mr11

Oh absolutely the medics are up there. I'm a physician in training though and physicians usually aren't forward deployed. Occasionally we'll get sent to a FOB but typically we stay at the larger bases in the combat support hospitals.

While I didn't have to go through basic, I went through the Army Basic Officer Leadership Course two summer ago which was the only training we got before becoming AD Army officers. We were in individual hotel rooms with room and maid service, it was pretty ridiculous. Granted I'm medical so I won't be in the trenches but I definitely expected more.

Those are sponges

Also what other kinds of corals are you getting? Start off with some easy stuff, softies like zoas and mushrooms, xenia, GSP etc. Hold off on the SPS or LPS for now.

Thanks for the feedback. Stirring small sections at a time might work. If I vacuum out the top layer, I can was it and put it back in the tank? It's a small siphon, like maybe 1/4" and has a plastic filter between the wide diameter mouth and the narrow tube. It looks like the attached picture except with a squeeze ball to start the siphon. I think I need something more robust.

I have one of those siphon vacuum from petco and it clogs almost instants when I try to clean my sand. What do you guys use? I have a thick almost hair algae like algae growing on my sand since I set up the new tank. I'm on day 2 of a blackout but I don't have high hopes. Thanks

Awesome. It's dead quiet and still no leaks . I'm in the middle of a blackout to get rid of this algae but hopefully I'll get pics up soon

Circle of life is right but apparently harlequin shrimp murder these guys in a pretty brutal fashion. I can't remember the exact details but I think they eat off all the feet of the starfish while keeping it alive over a period of days.

I personally think 81-82f is fine. Sorry I don't have any other recommendation unless you can get a small fan to blow across the top of the water.

Good to know. I'll make a stop there during my next NOVA LFS tour. You guys are spoiled

I like Trochus snails and LFS never carry them. Which is mainly why I order online

Just make your own pack

I agree with this route. Also the new reefbreeder V2 series is super nice, one light will cover the whole tank, 2 year warranty, 6 channels, and inexpensive as far as LEDs go.

Harlequin shrimp eat them but make sure you have a rehoming plan if you get one. They'll starve once you run out of star fish

They look like Asterina star fish to me. There are debates as to whether they are good or bad. I have them in my tank and don't plan to remove them.