Chad

My letter. Dear Sir or Ma'am, I write this letter in opposition to Proposed Listing Determinations for 82 Reef-Building Coral Species; Docket No. 0911231415-2625-02; 77 Fed. Reg. 73219. I oppose the proposed rule because the Status Review Report upon which the rule is based contains insufficient data, the method underlying the Status Review Report does not make scientific sense, and the rule does not thoughtfully consider the impact of mariculture methodology. Reviewing the Status Review Report, one phrase particularly sticks out: "The lack of adequate information on complex coral ecology and interactions between threats made the assessment of extinction risk for each of the 82 nominal coral species extremely challenging and uncertain." Bluntly, how can any rule be based on such a lack of supporting scientific data? Additionally, the two-time, anonymous voting by members of the National Marine Fisheries Service was based on non-quantified methods and the large disparity in results does not show adequate convergent to meet any scientific standard. Also, expert non-Governmental marine biologists were not included in the team writing the Status Review Report, although many such educated personnel exist. This absence likely contributed to the poor methodology used by the team. Finally, the rule does not consider the impact of ongoing mariculture methods to any of the coral species identified in the rule. Any review that does not consider these ongoing efforts is incomplete. Based on the severity and number of problems associated with the Status Review Report, the proposed rule is not authorized under the Endangered Species Act. Instead, these corals should be designated as "species of concern" until such a time when the above concerns can be adequately addressed. Sincerely,

MASNA's formal response, which looks pretty good to me. My recommendation would be for public comments to hammer on some of the same points. http://www.reef2rainforest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MASNA-response-letter-ESA-listing-v3.pdf

Yes, just make sure the two coefficients add up to 100.

It lives.

Several of our vendors are very capable and experienced at sourcing and acclimating rare fish. Even with these expensive and rare gems (pun intended), give our local vendors a chance before going elsewhere.

This isn't the first (or the second) time I've heard in the last two weeks about the sales reps pushing product hard, but when a LFS owner asks for supporting facts they don't have it. I don't personally know if it's poor knowledge in the salesman or lack of supporting info... either way it's a flag for me to do more DD prior to purchase.

LOL.. it's only been a day!

My heater draws ~1.5A when it's on...

At full bore, with main DT lighting on, I draw 11 amps. It's divided across two 20 amp circuits (though one is shared with some other stuff in my living room (e.g., TV).

While I fully agree that the in-tank propellor power heads are super effecient and rightfully have the most attention right now. I am curious how higher efficiency and controllable DC pumps will change the game.

I ran across a link to some of their stuff today. Pretty stuff, but it's at a high premium! http://www.derkroon.com/store/ Hey Dan and Justin... how about a locally manufactured in Virginia version?

I'm not sure how I feel about the fish. It's certainly different. If I knew it was a genetic trait (rather than something that may go away like some of the crazy "tricolor" yellow tangs out there), I'd like it better. Maybe Copps will provide some info...

Congratulations!!

Congratulations to you and Natalie, Brian!! Very happy for your growing family!!

Anyone note this fish as it flashed through DD today? Kind of interesting, huh? I haven't seen a flame angel without black pigments before, does anyone know if this is an aberrant mutation or genetic?

There have been some great ideas in this thread! This one is a really good one that everyone can do (as long as they thing about it before the tank goes on the stand and gets filled!)

A nightstand or side table could work well to hide electronics and keep it safe. You can always go up too and put a shelf above the tank. Remember to keep drip loops on everything so water doesn't accidentally infiltrate your dry cabinets as it did mine.

I agree with Rob... This is one of those serious safety things that we really need to pay attention to as hobbyists. It can put our lives and homes in danger if we get it wrong. Put a drip loop in place. And if you can, have a dry cabinet and a wet cabinet and put all your electrical outlets in the dry cabinet (or at the very least on the outside of your wet cabinet). Salt creep and moist salty air are REALLY BAD for anything with a plug. In my current setup, there isn't anything that gets power from below the level where there is water in the highest tank.

The emperor shrimp I was talking about... Right up your alley, Rob!

LOL, I hope so!!

Oh, and Rob... I think you owe Matt $20.

Heading out next month (4/13), if anyone wants to meet out there before the Sunday meeting

Thanks, Dave! Tom, yes, it was a week or so old in that picture... But now it's going on a month and still won't stay... I'm thinking of going with ARM extra-coarse calcium reactor media! (and yes, that's an eductor) Starting to get some corals in there...

Who's still following? Anyone want to bet on retail of the fry? They'll be hitting market soon... I'm going to go with $3,300. Pool on it?

Bill, I'm so glad to see the t5 supplementation! I really like how your lighting fixture turned out and the tank is looking pretty good too! Hope all is well! Chad