Reefkeeping South Africa » Marine Aquariums of South Africa

Marine Aquariums of South Africa

Hi

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 7:28am CST by Deon07

Hi to all,

I've been playing around with thi hobby for about a year now, bought a matured system from a friend. I have decided to go Fish Only now, can you guys tell me what is the Pro's and Cons of going fish only?
My new marine venture-started out not so good

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 1:14am CST by Prash06

Hi guys

I've been on this site for about a month now. And I've been doing alot of reading. I ended up being bitten by the bug quite big and resulting from that, I decided to go look to get myself a tank!!! So as any other newbie I did alot of research and looked around until I thought I found myself a good deal. I ended up finding a secondhand tank with lights, skimmer...the works, for a really attractive price. Well, thus far I'm glad with the equipment I got with it, with exception to the tank and the LR.

To give a more detailed rundown on what I got, here is a better list:
- 4ft tank (1220L x 460w x 660h)
- stand
- about 30 - 40 kilos LR
- aragonite substrate
- sump consisting of 2 dustbins (the actual sump cracked a long time ago so this was his replacement)
- Lights with a commercially bought fixture, 2 MH lamps and T5 flourescent lights
- Dymax skimmer (how good is this brand?)
- wavemakers and powerheads
- return pump
- 4 heaters
- transport and installation of the tank
- small hospital tank
- some medicine and pet food
- about 10 - 15 20L drums

Ok so now that all the items bought have been laid out, let me begin the story. I found an ad on gumtree about this tank. I emailed the dude and we made a plan to go see it. When I saw it, it was nice. no scratches on the tank, fish were swimming happy and the lighting and water quality looked good. The system had 2 dustbins which I wasnt a fan but I figured I can design and build my own sump...so that was sorted. I also noticed he had like these brown things that were everywhere in the tank (I didn't think of it as anything at the time). and had a slight cyano and GHA issue. But i figured it was still a good deal despite the cons. Then a few days before the purchase I ended up browsing MASA and finding out that the brown things were actually aiptasia. And reading about it got me a bit worried. But i figured that since I struck a deal with the guy and requested that the fish be sold (I couldn't take care of his fish, was more afraid i'd hurt them at this stage) that it would be wrong of me to back out of a deal

So I did more research and found out that aiptasia can be dealt with using peppermint shrimp of certain types of fish (awesome!). On the day we shipped it and the guy set up the tank and everything else which was great too. So everything was still going ok, figured I have a plan on how to tackle all the obstacles and I'll do great. I decided to clean the tank, and get it prepped for cycling. Halfway through the process of filling the tank I noticed that there is a chip by the base of the tank. The glass is not particularly thick (5mm) so now I'm worried that the tank may burst due to the chip. Secondly when the dude was emptying out the LR, he plucked out all the aiptasia from the tank. which has now created quite an outbreak. They like everywhere!!! I spoke to the guy about the tank chip and he said he got it like that 5 years ago. He been running it ever since and it's never given a problem. My problem is that if it does crack, I could loose alot of furniture and electronics due to water damage (its in my lounge) So what I expected to be a great start to a new hobby turned out to be a case of stress, mixed emotions and nights where I sleep with "one eye open" (due to the chip). Is this a case to be worried about?
CO2 for CArx

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 9:03pm CST by gaz19

any body know where in the Hillcrest/ Pinetown area i can get my CO2 bottle filled?
Durban if its the only place, but don't want to travel that far.

thanks
My new little project...

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 8:17pm CST by Slagter

This is something I've wanted do do for quite some time now. Setup a Nano tank!

I now have a Nano tank, a Boyu TL-450. a small 40-50L tank. Perfect for the little experiment I want to run.

So my plan is to create a little Live Rock filtered system with extra Carbon and some Purigen in the filter compartments. The majority of the filtration will be done by Live rock. I will take some pieces out of my main tank and break them up small enough to add to the filtration compartment. My plan is to add about 6kg's of really good quality LR to the main Display. I'll see what it looks like and see if the display is too full or too empty, and take it from there...

I know there are heating problems with the TL450, so I have completely removed the Heater from the tank. I'll see how the temps fluctuate and take it from there... I'll pop the heater back in when it gets too cold in winter, but till then, I'll see how it goes.

