Mr. Reef

No problem, I'm glad I could be of assistance; and even more glad that you enjoy him! That's what really counts. Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Exactly right, it will inhibit the grow of many stony corals! You need to keep your PH from going below 8.0, if you don't the phosphate can be deadsorbed from calcite. Like I and Barelycuda said this will effect stony corals, but it will also effect the sediment and your live rock as well. If your testing your dKH and you keeping it around 10-12 (More on the 12 side) your PH should be automatically corrected. Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Hi, I was wondering if I could help you out here. We've had more than a few customers who have had these fish successfully in their Hexagon/Biocube/Nanocube/Etc. This fish does not require a 50gal tank, there are quite a few variables that would undermine this theory very fast, one being surface area, but we wont go into that. I'm not sure exactly, because I'm not observing him myself, but what it sounds like is that he might be trying to make some sort of sand barrier for himself (Like in the store). If this is happening disturbing the piles he make around him will only cause him to do it again, and again. If he's just sifting the heck out of your sand at the moment, don't worry about it I'm sure he'll settle down, you just need to give him at least a week to settle in. You've got to remember that you haven't had any sand sifters in there, so he has a lot of work catch up with. There is one important area I need to clarify though; you must feed your fish every day. This is important to their health. In the ocean they are constantly eating food all day. So, please feed them once a day. Since it's a 14gal tank I'd do a very light feeding though, as most of the food doesn't wander to far off in a smaller tank. Hope this helps, and if you have anymore questions in the future just feel free to PM me. Thanks, Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

If this is a problem, I think making it go through all that would have stressed it out enough to amplify this condition. As long as his belly looks like "| |" or "( )", but not ") (" he should more than likely be just fine. I'd try moving far away from your tank after feeding (For this situation only, and about 10 Feet or more.) to see if he has developed any unsocial behaviors. If so he'll eat perfectly fine without you being there. So, what to do if he eats just fine while your farther away? Sit closely in front of your tank for a good half hour or so, let all the fish come out and look at you, so that you may gain their trust. Make sure to make small slow movements at times. Always make slow movements when feeding, especially when bringing in new fish. Fish can think that even the smallest thing is a attack at times, and will quickly try to flee or move farther away. Hope this helps. Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Rob, The site keeps looking more amazing every time you update it. :P Keep up the great work, seriously! Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

