Reefkeeping South Africa » Marine Aquariums of South Africa

Marine Aquariums of South Africa

Happy Birthday dv8

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 7:09am CDT by chikaboo

Happy birthday dude! Enjoy the rest of the day and may you see many many more:thumbup:
potters getting spot

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 12:06am CDT by Dale6

hey guys bought a potters angel on sat, payed 600 for it and im a student so dont want to lose it,this afternoon i noticed white spot on its side fins,i dont want to lose it what steps can i take to stop it ,i also realise some fish get this from travelling while shipping.have a lawnmower blennie he is fine my red sea test kit gives nitrates at zero as i have a scrubber and skimmer, so dont think thats a problem?also did a 25% water change will this help?thanks
my first nano

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 10:53pm CDT by werner5

got my boyu tl 550 sunday so here are some pics more to follow
my tank, eventually

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 10:32pm CDT by martinkeyser

hey hey, eventually after 6 weeks of cycling in huge buckets and preparing for the big day, it happened!
The tank is in, water looks lovely, snail is more than happy, or so i think. water parameters are all stiil very low after 2 days and the 2 new hermit crabs are having a feast in the sump.
should i still be expecting a spike, or mini cycle or would it already have started?
How many new guys joined today?

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 10:18pm CDT by RiaanP

Wow, how many new guys did join today, including the weekend?

Welcome to you all.

Masa is growing.
I got bit!

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 9:26pm CDT by Faust

Sawubona fellow MASA members

Just popping in to introduce myself. So, before I get bombarded with all the useful information, let me give you a description of my previous experience and future plans regarding this wonderful financial black hole we call a hobby...

I had freshwater planted aquariums all through high school, really helped with the chemistry and biology, you learn more if you have an actual interest in what you are learning :). Unfortunately had to come to an end due to varsity.

Now is the time to get started again, close to setting up a 3' planted FW aquarium Diana Walstad Style. When that is going I will at least have eye candy while I set up a 4' marine tank. I have been doing my rounds on this forum, learning ALOT before I even buy gear.

So, here are my marine aspirations categorized:

Filtration (most important first)

(Just as side note, I am planning to do my sump in multiple plastic crates - the ones on wheels, they will be elevated according to order, first will be highest etc, so that gravity can do its magic. The total "sump" volume is expected to be at least 75% of the DT)

The overflow will be directed to an algae scrubber unit (have seen brilliant ideas) with a bypass for ease of cleaning / clogging. The effect I am hoping for is that the algae on the scrubber will out compete the algae in the DT, as well as keeping PO4 levels at bay. It will also have the side benefit of evaporative cooling (if i choose to leave it open to atmosphere). This unit will be lit by a 4000K energy saving bulb, "micro" algae likes the lower spectrum light it seems.

This will be followed by a compartment containing the protein skimmer. Next up is the DSB consisting of playsand (15cm thick), I will try and maximize the surface area. Macro algae will also be kept in this compartment and will be lit by a 6500K'ish energy saving bulb - it is what most green/brown plants prefer. This compartment will most likely find itself in a large diameter, semi shallow bucket to give the macro algae enough room, but at the same time have just enough flow across the DSB, but not too much as to create an unfavorable environment for the anaerobic bacteria.

Above mentioned compartment will be followed by a compartment containing the heater, return pump, auto top-up unit and other goodies I see fit.

Lighting

I will most likely go the Metal Halide route, I just love the shimmering effect (I do know that I can get it with T5s by adding a single source light source such as a LED, but I do not think it will have such a drastic effect). I will of course have some T5s that will supplement the light wavelengths where the 14 000 K MH will lack. Just figuring out a descent hood design that will lend itself to my ends, might even opt for an expensive combo hood...

Display Tank

As mentioned, the display tank will be a manageable 4' glass tank. I will use "thinish" aragonite substrate to keep nutrient/detritus buildup to a minimum. I will use egg crate and PVC to act as "skeleton" for my reef. As for live rock, I will most likely go for the cured / semi-cured type, but I will break my head about the details of that closer to the time. As for a reef bio-tipe, I have not chosen an eco-system I want to mimic, still looking for descent resources (the free kind, had my fair share of books thank you!).

