[Lowej82]

What would you like to discuss at a meeting, Do you have a DIY you would like presented at a meeting? Please feel free to post your suggestions or wants here in this thread.


Meeting Topics?



Possible DIY's we could do?

Auto top off
Sump building
PVC Protien Skimmer
Tank Drilling
Mesh Modding skimmer pump's
Coil Denitrator
Lighting~wiring

Possible group trips?

Shedd Aquarium ~ Chicago
Inland Aquatics ~ Terre Haute, IN

[theaquaticlife]

I think I would like to see us "evolve" as a club and there are many newbies to the hobby and group. I propose we start with a DIY basics and work up.

1. Water testing... what to look for, proper chemistry, why we test for certain things etc If we have a base for what needs adjusting then we lead into the function of all the equipment and how it affects the water conditions we are testing.

2. Water filtrations... skimmers, overflows, sumps, power heads, wave makers, refugiums etc

3. Lighting... discussion of what light when, wiring etc

4. Pre-fab or repair... Drilling/plumbing, repairing, silicone etc

5. High tech... items that while would be great would be a luxury or something most home aquariums are not going to utilize... denitrator coils, fluidized beds, algae turf scrubbers etc

Anyway, those are just some thoughts.

[combs44]

Let's come up with a main topic surrounding next month's meeting. Whatever it may be, I think it'd be good to get the topic out so people could come up with ideas and questions to get ready for the next meeting. Thoughts?

[prolx]

I forgot to bring it up saturday so I will do it now. I have plans to build a kalkwrasser. The plans I have even list the parts and what not.

For topic why not start with the basics of water testing and the levels needed to be at.
If that goes by quickly we could discuss filtration .

[combs44]

I like that. We could discuss basics such as what are ideal water parameters and what it takes to get them there. We could discuss what tests are the most accurate, and suggest tests to avoid as well as additives to use and avoid.

Then we could take a look at your kalk stirrer.

[Lowej82]

I like how mike broke it down up top almost make it kinda like a class for us newbies.

[prolx]

Feeding might be good also. What types of foods and supplements for fish, corals and other inverts.
Types of salt mix people use how they mix and so on.

[theaquaticlife]

If you want to discuss a Kalkwasser drip/auto top off then hubris007 aka cj is the man. I think that kalk is good, its basically limewater that increases alkalinity and keeps calcium up. However it can be overdone and done improperly so I tend to lean toward using the two part supplements like bionic or c balance mainly because it is alot easier for my clients! I have noticed among reefers that either you swear by it or dont use it at all! There is no casual kalk user! I think this would be a great topic for discussion and one that I think someone like cj or another club member who uses it all the time should spearhead!

I like the idea of water testing and proper knowledge of what we are shooting for in a certain reef type would be the best next meeting topic. Im not sure that it is a DIY thing but think it would be a good meeting topic that might keep us on a central track during the meeting!