No, problem. If it wasn't something that needed to be known I would not put it in here, but I felt that it shouldn't just be located in our tiny subsection of the forum. It seemed like it would be a good idea to put a learning article in a learning section. Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Hello, I'd like to talk to you all today about the importance of buying net caught and/or tank raised fish. In this industry a very big problem still exists, and that is the use of cyanide to “catch” fish. This absurd method has been used illegally over the span of many years, mainly occurring in the Philippine Islands and Indonesia. The criminals that are doing this are literally injecting hazardous chemicals into the coral reefs, just so they can make a quick buck. The worst part of it all is that the majority of the fish that are “caught” using this method die instantly, and the remainder slowly over the course of weeks. Those few lucky fish that are still alive after all is said and done still feel the effects of such poison, and will have a greatly diminished life span. The fish are not the only ones effected by this, the people that inhabit these areas have to put up with it too. Fisherman and their families having to deal with cyanide poisoning is not a uncommon thing in these parts of the world, which is exceedingly unacceptable on top of all of the destruction to the marine environment that is going on because of this. This barbaric method doesn't just effect our ecosystem, it effects us as a whole. We have been stocking cyanide free fish for years. Net caught/tank raised fish are healthier and live a longer life. Sure, they may cost you a few extra dollars to purchase, but in the end you get what you pay for. All the while you can know that you did your part in trying to help keep our reefs intact, and stop the criminals that use cyanide to “catch” fish. One thing we never do is medicate our holding tanks or bring in medicated fish (Copper/Antibiotics). Many retailers use copper or other medications on a continual basis within their tanks. We prefer to use UV Sterilizers, and Protein Skimming with Ozone Generators; so what you see is what you get. Fish treated with antibiotics are more susceptible to disease as soon as they are taken off of them; it simply stifles their immune system. The long term exposure to these medications can also cause internal organ failure, which is very similar to the effects of cyanide. Copper itself is just as bad when it comes to inflicting these issues, and for this reason we feel that it should only be used when absolutely necessary, and never on a regular basis. Tank raised fish are among one of our most favorite things to bring in. Here are a few reasons why: • They are mari-cultured generation after generation enabling them to be used to a captive environment. • Tank raised fish generally get along with other tank mates better. • Almost all tank raised fish are more social, and trusting of their owners. • Last but not least, they are exposed to controlled feeding from a early age, so they eat very well. And when I say social, I really mean it. If this picture below doesn't prove this enough I'm not quite sure what will. It's truly a amazing thing to be able to have such trusting creatures like this in your tank, and I hope that one day you will be able to experience this as well. Additional Information: Ozone neutralizes ammonia, nitrite, organics (protein waste) and in general makes the water a lot cleaner looking as well; on top of its oxidizing benefits. The Ozone is only plumbed into the skimmer, so you aren't clearing your system out of the above mentioned in total, but your enhancing your skimmer and giving it a few additional benefits. Which, like mentioned above, improves water quality greatly but doesn't seriously impact your systems natural biological roles. The UV sterilizer helps kill 99% of algae floating in the water, and only some organisms that cause disease. So, your water will not be perfectly sterile but it will be a whole lot cleaner. Your biological will also stay intact because after it has traveled through the UV it goes right back through your prefilter and down into your bioballs. This lets the fish be in a environment that still has a small chance of disease, but overall effectively reduces it from happening. This doesn't effect the fish in anyway and is perfectly safe for them, while once again, still maintaining your biological. Also, to avoid having the discussion about running out of biological, your overflow is also piped through your prefilter which then lets the water seep through to your bioballs. This allows for nitrification via the Nitrosoma and Nitrobacter bacterias. In a more simple explanation, they are still having “food” dropped on them to eat. This promotes growth of the Nitrosoma and Nitrobacter bacterias and allows them to keep doing the beneficial job that they perform in our reef tanks. Denitrification occurs within sand beds by Anaerobic bacterias which keeps the nitrates in check. This is why we have a refugium on every one of our barebottom systems, and a sand bed in those without one. Keep in mind though that this is not required, but it is a extra step used in the betterment of our systems. These combined methods help stabilize a natural environment for the reef tank that is more effective then doing nothing, which will greatly reduce the chance of disease and will not decrease the state of a fish's immune system. If anything because of the high redox potential of the water it will increase said fish's immune system, very much like humans taking the correct dosage of vitamins and drinking purified water to reduce the level of toxins we are exposed to. Thank you for your time, Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

I'm very sorry about this pledosophy, please leave a message with your name and phone number and we will immediately call you back when we arrive. It is my fault for not telling anyone this, and once again sorry! Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Spectra, PM sent to you! Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Frags of this guy are now available in our store. There are multiple sizes to choose from. Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

It would help, but it is totally up to you. Either way the breeding of baby clownfish is a very extensive process needing more then a few tanks (8 or more) for each different part of their life. The chances that the babies will survive in that tank (As in our tank) is next to none. Don't let it get you down. It's rather exciting to see the baby fry hatch at night, but unfortunately that is when their journey ends; unless you have the proper equipment. :( Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

