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#1
10-30-2010, 09:13 PM
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The covering was a great idea i thought aswell
But in this article, it say's not to cover FW planted tanks because plants start to USE oxygen when they don't have light. Since coral uses photosynthesis aswell, could be the same issue on a heavy stocked SPS tank? http://www.peteducation.com/article....+2154&aid=2402 Heat probably would be more important in calgary's -20 winters :S, and oxygen would have to made up elsewhere.
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My 150 In Wall Build 
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#2
10-30-2010, 09:22 PM
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I have a power ups unit that I bought from Cdn tire and its amazing I have my vortech plugged into it. and that is it. i can go for 8 hours on a full charge. its a 400w unit and for a SW tank you need is water movement as long as the top surface has a break in it you are good to go.
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180 starfire front, LPS, millipora Doesn't matter how much you have been reading until you take the plunge. You don't know as much as you think.
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#3
10-31-2010, 02:58 AM
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I have a battery powered air pump and a generator for power outages. The longest I've been without power I believe was 6 hours, temperature didn't drop that much in that time and I have no idea whether the air pump was truly effective but it made me less stressed. I usually crank out the airstone right away (or in the case of the middle of the night, as soon as I figure out that power is out). I find it funny that in the last 2 or 3 years I've had the generator we haven't even had a blip in power and its still in the box. Not that I'm dying to use it or anything but I guess with Murphys Law if I didn't have it I'd end up screwed.
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Christy's Reef Blog My 180 Build Every electronic component is shipped with smoke stored deep inside.... only a real genius can find a way to set it free.
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#4
10-31-2010, 04:39 AM
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Aha... this is a clue.... surface break is good....
OK, now I'm getting a handle on the oxygen exchange question... Perhaps it really doesn't take much to keep a saltwater tank oxygenated. I was looking for known numbers but now that I think of it....
I run a 900 gallon Shubunkin pond in my back yard and every spring just plug in a not-too-fancy pump that only pushes 600gals per hour... It is just enough to keep pond/filter circulating with water surface agitated ever so slightly and the water (thawed out, semi-stagnant, slop from last year) is always fresh n' fish ready in less than a day... hmmm... could it be thaaaat simple? And yes, Calgary has extreme (can go as low as -40C) cold some days with fluctuations that boggle the mind during winter... I definitely would go for insulating sides of tank because of our wacky weather patterns but am no longer considering covering top of tank... even if my corals shrink in the cold LOL! Sooooooo... that's good news for nano keepers... you don't need a monster gen' to keep things going... just have a good pile of batteries on hand and you're good to rock... or, roll a couple small waves sporadically!    Thanks everyone for sharing! Bunny
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#5
10-31-2010, 03:57 PM
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Great thread and articles.
Questions though: what would you keep plugged into the UPS system? I would maybe: a heater, and my return pump/ Aqualifter for my overflow. Figure that it would keep the oxygen going. The unit that I am keeping an eye on for sale is 400W. Or should I just plug in a single power head or two (btw, it's a mixed reef 130g)
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