So the plan:

Zoas and Rics... That's it!

I love the look of Sexy Shrimp, so I'll see about those, and some small Gobies. That's the plan!

So I'll be uploading pics of this tank as I go. I haven't started yet, but I have the tank, so I guess that's the start.

Updates coming soon!!! :thumbup:
Bryopsis???

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 5:25pm CST by cswhitehead

i was given a bunch of rock this weekend but i think it has bryopsis on it. how do i get rid of it? if i put all the rock in a drum and leave it in the dark with a power head for a couple of weeks will all the bryopsis be killed?
Fish names a-la Kids style

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 5:09pm CST by animalia

I have two under 5's.

As we are teaching them from small to be aquarists we name the fish correctly. Unfortunately they have decided to change the names to what they understand or grasp the names

Lion Fish - Renamed Dwagon fishes (Xander 3) (dragon fish)
Mandarin - wainbow (Timothy 5) (rainbow fish)
Mandarin - Paddavis (Xander 3)
Flaming Goby - sword fish (Timothy 5)
2 x clowns - naturally nemo but MARVIN also got named.

Gotto love these kids:thumbup:
HELP - Skimmer going crazy

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 4:38pm CST by B2048

Hi all

I just recently regenerated my Purigen by soaking it in bleach and then using Seachem's Prime to remove the chlorine, etc from the Purigen. Afterwards I soaked the Purigen in RO water and then placed it into an internal filter in my tank. After I did that my protein skimmer has been foaming like crazy and I have foam in my sump.

I read afterwards that some slime coat products can have this effect on the skimmer because it changes the surface tension of the water. And Seachem's Prime does contain slime coat in it.

I switched off my skimmer yesterday to stop it from foaming up the entire sump cabinet. Is there anything I can do to stop it from producing excessive foam? I've even turned it down to it's lowest possible setting and it didn't help. It's a Reeftek TS1.

Any advice would be appreciated.

B.
250W MH Pendant with 10K Bulb and Media Reactor for sale: Melville, Johannesburg

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 4:24pm CST by Nizaam

Hardware for saleThread title:
250W MH Pendant with 10K Bulb and Media Reactor
Location:
Melville, Johannesburg
Shipping or Collection only:
Collection
Photo's and description/list of items for sale:
250W MH pendant with 10k Reeftec bulbs
Pendants and bulbs are about 4 months old
Price R2000

2nd Hand Reefoctopus Media Reactor and 1kg Zeolites for R800
Notes:
-
Pink watchman goby for sale: paulshof

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 4:20pm CST by flamming angel

Fish for saleCommon Name:
Pink watchman goby
Scientific Name:
-
Size of fish
8 - 10cm head to tail
How long have you had the fish?
2 years
Is the fish eating?
yes - flakes, brine shrimp, mysis
Shipping or Collection only:
collection only
Your location.
paulshof
Price:
R200
Photo's:
Howzit guys

Got a pink goby for sale. R200 neg or swap for why.

Shot thanks
Notes:
-
mixing aragonite

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 4:07pm CST by malooda

hi

can one have both black aragonite and the normal suger fine aragonite in the same tank?
i mean have a little black hera and there?
Base Rock for sale: West Rand

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 3:36pm CST by rakabos

All other livestockCommon Name:
Base Rock
Scientific Name:
-
Size
25KG
How long have you had it?
month
Shipping or Collection only:
Collection
Your location.
West Rand
Price:
R600
Photo's:
Base Rock 25Kg R600

Notes:
-
Seio Prop 1500 : Wilgeheuwel

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 3:28pm CST by rakabos

Hardware for saleThread title:
Seio Prop 1500 and baserock
Location:
Wilgeheuwel
Shipping or Collection only:
Collection
Photo's and description/list of items for sale:
Hi

After my upgrade i have these to sell...

