Almon

These sea urchins that hitchhike in on live rock are, IMHO, truely dangerous. I thought they were cute when I first setup my tank. I had about 8 of them wandering around the reef getting larger by the day. Until I realized that these things eat and process everything...algae....rock.....they are the bulldozers of the sea. They leave a clear path of destruction in their wake. I just started a 55g refugium with 110w of light on it and the Cyano was out of control. I first cut the light back to a couple hours a day, and then just replaced the lights with a 40w fixture. The Cyano is all but gone.

I have recently had the same problem with my Orange Montipora. I removed some pieces of rock to clean them with a power wash of tap water three days ago, including the two corals below (Orange Monti on top, unknown coral below). The rocks had algae and aiptasia on them, surrounding the corals, and that I thought that may be inhibiting the corals growth. So I power washed the rock around them, trying to shield the corals from the fresh water, but when returning these two pieces to the tank, the Orange Monti (top coral) was completely bleached. I was shocked . The other coral (unknown coral) didn't seem bothered at all. Now the Orange Monti (top coral) has orange polyps while much of the coral is still white. No algae has grown yet... Poor picture What type of coral is the bottom coral?

I would like to stop by this afternoon with a few of my frags (Heliopora, Green Laser Mushrooms, Purple Gorgonians) if there is still room.

I use a hose and spray nozzle with warm water. Pressure washing does wonders....

I have been going to Aquarium Center for more than 10 years. I purchased my 220g tank and stand there. The salt less expensive than many other places, the fish selection has been reasonable, but the corals are unhealthy and very expensive. Many corals die there and I have rarely bought them. Help save the reefs! Grow your own and trade with others.

I have used Instant Ocean Regular for 15 years and have always thought that it was sufficient. However, I just recently switched to Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. I am hoping that the Reef Crystals are just like the regulare, except on steroids, providing additional trace elements that I do not add as supplements.

It is my understanding that excess nutrients go through the nitrogen cycle by breaking down to ammonia, then nitrites, then nitrates, which stay in the tank. Stop the cycle early by removing the nutrients before they breakdown. I have recently started a refugium for the sole purpose of absorbing the excess nutrients so that I can reduce the amount of water changes that I do to remove the nitrates. This refugium is a little different than most, I think. My refugium is not in the sump. My refugium is a 55g display tank. A display tank for saltwater plants (macroalgae) and, soon to be, critters. I have 110w of compact florescent lights to ensure healthy and generous growth and to support any other creature that I choose to insert there.

I had lost power for 28 hours without any major problems. The 220g tank had fish and mostly softies. Now I use a computer UPS for the main pump only.

Don't do it! If you cut them they will multiply by the hundreds. Inject them and syphon them out.

I added a 55g tank to my reef system to be a new refugium for plants and algae. I have a gravity syphon running from the 220g reef into the 55g refugium. A home made overflow is used to transfer the water from the 55g refugium to the 40 overflow/frag tank where a commercial overflow returns the water to the sump to be pumped back up to the 220g reef. Anybody have extra algae that you are pruning away? Help a brother in need......Donate some algae today!

Welcome to WAMAS. I am also a new member, recently joined this month. I have had my tank up since '99 and have a tremendous amount of pink/beige sinularia and striped green mushrooms that have been multiplying for the last 8 years. I would be happy to make a donation to your new tank.

Hi Todd, Welcome to WAMAS. I am also a new member, recently joined this month. I have had my tank up since '99 and have a tremendous amount of pink/beige sinularia and striped green mushrooms that have been multiplying for the last 8 years. I would be happy to make a donation to your new tank.

Thanks for hosting the event, it was a great time. I did not know about Scales before the event and now I will certainly be a frequent customer. Almon

I have many excess corals that fit your requirements, specifically Sinularia, Sarchophytons, and green mushrooms. I will be happy to sell you some at very reasonable prices. Cheaper by the dozen...... Almon