JoeyBabooey

Bro, any updates on your progress? I myself am getting a new setup or rather and upgrade and its always fun to go through it with other people.

Thanks for the advise bro Quas, will have to keep a look out. thanks!

Wow bro Kelvin, that's a lot of crabs! Anyway, bro sky007. So far using a trap works the best for me so far. set the trap, bait it and wait... although sometimes it may take awhile. Or if your tank is small, take out your rocks and can try a hypersalinity soak. Hope this helps.

No worries at all, bro anmiheng! what kind of cabinet do you have at the moment? we could probably get away with 6mm glass thickness but we need to be sure that rocks are not leaning on the glass and they won't fall. But best is definitely 8mm as recommended my tank makers. currently I have my 2 footer (from Fishy Business) with 6mm crystal glass on plywood/MDF cabinet. 4 inch DSB and about 4kg of rock. 4-5months already and so far so good. although i feel its a ticking time bomb until my new tankset arrives. if your cabinet is somewhat the same as mine for the materials, i think you might want to invest in a tank & cabinet using proper wood if you going into it long term. Although making the tank is cheap but a proper cabinet is always more expensive..

I know that for livestock, you can only bring it in through a supplier/bigger LFS. There is no permit for personal importation. I have tried this before when i was into shrimp and freshwater fishes. For example, you can buy fishes from aquabid (online store) BUT you need a local distributor/supplier to help piggyback your order on behalf of you. Thats why people will just hand carry if they really want when they go on holiday. It is absolutely legal to if you keep within the limits of volume of water. However it is super risky as the livestock may or may not survive. Thats SG side... Most likely no problems at customs. The tricky bit is with the country you are getting it out from. The best we can do is depend on our LFS if you really want something brought in for you. Make good friends with them and get them to keep a look out for you. Hope this gives a better idea.

Hi bros, Im looking for the same too... Is picking up from the beach safe? If you had no problems before, maybe i can go try it out as well... So far after walking down at east coast park beaches and at pasir ris i havent come across much of these shells for hermits. I also doubt we can use land hermit crab shells?these are easier to get/buy.. Any thoughts?

Hi bro jowenteo, Like what bro kkk121 has suggested. It would be nice to have a bigger horsepower chiller. However what you currently have does the job from my experience. You could probably use it for the time being until you slowly decide to get a size bigger. 'Just nice' horsepower gives you lesser kick in but lasts longer. Bigger horsepower to water volume gives you shorter kick in period but the chiller kicks in more. The arguement is the more the chiller kicks in, the faster the chiller 'wears out' over time. For 100L, may i suggest the Hailea HS28A 1/10 HP.. Cheap, reliable and quiet. Thats what im using for my current 65L tank which is abit over powered. Flow rate depends on the manufacturer's requirements.

My pleasure to share my experiences. How big is your tank bro? And what do you want to keep? If the stocking level is low then you can take your time with the skimmer... I took my time with the skimmer when i first set up my tank. Until i felt i had too much fishes then i jumped into getting one. Of course it was a little too late... Crazy diatom carpet bomb. I have seen Dymax skimmers working great! From the experiences of my friends, you just need to change the air stone (wooden) to a better one and make sure your air pump is of good quality and strong air flow.

Hi bro, Just to share my experience with Poly Filter, currently my 2ft reef is running on canister and Reef Octopus hang on skimmer. About 2 weeks ago I found a Fulval hang on filter in my closet and decided to try out using Poly Filter.. heard only good things about it and wanted to bring down my phosphate levels. (also squeeze in activated carbon and Algone). I cannot tell you how good it is because it's only been almost 2 weeks using. But already 1 week I need to change to a fresh piece because it clogged so fast. I don't dare to wash it and put back. It doesn't help that its quite pricey. That's my only complaint... that it requires frequent change. Anyway, skimmers take out the real nasties like poo and other waste organics. Whereas (so I have heard and read) that Poly Filter takes out other 'impurities'... That being said, for a successful reef, I guess we kind of need both? Just my 2 cents.

