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Items by Dane

Marine Aquariums of South Africa

• 

  FREE 1.2m Tank + Sump

  Posted: March 24th, 2012, 1:28pm CDT by Dane

  Free 1.2m tank + sump.
  
  Hey guys, I was given this ages ago and now that I'm moving out of South Africa it needs to go!
  
  I'm leaving next week, so this weekend would really be ideal for collection.
  
  Its been on my (covered) balcony for the better part of a year now. It doesnt get direct sun, but I'm not sure how old it was before it was given to me.
  
  Any takers?
• 

  I'm moving to the Seychelles... :D

  Posted: March 8th, 2012, 9:35am CST by Dane

  Well everyone,
  
  I know I've been a little on the quiet side for a while now... But that is mostly because I've been working under intense pressure at my current position as a research consultancy. Deadlines are hectic and stress is manic. But I've found a rather attractive new post...
  
  As of next month, I will be the Ecology and Conservation Manager of Fregate Private Island in the Seychelles. This is one of the most expensive luxury resorts in the world, and it really is something special. I was there for a month last year helping trap, band and take blood from their population of Seychelles Magpie Robin, an endangered bird species, which the island saved from extinction.
  
  I will be in charge of all the ecology and conservation of the island, and I have already proposed the initiation of a new coral reef restoration project, using coral gardening and nurseries. For those of you who don't know, there have been some really bad bleaching events in the Seychelles and many of the reefs have yet to recover.
  
  
  I'm leaving in less than a month, so quite a mad scramble to get everything together! But bloody hell am I excited!!! :yeahdude:
  
  
  
• 

  TS1

  Posted: October 5th, 2011, 10:20pm CDT by Dane

  To all sponsors,
  
  Just wondering what the best price available is for a TS1 skimmer, shipped or collected in CT?
  
  Thanks in advance,
  Dane
• 

  Aquamedic Reef Blue colour temp?

  Posted: July 29th, 2011, 5:08pm CDT by Dane

  Hi guys,
  
  Anyone know the colour spectrum (in kelvin) of these globes?
  I had one reef white and one reef blue and i've switched them both to blue for a few days to suppress some of the algae issues I'm having.
  
  Yes, I know this is not the right way to deal with algae. Just don't have the time to do it properly so doing a bit of an experiment. Just want to check if they are very high K, or actinics. If they're actinics then I wont just run the blues.
  
  D
• 

  ATTENTION: Terrible news....

  Posted: July 6th, 2011, 10:56am CDT by Dane

  Hi everyone,
  
  It brings me a great deal of pain to have to bear such terrible news. Our fellow friend and reefer Johan Van Aardt passed away early on Monday morning. I do not know any of the details, as my only connection with him was through reefkeeping.
  
  
  Below is the post his brother made, as I know many of the Cape Townians will want to attend his memorial.
  
  "Hi all, this is not Johan, I am his brother, and regret that I have to bring you this tragic news, Johan passed away early on monday morning, The memorial service will be held on thursday at 12 in the morning at the NG church table view."
  
  
  It is a tragedy to have lost such a young and kind member of our community, and I know he will be remembered for his generosity and willingness to lend a helping hand to those around him.
  
  
  Regards,
  Dane
• 

  Off to Seychelles - tips, advice?

  Posted: May 30th, 2011, 11:03am CDT by Dane

  Hey guys,
  
  So I am off to the isolated private resort island of Fregate in the Seychelles on Tuesday, where my girlfriend and I will be helping ring the endemic endangered bird - the seychelles magpie robin, for a month - all expenses paid! Hehehehe :)
  
  I just wanted to get any seychelloise travel tips in case any of you have been there! Not sure how much time we'll get on the other islands - if any, but would still be good to hear any "must-haves" or "must-see's".
  
  Otherwise, I'll have internet, so if I get some nice pics snorkelling I might post some here :)
  
  Cheers,
  D
• 

  UBER crab ID guide.... :P

  Posted: March 19th, 2011, 1:27am CDT by Dane

  So, if you have crabs and consider this to be a serious issue, and feel that you absolutely must know what you have....
  
