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Reef Keepers Frequently Asked Questions (Part 3 of 3)
Note: This header is copied into all three parts
(Well, more or less. Actually, this is a composite document written
by many folks. It contains information each participant felt was
basic information required for anyone considering maintaining a reef
tank. In reality, it's turned into a bit of a reference document.
Some of the information has been taken from public forums like the
Internet UseNet *.aquaria groups. Credit to the authors of such
information is given next to their contribution.)
Note that starting with 1.12, new and/or changed items are marked with
an "*" in the far left column.
*Release 1.12 - 17 Aug, 1994 (more corrections and minor area expansions)
Release 1.11 - 18 Apr, 1994 (some corrections and minor area expansions)
Release 1.10 - 9 Sep, 1993 (Significant additions to test kit and protein
skimming sections. Many spelling and grammar
corrections, some style and format alterations.)
Release 1.02 - September 1st, 1993 (Reorganized, split into 3 pieces)
Release 1.01 - July 1st, 1993 (First Public Release)
Release 1.00 - May 12th, 1993
*Copyright 1993, 1994, ReefKeepers, All Rights Reserved
ReefKeepers, for purposes of the copyright, is the group of authors
listed at the end of this 3-part document. Permission is granted for
it to be copied (unmodified) in either electronic or hardcopy form by
nonprofit organizations if it is copied in its entirety and used in
stand-alone form. This document may not otherwise be published,
posted, uploaded, replicated or copied by any method, electronic or
physical, without the explicit permission of ALL of the listed
contributors.
The authors of this document have kindly spent the time to bring you
their opinions. They are not liable in any form or fashion, nor are
their employers, for how you use this information. Their opinions
should not be construed as fact; don't blame them if your tank has
problems.
You may get a copy of this FAQ via FTP from the following sites:
percula.acs.uci.edu (128.200.34.15) /reefkeepers/faq
*ftp.cco.caltech.edu (131.215.48.151) /pub/aquaria/FAQfiles/Reefkeepers
/-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -/
Table of Contents
Basic Sections:
Part 1)
1.0 Water (Filters/Additives/Test Kits)
1.1 Source Water - City Mains Water Is Not Good Enough
1.1.1 Background
1.1.2 DI Filters
1.1.3 RO Filters
1.1.4 Further Comments About Water
1.2 Additives
1.3 Testable Parameters
1.3.1 Alkalinity
1.3.2 Calcium
1.3.3 pH
1.3.4 Nitrate (NO3)
1.3.5 Phosphate (PO4)
1.3.6 Specific Gravity
1.4 Water Changes
2.0 Filtration and Equipment
2.1 Live Rock
2.2 Protein Skimmers
2.2.1 Counter Current Air Driven Protein Skimmers
2.2.2 Venturi Protein Skimmers
2.2.3 Protein Skimmer Considerations
2.3 Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
2.4 Other Chemical Filter Media (X-Whatever)
2.5 Mechanical Filtration
2.6 Under Gravel Filters (UGF)
2.7 Reverse Flow UGFs (RUGF)
2.8 Trickle Filters
2.9 Algae Scrubbers (somewhat long)
2.10 Live Sand
3.0 Lights
* 3.1 General Discussion
* 3.2 Detail Discussion
* 3.3 Lighting Data
4.0 Cost Estimates
Part 2)
5.0 Stock
5.1 Common to Scientific Name Cross Reference
5.2 Coral Aggression Chart
5.3 Corals [Cnidaria (Anthozoa)]
5.4 Shelled Things
5.5 Algae
5.6 Possible Problems
* 5.7 Hermit Crabs
Part 3)
6.0 General Catalogs
7.0 Questions and Answers
8.0 Book Review
9.0 Useful Tables
10.0 Credits
=========================================================================== ==
6.0 General Catalogs
Here is a list of non-aquarium related catalogs that have items
that may be of use to the serious aquarist and DIYer.
Ayn Plastic 1-800-431-2451
A nationwide plastic supplier. They have about a dozen outlets
and also ship orders. The catalog contains info and specs on many
types of plastics that are useful for DIY aquarium projects. They have
a $50 minimum order.
C.F. Bowman & Co.
38 Addington Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
PH (908) 390-6436
FX (908) 390-6438
C.F. Bowman & Co. I heard of by e-mail, but I later noticed their ad in
FAMA. Their prices on acrylic tubing look very good, at least; a 60"
long 6" od 1/8" wall clear cast acrylic tube is $35.75, which is about
60% of what I paid. I didn't find extruded tube, but they do say to call
for items not listed. They are ostensibly wholesale only, so you may
need to give a company name. They also have a $50 minimum order.
