cmanning

My Harlequin shrimp just goes around scavenging for them so I'm not in such a hurry to get a chocolate chip starfish. The shrimp's main meal is a large starfish that will last around 2 wks., but I figure if these little guys are around, I get to see the shrimp roaming around the tank more often than the usual. They are just multiplying like crazy, what's with that. Come to think....last year I had a outbreak like this one, my zoas suffered, gsp vanish and everyday I would find more. I wonder if this is seasonal...you know?....like on certain times of the year they spawn. I heard of corals doing the same -- spawing!!!

Some can start munching on your zoas and also star polyps. I've recently notice that some of this little guys are eating the purple coraline off the glass.....leaving a white discoloration, like they only eat the purple layer. Some can be beneficial but they can also get out of control. I prefer, when it comes to inverts, to eat the ugly nuisance algae not the purple kind. -Cindy-

Hey Dave.......you must be relief knowing what the cause was to your algae problems. This is the RO/DI system we invested on http://www.spectrapure.com/St_MaxCap-RO-DI.htm. You know you can get those TDS meters and add them to your set up, if you haven't decided on it. It will help you monitor the quality of the water and you can be prepared in advance if the cartridges need to be replace. You know Robert (my husband) said to mention to you about adding a house filter before the water goes through the RO/DI system, you'll be able to make your cartridges last a little longer, just a thought. Keep us posted on your progress. Dave vs. Algae

If the pair is new to the tank.....give it some time to acclimate to its new surroundings. If you feed mysis or cyclopeeze...turn the flow (pumps) off and try to sink the food as close as possible to the den. Give it a try! So far, I haven't heard of a pistol shrimp attacking/eating a goby they pair up with.

As you can see....it's cleaning the rock. I think mainly this one takes care of the detritus from the rocks and keeps your sand bed clean (white as possible). We're very pleased and I just love the color.

Thanks for the advice......I need all I can get. As for the tripod......I got it a week later and it makes such a difference. I'll try what you suggested and will post some pics. All advice is greatly appreciated. -Cindy-

First....check your water parameters. Ornamental shrimps are prone to nitrate/nitrite, toxic. Two....is possible that it might have molted and is in hiding until it finishes hardening its new shell. As for the snails......IMO, super glue your corals for more stability. Let us know if you find the cleaner shrimp. -Cindy-

Do you have the blue tip tenius?.......not sure if you got a frag. The blue oregon tort is growing pretty slow, but I get to see it everyday so I probably don't see the difference. I'll have to take a pic and compare it to when we first got the frag and see any difference. I'm still holding on and see if any local reefers come up with the blue or purple tips granulosa. I think I'm going to ask "princer7" and see if there's anything interesting she might be fragging anytime soon. How do you like your calcium reactor? Glad to hear your tank is doing so well. -Cindy-

Does it look something like this?

Hey Mike, Your valida looks great and I love the color on that birdsnest. How's it coming along? Is your tank filling out? What camera are you using?

Dave, Sorry to hear that your still battling the algae problem. Good idea on hosting the meeting at your place. An opportunity for some insight on how to deal w/your problem. -Cindy-

It's an Aptasia-----a form of an anemone. Not good......you want to get rid off ASAP or it will spread all over your rocks. They will sting some corals and can sting small fish. There are products out there that will help kill it. "Blue Line Aptasia Control" seems to work. -Cindy-

Well, you're more than welcome to come by and take a look.

KENT Marine "Expert Series" Lugol's Solution----this is what we use. Caution----you must read the instructions thoroughly and follow them to the "T". I SUGGEST TO RESEARCH BEFORE YOU DOSE, that way you'll be better informed....and avoid any disasters.

Hey Mark, Do you dose iodine to your tank? I was wondering.....since iodine is an antiseptic and not harmful to tank inhabitants, that it might help the clown with its problem. We usually dose are tank once or twice a month (about 6-8 drops), and that's on the conservative side. We prefer to dose less than what the instructions says than overdosing. Just something to look into.

Mike, Were you looking for specific specimens? If not, we've got several pieces we would like to get rid off. Let me know what you're looking for. -Cindy-

Does it put out its tentacles when you feed your fish? Get a flashlight and check them out at night...when all the lights are off.....most corals put out their feeding tentacles at night. I have placed mine, "Aussie Acan", on the sandbed and where it gets medium light; not too bright. The Acan Lords----I had them under bright light......but they seem not to like it as much as the filtered lighting they are getting now. What kind of Ca test kit are you using? Seems like your Ca is a bit high, IMO. Good Luck -Cindy-

My husband purchased this piece a week before the sale. "SWEET"

We have a 215 ..... one of the reasons we decided to have a brick style tank, no more scraping the algae from middle brace. Ditto what princer7 said.

Love the aquascape and the lr is sure covered in purple coraline---very nice!

I took a series of shots in manual and auto. These ones were taken on manual mode. Got love the image stabilizer on the lens.

Well I guess I was a good girl this year....Santa was very nice and got me this for Christmas http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos50d.asp. I'm still learning-----need to learn a lot but I'm having fun. I still need to get 2 more lenses that I'll be needing. Cough, cough ....my birthday is next month, maybe I should tell my husband about this one. Here's a few shots I took, nothing special, but still learning.

Love the textures on the urchin.......awesome!! Your tank is coming along nicely. Will you be adding more live rock to give it some height?

That would be awesome. Let me know how much you're asking for or if there's something in particular you're looking for we can do some trading?