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It's been mixing for 3 hours, and after measuring salinity on my digital refractometer four times, it measures 1.026sg - how cool is that? So 8 buckets of salt is the perfect amount - and it is easy to remember.

Weird...Whew! Close one (hope this doesnt become a regulag thing, esp if it happens when youre out of town). Sorry to hear about your back pain; hope your surgery goes well

I'm sorry to hear that! I have been going through the same type of thing, but mine is mostly muscle tightness in my neck causing pinched nerves. Have been working on it for the past month and half! Constant pain, so I am constantly on anti-inflammatory pills. I had an MRI and won't need surgery. Good luck with you surgery, and I hope you are back to normal ASAP!

I've had nothing but neck problems, doctor's visits, physical therapy and next week surgery. When I'm not hurting, I'm working. In that order.

Where have you been Marc? I have missed your weekly blogs and videos! I think it is time to post some full tank shots again. I like to show people what I want mine to look like someday. Good idea about the pump, I should do that with my accessory pump as well since it is only running 3 reactors.

A new one was ordered to replace the second pump so they match, plus I know that will help sound-wise. The second pump is a little bit noisy after all these years. I'm considering running it as a Snapper since it won't be running as much gear. The frag tank will soon be a stand alone system.

I've done that before, but I've found that back up used Darts never work. I tried two or three times, and when you get it hooked up, it leaks. It just seems to always be best if you have a brand new one.

I fired up my second pump last night and they are both so quiet. I hope they stay that way, but I have a feeling it's because they are still new.

You should get a second one and then clean up and store your current one as your backup!

Yes you are right. And when I was pumping out the water, I saw the caps sitting there next to the pumps. When the leak happened, I screwed in the cap to keep the water in the system while I addressed problem spot, but it just needed to be snugged up.

The pump is much quieter than the old one, and it makes me want to replace the second one now.

I bought some threaded caps to cap off the bulkhead so I can remove the return pump without having to drain the return section of the sump. I think you were the one who told me about this . I had to do it when I first got the sump wet because both pumps were leaking where all the screws hold the impeller casing.

Thanks. There's always something, but I'm pleased with where it is now.

The tank is coming along so nicely Marc! It's been fun watching it grow, and the troubles and successes you've had; thanks again for all the sharing you do and experiences/wisdom you pass on

Interesting, I liked to keep mine up at 9 to 10, if it dropped below 8 I started getting algae problems.

Cool. I miss all the little dramas that happen in a tank. Like this one I found one day:

Yeah, I don't like it running that high. I'm going to test everything today and see what the current numbers are.

I too am waiting for the quiet drive upgrades. I have one of the mp40 QDs (which I incredibly won in a raffle at ReefStock Denver!) and I have experimented putting the new driver on ES pumps and yes its every bit as good as you've imagined!!

Whats you're feeling regarding your AlK being 10? Mine is right up around there and Im really considering slowly lowering it mostly because a lot of the beautiful tanks I see report around 7.5-8. Do you consider 10 to be high?

Great idea!!!

I just used this exact technique to use safety stop. Only difference is I used my two little fishies veggie mag clip to hold the airstone at the bottom instead of a coffee mug, but same result! :-)

I found that at Walmart in the sporting goods department. It uses a single D battery and is designed to aerate a bait bucket for fishermen.

I like that clip on air pump! Who makes it? I will need to buy a peacemaker soon!