chewie

He's just looking for the right spot. From the looks of the foot, it is a Crocea, and IME they like to be up high in the rocks. Mine would also detach when unhappy, and they have also been manually detached by myself. Usually when re-scaping. The foot looks good. I wouldn't be too worried. Find a crevasse that his shell fits in up high in the rocks so that it can open and close freely. It should re-attach in a few days.

WOW! Very clean, and well thought out!

Very nice Dave! I always knew you were a good electrician, but DANG! You got skills! The VCT came out nicely! Did you seal it?

Go with an Eheim. I've heard they're pretty good

That wasn't directed at you Miles. It was more directed at the original poster having a hard time figuring out which equipment to choose. How many posts do you see where someone goes around touting the latest and greatest piece of equipment, without having owned anything else, or even owning the equipment that they recommend? Once in awhile you find a post where someone has used equipment X and equipment Y and they will give a comparison between the 2. Sadly these posts get buried by "equipment X is crap, or so I've read".

Right on Andy! What's wrong with shag carpet? You know that there are people who would pay good money to have the retro look.

That's the biggest problem when researching equipment. Too many people "read" things on the internet, without having used, or even seen said equipment in person. All while replying that they must not be very good. Bio balls for example. How many times have we read that bio balls are a no-no? I have seen plenty of reef systems that use a wet/dry with bio balls. 1 comes to mind that will blow away 75% of the tank of the month systems.

Try a Sedra 3500. I think they're around $75 from custom aquaticYou get a good needlewheel, the venturi, and the airline hose.. Pass on the gen-x.

It's OK Shannon, my wife wasn't too thrilled about me going either. Don't those pendants come with the glass shield?

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/821/Mesh-Tubes-Plastic/screen/1

FM? What is that?

Mine bubble up the day after feeding heavily. Usually last about a day or 2 if I'm lazy about feeding. More anecdotal info

Sweet! You'll like that intake screen for sure. Mine has been running 2 months, and hasn't needed cleaning. The added bonus being that it is a MUCH safer intake for Anemones. I guess you're excused for not coming to Shawn's yesterday. I had a cold one for you. Do you already have fish in other systems that will be going in this tank? If so, Whatcha' got?

Well, I have an 8yr old, and a 6yr old so no GTA4 for me. I played GTA3 and It was a fun game, but the kids weren't old enough to be interested in it back then. My son would be ALL OVER it! Lately we've been playing Mario Kart Wii. That game is like crack! I can't put it down for nothing, unless we're playing Endless Ocean. GREAT game for anyone in this hobby with kids.

You don't even know Shawn! I spend about an hour looking through my "junk box" gathering some DIY supplies. Gimme a few weeks, I'll have a good setup soon.

Maybe by that time my setup will be ready. I can bring my cooker, cooler, and extra brewing supplies. We can make a double batch. Note to self: EAT A HUGE BREAKFAST THAT DAY! LOL!

SUCKERS! You missed out on a good time! The whole process of making beer is really simple. You have to have some knowledge, and Shawn uses a program on his computer that helps with the mix ratios and it makes it ALOT easier. Dude can make some good beer too! Thanks for having us out Shawn! Super cool little brew setup you got there bud.

Well that's what you make the big bucks for Sam. Happy late Birthday!

To me, Base rock is usually more rounded, less branchy, less porous. Usually people put this rock ate the "base" of the rock structure. Either way, any rock that has been dried out will cause a cycle. Unless you get it real clean before adding it to an established system.

Yes, but it will take alot longer due to it being everywhere in the tank(substrate, rock, ect.) I recently lost a Powder Blue Tang to ich. It took about 3 weeks. He wouldn't have anything to do with Nori(seaweed), but he grazed the rocks all day long. I thought he was going to make it, but sadly not so. It's the nature of the beast with these fish. Nyles hit it on the head. The best way to buy fish is to get them form local reefers. But if you have to get it from the LFS, MAKE SURE IT EATS! I just got a Blue tang and it was eating nori in the bucket during acclimation. I've had him a week. he eats like a pig, and has not shown any signs of ich. I soak the nori in Selcon(vitamins) before feeding. As long as I can keep him healthy he will be fine. Blue Tangs are one of the most susceptible tangs to ich. Try one that isn't too small. How big was the last one?

I got one Sean. I'll also bring my kill-a-watt.

I disagree. Now, I don't recommend it but if you HAVE to it can be done. I have a crocea that has been relocated MANY times, usually because of a roaming RBTA, or re aquascaping. It has had it's whole byssal gland ripped clean off at least 5 times. If it's a healthy clam, it will be OK. If you have to do it, make sure to pull the clam to the side rather than straight up.

Dang! How'd I miss this one. I have seen the old style James' Tank and they're still built like a well.......... TANK! Looks like it will come out real nice!

Jay, Depending on what kind of rock you have, pressure washing could easily break it up if you're not careful. If you're feeling extreme, you could BOIL the rock. Then scrub, rinse and repeat. It took me 3 sessions of boiling for an hour, scrubbing, rinsing with the garden hose ect. It certainly works. 50% of the rock in my new tank was boiled almost 2 years ago, and a recent batch of about 25 lbs was boiled about a week before I setup my new tank. You'd just need to get a good piece of rock to reseed it. I would suggest only doing about 25% of your rock at a time. Isolate it in your sump until all rock is ready to go back in the tank. It would be less time consuming than "cooking" the rock for 6-8 weeks.

I'll be there.