OnlyGenusCaps

Yes, I've been considering that for a build I'm planning (custom tank and taking forever to get here!). But because the tank would be for Rift Lake cichlids, I ultimately decided not to pursue it as I suspect their digging would result in anything that settled out being resuspended with multiple chances to make it through the overflow. I think that it's decent idea for sand though! Obviously it's pump driven and not air, but as long as the sand is course this could work. An extreme flow version of water through a sand base is what pool filters do after all. I still suspect the sand would need to be fairly course, #20 screen or larger, or the water would form channels over time as the path of least resistance. And if the tank is planted it might be best to stick to epiphytes like anubias and java fern. Then there would be no concern about roots clogging. I can imagine an Amazon sword clogging any UGF in short order.

I think UGF work great! I've used them extensively in the past (don't have any currently as I am a bit obsessed with sumps at the moment). I have some pretty elaborate setups where UGF was the main show for nitrification. That said, my one fail at it was with too fine of sand. I knew it immediately. There was no flow coming out of the lift tubes (I always filled to just under the tubes when doing initial fill and then water changes to make sure I was getting good flow). With sand I think it was like trying to suck a thick milkshake through a straw. It might have worked better with a powerhead, but mine were all air driven. Just a cautionary tale from a failed sand-UGF combo. I'm not saying it absolutely can't work. Just that I didn't manage it.

Well, problem solved. Turns out with the application of a set of large plumbing pliers when properly applied shatters the nozzle. Quite effective. However, if you intend to apply this approach I'd suggest eye protection. Be warned. Rather surprised me.

Does anyone have any tips to disassemble Loc-Line? I'm trying to change the nozzle out for a different style. Their tool is useless. I'm about ready to cut the thing off with my Dremel tool. But, I'd love a better way, that has a lower likelihood of damaging the rest of the assembly. Thanks!

I liked your post pre-edit better. At least what I saw of it in the preview alert. I was looking forward to discussing this with you. Again from the preview it seemed as though you disagreed with me, and were super respectful. I'd always chat with someone like that. Sorry you decided it wasn't worth it or too risky. But if you do want to have the chat, and don't think it will fly on the open forum (though I suspect there would be much for the casual observer to learn from such a discussion), then feel free to PM me. I'd say for the invasives at least, I see this as a bit more nuanced. There are cases where species have out competed native fish, or interbred with them. And you can have predators tear through a population and wipe it out. There are, after all, other often more resistant species out there for them to prey upon after the sensitive ones are gone. But, I do agree that people tend to take a "side" and then see the entire world through that lens. I fully understand CITES (I'm a CITES permit holder and have colleagues who determine threat level for the IUCN), and I tend to agree that the Asian arowana thing is a bit perplexing under the current set of circumstances. Perhaps that one of the more challenging things about conservation legislation and laws - they tend to to be highly responsive to changes as they occur, either to protect when there are new threats, or pull back when the threats diminish.

I've never run into issues. I use male Endler's as dithers and for fish in cycling. They don't seem to argue with each other more than when the ladies are present. In some cases they almost seem to sulk a bit, like a bunch of guys who got into the club only to realize it's just other dudes in there. I also give away groups of males to kids starting tanks. They love them, and the parents don't have to deal with a booming fish population. If you know someone with Endler's, they'll likely have a few males they might even be willing to part with.

Just get male Endler's then. All the color, none of the babies.

That's a great point! Those are basically the two categories of concern. I find aspects about each category curious. For the native rare species, it's odd to me that the officials essentially take the stance of, "Well we don't want you guys keeping and breeding them." "So you don't want more of them?" "Of course we want more of them, they are endangered!" "But letting people breed them would ensure there are more of them." "Sure, but not in their native habitat." "True, better they thrive in nature. What's the major threat to their survival?" "Habitat loss. And it's almost gone!" "🙄" Endangered plants by contrast are not entirely illegal to own. I've done the federal paperwork for clubs so they can sell them across state lines even. It keeps poaching down to make them available. The feds don't want those plants back near the native populations, which makes perfect sense. But they let people keep them. For the potentially invasive, I think it's odd that everyone is very concerned right up to the point where fishing could be impacted. I mean if you can pull it out of the water with a hook in its mouth it can't possibly be a "problem" species, right? "Sport fish" have been, and continue to be, introduced all the time. They are often, by any objective measure, invasive. They push out native species, change the communities/ecosystems, and their populations will never diminish because your tax dollars go to ensuring there is a steady stream of them available for people to pull out of the water. I live fairly near the Great Lakes which have suffered from both accidental and purposeful invasions to the point where they are massively modified and will never return to their former conditions. I like to tell colleagues at DNR and FWS that we may as well introduce interesting things at this point. I'm advocating for Baikal seals! I mean if sport fish are justified by the tourism dollars so too can the seals be. 😁

For me it depends. Some things get whatever flakes are on hand and they're great on that - think Endler's and little fish like that. For the mbuna tank I am putting together I have more extensive plans. I'm sort of making my own Repashy. I want them on a nearly vegan diet, and to avoid krill at all costs. For my forthcoming Tangs, I'll be doing frozen of various stuff and some high quality pellets. For them I'd like to do some live stuff too, but I just don't have a great spot or system of that right now.

