mindeeo

We started to cycle and aquascape our tank in November, but it wasn't until late December or maybe even early January that we acquired our very large (and ever growing in size and number) clean-up crew of snails, hermit crabs and emerald crabs (first move, first mistake). These critters provided our kids hours of entertainment. Like "Where's Waldo?", we played where's that crab? No longer is that game a challenge with these every-more-bold critters! The only time we cannot seem to find the crabs now is when we threaten to remove them. Shhhhh....for the exception of the snails, they are all going to be relocated! We also had our first hitchhiker - a Stometella.

I think your wife must be brilliant as your a magnificent woodworker.

5 minutes.

We have a few emerald crabs who have worn out their welcome, and tried the 2 liter bottle trap. I am envious. We have yet to have any luck. Out wrasse has enjoyred the shrimp, we have caught our smaller clown fish, and have caught many hermit crabs (who have been relocated). Maybe I will try the glass....

For the last 5+ years, George (Rubberfrog) and I have had a wonderful fresh water planted tank with Australian rainbows, a breeding pair of kribensis, etc. It was a center piece of our house, and then... a tree fell on our house! About 1/3 of our house was destroyed. The house was condemned and the power and water were shut off! After a few weeks, we were finally able to find a moment to check on the tank, and only our plecostomus (no surprise!) was alive and loving his new algae rich environment. After being dislocated for over 3 months, our family (George, me, and three young children) were able to move home. Below is a picture of our house with the tree, and then one of our son dreaming of what our new saltwater aquarium will be. This thread will follow our journey in converting from fresh to saltwater, actualizing our new vision. The picture does not show or seem to look as destructive as it was

Wow! I am impressed, with both the tank and pics.

I am so sorry to hear that. I had been rooting for his miraculous recovery.

Depends if you like the snow globe effect, or not. We usually turn ours off during feeding.

Jan, I think I found a similar post. If so, a journal article was posted within the thread. I read it and looked at the pictures. They looked pretty different in shape and color than our creature. In addition, the crabs appeared to be more symbiotic with the coral than detrimental. Hmmmmmmm.

If we took if off the dog, I would say it was a tick. I doubt that corals get ticks, right?

I guess there could be worse hobbies, more expensive hobbies, and less time consuming hobbies, but not many. This says it all!

I like the comparison of lighting. Thanks for sharing. The options with led make it tempting.

OMG! I just noticed this message. I would have taken you up on this.... Thank you so much! Hopefully we made the right choice.

Awesome... thanks. That is what I wanted to hear.

Thanks! These are Giesemann. Would you recomend sticking with that brand? Or another? Thanks so much, Dr Eclipse.

My husband claims he ate it the entire time I was away on a business trip (See above post by Rubberfrog).

I like those colors! The Giesemann bulbs are not classified that way... can you provide more details? Brand? URL? Anything is helpful...

I have a Giesemann fixture with 2X250 MH, and 4 T5s. Wehave Radium 15k MH, and are now ready purchase the T5s. We have 95g mixed reeftank. We are unsure which ones to buy (actinic, super blue, etc.). We'd lovefor the corals to grow (but think the MH are doing that), and want to make thered, blues, purples pop. Any suggestions? I am sure that there are more opinions than lights, butI am completely clueless at this point.

Jan, next time you hear knocking at your door it might be the Fairfax Police vice unit after all of these speculations. --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.067358,-117.606909

That is awesome. I hope to see that at the next meet! Or you could always drive it over to my place.

Thanks for the info.... I am glad to hear that, as I a,ong with the kids, are already get quite attached to our fish. I'd hate to have to explain the life cycle to them anytime soon.

That is one funny analogy! I knew our tank was bare, but now I think it is the desolate Sahara desert of tanks (95g with only a few starter frags). I, too, look forward to seeing pics.

He looks like a wonderful old guy... Also, you asked about lifespan, which raised my curiousity. It appears that yours were way beyond the average of 2-4 years (can that be right?). Sorry about your loss.

I have wanted an anemone more than anything, but everything I have heard, read, learned says bad. I am going to get a plate coral, long tenticle coral instead. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=597+321+481&pcatid=481 I hope my clowns and I like it.

I, too, just discovered these in my tank. They appear to be very good, but ugly...