'Ric

Dumb Q: What is RTN?

I had a big coraline (purple) algae loss while treating ick and dosed with a product called "Purple Up" and the purple is coming back. The product claimes to provide nutrients for the coraline algae that undersired algae doesn't like as much. It seems to work so far.

Would this work for dwarf seahorses, too?

Set up a powerhead pointed sideways to make a whirlpool effect and make a Jellyfish tank.

Steveoutlaw is collecting things for an elementary school tank if you want to donate some. I might be interested in some smaller "reef safe" ones, too, if any. 'Ric

Those "Master Test Kits" usually don't come with a Phosphate test. Get a Salifert one. In this area, as especially with certain substrates sold in the stores, Phospates can get really high - possibly ok for fish, but really bad for growing corals. #2: Compare what lived longest verses shortest in terms of the type of corals: "HigH Light" vs. "Moderate/Low Light" and the same with flow. Do you see any patterns, e.g. High light species don't last, but low light do? 'Ric

Technically, yes it would, but I would be amazed if even Gordon Ramsey's taste buds could tell the minute difference in taste without blowing on their tea 24/7.

Yes, think of it this way: + If you want to get rid of hot AIR, you suck it out. Allow gaps or holes on the other side of the lights for cooler room temperature air to be drawn in to replace the hot air you suck out. + If you want to cool the WATER, you blow across the surface, just like you naturally do when you get a cup of tea that's too hot to drink. 'Ric

I vote for pictures with cats in them, too! (especially funny ones!)

I did use a cup to scoop about half of them. I tried a net at first, but couldn't tell if they were in or out of it in the mesh. The breeder net I kept in the tank, just slowly moved it along to scoop them and then hung it on the side. I could them still swimming around in the breeder net and Hospital tank (I put a charcoal pack that came in a super-fine mesh pouch over the filter intake. Had a bubbler going, but in a rock hole to keep current down.) It was water from the aquarium as well. I finally bought a test kit, so I just found out my phosphates are high. First tested at 1.0, but in one day down to 0.5 with Kent's Phosphate Sponge media added to sump. I'll keep cycling sponge through until it gets down less than .1. 'Ric

I tried - results not so great, but I'll post when I get a chance (probably not today) 'Ric

Maybe they mean a 20 gallon donut! There seems to be two ways store describe minimum tank size: Some refer to the minimum size to house that species for the long term, and others report the minimum size to buy that specimen at the size they ship; i.e. short term. Case in point of the latter: Notice these pages from the same store report different minimum tank sizes for different specimen sizes: http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/pr...oot_parent_id=4 http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/pr...oot_parent_id=4 http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/pr...oot_parent_id=4 1-2" = 40g minimum 3-4" = 90g minimum 5-6" = 150g minimum So, I guess they expect your tank to grow with our fish. Hmmm.. I have a 2" in my 54g corner - does anyone know where I can get a tank that stretches? 'Ric

I woke up and cranked on the lights in my aquarium last Saturday and was surprised to see hundreds of little fry darting all over the place. I think they were from my mated pair of Blue Neon Gobies (vs. my mated pair of Jawfish.) I wasn

You named two of the best, but in addition, there are some other experimental concepts you can look into: 1. Red Mangroves: I just set up a Display Refugium with three of them. To really use them for a lot of uptake I would need several more, but I also have macro algae and a clam in my system. 2. Sugar Dosing or Vodka Dosing: Adding small amounts of sugar or vodka to provide the hydro carbons needed by the beneficial bacteria to do what they need to do. The Germans are big on the Vodka saying it targets the nitrate-reducing bacteria better than sugar. When I set up my tank I included a section of tubing leading into a jaulbert plenum under a deep gravel bed so that I could dose vodka directly where it would be most needed. So far I haven't tried dosing it - just drinking it. I have done sugar dosing on a previous tank and it worked. The next morning the tank was cloudy white from the algae bloom, which then cleared up in another day. 3. Use lots of active carbon, I suppose. Keep us posted on what you find out. 'Ric

Do you really mean Cleaner Gobies or Cleaner Shrimp? I have heard that some wrasses will go after smaller shrimp, especially the non-reef-safe ones. I was worried when I first got some Sexy Shrimp because the ones that came in were TINY (<1/4!) but I've had no problems with my McCosker's Flasher Wrasse or my Six-Line Wrasse going after either of the Cleaner Gobies or any of the eight Sexy Shrimp I have now. The Sexy Shrimp are capable of some incredible Matrix-moves, so that would help them if they were ever in danger, too. Sometimes these things are just up to the individual fish you get and a bit of dumb luck. No combination is Risk-Free. Cheers, 'Ric

So these Macro pics will be the homepage pics for June, and then the Wrasse pics will show for July? 'Ric

Dory was a Hippo Tang (also called Regal Tang) I lost one day I got it, then got another recently that is sick. My Powder Blue Tang is doing fine, though, and a beautiful fish as well. Other comments: Two dwarf angels may fight each other. Same with two firefish, but I have both a Helfrichi and a Purple Firefish the don't. The purple is much larger, and they both generally stay at opposite sides of the tank. Male McCosker's Flasher wrasse are nice and reef safe. 6 line are cut but small. If you haven't considered them already, I love my mated pairs of Pearly Jawfish and Blue Neon Cleaner Gobies. (do not get a Cleaner Wrasse, but one of these instead. They are omnivores that clean as well. Cleaner Wrasses need parasites to eat or the will be malnurished and/or starve) For inverts, Sexy Shrimp are fun. Get at least 3 in a group. Pom Pom Crabs are great, too. Make sure they still have at least one of their symbiotic 'pom pom' anemones when you buy. Good Luck, and God Bless- 'Ric

Is that a valve actuator on the switch? I'm was just looking for something to turn a small pump on/off. - Someone

I'm interested in the auto to-off switch, and 2nd for the mushrooms. 'Ric

Excellent project! 'Ric PS Don't get one too big - a Mantis shrimp like the one at NZP can break aquarium glass!

I will try to do that at some point. Now I'm getting concerned that even if I get a small BTA it will out grow my tank. I have a 54g now, but still.

Wow! that looks great...and at only 2.5 gallons! 'Ric

That would be very helpful to my planning efforts. I have to move fast - could I come by after work? I get off at 3:00 or so. PM me your address/phone and if this afternoon is good for you, too. 'Ric

That sounds exactly like the tank I was looking at trying. I'll check out the thread - thanks!

Does anyone have one of those 54 gallon curved glass corner tanks (