Kevinmc

Thank you for your reply to the alge issue, I understand that it is not abnormal, just concerning for a new saltwater hobbiest. As for everones concern about adding too many animals, that is con a real concern for me, as I am buying more rock in the next few weeks and it will be fresh live rock to cycle from the get-go. I am planning to set-up a new tank besides my 90 GAL, I am planning to set-up a larger tank before summers end. I am planning to build my own stand in my wood shop, it will be a room divider in my home. I am currently looking to a tank in the range of 6ft and larger then 125 GAL. for my family room. Anyway, more on that in the future. Thanks for all of your help Kevin

I am open to all of the above, we do not yret have a head count of attendies for the first one, and I hate to not have enough seating, with a surprise in numbers. I have tried to rally numbers, but it is looking kinda slim. I would like to not look funny sitting their by myself guy's and gals, lets get some numbers here. With church on Sunday places to meet may be busy. I am still very open, lets just do it. Okay, here is the deal, I will call and get a place set up on sunday afternoon for next Sunday, Feb 10th at 11:00 AM. If this works for anyone anywhere that gets this message. Please reply by Sunday the 3rd of Feb, with the number in your party that you have invited and the call will be made for Feb 10th at 11:00 AM. When I get numbers, I will know which place to call and reserve tables or a room to meet in, it will be at one of the resturants that I listed before. Thanks Kevin

I have a 90 GAL display with 45 GAL sump/refugium, with 120-130 pounds of live rock and 100 pounds of live sand. I a huge out break of green hair alge and it really was bad. so in went this blue leg hermits and snails to clean all of my rocks. That was cured in 24 hours, and snails cleanned house for about the same time. It is mostly gone now, but brown alge is really bad now, but getting better by the hour. All live sand and live rock in my tank was already established from other tanks. Have no fear, when this tank is all cool and settled in, I am building another within 6-12 months, then i will remove what is not needed and add to the new bigger tank. Thanks (clap) Kevin

Hey, new tank, about 3 weeks old, and I have brown/rust alge bad on the glass and rocks, what do I do. I put about 300 blue leg hermit crab in to eat the green alge, and it's gone, put about 50 more snails in and the alge was gone, but now coming back. What it the deal? Too much light, water checks out great. Kevin

Any ideas on time, I would be open to, and Saturday or Sunday is fine. I am just wanting to get something started sooner then later. What I have posted is my idea, and not what is being set-up. At this time it is just in the planning stage, however, I am looking to meet the weekend of the 9th of Feb, and just doing a trial run of "MEET AND GREET" to see how it goes. Please post your ideas of days, be it Saturday or Sunday, and lets poll the hour to start Morning Afternoon I am figuring that we may meet for approx 2 hours, so please choose a 9 AM 1 PM time that best fits a schedule and time frame that works for most. 10 AM 2 PM 11 AM 12 NOON One other idea is PAPA'S PIZZA in Corvallis, it is large with an indoor play area for those of you that have children. We could do this a just members, or members and families at times. My hope is to start with the best location to get the most numbers to attend. We can always change it, time, location, day of week. Another thing, we may not all be able to attend the first time, that's okay, there will be more. If the interest is large enough, we will be looking for a larger place to meet, therefore, we may opt to do afternoons or evening, whatever works is great. I am planning to do both mornings and afternoons and evenings to fit everyone in that wants to attend, each like will be a different time of day. I want to meet anyone that is interested, no matter what work shift or family conflict you may have. Please just reply to this posting and we will take the numbers that we can get for now, and plan the next one for another time of day and location if need be. Thanks Kevin

I believe so Michael, this is just an open idea that as a new member, I am looking to meet other members in the mid-valley area and surroundind cities and promote our hobby. I am searching for members to meet and have eachother as a close sounding board. Family can be invited after the first few '"MEET AND GREETS". I our numbers as high enough, we can go for a "MEET AND GREET" at a pizza place like PAPPA'S PIZZA with a play area for the kids. I would like to plan this ASAP and get things going. Check the new posting for "MEET AND GREET" for the latest. Thanks Kevin(laugh)

UPDATE MEET AND GREET POSSIBILE LOCATIONS The Beanery & Allan Bros. Coffee Roaters 1852 Fescue St SE Albany, OR 97322-7075 (541) 812-2500 Yaquina Bay Restaurant (541) 967-8420 325 Airport Rd SE Albany, OR 97322-4505 Denny's Resturant (If you have kids that will be come) 3430 S.E. Spicer Rd. Albany, Oregon (541)791-2091 All 3 of these locations are I-5 friendly, with easy on and off. Let's get a head count of those that are willing to attend, as well as a count of those willing to at the next "Meet And Greet". Denny's is small and very busy, The Beanery in just down the street, you can see it on the east side of I-5 just before the exit. Uquina Bay Resturant is much larger with two private rooms with great breakfast specials for under $7.00 if your not eating steak...LOL. Let's get a head count and see where we need to start at, and we can always move to a larger location later if need be. The Beanery will hold about 15-20, and we could make it a very busy place. This is a great coffee and fresh baked good shop that is the Oregon State Police second office...LOL it is was good, but many be on the $$$ side if your a big eater or coffee drinker. I am open and willing to set it up, let's get a head count and I will make the call ASAP. We could plan on Feb. 9th @ around 8 or 9 AM. Thanks Kevin "Mean Face Daddy"

