Truckin

My favorite was the guy with a sign that said, "No lie. Need money for beer."

I think the point of adding, at least, a small amount of "live" sand is to introduce small critters and bacteria into the sand bed that help to cycle waste through the nitrogen cycle. I'm not sure that the same species of bacteria thrive on live rocks, since the rocks and sand bed present different micro-environments. Maybe that's a good question for a microbiologist.

I'm not an expert, but I have not come across any information about sand (non-silica type) contributing to an algae problem. It seems that most algae problems come from phosphate and nitrate in the water (from waste).

My tank has a couple inches of fine aragonite on top of coarser aragonite. Since I don't have any burrowing fish, I wish I did not have the fine stuff. Any time I mess around on the bottom, I get a cloud of the fine stuff stirred up, and it settles out everywhere, including on corals.

Good luck.

As a newby, I was intrigued by the waving form of xenia. Now it's scattered all over my tank on the live rocks. Two questions:

Is there any way to have it in the tank without it spreading all over the place?

How do you get rid of it? I tried cutting some off, and it grew back from the small amount left on the rock. Any solutions?

Thanks, Roy

Got any pics and what are the dimensions?

I plan to be there. I'll bring some doughnuts.

Roy

I'm not in a rush. Let me know when it's ready and I'll come by. I live not far from you folks.

Good luck on the new setup.

Thanks.

If you still have the SQWD, I want it. I or my wife (she has been there before) could come by this afternoon. Or, let me know another time that is convenient. And PM an address and a phone number again so we can touch base.

Thanks, Roy

PM sent on Blue Lagoon zoas.

You might take a look at one of these:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~category~ViaAqua_Poly_Reactor_(Multi_Media_Reactor)_Phosphate_Reactors~vendor~ViaAqua~idProduct~VA3311~idCategory~FIFRISPR.html

I'll take the following:

Test kits (ALOT of test kits)- $10

5 x 5gallon water jugs- $2 a piece

1 full jug of Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix-$10

1/2 full jug of Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix -$5

light timers-$5

1/4 Kent Marine Phosphate sponge-$2

3/4 full Kent dKH buffer $4

3/4 full bottle of Ocean Nutrition Flakes $2

1/2 bottle of Marine pH buffer by Seachem $2

PM sent

PM sent on the frogspawn.

Okay, you got to me again. Let me know when it's convenient for me to come by.

Thanks, Roy

I'll take:

$9 Eagle Eyes

$10 Mysticals (if you can do another one)

$12 Whammin Watermelon

Pick up at RCA would be fine most any time. Let me know when.

Thanks, Roy

How large is the interior?

What kind of mushrooms are on the rock & how large is the featherduster?

Considering the "extras" that go with a saltwater tank (such as protein skimmer, lights, etc.), I would buy a complete reef setup from someone selling. Saltwater tanks are an expensive hobby, especially if you buy items individually. It would be a lot easier, and cheaper, to buy a working system from someone who has had it running for a while. Have patience (easy to say) and watch for stuff selling through ARC or Craig's List. Good luck.

I'll take a frag of the green birdsnest. Are you ever in the NW Austin area? Otherwise, PM me on the best way to meet up.

I've been adding some new softie corals to my tank, and I just learned about using a dip to avoid pests. Do any of you folks have experience, both good and/or bad? It seems that dipping soft corals might be more of a problem than stony corals. Can anyone recommend a good product especially for zoas and mushrooms?

Thanks, Roy

Hi Mark,

I'll take frag #2 of the 2 polyps for $10. PM sent.

Roy

Interested in the multiple-head frog spawn, small anemone, something in upper-left corner of photo (maybe blue candy canes?). PM sent.

If we can meet up somewhere north of downtown sometime, I can take five at $3. I'm not in a rush. Send me a PM if this works.

Roy

Sorry for the delay - go ahead without me. I need to do a little more internet research. Maybe I'll have it together for the next group order. Again, sorry for the delay, and thanks.

Roy

Hi Mark. Can you hold until 9:30 this evening? (I was assuming a couple more days.) I would like to order several things, and I need a little time to get my act together and make PayPal payment.

Thanks, Roy

I don't want to criticize, and I would like to increase my understanding - so what is the explanation for sterilizing dead rock? I can't think of a good reason, and it does add one more hassle. Just because it does not cause obvious harm, let's not elevate it to a "best practice" unless there is a good reason for it.

And, by the way, there are plenty of microorganisms floating in the air, so things don't stay sterile for long.

Why do anything to it, except maybe brush off any loose debris? Dead is dead. What are you folks trying to kill? Any way you go, it will have to cycle. Adding some live rock will help.