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		<title>Reef Central Online Community - Blogs</title>
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		<description>Reef Central is dedicated to the marine reef aquarium hobby. Learn about reef aquarium setup and maintenance, and view coral and marine fish photos.  Visit our online community and discuss and chat with hobbyists of all levels from beginner to advanced.</description>
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			<title>Reef Central Online Community - Blogs</title>
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			<title>Cucumber</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=465</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:50:38 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>My favorite little turd. Really, wanna keep a clean sandbed??? This is the guy!!! 
 
Image:...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>My favorite little turd. Really, wanna keep a clean sandbed??? This is the guy!!!<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q68/jllndmb/Reef/DSC_5554.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
A pic from over the weekend.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q68/jllndmb/Reef/DSC_5457.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>

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			<dc:creator>Misled</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=465</guid>
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			<title>Fts</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=464</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:31:11 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Image: http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/garygreguire/CIMG0247.jpg</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/garygreguire/CIMG0247.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>

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			<dc:creator>gary greguire</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=464</guid>
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			<title>Voogle + Ick Treatment</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=463</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:15:24 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>---Quote (Originally by tmz)--- 
It will not help ich . Not much else to say. Dallying with it in lieu of an effective treatment cuts the odds for...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px; ">
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					Originally Posted by <strong>tmz</strong>
					<a href="showthread.php?p=19803648#post19803648" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="http://s.reefcentral.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif" border="0" alt="View Post" /></a>
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				<div style="font-style:italic">It will not help ich . Not much else to say. Dallying with it in lieu of an effective treatment cuts the odds for your fish to survive. . <br />
 There is a new ich elixir hitting the market  every 6mos or so. Sales benefit from the natural placebo effect ; some fish naturally survive less virulent strains of ich and some develop partial immunity wtih or without   the elixir. Some survive the  first infestation and succumb  to a more massive outbreak later.  <br />
The only proven  mainstream treatments for cryptocaryon irritans are: copper, hypo salinity  and the med free tank transfer method ; hypo fails often,ime and won't do anything for velvet( amyloodinium).<br />
 The ich parasite is an equal opportunity killer, it attacks healthy and stressed fish whether they are well fed or not.<br />
<br />
Copper is very effective against both ich and velvet  at therapeutic doses..  Copper sulfate does suppress the biofilter sort term ,about   20% according the the manufacturer of the product I've used . Bound copper medications less so. I've used copper sulfate as well as cupramine many times without ammonia spikes or fish deaths and have saved fish from ich reinfestations with it.<br />
<br />
 Alternatively removing the fish  and providing tank transfer treatment for ich works very well and is med free. FWIW it is the method I prefer. It involves using at least two tanks  with gentle transfer of the fish every 3 days for 4 transfers. All of  the parasites in the fish leave within three to seven days and take 3 to  28 days to go to the bottom and form new attackers. This method simply  leaves them all behind with no fish to attack until the tank and equipment is thoroughly dried which kills them at any stage in their life cycle.<br />
<br />
The tank needs to be left fishless for 72 days as some tomite cysts have remained viable for that long in one study  . Most likely 60 days or even less would eradicate them but 72 is safer. If it's a fish only tank  a copper treatment with carefully monitored levels and ammonia monitoring  could work very  well faster. However, the rock substrate and other items in the tank would not be safe for use in any tank housing invertebrates due to residiual copper.<br />
<br />
FWIW it is the method I prefer. It involves using at least two tanks with gentle transfer of the fish every 3 days for 4 transfers. All of the parasites in the fish leave within three to seven days and take 3 to 28 days to go to the bottom and form new atackers. This method simply leaves them all behind .</div>
			
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			<dc:creator>snorvich</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=463</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Gary's reef]]></title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=462</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:26:31 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Well after a long sabatical I have decided to jump back in, of cource there is never an option of starting small so here is where I am at. 
 
