Recent content by jjboods

I'm adding 2 T5's to the 4 VHO's. Any opinion on setup...I need new VHO's abyway. I'm think ing 2 10000K URI VHO, 2 Actinic VHO, and 2 10000K T5's.

I have just had bad personal experience with them, not knocking them for others. I think unless you buy high quality, expensive bulbs, you run the risk of poor manufacturing and inconsistant quality.

I've heard from others that the 54watt T5's give more light than 110 watt VHO's because the reflectors are better and direct more of the light into the tank and that they can be mounted closer to the water. Also, I've heard that T5's run off an Icecap ballast actually run at about 80 watts.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd like the lighting to be able to keep anything: SPS, clams, etc. I know...MH's. Had them, wasn't happy. I currently have 4 110watt VHO's over a 75 gallon tank. I was trying to sell the current system and...

I odered 3 lbs of Mrs. Wages. Cost me $19.45 shipped.

I need some fish food anyway. Does the kalk mix spoil?

The Mrs. Wages is $24.95 for 4lbs delivered. I found a 4lb of ESV for $25.03 delivered. $.02 per pound more expensive for the ESV. Any opinions? I am leaning towards the ESV. Also, any opinions on Kent or any other brand? Does pickling lime go bad? Will 4lbs be wasted?

Great. Thanks.

A local shop will refill a 3.5 lb tank for no more than $8-9. How well ventilated does it need to be? I would be keeping it under the tank in the stand. There is no back to the stand other than a 2x4. But then the stand is against the wall...maybe an inch away. Is that enough? Would I need...

Other than refill frequency, what reason(s) are there for a 5lb tank vs a 10 or 3.5? Approximately how long would a 5 or 3.5 lb tank last on a 75 gallon tank? Thanks.

I am investigating the same issue, although I haven't purchased anything yet, including the reactor. What about a gate valve to slow the flow? That is what I am considering...a DIY Kalk Reactor, the AquaMedic SP3000, and a gate valve.

I put a few pieces in my tank to help fight microalage and my yellow tang devoured it in about 2 days.

After adding a dosing pump, Kalk reactors end up being almost as expensive as Calcium reactors. And I don't have room for a reservoir. Any other options?

Can someone give an explanation of how these are used. I understand what they do and how they work, I am asking how they are installed/integrated into a system. I've read alot about dosing and top off. My tank is not in a location where I can add a source of RO/DI water. Do I need it or does the...

You will not be able to get the water to go up without a pump. I'm not sure what would happen if you had a power outage. And it sounds like you'd be pumping the water back into the tank from the fuge. You might want to reverse everything. Put the overflow on the fuge going back to the tank.