SEIO Prop 1500gph powerhead R250

The SEIO P1500 magnet mount Prop Pump features a strong magnet mount system and 160 degree directional discharge allowing you to easily position the pump virtually anywhere in the tank and direct the flow at about any angle you need. These pumps feature ceramic shaft and rotor bearing for strength and durability. The innovative Prop impeller creates high water volume output with low pressure making the pump energy efficient with low heat emission. SEIO P1500 Prop Pumps have a maximum flow rate of 1500 GPH, and the magnet mount can be applied to glass up to .5 in. thick.

Notes:
-
Brand New 39w Electronic Ballast for sale: Durban

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 3:25pm CST by williet

Hardware for saleThread title:
Brand New 39w Electronic Ballast
Location:
Durban
Shipping or Collection only:
At Buyers cost
Photo's and description/list of items for sale:
Hi All

Have another "Item" For sale. I accidently bought a brand new 39watt ballast (Don't ask why):(. I have no need for it and I am looking for a 54watt.

I paid 260 for it. So I would like to not sell it at tooo much of a loss....

Any Offers ? I take livestock or cash ? Or maybe a 54watt ballast if someone has a secondhand one to swop ?(Taking a chance here:blush:)

Lemme know
Willie

Notes:
-
Yet another Problem

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 3:02pm CST by Xereo

Well just checked today.
and my tank with NO Heater (As i took it out)
is sitting at 29-31+- degree's

Is this normal? with not even a heater in the tank?
anyone else in Cpt having these problems.

looks like im going to have to fork out more cash for a chiller :
Mobile posting

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 2:31pm CST by Evo R

Hey guys

Im battleing to log on to MASA from my Black Berry.
Can anyone tell me what im doing wrong and or is there a certian app. that i need to get??Ive seen posts with "posted via mobile device" so it can be done.

Regards
Sun Sun JVP 201 5000 Lph for sale/swop for sale: Durban

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 1:39pm CST by williet

Hardware for saleThread title:
Sun Sun JVP 201 5000 Lph for sale/swop
Location:
Durban
Shipping or Collection only:
both at Buyers cost.
Photo's and description/list of items for sale:
Hi Guys

Just converted to the Tunze Clan with my new Turbelle nanostream 6055.:thumbup: (Got it for a bargain) So now I have this pump lying around... Anyone wanna take it off me for a small admin fee or a coral ? It is 4 months old and works awesome... Except for the fact that the Tunze has pulse control, dare I say it performs the same like it ?

Lemme know

Notes:
-
PTA Reef Meeting 19-03-2011

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 12:51pm CST by lanzo

Hi Guys

Now we have a set date for the following guest that will be coming to give us more info regarding their product range.:thumbup:

Bring your dop and chop and champing chairs...:1:

The Boerewors stand will be up and running again.

Here with the special guest invite:

We will have another Special Guest:

Erick Vandenbrande

One of the Ocean Nutrition owners.

He will explain in depth how they make the food and what foods are best to feed what fish.

Allot of fish food will be on special.

Date: 19/03/2011
Time: 13h00

We will have a couple of Braai's....the Boerewors stand will also be here like last time.

Come and enjoy a informative day with us
Another Special Guest Coming to Visit us on the 19/03/2011

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 12:45pm CST by lanzo

Hi Guys

We will have another Special Guest:

Erick Vandenbrande

One of the Ocean Nutrition owners.

He will explain in depth how they make the food and what foods are best to feed what fish.

Allot of fish food will be on special.

Date: 19/03/2011
Time: 13h00

We will have a couple of Braai's....the Boerewors stand will also be here like last time.

The PTA reef Meeting will be held on the same day too.

Come and enjoy a informative day with us

Best Regards
Dorry Pets
Frustrated with seachem reef salt - ideas ?

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 12:21pm CST by neo

Hi all,
been having some issues with my seachem salt.
I buy the 6.2kg bags of seachem reef.
Last 4 bags I bought did not disolve completely, leaves a fine residue, but not powder like, feels like small (<1mm) 'balls' when you rub it between your fingers, about one handful of this is left each time.
I mix 2kg salt to 50litre water (1.026 salinity), I heat the water to 26degC and have a 6000l/min sunsun pump in the drum to stir things up and it is mixed for 24hours before use.

Each time I do a wc I have to filter the water when pumping it to my system else the white stuff ends up in my system and settles where-ever the flow is the least.

