Reefkeeping South Africa » Items by Sparky

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Items by Sparky

Marine Aquariums of South Africa

• 

  New Tank

  Posted: September 21st, 2010, 3:49pm CDT by Sparky

  Hi Guys
  
  Wasn't quite sure where to post this
  
  Been a while since I've had marine fish, but I've decided to get back into it.
  
  I have received a quote for a new tank, glass dimensions 1500*500*650 holding 600L, and a 120L sump. Including the stand and wood finish I want, the cost came in at R8000. Is this a resonable price? To me it seems quite fair, as this is roughly what I would pay for a new "pre-built" tank according to the places I have seen.
  
  Any comments?
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  Returning after a couple months

  Posted: January 30th, 2009, 4:50pm CST by Sparky

  Hi Guys
  
  So I used to be active on the forum, unfortunately work became very hectic and I had to give the hobby up for a while. However I have just filled my tank again and obviously will be waiting for it to mature.
  
  1500cm x 450cm x 450cm
  
  I'm putting a DSB in tank. I went to look for some LR over the week, but everywhere I looked had horrible bubble algae all over the LR. I don't want to go through all the effort of getting the tank setup just to spoil it by adding rubbish LR, so guys, any ideas where I can get some nice LR and Live Sand? I'm in the Fourways area.
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  Nano Lighting Question

  Posted: May 26th, 2008, 9:04am CDT by Sparky

  Hey guys
  
  I know this is a daft question, but what I know about lighting is dangerous.
  
  I pulled out my nano over the weekend, the only markings on the tube say T58W.
  
  Now I know the T5 part is the size/type of tube, but does the 8W mean its only 8 watts?
  
  If so, can I change them without modifying the hood design?
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  Hermit Crab Shells

  Posted: May 5th, 2008, 1:01pm CDT by Sparky

  Hey guys
  
  For the guys in JHB, where do you get more shells from? Want to put a few in the tank and see what my hermit does. Also, I remember seeing pics of glass ones somewhere. Any idea where and how much?
• 

  Replace Substrate

  Posted: May 4th, 2008, 2:23pm CDT by Sparky

  Hi Guys
  
  Currently I have crushed coral as a substrate and I suspect it is just making a huge nitrate farm. Should I replace it with playsand? I have some spare from the new tank I am setting up. If yes, how should I go about doing this? Will it be safe to add my fish straight back?
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  Seastar

  Posted: April 30th, 2008, 7:42pm CDT by Sparky

  Is it normal for a seastar to sit with one leg outside of the water? Doesn't seem to matter where I move it, eventually it ends up at the top of the tank with one leg outside the water.
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  RO Unit

  Posted: April 25th, 2008, 6:21pm CDT by Sparky

  Hi guys
  
  Purchased a RO unit from Dorry Pets today, but I think the water pressure in my house is too low. I'm only getting a steady drip from the unit. What should the flow be?
  
  Also, after leaving it to run for a couple hours, the TDS reading is 12, but I think that may be related to the low water pressure?
  
  If that's the case, where can I get the add on pump to increase the pressure?
• 

  Sparky's New Tank

  Posted: April 19th, 2008, 5:17pm CDT by Sparky

  Ok, so I was only going to start this thread once everything was setup, but there are a few questions I would like to ask regarding equipment, so I figured now is as good a time as any. I'm working on a 250L setup, measurements are 1500mm x 450mm x 450mm
  
  I've been reading up on wave makers, and get the basic concept that they alternate the flow of water in the tank, different to a powerhead which just flows in one direction. So my question is, would this not be better to have than powerheads around the tank? Or would the function of the powerheads then become more to keep stuff from settling on the bottom?
  
  Also, would having a wave maker not restrict you in what you could keep in the tank, as the flow may be too big for certain things?
  
  I have a few questions on filtration, but I'm still getting those diagrams together.
• 

  Water Quality

  Posted: April 18th, 2008, 1:38pm CDT by Sparky

  Regarding the below article, lets say things get worse and we can't drink the water anymore, how would this affect us? Can a RO unit remove diseases from water or would we have to treat with something else??
  