  I point to thee;
  
  Systema brachyurorum: an annotated checklist of extant brachyuran crabs of the world.
  
  [rmbr.nus.edu.sg]
  
  Take a deep breath before you open this one, its hefty. But, there are some pictures ;-)
• 

  HELP: Purple hammer

  Posted: March 17th, 2011, 5:32pm CDT by Dane

  Hey guys,
  
  I got this single head of purple hammer coral about two/three weeks ago. But it just hasnt opened up properly since. So today I took out the magnifying glass for a closer look and I noticed some white tissue on the one side that was slightly deflated.
  
  Took it out the tank to try and get a proper look - when it was in the tank I noticed the polyp/tentacle that was closest to the white tissue almost "flinched' and deflated, and then re-inflated. So I thought maybe a wierd nudi or something nibbling it.
  
  Tried to pull the white tissue off with tweezers, but its just mush. I see no sign of purple or brown jelly. Do you think it just took a knock during transport? And if so is there any chance of recovery? Note - it is fully retracted in these pics as I've just poked it - normally it is slightly open - just sticking out a few mm, and slightly inflated.
  
  Thanks for the input all.
  Dane
  
  Apologies, very difficult get a pic of.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 

  Awesome reef e-zine!!!

  Posted: February 27th, 2011, 12:47am CST by Dane

  I'm sure this is old news to most of you, but I was really impressed by the quality of the content and articles on this site!!
  
  Reefs Magazine - For Reefers, By Reefers
  
  Propping a heliofungia, why corals regenerate, all sorts of cool stuff! Written in good language, and not totally dumbed-down! :-D
• 

  Good international online sale sites?

  Posted: February 26th, 2011, 3:18pm CST by Dane

  Hey guys,
  
  Just wanted to open up a thread. I'm not sure if this is in violation of MASA policies re sponsors etc. However I read through the other threads here and I don't think this is out of line. If so I apologise, and mods can delete. I know some of you have bought online (@chikaboo), and its often a cost effective way to go - even with shipping.
  
  So, what are some of the good sites that are affordable even including shipping? So far, the best I've come across is Fish Street Store – Complete high quality Aquarium solutions from Fish Street Store. In particular I've been looking at their "aqua japan" 6xT5 unit. Nice looking fixture and very decent price. Seems like most buyers are happy with the unit on the the US nano-reef site. Aqua Japan 6 Tube 24Inch T5HO Aquarium Lighting
  
  Including shipping:
  Just over R1500 for the 36" Unit,
  Just over R2100 for the 48" Unit.
  
  Apparently both come with 3x10k and 3x20k globes, although from the reviews on the site it has shipped with sub-standard globes before. This doesnt seem to be a huge issue tho. The prices are certainly tempting!
  
  Another site is welcome to deal-express.com, quality cellphones for best prices! - they offer free shipping on everything, but they have very little aquarium supplies (mostly gadgets and junk) and it can take a few months for stuff to get to you!! And they only accept paypal payments.
  
  I've also looked at ali-express, which is a chinese wholesale site and they have some okay-priced oceanson look-alike clones etc, but read some horror reviews of these things melting! I'm sure its better to buy the originals here where you have some backup. Price wise still not close to above...
  
  Anyone else? Reputable e-bay sellers etc?
• 

  Seachem de*nitrate

  Posted: February 17th, 2011, 12:23pm CST by Dane

  Anybody used this stuff? If so whats your experience?
  
  Seachem. denitrate
• 

  39w t5 ballast

  Posted: February 16th, 2011, 6:17pm CST by Dane

  Hey guys,
  
  Looking for one or two well priced 39w dual T5 ballasts. If anyones selling please let me know.
  
  D
• 

  Cool site for fish ID

  Posted: February 15th, 2011, 5:45pm CST by Dane

  Hey guys, came across an interesting site with some nice simple ID pics for fish.
  
  [www.kesambi27.co.cc]
  
  Thought I'd share it quickly, enjoy :-)
• 

  Cheap DIY minidoser/feeder

  Posted: February 1st, 2011, 6:40pm CST by Dane

  Hey guys,
  
  Came across this interesting link! DIY doser from one of those automatic airwick scent dispensers :-)
  
  I just cant get enough of autodosers
  
  
• 

  Electricians help!! DIY ballast???

