Hi Belsuran

Have had tank over 6 months now and only just got round to changing them. Had a problem trying to find anyone who stocked the compact tubes, most could order them in but I wanted them the week end. Found a small shop in Bognor who had them and they only cost £11.99 for the 24W think the 36w was £15.99. Other shops quoted a range of prices from £12 - £20 so not sure what differences are. Was looking for a bit of advise as to different bulbs and what I should be looking for.

Mike

Hi All

I have just changed the white bulbs in my tank, the only replacements i could get were interpet bulbs (so say the same as what came out). However I have noticed that the light is much redder in colour. Do different makes have different colour spectrums and if so what should I be looking for?

Mike

Hi Chops

I have same problem with surface film. I add a hose to the venturi on my power head when it gets bad. 1/2 hour of crazy bubbles seems to sort it. I don't like it to build up too much as I am sure it will affect the gas exchange. If its major have resorted to using a kitchen towel.

Mike

Hi All

Regards the skimmer I also don't get a great deal(1 egg cup per week). Tank has been set up since April now. I changed the air stone (bit of wood) couple of weeks back and this has made a big difference. I now get about 2 - 3 egg cups every 3 days.
I find that I need to clean the skimmer cup out every 3 days as the green gunk builds up and stops the bubbles being pushed right up and out the top. I think the air pump is a bit underpowered but keep it clean and it seems to work. Apart from this the tank is great and set up working well. Must be OK as only had one loss in total, a turbo snail. Have one slight concern, something is nibbling at the corals overnight. Not major damage but can see bits missing and scars. Out with the red light in the wee hours but not seen anything yet.

Mike

Hi britespark

just one thing to watch, I originally got ready mixed salt water from my local aqualife centre. The salt they use has very low calcium levels ( about 300 ) if you are going to add corals this is way too low. I had a real job getting levels up, have switched to making my own salt water mix up using red sea pro. Lots of water changes later my level is only just coming up at have now got 420.

Mike

hi Twisted

Be great to have you join

more the merrier

Hi Jim

You should have 2 white lights, 1 blue light and mine has 1 blue/purple light. (some have 2 blue ) I have set mine so blue lights come on at 12.00 then 2 x white lights at 2.30
the 2x white goes off at 10.30 and blue at 12.00 midnight.
This seems to work for me.
Hope this helps

Mike

Hi Adam

Size of heater 300w

Added extra powerhead on advise from LFS gives better flow round rock for filteration and stops any dead spots. If i turn it off i see a hugh difference to water movement. I have also had problems with a surface film building up which could affect the O2 exchange so i keep the filter return pointing up at the surface to agitate it.
Advice taken from early in thread. Seems to work.

Mike

Hi

Have been trawling the net and found that club tipped anemome looks just like what i have. Most seem to be red and very colourful, mine is sort of more brown but the general shape size and make up is the same. The tenticles are clear with that brown ball on the end. I will try for another pic tonight if i get chance, but they are fairly near the back and i dont have a great zoom.

Mike

Hi Adam

My tank came with the whole setup, so not sure what size heater is. Will check it when i get home and let you know.
Only thing i had to get extra was an additional powerhead to increase the flow of water round the live rock.

Mike