Reefkeeping South Africa » Items by amalick

Items by amalick

Stingray care

Posted: September 30th, 2011, 11:50pm CDT by amalick

Hi Guys

I'm feeling tempted to buy a blue spotted sting ray from perkys pets superstore for my new FOWLR system.

1) Any advice on care level (i.e. Difficult to keep or moderate) ?

2) Do these guys carry or get white spot since I wont be able to QT it because my QT's have all had copper in one time or another.

3) My substrate is Aquamedic aregonite mixed with play sand - Is this a problem since ive read that they require only sand due to there sensitive underbelly ?

DIY Skimmer Cleaner

Posted: August 1st, 2011, 10:09pm CDT by amalick

OK so the once a week routine cleaning of my skimmer felt like too much of a chore:P.

Solution - Invent a skimmer cleaner. For those of you that know my thread this was a wonderfull opportunity for yet another piece of automation.:yeahdude:

Step 1 : Use the two free stations that I already have on my automatic water changer garden irrigation controller thingie, via relays and a standard garden irrigation solenoid plumbed into the house plumbing.

Step 2 : Fit an old power head that I had lying around into my sump that pumps tank water into the skimmer cone via a micro jet garden irrigation sprinkler to flush out the cone by causing a very very wet skim for about two minutes.

Step three : Fit 4 standard micro jet sprinklers into the skimmer cup. These sprinklers are then run via the garden irrigation solenoid at full force to flush out the skimmer cup (with freshwater) as well as the excess skimmate cause by step one into the house drain.

Then finally setup the irrigation controller to cycle the above procedures every 4 hours. and whala no more skimmer cleaning required.

A pic of all the bits fitted:yeahdude:

and finally a short edited video to show how it all works. For the impatient few, you can skip to 1:20 seconds on the video to see stage 2

Skimmer1.avi - YouTube

Skimmer1.avi - YouTube

Achilles Tang for sale: Cape Town Northern Suburbs

Posted: July 24th, 2011, 8:46pm CDT by amalick

Fish for saleCommon Name:

Achilles Tang

Scientific Name:

Acanthurus Achilles

Size of fish

10cm

How long have you had the fish?

4 Months

Is the fish eating?

Yes, anything from flakes to pellets

Shipping or Collection only:

Sorry, but collection only because I have no idea how to ship live stock.

Your location.

Cape Town Northern Suburbs

Price:

R2900.00

Photo's:

Some pics taken this evening

Notes:

Hi Reefers, After much deliberating I've decided to sell my very healthy well QT'ed Achilles Tang. He just doesn't suit my new fish only system and I cant put him in my reef because the other tank mates don't want him there.

I paid R3500 for him 4 months ago, but for you guys I will let it go for only R2900.;)

I have already caught him and he is in my Frag tank, to make the sale easy.

And for you guys who want to be extra sure, here is a short video of him, also taken this evening.

Achilles Tang - YouTube

Achilles Tang - YouTube

Semi-Automatic Light Riser

Posted: May 22nd, 2011, 10:11pm CDT by amalick

For those that dont follow my thread and like me suffer without something simple to raise and lower your lights when you want to work in your tank I thought I would post this link of a semi-automatic light riser I built.

Marine Aquariums of South Africa - View Single Post - Ashraf's window reef (Take 2)

Ashraf's window reef (Take 2)

Posted: April 24th, 2011, 9:43pm CDT by amalick

Its time to start a new thread to chronical my new build. My existing system has been stable for quite some time now (thanks to luck, patience and most of all MASA:yeahdude:) so I guess that means its time to start a new one. (or at least another one)

So here goes. The new build will be a FOWLR system so that I can keep the non-reef stuff that I so long for and cannot keep in my existing setup fo obvious reasons.

THe new build will be plumbed into the existing systems engin room, but more on that later.

The new build dimensions are probably going to be 1700mm(l) x 900mm (h) x 750mm (w). Its will be housed in a specially built aluminium frame fish room extension to my house and have a window facing design into a dining room inside my house. (much like my existing build faces my lounge).

I'm hoping to have starfire glass for the front glass and to learn from some of the things I should have done differently on my existing tank design.

Anyway - Here are some pics of the location and purpose built fish tank room being built today to get things started.

How long without eating?

Posted: January 13th, 2011, 8:48pm CST by amalick

Hi Guys

I have a copper band which I have had in QT for 32 days now. I have cured him of various ailments during that time but would like to leave him in a bit longer just to be sure that I don't transpose anything to my DT. The main purpose of his introduction into my DT is to rid me of some aptasia

One thing though, I have NEVER NEVER seen him eat anything despite numerous attempts at different varieties of food (Frozen of all sorts, and dry prepared foods of all sorts). I even observed him for up to 30 minutes after a feeding and still did not see him even nipping at anything

Is it possible that he could be surviving so long without eating anything ?

He doesn't seem to have lost any weight at all as well.

