new to reef, first reef tank!

[TheReefGeek]

Nah, you can't be annoying, we like answering questions!

[Raf]

neat idea. Thanks for sharing

[kwirky]

rearranged the liverock... again. Luckily the little bits of sponge that were just starting to form on the rocks didn't really die off. Two days now and still no spikes in water quality. Everything's at undetectable. Gold's said the liverock was already cured. I'm getting one or two cerith snails tomorrow because the diatoms are getting unsightly and I don't want to wait a couple weeks for them to go away.

On another note, I've switched to RO water for my water changes. A place just 3 blocks away from my house opened up that gives 5 gallon refills for $2. Quite affordable for now ($8 a month) until I get myself an in-home RO unit. I'm still following my 4 gallons per week water changes. Theoretically in 2.5 months I'll have cleared out the tap water.

I've begun looking for 70w DE MH lighting too. I'm sure the aqualight mini fixtures aren't enough light, and putting two more on would crowd the top and give no room for my moonlight.

oh anyone have any experience with hermit crabs?

[TheReefGeek]

I would put a couple hermits in because I think they are so much fun to watch, but they do tend to kill snails for their shells, or even just to eat. To me it is worth having a few. Make sure there is a variety of empty shell sizes in your tank for the hermits to grow into.

[danny zubot]

Very cool idea. If it were my tank I would use the sump side as a refugium, and keep the whole thing lit. Some macro algae and live rock on the sump side will cover up any equipment nicely.

[Midknight]

Orrr.... Take the Sump portion and split it length wise and hid the equipment in the back part.
Water would flow from tank into sump, into refugium back into main portion.
How's that sound?

[danny zubot]

How many ways can you split a 33? Thats the question.