Blog Comments

You will need to get a seperate timer for every device you want to control. Another option and in my opinion better option is to get a controller. A basic controller which controll all of your lights and then some. There are many different options and prices ranging from $99-$499.

Thanks Douwant2play, they are and look awesome. They feel at home already. They were in different tanks when I got them, but in my tank they hang together. The scopas found a cave that he likes to go in too. My tanks is starting to grow a lot of purple coraline also.

those are some beautiful fish!

Thanks Upster, I have a 29 gallon. I know that they get pretty big and if need be, the LFS said they would take them back. Hopefully I will get a large tank by that time.

Those are great picks! What size tank are they in?

Yeah, I have the square pins. I was going to post.."How do you take the bulbs out". haahhah But my wife got it. It's crazy that you can't change just one of the bulbs. oh well, hopefully my son will come today to bring me to the LFS, he came in from offshore last night. Thanks for the info Meley.

It is very important to ascertain is they are Square Pin or Straight Pin.

Square pin are configured like this - ::
Straight pin are configured like this - . . . .

They are somewhat fragile, so take your time removing them. Press apart the metal retaining clip on the bulb end, then lift the bulb upward slightly. This will assist in releasing the plastic end from the socket. The bulb and plastic end should come out as one piece, and then you'll see the pins I was describing.

Thanks Phil, I was wondering exactly what they were. Yeah, when I had my tank set up before the corals did fine, they were growing nicely. Thanks for the link also.

Those are Power compact fluorecents (PC's). The wattage should be on the base, if not you can tell by the length. The blue is what's called an Actinic. You can buy them as 50/50's meaning half the light is daylight colored the other half is actinic. There are 2 base configureations, both with 4 pins each. One in a square arrangement the other with them all in a line.

They're OK, you can raise corals with them, I did for a few years. They tend to be hot compared to other fluorescents, even the T5 High Outputs, so have a short life span. And the available color spectrums is pretty limited. Best source I've found for them is www.ahsupply.com they also sell the best retrofit kits, with the best reflectors I've ever seen for PC's. I still use PC's over my freshwater plant tank.

Not sure, I'll have to check that out.

Yeah I could not catch him wth the net, still had to many rocks in tank. I cornered him; can't tell how long I was trying to catch him using the net

You caught him with your hand? That's great. LOL

I don't know. What does it feel like? How does it respond to any type of contact?

Yeah, my sis came and got him to bring him back.

you should take it to an LFS. Waco isn't too far from me, but I only have a 5.5 gallon.

Ok, it is like redish in color though..just odd looking if it is a sponge..I don't know.

Ok, yeah it improved a lot with the skimmer. Thanks

That black stuff may have small holes or a few obvious siphons extended. If it does, it could be a type of sponge nicknamed Turkey Liver. I've got some in my tank, and while it doesn't go crazy, it can overgrow nearby corals. Keep an eye on it, and if you see it getting too close in proximity, peel away whatever you deem necessary.

Catch your fish yet?

With a skimmer, particulates stick to the bubbles and are pushed up into the collection cup. The water's clarity should be improved.

Thanks joncd for the info!