Marine Depot Forums / General Forums / Help Desk

is Kelly ok?

Reefski — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:21:25 GMT

i posted a question in her forum over a week ago and haven't had a reply yet.

Panworld 200ps Replacement parts

fishcrazy06 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:37:20 GMT

I have a panworld 200ps pump and the ceramic shaft is broke. I can't find anyone whom carries the parts for these. Do you happen to have them? Or know where to get them? The pump is no longer under warranty. Thank You.

eric

seachem phosguard

tang — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:47:57 GMT

I have been using Seachem Phosquard for my 55 gallon saltwater fish/reef tank and really love it. My question is, can it be renewed? Or is that a similiar product that works as well, that is not as expensive. I have tried the Kent Marine Phosphate Sponge and did not like it. I wondered if anyone has good luck with anything else. Thanks Guys

Solana 25 atotopoff does not drip

kyuss — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:12:30 GMT

Hello, I have a Solana 25, I love it except that the ato bottles in the back do not drip unless I shake the bottles. It is just a gravity drip but it seems like there is too much surface tension in the water to actually drip. Any ideas?

Peace Within The Reef

abccollects — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:10:39 GMT

I love my tank more then ever since I have been doing business with Marine Depot. I have a 300 Gallon Reef Tank and my coral just keep spawning and the equipment that I have selected through Marine Depot has taken my tank to the next level.

Thanks

Trace elements

skeeterdav2002 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:25:20 GMT

Just wanted to pick your brains for a second. What is the best trace element suppliments you have used and why?

Marine Depot Deal of the Day

argi — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:45:56 GMT

Make sure to check out Marine Depot's website everyday for their "Deal of the Day". The item on sale will change daily and once the day is over OR the item has sold out the deal is over for that day.

www.marinedepot.com

Question about CO2 systems...

nikonflash — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:45:51 GMT

I have four or five different species of FW plants in my 10 gallon tank and really wanted to get into aquascaping. I have seen alot of information about how CO2 systems can be pretty vital in having a really flurishing planted tank. Any suggestions on any systems? Or any good plant fertilizers?!

Thank you for the help! Love the site!!

General question about Wet/Dry trickle systems

iyaoyas75 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:52:12 GMT

I have a general question about trickle systems.

I was wondering if I should be using a canister with my trickle system. The only filter media that i have is located within the trickle system itself. Should i purchase a canister filter? Would this help with maintaining phosphate levels? My phosphate levels read zero.

I have a 75G tank and all my water levels meet the required levels. But i am still getting green hair algae developing in my tank.

Thanks for you help.

Chad

Aqua UV sterilzer

SD-Kid — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:53:48 GMT

so im new to the salty side of the hobby..... i recently set up a 135g tank and its been running for about 3 months.....

so ive been looking at the aqua uv sterilizer but dont know how big i need for my tank...

its a 135g tank

150lbs of Live Rock

how many watts, and what flow rate pump would i need??

a lilttle help will be great....

thanks....

Plecostmus in freshwater - How clean will they keep a tank?

River Fish Keeper — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:50:04 GMT

I'm building a big tank (718 gal) and am trying to make sure that I cover all the bases before I get to the point that I can fill this sucker with water. I am trying to reduce or eliminate completely the need for water changes. In this effort, I have added 2 filters to my plans, capable of filtering 1300 gallons combined. I will turn over the water once an hour with the filters and 7 times per hour with the circulation pump.

I know that algae is natural and required in some quantity for the health of a tank. I feel that I need to note that I am not building this tank specifically for viewing pleasure, but I would like to maintain a very clean tank for asthetics, as a byproduct of my engineering.

So therin lies the question, how well will Plecostmus maintain a tank of this size? I am thinking about starting with 3 6" Pleco's.

The tank will have a large limestone boulder (1-1/2' diameter) and the bottom structure will be limestone gravel and river rock. I will have a small pile of branches and a small brush pile anchored to the floor of the tank as well. It will also be planted with some of the native shallow water grass that is found in our area of the Mississippi.

As a side note, only one side of the tank is glass.

Any help would be appreciated.

River Fish Keeper

AquaC Skimmer issue

Buster — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:36:33 GMT

He all, I have an AquaC 180 Skimmer and it has never, about a year now, produced allot of skim. I would say that for the past 6 months I can't even adjust it to get the foam to raise up to the skim cup. I have the model with the Rio 3100 pump which is mounted in my sump in the same chamber as the skimmer. There is only about 12' of 3/4" hose from the pump to the fitting.

Any idea's ??