I've seen this many times. When clownfish are just about ready to lay eggs they will bite at the surface in which they are preparing to lay them. When the clownfish find themselves the proper spot it will not be long until it lays them on the area it has chosen. The same biting of the rock has been exhibited every time in two different pairs of our clownfish just before they laid eggs. We had a pair of Black Ocellaris in our display and after 3 years they started laying eggs. The female unfortunately died, and we were left with two male Black Ocellaris. We threw in a female True Percula, and within a few months she started breeding with the largest male. Their spot happened to be right next to the Jakarta Xenia as well. The biting of the glass, as you can see, particularly occurs in the vicinity of of their home. When clownfish begin to lay eggs (Especially wild ones) they can get quite aggressive against other clownfish, and any unlucky fish that happens to wander to close. The clownfish look like they are seeing their reflection, and in turn are trying to bite it to keep it from coming closer. I'm sure they'll settle down eventually, but clownfish as a whole are pretty persistent. If they're going to lay eggs, that I'm not quite sure. This is purely because of the reflection situation. As long as there is something that is seen as a threat it's possible that they will not lay until it's gone away. If they do lay eggs though, you should see them waving over the spot with their tail rapidly. You can find the eggs easily every time with that bit of information, as once the eggs are laid they do it constantly. Hope this helps! Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

I'm guessing you might want a frag then? Either way I don't think anyone will have to wait long. Give it maybe a few weeks or less and we should have a few available. We'll make sure to let you know. Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Did someone say acans? I love my new camera lens! We're thinking about fragging this colony out sometime here soon. Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

No problem Bob, Were glad you enjoy them. If you wouldn't mind I'd love to see some pictures of your tank, whenever you get a chance to take some! Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Matt, I removed the posts myself (Ricky Soutas). I felt that they were off topic for the subject, and could have been handled in a simple PM conversation. I was going to send you a message saying this, but I thought you ended the conversation. Here is the conversation in full: Matt (mrgreenthumb)- "whats it gonna take for me to get a frag of the 20k lokani?? $50? $75? $100? I want it real bad" Ricky (mr. reef)- "I'm sorry, but you will have to wait just like everyone else until we have established enough for everyone to be able to get a piece. Thanks, Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-" Matt (mrgreenthumb)- "hehe I bet not everyone wants a piece, but i totally understand what you are saying. Guess i'll just have to get it off the net since i'm not all that patient. I have huge colonies i don't like fragging either so I understand, then again i'm not doing it for a business either.......:D" You asked us the same question a month ago: Matt (mrgreenthumb)- "you guys selling in frags of the 20,000 leagues lokani yet????" Rick & Ricky Soutas (mr. reef)- "At this point we only have one colony, which we plan on splitting into a few and then growing it out even more. Then 6 months to a year from today we should probably have enough for everyone. Thanks, Rick Soutas & Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-" I'm sorry if you felt like you were "Censored" or had your feelings hurt by me removing 3 of our posts (Including my own), but I was simply trying to clean up what could have been a simple PM message, to keep things on subject. I'm very picky when it comes to things like this, so don't let it offend you. It would be sad to lose a customer over something so minuscule as a few posts, but that's your decision not mine. All I know is we'd love you to keep supporting us and our business. Once again I feel that even this was a PM matter. You could have simply told me how you felt in a PM, and I would have told you why I did it. I really have nothing more to say on the subject, but I do hope you see what I was really trying to do. Thanks, Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

"Borealis" and "Joe the Coral" looks a lot like our "Tenius" and "Super Pulchra". Blue / Green Tenius (Acropora Tenius) Soutas' Super Pulchra (Acropora Pulchra) We've had a lot of corals shipped out to Florida propagators, and many of them are doing a fine job of growing them out. A lot of the millepora and prostratas that we have been growing for years also look very similar to many of theirs. About 5 years ago someone from their organization wanted to purchase as many large colonies of our Oregon Tortuosa as possible, but I was not able to do this for them due to the constant demand of Oregon Tortuosa frags from our wholesale and retail customers. Rick Soutas & Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-

Make sure to watch for our corals during the auction! We've got some really nice sized/colored pieces of various SPS that I'm sure a few of you might not have yet, and this club really does deserve the donations so bid well. *EDIT* I swear, I can remember what everything we bring in is, what it does, and what it needs but I can't even remember a single date. Go figure. Well, in any case enjoy the corals you received from the auction! Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.-