Hey bro, I also last quit shrimping to finally get into marine! Anyway, 2ft tank is very cheap and lead time quite quick from my experience. I have personally made tanks through SGBros (Tank Junction), N30 and currently getting one made from Aquarium Artist. In my honest opinion, if you want a full on 'marine specific' setup (overflow & sump design), approach tank makers that specialize in marine (ie; the sponsors here). They know what they are talking about and can advise you accordingly. With the rest, i felt that you needed to know what you want and what you are doing first. For a newbie like me, it was a daunting task. Until I met Vincent from Aquarium Artist. The rest is history. He made many things i was blur about make sense and gave consumer confidence at a competitive price too! If you don't need a sump and just need a bare tank, in 1to 2 weeks you can get a decent priced tank from the above mentioned tank makers from my experience. Just let them know you doing marine so they won't give you thinner glass which could be risky.

Hi bro fishy, Yes from my experience with MDF furniture, especially with ikea cheap table tops and shelves, after a while there is a void or hole beneath the laminate if the laminate hasn't already fallen off . I'm not a carpenter or handy man but i'm pretty certain it will break down over time. My current 'temporary' tank's cabinet, I made sure it was at least plywood (ready made tankset from fishy business, converted from freshwater). I still worry for it especially now while waiting for my new marine specific tankset. A ticking time bomb perhaps? I agree with bro Evolutionz... almost bought his tankset from last years Aquarama. perhaps 100 gallons is really a lot of weight... for his nano cubes I think MAYBE can get away with it... but anything bigger is rather risky imho. At the end of the day, MDF is made out of sawdust and glue.. versus the moisture resistant woods like what bro RedDevils has mentioned. My humble suggestion is no matter how troublesome it is, it's sure worth all that effort to prevent a collapsed mdf cabinet... I hope this helps!

Hi bro nehaali, I apologize if I sound rude but suggest you should start your own topic regarding your questions? We should respect the original topic starter by not hijacking their thread. With regards to your query, there's a big chance it is releasing copper. All the best!

Hi bro fishy, Do you really have a hundred gallons on your MDF cabinet? Is your main structure made out of kapor wood and just the doors and panels made out of MDF or is everything made put of MDF? From experience, MDF wooden furniture will eventually weaken. Have also experienced the dusty dust you have been finding. Very annoying. I have personally got my tanks made by a few tank makers and they tell me they dont use anything other than kapor wood for the structure and nothing of lesser quality than plywood for the doors and sides because everything else breaks down over time. | What tank cabinet doesnt get into contact with water? I suggest to look into making a new proper cabinet before anything bad happens.

Hi everyone, a couple of reefers have contacted me and i'm glad that they were a lot of help! Reefers are really nice people! Thank you so very much! Mods, please assist to close this thread. Thank you! Joe.

Hi all, I am urgently looking for dead rocks of up to 8kg. OR live rock that have ZERO pests. If you have any to sell, I will help offload them for you. Please contact me and name your price! I will collect from you tonight or tomorrow night. Many thanks! Joe - 9798 0202

Jlhr

Hi kamino, You might wanna check with AquaMarin at Paya Lebar. Saw a good collection when i was last there a few days ago =) Joe

Found this super old thread! Hope its still alive! hahaha! As i'm new to the reefing hobby, i'm sure any outing i will be eager to join and meet more reefers. (My freshwater kakis scared of salt) Anyway... i drive so i'd be glad to offer transport for ANY LFS in every corner of singapore.

Thanks for your replies, gymbvolka! I'm not too sure about seahorses preferring low light but i'll go look it up! =) yea.. i have to agree that i will have to keep them separately! Nah.. i cant afford the Artica chiller as much as i want to! Mine was a brand new Hailea and had warantied it once before as well! Perhaps thats why they released the HS versions now... Mine was the older and more noisy HC models =/ Thanks again for your time, bro!

