cyclop

That's the trouble with purple queens and some other anthias - they go into hiding for safety when first introduced into the tank. Since they do not swim around it's a problem getting them to feed. How about trying to find out roughly where they are hiding and then use a target feeder to squirt some cyclopeezes around that area. Hopefully, they will take some cyclopeezes to keep them alive long enough to get use to their new environment and start swimming around to look for more food. Otherwise, their bodies will waste away and slowly die of starvation. Form experience and close observation, anthias seem to prefer mysis shrimps to brine shrimps. Of course cyclopeezes and all fishes' favourite but the trouble is that they are too small for the fishes to fill their stomach. Anthias, because they love swimming around in fast moving water, they expend more energy and therefore need to be fed more frequently each day.

Have you tried cyclopeezes? They also love fresh fish (especially those small silver/bait fish) or prawn meat - both finely chopped. All fish love them anyway.

I share hmkui's sentiments. Let's give BH a break and not get too personal. If we feel that we can do better by all means volunteer your services to make things even better. It's always easier said than done! Unless we are actually involved, we would never fully understand the real situation, nor would we appreciate the effort, time and energy put in. If we have any great ideas to share by all means let other members of SRC know what you have. Many are already doing so unselfishly. If we have nothing to share or contribute let's at least be appreciative of what they have done. Life would be so pleasant and wonderful if we can be nice to one another.

That's due to the difference of SG of saltwater (denser) and fresh water (less dense). Bubbles churned up by an airstone is much finer in saltwater than in freshwater. Honestly, freshwater skimmer is also something new to me. Perhaps, we never thought of using it because freshwater is easier and much cheaper to change more regularly than saltwater. When I was keeping tropical fish I changed the water more frequently that I did with my marine tanks now.

Any special award for the "youngest" and "oldest" reefer?

I realised not too long ago that there is another reefer using the name "cyclops" In fact, he joined much earlier than I(cyclop - minus the "s"). Let's keep up with the "unconditional spirit of sharing".

This is a simple, inexpensive and yet invaluable DIY for DI water purification. What impresses me most is your unselfish spirit of sharing with fellow reefers. With ppl like you and others in SRC it help to make this hobby much more affordable. Keep up with your DIY innovations. That's what makes the hobby challenging and interesting. Keep up with this spirit of sharing!!!

Just imagine water cascading directly down the overflow compartment. The noise is certainly unbearable. Bioballs do reduce the noise considerably by breaking the "waterfall". In addition to bioballs, I place a piece of perforated hard plastic sheet (cut to size) as a drip-plate. So, the water flows is spread evenly as it flows down over the bioballs. To further reduce noise I place some foam (cut to size) over the perforated plastic sheet. The piece of foam also helps to trap dirt, uneaten food, etc. and prevent them from going to the bioballs. For even better effect, I place another piece of perforated plastic sheet over the foam to even the spread of water over the foam. So far, there's hardly any noise, and my fishes are healthy and hearty. I have to clean the piece of foam quite regularly though. That's the cheap way I solved my problems. Not too sure whether the same is applicable to yours.

Clorox is a brand name. They have other brands too. For maximum effect, I used it concentrated - without mixing with water.

That this way may not be feasible to some. Portable garden pressure pumps may also be used. To avoid having to go to this measure, pour some clorox into the aircon unit drain hole regularly (at least once a month) to prevent slime from accummulating.

Whatever you do with electrical equip. appliances make sure they are switched off first. I used to experience such leakages, which were often caused by blockages of the drain pipes by slime & dirt. At first I attached a hose to the outlet end of the drainpipe as tayhonglee did to suck out dirt and slime with a vacuum cleaner. Now I clear the pipes regularly (fortnightly) squirting sufficient clorox into the draining tray and hole of the fancoil unit to get rid of slime which is often formed after some time, so that I won't be caught in the middle of the night. Once every 2 or 3 months I would stick a rubber tube (of correct fitting size) into the drain hole and pump a jet of water into it to clear the whole drain pipe of the aircon system. For those who have an air pump or vacuum cleaner that can blow air out, you need only to "blow" the slime and dirt instead of pumping water. For better effect pump in some water & clorox first and the air will force this liquid through the drain pipe. I save lots of $$$$ by doing the above.

Hi BH, Since Coral Reef Aquarium has come forward to clear the air about certain concerns by SRC members and are positive about suggestions and assistance, it looks like a very good opportunity for you to put your knowledge to good use, and at the same time learning from a well established company.

BH, I can understand your sentiments about the Suntec marine tank. Your intention to be involved and promote reefing is laudable. It truly reflects your passion and love for thye hobby. In fact, as you had mentioned before, it's your dream to be a marine biologist. Based on what I gathered and understand about your knowledge and skills in Reefing I do not doubt your capabilities about doing something good for those poor fishes and corals in the giant tank. As many of our SRC bros had mentioned, the Suntec tank is about business by certain advertising company. I do feel it's a "bad decision" and a gross under-projection of budget by someone with a "great and novel" idea. The long term maintenance and management of this tank will be very very costly. Your and your friend may volunteer your services if you are keen. Do find out more about the background info about the giant tanks before committing yourself in any way. Definitely, $$$$wise it's a deep dark and bottomless hole. If the company concerned is willing to foot the bill of whatever $$$$incurred (services FOC, by you and your friends) maybe you can give it a try - with due consideration of your time & long term commitment. You need to be very sure that you and your friend can cope with this massive project.

For those staying in HDB flats, the water for those staying at the lower floors (6 & below) and those at the higher floors are quite different. The tap water of those at the lower floors come directly from the water pipes laid underground. The water in the water tanks are in a way stored their for some time (like some of us collecting water in pails and leave them overnight before using for water change). I suppose, it's also a matter of acclimatisation - the fish getting use to tap water. For corals, it's a totally different story as they are more sensitive to changes in water parameters and conditions.

There are lots of claims about magnetic beds, etc. by companies selling them but nothing really substantiated or proven. Some years ago, ceramic beads were claimed to be very good for circulation, etc. My wife, out of curiosity, bought a set for my bed and you know what happened. My wife experienced numbness on certain parts her body. The cause? The beads, instead of massaging the boby, were actually pressing on veins and pressure points when she was sleeping, thus restricting blood circulation. Hence, the numbness. Anyway, I have not tried magnetic beds.