A Few New Toys

I had to order some meds for the dogs from Dr Fosters and Smith, so I used the free shipping as an excuse to grab an [URL="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23735"]Azoo Micro Temp Controller[/URL].

[IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/temp-control-box.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/temp-control.jpg[/IMG]

I plugged in both of my heaters (it can control up to 3) and placed the probe in the sump. I left the temp at 26°C... no point in fighting the default if it resets in a power outage. I stuck the control unit high up on the inside of the cabinet, so it can't normally be seen, but if I crouch I can easily read the current temp glowing through the glass doors. I'm starting to really like my see-through doors! It certainly makes keeping an eye on the equipment easier.

In my quest to achieve the perfect dark fuge I went a little nutty...
[B]I gotta have more shower poufs![/B]

[IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/more-poufs.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/pouf-fude.jpg[/IMG]

There was a deal on Amazon for a 12 pack, so I thought what the heck... if I'm going to make a go of this fake chaeto stuff then I might as well go all in. Now granted, they could become somewhat of a nitrate trap, but hopefully the pellet reactor will be able to deal with that.

Speaking of nitrates, they're now somewhere between 5-10ppm... which is great considering I've upped the feeding to about 1/2 a cube of frozen a day (previously it was ~3rd, every other day.) I'm traditionally pretty stingy with feeding, but as I want both clowns and cardis to get their "groove on," I've been forcing myself to be more generous. I saw some people talking about the [URL="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F2117I/ref=pe_175190_21431760_cs_sce_dp_1"]EHEIM auto-feeder[/URL] on a forum and thought one might be a good idea to provide the tank with a quick morning snack (and feed when I forget to!)

[IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/auto-feeder-box.jpg[/IMG]

After programming it (easy!) and filling it with some crushed up flake food, I positioned it in the canopy at the front of the tank.

(View from back of tank looking towards front)
[IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/TheAaarrrggg/auto-feeder.jpg[/IMG]

I set a test time and waited excitedly for the feeder to turn on. After about a minute it rotated and tipped in some flake food, which proceeded to go straight down the overflow.... D'oh! Maybe flake isn't the best stuff to put in it!?

I've been considering getting some [URL="http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+20"]Anthias[/URL] and saw someone mention successfully feeding them New Life Spectrum 1mm pellets... so I'll probably go with some of that for the auto-feeder. Here's hoping they might sink a little better... or at least be easier for the fish to spot before they get sucked down the overflow.