Lee Stearns

Sounds like you are learnig why most of us have two tanks even if one is just a nano cube. Greqat spot to stash some of what you want to save. I told you that the sand storm from H was about to descend- I would not skim- what kind of filter are you rumnnig- the fine southdown can even burn up little power heads. Start skimming again when you are clear and are feeding something- the zoantids should make it through all this as it is somewhat thier natural environment in the tidals.

no It means that you must be feeing phyto or the tank is getting enough nutients because they wouldn't propogate that well without good conditions- think of them as assisting in cleaning your water- If you just have to get rid of some I'd be happy to take a few-- :D Lee

Cool pics- You change your lighting cycle when you are up late? Were the pics under MH or just actinics. I have my actinics run till 11:30 at night because that is often when I get a chance to view the tank- but I leave my MH's alone - I figure I run them more than I should already from 10:00 AM till 9 pm -- 11 hours. Maybe this should be a new thread asking what cycles folks run their lights on. Thanks, Lee

I inject only the large aptasia(and I use viniger which always does the trick for me) as the peprmints don't seem to want to tackle the large ones. The smaller glass anemonies- aptasia normally get cleaned up by the pepermints. I have seen articles stating that there are two types of pepermints atlantic and pacific and the pacific is less prone to eating the aptasia but I have no direct experience in this. I think they do need to be hungry as Mike said and my experience is they do there aptasia services at night. Regards, Lee

I feed very little phyto once a week about 1/2 L, because I feed most of my phyto to the rotifers, and then strain the rotifers prior to feeding them several days a week- that would aliviate any F/2 in your system- But I concur with Michael that if you grow your phyto for 5-7 days I believe that it has used nearly all the F/2. I had two more batches of Phyto convert to rotifers this week, so you really have to be careful with cross contamination. I quess I am a bit too sloppy. Will still bring some phyto and F/2 for you Xeon, and plenty of rotifers for anyone interested. Regards, Lee

Michael, I'll take one this Sat. and be happy to contribute $. Thanks, Lee

The best article I have ever read on reef keeping is this one. Insiders guide to reef keeping, Eric Borneman in last months issue of reef keeping at Reef Central. The article can be located here: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/eb/index.htm I have an Aqua C and am happy but Reef creations makes a knock off that is easily as good and as inexpesive a price as you will find. I concur on the sump size, buy as large as you can fit- I bought an inexpensive 50g breeder tank on sale and made it into a sump using DYI ideas easily avialable on the webb- went to many sites before I had my ideas straight to make it a combigned sump and refuge. My last piece of advice is a common mantra in reef keeping- Nothing good happens fast. Take your time in setting up and you will save a lot of money in the long run. peices of equpment come on sale from time to time including entire 120g plus systems fish LR and all. If you have more time than money take it slow. A small sytem now for collecting and grow out can be what starts your larger system. And no matter what you say about not wanting to keep corals- softies will become LPS and then some one gives you that first peice of digitata and you are on the path to better lights, more volume, filtration, and an asundry of reactors. But it is a learning curve that is not so steep after the first few months, and only gets as technical as you desire it to be. Would that a fish only tank would do it for me- but I stopped marine keeping at the tail end of under gravel filter days, when fish only was all you could do. A natural looking reef is a challenge that is now available in even a Nano cube with some effort and understanding of its limits. Enjoy, Lee

Michael, Natural Astaxanthin, 1 oz. (trial size) Color pigment $5.00 For 5 dollars you can add this to my order if you have not sent it in yet. Thanks Lee

I am also in- just put me down for a date that the Northern Va tanks are toured. Though my tanks are no where near to being mature. I am in Burke. I can have a cooler and the grill going as well. Lee

Grav you know I am close as well- And have a pretty sparce tank - read lots of room- MH's are up but there are pleant of overhangs for low lightguys. I am no longer hypo salinc in the 150 and there is a good bit of open room in the 29 as well- PM'd you my number- Let me know if you need help. For my two cents I think the system will handle it- I have a canister filter that you can run carbon and mechanical on if you would like to borrow it for a week or two.. Regards, Lee

PM Eddie about CoralVue bulbs, You couldn't print in a public forum what he'd tell you. Tagging on the question- Rich- If one were to go with 20K vs 10K is there no need to use actinic suplements to get th eflorecent colors to show? Or would one 20K with two 10k provide aproximately the same eflorecent as the 10 Ks with vo Actinic Lee

Eddi- Ill help if you upgrade- just cn't imagine what you'd upgrade to after a 360G. But your spouse is looking for a nano- so betrween that and getting rid of the fresh water discus tank you have some leverage. LOL Regards, Lee

I guess it is Just you and me Eddi. Thought we'd save some people some miles and discuss tanks in the bargain. Still have open seats for those interested.

AAron, I'll bring a couple of bagiess of live sand and some baggies (Pod Filled) of various Macro Algea calurpas and Chaeto Macro algea to the 17 April meeting. It is always good to get some biodiversity in the sand. Other members did this for me when I first set up not very long ago- in a few short months and you will be doing the same for others.

I got "Tropical Play Sand" at the HD at 50 and fairfax co park way in November.

No secrets here, Though Grav would like me to change my avatar to Xenia killer. USMC retired, diver, pilot, doing belway banditry as defense consultant. Old UGF marine keeper, getting back in because of the reef and corals aspects of the hobby now, would like to raise some bangais and some clowns- unfortunately the more difficult clowns wil be my first project by happening onto a chancce at some GBMCs- Really enjoy seeing other member's tank set ups

Xeon, I brought your rotifers to the TRT social- gave some to Michael, and some to someone else- Will bring some to the April meeting for you- as well as some phyto for folks to use or culture- I really enjoyed the tour of the back grow out tanks! Lee

I ran a 29 with Sea horses and inverts a few years back- It was fairly easy- Need lots of pods though. Some of the easier lower light soft corals would look nice in the setup as well.

sorry My mind was on the membership meeting 17 April not the TRT Social- Agree, Not the place to swap frags unless you have PM'd someone and do it in the parking lot. See you at TRT's on Saturday! Regards, Lee

I am in for 1/2 block of cyclopeeze and 1/2 block of Mysis anyone ever use the freeze dried cyclopeeze?

Go to members forum there are folks lining up trades already

Red Dog- I have been taggingwith the same Ick problem- This weekend I lowered slowly my SG to 1020 and will bring it to 1019 tonight. I have seen no problems with any of the soft corals excep the pulsing xenia is less active- all other polyps are open mushrooms, digitas, yellow colony, zos, colt and devil hand- Green finger leather is a bit droopy- Question - how long does one keep the hypo salinity at this level? next I will raise temp a bit- I usually maintain 79 degrees. I am in search of a UV sterilizer- they are a bit pricey for what they are. And I have heard that I would need greater than 25 watts on a 150G system. Last resort would be chem- Kick Ich or Ruby reef? preferences out there? I know to stay away from any copper based- Thanks for letting me tag Red Dog, how is your ick doing. Regards, Lee

Where did you find the ferric hydroxide - and what is the dosage- is that a generic of rowaphos? Thanks Lee

I put in my wish list of snails into the reef tank for our social- or else I would be in. I need to wait for my upgrade in lighting before i get anymore corals. Regards, Lee

I used to keep a couple of black mollies in a 55 gal fish only- I would use them for feeding the anenome, but never had them have babies in salt- they have live babies like guppies rather than eggs- I have bred them in fresh though. They are good feeders for an agressive Fish aquarium as they can survive the salt and stay alive lnger than most any other feeders from the fresh water environment. Lee