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Yes, it is. I did give them a link to the forums. I hope they check out the thread on the last group buy from Vivid so they can see what kind of information we all share during and after the group buys. I notice they have quite a few acans and also several kinds of blue zoas. I don't think their prices are eye-popping overall, but the buy one get one could result in some great deals. I also like that most of their stock seems to be aquacultured, which means lower impact on wild reefs and a greater chance that the critters can live happily in captivity. Personally, I'll probably just get a zoa or a zoa-and-mushroom frag pack to assess the quality of the stock. I'll be interested to see what other people think. In my experience, ordering from unfamiliar on-line retailers can be a hit-and-miss proposition. That's why I tried to be clear upfront that I don't have any experience with these guys. However it goes, it will be good that ARC overall has some basis for deciding if this is a retailer people want to give their business to. ej

You could call them to talk about the requirements of the critter. Whether you buy and whether you buy *from them* are separate decisions. I don't think asking questions implies a commitment to purchase. But maybe I have bad manners in this regard??? If a business is helpful, I try to do some trade with them, but it might be something different from whatever I was asking them about. ej

It looks like they have this at Pacific East Aquaculture at this page: http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/Deta...d%3d83%23T1-22+ They seem like nice folks and are willing to chat on the phone. According to their site, this is from a mother colony that they've had in captivity for quite a while, so they may be able to tell you something about the requirements. We're in the process of doing a group buy from them (see the Group Buys forum). LE corals have to be ordered by Wednesday lunchtime to make it as part of the group buy. ej

I haven't ordered from them before, either, so I'm not sure. My guess is that there's some kind of comments box. I'll try to call them tomorrow and get clarification. ej

Here's the latest info from Pacific East: Doesn't start until tomorrow, but you can look tonight. ej

vwmike, the frag packs are what interested me. The 12 packs you can get mushrooms and zoos. (I don't really do anything more difficult than that.) They also have the 20-frag pack, but no mushrooms. I don't want the acropora or the hard corals, but I'm considering the zoa 20 pack. But then I was looking at my tank and wondering where I would possibly *put* 20 new zoas. Even though they are small (says 4-8 polyps), I'd like to give them room to spread out. All that to say, if you're think a 20 pack of zoas, I'd be willing to split it with you. Daniel, I totally agree about the shipping and discount. I did ask them about it, but they said they don't offer anything like that because we are not a club they sponsor. I *do* appreciate that they actually handle all the money from a group buy. I'm so grateful that Mark is willing to take care of all that for the Vivid buys, but it's more than I'm willing to do. If Pacific East wasn't willing to handle the money part, I would have just made my purchase quietly on my own. ej

Wow! Those are beautiful! They came from Pacific East? ej

Okay, the Austin Reef Club group buy at Pacific East Aquaculture is officially opened. However, my sources tell me that if you are ordering corals, you would do best to wait until the specials are posted on Sunday. This is to be delivered to my house on Friday, June 12. See the original post in this thread for more details and let me know if you have any questions. ej

I just got my iPhone a month or 2 ago. I don't love it. I do like the ( nearly) full web browser. I like the (nearly) seamless switching between wifi and cell tower data connections. I don't like iTunes. I don't like the app store. I don't like obsessive need to retain so much control. To date, I have not jailbroken my phone. Would love a device with an updated Palm Os. ej

Okay, we're on for a group buy at http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/. I talked to Beth. She seems really nice. The order will open June 4 and close June 11. Everything will be shipped to my house (William Cannon and Brodie) to arrive Friday, June 12. If you want to order any limited edition items, you need to order that by Jun 9 because it takes a couple days for them to get those items in. Shipping is a flat rate of $36.99 and there's a $10 box fee. That will be divided up among the people who get in on the order. There's no discount on shipping or on prices, no matter how much we order. If you want to participate, visit http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/ and select your goodies. Place your order on-line or over the phone directly with Pacific East between June 4 and June 11. Tell them you are part of the Austin Reef Club group buy. You will pay them directly. I will need to know what you ordered and what name you give to Pacific East so I can make sure everyone gets the right bags. I haven't ordered from these guys before, but I decided to give them a try. It will be interesting to see what kind of quality they offer. Anything I forgot? ej

Hi, everyone, I just ran across an article about these guys: Mark Martin on Dealing with Zoanthid-Eating Nudibranchs I don't know if it will help, but thought I'd add this link to the discussion... ej

I went to Aquadome and got "Reef Kalkwasser". It's a power. Calcium Hydroxide. I understand you can also buy calcium hydroxide as "pickling lime" during canning season and it's about 1/10 the price that way. Made a paste. Fed it tenderly to eat aiptasia and watched them curl up and die. Took a couple times on one that was hanging upside down, but worked the first time on all the others. Works great for the anemones you can see and did not hurt anything nearby. I also got some peppermint shrimp. They seemed to have a fairly high mortality rate, at least in my tank. I have one who has made the adjustment and I haven't seen any more aiptasia. I assume he's doing regular aiptasia patrols and has probably eaten some that I would never have seen until I tear down the tank. ej

Okay, after actually looking at my calendar, shooting for a delivery date of 6/12 will work best for me. ej

I've been checking out http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/ I think I'll be placing an order with them in the next 3-4 weeks. I checked with them about group buys. You can see their response below. They normally charge a flat shipping fee of $36.99 and a $10 box fee. If anyone else is interested, I'll call to see if we can get a break on the shipping or a discount on the overall order. I'm thinking of a delivery date about 6/19 or so if we have enough for a group buy. (May go earlier if I go alone.) So check it out and let me know if you might be interested. If so, I'll see about making arrangements. ej

I don't have recommendations for either. But for a slow drain, we use an enzyme that does wonders on hair and fat (soap residue). If you're interested, I'll find out the name. My shower was very slow and we put this stuff in and all of a sudden, it was like there was a hole in the bottom of my tub (right where it should be!) For pest control, I agree that it depends on the pest. For most insect kind of things, diatomaceous earth is great stuff. It's made from the skeletons of diatoms, which apparently are very sharp if you're the size of an insect. It pierces their exoskeleton and they dehydrate. Safe for pets and kids. You can eat the stuff if you want to. We got ours at The Natural Gardener and the 20# bag was $18. I thought everyone knew about this stuff, but I've learned differently in recent months. ej

And give the Bahamas ticket to ARC to raffle off... ej

Pick up where? ej

I'm kinda interested, but would it be too much for my little 29gallon? Could I run it with just a couple maxijets until I get a bigger tank (may be quite a while). ej

So what kind of pump does it work best with? Anyone know? ej

Welcome, Jeff, Keep an eye on the Want To Sell forum or visit one of our sponsors to find a used nano cube. You should be able to find something without waiting too long. ej

It's only been like a day, right? I wouldn't worry yet. My barbershop goby tends to come out more later in the day, but he's quick to hide if disturbed. It was several days before I could approach the tank from the front without him diving for cover. (Approaching from the side worked better.) Now he's okay unless I make a sudden movement or take the top from the tank. I see the shrimp less often, but I see evidence of his work. I get a shrimp sighting a few times a week. Again, most often it's later in the day. ej

Any contact info for Sea Clearly? ej

I don't know anything, but on-line I read that it might be good to give puffers a couple days of darkness when they seem to be sick or injured. The darkness makes them feel more hidden, less vulnerable, while they heal. Dunno if that's helpful. Hope he comes through okay. ej

Nick picked up the sand I had. All the aragonite sand in my house now is in my tank. Sorry. ej

I'm interested. ej