filter - Filter wool, filter sock, skimmer etc - Trap larger particles Chemical Filter - Carbon, Rowa, etc - Adsorb small molecule nutrients Biological Filter - Zeolites, bio pellets, LRs, Biohome etc - Biologically consumes carbon based nutrients Mechanical filter is to removes larger particles and needs to be change frequently. I changed my filter media (wool/sock) every week and sometimes twice a week depending on the condition of the media (wool/sock). If you do not change the media when they are saturated, the debris trapped will start to decompose and will cause spike the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Saying that they are nitrate factories and removing them from your total filtration is not the answer. In fact, it may cause more harm and the larger particles will not be trapped and will continue to float around or settle in areas that you are not able to reach and will start the decomposition there. Also if larger particles were to be trapped without your biological filters, it may cause a crashed without you knowing what hit you. Although skimmer is also a mechanical filter, it cannot remove larger particles from your tank. In fact, skimmer skimmate may be affected by this un-trapped particles. In order to have a robust system, it is better to have all 3 filtration in your tank. Hope that helps.

Tourists money vs nature.....

Fully agree.... thanks anyway!

DI = Deionized, it uses a Anion and Cation resin to filter on positively charged (Na+) or negatively charged (Cl-) atoms. Distilled Water = Simply boil, evaporate and condense water. Pure water is harvested while minerals and impurity are left in kettle. $7 b/f GST for 5gal approx 19l. I used 3 bottles per week, 2 for water change and 1 for water top up.

Bro, got pix?

DI Water is not Distilled water. Anyway, I am using distilled water from Arees. Arees water are from Polar but re-branded as Polar. I got mine for $7 before GST.

Use a TDS tester, if the TDS is below 8, should be fine.

PUB only ensure that water is palatable and no contaminants that will harm humans using WHO standard as a guidelines. But there is no guaranteed analysis on water, just a generic table. Source: - http://www.pub.gov.sg/general/pages/watertreatment.aspx So if you want clearner water, you just need to get it yourself.

OMG, I thought you decomm!

Holy cow! With this kind of TDS, I don't think I will even drink from the tap. No wonder, water filters are selling like hot cakes!

Upz. For FOWLR, the Tunze Calcium Dispenser with Kalwasser will be able to keep your Ca, Mg and kH in check without expensive additives.

OMG! This is the highest TDS I know for tap water!

If NTUC Life is TDS 7, it should be safe.