Pet Forum / Aquaria / Marine Reef / December 2006

I have an anemone that didn't look so hot, so I finally sat down with a
notebook and started working through my jr. chemistry set.
Arg!  Eye popping levels of nitrate!  I only had ten gallons of water
mixed up, so exchanged that.  And, I put the fish on a crash diet.  I've

I have an 11-month old tank that was doing very well up through early
August when I had to go off on a 90-day trip to the middle east. Well,
I'm back now and my oldest son, who was feeding and cleaning the tank,
"forgot" to empty the skimmer the whole time I was gone! So, this

Hey all,
I've been lurking here for about a week to make sure this wasn't just
another group where everyone flames everyone else. I'm happy to say
that I haven't noticed a single derogatory post. Not to say there

http://www.serent.net/the-thing.jpg
The picture isn't too hot, but I have a few of these growing on rocks.
They seem to have a circular orifice at the top and a rubbery feel to them.
--Kurt

Sorry, yet another newbie question:   For about 200 gallon setup (110 +
a hypothetical second tank), how big of a refugium do I need?
I just ordered some copepods, so I know I'll need some sort of setup soon.
--Kurt

I decided to experiment with my Damsil.  I put on my shorty wet suit and
collected water and sand from the local beach.  (Water Temp is 65; no
wonder I didn't dive under.)  He now had a nice bed of fresh sand
collected in the surf and seawater.  Still alive; I'll see if he

my lionfish will just hang out in a corner or under my overflow pretty
much all the time is this normal for them?? he is the only fish in the
tank and shouldnt be stressed and the water checks ok.

I've been plagued with poor fish survival in my tank, over the past year
and a half i have lost 6 clown fish, some within the first 3 days, the rest
within two weeks, ive also lost two blue damsels, and apparently today while
i was acclimating two clowns [last try before i scrub ...

Bought my tank setup, but the previous owner kept the salinity/specific
gravity at north of 1.026 to keep "parasites down".  I've been slowly
lowering it to 1.024 which is at the top of the green zone for all my SG
float calibrations.

Can anyone recommend a good coral to start with?  I have dual florescent
balasts, but no metal hydride lights (yet).
--Kurt

Is this possible?  It would seem all I would need is
something biological to drop in the tank.  Some people
here have managed to turn me off of using damsels to
cycle, and live rock for a 29 gallon tank would cost

Why are some things so expensive?
A 1/2 hp chiller runs over a $1000.  The BTU's don't even rival a window
AC unit which runs under $100.  Or, an office water cooler that runs $150.
Ballasts over $800.

I think...   After feeding him thawed out frozen food (like we do every
other day), he fell to the bottom of the tank an laid on his side.  I
lifted him with the net and he spit out a bunch of food and fell back
to the bottom of the tank.   I lifted him again and he started swimming

After a long research I found that the majority of the credible sources
endorse if not promote the use of fresh ocean waters in your aquarium.
Nevertheless, there is a slight opposition to this option by many.  This
objection is worst considering...

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