lanman

And those that we don't remove from the sea eventually die outside of captivity. bob

No ID - but I have quite a bunch of them. Remind me of 'olividae' snails. bob

Is your 99.9% number based on recent research? Based on only anecdotal evidence, it seems to me that more recently people have been having fair success. I avoided this coral for a long time, but finally picked up one about a year ago, and so far it is doing quite well. It is very slowly encrusting over the edges of the cut frag, so for the time being at least, it is growing, rather than dying. Of course, maybe I'm that 1 in 1000 that will be lucky. I don't consider a year to be 'long-term', but I know people that have killed corals in a lot less time. bob

Can you use it to stream live video of your tank to the internet? Easy to set up? bob

Nicely done, Chris! bob

I guess that is normally anticipated. Just didn't work that way. bob

A possibility, though I found no wounds. The purple tang has become very territorial in his little area during feeding. Even though he stays in his defined area because the yellow tang wouldn't let him go anywhere else - he would go after the yellow if it got too close. And the hippo tang has gotten so big and fast and clumsy, he might accidentally swim right through another fish (or coral, or anything else). When I was examining him, a little bit of blood did come out of his gill, but hardly noticeable. bob

Yes - the same 6 that have been in there with him for the last 2 years. They pretty much ignore one another. bob

So perhaps nobody has ever owned one from baby to adult, that they thought died of 'old age'. bob

Last evening, at 11:20, I fed my fish. My valonia-eating yellow tang was right there competing with the rest for food. At 11:45, when I was getting ready to go upstairs, took one last look around the tanks, and there was my yellow tang, laying on the bottom of the tank, dead! Heart attack? Usually a dying fish seems to stretch it out for a while! Any ideas? Ever seen this before?? bob

I actually take a bowl or cup of water, and stick the air tube into it. Suck in a good gulp, then let it run... suck in another gulp. Speaking of which - it's time to go 'water' my Deltec again.... bob

You will hear two tales about Koralias, I'm sure. I have been very pleased with mine. I have had a total of 6. Two of them just 'stopped' after about 2 years of continuous use. Replacing the impeller didn't help. The other 4 have been running from between 2 years and 6 months. I am planning to get a couple more. They have an 'uneven' flow, kind of randomly moving around - and a 'lobed' flow pattern; i.e. - more water comes out of certain quadrants than the others. You can use this to adjust the 'major' lobe(s) to point into an open area, and the 'minor' lobes to point at closer objects by turning the powerhead. For the price, I don't see anything to beat them. No, they aren't Vortech's. But you could get 10-15 of them for the price of a Vortech. bob

When I think my skimmers aren't working up to potential, the first thing I do is make it suck ro/di water into the air tube. That usually clears the problem right up. bob

I have a sponge in this 24-gallon tank, and it's always full of pods when I go to clean it. I end up picking the biggest ones out and tossing them in the tank. NOT a sterile environment: bob

Hmmm... I paid $30 for a mask that looks just like that in Africa! Glad it's not ALL death and destruction! bob

The water is crystal clear - the algae keeps it that way. For the first year or so, I kept excellent care of the tank - regular water changes, constant measurements. The Sunset Montipora that I have so much of started out in this tank. It really IS a healthy tank - it's just 'different'. bob

My 240-gallon with Starphire on the front cost me $600 used. Built the stand myself for about $100 in materials. 150 pounds of live rock purchased from WAMAS members was about $450. $100 worth of sand. Grey Seas Skimmer about $250. Custom-built 90-gallon sump ran another $300 (but it is awesome). Return pumps about another $300 (dual eheim's). So for a 240 on the 'cheap' (used tank, rock, less expensive equipment) ran me a bit over $2000 for the basics. Then, it depends on what you want to do with the tank. My lighting (10x80W T5's) ran about another $1000. Add $200 for a kalk reactor if you want to grow coral. Another $400 for CA reactor if you want to grow a LOT of coral. Media reactor for carbon/phosphate remover is a good idea ($200). Even if you plumbed up a nice return, you will want some powerheads. $250-$1000 depending on what you get. So.... let's estimate about $5000 to set up a pretty decent 240-gallon system. Then you get to buy fish, corals, etc. to populate it. bob

I'd worry about the nitrates getting too high, and ending up with green hair algae! bob

Many of you have been to my house. Very few of you have seen my 'original' tank, the 24-gallon aquapod. About every 6 months, I clear some of the algae out of it, and do a water change. Sometimes, I even kill the aiptasia. What I don't do is take pictures of it. But - as I was getting ready to start cleaning it up, I decided it actually has a certain charm of its own, so here is a 'behind the scenes' look at my 3-year-old tank. Full Tank Shot: I know some of you have decorator crabs... here is one of my 'decorator snails'. Note at least two distinct types of algae growing on it! Clove polyps back in the corner: The fish! I purchased this fish to 'cycle the tank'. 3 years later, he is still the only fish in there. Briareum and 'Blue Xenia' (cespitularia): A cute little colony of RED bubble algae! This hermit has been in there the whole 3 years. Red eyestalks, and one big claw: And last, but not least - the aiptasia garden: Hope you enjoyed the tour! bob

Just back from BRK - and the pictures of the ricordias don't do them justice - some really bright-colored ones. bob

I'm sure it's just the lighting... but why does your sand look like it has a dark layer, and then a stark white layer? And I want to know how you got your tank cycled, and no crud or corruption on that pristine sand?? Yes - I have sand envy... Looks nice! bob

And you got no pictures??? bob

Except - even interstate shipment would be illegal, and you would need a federal license for each species you keep. bob

Yeah.... but in the long run, they can be a danger to your fish. bob

Bridgeport, PA? That's a long drive for a piece of leather coral or somethng. What he said - it's all in the lights and flow. Let us know when you get your new lights, and we can make suggestions - and probably even give you some frags. bob