[smidoid]

OK. Couple of questions.

1. Which is best "automatic" reverse or manual (on a timer)
   1. Should the timer switch the morning, daylight, evening lamps?
   2. Are separate light temperatures beneficial?
   3. How long should those lamps light for?
2. Since this affects Redox (which I still can't get to grips with! ) how is the Ecosystem affected when you leave the lights on all the time to stop the caulerpa going bang!
3. Can someone please explain (preferably in small words) what the devil this redox is all about.

[sihaya]

In chemistry Redox is short for Reduction-oxidation. It's a type of reaction in which one compound loses electrons to another.

What does it mean in the reef aquarium hobby? I have no idea. My guess is that it's just a fancy way of talking about the bicarbonate buffer and dissolved gases... but I really don't know.

I have a reverse photoperiod refugium. It's pretty simple... about 1/2 hour after the MH on the display goes off, the refugium light kicks on. The actinic stripe light I use for "dusk and dawn" and for aesthetics on the main tank goes off 1/2 hour after the refugium light comes on. In the morning, the refugium light does out 1/2 hour before the MH light comes on. And so the cycle continues...

I have thing set up this way because 1) my tank is algae and xenia (and water change) filtered, and 2) I was inspired by Borneman's 2005 IMAC lecture on oxygen levels in reef tanks dropping drastically at night and that this could be remedied with a reverse photoperiod refugium.

[smidoid]

Originally Posted by sihaya

In chemistry Redox is short for Reduction-oxidation. It's a type of reaction in which one compound loses electrons to another.

Ok - that's already more than I knew! Didn't make college chemistry! :slap:

Originally Posted by sihaya

I have a reverse photoperiod refugium.

That's what I'm leaning towards right now. I would read up some more, but boy, my head really hurts and the Veganin isn't touching it.

Eeeeenyway... So (as a matter of interest) can I assume you're using a standard T5 in the fuge? I can get daylight T5s but they're expensive and I can't see the point for a bit of algae!

I'm also assuming you grow some sort of algae in the fuge. I think it was Ninong who suggested spaghetti alga. Any thoughts? If I use Caulerpa on a day/night photoperiod (and IIRC) there's a good chance it will go nova and poison the tank.

[sihaya]

You don't need a fancy light for the 'fuge. I have a 65watt PC light from coral-life that was a bit over priced, but I liked the little "extras" it came with. My refugium is only 29g though (display is 65g).

Don't use caulerpa... it can do some nasty things when it goes sexual. Get some Cheatomorpha (the stuff that looks like a brillopad or a ball of spagetti). I also have xenia in my 'fug just for fun. I have mangroves too, but not for nutrient export. They just make for very aesthetically pleasing "baffles" to hold the macro-algae down.

[smidoid]

Originally Posted by sihaya

Don't use caulerpa... it can do some nasty things when it goes sexual. Get some Cheatomorpha (the stuff that looks like a brillopad or a ball of spagetti). I also have xenia in my 'fug just for fun. I have mangroves too, but not for nutrient export. They just make for very aesthetically pleasing "baffles" to hold the macro-algae down.

Yeah. That's what I meant by caulerpa going "nova".

Xenia in the fuge?! You flash bugger! Can't even see my fuge - it's hidden in the cupboard [not that anyone would want to see it - it's the glass version of a DIY rubbermaid tub.]

Looks like Cheatomorpha is the way to go - all I gota do now is find someone who sells it round my way!

[sihaya]

"flash bugger?!" what the heck is that?! rofl

If you ask me, xenia *belong* in a refugium. I have some in my display and they can get to be a real pain once they get goin'.

But my 'fuge is just like another tank to me (except it has no fish). It's in plan view and I try to keep it clean. I think it's really pretty actually. It has a lot of mysis shrimp too, which are pretty fun too watch sometimes.

[c04r4l0v3r]

heres a web site that sells cheatomorpha....www.drfosterandsmith.com hope this helps
Brian

[smidoid]

"Flash bugger" is an odd expresion we Brits use to express a couple of different feelings (depending on the occasion). In one, it's a derogatory or contemptuous remark made about (or to) members of the nouvo riche (fr. new rich) who are vulgar with their use of money: flash cars, gross jewelry (a.k.a. bling) and badly coordinated designer gear. I might say that Anna Nichole Smith is a flash bugger in this sense, although I would probably be rather less polite!

In the other use it's a exclamation to imply one is impressed by something - your display in this case. It's rather crude really, but it's geniuinely meant as positive exclamation. You get the idea better when it's used in spoken English. Hence the "winky" following. As a typical Brit I won't normally insult someone in public - better to say nothing at all than say something crass or derogatory.

I really wish I had a fuge like yours but mine is more of a "fudge*" than a fuge.

* Fudge: Chiefly Brit. slang relating to something that is botched or cobbled together. A cock-up, blunder or mess.

[smidoid]

Originally Posted by c04r4l0v3r

heres a web site that sells cheatomorpha....www.drfosterandsmith.com hope this helps
Brian

Thanks Brian - but that link's going to one of those awful portal sites. Strewth, I hate it when people hijack other people's websites! Don't suppose you would be kind enough to check it for me?