Any ideas why ? am i doing something wrong ?
Auto Temp Controller DIY

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 12:05pm CST by fly*

Auto Temp Controller DIY

Yay...finally i've managed to install the holy grail (well as far as I am concerned). Ever since I started this hobby, keeping the tank at the right temp has been a battle. After many experiments I settled on computer fans set on a timer that come on with the lights. I have them switching on and off every 15 minutes during this cycle in order to combat as much evaporation as possible however on cold days or even normal days the tank still runs relatively cold at around 24.5. Along with the fans switching on and off, you are obviously making the heaters work harder as well as its a constant battle between heating and cooling which sucks electricity. Obviously a chiller would be 1st prize but at the cost its just too much.

So I have been searching for a cheap temp control solution to do the job. I found what I was looking for on fish-street and it ended up costing around R220 for the controller. Here's the rest of the DIY.

Here's the controller.

Now I need something to attach the unit to my cabinet. This stuff is in close competition to eggcrate and cable ties. R9 at Checkers!

Trying to make sense of the chinese wiring diagram.

It was actually pretty simple once I got my head around it. Drinking on medication doesnt help your brain much when it comes to these sorts of things. Had to use normal twinflex cable as the units connections are just too small for normal electrical cable.

and...

The final install.

I replaced the 2 computer fans with a small mini fan. it runs on 240v so no fiddling with transformer, the unit is sealed completed so hopefully the salt stays at bay (hopefully) and suprisingly it pumps out a fair amount of air silently, much better that the whine coming from the PC fans

I must say that so far I have been impressed with the results. I have the fan switches on in the lower edges of 27 and switches off at the higher edges of 25 so i'm hoping to average 26 constant a lot more efficiently than before. The temp controller also doubles up as a digital temp guage. Not bad for R200

I think i'll more than likely need to experiment with the temp controller settings as you can vary the control quite a lot. I'll need to spend the day at home to see how it fairs.
ID Needed Please

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 11:40am CST by Immo

Hi Guys.

So i got a new tank in and these guys came with the setup....

Can you help me Id them please.....

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...10228-0004.jpg
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...10228-0001.jpg

This guy is about 5cm long

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...10228-0003.jpg

I know this is a tang but what tang is it?

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...10228-0001.jpg

This dude likes to hide, so this was the best i could get....It has 2 feelers below its mouth and is about 10cm long
Slaked lime info needed

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 10:06am CST by flamming angel

Hi all

Okay so i got my self a pack of slaked lime from the pharmacy. Tested my calcium and its very low... 220. Please can some advise me on how i can dose the slaked lime. I do not have a auto top up unit etc so it will be just be manual adding for now.

Thanks
Reef Octo Skimmer -External for sale: CPT

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 10:02am CST by maj

Hardware for saleThread title:
Reef Octo Skimmer -External
Location:
CPT
Shipping or Collection only:
Pref collect
Photo's and description/list of items for sale:
Reef Octo DNW 150 External skimmer with OTP pump.
rated for 600-700 litres.

in perfect condition,needs abit more cleaning up tho.

R1200

Notes:
-
Detailed form submitted: Sammy

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 9:54am CST by Sammy

Detailed help requestAre you experiencing any problems in your tank?
Not Sure
Brief Description
-
Tank size
90cm x 60cm x 40cm
System Volume
350L
How long has your tank been running?
NEW
What livestock do you have?
NONE
Water Parameters
-
What lighting is over the tank?
-
Pumps and equipment
-
Maintenance
-
Other info and photo's.
Hi Guys,

I'm seriously concerned and would just like your professional opinion of this tank design can it withhold the water volume????

This is a rimless tank with 10mm glass, dimensions 90X60X40 cm's.

Will this hold the water volume without braces etc? Just started filling this weekend and had a major scare, now i'm a bit cautious ????

see my thread of tank pics:
[www.marineaquariumsa.com]

Please help I'm worried ???
5 Andre Rieu Tickets

Posted: February 28th, 2011, 9:08am CST by schaun

Best seats in the house.
In the middle right in the front. AZ 28,29,30,31,32
Nothing ot no one can obstruct your view.

R1050.00 per ticket.