ann

Thanks to all of you who replied to my question. I guess I did not make it clear that the camera is inside a waterproof case which limits the options I have. Back to the drawing board.... Ann

Just need help with an LCD screen that blanks out when the sun is too bright. A pain when snorkeling and taking underwater photos. Would like to know cameras that don't do that, or how to get around it. I've tried putting polarizing film on the LCD screen but it didn't help. When I go to take a photo, the LCD screen is black and if I slant the camera away from the direct sun (and away from my subject), it comes on again and I can see the scene below. I'm using a Canon Elph 2009 model. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Changed my mind. Do not want to trade. Please remove this post if possible.

Me again. I found out what I need for my 14 gallon biocube. Two bulbs:

24W 10K Daylight (13")

24W Actinic 03 Blue (13")

Can you include these in the order? Thanks, Ann

I would like to join the buy if I can identify what I need. I have a 14 gallon nanocube with two bulbs that came with the tank. Anyone got specifics? Ann

Thanks, Mike. He's yours. Mission accomplished.

HI All,

I am going on vacation and need to find a permanent home for a Bangaii cardinalfish. He's in a 30 gallon nanocube and eats most everything. I live near Southwest Parkway at Mopac. I need to do this transaction tonight between 8 and 9 pm. Can anyone help me out? 565-9666 call if interested. Ann

This also happened to me about a month ago. My zoas and zenias were very happy and healthy. Then I decided to make things even better by adding a small amount of Coral Accel to my 30 gal nano tank. Everything stopped coming out except the mushrooms who seemed to love the stuff. Only after several pronouncements of 'perfect' water and correct temps did I deduce that this was probably the culprit. I am learning that if 1 capful works for 60 gallons, 1/2 capful might not work for 30 gallons. It isn't linear.

I have stopped dosing and my guys are slowing coming back to life. Good luck! Ann

I've had this yellow coral gobie for a month. My only other fish is a bangaii cardinalfish. I alternate feeding mysis shrimp and brine shrimp. At feeding time the cardinalfish eats everything in sight and swims much faster than the gobie. Shortly, the gobie sort of gives up. I fear he's not getting enough to eat. I'd like to do the right thing by him and send him off to a good home. Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks, Ann

I'll be there......and might win another door prize!!! Ann

If anyone can use this pump modification kit, I am willing to trade for soft corals, or even advice. It was donated by River City and retails for $13.99. The brand is Ecosystem. You can call me at 565-9666 if interested. Ann

Hi,

Thanks for being willing to share, but I won't be drving up your way. Georgetown is too far for me to drive, and I am leaving for a trip on Thurs. Next time! Ann

ps could not send this as a personal message. My apologies to other readers.

HI Zen Reefer,

I would love to have your extra cheato. I have zenias to offer you, or a grateful hobbiest (me). I live south. How can we hook up? Thanks, Ann

I have been buying pre-mixed Tropic Marin salt water and now want to begin to mix my own. I have a 29 gal nano, soft corals and 2 fish, and change 2 gallons weekly. Do I need to let the mixture sit for 24 hours, keep it stirred, etc?? What tips can you give me? Does anyone think Instant Ocean would be ok? All comments, suggestions and advice are welcomed!!! Ann

Hi Dave and Robin,

Met you at Aqua Tek today. Will be at the meeting. Always interested in mushrooms if anyone has extras. Ann

Announcing the June meeting at the home of Dave and Robin aka dapettit.

This will be a Saturday meeting held on June 20th at 3pm. The address is:

906 Peggotty Place

Austin, TX 78753

This will be another great meeting to hang out and put a face to that avatar. Check out Dave and Robin's blog to get a sneak peak at their awesome 150 gallon tank.

All are welcome to attend. Please let us know you are coming by repling to this thread. Hope to see everyone there.

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Hi,

I'm interested in the Neon Green Zoanthids, either frag, or the pink zoas if you still have them. Ann

Some Corals for Sale

This is what the Mother Colony looks like under 14K 400W MH.

