LCDRDATA

I'm not sure of size or if it's exactly what you're looking for, but this new thread from Capital Aquarium mentions an aquabox sump that's available: http://wamas.org/forums/topic/77549-tank-breakdown-awesome-corals-equipment-available/

I'm going to guess you're using a canister filter or similar setup. Assuming that's correct, the simplest solution is probably to add a dedicated surface skimmer. They're simple, cheap, and do the job.

Make sure to let us all know what you finally end up with!

As it turns out, you're correct - one of the main components of the alginate/hydrocolloid impression material is sodium alginate, derived from seaweed. I also heard back from my dad, and while this is what he used for his impressions, unfortunately he didn't have any real insight in whether it would be reef safe. However, according to Alginate impressions: A practical perspective, one of the other components is trisodium phosphate. Although it reacts completely while setting to product calcium phosphate, I think there's at least the potential to leach phosphates from the final product, although I can't quantify the likelihood. I should add that based on the mixing requirements I don't think this is the same material as the original post linked to. Still waiting on input from my brother.

I wish I could help, but I expect someone will chime in.

I think they mentioned it during last week's "Science Friday" on NPR, but of course there was no picture. Neat!

I don't know offhand, BUT I have a father who's an orthodontist and a brother who's a dentist, and I can check with them. I don't know if they'll be able to answer how the alginate (sp?) is likely to perform in salt water , but it never hurts to ask.

Our Leopard Wrasse is always cycling throughout the water column, and the same for our Banggai Cardinals. In my other tank, the Zebra Dart (AKA Bar) Gobies started out hiding at the bottom all the time, but now they drift in the middle/upper portion quite a bit. I think with your setup Scissortail Gobies would look even better.

Preferable to putting girls in the tank, but I wouldn't do anything to encourage the boys in that direction (not that it will likely require any encouragement).

I'm not including the various hermits and snails you'd expect in a clean-up crew Crustaceans: Fire shrimp and/or skunk cleaner shrimp; "halloween" hermit crab. Coral banded shrimp and (especially) arrow crabs are "cool looking" but with a bad attitude. Echinoderms: Large Serpent/brittle stars, Tuxedo and/or pincushion urchins Mollusks: Tiger or fighting conchs Annelids: Feather duster/Coco worms, Christmas Tree worms Softies: pulsing Xenia (most kids I've seen love the movement); branching gorgonians/sea whips LPS: Bubble coral, frogspawn/hammer Fish: I think you'll be better off with peaceful, "plays well with others" types, which admittedly limits you somewhat. Even so, I think there are some fun options for kids. For example, an engineer goby will give you the look of an eel without worrying about who else in the tank it's going to eat. If you're going with a sandy substrate, once its well populated with microfauna I'd suggest a scooter blenny (aka ocellated dragonet). Our kids loved ours, which they named "Puff" because of the fine substrate he ejected through his gills while feeding. Our kids also really liked the sharknose cleaner and yellow clown gobies we've had.

I think I can collect a reasonable amount for you. Care to trade for a couple of those red mushrooms?

I had that happen once when I switched out my filter socks and the new ones apparently hadn't gotten rinsed well enough on their last trip through the washing machine. There was no permanent damage, fortunately, but with a skimmer it only takes a minuscule amount to generate a ton of suds. Beyond that, it sounds like he made the right choice, although in the back of my mind I couldn't help hearing Samuel L. Jackson as Frozone, "Where's my super suit?! ...