Constraints

Well, I am currently in Secunda, so the closest shops will be in PTA/JHB. I have also run into a few minor obstacles, such as the availability of DIY resources. No readily available Epoxy paint / resin and stuff like that. But hey, gives me an excuse to goto Jozi aight? It was funny when I phoned Arcona, looking for Alanod, the lady there was so surprised. She asked me where did I hear about them, then I told her about building reflectors for marine tank, the she was like: "Ooohhh, the marine people". I got this huge grin on my face :D

Anyway, I am not trying to set a record for the longest first post on MASA, so I will be concluding. Thank you to all the members, embracing the hungry minds and feeding them and helping this hobby grow in popularity.

Regards,
Faust
New Skimmer

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 9:14pm CDT by Zoom

Hi There Everyone

Long time no see.

I need some help on a Protein Skimmer. I bought a Reef TS1 and before I assemble i tested it out in the basin to check out how it works. It seems pumping the water but no bubbles. Something seems wrong any advise
Thought for the day

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 8:25pm CDT by chikaboo

Hey guys thought I start this cool thread -
new kid on the block

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 7:51pm CDT by butcherman

Hi guys and gals.
My name is Steven
Been reading this forum for a few weeks now and decided to join.
Always wanted a Marine tank. I always kept freshwater Fish mainly Discus and Angels.
I am looking at turning my Std 4ft with a 70l sump and DIY Syphon overflow into a Marine tank.

I wanna start off with a FOWLR and later getting a REEF tank going.
First i wanna ask all the questions and then start getting what i need together.

I live in Kempton Park where abouts is a decent marine petshop.
Hallo

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 6:34pm CDT by Cornelis

I just want to say hallo, and that every thing on my side is going very well. My 1.2m tank is 13 months old I enjoy every moment of it. I am raily thinking of a 1.5 thank. My dother 11j want to start her on tank. So one of these days I will have two tanks.
I will post pohtos as soon as I work out how it works.
wringo-My Marin tank after 5 monthes from setup

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 5:25pm CDT by wringo

Hi giys this my tank after 5 monthes
YouTube - wringo-My Marin tank after 5 monthes from setup

this pic when i started my tank

Now

My live rock

me and my tank
attach on pic
Newbie

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 5:08pm CDT by Norries

I am from Jeffreys and new to the saltwater world.

I aquired the following tank that was not running for a while,

DT 1800X500X610 - 10mm glass, with a overflow in the left rear corner, and outlet drilled through the bottom glass.
2x return pipes on the right side, and 1 hole for water changes, also has an ATO in to the skimmer chamber.

Sump 1700x400x340 - 6mm glass, 7 chambers, skimmer, 2 chambers that was filled with live rock and bioballs(currently no live rock, i chucked the bio-balls),a chamber with a pump that ran through the chiller,and then the chamber for the two return pumps.

2x return pumps red sea Berlin 2.2m 1600lh. and 1 Jun 3.0m - 2500lh.
1x Berlin skimmer 25-250gallon Tripple pass.

Stand: 40x40 square tubing galvanised - 1800x400x1000, the whole stand tank, sump,equipment and ATO will be hidden behind a cabinet.

Lighting currently 2x 400w metal halides.

2x heaters 1x 200w Jager - 1x 300w Natural.

Please let me know what you think I should do for flow, and what i should do with the sump, i want to put a DSB in.

I think the skimmer is also to small for the size tank.

Tank was standing for a while, it has algea growth on the glass, with what should i clean the tank with.

I would like to have a FOWL tank, but I am sure that I will keep coral later on.

Ur comments and advice please,
Norries
Need Help

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 4:45pm CDT by charlv

Hi Guys and Ladies

Please need some help here i can get a kalkwasser for good price and what do you think about kalkwassers is it good or bad

It's a Reef Octopus kr-100
Henk

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 4:28pm CDT by henk

Hallo daar almal.Ek het vandag aangesliut by die forum.Ek het so 2 weke terug begin met n tl450.Daar is drie clowns in en n blou krap.Tenk loop mooi en het nie te veel probleme nie.Hoe gereeld moet n die water verander en toets.Ek gee hulle net saans kos.is dit genoeg vir hulle.Ek sal enige raad en advies waardeur.Dankie!
Threadfin Butterfly for sale: Vereeniging

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 4:23pm CDT by frankie fish

Fish for saleCommon Name:
Threadfin Butterfly
Scientific Name:
-
Size of fish
About palm size
How long have you had the fish?
About 2 years
Is the fish eating?
Eating like a small pig,seriously
Shipping or Collection only:
collection pref.
Your location.
Vereeniging
Price:
Make a offer, or swop with other live stock
Photo's:

