lanman

Nice one!! bob

Great thread! I have one perc, and he was aggressive when I first got him (from another hobbyist), but over the years has figured out that my hand is not a threat. I wonder how old that fish is... I've had him for almost 4 years - and the previous owner said he had the fish for 'years'. You're right - it doesn't hurt, but it takes one heck of an effort to NOT move your hand when they attack. Usually right into a nearby delicate coral, or sharp rock! bob

That's what I need - a commercial model! Mine has never worked very well. LOOKS like it is working, bubbles and all - but the mojano's and aiptasia just seem annoyed. bob

They make an MP-60 now?? One trick with Vortech's - keep the wet side clean. Pull it out every once in a while and soak it in vinegar, etc. As algae builds up, it changes the flow drastically. bob

Oh, no no no... Frag racks should be held onto the glass by magnets. They have magnets at BRK and other stores that are perfect for this. The frags should be attached to the frag plugs with super-glue, and the frag plugs placed on the rack. bob

Interesting, but very confusing concerning the PayPal stuff. I have had no bad experiences with Mr. Coral, but I generally just drive up, even though it's over an hour. I'm kind of a hands-on guy. The 3-4 orders I've placed for shipment have been handled well, and the frags have done well. In fact, I will soon be fragging some of the "Japanese" zoanthids that I purchased mail order. bob

Your corals get vacation trips?? Wow! bob

I keep hearing that... and I will, I'm sure - as soon as I find time. My to-do list is only about 2 years long. bob

Very nicely done!!! bob

Just to let anyone that cares know - I have been busy with 'other things' since I retired a couple of months ago. All new windows in the house, painting, patching, repairing, remodeling. My tanks are certainly not in 'TOTM' condition - but most stuff is still alive, and some has grown a lot. At some point, my priorities will once again shift, and I'll be on here more. Meantime, send me an e-mail if you want to contact me! bob

$1500 seems like a lot to light my tank - but I just spent $300 for T5 light bulbs, and my original light fixtures cost over $1000. For a new intallation, I'd be in the black after 2 years. Obviously a good way to go. Thanks!! bob

A 120, eh? What do you think it would take to light my 3' x 5' 240-gallon tank? And is it easy to add lenses, if I want to narrow the focus down a bit? bob

Wow... supports the theory of punctuated equilibrium! Which supposes that sudden evolutionary change can occur when pressure to evolve is great. bob

I know peppermint shrimp can be bred in captivity - I have a little book about it. Not sure about skunk cleaners. But good luck! bob

Clap! Clap! Clap! One H-E-double hockey sticks of an undertaking! Will have to come see.... bob

Not even any new corals... but I stopped working a few days before he disappeared - maybe seeing ME when the lights came on scared him! The purple tang has been getting more aggressive since the yellow died about 5-6 months ago. Maybe he went after the wrasse for some reason. bob

Nothing special - drip-acclimated him, and let him go. Got him at BRK about 3 years ago. I'll feed early tonight... he must be starving. bob

My splendid leopard wrasse disappeared about a week ago. Figured he was dead. But - he just showed up again this afternoon. Must have spent all that time buried in the sand. I was about to start looking for a replacement. Most people say he's the prettiest fish in the tank! bob

I use them... I have about 20 of them, and 3 go into the system. I change about every 4-5 days. Easy to get at, in my system. Yes, it smells a bit - but not too much, and no wife to complain. Mine picks up a lot of the debris that would otherwise accumulate in the bottom of the sump - and my calfo overflow grows green bubble algae, chunks of which eventually end up in the filter socks. bob

Very nice - where did you get that first coral shown?? bob

Even before you ask... you will soon see little things that look like star constellations on the glass - quite small. Normal! Then you will see little white specks on glass and rocks. Normal! The Diatom bloom will probably only last a week or so. Start ramping your lights up to a normal 'day', if they aren't already. Get a good cleanup crew running, and a fish or two - and start enjoying the tank! Welcome to the hobby, Karah - and nice to meet you at Steve's yesterday! bob

Hold off three more weeks, and I'll come out and frag it for you Because - I will be RETIRED!!! bob

You just need a pickup and a hammer. Make the buy, break the tank into little pieces for the dump. Take the pumps, sump, chiller, and the rest of the accessories, and call it a good buy. bob

Many harmless-looking chalices will suddenly throw 'spaghetti' all over a neighbor, frequently killing it. Keep an eye out! Nice set of chalices! bob

Nice photos! Camera? Lens? bob