Bill B

I noticed a mention of Vivid being a new sponsor and saw them on the rotating banner. I also notice they have not shown up on the sponsors list. Were they a 'limited time sponsor' or has da Andrew just been busy? Just curious. Bill

Question Mark IIRC all you get in this group buy is discounted product, no shipping breaks. Can we gang up orders to still try and save on shipping or does there have to be 10 shipments as well. Thanks Bill

Don't discount the possibility that you had two things happen around the same time, as suggested. Whenever I have had strange deaths and more than one symptom, it often turned out to be more than one problem. I have heard more than one story of LFS owners pretty much talking a 'regular' out of buying a Copperband - typically they are just not right for small tank captivity. Bill

I could probably use something. PNd

Just a note - Dendros (and sun corals) are not photosynthetic so some will put them in almost shade spots where they couldn't put anything else. The dendros are so much nicer than sun coral. They look similar but dendros extend their polyps during the day (nicely) and sun polyps you have to really coax them out, often times after first lights out. HTH Bill

I hope I'm wrong, but I think that just means it's old, wearing out and will just get noisier untill it gives up

Right, the Sailfin and Yellow would very likely be a bad fit. JMO

Very Nice Gabe!

That's the dendro.

Let's see I have heard Yellow Coris, Green Coris, Mandarin and Target Goby, Target Goby only. I had some flatworms and my Target did not seem much interested in them that I could tell - although 2 others I know swear by them. I tried dipping corals and they seemed to slowly fall off. I followed that up with Hydrogen Peroxide dip and they dropped rapidly. If I have the problem again I will probably try the H2O2 again and if I see any later, follow that up with Exit chemical control in the tank. The problem with using the Exit initially is if you have a bunch of them you need to spend a bunch of time trying to vacuum them up as they die to try to keep them from releasing too many toxins back into your tank. If it's just a few stragglers that shouldn't be much of a problem, but I would still keep my little 1/4 tubing vacuum handy in case I see a lot more falling than I originally saw,along with some carbon. TMSAISTI Bill

I vote on Kenya tree also. If, and it could be, it's a leather there should be time when the polyps completely retract and all that shows is the 'limbs and stalks'. Doesn't mean much but I have never seen a finger leather with so many branches. The mushroom I was going to say Frilly Mushroom just because the Hairy Mushrooms I am familiar with have a lot more 'stuff'/hair coming from the top surface. Then I googled Frilly Mushroom and one site sez Frilly and Hairy are the same. Bill

I'm sorry but I majorly object to the philosophy of 'kill it if you are not sure what it is'. You can almost always query the group and make an actual decision on what you might find detrimental to your tank. When it comes to asternia stars for instance I would say it is not very likely at all that they are coral eating pests. They most likely will scrape/eat the coraline. Although they are not very fast, they will also eat algae off rocks and in all sorts of nooks and crannies. If there are too many down sides for you then it is certainly your right to remove them. But, to my mind it is down right irreverent to nature and the hobby to essentially shoot first and ask questions later. IMHO Bill

I have had very good luck with a toothbrush rather than vacuuming, if it is in a sheet. The bristles seem to grab and hold the cyano when it is in a sheet. If it is not in a sheet, it is very hard to dislodge anyway. JMO Bill

I do not see any answer which mentions cycling specifically. I'm gonna say you should not add any living flora or fauna so long as you have ammonia and nitrites, particularly animals. Bill

Yowza- I put my hands in the water way too much to always be on gloves, but hopefully that visual will keep me mindful of not putting them where I can't see. Sundra, 'I feel your pain!'. May be another story of ignorance is bliss. When I had it out of the tank it was in a small butter tub, which the cat knocked over when I wasn't home. My wife just picked it up, threw it back in the tub and called to asked me what kind of water to use. Bill

PM sent on several items. Thanks Bill

Hi Cindy If I am envisioning it correctly I would like the Echinata. Can I drop by tomorrow and leave that controller for Robert to look at as well. Thanks Bill

Man I love outta the box thinkin'. It would have some problems as do other options, but WELL DONE on the thinking process! Bill

I am not an expert, at all, on lighting, but since no one has addressed some of it, I thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth. I personally necessarily do almost everything on the cheap so I am going to address this from my point of view. Although your eyes will confirm it you just have to take it on faith that watt for watt t5 HO lighting is more powerful than PC and Metal Halide is more powerful than T5. T5 3' bulbs are only 39 watts so you are probably going to need at least 4 of them over a 3 foot area. The nicer setups, with individual reflectors are going to have 5 or more bulbs, but for my pocketbook they are pricey. Actually what Tonya had/has is a pretty good setup. If you can find them used that's 2 clipon or hangin pendants at around $150 each and a 4 tube 3" @ $150-$200. You might be able to cut that all the way down to a 4 bulb 24", but now is only 96 watts and still is going to be $100 up. I heard you talking with Robert. If you can go with a partial canopy or suspended lights it may take a while to find but you can probably find ballasts, reflectors and bulbs for 150-250W MH at about $100-$150 per set (used), ideally using 3 sets. I think even 150s may be adequate for your needs but the 250's easier to find. Electronic ballasts are more, fancy reflectors are more and maybe not needed if you are not going to do SPS. The problem is almost everyone starts off not going to do SPS and eventually does. There are many other combinations and permutations but that's a quick picture. HTH Bill

Liz Sorry to hear about your woes. I have had problems getting my bulbs loose in the past without pulling out and leaving the posts in the plug. You probably should know if you took it apart, but I though generally one ballast ran two bulbs, but it sounds like maybe your fixture is long enough that, that isn't the case. Anyways if you are willing to share your email address with me please PM me the info. My granddaughter took a pretty nice little picture of your kids and one or two others I think. Thought you might like to have it. Bill

I definitely agree that tap water should be avoided. It is just a pet peeve of mine, and for once, I felt like I had to comment on folks voicing their opinion was fact and not answering the question of a new member. In other words not being helpful at all. I think 'flowers answer is fine - yes you can do it, I tried it and wouldn't recommend it. Sorry, I am not trying to put down any one person; just the collective occasional practice of a number of people. (Bill, steps off soap box) Bill

It was nice to meet you and Lynn also. I think you will be happy with the corals. They are all pretty sturdy varieties. Bill

I'm sorry but I think it is a real disservice to new people to quote absolutes, which are not absolutes, but rather your strong opinion. The correct answer has been stated by most - yes you can use it but it's extended use will have detrimental effects and unwanted results. I know of a LFS that used to start with tapwater when cycling larger tanks from scratch rather than cart a bunch of 5 gallon jugs there. I have never used dechlorinated tap water and I wouldn't suggest it, but it can be done. Even then I would suggest RO/DI for water changes and top off water. IMHO Bill