Awesome build! Just because no one else mentioned this, keep the RO filter out of the light. Those cylinders can grow algae so fast! Particularly the first sediment filter stage before stuff is really being removed. I made the mistake of just hanging it up near grow lights in a carnivorous plant room and it was a mess to maintain. Now, I always try to warn others.

Well, it appears Cory's nearmy (that would be nerm army) is quite effective! Although it seems one person is not happy the definition is shifting. This was funny and fun! Thanks everyone!

I've enjoyed Jason of Jason's Cichlids on YT.

Well it's at 27 and the top definition! Seems Cory has a few more friends he could ask than I could. 🤔 Also, I forgot to tell you @Hobbit, I really liked the examples you came up with there!

I'm still seeing it as the fifth definition. But we are up to 14 votes. For folks who don't know, you don't need to log on to anything to give the definition a thumbs up. Just go to the link and clikc the thumbs up. That's the full commitment and effort. https://my.urbandictionary.com/author.php?author=Hobbit22

I searched for "nerm" on UD. It's on there, definition number 5 currently and has 3 votes already. I think we can do better! You are a hero @Hobbit! Plus I've bookmarked your link above, and now whenever asked I, or anyone here, can just link to the page rather than a 2 hour live stream. Easier to find that way. I don't know why I am so excited about this, nor why I find it so funny. But I am enjoying it thoroughly!

Oh, don't google it! At least not until it is fixed. 😉 I don't think the admins here have any control over it. The idea of Urban Dictionary is that absolutely anyone can add a slang term. There is nothing "official" about any of the definitions there. It's just a popularity contest. Although, it is a bit of a go to for slang, so carries the weight of popularity.

Someone should get over to Urban Dictionary and make it official, and aquarium specific! Then post about it on the forum so we can all up-vote it. The top on currently only has 21 votes as of today. We could make this the official definition of the term. Plus, then people could just link to that when they ask questions like I did. Just a thought. I just tried to do so with this definition: "A normal or typical person who completely nerds out when it comes to aquariums or fishkeeping. Coined by Cory McElroy of Aquarium Co-Op in a live stream on YouTube on 19 October 2020. The term has rapidly spread in usage across the aquarium hobby and is now frequently encountered in a number of aquatic hobby contexts." Unfortunately, you have to log in with another type of account like FB, which I don't have. But someone with the right sort of social media account could... Just say'n.

So, I have seen several people post here calling folks "nerms". In my experience this is not a term one would want to be called, ever. Indeed, most would describe it as inflammatory. However, here it all seems friendly in context. So, can someone tell me what this term means in this forum as it is used here? Thanks!

PM'd!

I'm jealous! I always say "I need more boaty friends!" I've only sailed once. Out the Golden Gate and back in around Alcatraz. Best morning ever! Now I live in a place where there are many ponds to putter around on. Oh, I miss big water!

At our university the students were either all allowed to take their belongings in an orderly manner, or if they had no place else safe to go, they were permitted to remain in the dorms. Some universities made less... Organized decisions. But there are vagaries in life that you can't anticipate, and I'd include "global pandemic" in that column. It would be irrational to try to plan for all of those. I have a friend who trucked a reef tank around with him through all of his college and graduate school moves. If you enjoy your tank, it can be worth it. Might even be relaxing to maintain a familiar tank when things get stressful. Somehow after years, water changes are like meditation for me. Regardless what you decide, good luck! Don't forget to have fun.

Cyprinodon eremus & Poeciliopsis sonoriensis if only it were allowed.

As an aside, my last reply was to @GardenStateGoldfish. Yes, the decor, @Lonesniper has kicks *ss! I'm honestly a bit jealous. I have no style, personally. 😔

Hahahahaha! That's totally something I would do!!! I'm LMAO because I thought I was the only one to do things like this on the regular!

It was a joke. J.O.K.E. If you read any of the rest of of what I wrote you would realize I was, and this is very important so pay attention - kidding. Remember what Ricky Gervais says - "Just because you are offended, doesn't mean you are right."