Valleyman

Exchanged my wk old Eheim1260 since it is giving off a humming sound. The replacement does not give much improvement. Tried sitting the pump on a bio-mat and put dampers on all contact PVC contact points, but problem still exists. Anyone has the same problem b4 ?

Hi TTBoy, You have PM.

Hi, Is Compact fluorescent lamp = PL lamp ?

Maybe I try both - ball valve and spray bar. As for insufficient current flow in foe tank, will try to lower the output pipe to about 1/3 below water level iso just under the lsurface. Hope this will work. Will consider another powerhead only if necessary as was told that as a rule of thumb, 1 head=1 degree increase in water temp. True ?

Thanks guys, My main tank is 4 2 2 and the hole to sump is about 32mm. Installing a ball valve before the outlet looks like a very good solution. Will do it this weekend. The whole setup is self-design and so can only blame myself for any such problems. But then, what is a hobby without having the fun and satisfaction to have and resolve problems (with the help of you guys). The 'socks' I mentioned are borrowed from my mother who sewed them for her kitchen sink tap. These old folks believe that they can filter away many impurities in our PUB water using these tap socks.

Spade, Solved my problem last night by raising the light diffuser support about 1" above the water level. So far so good. Another problem I am still trying to solve is the gushing sound as the water enters the sump from above. Tried splitting with a T-joint and having 2 cotton 'socks' over the 2 outlets. Can only partially dampen the sound. Also my new 1060 Eheim is giving an audible humming sound. Hope to get it exchange since it is under warranty. Advice from anyone is much appreciated.

Realised that my 2 days old cycled new tank is having a layer of foam due to the tall (20") cuscading water though I filled up this column with bio-balls sitting on a plastic light diffuser. Afraid that it will give the 'skimmer' effect and later will accumulate all the undesirables. Anyone encounter the same problem b4 ? Have removed the bio-ballsl and looking for a solution. Overflow is only 5" width. Pls advise urgently. Thanks

Thanks guys.

Dodo, Where is Reborn ?

Mrjoe, $10/kg is way beyond my budget. Looking for $5/kg lobang.

How to tell it is coralline algea ? What colour are these algea ?

Dodo, Yes, LR is much in demand due to people rushing for CNY setup. Me too. Hope to get at least 70kg at reasonable price. Lobang info is much appreciated.

Hi, Since we are on the subject of LR, I wish to seek some advice. I started my 4 2 2 tank cycling yesterday by throwing in a few pcs of prawn. I have a sump tank but no skimmer. Question is on when I can add LR. A friend said that it is ok to add them now iso until the cycle is over. His reason is that by doing so, we are also cycling the LR. Will the ammonia & nitrite kill the LR micro-organism during the peaking periods ? What's the proper thing to do ? Half the LR now and half at end of cycle ? or to add only after the cycle ?

Clowntrigger, you said, I am using 2 6500k and 2 actinic, and I have got the blueish hue. Does it means 2x 6.5kk white PL and 2x 10kk actinic blue ?

Will consider going for a 4x. Thinking of 4x 6.5kk to reduce cost. Read somewhere that increasing the K does not increase light intensity. Rather it is the light spectrum (color) that is affected. True ?

Is a 2x4' FL tube configuration at 10kk sufficient for a 3.5 2 2 tank for soft coral setup ?

Does anyone have any experience with a 4ft metal casing for holding 3 FL tubes (the thicker diameter type) and with e-ballast ? Also, what is the diff btw a thicker and normal diameter FL tube ?

Thanks CT.

Does anyone knows the flow rate for Eheim 1260 ? What is the nearest model for 1500L/hr ?

Clowntrigger, You are using the 4 PL tubes casing type ? - if so, what brand ? Sounds pretty wide. What is the width ? How many on/off switch available ? 2 e-ballast in it ? Casing price ? Thks

Tanzy, What is the ideal coral sand size, #? to use for DSB ? I have plenty of coarse sand left over from my freshwater tank. Is it ok to lay these as the bottom layer under the fine coral sand so that I can build up to at least 4" ?

Tanzy, Went to Nature on Christmas Eve and saw a 4ft casing with 2 PL tubes, one blue (Autinic) and one white. There is something in between the tubes. Is it e-ballast ? Also, if on both tubes, will one half of tank looks more bluish (from Autinic) while the other half is whitish ?

Thanks Tanzy, Now understand the true functions of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. They compliment each other as a solution.

Will increase my DSB coral sand depth. Read that aerobic bacteria is more efficient than anaerobic bacteria. Therefore, having a wet-dry filtering (water trickling) on bioballs in my overflow compartment will do the job ? Is this commonly practise ? Will forgo on coral chip and ceramic ring since they do not serve much purpose other than surface area for B colonies which I can cultivate using bio-mats. Regards

Thanks AT for yr comments, Went to AquaTechnic and their sump setup consist just bio-balls and carbon. They take pain on the bio-ball and have good design on water distribution so that as much balls are wetted. This is to grow dry bacteria colonies ? If dry bacteria is not = aerobic, what is ? I will have a 2" DSB in the main tank. This will take care of the wet bacteria. What is DOC/DOM ? So the recommendation is not to use coral chip and ceramic ring ? Thanks