Thanks,
Mike...

new flow restrictor

skidazl — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:53:24 GMT

I just bought a new tfc membrane and moved from a 50 gpd to a 75 gpd with the recommendation from the tech guy at MD that it was very "simple". He made it sound like all I needed to do was pull off the old one and replace it with the new one, simple, right? Well, I pulled the JQ fittings that he mentioned and there is nothing that looks like the new restrictor they sold me. So, I have no idea what to do, and I can't get anybody on the phone with the tech department. Hopefully somebody here can help me. I was hoping to make some water today so any and all help is appreciated.

TIA,
Dave

Help!! High Nitrate levels

adrchan — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:42:37 GMT

I need help to bring down my nitrate level. Here's my tank profile (reef).

Tank: 120 Gallon

Filter: Wet/Dry filter (30 gal) with bioballs, Coralife Protein Skimmer (125 gallon max)

Lighting: 2X250 watt metal halide (on 8 hrs a day)

Live Rock: 80 lbs.

Water parameters: Ammonia = 0, Nitrite = 0, PH = 8.4, Nitrate = 120+

I've been doing weekly water changes (10%) but nothing seems to help. I'm about to do a 25% water change next week to see if this would help, but any other suggestion would be greatly appreciative. Green Algae have been blooming like crazy. I know wet/dry filters have been known to increase Nitrate levels but I was hoping to keep it under control with weekly water changes.

Current Nova Extreme

gtr — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:30:58 GMT

My fixture came like the tank, all used. This is I think an early version of the fixture.
4 x's 54w T5. Two switches and ballasts, separate fan cord and separate cord for the 4 leds.

I'd like to raise the fixture off the top of the tank but all 4 legs were broken off when I got it. Browsing the web it looks like they may have changed the design of the leg system but since I never saw anything but the broken pieces in their track I'm not sure.

I'm unable to find any model tag on the light just a warning label.

Any possibility of getting legs for this? It's difficult to light this 18" tank front to back with the fixture right on top of the tank

SteveU

PanWorld Pump spec question

JohnM99 — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 11:26:28 GMT

Can you help me understand the PanWorld Specs -
http://www.panworldamericas.com/PSseries.html
For the 250PS, for example, they list 3 different charts under the 60 Hz column - SG 1, SG2 and SG3 - and the charts show H, L or M.
Not sure what these mean.
I want to buy a backup to my 200PS - with a bit more flow - so I just wanted to compare the curves. I have about 18' height to work against.

Using Salifert kh/alkalinity Test kit

aravindk — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:01:50 GMT

I am having trouble in understanding the instructions for Salifert dkh/Alkalinity test kit:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~SF1123~idCategory~FITKAL~category~Alkalinity_(KH)-Test_Kits-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

First I used the low resolutions mode. Started with 2ml tank water and stepped through the instructions. I got a reading of 0.65. As per the chart the dkh shows 5.8 and Alkalinity is 2.06. Since I used the low resolution mode, I have to multiply the results by 2. So the final dkh should be 11.6 and Alkalinity 4.12. This does not make sense to me.

After browsing through several forums, a gentleman suggested to dilute the sample to get an accurate reading. This time I decided to use the high resolution mode. For the 4 ml sample, I used 1 ml of tank water and 3 ml of RODI water. Went through the instructions and the reading 0.76. According to the table that accompanied the test kit, the kh value is 3.8. Since I diluted it 1:3, I multiplied 3.8 and got a value of 15.2.

With no dilution, I got 11.6. With dilution I got 15.2. What is the right way to use this test kit?

Replacement API Test Tubes

TheKuhli — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:40:45 GMT

Does anyone know where to get replacement test tubes for API test kits or Marine Depot carry these in the near future? My cats decided to jump on the counter while the tubes were drying and they don't play well with tile floors... doh!!

The only place I've found them is here at pet mountain and I'd prefer to order them from my preferred retailer

bulkhead size for dart or snapper pump

Mr. Tang — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:05:42 GMT

Just like it says. Will a 1" bulkhead be OK for a Dart or snapper pump? I want to go bigger on my return pump. I currently have a little giant 4 mdq that pumps about 700 gph back to the tank. I have my Ca reactor connected to my return as well.

Thanks

Mike

Using Sodium thiosulfate with purigen

patrockp — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:17:43 GMT

I attempted to regenerate 2 of my purigen using a 1:1 bleach and RO/DI solution(nothing new here) a quick rinse with RO/DI, then put them into 2L of RO/DI with about 8ML of a 1 molar solution of sodium thiosulfate. it sat there in the 2L vessel for 2 days, when I saw that the media and H2O had turned a brown color. the media itself had the look of an exhausted media bag; the H2O had a slight brown tint. I normally use Prime to de-chlorinate, but......... Did I just trash my media?