I had a...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Well after a long sabatical I have decided to jump back in, of cource there is never an option of starting small so here is where I am at.<br />
<br />
I had a 75 that was still in decent shape so I cleaned it up ordered some new bulbs and revamped the lighting.  I moved the sump and added a G3 skimmer.  The 180 was compleatly over run by majonos which killed almost every coral I had except for some pallys a gorge a couple of leathers and beleive it or not a blueridge.  I removed all the rock and nuked it with pool chlorine and then with murric acid.  I also chlorinated the whole system and let it evap on its own.  I then drained the swstem ond cleaned out the leftover dead majonos, mixed NSW and re filled and re stacked the rock. It has been cycling for about a month with some mollies in it for alge controll,  it is time for snails and hermits now.  I will get on the ball and upload some pics very soon.</div>

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			<dc:creator>gary greguire</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=462</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Humu's 135 refurbish]]></title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=461</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:41:34 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[There is no easy way to say this, so I'll just spit it out, my tank kinda sucks.  There that feels better.  So it is time to do something about it! 
...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>There is no easy way to say this, so I'll just spit it out, my tank kinda sucks.  There that feels better.  So it is time to do something about it!<br />
<br />
Lets start with the nitty gritty.  Be gentle with me.  <br />
<br />
<b><u>The Tank:</u></b> just over 6 years old<ul><li>135gallon all glass aquarium (or should I just call it aqueon now? either way, not made anymore) predrilled with 2 overflows 72x24x18 and large glass centerbrace</li>
<li>megaflow model 4 wet/dry sump (bio balls removed as of 5min ago)</li>
<li>Eheim model 1262return pump with single outlet</li>
<li>Artica Titanium Chiller 1/10hp on Eheim model 1260</li>
<li>3x Maxijet 1200 hooked up to wavemaker powerstrip</li>
<li>6x24in compact fluorescent and a single 150w MH in center</li>
<li>Red Sea C-Skim 1800 skimmer</li>
<li>250w heater</li>
<li>run passive carbon</li>
<li>dose Randy's 2 part calcium</li>
</ul><br />
<b><u>Livestock:</u></b><ul><li>1 sailfin tang (looks like something between &quot;regular&quot; and redsea)</li>
<li>1 Blackspot/swallowtail angelfish (was female, now male, still pretty)</li>
<li>1 maroon clown</li>
<li>1 green coris</li>
<li>1 sps of some kind (green slime?)</li>
<li>1 hammer coral</li>
<li>several hairy mushrooms</li>
<li>4 ricordias</li>
<li>a few leathers</li>
<li>2 pagodia corals</li>
<li>some zoas, maybe pallys</li>
<li>4 rose anenomes</li>
<li>not much of a pod population to speak of</li>
<li>2 scarlet cleaners</li>
<li>10ish pepperments</li>
<li>3 cucumbers, 2 serpents and and an array of snails/hermits</li>
</ul><br />
<b><u>What I want to change:</u></b><ol style="list-style-type: decimal"><li>new lights (in progress, pile of CREEs from rapidled just waiting to be soldered</li>
<li>new sump (probably 55g glass, maybe diy acrylic if I'm feeling brave)</li>
<li>refugium in said sump</li>
<li>Split return line at least once, maybe into 4</li>
<li>better circulation... probably an MP40 to start</li>
<li>GFO reactor and Carbon reactor</li>
<li>some type of carbon dosing (probably biopellets, may start with vodka)</li>
<li>switch to Kalk autotop off (just built auto top off switch, just need to buy Kalk and container!)</li>
</ol><br />
And there we have it, a lot of work to come.  I can't do all of this at once due to both time and monitary constraints.  Now the question is, what order do I prioritize these upgrades?  The LEDs have been purchased so they will obviously be first, but I plan on spending the next 6months or so getting this baby looking beautiful like I know it can!<br />
<br />
Pictures to come</div>

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			<dc:creator>Humuhumunuku</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=461</guid>
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			<title>Kati ani on sale now at readyaquatics.com</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=460</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:33:05 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>*ON SALE NOW!* 
Kati/Ani is the choice of reef aquarium experts worldwide. Now is your opportunity to get these at a great price! 
 
The German...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><b>ON SALE NOW!</b><br />
Kati/Ani is the choice of reef aquarium experts worldwide. Now is your opportunity to get these at a great price!<br />
<br />
The German manufacturer of these amazing two-column deionizers has been producing units for over 30 years. World famous with aquarists that want the purest water, Kati/Ani is back in the USA for the first time since 2008; there have been no fresh imports since then. Unlike the very low grade mixed-bed resins, popularized with RO units to reduce their wasteful process, the high grade resins in Kati-Ani purifiers are fully rechargeable and their product water exceeds RO filters by a scale of magnitude.<br />
<br />
Click to see these great prices now! <a href="http://www.readyaquatics.com/Kati-Ani-Deionizers_c_100.html" target="_blank">http://www.readyaquatics.com/Kati-An...ers_c_100.html</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://www.readyaquatics.com/assets/images/katianisale.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>

