treesprite

I really think the cost difference balances out. The likelihood of an individual fish dying early on and/or causing an entire tank of fish to get sick and die, is so much higher and such a costly situation. I do wonder though, if captive bred will be as likely to eat flatworms, since I doubt the breeders are feeding flatworms in the facility.

Sorry to hear about the tang. I hope it recovers. Did you put something in the tank it is in for nitrifying bacteria? Either an additive or pieces of liverock, or maybe filter media that was in the main tank? If not, you will get ammonia buildup which could make the fish worse or even kill it.

LOL. But joking aside, the GSP will eventually take over everything if allowed to continue on its own. I would move any rocks it is on to their own corner where they aren't touching anything else, though even then, the stuff can show up in other places. If you like the look of your tank contents and their arrangement, then it is good the way it is. I think most people like a good mix of colors and/or the structure and movement of various corals. Even if most corals are similar in color, they can be arranged by structure.

Congratulations on keeping it going successfully!

There are captive bred Springers damsels, so if you get that type of fish, please consider the captive bred over the wild caught.

What kind of sand and how deep?

Some of the 75g tanks from Petco are tempered, and those can't be drilled. They are not always marked as tempered, so you would have to take an lcd screen and polarized glasses with you to the store to test them.

I'm all for the acquisition of a larger tank to be able to keep tangs, because eventually, you'll want them and regret not having a bigger tank. The 120 would be better than the 90. A standard 90 is basically a tall 75.

Second vote for "take it down and do it right".

Thank you Jason, for the detailed article.

It's time for you stop set up a new tank, so you can use that sand.

I wouldn't do it. Why would fish need poorer water quality just because they are FW instead of SW? The suggestions for laundry and garden are good.

People mostly use them in dorms or when renting rooms.

I used it once many years ago, had no problem at all. Did you account for displacement when figuring your water volume?

When you get to year 50, you have to invite us all to a party.

Wow, that's pretty big.

One of the first conversations I saw on WAMAS was about which stores still sold it. At that point in time, some stores still had the last of their stock of it. I haven't heard/seen it mentioned in years. But, wives are always right. You spouses need to listen better. My ex thought wives were always wrong, and that is why he is an ex to both me and to his second ex wife. I told her before they married, but she didn't believe me. Called me one night at midnight about a year later, asking for advice because she was leaving him. SO listen up, you spouses, your wives are always right, UNLESS they tell you that you need to get rid of your reef.

When I left the house at 3pm, the pump was still full power. I'm pretty sure the problem is solved at this point. I have no idea where the little piece of hard, black plastic came from; I don't recall anything breaking that is made from that material.

Did you check the SG of the water it came in? A while back, maybe in the same 8 month time period, the Petco closest to me had anemone and coral in a tank with an SG of 1.019.

FYI, I've been using those "Magic Filter Socks" found on eBay. They are nylon and are like fake fur inside. If you ask me, they seem to work much better than the standard 200 micron felt filter socks, and my water has been clearer with these than it was with the felt socks. This is a new one that hasn't been used yet, and is the drawstring type - I can't recall if the have the ring ones:

I found this a couple years ago in the thrift store, brand new in the box with components still wrapped in plastic, instructions included. Price was something like $12 (price range for new on eBay is $40 - $70). It has just been stashed away, because the person I got it for didn't take it. Finally, I took it out, thinking I can make it a filter sock washing machine. The water has to be dumped and filled manually, but it is better than risking getting laundry soap in the tank, plus it is more energy efficient than running an oversized washer just for filter socks. It has pretty good agitation action. Running the first load of socks right now. Pretty grungy and smelly.

Are there currently captive bred firefish available? I kind of don't think so, but have wishful thinking. I'd like to have a group like I used to have, but if they are only wild, I won't do it. If there aren't, does anyone have a suggestion for a group of a small captive bred species that isn't going to cost a fortune when an entire group is purchased?

I just looked up longevity and found out they only live 2 to 4 years average, so I don't expect this one to live much longer, even if it does get rid of the fungus. There isn't much point in my finding a home for it if it isn't going to live much longer. If I move though, I won't want to bring it with me. I also did not know until today, that bettas actually need to breathe air from above the surface of the water to live. Apparently, they can live out of water for several hours as long as they stay wet. I guess since they are generally in semi stagnant water in nature, they needed to develop that method of getting oxygen. Very strange fish.

Did you drill the holes in the ends of the pipes yourself? I have never tried to drill metal.

I have only done it once, in a 16 tall office tank, because I was only using a PC fixture and needed the distance to the bottom to be shorter. It had no skimmer, no filtration, no dosing, and I only did quarterly water changes, and yet it was/still is the only treef tank I have ever had that had pristine water parameters. I am a strong believer in the power of an in-tank DSB, it's just that I've read too many cautions about them going foul in large reef tanks. If it weren't for that, I would do it myself.