I have a maybe very stupid idea, how about put it in your refugium Ilke i have. I bought some a month ago anr under a month is has needed to be pruned. How about take all but an 1 oz out of tank and put it in your refugium. Grape Caulerpa 1 oz Grape Caulerpa 1 oz (Caulerpa Racemosa) is a macroalgae that takes and fixes nutrients in your saltwater aquarium. Grape Caulerpa also helps keep dissolved organics down in the water. Grape Caulerpa is a terrific food for herbivores. Grape Caulerpa is the most popular species of Caulerpa in marine aquariums. It's often found in coral reefs around the world. Grape Caulerpa grows very fast and must be pruned often. If the Grape Caulerpa goes sexual or is not pruned it can release toxins into the water. Grape Caulerpa is sold by the ounce only. Grape Caulerpa can only be shipped Next day Air and 2nd Day Air to your door. Grape Caulerpa cannot be shipped to International Destinations, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam or the Virgin Islands. Grape Caulerpa is sold by the ounce only Sucks up nitrates Grows very fast

Please check out new posting "GET TOGETHER IN YOUR AREA" This to get people together that cannot attend meenting, or need a mentor in their area. If your new to the hobbie, need a few extra hand, or another opinion , or extra set of eyes. This also could be a monthly couple hours out of the house, bring the kids, or family. I could be, "BUY YOUR OWN PIZZA" and meet with members in your area. Please go to that post and give me your ideas and thoughts, or PM me if you are in the Albany/Corvallis, and Salem surrounding areas. Thanks for your interest Kevin

This posting is for members that are interested in meeting in your home area with other members. Please post you name and location so that other may get in touch with other close by. (scratch) I'm Kevin, I live near Albany/Corvallis 43 Yrs. old family guy looking for time away one evening a month or so. (plotting) Don't be shy,

I am happy to see that someone has an interest in a "GET TOGETHER" other then the monthly meeting. This is not an attempt to take away form the meeting, it is nothing more then to bring people together to be with other hobbiest in your own area and surrounding areas. I am new the is hobby and feel that Portland has many members to work together, where others outside the Portland area are "kinda left to themselves" looking for mentoring from someone living closer. We have the most interesting hobby out there, and it may be lost in parts of our state if we don't hang together and help one another out more. Here is something that I would like to propose. I would like for everyone that is interested in something like this to look for the posting "GET TOGETHER IN YOUR AREA" and post your city, or nearest large city to you. Then, members could pair up accordingly. This would be an easy way to see who is nearest to you. It would not ever be closed to just members in your area, it would be to bring people in your area together for many reasons. just to name a few. 1. Need a close montor for help. 2. Need someone close to check-in when your away. 3. Start a small group project 4. Work closer with your local shop to improve it to better the hobby. 5. Compete with other areas in group projects. 6. Get sponorship from your local shop for projects. This is just my idea as a way to bring people that are like minded together, and montor, and bring new members in your area to join in fun that this hobby has to offer. If you are interested and you like in the Albany/Corvallis + Salem and surrounding areas and would like to get together PM me, or look for "GET TOGETHER IN YOUR AREA" Thank for listening. Kevin

I have a question about running an undergravel filter for saltwater? Why would you use one, and what is the difference? How do you run it in reverse and not push crap back uo into the tank, sorry, I'm a newbie, just asking. Thanks Kevin

I am new to the club, and I would like to know if members would be interested in a possible "meet and greet". (scratch) An opportunity for new members to get together for coffee, or soft drink to get more active in person, instead of online and monthly meeting that some members may no always be able to attend. Would anyone be willing to kick this idea around? (laugh) What is we did a monthly pizza (drooler) get together, or pick a place that could serve a group of maybe 10-40 members. Or maybe get together for breakfast (drooler) in a different city each time. (drooler) (drooler) I know from first hand experience that being a family guy, I don't take the time for me. I would be willing to be the first to invite members to a meet and greet if that is what it would take to get it started. (clap) (plotting) I live near I-5 close to Albany, and I would be willing to contact a place that I know would be able to seat a group of about 50 in a private room. This would not be a meeting, it could be a meet and greet as well as a way for members to trade, swap, sell, or buy, as well as share ideas and help new members with questions or help solve problems. (scratch) Hey, :eek: just let me know, you can send me a PM with your thoughts. Thanks Kevin