Actual Candy Cane mini-colony 8+ heads------$30

Purple Death Palys 5+ polyps------$50

Neon Green Zoanthids 2 Frags

1 (20 polyp frag)-----$20 on the right side

1 (5 polyp frag)------$5 on the left side

Pale Pink zoas 12 polyp frag-----$10

Hi All,

I'm a fairly new aquarium keeper but otherwise an intelligent reader. I am interested in common solutions, readily available fish and soft corals and new equipment. I have a 30 gallon reef set up. Thanks, Ann

Hi Lee,

Thanks for your suggestions. Please see my reply above. Lights are a problem I suspect. Maybe that's why in the beginning everything was so healthy. Ann

Many thanks for your comments. I, too, don't like to dose my tank. There have been times when it was beautiful without adding anything. As for the lights, well, that's been a problem. At 6 months I was prepared to change out both bulbs but the Chinese ship bringing the blue light bulbs did not come so no store had them. Instead, I was advised to buy a new day light and use the 6 month old day light as the substitute for the blue dawn dusk light (that actually burned out at 6 months). So I run the new day light for 4 hours (will split as you suggested) and run the old day light bulb for 10 hours.

I noticed this morning that there was no coraline algae growth on the glass as had been previously. I used to have to razor it off. My two sea cucumbers are both filter feeders, one on the side of the tank and one under the sand. I feed phytoplankton twice a week for them and the feather duster worms. The cowrie is a white shelled species commonly called a money cowrie. Has a black and white mantle.

I am surprised to see advice about 'too many softies'. When I bought the tank I was told I could pack it full of soft corals, just no hard corals. What gives?

I think the larger emerald crab has died. I haven't seen him for a month, but do see the smaller one ocassionally.

And I suspect the water is not being circulated enough. I have a fan I attach to the lid so will begin to run that one a regular basis.

Finally, if you or anyone you know would be willing to pay a house visit, I would willing to contribute toward their next fish. Thanks, Ann

My 29 gal nanocube reef-only tank ran fine for the first 6 months. It housed lots of very large mushrooms, zenias, star polyps, and zoanthids. I added some leather corals toward the last. During month 7 and 8 the mushrooms slowing disappeared and the zenias wilted. During month 9 the candy cane corals, bubble corals and zenias died. In their place lots of green hair algae grew. I was on vacation for 3 weeks and my tank tenders did not know what to do.

I have had the water tested at two stores and all is fine except that the PH is 7.9. Here is what I was advised:

1. add buffer.

2. add iodine. May be why soft corals died. (I tried more light, less light, more flow, cooler temps)

3. cut the main light to 4 hours, auxiliary light to 10 hours

4. hand brush off the algae and change the filter

5. do a 20% water change

6. wait a month

Rest of the story: temp ranges 79-81, one scooter bleeny fish, two feather duster worms, two sea cucumbers, two emerald crabs, 4 blue-legged hermit crabs, 1 cowrie, two snails that live in the sand, 5 trochus snails (or similar). Very diligent owner who is about to give up.

Am I doing the right things if I follow this advice?

And any suggestions for reading material on tank remedies? I just don't have answers when the tank changes. I try as much as I can think of.

Thanks for your help and support.

What's the best food to feed my only fish, a scooter blenny? My tank, 29 gal nano, has some algae but also a lot of algae eaters. I have soft corals, a sea cucumber, a decorator arrow crab, blue legged hermit crabs, snails and one peppermint shrimp. The shrimp hides. Is that typical of most shrimp species available for home aquariums?

And a last question. Where can I get a spagetti worm, the long-tentacled one like you see in the wild? Thanks, Ann

I prefer the weekend of 8th/9th or 22nd, 23rd. My 29 gal cube is set up and waiting for the cycle to complete. I'll be asking about what to put in and in what order. Ann

HI All,

I've posted a few photos from my recent trip to Malaysia--Borneo to be specific. Off the coast of Borneo are 3 islands, Mabul, Kapalai and the world famous Sipadan. I snorkeled there for 5 days. The photos show the immense diversity of fish and invert life as well as the masses of fish schools. It's a great place to see marine life in the wild!!

For the complete set of photos, go to www.malaysaicabot.shutterfly.com The first album is 100+ photos showing the variety of fish, soft corals, hard corals and inverts. The other albums have 20 or so photos each and are fish families: rabbitfish, surgeonfish, sweetlips, eels, angelfish, butterflyfish, wrasses and triggerfish. Turtles and resort scenes are in other albums.

Enjoy!!! Ann

I plan to attend. I'm new to the group and just setting up at 29 gal cube. Looking forward to getting educated! Ann