Blog Comments

Midnight - that photo of all the snails and shells is when I first introduced my CUC. I plan to add a RBTA soon so it can pick a good spot before I add more coral. Also, I tried the system without a chiller and just a Mag 7 as a return. Unfortunately the temp swing throughout the day was too much (around a 5 degree shift) due to the MHs. I got a good deal on the chiller from a reef buddy so am pretty happy with it. Now the tank doesn't swing more than 2 degrees with the MHs. Thanks for the comments!

Hat39406 - Thanks for the compliments! Much appreciated! This took much time and planning, and I loved every minute of it. I am definitely addicted!

Melev - Thanks for welcoming me! I plan to continue to post updates with my system (and future systems in the works) as well as questions/problems I will face. I believe this will be a great spot for expert advice. Thanks for the advice regarding my floor lamp. I will keep caution. Do you know of any other light fixtures for my refugium (preferably something I could pick up at Lowes or a similar store) that would be safer? Something that will be powerful enough to grow the macro algae? I'd like a LED fixture but really don't care either way. Also, it would have to hang like the one I have or be able to fit on top of my Profilux Sump model 2. Another question I have regards the light bulb I am using for that floor lamp. I have 3 types of bulbs but am unsure which one will work the best for growing macro. I have: a soft white GE indoor floodlight 65W 575 Lumens, a energy smart GE 26W soft white 2700K 1750 Lumens, and a Sylvania spot-gro 65W 120V. Do you know which of these would be the best to use for my purposes, or another type of bulb I should get? I am not sure how to measure what type of bulb works best. Thanks for any advise! Also, my emerald crab appreciates your recognition!

Thank you all and I will keep you posted on my system! Thanks for the warm welcome! ~ Dustin

Welcome to R.A. It's nice to get to see your system. Keep an eye on that floor lamp, as they have been known to start fires. In a fishroom, it may get some salt creep and condensation within the fixture's exposed bulb.

I like your red emerald crab.

Your reef looks awesome! Greqt job!

Is that a snail graveyard or do you have hundreds of snails in there? What size tank is it, 55-75?

I would add the RBTA soon so that he can pick a spot and hopefully stay there. Get some covers for your pumps so that during the first month of so he can find a spot and not get sucked into a pump. They tend to like spots with good flow but not direct flow. Do you have a bunch of candy canes in there or are those just skeletons on the rock?

You may be able to get rid of that chiller if you could replace the three mag pumps with one external pump.