  Jhb tap water warning: South Africa: News: News24
• 

  Zoanthid Help

  Posted: April 14th, 2008, 10:23am CDT by Sparky

  Hi Guys
  
  I have (read had :( ) a pretty large collection of Z's. I added two more fish about 3 weeks ago, and since then the Z's have been in a steady downward spiral. They don't seem to open up anymore, and most along the outside edges are dying off now. I've been watching the fish, but they don't go anywhere near it from what I've seen. Water params haven't changed at all. Could it be something I'm missing? I even thought it may be the water flow, and so turned off the powerhead for 3 days, but no change. Any other ideas?
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  Tank Support

  Posted: April 9th, 2008, 11:55am CDT by Sparky

  Hey guys
  
  I think I asked this a while back, but I can't find the thread.
  
  Is it possible to strengthen a tank after it has been built?
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  Wanted : Roughly 100cm*80cm tank

  Posted: March 23rd, 2008, 9:50pm CDT by Sparky

  Hi Guys
  
  I'm looking for a tank with roughly the above dimensions for length and width. Anyone with anything resembling this? I'm guessing it would be around 200L??
• 

  New Tank Build

  Posted: March 21st, 2008, 11:18am CDT by Sparky

  Hi guys
  
  I know there have been a few threads regarding this, but there doesn't seem to be a definite answer. I would like to build my own tank, but how feasible is this? Dimensions would be 100cm x 50cm. Depth is still something I'm looking into. What would you guys suggest?? Also, I remember a thread asking about using plate glass, but can't find this again. What type of glass is recommended? I'll be honest, I'm more handy working on a car engine than anything around the house, but I'd like to give this a shot.
• 

  Refractometer

  Posted: March 19th, 2008, 10:28am CDT by Sparky

  Hi guys
  
  I'm urgently looking for a refractometer that I can collect today. I know its a tough ask but accidents happen :-)
  
  I'm in the JHB area so please PM me if anyone knows a shop that has stock.
  
  Much appreciated guys
• 

  RO Unit

  Posted: March 10th, 2008, 7:04pm CDT by Sparky

  Hi Guys
  
  Is it really feasible for me to get an RO unit, considering I only have a 65L tank, and should I decide to upgrade it probably wouldn't go over 200L as I don't have the space for it?
  
  At the moment I'm using tap water treated with Aquasafe. Yes yes, I know... it's terrible, but that is what the budget allowed for right now.
  
  If an RO unit is a good buy, which ones should I be looking at?
• 

  New Addition

  Posted: March 4th, 2008, 7:26pm CST by Sparky

  Hey all, hope everyone is doing well. Here's a pic of the latest addition to the tank.
  
  This was taken straight after adding it. About 45 minutes later almost all have opened up.
  
  
• 

  DSB in 65L Nano

  Posted: February 26th, 2008, 1:53pm CST by Sparky

  Ok, so I've been doing a lot of reading on the advantages of running a DSB and would like to give it a try. I have a 65L tank that I'm no longer using (only has some LR in it with crushed coral substrate)
  
  How feasible would it be to run this setup with a 75mm DSB. Full height of the tank is 600mm? I don't have a sump or anything for that tank, so would like to keep it all "in tank"
  
  Does anyone have any pictures of a similar setup?
• 

  Shrimp and Hermit Crab

  Posted: February 25th, 2008, 4:15pm CST by Sparky

  Hey guys
  
  I'm geeting my first shrimp and hermit crab tonight. What is the best way to introduce them to my aquarium?
• 

  Curved Glass Flow

  Posted: February 4th, 2008, 7:53pm CST by Sparky

  Ok, so I've been through all the posts on flow, but my situation seems to be a little different.
  
  I have a curved class tank (half moon) with an external filter. I found a half decent diagram here Internal and external aquarium filters explaining quickly.
  
  As you can see, the inlet for the water is near the bottom of the tank, and the outlet at the top, which seems to create a very basic "top to bottom" flow.
  
  So my question is, would it be worthwhile mixing this up a bit, bearing in mind it's only a 65L tank? If so, what are my options?
• 

  Mobile Forum

  Posted: January 31st, 2008, 8:11pm CST by Sparky

  Just want to say big thanks to the forum developers for including a mobile version. I check 90% of stuff from my phone so makes it really easy.
  
  One suggestion though, could a link button be added to "All Forums", instead of only to "New Posts"?