  Posted: February 1st, 2011, 3:24pm CST by Dane

  Hey guys,
  
  I am a complete instructables nutter. I came across this today...
  
  How to use burnt Compact Florescent Light Circuit Module
  
  
  Wouldn't it be possible to use the ballast in a high power CFL (I've seen ones up to 44watt for like R50 at spar) to power T5s?
  
  
• 

  LED "cannon" - I wish I was rich...

  Posted: January 31st, 2011, 12:20pm CST by Dane

  How sexy are these...
  
  LED cannon
  
  Cannon LED Pendants
• 

  Run LEDs/PC fans off old cell chargers!

  Posted: January 26th, 2011, 7:07pm CST by Dane

  Hey all!
  
  Just found out an awesome tip! Its always such a mission rigging up an adapter for PC fans to cool your tank - but I just read online that some cellphone chargers run at 12v (but check on yours before you give it the chop)!
  
  So, if you want to rig up any 12v electronics, it should be simple matter of finding an old cellphone charger (i'm sure everyone has a few of these lying around), chopping the end of and splicing the two wires!
  
  Will try this out this evening hopefully. Will be chuffed if it works! LED's also need a 12v supply, so would be a breeze to rig up a DIY moonlight rig too! :-D
  
  
  Like so;
  
  
  
  
  Also, if you can't find a 12v charger (even 6/7v should still work), you can "double up",
  
  
• 

  Having trouble getting your BTA nennie to split?

  Posted: January 19th, 2011, 12:24pm CST by Dane

  These tanks might show you a thing or two...
  
  Wow! Hahaha :-)
  
  
  
  Zhenya's tank on the US forums (Reefland Reef Aquarium Forum & Community), He started out with one Rose BTA (Entacmaea quadricolor) and within a couple of years he had a couple dozen!
  
  And then the RK TOTM in may 2005
  
  Tank of the Month - May 2005 - Reefkeeping.com
  
  
• 

  Pulsing Xenia for free/swap: Cape Town, Hout Bay

  Posted: January 12th, 2011, 4:12pm CST by Dane

  Various frags for free or to swapCommon Names:

  Pulsing Xenia

  Scientific Names:

  Xenia sp.

  Size of frags

  From a few cm to 10cm?

  How long have you had the frags?

  1 year on colony, 2 weeks fragged

  Are the frags mounted?

  No, some have attached to coral chips etc

  Shipping or Collection only:

  Collection

  Your location.

  Cape Town, Hout Bay

  Price:

  Free/Swap

  Photo's:

  Hey guys,
  
  Got back from 3 months away and have hacked out a fair bit of xenia. It is all pulsing merrily (even while it was floating in the transfer tub!) and in good condition.
  
  So if anyone wants some please let me know and we can arrange a time. If you dont have anything to swap thats no problem - but if you do have a few zoas or a mushroom or any little something lying around I wont say no! ;-)
  
  For the newbies, this is a great coral and fascinating to watch, please feel free to grab some to help build your new collection. But make sure when you place it in the tank you keep it in a spot that it can be managed. Xenia can grow very quickly and smother other corals.
  
  I will upload pics of the parent colony and frags when I get home.
  
  Dane

  Notes:

  -

• 

  Transkei trip ahead!

  Posted: December 7th, 2010, 11:31pm CST by Dane

  Hey all,
  
  So I've been in the Drakensberg for 2 months now doing my MSc research, and will soon be driving back home to slaapstad via the tranksei!
  
  Now I wanted to know if theres any chance I'll be able to find fairly decent dried porous rock there? Of course, I would only collect if I had a signed permit from the local Nkosi and cleared with the appropriate authorities.
  
  I wont be collecting anything live as I dont have permits nor would they last the trip down.
  
  Also if you guys know the area, any really nice spots to visit would be appreciated - not for diving, just to visit/hike/relax/snorkel.
  
  Many thanks all :0)
  D