Thanks

UPDATE: found it! http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

Easy to see how these *!?££*#! hijackers get people to make these mistakes.

[sihaya]

Originally Posted by smidoid

"Flash bugger" is an odd expresion we Brits use...

I think this may in some ways be like the American term of "tool"... it's not exactly the same, but it brings up some of the same images. Like Ann Nicole Smith for one is also a "tool"... annoying rich people are usually tools too. Toolish-ness is rarely impressive though... it's closer to the term "sell-out" actually, though with a twist. It's more or less when someone thinks they're all-that for some stupid reason and then becomes annoying as a result.

* Fudge: Chiefly Brit. slang relating to something that is botched or cobbled together. A cock-up, blunder or mess.

Interesting... here, "fudge" is often a censored version of the more popular and vulgar F word with a delitefully vast array of uses and connotations. ;-)

[smidoid]

Originally Posted by sihaya

Interesting... here, "fudge" is often a censored version of the more popular and vulgar F word with a delitefully vast array of uses and connotations. ;-)

I knew a song about that ... or was it a monologue! I think it was the Monty Python team who did a bit on that word. Here's a bit of triva for you:

It derives from a German word meaning "to strike" - hence the name Fokker - or Striker. (Gives a whole new meaning to a striker in a soccer game!)

I was also the butt of very, very rude joke (about WWII dogfighting) that went out LIVE on Brit TV and virtually ended the presenter's career: his show was cancelled because of it. I won't repeat it here, but, damn it was funny! If you've got the stomach for such things, you can read the joke here:

http://www.criticalmiss.com/issue9/p...terpilot1.html

Enjoy.

[smidoid]

As an aside - yes, Tool will do! ;-)

And this Xenia thing - they give me the creeps anyway - all that pulsing and throbbing. <shudders>

[zhenya]

Marc, and Sara... you guys are killing me.... who needs colledge to learn proper use of english language...

As far as fuge, or fudge, or whatever it is, you can light it with a simple grow-light for plants(fluorescent or otherwise). You can basically rig up a fixture using something from your hardware store, I use a clip-on light that construction workers use with a fluorescent screw-in bulb to save on electrisity... It works and my Chaetomorpha grows like mad( even in the dark ).

Now Marc, speaking about soccer...what's up with your home team? They looked awful the last time I saw them play.... Of course, Chelsea is the team to reckon with this year, the red devils had no chance at all... :slap:

[smidoid]

I've no idea about soccer mate! In fact, I found their trouncing at the hands of an "inferior" side rather satisfying (though sad for the supporters). These guys the overrated and overpaid product of mass hysteria when the people who really make the world tick, the true heros - Einstein, Darwin, Dawkins, Sagan and others go almost unnoticed.

[sihaya]

I agree... sports "heros" never did it for me either. These huge athletes with their super models just make me shake my head. I'd take brains over brawns any day.

[sihaya]

Oh and yeah... what Gene says about the hardware lights is true. I did that at first too. But since mine is out on display, it started to look a little tacky and kinda like I was growing weed or something. lol

[smidoid]

I can never imagine you growin' weed Sar - you're far too young for that sort of thing!

I got the lamp today as suggested: it's called a bulkhead lamp - I assume that's what Gene meant. My fuge is basically enclosed so the last thing I need is for condensate to form in the bulb in fry me! :slap:

As for heros, I can never decide if mine is Richard Dawkins or Carl Sagan - my latest book follows on from one of Sagan's last titles; but I've got writer's poverty now, so it's on hold!

[sihaya]

Originally Posted by smidoid

I can never imagine you growin' weed Sar - you're far too young for that sort of thing!

Too young my arse! But you're right about the weed at least... not my drug of choice.

I got the lamp today as suggested: it's called a bulkhead lamp - I assume that's what Gene meant. My fuge is basically enclosed so the last thing I need is for condensate to form in the bulb in fry me! :slap:

Yeah, be carefull. I've gotten some nasty shocks from this hobby... and nearly got electrocuted when my MH ballast got drenched in water while I was standing next to it. Thank god for the ground fault circuit interupter!

As for heros, I can never decide if mine is Richard Dawkins or Carl Sagan - my latest book follows on from one of Sagan's last titles; but I've got writer's poverty now, so it's on hold!

Well, Eric B's my hero... I love that guy. Darwin rocked too though. I don't know much about Sagan, but I've heard he's cool too. Some of my favorites are the less famous ones though... like the doctors who personally eradicated small pox. There are some amazing people out there who are just wicked smart with incomprehensible fearlessness and guts. It's amazing.

[smidoid]

You are too young so! My age is yours in reverse... ;0) I can remember those days. LOL

Eric B? Don't know him - can you elucidate please?

Sagan's a master. One of his last books, The Demon Haunted World is a must read for anyone with a interest in real (measurable) truth and the lengths people go to to prevent it getting out.

[sihaya]

Haha.. you don't know who Eric Borneman is? How long have you been in this hobby? He's the rock-star of reefing!

And well, I turn 25 next month, is that old enough? lol