Reefkeeping South Africa » Marine Aquariums of South Africa

Marine Aquariums of South Africa

What Test Kits are you using?

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 10:31pm CST by Helga

Hi,
I am battling high calcium parameters in my tank lately. Its seems I am not the only one now and theres also great discussion on the causes of it on MASA.
At this stage the discussions on the possible causes are concentrated around : the saltmix used (the correct/or not, mixture therof),

or faulty test kits.

1. What has been established so far is that the problem tanks in question have all been using Seachem Reefsalt. Seachem Reefsalt are being sold at very special rates by the LFS' the past few months so naturally a lot of reefers are using it!

OR,

2. Our test kits: As we are presumably all using different test kits, it will be near impossible to establish "good" from "bad" brands. As with all things in life, there will also be personal preferences.

My question is: I'm using API test kits that is not readily available nor widely used in South Africa. I buy it in Houston when I visit threre. It came highly recommended by the LFS shops in Houston and also online by Fosters&Smith Aqauatics. Have been using it for more than a year now and are really pleased with API as they are extremely user friendly. I have tested them to Salifert and Tropic Marin getting the same results.

Are you familiar with API test kits and what is your opinion on them.
Rare Fish in South Africa

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 9:37pm CST by oceanseeker

Ive started this thread to catalogue Rare Marine Fish that you have either kept in your tanks or seen in South Africa, so please add to this if you think your specimen qualifies.

'Rare' is defined by the Oxford dictionary as ... 'not found in large numbers and so of interest or value' In our reefing context more than 10 of any species is NOT regarded as rare. An unusual specimen of a species is also considered as rare.

Lets see the weird and the wonderful. Moderators I guess will reserve the right to remove pics that are not considered as rare, so please use your discretion

If anyone would like a photo taken of their rare fish or transformed into an artwork to hang on their wall or office, please PM me and we can work something out.

CONSPIC ANGEL

MUSTARD TANG

MYSTERY WRASSE

SCOTT'S WRASSE

SNOWFLAKE CLOWNFISH
Pool calcium (flakes) hardner

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 8:36pm CST by mrbloew

Any one ever use the pool calcium hardner (calcium flakes). I notice that they a bit more on the grey side than the LFS stuff whitch is pure white, though the same consistancey.

Has anyone used the stuff successfully for prolonged period of time
Guess the Fish Trivia #2

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 6:34pm CST by oceanseeker

Here is another specimen I took at a LFS recently. Any guess what this is

Fish Trivia #2
Issues with the Idol marine chiller

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 4:53pm CST by shaunnorth

Hi

there are some major problems with the evaporation chiller from idol marine or i just have a BAD one , the compartment were all the wiring is housed is flooding it all most killed all of my fish

i have been trying to get hold of Rob or Adriaan and they don't ans there phone so if one of them this pls give me a call asap i need to have this chiller working

Shaun
Water gone milky!

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 4:09pm CST by brentch

Hey ppl.

So I have finished my tank and DIY light etc. (Pics to follow when I learn how to upload:banghead:). I filled my tank and sump with NSW (as far as I know it was clean and un-polluted, but the usual slightly green colour) and it was relatively clean, which soon became crystal clear when I ran the skimmer (which pulled a lot of muck out). It stayed like this till the next morning.

When I returned in the afternoon, it was murky, like someone had milk poured into it. I am guessing this might have something to do with ammonia? Unfortunately I can't test for ammonia as I don't have a test kit for it.

All I have in the tank at the mo is some well cured live rock...

Any advice etc would be cool, cause i'm stressing slightly:blush:

(If i could upload a pic of the water i would, but i can't seem to get this uploader to work, even after re-sizing).
[FS] Various frags: Wilgeheuwel

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 3:23pm CST by rakabos

Various frags for saleCommon Names:
Various
Scientific Names:
-
Size of frags
-
How long have you had the frags?
-
Are the frags mounted?
Yes
Shipping or Collection only:
Collection
Your location.
Wilgeheuwel
Price:
-
Photo's:
1. Palys R100

2. Palys R100

3. Zoas R100

4. Zoas R100

5. SPS (size of R5 coin) R80

6. Birdsnest (size of R5 coin) R80

7. Birdsnest(size of R5 coin) R80

8. SPS blue tipped acro R150

9. SPS blue tipped acro R100

10. Zoas R100

Notes:
-
Pics of latest fish: Perky Pets

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 2:03pm CST by Perky pets superstore

Copperband butterfly - 229.95
Semisurculatus - R398.95

Clarki clowns - R149.95

Fire fish - R98.95
Bangi cardinals - R198.95

Black african clowns - R189.95

Hawaii yellow tangs - R649.95
Achillies -R2990.00

Bared sand sifter gobie -R229.95

Black percular clowns - R298.95

Clarki clowns - R149.95
Threadfin butterfly - R249.95
Double saddle back butterfly - R 249.95
Sweetlips - R229.95
Sailfin tang - R329.95
Scopa tang - R249.95
regal tangs - R249.95
Bi colour angle -249.95

Damsils R89.95
Ocerlaris clowns - R119.95

Coral buety - R249.95

More tomorrow
[FS] Various corals: RANDBURG

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 1:13pm CST by boetie

Various corals for saleCommon Names:
fine grape frogspawn and pin cushion
Scientific Names:
-
Size of coral
15 cm
How long have you had the corals?
6 months
Shipping or Collection only:
collection
Your location.
RANDBURG
Price:
-
Photo's:
fine grape frogspawn R150
Pin cushion 15 cm mounted on a piece of live rock R250

Notes:
-
[FS] Various frags: Centurion

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 12:45pm CST by Tiger eye

Various frags for saleCommon Names:
Pulsing Xenia
Scientific Names:
-
Size of frags
Varios
How long have you had the frags?
5 moths
Are the frags mounted?
Yes
Shipping or Collection only:
both
Your location.
Centurion
Price:
R25 - R50
Photo's:
Hi hi its that time again i have some Pulsing Xenia frags for sale for between R25 And R50 Depending on size.


Notes:
Biopellets in a skimmer

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 12:01pm CST by Achilles

I have been thinking about this but have not tried it yet as my first experience with biopllets caused my leathers to bleach ,but if one has a good sized skimmer and put a filter bag with biopellets in the skimmer body wouldnt one get very good skimming out of the bacteria it produces? plus the removal of the nitrates and phosphates they used up in their biomass?

Any thoughts?
antonr

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 11:58am CST by antonr

Hi, I am very keen to get going in this wonderful hobby. At the moment I am doing as much research as possible so that I don't start off on the wrong foot.

I intend to start off with a fairly large tank, 2mx0.65hx0.7w. For a tank this size would it be best to drill holes the tank for plumbing or to use siphon boxes?
Guess the Fish Trivia

Posted: November 12th, 2011, 8:13am CST by oceanseeker

Any guess what fish this is. Will post full pic after 48hrs or when someone id's this.

Fish Trivia #1