I am looking for someone that has knowledge and, or experience with a variety of clams. What I am looking for is sand filtering clams. I have seem a type of clam that will burrow in the sand and "assist" in filtering the water, these are similiar to calms that people dig for at the beach or bay. They have a shell like a scallop and are different then the clams the are so popular and colorful. I you have any knowledge or experience with this type of clam, please contact me, as I am looking to put some in my sand bed in my refugium. Thanks Kevin (scratch)

What I am asking is, what can I put in my sump, I currently have cheato, But 2 quarts worth. I would like to add those that will benificial to all areas of the sump to filter my water. Thanks Michael, for your input on the cheato. I have seen in shops a variety of greens and reds that are floating in their sumps and refugiums, they must be benificial, your they would not have then in the water. I understand that cheato is a popular item in saltwater. I was just wondering if there is something else that I could add that would increase my water quality, maybe not. My Sump/Refugium Is set-up like this. I have a 45 GAL tank that is divided into 4 sections. The 1st. section that the skimmer is in is approx. 8x12, and divided into 2 sections, the 1st.section for the skimmer is approx. 8x8 with base rock under skimmer to increase water height. And the 2nd is 18"tall and 4x8 with live rock, and I would like to put something besides cheato in it. My Refugium This is the 3rd. section. It is 12" Deep x 13" Wide x 16" Tall with an 3 piece bubble trap. My Return Return is approx. 12" Wide x 12" deep. I built this my self out of a glass aquarium. It may not be what some people would use, but it will handle an overflow of approx. 15 to 20 gallons. It is clean and I am happy that I did not waste my money on a small acrylic sump/refugium that will only do it's job and not have any extra room for overflow. If an overflow were to happen, I could start it back up, and skim the hell out of it, and I think it would be fine. Kevin

Live Plants, My Stupidity..Sorry I have a refugium that is half full of live crushed rock, live sand. Both are full of life from a few used tank take downs. I filtered the hell out of it all with lights and heaters for three weeks, while stiring the live sand several times a day and with a skimmer for about a week. I plan to put this all in the refugium, can I put any of these things in the internal skimmer box, as I am told that nothing can go in the return, even with window screen keeping it from plugging the pump, orletting it get out and into the tank. What do you think? Thanks Kevin

Question About My Flame Scallops I am starting to second guess my choice to buy Flame Scallops. The local shop said that that are a great addition to any tank. (scratch) DOH! I was wondering what everyone opinion was about Flame Scallops, and also to see if any members have had them, and if you still have them more then a year or two. I have 4 Flame Scallops and I don't know what to feed then. This posting that I would like to share from another site leaves a huge ? in my mind. There is a mention of feeding DT's, what are DT's, what should I feed them, or how do I better prepair my tank to provide the best enviroment for them? Thank a million Kevin Here are the posts on Flame Scallops: What about flame scallops? I was thinking about getting a flame scallop (my wife likes them) so whats the deal with them? do they need light like a clam?do you feed them? if so what? any specific needs you have to meet please let me know if you have any expereance with them! thanks D. _________ 55 Gal. REEF 4"D.S.B. 60-65 lbs. live rock, 330 bio wheel, aqua clear 500 and 304 fluval canister with S.C.W.D. & Natrural Wave maker with maxi-jet P.H.'s. Remora Pro w/Mag 3. CRITTERS Spotted Long Tentacle Anemone CORALS: Frogspawn, Pagoda Cup, Shrooms, FISH urple Pseudochromis,and 2 perculas Re: What about flame scallops? I don't have experience with them, but this is what I have read over and over - STAY THE HECK AWAY FROM FLAME SCALLOPS! They have a very high mortality rate. People seem to have them for a while, they move around a lot, then they disappear! More info (note the care level here) : http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...amp;pCatId=559 _________ Go slow, let it grow. Re: What about flame scallops? They're not an easy one. They seem to hold on for some time, but they either succumb to some water pollutant or they starve from lack of food. They require phytoplankton in the right size, plus I do belive the need some nitrates (or is it nitrites?). In my NSW systems at work, they thrive, so I'm inclined to think, its got more to do with pollutants from synthetic salt mix and top off water, as I feed several sizes of phytoplankton. With all the acclimating and shipping we do in wholesale, we do HUGE water changes all the time, so water pollutants (quality) is never a problem with our inverts. Re: What about flame scallops? My flame scallop just bit the big one but I belive I killed it! I started feeding d.t.'s and I was target feeding the scallop with the D.T.'s he always looked great untill then but I didn't catch on and the day after did it again then he looked even worse then I got it the D.T.'s came outta the fridge so here I was filling his little shell with a substance that was like ? 30'f I think thats what killed him because like I said he was fine every day for 1/2 a year and then poof It's the only thing I can think of? Re: What about flame scallops? DT's need to be kept cold. As soon as it hits the water it warms up. I have had my Flame scallop for over a year and a half and have never forced feed it. I add DT's to the water and let them feed freely. I only see him every so often but I know he still lives because I just saw him 2 days ago. They really are cool but if I had to do it again I would buy something else. Re: What about flame scallops? yes I knew about the D.T's. I wasn't force feeding him. I knew there was nothing wrong with him. I thought I was doing him a favor. Instead, being over anxious about using the new D.T's. I made this grievious error and killed him. By tring to be extra nice! It sucks, but that is how you learn. Now I do just add it to the water as you said I just don't know what I was thinking? ??? Re: What about flame scallops? That's pretty normal from what I've heard that they look fine and then decline very rapidly. _________ Just tryin to recreate God's perfection in a glass bowl. 20 Gallon Reef W/Live Rock, mated pair of Maroon Clowns, Softies, 110 watts PC 10,000k lighting, and skimmer.