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			<dc:creator>ReadyAquatics</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=460</guid>
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			<title>Veil of darkness</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=459</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:54:14 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[So I was ready to start talking a little about the reef-controller I've been working on for the last 9 months or so, and I sought some clarification...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>So I was ready to start talking a little about the reef-controller I've been working on for the last 9 months or so, and I sought some clarification from RC admins about whether I ought to post about it online. <br />
<br />
Turns out that since there's a (small) possibility I might want to make this commercially available, the answer was &quot;Don't do it&quot;, unless I'm certain I'm going to release it for free. Yeah, I know, there's a million-and-one reef controllers out there, where's the room for another... and you know what, that's probably right. Still, I think I have something a little bit special, so the dirty little thought keeps rattling around at the back of my mind... Maybe... Just maybe...<br />
<br />
If the options are to go commercial, or to release it for free, One thing I have thought about is &quot;both&quot;. I could release on a non-commercial open license, so DIY'ers and cheapskates [grin] could get it, and then I could do some build-at-home stuff for those who can't or don't want to get their hands dirty, or just want a finished product. Another option would be to take advantage of bulk pricing and offer kits to people. On a small-enough scale, I doubt my employer would care, and it might provide a small amount of income now that my wife's stopped working, with the option to grow it later if need-be.<br />
<br />
If even that isn't a good option, I wouldn't want all this work to go to waste, so I'd open it completely... However, most of the open-source things I've seen work well have been ones where (a) there's a centralised lead, not just a group-of-people-working-on-stuff, and (b) where it starts off with a good fraction of the job done. It's easier to motivate people when the end is &quot;in sight&quot;, so I'd have to see how I'd want to work that all out.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this post is just a statement as to why there'll be no more details given out about the controller, perhaps apart from general progress - come on! When *your* pet project reaches a milestone, don't *you* want to tell someone it's got there ? :)</div>

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			<dc:creator>Spaced Cowboy</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=459</guid>
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			<title>new rock scape</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=458</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:18 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Image: http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/Der_photo_file/IMG_4262.jpg  
 
Image:...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/Der_photo_file/IMG_4262.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/Der_photo_file/1502c4e9.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>

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			<dc:creator>PJtree23</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=458</guid>
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			<title>Lively Rocks and Cardi Check-in</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=457</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:03:19 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[There's not a huge amount to report with the actual tank. 
 
Image: http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/1-22-2012.jpg  
 
One great...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>There's not a huge amount to report with the actual tank.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/1-22-2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
One great thing about Radion lights, which I haven't seen anyone else mention, is the different light colors highlight different things on the rocks (CSI style!)  There's a point in my lighting schedule where the blues come down and white &amp; red ramps up to mimic the sunrise/sunset.  Although it doesn't look as pretty as the usual blue/white LEDs, it's one of my favorite times of day to take a closer look at the tank because its much easier to differentiate between the colors on the rock.  At the moment they're mainly green, but there's definitely some spots of purple coralline coming in:<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/coralline2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Incidentally all those white sponge tubes I had growing in the shadows have all vanished.  Pity, I liked them once I knew they weren't hydroids!<br />
<br />
The sand in the middle towards the back (lowest flow) is getting a light fuzz of cyano, but it's barely noticeable.  Here's hoping it's just a phase and not an omen of things to come.<br />
<br />
The bangaii cardinals are on week 3 of QT and I'm totally smitten with them.  I had no idea cardinals could have so much character! :D  Even when I'm too far away to tell the difference between them physically, I know which is which just by the way they act.  The female is really pushy, either leading the way or shadow-boxing the glass... whereas the male is much more chilled out.<br />
<br />
(Male left, Female right)<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/cardi-qt3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Both of their posterior dorsal fins has been growing longer.  I'm not sure how they got them chopped off in the first place (the move? Vortech?) but they seem to be looking better everyday.<br />
<br />
Male (with easily identifiable flap on his front dorsal fin)<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/cardi-m2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Female (pinker and usually in front when they swim together)<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/cardi-f2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Still no eggs, but the female has continued to do her little dance in front of the male.  It's usually just before feeding time though, and right up against the glass where I sit in the lounge; so I'm beginning to wonder if it's for my benefit.<br />
<br />
I'm a little worried by the weird white bump on the female's lower lip.  If I didn't know better I'd say she's got some mysis stuck on it.  I only noticed it today; I'm really hoping she's just bashed herself on the glass with all her boxing.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/cardi-lip2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/cardi-lip1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Lumps permitting... I'm looking forward to their release into the big tank next week (31st!)  I still haven't figured out who I'm getting next.  I know I want a mandarin and possibly a (less nippy!) flame angel, but I need to wait for them (mandy needs a mature tank and flame angel should be the last thing added.)  <br />
<br />
I'm tempted by some orange firefish, but from what I've read they prefer to be single or in a confirmed pair... which is tricky because they aren't sexually dimorphic.   At this rate my tank is going to be the Noah's Arc of reef tanks! :lol:  <br />
<br />
I'm also considering a blenny of some sort... but as blennies usually don't tolerate firefish, I really need to decide who I want more.  Any suggestions welcome!</div>

