xeus_blackcity

Mechanical filtration: Many people use mechanical filtration (most common being filter socks in sump) but its just personal preference. When I had HOB filter in my 20 gallon reef, I used a sponge in it. But when I moved to 70 gallon with sump, the mechanical barrier caused problems with water level in the sump so I removed it. Sponges/floss/filter socks just add a layer of extra source of removing detritus but also adds a very strict maintenance schedule (clean every 2/3 days). About the pieces of live rock, many people use it in sump/filters just like ceramic blocks. Gives greater surface area for bacteria to grow and work. Protein skimmer: Possibly the most debated topic in salty side. It all depends on what sort of tank you tank and how often you are ready to do water change. For my 20 gallon, I didn't use protein skimmer for like 6 months till I started noticing that my water change was not keeping up the health of the system (it had 50+ corals and 8 fishes) so I added a skimmer. There are many systems, both big and small, which don't use skimmer and are equally beautiful. If you want to put a skimmer in your 35 gallon, I would say go for AquaC remora or reef octopus. Deltec are the best but are extremely expensive. Water: Some people say RODI is a MUST but not necessarily. Its just that tap water has a very high variability from season to season. Its not just the phosphate that can feed algae but many other sources, like silicate. RODI just makes sure that nothing bad gets into the water. Its not a mandatory thing (again, I ran my 20 gallon using tap water) but its just an insurance. Mandarines need food almost whole day. Many can get them to eat frozen food but again, they make sure that food is almost always available to them. Captive bred are very expensive. If you really want one, start the tank, add pods, wait for 6 months or something, see if you have pods all over the tank, go to LFS and see if the mandarine eats frozen and buy. Its not impossible but its hard.

Oh the trimming shouldn't be a problem By the set and forget, I meant I want to have enough time to enjoy it instead of keeping up with maintenance like daily water change and stuffs. Trimming would be a fun part And thanks for the advice on power sand.

Thanks for the great advice I was hoping to use ADA substrate only (rest of the stuffs will be DIY/other brands). Heard that ADA substrate is 2nd to none and grows plant really really fast. Suits me since I am an impatient person :P And for the plants, I will definitely be using HC cuba for the carpet and possibly will place something long/red at the background. Really don't know much about the types of plant other than HC :$

Hello, I am Raied and I have been into saltwater for the past year. Before that, I have had freshwater tank for like 12 years (goldfish tanks :P) but have never looked into planted tanks. Recently, iwagumi got my attention and have started to sort things out to build a pico (5 gallon) iwagumi. I am thinking of going ADA for substrate since I really don't want to spend much time on this tank (the reef tank takes enough time of mine :P). I want a set and forget type iwagumi. So let me start off with few questions. Pardon me for being ignorant. 1. Is power sand absolutely necessary?? The bag seems to be very big and would be a waste to buy for such small tank. 2. Will 1 ecoxotic freshwater module be enough for this tank (possibly 12"x8"x8")? 3. What is the best (and least expensive) source of ADA product in Calgary? Thanks in advance Oh, here's a FTS of my reef tank:

Hello everyone, I was just wondering whether there is any local fish store/breeder in Alberta who sells Dwarf seahorse. I am planning to start a dwarf seahorse aquarium (prefer the dwarf ones because they are cheap and needs less space ) but non of the stores seems to house the dwarfs. All they have are the bigger ones (kuda/reidi/tiger tail) and they are just too expensive for me So can anyone please help me out with this? Thanks

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I was thinking of getting a triops starter kit but don't know where I can find it. Can someone please let me know where they sell it in Canada (specifically Calgary). Thanks.