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  1. Some thoughts on mandarins

    Mandarins are not like most fish we keep. Their digestive system is more like a seahorse or pipefish. They don't have a real stomach and can not store food as we, and most fish can. You can tell how often a fish has to eat by the size of it's mouth. A mandarin has a tiny mouth which is not designed to take a big mouthful of anything at any one time. They are also not designed to bite pieces off larger food items.
    A mandarin was designed to eat pods and little else. We as aquarists tend ...
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    Random Thoughts
  2. New years updates

    It's another year. So I'll start with a full tank shot.



    Compare it with this shot from last september. Check out the growth on the Acro branch just right of center.



    close up of the Acro branch.
    ...

    Updated 01-20-2013 at 11:43 PM by Alaska_Phil

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    Tank Entry
  3. Testing results

    Since I am bad at actually remembering anything, I am going to use this blog to keep track of my water parms. So I tested 2 days ago:

    Alk- 12.5 DKH
    Cal- 335 PPM
    Mag- 1220 PPM

    Wow- cal is low. I figured as much. My PH has been on the high side and so I go back to the old trusted solutions. I re-read this great article by Randy http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry. It explains why my Alk and PH are so high. So the last 2 days I have added 2.5 tablespoons ...
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    Tank Entry , ‎ Water Chemistry
  4. Filter socks or no filter socks???

    Are filter socks worth having in a sump to catch what comes out of the drain line? My sump is running with a bio pellet reactor, reef octopus skimmer, phosban reactor, Refugium with LR, deep sand bed and cheato. Should I keep using the filter sock or run without it? Anyone with thought, I would like to hear them...
  5. Typhoon Time

    Today I decided to have a typhoon in my reef. I do this sometimes twice a year and IMO it is the main secret as to what has kept my tank going so long.
    I run a reverse undergravel filter like almost everyone on here! No? Oh I thought everyone did. In any case, this is what I do to keep the tank going. As you can see I have two diatom filters running at the same time. I could do it with one but it takes twice as long. A diatom filter removes anything smaller than a micron which is much ...
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    Random Thoughts