90 GAL w/ 45 GAL sump/refugium

Hey, what are good Microalges, sorry, for my refugium, currently I have chato, about two quarts of it, but nothing else so far. What do we have in our tank? I am trying to finish my 45 gallon sump/refugium, and I need plant ideas. (scratch)

Can I get more information as to what members are feeding their inverts, I am mostly concerned about my flame scallops, as I understand from Andy that they die off easy if they are not fed properly. I am all ears. I will go to the shop in the morning to get food for scallops, emerald crab, arrow crab and all of my snails. And, how do I know if I am feed them all enough, or not enough. I don't want to ruin my water and sand quality. Thanks Kevin

Lost about 10-15 gallons down into my sump/refugiun. It was no huge deal after all, I lost the connection at the return pump, and luckly I was sitting blury eyed from loss of sleep watch the tank, and half asleep. When all of the sudden I hear water spraying and hitting the bottom of my tank. I lost water on the floor when I pulled the return line out of the tank and stupid me forgot that the hose in the sump would use gravity and drain out on the floor whe it fell out of the 30 gallon tote for my water changes. Thanks to Michael 7979 for staying up until after 1 AM holding my hand with stupid questions about how to fix it. And a big thanks to "Cheif" President for your great info about the plastic wrap. It worked great, I had to do it a few more time just because it was so easy. I am happy to have the oportunity to get to know everyone on here and to get the much needed help and advise as a beginner. Thanks to all again Kevin

Thanks for your insight Andy, very good information for me to consider. You sound like you have a passion for the flame scallop. I would like to know what to feed them, I will go and get it in the morning for them. I have a beautiful tank, and I'm not just saying that. My goal is to have a well manages and maintained tank, with an eco-system that is will be one of many to be envied. I am not a big fish guy, my love is for inverts and the eco-system, I will never be one to have a swarming tank of fish. This 90 GAL tank is in my livingroom at it looks like a show piece in my opinion. I will care for the inverts like my own children. If you have any information for me concerning the care of the flame scallops please post it, or send me a (PM) so that I might do what is best for them. Thanks Kevin

I am thinking along the lines of Shrimp and cucumbers of some kind, not sure, I really don't know what will not cause eachother problems, or distroy my rocks. Thanks Kevin

Well, tank is a month old, an the live sand and live rock that I bought was from tanks that had been taken down. I bought this stuff from Reef-Fisher in the club and filtered the sand with a skimmer for for about 3 1/2 weeks and same with the rock with lights and heater. I have growth on the rocks, and my sand has been rinsed lightly and skimmed like I said. This was well seasoned, just the sand needed stiring and skimming the hell out of it. I have starfish and other thing that lived in the sand and rock when I bought it, and I see them a few times a day with the tank set-up. Thanks Kevin

(scratch) Hmmm, I have been thinking of adding more inverts to my 90 GAL tank, because I am not a real big fish guy. Tank has been up a short time (LESS THEN A MONTH), but I am looking to make a list of inverts that I can add a few at a time here, and there. Currently I have the following. 1 Arrow Crab 4 Flame Scallops 30 Snails...( 3 Different Types) 30-40 Small Blue Leg Hermit Crab I also purchased 4 Emerald Crab, but they died about 5-6 hours after I purchased them, didn't even make it out of the bag. DOH! I am looking for clams, oysters, and sand sifters of some kind. I will add fish later, but I am in no big hurry. I am looking to build a good eco-system for atleast 6 months to a year first. (scratch) Please share you invert invert ideas. I want good rock cleaners and sand sifters. Thanks for your input in advance. Kevin