lutz123

I'm sorry this happened but glad you were able to deal with it quickly. Can you explain how glass aquariums die of old age? I get silicone aging, but glass? And chips are dangerous in aquariums, even small ones in seemingly safe areas. I can see how it would cause stress even by tiny areas of pressure.

I didn't add that I think it would be in terrible taste to raise the price. I have a short list of folks that I wouldn't buy from, but overall it's been great, and I love meeting people. I have definitely learned to ask better questions when buying. So is there a guideline on what needs to be asked via pm vs. in the thread?

Curious too about what questions are allowed of sellers in the sale thread...but I think this should be under Member Discussion since it's concerning the member only area. I would hope that mods reminded sellers to disclose any recent illnesses or relevant tank conditions, and that the sale area is for members only and that it's okay to sell for another member if it's stated. I think anyone is within their rights to raise a price if they change their mind.

I'm confused as to why you say you want to "plumb it properly." Plenty of people prefer flexible tubing. I agree on the mag7. Get a second backup. Are you having problems or do you just have the urge to tinker?

Right now my favorites are spiral corals, gorgonians and cynarina...so I picked other!

Shrek it is - tell your wife thanks! We will see what happens. I will probably get some more halimeda anyway. When I set up with the TB Saltwater rock later this year I am going to have a tough time with hitchhikers!

Maybe a 3-5 gallon separate tank with little flow, moderate light and lots of macro. I lost power to my pico and for over a week ran it with an airpump and natural light and was amazed at how many "bugs" cropped up. It would be a perfect little environment for breeding pods but I'm not sure how big the population would need to be. Any that you get out of a temporary chaeto addition would be eaten quickly. Could you dedicate a corner of the tank to macroalgae? That may help.

Looks awesome! My jawfish built a nice burrow under the rock and has stayed they, perhaps expanding a little. Oh, and I can confirm they jump. I lost half of a pair when I left the lid off for a few hours and would have never expected it. They were the only ones in there. Talk about feeling terrible! :(

While feeding this morning, I noticed this little guy waving around in the current - later determined to be some species of halimeda loving sea slug from the Caribbean. I got the halimeda a few weeks ago from KP Aquatics in the Keys. I love all of the various hitchhikers in this hobby but I'm guessing this one I should do without? It appears that (some) halimeda contains diterpenoid metabolites to deter being eaten and that some species of sea slugs incorporate those into the toxic defense. You can see in one of the pictures that the halimeda is a favorite anchor for one of the seahorses, and while these 2 girls exclusively eat mysis, I'm worried that one of them may snick at the sea slug. Not to mention, I only have one clump of halimeda and the food source may run out quickly unless they eat something else. Thoughts? In reading back, it looks like I've answered my own question. I really hate removing critters. Maybe he can live in a refugium with halimeda in there.

Did you try TW Perry in Leesburg? Also, we used Tri County Plumbing quite a bit - they may know of a local resource. And you never know what you might find at Nichols Hardware in P'ville.

Breeders rarely make money. It's more expensive than you would expect to raise fry.

Since I'm not familiar with many species and where they are from, are there any notable types whose removal will no longer be allowed?

Me too! Must be a girl thing. ;-)

The thinner is maybe thread thickness, the thicker is more like mechanical pencil thickness (sorry best I can think of! ) I got both from reefs2go I think. The thicker one I had would break off if it was disturbed. Heaven help you if it needs to be moved. Many online suppliers close over the holidays due to shipping delays (and hopefully to enjoy some time off! )

Check out live-plants.com. Lots of info in their free guide (and a good place to buy from). It's definitely worth some research. KP Aquatics has good ones. My reefs2go ones were pretty good, but a couple I trashed because they were covered with hydroids. I would be okay with taking my chances there. You could always dip in prazi if you are worried. I prefer the fine chaeto. The thicker stuff breaks apart and gets everywhere. Be careful with macros that break and reattach. I have some type of macro in my pico that is spreading quickly - not caulerpa. I can check what type that is in a little while - I can't remember offhand. Overall the fish like them and the water seems to stay cleaner.

I can't see it very well, but twice now I've had fly pupae in my newly imported live rock. Once it was alive and moved slowly across my tank. The next morning the pupa aas empty. I guess my point is not to always assume it belongs underwater. You may never know!

+1. It's amazing how efficient they can be. See if you can find tank-raised cardinals - they are not as stressed with the transition and are over-collected their habitat, assuming your talking Bangaii.

Thank you! There is always a tendency to make suggestions based on sps, when in fact the corals mentioned prefer lower light. A PAR 30 may even be fine.

All good advice, but remember this - if you are emptying a protein skimmer cup you need to take that into account, since you would be removing saltwater...

Just wondering if there is an updated stocklist in the works? You spoil us by letting us know what to expect!

Mine is Leesburg is okay. I wouldn't make a trip to buy from there but I got a yellow clown goby from that store and it's been the healthiest fish I've had. The snails I got from there were good too. This fish had been there a month. They get shipments on Tuesdays.

Technically, with completely sterile rock, sand, and water nothing would be present to grow. If the rock and sand is simply dry you may get algae. Or who knows, if it's not been cleaned well there could be dry eggs that hatch when hydrated (like artemia does). No, they would be there.

Just be careful not to overlight...