Reefkeeping South Africa » Marine Aquariums of South Africa

Marine Aquariums of South Africa

New member, expat in TX

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 7:17am CDT by neogenix

Hey Folks,

There I was browsing RC, and MAAST (my local MASA equivalent) and I came across a cross posting from here, and low and behold, marine folks in South Africa! I'm an Ex-Cape Town boy living in texas (for the last 2 years, and before that 18 months in london), and have recently-ish (last year or so) taken to marine aquariums... I'm actually in the process of putting up my second one.

My current tank is a (had to convert down from Gallons...) a 210L tub (brick, pretty much) with around 45KG of LR, and a selection of livestock... My new tank which is actually being built right now in the garage is a 500L custom aquarium. When we move to the next house, I'll probably go to the 750L+ range... It's just hard to get that into a rental house.

Here's the most recent pic I can find online, it's rather old though... like from day 1... I'll see if I can add some more in a few hours :)
Local vs Import

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 6:48am CDT by FransSny

Hi guys, I have been thinking about this for quite some time and after meeting a local chap passionate about SA & supporting local products I started thinking a bit more and would like to pose the question.

If you had the option of buying locally manufactured products (lets say your "nice to have's ie controllers , probes , chillers etc etc). Would you ?

If you dont mind elaborating on your answer that would also be cool.

I would personally love to rather support local if the price is competitive enough and backup is available
FS: Peg Perego Twins Pram

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 8:37pm CDT by AfricaOffroad

Ario Model.
FSH
Bought new 5 years ago, been standing around unused for the last 3
R1500 onco.
Please help in this ID

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 6:20pm CDT by Nemos Janitor

What fish is this? Excuse the bum pic. from my iPhone.
Hi All! I'm a second time "Newbie"!

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 5:25pm CDT by IN_D_N-OH_SHUN

I had a 55 gal. & a 20L back in the early 90's & enjoyed it tremendously! I've wanted to get back into this ever since I had to give them up!
I recently bought a used 65 gal. 24" x 36" reef set up with a BLAAAAAAAAAAAAACK ( Yawn! )painted OAK cabinet ( OMG!:nono:) :banghead: - top & base. I'm starting out by creatively adding some class to it! I'm sanding all vertical flat surfaces, leaving the black on the shaped & horizontal ones. I'm refinishing the beautiful Oak I'm finding underneath, in Cabernet colored ( a reddish warm tone) Varithane stain. I think it's gonna be gorgeous! Since I intend to set the tank as a room divider between my living / dining areas ( 11ft x 18ft. total space ) , I'm going to do a bit more creative carpentry to cover the open "side" which would otherwise be the back of the cabinet. This will allow me better access to the sump & additional refugium /algae filter I'll be adding. I'll build an extra shelf for the refugium. A question here!- does it matter what I use for a refugium? Wouldn't a "Tupperware" tub work just fine if I want? I'm going to mount fluorescent tube fixtures above it, to the inner underside of the tank platform within the cabinet.
I've figured out a way to get creative with the water flow , too! I'm going to plumb my live rock support structure PVC to my return line & put "T"s where I want outlet nozzles. By building my live rock on top of the structure & creating caves & shelves, it will be hidden & very "real ocean" like ! :thumbup: I have a large powerhead as well. I want to set up a surge / wave effect. I figure I can arrange that in the return line & plumb pvc to either end of the tank with the wave unit alternating the ebb & flow. By putting the strongest surges under rock shelves, I c an have softies that prefer gentler currents , above the selves & create stratified zones in the inhabitants. The shelves will also shade some areas for corals that prefer darker regions.
The construction plan also includes another little creative feature. I'm planning to build a small light box "pan" to sit under the tank , such that the light boxes extend a few inches beyond the base of the tank so that I have BLUE LIGHTS / LED's as moonlights for my corals! Wired in concert with a timer & the top lights , I'll have full cycle /full spectrum lighting! :bigthumbup:

I have a scavenged light fixture that has 4 swiveling track light type canisters mounted to a base. I'm thinking that if I remove the base & mount the individual lights in my cabinet top & use full spectrum screw in 100 w fluorescent bulbs in each one, along with my regular top lighting fixture, I'll have some pretty decent light in the top. Can anyone ( pardon the pun) enlighten me on the spectrum of the bulbs? I have 2 of them in my ceiling fixture in my Art Studio ( I'm a Wildlife Artist, working in Pastel) and 2 more in lamps. I love them! They appear rather blue! I'm wondering if that might just be perfect for some of my Corals? It's certainly cheap! The base of the bulb says "Aero-Tech" 5000K FS58 - 25W ( 100 W equivalent in an incandescent ) . I guess individually, they are short of the 6,500K - 10,000 K spectrum preferred for Reef tanks, but does that 5,000K multiply as I add bulbs? In other words, wouldn't the 4 5,000K bulbs add up to 20,000K ? . . . Or is that just 4 5,000K lights ? I also thought about checking out halogens. They're really HOT though. I watched that video on the Plasma light! Very impressive! But I'm betting it has a price to match! What is the spectrum of LEDs? I don't think they are very intense!
Necessity is the mother of invention & my pocket says I'd better get REAL inventive!
In my filtration plans, I'm going with the Jaubert - Plenum system; adding a sump & a algae refugium - all with as much live rock/sand as I can possibly manage. I intend to propagate amphipods & other small crustaceans as food, along with the algae in the refugium. I've bought a couple pretty good books & I'm trying my best to do my home work. I feel strongly that it's a big responsibility taking the lives of these creatures into MY hands & I take that seriously. Taking on the responsibility of ANY "pet" is often taken far too lightly & on a whim! Disaster most always follows & aside from the financial pain, it's the creatures who entrust us with their care, who get hurt most & often pay OUR price with THEIR lives! I personally consider that irresponsible & unethical! Bad things happen in spite of best intentions. I get that. But if one does the research, they are doing their best to prevent that! Beyond that. . .. "the elevator's BROKE!. . . take the STEPS! " ! Technology advances. It's our responsibility to keep up with it. As far as *I* can see, this doesn't HAVE to be hard, or even expensive, IF you do the homework! . . .Did you take notes? ;):) I am! We'll see how I score! :bigthumbup::rockon::y15::party::seeya:
T5 Connection Issue *%#!

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 3:32pm CDT by Garethmur

So I bought two Reeftek T5 tubes (54W) over the week end (Need 12 to complete my canopy)
Got the 2 to test the setup... ballasts n all...
I Think I may know why...
But could some1 lend their experience as to why when I got them connected, the lights stay on for like 10 seconds and then switch off... i have to unplug and plug back in to get them on again... then for only another 10 seconds or so.... What did I do wrong? or is something faulty?

Thanks
Aquarist Job in Dubai

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 12:27pm CDT by lanzo

Good Day Guys

If there is anybody that would like to get into the marine trade.
Please contact me asap

My Friend in Dubai has asked me to find an Aquarist that has a good marine Knowledge and he should be able to identify marine fish by name and know how to condition 5000 fish without supervision.

Accommodation will be provided and a good salary will be paid.

Best Regards
Lanzo
Aqua pink light

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 11:52am CDT by Jakkie

Shawn from Petstop has sold me a Aqua pink T5 light for my 1m tank. Is this a good choice or should I have stayed with 2 blue lights?
Wanted : Micro brittle stars

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 9:42am CDT by Johan van Aardt

hi

If anyone has some micro brittle stars, and can spare me a few please let me know.

Johan
Looking for a PH meter

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 9:28am CDT by JD167

Hi guys

I'm looking for a PH meter. Something like the SAGA PH201. Anyone not using theirs anymore and willing to part with it at a reasonable price? Please let me know.

L8r
JD
MX Boots for Sale

Posted: September 7th, 2010, 9:19am CDT by FransSny

Bike finally sold so sitting with a few leftovers.

O Neil Clutch MX Boots
Brand New
Size 11 (would fit size 9 / 10 foot when wearing riding socks)

Specs:
Top quality leather construction
Fully adjustable buckles for a precision fit
Complete injection molded plastic protection for the shin, ankle, calf, shifter and side buckle protector areas
Heavy duty double stitching and a multi-layer rubber sole
Large metal shank
insert sole with metal tip cover
Extensive bio-foam padding for added comfort and support
Leather heat shield with embossing provides protection and better grip
Durable gaitor and adjustable genuine hook and loop closure

New Price R 1900 my special offer to MASA R 1200