Yeah! I really shouldn't push the limit with the seahorses in the DT, huh. I realize its either i put them in the refugium or get them in a species only tank... oh boy that is so hard to convince my parents.. Anyway, thank you for your input. Its greatly appreciated! I actually would love to organize a LFS outing sometime in the near future and meet new salt kakis in the process. Its impossible to convert my freshwater kakis over to marine =( I drive so i'd be happy to go to LFS-es from West to East over the weekend. =)

Sorry bro Kakani, I am a little confused... do SPS corals do better with T5 over Metal Halides? I thought because Metal Halides offer the most wattage. If i were to use all T5, i dont think I have space on the tank to fit 2 x 4 tube lightsets. Max 8 Tubes which is 8 X 54W = 432W or 3.9W per gallon. Is that sufficient? PS; Honestly I really wish i could eventually 'graduate' to SPS corals but I highly doubt i have it in me for that extra attention to give... Unless i strike lottery and make everything automated! hahaha! But in all seriousness, I really hate to feel guilty when something as precious as a coral or any livestock for that matter dies because of my inadequate care... which i cannot give to SPS corals =(

Hey there nettian! Thanks for dropping by! I believe is it enough? it is rated for up to 800 Liters of water. The 422 including sump will have a total max volume of 500 - 550 Liters. I have used a 1/10HP chiller (rated for 400L) for my 2ft (60L) shrimp tank and it kept kicking in many times but for a short period of time which burnt it out. I dont mind spending that extra $100 for a 1/2HP chiller (everyone would love a more powerful machine) but i feel that less kick-in but longer period is better? Any other views and insights about this?

Thank you so much, gymbvolka! That makes perfect sense.

OH! and to share my intended stocking list for inspection from you guys... Corals - I'll start off with mushrooms and zoas and then move up with softies and LPS corals. Strictly NO SPS... for now Fishes - A helpful collection of inverts like a Coral banded shrimp and a couple of snails and hermit crabs. (is it true that i cannot keep other shrimps together with a coral banded shrimp? not even with caution? I'm a sucker for shrimps.) - One Spot Foxface - Yellow Tang - Flame Angel or Coral Beauty Angel - Clownfish (of course) and a small selection of smaller fishes like a goby, blenny, dartfish, dottyback and Flasher Wrasse. * Silly question but if my flow is not too strong in the front of the tank, could i keep a couple of bigger seahorses? My girlfriend really like them. ALOT. =/ Once again thanks for your time in reading my post.

Hello everybody! I have learnt a lot from all the posts here and i would like to thank everyone who have been so helpful in sharing their knowledge of this hobby. A small introduction of this post; I have been keeping freshwater fishes for as long as I have remembered and had been battling with myself about keeping a reef aquarium. Well, after what have been almost a year or so, i have decided to take the plunge. Oh! and also to mark my 20th tank, i also figured why not? After the past month of giving myself a 'crash course' in everything marine, i have come up with my ideal reef aquarium setup and i hope the experienced here could help vet through my choices. I am aware that this is going to be a long, tiring and expensive process but i believe the end point is well worth it all. I am an impatient fella and this will be the ultimate test! haha! But please bare with me as it would take awhile (a few months) to share my journey little by little with everyone from the day i receive my new tank. Here are the what i have planned to do... Tank: 4x2x2 (12mm) Sump: 3 compartments inclusive of refugium in the center compartment Refugium: Deep Sand Bed with Miracle Mud, Live rock rubble and Chaetomorpha Protein Skimmer: SKIMZ SM161 (internal)- rated for up to 1200L tanks. Lighting: 2 x 150W Metal Halide 4 x 54W T5 tubes Total of 516W Chiller: Hailea HS-66A 1/4HP Reactors: - TLF Phosban Reactor 550 (Phosphate removal) - Fluidized Reacter for BioPellets (Nitrate removal) Wavemakers: Tunze Multi controller 7095 with 2x Tunze Turbelle Stream 6065 (up to 6500L/Hr) That being said, I have a few questions. 1) With regards to the return pump from my sump, which pump flow rate would be most beneficial? I am sitting between an Eheim Universal 1262 (3400L/Hr) or Eheim Universal 1264 (4500L/Hr). Because i have a refugium, should i go with the slower flow? I somehow feel that 3400L/Hr might end up being too slow due to the height and angles of the piping and 4500L/hr might be too fast. 2) About the Deep Sand Bed in main tank and refugium; i understand that the best average size of the sand should be 0.125mm. However, i have only come across live sand from CaribSea in Singapore with the average grain size of 0.5mm to 1mm. (CaribSea Arag-Alive Bahama Oolite). Is there another brand of live sand or another from Caribsea with that ideal size that is LIVE SAND (not dry)? 3) Do you think the water flow from the above mentioned wavemakers sufficient? These are my heaviest questions thus far. I would really appreciate your insight and many thanks in advance!