lancer99

Good, you had me worried for a bit! I think the serpent star in my 75G is taking cues from his counterpart in the 29G: -R

I will not accept any negative comments about the late Don Knotts. LOL! Good one Larry! -R

If they are Scypha/Sycon/Pineapple sponges, they won't grow larger, just will reproduce until they hit their natural limit. If they are the greyish white invasive sponges.....good luck! -R

Polyps falling off is not a good sign :( Xenia is a notoriously bad shipper, which is why it's better to get it from someone local. And some tanks just don't support it, whereas in other tanks, it's a weed. I would suggest that you don't move it again. Changing its conditions will just stress it out more! HTH, -R

I've never had a problem with smooth-legged serpent stars in the past...they have always been model reef citizens I stayed away from the hairy-legged ones, until Ken from sealifeinc assured me that the ones with hairy black legs were reef-safe! So AFAIK the only non-reef safe ones are the green hairy-legged ones. -R

Highland, I apologize for my antagonistic tone...it's just that I have had keyhole limpets (the white-shelled type) in tanks in the past, and they never caused any problems. In fact, they were model citizens, sucking up hair algae! -R

The serpent star in my Caribbean tank almost always stays hidden, and usually I forget he's even there. But last night when I fed the tank, he decided there was something that took his fancy at the top of the tank: Sorry for the cr*ppy pic...I was in a hurry! It took me a good five minutes to find my cam, so he was up there for a few minutes longer. I didn't know they could do that! -R

IMHO that's b*ll*@...I've never found a limpet that was detrimental...is that your personal experience, Highland? -R

When I lived in a condo and had seven tanks going, I had to use a de-humidifier. Without it I got condensation, then mold, on the walls! -R

Their site is indeed a bit confusing. The "Total two part package" will make eight gallons of each supplement, for $59.99. The "Two part starter kit" makes six gallons, for $49.99. So the total package is cheaper. BTW, I found that the dispensing pumps that they include, while cool-looking, are pretty messy, especially since you have to push down on them to seal the jugs against evaporation. I ended up just using the regular caps, which they also include. -R

Brian, Thanks for the suggestion...but my little guy seems completely uninterested in frozen Cyclop-Eeze. I use it to feed the Rics in this tank, and whether it drifts by as a result, or I try to "target" feed him, he just ignores it :( But I appreciate the response. -R

I got a tiny little barnacle blenny, about 3/4" long, and put him in my 29G. Didn't see him for over a week, and was convinced he hadn't made it, but kept throwing a bit of food in the tank just in case. Three days ago I found his cute lil head popping out of an "abandoned" astraea shell, which he has adopted as his home. I'd like to be able to target feed him, so as to minimize the amount of food I have to put into this tank. But even regular mysis are too big for him. Any suggestions? Thx, -R

I'm in MTL the last week in May, so June is better for me too...and maybe by that time I'll have done the rest of my unpacking I have a frag of this Ricordea rock hitchhiker if either of you want it. I think it's a Eunicea sp., maybe the same thing origami has, but the polyps are smaller. And by then I should have a frag of the thick branch Briareum asbestinum for Dave, and maybe some Pterogorgia citrina frags too...the sealifeinc.net site says its frags easily. Gorgonian Party...I love it! -R

Some people swear by it, but I think the consensus is that it's a gimmick. There was speculation in the ReefCentral Chemistry forum that it was just powdered, indissoluble calcium carbonate. -R

Should I consider than an official dis-invitation? I can't for the life of me find my Caribbean ID books...I think they are still in boxes. Hey, it's only been 10 months since I moved, can't expect me to have everything unpacked! Good news, my Pterogorgia citrina is starting to regrow tissue where it had lost some. -R

Tee, That is a beauty! I'm thinking probably a Lemnaliasp....but it could also be a Sinularia or any one of related species. Whatever, keep my in mind when it's fraggable -R

I would advise Caulerpa, with a weekly trim, to keep it in the sand, but off the rocks (which may not be a problem for a while ) As you mentioned, without a great deal of care, Chaeto will end up everywhere... -R

R.I.P. Midas the blenny. Sometime between 7:30 this morning and 6 p.m this evening, he decided to go tile-surfing. Someone with more fish experience with me probably would have laughed at my holding his stiff body face-first into a powerhead, hoping to force enough water into his gills to revive him. I know that sounds a bit ghoulish...but I was desperate. -R

Wow Dave, your homomalla looks great...and black (unlike mine, but I hope that's just my poor photography skills)! When you mentioned "tissue loss" I started to worry. I find gorg ID often very difficult, and with all due respect, I'm not sure I'd trust either Sprung, or Fossa & Nilsen...they seem to have all copied from the same notebook. If only John Tullock would write a guide. The pics are great....I'll see if I can find anything similar in my Caribbean guides. Not sure if that will help, but...I'm pretty happy that y'all are worrying about gorgonian identification, since most people don't appreciate them at all! Cheers, -R

Brad, I don't think the calibration fluid can go bad, so that's pretty weird. Just wanted to mention that before I got a refractometer, I was using one of those swing-arm type hydrometers, and was running my tanks at 1.029, with seemingly no adverse effects. So maybe 1.031 isn't high enough to cause any problems either....? -R

Wow, that's a beauty. If I'm not mistaken, that's another species of Periclemenes, but I'm certainly no expert. My little guy is actually a lot more colorful in person, but since he's constantly in motion, it's hard to get a decent pic of him! -R

I honestly didn't expect much from a seven dollar shrimp, but this beautiful cool little guy is still alive, keeps cruising around and annoying the frags in my 40G tank....thx to Howard's December group buy! I mean that seriously...I love him (the shrimp, not Howard...no disrespect, I owe you!). -R

That's a beauty Origami...thx for the pic! -R

Yeah, that was a tough one Ken said he likes my pics (*pats self on back* ) and may consider listing the black sea rod on his site. Looking forward to your pics, Dave! -R

I am Bob......bOB MA I.