DChemist

I enjoyed John H. Tullock's "Natural Reef Aquariums - Simplified Approaches to Creating Living Saltwater Microcosms" and still refer to it all the time. I also agree with Andy regarding... Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History - Borneman The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists - Fenner

Yeah, you're probably fine to add xenia and green star poyps. Those are the two corals I started with and they are very hardy.

During the 10 days did you test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? If so, did you see each rise and fall in that order (with the exception of the nitrate which would typically just rise)? I am assuming the live rock was already cured... How did you start the cycle; a damsel fish, piece of shrimp, or little ammonia, etc?

Google images of 'hydroids'...

Thank you also. The camera is a Pentax K10D- I think it is a good value for a entry level DSLR. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for a novice user. My wife thinks it's overly complicated compared to a Rebel XTi (she's used both our Pentax and my neices Rebel). The Pentax lenses are very affordable, IMO, compared to Canon or Nikon. I think I'd recommend a less expensive point and shoot camera for a novice. My wife and I started on a Konica Minolta DImage(10x lens, 6 MP, etc.) and I thought it was a great way to learn camera basics. Feel free to check out my photos on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8697511@N05/), I've got photos from both cameras.

Thank you... It doesn't feel like much of a comeback yet. I'm ashamed to admit I pretty much killed everything in the tank including the flatworms and nudis through frustration and poor husbandry. It's more of a mulligan. This time I'm trying to be less impulsive in my critter selection. I really love the heliofungia- it's been on my 'wish list' for at least a year. The original plan was to have it and a couple of little fish in a 12 inch cube at work. But this rebuild allowed me to do it at home. I need to publicly thank Isaac at Seahorse- I told him that I was looking for a colorful heliofungia and he found one almost immediately and held it for me. I spent more than I normally would (I tend to buy tiny frags) but it looks very good and I think I actually got alot of bang for my buck. I'm still working on my critter list if anyone has suggestions. What's not pictured is a pink skunk clownfish and some tiny blue clove polyps.

Thanks Andy... It's a pink tipped purple long tentacle plate coral, Heliofungia actiformis.(rock2)

Spectra's camera question and Frank's pictures made me want to point my camera towards my tank. I'm in the process of rebuilding the tank so there is much in there yet...

We recently upgraded from a point and shoot (Konica Minolta Dimage Z2) to a DSLR (Pentax k10D). I haven't taken any aquarium shots yet... You can see examples of what we've taken at Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8697511@N05/).

Happy Birthday!

Does anyone have an old Aquaclear 500 (or 110) lying around? I cracked mine this weekend and am looking for a cheap replacement.

I'm sorry I missed this one- it looks as if Bluecheese helped you with the chemotherapy...

I was salmon fishing in the ocean last weekend with my Dad on his brother's boat out of Ilwaco. We did alright, me and Dad got our limits of silvers. On Monday (I was back at work) he caught what he thought was a big Chinook. It turned out to be a shark (about six feet long). It was shaped like a blue shark, but was silver in color. He released it after a good fight. Just thought I'd share an interesting catch...

Wow... The lips and eyes are perfect. Brothers?

Welcome jdv! Any chance there'll be a 15L? I think it's 12 x 12 x 24.

While it doesn't hurt to know where your magnesium and calcium levels are- I'm not sure I've heard that they would affect your fish significantly. Alkalinity might be more important- too low and your tank could suffer from significant pH swings, too high could result in an excessively high pH (I'm going to have to go back and see what you reported) which could be detrimental. Mantis shrimp could grow up and start problems. Generally you'd here the tell-tale clicking sound, though. Xanthid crab(s) would be more difficult to find- pretty much have to really be looking for them especially after dark.

How are you Ca, Mg and alkalinity levels? Is it possible you are precipitating a calcium or magnesium salt?

Welcome, by the way.

Have you considered predation? Nasty crab, mantis shrimp, etc.? Do they completely disappear or do you find whole dead bodies?

Those are some great looking fish. It's so nice, clean and new looking. I remember how cool it was to watch all the new life grow from the liverock. Fun. I'd love to see a full tank shot.