lancer99

you might also try patience....IME (no too often experienced, lucily) cyano sometimes pops up, and a couple of weeks later, goes as quickly as it came. -R

I've always used http://www.alysta.com/books/fishtank.htm as my guide. -R

LaMotte's Ca test kit not only provides a glass vial (unlike the cheap, unreliable/unreadable plastic vials from Salifert), but also says to "gently swirl" while "gently depressing the plunger." Same method, better equipment and instructions. -R

@#$#% chloramine! That's progress for ya.... I'm not looking forward to having not one but TWO add-ons to my RO unit, but definitely better safe than sorry. Thanks for that link Bob...I'll be upgrading soon. -Robert

I had more empty shells than snails in my old 75 gallon tank, especially after the hermits killed most of my snails, but that didn't end their killing spree! Granted I didn't feed that tank very much, so maybe that was the problem. I keep getting conflicting advice...this type of hermit won't kill snails, that type won't.....if they're lefthanded they're okay, if they're left-brain dominant maybe not.... LOL, I made up that last part. I'm beginning to think it's better to just go with a shedload of snails and make sure they can mop up the algae before it gets too long. -R

Thx YBe, I guess I only experienced Hechinger's in their decline. Our water supplier here in Fairfax County has generously mentioned in their newsletter that the chloramine they add might be detrimental to aquariums. And I read recently on wetwebmedia that you need at least two carbon filters to strip chloramine....mine is an old Sandpoint unit, all the guts replaced, but with just one carbon filter. The tap water coming in is 230-260 (Hanna meter) and coming out is 3-5....do I need to worry about chloramine? Thx, -Robert

But presumably they increase the life of the RO membrane? -R I'm convinced that the reason Hechinger's went down the tubes was that their customer service was absolutley HORRIBLE....even when it wasn't busy, it was almost impossible to get any help or get a simple question answered. Lowe's and Home Depot seem to have at least partially learned that lesson. -R

I read on ReefCentral that all emerald crabs are only safe up to about 1/2". YMMV. But all crabs are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything they can get their little claws on, especially as they get larger. Not to hijack your thread, but can anyone tell me which hermits are the best (i.e. won't kill snails?) -R

I guess I didn't explain myself well...or at all These were shaped like your standard yellow clown goby .... fat and short, not long and skinny like a neon goby. But they had black stripes on their dorsal fins and tail fins. Much more striking than the usual clown goby. -R

The air bubbles are most likely oxygen being produced by the algae during photosynthesis, so they are nothing to worry about. As Rascal mentioned, a skimmer would also be a great help. -Robert

What are those cute lttle yellow gobies with the black highlights at BRK? They were labelled, close as I could tell, "ORA Yellow-Lined Gobies," but look nothing like the same on the ORA site. -R

schwaaazzz......uhhhhh That's the sound of me not giving a tinker's darn about koi -R

To kill a bit of time while my new tank is cycling, I decided to make the trek out to Blue Ribbon Koi, based on the good things I've heard about them here. Once off the horror that is 66, the drive through Manassas National Battlefield Park was lovely. Drove right past BRK, forgetting they're in that garden center....U-turn, watch the house numbers, slam on the brakes, quick left turn, finally there! I was *very* impressed. Although a few items had some unwanted algae growth, most of the tanks are pristine...quite a good selection of fish, and they all seemed to be in excellent condition. Not too many softies, some LPS, but what really impressed my is their selection of SPS. Their main 260 gallon tank is chock-full of beautiful acros and other SPS...I think I spent about half an hour looking at that tank alone. Prices are reasonable. Most of the top-end items are $99, but they even have some $9.95 frags that are nice. And loads of good stuff in-between. And the staff are very friendly, but not at all pushy. One of them chided me gently for starting up a 29 gallon tank instead of the 150 that I'll eventually get to, but when I explained that I wanted to start off slow, he understood I never did see any koi, but I was probably distracted by the good stuff -Robert

Hope you got one of the old-style rubber hats, before they got rid of the tinfoil insert...you don't want the aliens reading your thoughts. I AM that florist...will post a pic of me wearing the thong (only) if anyone would like. -R

ROAD TRIP!!!! Brian, thanks so much for the tip. That LR is exactly what I'm looking for! I'm in Falls Church, so it's not exactly "local"... but it gives me another excuse to visit the Aquarium Center. Unfortunately I can't make it up there today for their sale. Does anyone know what their regular price on LR is? ($8/lb on sale) Thanks! -Robert

I've heard that Coralife's bulb cleaning solution is only effective if you buy their Bulb Removal Gloves and Anti-Static Mat for the correct bulb type. Is that true? -R

Aquatech usually has good prices on bulbs...but instead of a price, they have 'call' listed for all of their radium bulbs. I've ordered from them in the past, and IME they're quick & reliable. Might be worth a call. Cheers, -Robert

Does anyone know where/if I can get some good-quality Florida "deco"-type LR locally? Vienna Aquarium had some great-looking pieces, covered with all kinds of critters & macroalgae, but a month later, either it's all been sold, or the green slime has killed all the good stuff :( Thanks, -Robert

CladAcora If that's what it is, there is a bit of care info here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/faviididfaqs.htm -R