markdadof2

THere are FAR more good kids than bad...I don't think anyone will debate that. It just seems that the bad kids are way worse now then 20 years ago even. I never remember disrespecting an adult when I was young..my parents actually dsciplined me so I understood authority. I never had a full time police officer at my high-school like my daugheter has. No doubt in my mind that the violent teens are MORE violent than the kids of 20 years ago. Guns are NOT a rare things in schools these days - just ask the officer that patrols your teenagers school, I have! With that said, I am active in my church as well and I see some absolutely wonderful kids that I would love to claim as my own!

I did test the levels and watched them spike and come back down. I started with cured live rock and a few hermits and a hitchkiher emerald crab. I was told that the die-off from the live rock would kick start the cycle. I wonder if I am ready for some soft corals - xenia and green star??

Thanks guys! Oh, and I do test my water but sometimes it is nice to get a second opinion. Does it seem like 10 days for the cycle is kind of quick? I do have 20lbs of live rock in the 15 gallon tank - and live sand.

So I took some water in to the local LFS (thank you Aquaticus) and he said my water parameters looked great for being only set up for 10 days. Ammonia / nitrates / nitrites were spot on and the only thing was ph was a bit low. I went ahead and purchased about 10 snails to start cleaning things up. One question - besides all the little 'bugs' (copeopods) that are cruising around I have notices on the glass (acrylic actually) these very small looking creatures - they almost look like featherdusters...but there are HUNDREDS if not thousands of them...very small yet. I will try and get a picture but I think I will have to wait until they grow a bit. They sway around with the current and suck into the 'home base' on occasion. when extended they kind of look like a deflated air balloon. Maybe they are featherdusters...but that many so quickly?? thanks Mark

Oh, they were plenty close. I walked right up to the main trouble maker and just kept walking...essentially pushing him back - I told him to move or I would mow his A** over...he stood there and sure enough..stumbled back out of the street as I moved forward. LIke I said, I'm no small guy I just did NOT want to turn my back to them at all...that is a huge potential mistake.

I am very familiar with CWP I'll say no more!

I was quite surprised when I dumped my skimmer cup out yesterday - it reeked! It did not look TOO bad but boy it did stink. I got my 7 year old to take a big whif. ha ha ha ha!

Normally sunday afternoons are fine, but I have been doing some work for the church. Hopefully we can get together soon! Sorry I missed out!

I wasn't about to back down. Of course I got the 'lecture' from my wife about them possibly having a gun or knife etc. heck, who doesn't anymore (but me).

OK, so I am a pretty calm and level-headed guy. I have to be - I have two children of my own and one a teenager Coming home from the store tonight my wife was driving...these 4 teens on skateboards and bikes are riding in the middle of the street. We wait for them to move and in the process of doing so they notice us and do nothing. My wife tries to go around them and they come strait for the car. I get out and tell them to move. One kid decides he is MR MACHO and comes up to me and tells me to F*** Off etc. I politely tell him to move on and go home. He continues his rant and yelling and cussing. He actually starts to beg me to lay a hand on him. Now, i am a pretty big guy and this kid is quite scrawny. This kid is obviously mentally challenged or just plain STUPID. I ask him that He is still begging me to punch him...I have control and simply smile and just put out my stomach a bit and start walking. He finally got the message that I was NOT going to back down. One of the other kids dragged him away and then they fled quickly..yelling as they almost ran. My wife was on the phone with the police this whole time - but they never showed up. SO, what would have you done? would you have TURNED YOUR BACK on these hoodlums and risked a knife in the back or stood up to them. I live in a nice neighborhood. This is sad that these kids are so bold and un-wise. OK, back to my nano to help me calm down....maybe. Thanks for the ear.

Great looking photos! I need to practice I guess

I can't make it - have a Church function today

I must say, this whole saltwater reef thing is very interesting so far. Every day I find some new creature on my live rock - every day!! Grant it, it has only been running for a week but everyday brings a new discovery. Kind of like a treasure chest! I don't get this in my freshwater planted tank!

So, should I remove this guy then or what? Is it bad?

Brought home another live rock...the LFS said it was a button polyp, do you guys agree? thanks!

I do have what looks like a mussle or some kind of a mullusk also...so far he is doing fine and the feather dusters are noticably larger than a few days ago. I sure wish I could figure out what the one mystery creature is - I will try and get a picture tomorrow.

DavidB - I will certainly take you up on the offer for some Xenia and green star polyps here in a few weeks...things should be cycled in a few more weeeks I do believe. MANY MANY thanks David! I owe ya!

I like to fish coffenberry lake that is down past seaside in the state park (Ft. Stevens). They do stock the lake and sometimes you can land a few trophy trout. Last year there was a nesting pair of bald eagles that were flying around as we landed a few nice trout!

I just hope they don't die - the tank is not even a week old so my nitrogen cycle is just starting to kick in. My ammonia was up a bit the other night as were the nitrates. Do you guys suggest a water change so soon in the nitrogen cycle? Thanks for the good advice everyone!

I have been reading a few books, but have not came across the answer to a few questions. I hope someone can chime in and share some knowledge here! I set up a 15g nano this past Saturday and so far so good. I have noticed a few things growing on the live rock and I think one is a featherduster worm. The other one I'm not sure about...I don't know how to explain it and it is too small yet to get a decent picture! The only way I can explain it is to stick your 4 fingers up and curve them a bit...that is what it looks like and it kind of spins around - like it is catching things in the water. The other creatures are small - really small. They look like little white bugs cruising around on the rocks...what the heck may these be? Thanks guys and gals!! -Mark

My wife is coming around...I find if I let her pick out some of the livestock then she really gets into it. I don't think I stand a chance of getting a tank in the bedroom....YET.

I did notice that I am getting a brown algae on some of my live rock, so I bet he has plenty to eat. thanks!

Does anyone know when the next meet & greet will be in the Beaverton / Tigard area? thanks Mark

He was inside the rock (I saw him and that is why I chose that piece of rock) So, since I have no algae growing yet, what should I feed him? He is constantly picking things off the rocks and eating so maybe he is getting enough food. Thoughts anyone?

What do you guys feed your emerald crabs?