C and H Sales Company
P.O. Box 5356 2176 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91117-9988 Pasadena, CA 91107
(213) 681-4925 (LA)
(818) 796-2628 (Pasadena)
(800) 325-9465
C & H sells a wide collection of surplus and used equipment, ranging from
fans, blowers, pumps (water, air, and otherwise), electronic components,
motors (ac, dc, gearhead, stepper), solenoids, laboratory glassware, chart
recorders, and tools through stranger things like gyrocompasses and a bit
of defense electronics. Prices vary but are often quite good. For those
in Southern California, their store has lots of odd items in quantities too
small to include in the catalog.
Cole-Palmer 1-800-323-4340 or 708 647-7600
A huge catalog of test equipment and related industrial hardware.
Like Markson, much is beyond the need and budget of a hobbiest
but much is not.
Grainger Industrial 1-800-323-0620
A nationwide chain of wholesalers of industrial needs. They have
many stores in most states. There is probably one near you. They
have a huge catalog of all sorts of things for DIYers, float-switches,
ballasts, tools, you name it. They are a wholesaler so they
technically won't sell to individuals. If you walk in (they have
a counter just like any retail hardware store) and pay cash and give
the name of a local company, they will sell to you. They just need
to have the name of a company to put on the invoice because legal,
they are a wholesaler. You don't need a tax number when you are
paying cash. You can just go in and give them the name of the
company where you work. It is probably a good idea to call ahead and
see if the item you want is in stock.
Hach - Products for Analysis 1-800-227-4224
A catalog of testing items. This is the next step if you want
better test kits than best kits normally available to hobbiest
(like Lamotte). Many of their products are not beyond the budget
of a serious hobbiest. The also carry chemistry hardware like
glassware.
Herbach and Rademan 1-800-848-8001
A miscellaneous junk catalog with all sorts of electronic, mechanical,
and pumping widgets and other gadgets. Also, surplus junk like
power supplies.
A catalog of a variety of scientific equipment, mostly chemistry related.
Many of their items are well beyond the need and budget of hobbiest but
much of it is not.
The Surplus Center 1-???-???-????
Another miscellaneous junk catalog with much the same stuff as H&R.
United States Plastic Corp.
1390 Neubrecht Rd.
Lima, Ohio 45801
1-800-537-9724
US Plastics sells a large selection of basic materials, plus an equally
large assortment of various manufactured items made of plastic and some
related items like fluid pumps. A few of the less common items which
come to mind are clear pvc, plastic tanks up to a few thousand gallons,
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene stock, flexible impeller pumps,
and plastic welders. Of special interest to the diy'er would be items
like the thickened acrylic cement (IMHO required for the best and
strongest watertight acrylic joints), their rod, pipe, tube, and sheet
stock in pvc and acrylic (where else do you find clear sheet pvc, or
90 degree sweep fittings for lower backpressure?), and the large food-
quality drums for storing RO/DI water and mixed saltwater. The fun of
finding stuff you didn't know existed shouldn't be under-rated, either.
7.0 Some Questions and Answers
Q: Can I do this cheaply?
A: No, relative to a similar size fish-only tank. (See cost estimate
section)
Q: What if all I want to keep is Anemones?
A: Water quality requirements drop some (Nitrates should remain under
20ppm NO3-).
Q: What are good test kits?
A: Tetra Hardness
Hach Nitrate, Calcium, Iron, Phosphate - (303) 669-3050
LaMotte Phosphate
Hach Test kit details:
Calcium: Cat. No. 1457-01, Model HA-4P, $47.50, 100 test
Dilute your sample 2:1 (Distilled:Saltwater).
Each drop of titrant will equal 24mg/l of Ca++.
Dilution saves titrant, and yields clearer results
with sufficient accuracy.
Iron: Cat. No. 22993-00, Model IR-21, $57.50, 100 test
Very important if Macro Algae growth of primary interest.
Nitrate: Cat. No. 14161-00, Model NI-14, $42.50, 50 test
Suggest ordering Saltwater reagent, Cat. No. 20761-99, $18.50
for 100 test.
Phosphate: Cat. No. 2248-00, Model PO-19, $54.50, 100 test
This test is 2.5 times more sensitive than the LaMotte
test. The Hach is rated down to 0.02ppm, the LaMotte 0.05ppm.
Silica: Cat. No. 22550-00, Model SI-7, $72.50, 100 test
Not tested by any of the authors of this FAQ. Mentioned
due to its availability and track record of Hach kits.
Q: What about cheaper kits?
A: Kordon Ammonia, Nitrite, low-end Nitrate not bad for gross measurement,
will need Hach Nitrate after water is in proper pollution range.
Q: Which Salt Mix is best?
A: Instant Ocean works for many.
Reef Crystal has had reported problems.
Tropic Marin recommended by some.
Coralife dissolves fast, can sometimes be found
...
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