Reefkeeping South Africa » Marine Aquariums of South Africa

Marine Aquariums of South Africa

Idea to get started in the hobby

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 11:34pm CST by Prash06

Hi guys

I'm new to the marine world and even though I wanted a marine aquarium for nearly 2 years, I've never gotten around doing it. Mainly because it can get quite costly to start and with my post grad studies in the pipeline I didn't want to have a cash flow problem. Well anyway I got 6 months left and well, cash flow is looking (a bit) better. So offcourse the idea got back into my head and now I want to get myself into it...really badly!!!

I've been looking around and as expected, it's really expensive to have a brand new tank, equipment and livestock. I was thinking of buying a second hand tank with some equipment and from there buying as I need. Ultimately, I'd like to have a reef tank. And I'm aware reeftanks can be more expensive than the other set-ups (and harder). Well anyway here is my concept. Feel free to give advice or correct me as you see fit.

I'm planning to have a FOWLER set-up. I could be wrong on this but to me it seems like a preliminary set-up to a reef tank (am I wrong?). From there I'll buy reef safe fish and hopefully in a few months, I'll be able to start my reef tank. I plan to upgrade the tank to a bigger tank but at a much later stage.

I've looked around and I've found a dude selling quite a nice deal. He's selling his tank (120 litres) with all equipment, fish, coral and live rock. Now since I'd like to start somewhat fresh, I'd like to sell the fish and coral and keep the tank, equipment and live rock (and sand). From there I plan to start my "quest".

What you think? Yay or nay?
My own DIY fan Chiller

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 11:21pm CST by CW

Hi there ppl

I got an idee today when i had a temp problem.
I switched on the roof fan but dident help. Then i got the normal portable fan, placed it on the wall at the back of the tank and directed the fan to blow air between the light unit and my open canopy.

And whala, my temp went down to 26.
So it looked like it worked.

Now i made another plan. Cos im not letting that stupid portable fan stand there all the time.
And i definately dont have cash for a proper chiller.

So i made my own.
Using the following:

Some flatbar and angle iron i had in my garage.
8x 120mm, 12v pc fans, 38CFM, R45 each
1x 400w pc power supply R250
1x power supply switch (this will alow me to turn the unit on or of)

Later on i might try using some kind of thermostat that will switch the unit on at 26 and of at 25. Something like that.

And the i will also get beter quality 120mm fans which will give me 50 000 hours, 19db and 90CFM. So ill get more airflow wich sould work beter.

But for now im just tryin this out to see if its realy gona work.

So, less jara jara and more pics pics. hehe

So as you can all see.
Im not done yet.

Only had 4x120mm fans. Geting more tomorow.
Still have a few holes to drill, need to paint the frame. (will powdercote it later.
Have to build a controle box to hide the power supply in and and and.

But as soon as thats done ill post more pics.

Let me know what you think ppl.

Yes i know, i am biz with a 120L top up tank aswell.
Will probably build it tomorow.

Cya ppl:thumbup:
Storing RO water

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 9:24pm CST by cassie1

What about normal RO water. For how long can you keep it in a contaigner before it goes off?
Water...

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 8:16pm CST by Steven Woodbridge

How long can i store salt water in a container for before it goes off? Was thinking of keeping water in my garage and doing a 20l water change every 2 or 3 days. Would this be ok?
chiller positioning

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 1:26pm CST by dropzone newbee

so , i have 2 huge fans running on my tank most of the day
the room my tank in is very very hot and nowadays my tank starts at 25 degrees in the am and some hot days , rises to 28/29 ( not great)
i am now looking at the idea of a chiller
my question is , can i place the chiller at the bottom of my tank , next to sump , behind closed doors ?
my concern is the heat the chiller generates , will it be running 24/7 ?
ill attach a pic of cabinet so you can see- chiller would go on the right hand side
regal tang and cleaning wrasse for sale: randburg bryanston

