If you run a Swing application under Parallels for Mac v3.0, and are using Java 1.6 and your direct draw extension is enabled you will find the application never draws (render) it's canvas.

It is not a bug in your code - just turn off all graphics acceleration in XP.

For those interested in following the events related to my 480g project, take note that I sometimes write stuff on ReefCentral that I do not repeat on here. So feel free to visit my thread there.

Actually I was slightly wrong with my observations. The pipe leading from the overflow to the skimmer was actually inclined away from the skimmer - a couple of degrees...

I removed 32mm of wood from the skimmer's base support and replaced it with 25mm polystyrene. It seems as if I have a slight downward slant now. Will start the circulation back up in an hour's time.

Yesterday evening I could not wait longer. At midnight I needed about 40l of water to close the loop. That takes about 2 hours to make, so I decided to go to bed instead.

This morning I filled the remaining water and voila - everything worked. No leaks (touch wood). However my durso standpipe was not working. Water was oscillating up and down vigorously. I decided to remove the top and cut off a 4cm piece to lower it (it was too high). Since I dread leaks I cut it in place - and did not remove the pipe from the overflow.

Once cut, I placed the durso head back but no luck - same thing.

One aspect of autumn that really captures my attention is the spectacular scenes the combination of a changing sun and the falling coloured leaves of trees produce.