oxx155

May 19th looks the best, pretty much the only weekend some holiday isn't going on. That would be a Saturday and I think I would shoot for a 12-3ish meeting, allowing everyone time to get here and get home before it gets too late if you are traveling far. Probably do BBQ again - Hamburgers, Chicken burgers, Hotdogs, maybe ribs or brisket, and all the fixens. If people want to sign up to bring stuff please post in here so I can create a list of who is bringing what. Please don't feel obligated to bring anything, I know not everyone has the ability these days, and I am sure there will be plenty to go around. I would like to have the FREE Table again where people can bring equipment they aren't using (just taking up space) and donate it to another fellow reefer that might need it but can't find it or afford it. Also, if there are any Vendors that are interested in having a table to display your goods and maybe sell a few things please PM me, I have not finalized if we are doing this yet, just want to get an idea of who is interested. Last thing is I am possibly thinking about doing a write-up on the tank so that people can read about it as they walk around, does that sound like a good idea? Anyway, feedback is always appreciated.

What does everyone think if I allowed a few stores to setup a small table for selling corals, fish, and/or equipment? I was thinking it would be an opportunity for some people who may not have the ability to make it to certain stores, have seen what they have to offer, or met the owners/employees. But, I also don't want to lose that party feel. Or try to figure out how many stores to limit it to if too many want to come. Honest opinions?

Small update: Sorry but you won't see the Black Tang at the meeting, somebody offered me a cash/trade I couldn't refuse. Lets just say I may have a very nice custom made Calcium Reactor at the meeting.

I go through 20 sheets of seaweed every three days, 6oz of Rod's Original Food once a week, and 16oz each of Reef Nutrition Phyto Feast, Arcti Pods, Oyster Feast, Mysis Feast, and Fuzzy Phytes per month. I offer that mix cause I feel it hits every level of the food chain and offers such a variety of food that it makes everything fat and healthy. I have two seaweed holders in my tank that allow the fish to pick at the seaweed all day without tearing full sheets at a time that could just got into the overflow or wander into corals. Once I see the holder empty I immediately put 5 sheets of Purple and 5 sheets of Green in. I feed Rod's Food and Reef Nutrition daily, but alternate days for each. I am considering feeding twice a day, but I worry that could lead to excess nutrients in the water. I typically try to make sure the amount of food I put in is eaten up within 5-8 minutes, otherwise I fed too much and keep that level in mind for future feedings.

Unless a bunch of people all of a sudden hit Sunday it looks as if we are aiming for Saturday. Now just need to find out which Saturday.

Some tank pics The Black Tang

Thinking about cleaning out my studio in the back and setting up a projector so kids can hang out and watch Finding Nemo without taking up the living room and making it hard for everyone to see the tank. Sound like a good idea?

I have to say I am not sure I could be any happier with this tank right now. Best choice I ever made in redoing everything. and with just a little Ecotech Glue everything is going where I want it. Smile from ear to ear.

Thanks, will take another Full Tank Shot this weekend with very clean glass. I meant to take it slow, but I have horrible patience. I hope that everyone enjoys it at the meeting.

Not sure if I want to keep him or sell him - 8"+ Black Tang. I would sell him if I could get $1,200, LOL (I didn't pay that much by the way) More pics to come later as he settles in.

Teaser - Anyone guess what this is?

Saturday or Sunday, either one works for me. Wish I had added a poll to this post to see what the majority prefer, maybe a mod can add it.

Just thought I would open this up for discussion - What day should the meeting be held on? Time? Do people like fish food, equipment, or frag donations? Do we want the free table again? Should there be a focus of the meeting, or just have a good time like last year and wing it? Just looking for ideas or direction for this years meeting. If you don't want to post negatives, please PM them to me, as I really want to avoid anything people didn't like or caused issues. Otherwise please post it here.

I was able to get one for you, but I will clean the glass heavily soon and take some better shots.

I got the plastic crates from Jerry's Home Improvement, but you can probably get similar ones at Home Depot or any other hardware store. I cut out the center sections so the fish could swim through them. I also made sure to file down and sand it all so it wouldn't scratch or cut the fish. I used crates on my previous system and found it offered tons of swimming space for fish, lots of hiding areas, and kept detritus moving instead of getting trapped under a pile of rocks.

Fish Pics

Fish Pics

More Corals

Corals

I will apologize up front that my tank shooting skills are lacking and I have more to learn to get better shots. Also the glass needs to be cleaned better which may help the photos come out clearer, but with limited time this is what I shot. Full Tank Shot Full Tank Shot from Back Door to equipment room, now seals off water and salt air from the rest of the house, fresh air is vented in and old air vented out every 15 minutes Need Power? Shot from above Overflow System Reeflo Barracuda plumbed directly to five 1" SeaSwirls provides 6,000gph return flow, has a one-way flow valve to keep the tank from draining

Thinking about taking some more pics this week. Anything anyone would like to see in particular?