Notes:
-
[FS] Fish to go urgently

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 2:34pm CDT by deep_blu

I hav the following stock that i'm urgently trying to get rid of. Included will be 2 small anemones, brain coral & a couple of muchrooms.2 x clowns (and their anemones)1 cleaner shrimp1 mandarin1 blue star fish3 chromis1 x cleaner wrasseI also have LR that needs to go except there is a bloom of red algae on some of it.I'm also trying to get rid of the tank & small sumpp tank.Anyone interested pleez contact me on email: ellyw@netstar.altech.co.za
Help with water parameters

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 1:20pm CDT by Giepie

Hi all
I've been keeping a strict eye on my water parameters for the past few moths (being a beginner it's the first obvious thing to check).

My parameters is as follows:
Amonia - 0
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
SG - 1023
Phosphate - 0.1 (down from 1.0 6 weeks ago)
but the problem one is: KH - 190?

I don't know if I read the chart correct, but it tells me to multiply the number of drops added by 10 to get my reading...

The startpoint (first drop) will give me a blue color and I must keep adding a drop (and shake the test tube well) before adding another drop and must stop when my test tube have a yellow color. Well, I did this over the weekend and counted 19 drops... Shall I check the KH on my RO or must I just do a massive water change with seawater I get from 2oceans aquarium?

Any help will be appreciated

ps I'm running a FOWLR system (1m X 300 X 350: 100L DT) - Sump (450 X 250 X 300: 50L) - Lighting: 2 X T8 White and 1 X T5 blue
Convert In-Sump Skimmer to external

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 1:19pm CDT by Pugsly

Hi guys,
Was just wondering if it would be possible to convert a in-sump skimmer (TS2) to be an external skimmer?

What would it take and what would you have to do?
Kelvin rating

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 12:20pm CDT by Zenith

Hi Guys

How can you measure kelvin in your tank, i take it if lets say you have 2 10000k lamps and 2 20000k lamps your kelvin rating should then be aroun 15000k or am i wrong. Also do you kelvin rating drop as it goes deeper into the tank and will th kelvin rating of a lamp degrade with age.

Thanks people
Paper Nautilus.... Marvel of Nature.

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 12:11pm CDT by Mudshark

I was lucky enough to find another of these fascinating shells whilst running along Chulumna beach. They are extremely light and thin, yet always seem to arrive on the beach intact, even through massive swell. They are truly a wonder of engineering in nature from the absolute symmetry, to the materials and constuction to create rigidity.
Clowns Gettin' busy (SNL)

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 11:26am CDT by Mudshark

Seems that everyones taking naughty pics of their clowns lately. Well I'm as much for a good ole perv as anyone else so here are my clowns trying to have a personal moment.

The first picture is of the clowns preparing the area where they wanted to lay the eggs. This started several hours beforehand.

The next pics are of the female laying the eggs and the male passing over them and fertilising them. Please note that clown males dig big chicks, so the large clown is the female. Nothing wrong with that.... don't judge!

The next 2 are of the male doing the wild thang

And finally a picture of the eggs. They lasted for all of half a beer, before the other fish and the clowns ate them.
PSK-2500 pumps

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 10:53am CDT by Awvince

Hi.

Does anybody know how to open these pumps without taking a hammer to it?
feeding and nitrates

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 9:44am CDT by Furbz

hi guys,
i recently started wondering..
what fish food has the least amount of pollutants in it?

so in other words, what is best to feed?

nori?
flakes?
live brine?
frozen brine?
pellets?

if we are going to feed we might as well feed the best stuff for our systems health!
Semi Safe marine fish.......?...angels?

Posted: September 7th, 2009, 9:29am CDT by magman

I really enjoy the Bi-colour angel, it is the most beautiful fish to me, that and an emporer. Now I managed to get myself a bi-colour last week, and I know you stand a 50-50 chance with them, but otherwise now my sponges that were on the rocks, well they alot smaller now. I have purposely avoided going for the softies etc, but I do have several anonomes and locally caught tubeworms, I am sure these should be safe? You agree?

Secondly, what other fish will not touch your anenomes and tubeworms, also I can harvest the tubeworms locally. I mean fish that were generally not regarded reef safe, confirm the other angels will not touch them? I know I can also harvest zoas, but these will be nibbled to death.

Also any idea where I can get an emporer and what they retail for?