FirstContact

Anyone ever keep coris wrasses with SPS? What type of sand bed? What type of issues?

Was thinking about the next tank possibly being a DSA, but there's a really nice post on RC about their post sale CS. So, when I'm ready, I'll be looking at other manufacturers. I have heard bad stories about DSA previously - specifically from one of their own vendors I was trying to buy a DSA tank through a couple of years ago. But I guess everyone has different experiences. But do check out the RC thread before making a decision.

Great thread. I'd been using Nutramar Ova too but ran out of that last year. Tagging along to see if anyone knows about that one too.

From what I understand, they discontinued manufacturing the freezer bars. The now sell packs of cubes separately or with PE Mysis. I contacted the company via email through their website but they never responded to my question if they will start making the bars again. They have them at House of Tropicals in Glenn Burnie; so, they are being marketed.

Is House of Fins in GA? They seem to be on the web a bit. Also, didn't BubbleKing open a factory in Florida the other year? That's all I got. Oh, AquariumSpecialty is in the Carolina's right? Have a safe trip!

Thanks!

Was thinking about a Skimz sh1 or an IM ghost medium as a skimmer for a nano 28g. Want the skimmer to fit in the nano 28g. Any feedback on these skimmers?

Water quality is good. I just changed last Tuesday a week ahead of schedule, and plan on changing out gfo ahead of schedule too. I usually wait six weeks on gfo, but am switching now at four. And water changes are every two weeks, but I changed at one. I'll test before the gfo switch to see where PO4 is. I don't have my log in front of me but Tuesday dKH was 11.x and calcium was in the high 400's. Nitrates are usually low but I haven't tested recently, and can test when I test for PO4 before the gfo switch which will be this weekend. One hundred to two-hundred-fifty par seems really low to me for a clam, but I am not an expert and don't own a par meter; so, I can not check what my clam is getting. Clam is doing well on a rock about four inches inches below the surface as written above, and 100% on the LEDs was too strong for it as it closed up under that amount of light. Thanks everyone,

Turns out nine inches was above tank level not water level. Lowered lights and went to 85% clam looks better. At 100% clam was closing. Also, shortened ramp up/down from 2 to 1 hour. Thanks again!

I have two Duncans. The only close up subtract into their skeleton if they get too much flow or if I have to move them. They close their heads when feeding.

Both good responses. Height is nine inches above water level, and depth is about three or four inches. Both Good points. I'm going to 80% now ans see what happens.

Make that NOT enough light? Okay, so I don't have a par meter and picked up one of Dr. MACs awesome clams before the last meeting. Guys been in the tank for over a week and doing great. Today, seems to have lost a little color. Running it directly under an Orphek PR72. I was running the light at 70% for the majority of the day. It ramps up in the morning and down in the evening over a two hour schedule. Just bumped the lights up to 75%, and thinking about uping it to 80% for tomorrow. Anyone think it should go higher, higher sooner, or different ideas? It can't bleach at 70% right? It's only 72 watts and that includes the power source etc.. Thanks in advance FirstContact.

Sent you a pm.

I would host too. Your idea is a great one

I'll be showing up! Looking forward to it!

Both good prices. Ron, thanks for the offer. I have about four weeks left and am looking to stock up. Thanks to Srini too.

Wondering if you guys are still selling salt for Reef Crystals at a reduced cost for individual or group buys?

Any good salt sales or group buys out there on ReefCrystals?

Looks like a dove snail. Harmless. I'd still be contacting Maxspect directly. The worst they can say is no if you ask for a replacement rotor.

Too bad, not a great way to get into the new year. How frustrating! Maybe Maxspect or CoralVue would like to hear your experience and send you a replacement for free if you contact them.

I've never bought a SW fish from PETCO, but I'd be interested to know if they ever get their hands on the SW fish that ship from their website now; or, if it's a third party not owned by PETCO doing all the work. Anyways, I am definitely not purchasing anything SW from PETCO. They would have to do some major development/changes in their stores and development/changes with their employees (education) for me to consider visiting a store and purchasing SW specific items that are not dry goods. I just don't see SW reaping in the customers that their sales and outreach around dogs and cats do. If their business model turns around and they prove successful in the SW area (something like a Big Als that Canada has) I'd consider it. Would I purchase from LA/DD if PETCO owns them, yes, but the longer they own those divisions the more closely I'd be monitoring before I made my purchases. Honestly, it does not make sense to me, but if they can make it successful, I think most people will be pleasantly surprised.

IMHO this is a terrible idea for everyone except for the sellers. No company purchases another company without making significant changes. PETCO is the controlling interest not the other way around. So, what's more likely, that PETCO's mission and corporate philosophy will prevail overtime or that DF&S and LA will influence PETCO's business model and philosophy. What's more likely, that LA will survive to feed hobbyists' visions and needs or that PETCO develops the knowledge and resources to try to bring the LA experience to it's stores nationwide. I think PETCO is a good store for what it is, I just don't think LA fits into it's business model as the company presents itself today, and I don't think SW hobbyists fit into PETCOs vision of SW sales.

Hope he turns up! He looks awesome.

Following along because I've never seen anyone recommend anything but the Luft pump. There must be other alternatives. What about the Cobalt Aquatics Oxy Pro? It's relatively new, electronic, adjustable, and comes with a three year warranty. Don't know if the range of performance and adjustibility meets the needs of an ozone generator, reactor, and air dryer. What are other options to the Luft pump, would the Cobalt Aquatics pump work, and has anyone used anything else successfully? Or, why does everyone seem to use the Luft pump?

I've always gone with Caribsea dry sand and seeded it from an LFS a, a friend, or another tank. Your supposed to get a lot of critters with the arag alive, but I' be always past it up due to the extra cost. I use special grade reef sand and anything b/w 1 and 4 mm. I also add Caribsea puka shell for gobbies and basslets. BTW oolitic sand will blow everywhere if you a) drop a powerheads b) use one of the new powerful powerheads/gyres. But you can mix it.