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			<dc:creator>Aaarrrggg</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=457</guid>
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			<title>A Few New Toys</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=456</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:38:42 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>I had to order some meds for the dogs from Dr Fosters and Smith, so I used the free shipping as an excuse to grab an Azoo Micro Temp Controller...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>I had to order some meds for the dogs from Dr Fosters and Smith, so I used the free shipping as an excuse to grab an <a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23735" target="_blank">Azoo Micro Temp Controller</a>.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/temp-control-box.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/temp-control.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
I plugged in both of my heaters (it can control up to 3) and placed the probe in the sump.  I left the temp at 26°C... no point in fighting the default if it resets in a power outage.  I stuck the control unit high up on the inside of the cabinet, so it can't normally be seen, but if I crouch I can easily read the current temp glowing through the glass doors.  I'm starting to really like my see-through doors!  It certainly makes keeping an eye on the equipment easier.<br />
<br />
In my quest to achieve the perfect dark fuge I went a little nutty... <br />
<b>I gotta have more shower poufs!</b><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/more-poufs.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/pouf-fude.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
There was a deal on Amazon for a 12 pack, so I thought what the heck... if I'm going to make a go of this fake chaeto stuff then I might as well go all in.  Now granted, they could become somewhat of a nitrate trap, but hopefully the pellet reactor will be able to deal with that.<br />
<br />
Speaking of nitrates, they're now somewhere between 5-10ppm... which is great considering I've upped the feeding to about 1/2 a cube of frozen a day (previously it was ~3rd, every other day.)  I'm traditionally pretty stingy with feeding, but as I want both clowns and cardis to get their &quot;groove on,&quot; I've been forcing myself to be more generous.  I saw some people talking about the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F2117I/ref=pe_175190_21431760_cs_sce_dp_1" target="_blank">EHEIM auto-feeder</a> on a forum and thought one might be a good idea to provide the tank with a quick morning snack (and feed when I forget to!)<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/auto-feeder-box.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
After programming it (easy!) and filling it with some crushed up flake food, I positioned it in the canopy at the front of the tank. <br />
<br />
(View from back of tank looking towards front)<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/auto-feeder.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
I set a test time and waited excitedly for the feeder to turn on.  After about a minute it rotated and tipped in some flake food, which proceeded to go straight down the overflow.... D'oh!  Maybe flake isn't the best stuff to put in it!? :lol:<br />
<br />
I've been considering getting some <a href="http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+20" target="_blank">Anthias</a> and saw someone mention successfully feeding them New Life Spectrum 1mm pellets... so I'll probably go with some of that for the auto-feeder.  Here's hoping they might sink a little better... or at least be easier for the fish to spot before they get sucked down the overflow.</div>

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			<dc:creator>Aaarrrggg</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=456</guid>
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			<title>Argh! Flood!</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=455</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:30:07 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Well I had a bit of a disaster yesterday...  
 