Automatic Water Changer

Posted: December 19th, 2010, 6:03pm CST by amalick

Hi Guys, for those of you that are familiar with my system you will know that I am in constant search for DIY automation (i.e not profilux etc..)

So my latest attempt will be at an automatic continuous water changer.

I found this product online that basically continuously changes small quantities of old water with fresh SW up to 150 times per day.

Spectrapure Litermeter III dosing pumps from Salty Critter - Your Saltwater Specialists

This guy did a DIY and seems to have things working.

Automatic Water Change System

Ive attached the user manual for those interested in finer detail

My question is ? - Does it make sense to do such incremental water changes as apposed to one big one say once a week. Are you not throwing away a lot of the good stuff if you keep changing water that often ?

There is another system that dose water changes in larger preprogrammed quantities, but its not avalible for delivery to SA and only runs on 110v AC.

Genesis Reef Systems
Attached Files

LiterMeter3J-PF.pdf (396.0 KB)

Eco-Equalizer

Posted: November 15th, 2010, 10:22pm CST by amalick

Anyone tried or heard of one of these

Best Aquarium Filter - ECO-Aqualizer

A small write up from their home page

In short, the ECO-Aqualizer's main function is to reduce the bonding between H2O molecules which increases interactions at the molecular level which ultimately have the following benefits to water:

Separation of Oxygen atom allows for immediate oxidation of impurities
Oxygen atom can and will be more easily absorbed by fishes
Toxins released and become free-floating for easier & effective removal
Nutrients and Trace elements can be diffused for easier selective uptake by coral
Surface Tension is reduced so carbon dioxide & other gases like nitrates can escape
Halogens such as Na+Cl- become freed up to naturally sterilize contaminants

The result is your aquarium stays cleaner and refresher, filter efficiency increases, utilization of nutrients improves, water interaction increases (ORP), and the rate of Dissolved Oxygen increases. These all contribute to a healthier functioning aquarium.
In simple terms, ECO-AqualizerTM restores and maintains water to a natural healthy balance that normally gets lost in aquarium captivity.
If you understand the science of H2O molecules, you will easily grasp how the ECO-Aqualizer can achieve its full scope of benefits. But if not, it may be best to review the science of water (H2O).

Magnificent Fox Face looking very thin

Posted: November 10th, 2010, 4:35pm CST by amalick

Hey Guys, I have a Magnificent Fox face that has become progressively thin over the last few months. I can even see his skeleton at the moment. :(

He continues to eat aggressively (and I feed him alot!) and shows no visible external signs of any of the common parasites that we all know to look out for.

None of the other tank inmates are showing anything similar so its either not infectious or their immune systems are stronger than his. I'm talking months of possible exposure here.

My view is that its probably some form of internal parasite,:001_unsure: like a worm or something:idea:. Excuse my ignorance if I am talking absolute rubbish:stupid:, but I would appreciate the guru's view on a possible diagnosis.

Once diagnosed I will probably need to do some research on a course of action or get some advice on the forum on what I could do.

It pains me to watch this guys fade away, I feel helpless:(

Kalk Stirrer and Calcium Additive

Posted: September 19th, 2010, 8:27pm CDT by amalick

I use my Kalk stirrer in the traditional method, via my auto top of RO water. A quick question, I would like to boost my calcium level with a powdered form of calcium made by Cape Coral care called calcium booster.

The recommended method is to add it to your RO reservoir which would then dose calcium enriched water via auto topup. Will this affect my Kalkstirrer in anyway given that I topup RO via it ?

While I'm at at, does anyone add any additives to their Salt Mix during the aeration period, before adding it to their system, are there any con's to doing this. I ask because perhaps I should dose the calcium into my prepared salt mix before I add it to my system via my weekly water change instead.

PS : I have a CARX but my calcium levels stay just under 400ppm, I suspect my CARX cant cope with my calcium demand given my stocking level

Coral ID Please

Posted: September 11th, 2010, 6:43pm CDT by amalick

Could someone ID these for me, They are growing like STINK!!!

SMS driven automatic Controller/relay thingie

Posted: July 13th, 2010, 2:04pm CDT by amalick

I found this by chance while browsing through a popular mechanics magazine.

[www.autobleep.com]

Basically it allows for the remote control and monitoring of up to 8 devices via using an ordinary cell phones sms capabilities. I leave it to all the DIY junkies to consider all the opportunities that this may present us reef-automation junkies.

Put to correct use the options on this are endless and best of all its LOCAL

LOCAL IS LEKKER

Is a Copperband Reef safe ?

Posted: July 12th, 2010, 7:07pm CDT by amalick

Hi Guys

Managed to get myself a copperband, and no, before you ask its not to manage aptasia.

I just like the fish:yeahdude:. I managed to ween him onto bloodworm and in between he is even taking flakes and pellets:thumbup:. He is in my qt at the moment and will probably go into my DT in a few weeks if all goes well.