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 12:27pm CST by boetie

Fish for saleCommon Name:
regal tang and cleaning wrasse
Scientific Name:
-
Size of fish
3 and 4 cm
How long have you had the fish?
1 month
Is the fish eating?
very well
Shipping or Collection only:
collection only
Your location.
randburg bryanston
Price:
R250
Photo's:

Notes:
Shop visit - 22 Jan - Macro Algae

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 12:12pm CST by alarkins

Hi all,

I was at your shop on Saturday just passed to get more live rock and water - rescape of my tank. Very nice and exceptioanlly helpful staff. Awesome to have a real shop closer to home :)

I do need some Caleurpa and chaeto - please let me know how much it will cost and when I can get some?
Filter Socks

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 10:21am CST by ChrisNell

Hi

I have a setup with an overflow into sump, with skimmer in first chamber. Then DSB with Chaeto. I have no mechanical filtration, and (I think) as a result a lot of particles in my water column.

Would a filter sock, bound around my overflow pipe as it comes into my first sump chamber be a good solution? Is a filter sock basically a silk stocking?

Thanks
Chris
Proposed TS 2 Mod

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 10:04am CST by Neil H
I am thinking about doing a complete mod on my TS2 and am interested in opinions !

I have been looking at MANY skimmers with regards the drop off, where the total water volume will be approximately 1400L

I have noticed the following
- the application of a water volume to a skimmer seems to be based on gut feel more than a concrete science..... if there is a formula behind it then i can not find it.
- There seeeems to be very little consistency with respect to the volume of the skimmer, the rating of the pump or the volume of the tank it is supposed to skim
- While the amount of air that is drawn in through the pump is critical, very little info is populated about various pumps throughput
There should be some sort of connection, some sort of ratio between these numbers, especially if they are in fact related .......

if i look at my TS2, it is highly comparable to the skimmer sizes of skimmers rated to much higher volumes ! the main difference is two fold, 1 the size of the pump of the skimmers rated to 3000L are much bigger and 2 the bigger skimmers are almost withough exception, re-circulating.

SO here is what i am thinking about and would like your opinions on......

I plan on replumbing the intake on my OTP2000 that feeds my TS2 and making this a recirculating pump. the outlet will remain the same but a second pump will be attached as a feed pump. I will also insert a bubble plate.

Should the skimmer work i would upgrade the otp2000 to an HY2000 or even an HY3000 for energy efficiency !

My guess is that this recirculating bubble plate skimmer would be rated to 1200 - 1500 L depending on what my throughput rate ends up being

I am interested in everyones opinion !
LR, Light unit, Wave maker???

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 9:53am CST by NeilSmit

Hi all

Please could you send me an e-mail if you have any of the above for sale...

I need 30kg LR
A light unit with 3-4MH's and a couble of T5's
And 2 wave maker powerheads with control box

Kind Regards
Neil Smit
Test kits wanted

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 9:14am CST by flamming angel

Howzit all

Looking for the following test kits. If you have some let me no.

nitrate
nitrite
ammonia
phosphate

thanks.
ps. If you have any other ones also let me no.
Need help with temp.

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 9:12am CST by CW

Hi there ppl

Can i please get some advice with temp broblems.

Ive got 2x nemos, 1x blenny and 4x hermits.

During the day my living room temp goes up to 27 and then the tank goes up to 28.9(was the highest so far).

Ive got an open canopy with 4x 54w tubes.

What can i do to get the temp down?
I do have a ceiling fan and i left it on the whole day yesterday but it dident work mutch. Maybe about 0.5 at the most.

I know most ppl will say a chiller is the best.
But i was thinking, why not a aircon then.

Then atleast it will cool me down aswell.

Cya
Hi from PUFFERPUNK!

Posted: January 24th, 2011, 8:42am CST by Pufferpunk

I was sent over here by Anemone. She says it's the friendliest forum in the world. :thumbup:

I've been in the hobby >30 years. Mostly FW but went to the other side when my BW puffers got ups to marine. I was hooked after that.

Here's my main reef tank:

I also keep several species of pufferfish & run a puffer forum for the past 12 years. I was told it would be OK to pout in my sig.