lanman

Use a magnifying glass - or a camera with a good macro lens. They are very small, and usually will be seen as yellow 'dots' on the coral. bob

Acoel flatworm - generally basically harmless, and usually they just up and disappear after several months. Only harms from them are A) if you get such a huge population that they are actually shading the corals, or B) if you kill off half your corals trying to kill the flatworms. Read the eXit instructions carefully - get rid of as many of them as possible (siphon) before treating a system, because in dying, they can release toxins - which in quantity can cause more problems than the flatworms EVER would. Most wrasses will eat acoel flatworms. They are, as far as I know, either live bearers, or reproduce by fission. The most common is Convolutriloba retrogemma - but that doesn't appear to be what you have; convolutriloba retrogemma have the v-shaped notch in the back, but also have a little 'point' that sticks out of the middle of the V. And they tend to have 'red' highlights. There are hundreds of varieties - you MIGHT be able to find yours if you research picture of acoel's. And try to stay out of the debate over whether acoel flatworms are actually flatworms, because molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest that acoels are not members of Platyhelminthes, but are rather extant members of the earliest diverging Bilateria. Oh... my head hurts! bob

I save mine up in a bucket until I have about 30 of them, then run them through the washing machine - no bleach or soap. bob

I wouldn't worry about them - they always show up when you start a new tank, and then go away in a week or so. As you can see - you would need a better picture of the other things. If they are hydroids (the other sort), they will be 'branching' and have what looks like tiny flowers on the ends of some of the branches. bob

The little white 'star charts' on the glass are hydroids. They will disappear after a while, and are harmless. I think what you're pointing out in the last picture are tubeworms - feather dusters. Small filter feeders that are completely harmless. They are also the favorite food of copper-banded butterflyfish - mine is always nearby when I move rock, hoping he can find some that he was never able to get to. They don't last 5 minutes. bob

I'm sure it's for a friend, or something... bob

I would let it go, unless it gets out of control. If you do want to get rid of it, many club members would be happy to have it. Very attractive macro. bob

Similar to 'Firecrackers'. bob

I built a remote deep sand bed about a year ago? Okay - it was 1.5 years ago. http://www.wamas.org/forums/topic/26319-fresh-step-remote-deep-sand-bucket/page__p__231206__hl__fresh%20step%20__fromsearch__1entry231206 I haven't really noticed much difference, but between the RDSB and the Refugium, I now only have to change 10% once a week to keep nitrates in the 'reasonable' range. For a while it was twice a week. So maybe it's doing something. bob

Good to see this. As some of my systems start reaching 3-4 years old, I have begun to wonder about longer-term maintenance. My shiny new sump has detritus in the bottom now, and a few aiptasia, and lots of sponges growing on the sides. I noticed some rather large buildups of salt creep on the back rim near the overflow - the overflow itself was half-clogged with valonia (cleaned that out today). Next bulb change will include a couple of reflectors that have been eaten a bit by salt. I decided today was 'pump day'. Had 4 'broken' pumps soaking in vinegar. Got three of them going, and need an impeller for the other. Removed my twin Eheim 1262 return pumps today to check and clean them; and after 3 years, they are still in great shape. Parts of the stand and canopy could use some varnish, the doors stick, and everything got a nice salt-water shower today when I pulled the return apart above the check valve instead of below it... which reminded me that I never did put in an emeregency siphon stop, in case the check valve quits AND the power goes out when I'm not around to see it. The list goes on and on.... Fortunately, I am planning to retire this summer; maybe I'll have time to keep things neat and shiny! Good luck on your repair/refurbishment!! bob

I would recommend a reef-ready tank with built-in overflow. I have both glass and acrylic - I prefer glass in general - just seems easier to keep clean. Beyond that... what are you planning to put in that tank? FOWLR? SPS-dominated? That would help a lot with suggestions. bob

Sure - willing to try; that was a flash picture - about 4:00 AM - the only time mine wanted to be fully opened! bob

I have a cyphastrea that does that frequently, and one of my brains has done it occasionally. bob

Now that it has happened to three different chalices - does anyone know what could cause the 'eyes' (mouths) of chalices to die - with the rest of the coral just fine? Several days to a week later, the eyes start filling back in again. Sometimes just one or two eyes, sometimes several of them. Ideas?? bob

Here is mine - I ended up giving it away, because I thought feeding it constantly was contributing to my high nitrates... bob

Eheim 1260/1262 series. VERY quiet. (kind of expensive, though) bob

OMG! Anemone overload! Awesome picture! bob

Please do! My GSA cone skimmer is great - except that if I turn off the return pump, and don't remember to turn off the skimmer.... I end up with a sump that looks like a bubble bath! bob

Pretty... that last one (and really the last three) look a lot like one I bought ages ago that was just called 'hybrid chalice'... (hybridized with what?) Love those bright, glowing eyes. bob

Having seen at least one other bodes well for the chances of having some 'lightning' babies. A good, successful breeding program might produce thousands from a single pair - without natural predators to winnow the numbers. And if this variety is scarce in the wild because it attracts predators - then our marine aquariums would be a great place for it to succeed! Following with interest! bob

You might have it there... it did shift to a darker blue. Strange though - after a week or so, it now seems brighter again. Still going to change the bulb and see what changes, and when. Thanks, bb

The reason I started this hobby (about 3.5 years ago now?) was that I loved the coral reefs of the Philippines when I was scuba diving there back in 1969 and 1980-81. When I walked into Marine Scene one day, and found out you could have your own coral reef - I just had to try it. And then... as might be expected, seeing as I have been gardening since I was 9... I fell in love with growing corals. It's like year-round gardening, and people really appreciate the 'vegetables' that you grow! bob

My main objective is a bunch of nuisance Palythoas, on rocks too big to remove from the tank. I'll be reporting in soon! bob

I just finished mine - but have to wait for the silicone to dry so I can try it out. And yes - I bought a 2nd transformer, so I can build another, if it is successful. bob

I purchased a brand new Aqua-medic 250W double-end fixture, and a Phoenix 14K bulb. About a week after I started running it - it seems to have lost intensity; only half as bright as it was new. I ordered a couple more bulbs, but in the meantime - does this sound familiar to anyone?? Thanks, bob