Image: http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/flood2.jpg  Image:...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Well I had a bit of a disaster yesterday... <br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/flood2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/flood.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
It's hard to make out in the pics, but the floor is covered in about 1/2&quot; of water. :hmm3:   It completely floaded the utility room and extended into most of the surrounding rooms, although thankfully not too far into each.<br />
<br />
It actually could have been a <i>lot</i>  worse if it wasn't for this blog, as I discovered the leak when I came downstairs to snap a few pics for this update!!  I heard a weird sloshing sound and opened the utility room door to find the RO/DI unit was spraying water all over the place!  Not good! :eek1:<br />
<br />
After some mopping up, I investigated the RO/DI unit to find that a couple of tubes had come loose.  One of them was part of the flush valve, so I dismantled it and discovered that it had TWO flow restrictors!  The online instructions had said to add my RO/DIs flow restrictor to the flush valve, but unbeknownst to me, my valve already had a flow restrictor at the other end!!  Perhaps the instructions were out of date?  I removed the excess one and put it all back together again.  <br />
<br />
I have no idea if that was the cause of the leak (pressure build up?) or if I was just careless putting everything back together again, but needless to say I made double (triple!) sure all the tubes were pushed in as far as they could go this time around.  Since then I've been obsessively checking for leaks... I really don't trust it now.<br />
<br />
Another mini crisis was averted earlier in the day.  I was checking on the skimmer in the morning when the LiterMeter happened to kick in and pump some new SW into the sump.  As it did its thing, the skimmer began to pour water into the collection cup! :uhoh2:  The pressure of the new water entering the skimmer chamber must have been enough to raise the skimmer lvl.  I moved the fresh SW and RO tubes to the next chamber along, so hopefully that won't be a problem anymore.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/moved-lm-tubes.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
The last issue of the day; my SG is pushing 1.026.  Not the worst SG in the world, but still up from where it was  at 1.025... which means something is off.  I'm going to recalibrate the LiterMeter tomorrow.  I was lazy and didn't recalibrate after adding the longer tubing outside, so hopefully that's all it is.<br />
<br />
Oh, while I'm on the subject of the waterchanger, I finally added the last part; a <a href="http://www.marinedepot.com/Drain_Saddle_Adapter_Plumbing_Parts_for_RO_DI_Water_Filter_Systems-Captive_Purity-RO1319-FIRORARP-vi.html" target="_blank">Drain Saddle Adapter</a><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/ro-waste-plumb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
I didn't talk about it before because I forgot to buy it when we first set the waterchanger up.  This clamp plumbs the RO/DI waste line directly into the sink drain.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/under-sink.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Red line = RO/DI waste to sink drain<br />
White line = sink water to RO/DI unit (I'm assuming a copper fitting is OK to use here as it's <i>before</i> the RO/DI unit?  Please correct me if I'm wrong!)</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<dc:creator>Aaarrrggg</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=455</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Never Argue with a Fool</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=454</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:58:24 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>t is best not to argue, 
But if you do at all, 
Never do so with a fool. 
A fool can defeat all. 
 
He does not care for the facts. 
He does not know...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>t is best not to argue,<br />
But if you do at all,<br />
Never do so with a fool.<br />
A fool can defeat all.<br />
<br />
He does not care for the facts.<br />
He does not know debate.<br />
He’s a stranger to reason.<br />
Logic he can negate.<br />
<br />
In the end the fool will win,<br />
His logic is so strong!<br />
Decides what he does not like<br />
And then it must be wrong!<br />
<br />
It’s better to keep quiet<br />
When challenged by a fool.<br />
Else, to prove his own wisdom,<br />
He will make you a tool.<br />
<br />
It is hence my policy<br />
To not respond to those<br />
Who ask questions not to learn<br />
But to be bellicose.</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<dc:creator>snorvich</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=454</guid>
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		<item>
			<title>A pic from tonight.</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=453</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:50:45 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Image: http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q68/jllndmb/Reef/DSC_5325.jpg</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q68/jllndmb/Reef/DSC_5325.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<dc:creator>Misled</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=453</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>The Think Tank</title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=452</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:20:30 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>The Think Tank is finally in operation! 
 
Enjoy, and provide any comments and/or feedback. 
 
I had a great time planning and building this setup! 
...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>The Think Tank is finally in operation!<br />
<br />
Enjoy, and provide any comments and/or feedback.<br />
<br />
I had a great time planning and building this setup!<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/Der_photo_file/IMG_4240.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/Der_photo_file/IMG_4244.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/Der_photo_file/IMG_4245.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/Der_photo_file/IMG_4242.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/Der_photo_file/IMG_4243.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<dc:creator>PJtree23</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=452</guid>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[What's in the Box?]]></title>
			<link>http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=450</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:12 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Time to find out what's lurking in the box! :D 
 
Image: http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/dr-tim-new-order.jpg  
 