THe problem is that after following a few threads I'm starting to worry that this fellow may just NOT be reef safe. I know each fish is unique, but what have some of your experiences been with the copperband in a mainly LPS reef ?

My worries for for my fan worms, coco worms and shrimp etc..

Delay-on Timer Advice

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 4:49pm CDT by amalick

I'm looking for some advice from the "sparky's" among us;).

I have this filthy habit of forgetting my main return pumps off after I have fed my fish:nono:, so i'm attempting to modify my DB board so that it will power up my return pump after a defined time interval has passed.

I found this product on e-bay and was wondering if it would work if I wired it in inline of my main return pump.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ICM-Controls-Del...item5631642f79

Then there is this product, but the wiring diagram in the picture is just way to complex for my simple "non-sparky" brain. If one of you out there could guide me through it then I would prefer it since it can handle up to 8amps load.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-DELAY-TIMER-...item5d2864b911

Last but not least if any of you know of a local SA equivalent in Cape Town with a similar product that would be great

2nd largest aquarium tank in the world

Posted: June 6th, 2010, 11:41pm CDT by amalick

YouTube- Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - (song is Please don't go by Barcelona)

Aquamedic Easyline 150 RO Unit for sale or swop for sale: Cape Town

Posted: May 26th, 2010, 1:28pm CDT by amalick

Hardware for saleThread title:

Aquamedic Easyline 150 RO Unit for sale or swop

Location:

Cape Town

Shipping or Collection only:

both

Photo's and description/list of items for sale:

I am looking for R850 neg (it retails for R1450 new) but would be prepared to swop for livestock of similar value.

I am willing to ship at buyers cost, but would prefer collection in Cape Town

Notes:

I upgraded this RO unit about 1 week ago for a Waterboy Reef Master Plus unit since I decided to move from NSW to SSW and my RO volume requirments have more than trippled.

The unit has served me well for 1 year now and still produces RO with a TDS of under 5ppm as it did when new. Given that I only used it for daily top up requirements and the TDS reading it is still giving I would guess that the membrane still has a long lifespan left in it. (+/- 2 years)

Marine Aquarium dialysis

Posted: March 31st, 2010, 2:28pm CDT by amalick

Got about R30k to through away ? Want to put your aquarium on Dialysis much like a patient that suffers from Kidney failure ? - Look no further:P

Check this out

[www.seavisions.com]

And then a review kind of concluding that it actually works
[reefkeeping.com]

Isn't it crazy how far the hobbyists are trying to take things:razz:.

PS : I doubt that I would be upsetting any sponsors with this, since its just intended for informative reading. I doubt any of us would go this route even if we had the money :wave2:

Decsions Decsions - New Jag XF

Posted: November 18th, 2009, 6:04pm CST by amalick

Hi Guys, at the risk of pissing of the BMW, Merc and Audi clan im looking for an opinion. I am fortunate enough to have a choice between 2 luxury sedans the Lexus IS250 SE 2.5 V6 and the Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 premium. I have never really followed the "sheep" and bought one of the titanic 3 Germans stuff (I have my reasons), but the motor plan on my Lexus IS250 SE has run out after 3 years of a beautiful driving relationship. Long story short I now need to choose between just buying another one or making a shift to JAG

Anyone out there got any experience with this vehicle or an opinion. I'm truly stuck and googled reviews but they are all biased. Anyone got one

The Jag

The Lexus

I promise I'm not boasting - remember I said I'm fortunate enough to have the choice but its going to break the bank so I need to be carefull.

[FS] Large Bubble Coral for sale or swop

Posted: November 3rd, 2009, 11:18pm CST by amalick

This guy just outgrew my tank, enfringing on other corals, so I had to remove him and placed him in my Frag Setup where he remains happy. Be carefull since this is a very aggresive coral. Allow at least 15cm around it to be safe.

I will post the sale/swap for 1 week to give masa members a chance then I will take to LFS. I would be prepared to swop for a coral of similar value.

Dont really want to let it go, but it just doesnt work in my reef anymore

Suplhur and Hydrocarbonate Reactor

Posted: November 3rd, 2009, 10:10pm CST by amalick

I have an Aquamedic Sulphur Reactor (SR 400) connected to a Hydrocarbonate reactor via its output to neutralize the the sulphuric acid risk.

Its been running for almost a year now. In theory within the Sulphur reactor special bacteria reduce nitrate by oxidizing Sulphur in an oxygen free environment. Since its installation I have managed to contain nitrate to very low levels.

Over the last few weeks I've noticed a pungent "rotten eggs" smell coming from the affluent of this setup.

Is this the dreaded sulphuric acid which for some reason the Hydrocarbonate reactor is no longer neutralizing or is the normal for a "mature reactor" for example ?

I've switched off the flow of water through the reactors pending a reasonable answer which I cant seem to find via the normal google search methods.

Lastly if this is going "pear shaped" should I replace both the Sulphur beads and the hydrocarbonate ?