Where to drill my 125 gallon for a sump set up?

sunkisd69 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:46:42 GMT

Hi I am upgrading my tank to a 125 gallon and I am gonna run a sump and gonna drill my tank. I took it to my local aquarium store and they want to know where I would like the holes? I was wondering if someone could give me some ideas as to where to place the inlet and outlet holes?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

Digital measurements?

inimical — Thu, 19 Feb 2004 17:27:00 GMT

I love my fish and want to treat them right with good water quality but I have two obstacles to overcome in that goal. The first is the frustration of using my first test kit which involved fooling around with tablets and vials. The trying to crush them up for proper mixing and readings is annoying at the least. What follows leads the the second and most painful hurdle. Being color blind, I have a very hard time trying to see if the color of the water matches anywhere on the chart I'm supposed to be comparing it to. I have been searching for information on the digital readers I've seen out there but finding meaningful information is proving harder than I expected. Has anyone had any first hand experience with these or any reccomendations for me? Any help would be appreciated.

power head anemone safe

macbro — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:39:45 GMT

is there any power head anemone safe,i have a koralia 3 but is a real mess to put a foam ,i had an accident 6 weeks ago the power head almos kill my bta anemone and i was wondering if someone has experience with a power head anemone safe? my tank is 125 gal with soft corals and my suviver anemone bta
gracias

Need clarification on MP10

jimpens87 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:42:50 GMT

I called Marine Depot yesterday and gave my information about the MP10 I had preordered. I was told that I was in the first batch to be sent out and that the pumps were received and would be sent out yesterday. As of today I still have not received any notification that the pump was sent out, so I contacted MD and was told that the pumps were not even received yet, can you please clear this up for me and let me know when the pump will be shipping.

calcium reactor

proangel2 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:14:52 GMT

I bought a second hand calcium reactor its a del-tec PF-509

it was lying up for a while so i put a new impeller and changed the seals (o rings)

i dont have a sump on my tank so i purchased a micro-jet pump to supply water to the reactor

connected everything up pluged in the pump on the reactor and its very very noisey

my question is will it quiet down

Custom Built sump blue print

code3 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:37:15 GMT

I am planning on building this as a sump and dont have that much experience with sumps. Would this be how i would set it up? The little black dots are bio balls.

Help with picking a protien skimmer

code3 — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:25:39 GMT

I currently have a "sea clone" protien skimmer and would like to get a new one but dont know what one is a good one to go with that is some what inexspensive. I have a 29 gallon tank with a10 gallon sump.

How much flow is needed

TimOHMD — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:33:29 GMT

Looking to see what/if any size model I would need in addition to the #2 (600gph) model currently in the 56g tank. thanks!

Hydor Koralia Circulation Pump/Powerhead UL

thanks!

Help* for qt tank

Joeman1881 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:45:47 GMT

I have a quarantine tank that I was using to keep my gobi alive while I was getting rid of the ich in my display tank. I just got a temini tang now, and want to treat him before he goes in the big tank. Unfortunately he is scared out of his mind, because I haven't put any rock in there. I have some nice dead coral that I have had in a sealed garbage can in my garage for about 8 months. It is clean, but I got it from a friend who bleached it before he gave it to me. Someone told me the bleach should have dissipated by now, but I dont know for sure. Should I do anything to this rock before I put it in my quarantine tank? I just want to do something quick before my tang dies, even though I am treating him for ich. From what I understand qt is supposed to be relaxing for them. Any advice?
Edit/Delete Message

Skimmer Problem eating fish food

Eleanor — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:50:44 GMT

I recently purchsed a new skimmer and a more powerful pump. The skimmer sucks in the food before the fish have a chance to eat. I am wasting a lot of food and the fish aren't getting to eat. What can I do? Need Help!

Skimmer

Eleanor — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:57:52 GMT

In previous topic on skimmer, this is a 600 gallon Koi pond in which the skimmer has been installed. Larger pump sucks fish food faster than fish can eat. I failed to mention that it ws an outside pond, not an acquarium. Sorry.

calcium reactor

reenoch — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:39:05 GMT

I am attempting to justfy spending 2-3 times cost for calcium reactor. coralife seems to have everything needed to complete my system(already have co regulator and controller). can anyone tell me what i am bringing home for and additional 150 to 300 $. I need more info than cheap. I will say the i have read concerns about leaking equipment even with the most expensive systems.

thnx

What to use to build your live rock around

sunkisd69 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:56:08 GMT

what should i use to build up my rock as a a canyon? I've heard of people using milk crates and building the rock up around it, is that safe? any help is appreciated.