Ta da!  It's a...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Time to find out what's lurking in the box! :D<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/dr-tim-new-order.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Ta da!  It's a <a href="http://store.drtimsaquatics.com/Large-NP-Active-Pearl-Reactor-kit_p_273.html" target="_blank">Pellet Reactor Kit from Dr Tim's Aquatics!</a><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/pellet-reactor-set.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<ul><li>Bashsea Pellet Master Reactor</li>
<li>500ml of NP-Active Pearls</li>
<li>8oz bottle of &quot;Waste-Away&quot; bacteria</li>
<li>Rio Hyperflow pump</li>
</ul>  <br />
What brought this on?  Well my nano has been getting a bit of nuisance algae of late (the long filaments you can see in the cardinal pics) and it's got me thinking about nutrient control in the big tank.  I had looked into algae scrubbers, but was ultimately put off by them needing a light.  Even if I didn't have the problem with the glass cabinet doors letting light out, I still don't like the idea of having a light in the sump -from both an electricity bill and safety standpoint.<br />
<br />
Enter the pellet reactor!  Which is essentially the same as an algae scrubber, but utilizing bacteria instead.  The pellets provide a home and food source for the bacteria, which consume nitrates and phosphates from the water as they grow (just like chaeto.)  The protein skimmer then removes any fattened bacteria that drift out into the water, taking the nutrients they've eaten with them (equivalent of trimming chaeto.)<br />
<br />
This is my first reactor of any kind and I was excited to get my hands on it.  It feels very sturdy and it even has Dr Tim's logo etched into the top, which I thought was a nice touch.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/pellet-reactor.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/pellet-reactor-open.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
The only thing that didn't come with the kit was the tubing... which led me to the awesome discovery that they sell all kinds of tubing on Amazon Prime! :D  I went for White Silicone Tubing (1/2&quot; ID)  The instructions say you have to build up to the correct dose of pellets over the course of a few weeks, so I only put a little in to start with.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/pellet-reactor-setup.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Ignition!<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/pellet-reactor-start.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
I'm no expert, but the pellets appear to be tumbling really well.  As the reactor is new there was a bit of air trapped inside, but after a few hours (and some shaking) all the pellets you can see stuck at the top, sank down to join the rest.  As per the instructions, I squirted a few turkey basters full of &quot;Waste-Away&quot; into the reactor pump.  Apparently that should help things get kick started.  It says to add it for 3-4 days, but as it's only a 8oz bottle, there's actually only enough for 2 days.  I'm a little miffed there isn't more provided for the larger kit, (the small one has the same 8oz bottle,) but I'm not in any particular hurry, so it doesn't really matter... I figure I'll just spread what I have out over a few days instead.<br />
<br />
The pump started out VERY loud.  I shook all the bubbles out and left it a day to settle in, but it was still noticeable over everything else (skimmer, return etc.)  I was all ready to send it back, but as a last resort I moved it from where it was (chamber after the skimmer,) to the fuge and after a day in there it finally quietened down.  I think microbubbles from the skimmer must have been collecting in it and rattling around.<br />
<br />
While I was under the hood I decided to sort out some issues with the skimmer.  Lately it hasn't been skimming as well as I'd like.  The water lvl has needed to be up higher than the recommended max lvl to stop it uploading it's residue before it reaches the cup.  I've come to the conclusion this is due to 2 things:<br />
<ol style="list-style-type: decimal"><li>The gate valve is under the water lvl.  In the instructions it says it's &quot;recommended&quot; that it's kept above the water.  It doesn't go into specifics on why this is, but I'm thinking it could be causing some of the problem</li>
<li>The pump has rubber feet that keep slipping through the gaps in it's eggcrate shelf; causing it to sit as a bit of a funny angle.</li>
</ol><br />
The space saving skimmer is kind of annoying because the pump has to dock into an opening on the bottom of the skimmer.  It's quite a loose fit, so after you wrestle the skimmer into position in it's (barely big enough) chamber, the pump has a tendency to slip out... and once the skimmer is in place there's absolutely no way to squeeze your hands in there to adjust the pump position.<br />
<br />
To fix issue number one I used larger pipes to raise the skimmer another couple of inches.  The second problem was solved by a usefully sized tupperware lid.  It happened to fit perfectly into the base of the skimmer; holding the pump in place and giving it a better surface to rest on, (it's even red to match!)  It's been skimming much better since.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/skimmer-mod.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Here's how the sump is looking now:<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/sump-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
I think my next purchase will be a carbon reactor.  I'm hoping I might be able to plumb it into one of the return lines, but I may just chicken out and get yet another pump.</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<dc:creator>Aaarrrggg</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=450</guid>
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