melev

Not the most interesting topic, but I saw this curiosity and wanted to share it.

I just checked my tank temperature for the 400g reef, and then for the 60g frag system. The first one uses metal halides, vhos, and a small cooling fan. The second one uses LED lighting and no fan. Look at how the temperature is smoother in the first one and more jagged in the second one. Never noticed until now.

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I got to try out this neat little device recently.

I've scoured Reef Addicts and Melev's Reef looking for these pictures, only to find them in my history on facebook today -- at last.

For many years, I've used foam sheets from Hobby Lobby (most hobby craft stores have these) to keep the refugium light off the rest of my gear. People often think they need colored or black acrylic in their sumps to avoid algae growth in other compartments and within their skimmer / reactors. However, that's really not the case. While we can see light ...

In the summer, my reef tends to hit 81°F or so, while in the colder months it maxes out at 80°F. Years ago, I programmed the Apex to turn on a fan if the tank gets over 79.5°F but there wasn't a fan plugged in. Until recently, that is. I finally got around to making an acrylic bracket and put a 120mm fan over the return section of my sump. This one fan, running in low-mode, has kept the temperature one degree cooler over the past few weeks. I probably should have made it hold two, but one is ...

I say that tongue in cheek, but in a way it's true. One of the best pieces of advice I got from Joe's 20,000g reef (video) was how he stays ahead of trouble before it happens, steering the 'ship' to avoid catastrophe. Fixing stuff post-wreck is far more expensive and time consuming.

Earlier this year, I explained how nitrates rose to extreme levels for no good reason. It just happened and I couldn't explain it. I did a number of things to get them back under control, and last Sunday's ...