vipermako

thanks! guys for advices, esp nicholas. Maxstar81, the software is solidworks. I hv increased the depth from 1ft [300mm] to about 350mm. I may change my mind on making this tank though, as i hv setup a pico at my bedside and hv the intention to CONVERT my 2ft FW to SW. Maybe can adopt this built-in sump idea and mod the 2ft tank accordingly. Will model it up in solidworks to see how it would look like.

hi JC, What is a species tank?

Got addicted man! Set up another pico at home liao temperature is the problem...hovering at 28C daytime and about 27 night and 26 early morning. my previous setup in office.... Next considering converting my 2ft FW to SW

nice! bro. that dark red thingy on the LR at lower right third is it coraline?. I hv got coraline starting to grow on my LRs in the pico and seems like also on the tank walls. Is it common for it to grow on walls. The color is purple-pink. btw, how is yr Tunze nano skimmer? is it good. Thinking of getting one too.

Inspired by Maxstar81, also want to make a pico tank similar to his. Any copyright infringement?? Look somethin like this.... Want to check with you guys, whether the flow sequence is right. Intend to put a Tunze nano skimmer in the overflow compartment, is it ok? How high should be the return flow hole. Want to make sure design is right before sending to Maxstar81's friend for making.

nitrite is ok but nitrate is skyrocketing. Guess it is part of the normal cycling process but got a bit impatient to bring it down. Happen to read about this algone thingy which mentioned that it could absorb nitrate through biological means unlike those conventional chemical approach. Have written to them to check about the brownish stain. Asked Henry from ML and he said the stain would go away. Anyway i will leave it in there and check nitrate level in a few days time and the level is ok, will gradually replace with fresh water mix.

thanks. is the chaetomorpha and caulerpa available at lfs. The "nuisance" that you referred, is it the algae or nitrates?

got 2 electric blue hermit in my 4 wks old tank. Currently they are feeding on algae, almost all gone already. So how to sustain them?

tested nitrate > 100 with a salifert kit. Tank 4 wks into cycling. Ammonia, nitrite ok. Dump in a packet of Algone this morning to absorb the nitrates. Damn! the water became brownish. Thot they claim it is all biological, how come got coloration. Mine is a 4~5g pico. Will the brownish stain go off?

Is it normal for new tank to have very high calcium level. mine is 4wks and tested 500 with salifert calcium test kit.

where can i get this? ANy marine lfs?

hv heard of Algone, which remove nutrient eg nitrates by biological means. has anyone heard and is it really good?

a bit discouraging though. but good to serve as a reminder to all. One has to start somewhere...all researching without hands on wont do either. I hv just started a pico, omg, this is even worse! talking about 40g. Mine is only 4g. I hv had a few years of planted FW experience. And i am a firm believer of equilibrium. When i saw, at the singapore science center when i was a boy, a sealed glass sphere about half a meter in diameter, 3/4 filled and with some shrimps and plants in it and with a bright light shining on it, i was fascinated! It is self-sustained. It is in a state of equilibirum, the fundamental law of nature. As a aquarium hobbyist, we should try to be a scientist at the same time. I say TRY. The objective should be to achieve equilibrium. To try to create a biosphere. Avoid all the nonsense of checking parameters after parameters every day and wks, changing water relentlessly!. The guy at Aquamarin told me the other wkend when i first visited that he has never changed any water in his display tank. Just need to top up for evaporated water.

no, actually i hv converted my FW tank. It is not all in one. Just completed cycling. Having problem putting a skimmer and etc and hv to use an air pump to get enough oxygenation and keep temperature down as the tank is top covered. May need to resort to keeping only corals and invertebrate to keep bio-load down and frequent water change. saw our maxstar81's custom tank, damn nice. Want to make one too for my home

very nice tank. Can you PM me the contact of yr tank-maker friend? I hv just set up a pico in office using my previous FW tank. thinking of setting up a nano at home using a custom made tank.

i am also starting a new tank about 3wks old[newb to marine] wonder what actually cause the cyano bacteria to form. what do they feed on?

if nitrates/phosphate is low then shouldn't hv brown algae. Read somewhere that brown algae is actually diatom which can be caused by silicate in the type of sand used too.

i also interested, is there anymore