Rose Anemone

idahodirtgirl — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:35:27 GMT

Hi, I have had my salt tank up and running, begining of 08'. Every one seems to be happy except for my anemone's. In the beginning I had a large rose that split offbut slowly faded awy til there was nothing left. I fed marine snow phyto-plankton. frozen copiapods,dried krill, 2 kinds of flake meat based and flora. i would think with all that diversity that their would =have been something that it picked up on. My rose lasted about 14 months. I have compact floresant lighting and everything is on timmers. The rose picked its spot and seemed happy for the longest time. last two months very unhappy. All the test levels are good and I am on a schedule for additives and water changes and filter cleanings. I just can't figure out what I did wrong. I still have a green bubbetip and awhite pinktip bubble-tip, which splite off about 13 months ago. Now they have shrunk in size and i fear that they will be heading the path,as my Rose, if I can't correct the problem. All corals and even sponges are good. I even have tunicates that just popped up with my button-polyps. If you could help me figure this out I would so appreciate it and My anemones,too.

Help algae

jjw1980 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:16:44 GMT

is there anything i can buy to eat this stuff it is has plagued my tank it grows so fast and spreds like wild fire any help here would be great here is a link to a pic of the algae
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaetomorpha

ReefKeeper Elite version

SimonSKL — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:22:26 GMT

I am thinking about purchasing a Reefkeeper Elite controller system from MD. I understand DA is now only selling version 2. Some retailers may still have version 1 in stock. I just want to make sure the one that you are selling is the latest version. Also which firmware is loaded in your stock unit? Thanks

Coralife aqualight question

naso tang — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:09:27 GMT

I've got a coralife aqualight mini (2 9W PC bulbs) that i bought about 7 months ago. One of the two bulbs was replaced within 2 months of purchase, and now one of the two bulbs goes out periodically (but comes back on if you shake the unit). I have a feeling that initial replacement wasn't therefore a bulb defect.

Is this a wiring problem, bulb problem, or ballast issue? The connectors for the bulb pins seem clean and tight, I'm not sure what the problem with this thing is...

Any guesses/suggestions? Probably time to change out the bulbs, but if the fixture isn't working, not really worth it.

Alkalinity

DEA — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:46:14 GMT

Hi everyone, I have a five year old tank with super high alk/calcium levels. LFS advised to do water change, which I have done. I've done a second since and have taken water sample to a second LFS. ALk=20, Cal=700+. Fish and coral look o.k. but 5 yr Sebae anemone is fading. I've stopped dosing A & B. What else can I do before my anemone dies and/or a precipitation occurs.

Schuran, why no north american support?

whatIgot — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:49:47 GMT

Would love to understand this from a retail perspective...
I have a Schuran pico reactor, a jetskim 120 and a Jetskim 150 and they are beautiful, functional and exceptionally well made.
why is there no support for it in North America?
too expensive for allow for profit?

Just trying to understand, as marine depots selection rivals anyone else out there and I would assume if anyone could shed some light on this, it would be someone here....

thanks kindly.

Eheim Pro Canister Filter leaking

SimonSKL — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:12:08 GMT

I just received this Eheim Pro II (2026) Canister Filter from MD yesterday. Half way into my installation I noticed one of the side panels got a deep gouge and scratches. When I looked at the packaging box, there was a big punching hole. The shipping box looked intact so it was not damaged by UPS, which delivered the package.

The deep gouge did not go all the way thru. I water tested the canister and there was no leak. I proceeded with the rest of installation. Everything was connected as per instructions. The unit is really quiet when running. This morning, the carpet that the filter is sitting on was all wet and the tank water level dropped by almost an inch. This is what I saw.

The water is seeping from where the power cord entering the top unit. I removed the media trays and leak tested the canister again thinking may be there was a hairline fracture somewhere but couldn't find any. I reattached everything and started the filter. An hour later, water started coming out of the hole where the power cord enters. Every place else looked dry and there is no leak at any of the external connections. But as I look into the top filter unit at the adaptor, I could see water inside. I don't think it is normal. I emailed customer service with these pictures and have yet to receive a response.

My questions are: Is it normal to have water inside the top filter unit? Is this unit damaged or defective? Are there some steps that I missed during installation? Should I return it? Is it something that I can fix easily? I never had a Eheim filter before and bought this because of its reputation and quality. I am somewhat disappointed Any help will be appreciated.