I hate cleaning filter socks, and I've made that point known for many years. I own four 7" filter socks, and it's my annual task to clean them - and even then I hate it. It's rare that I even install a sock in my sump because it will get dirty, I'll have to take it out to clean and invariably it will sit in a dark corner covered in leaves waiting for #2, #3, and finally #4 to join it. When they are all dirty, I'll still put off their cleaning for weeks... it is literally the last thing I want ...
It's around this time of year that I watch the TDS of my RO unit drop. I'm talking about the output of the RO system before the DI stage. Whenever I turn on the RO/DI system, which is twice a week, I open a valve before the DI stage and let it run for 90 seconds. By avoiding TDS creep, DI resin lasts longer. Link: http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.p...thy-of-concern Once the water is flowing, I'll turn on the TDS meter to observe the numbers ...
Back in 2011, I built a black overflow cover for the 400g to avoid nuisance algae growth in that external compartment. Here are a few pictures. The Apex probes were inserted through that lid, and the caps of the Durso standpipes poke up through individual openings. It worked quite nicely. ...
When I added the Golden Dwarf Eels to the 60g cube, I noticed how the Peppermint shrimp were far more shy than ever before, and they were big guys. Since they were tearing up stuff more often than not, that timidness was a perk. Within weeks, I noticed I rarely saw them at all. And another two weeks later, they were gone. No trace of them, and I surmise they were delicious. The Blood shrimp, typically shy but visible on occasion - it seemed to hold its own though. I had a feeling ...
I had to build some new Top Down Photo Boxes ( http://www.melevsreef.com/node/42 ) this week, so I made a new one for myself as well. Enjoy the results. I should point out that a lot of the colors you're seeing now are far better than a month ago. ...