Charlie: I am definitely interested! Thanks so much! Please let me know how much you want for them. I’d also be more than willing to come pick them up, if that works for you, and I’d love the chance to see your tanks while I’m there. So far, I’ve gotten the chance to see Michael’s and Joanne’s – both were awesome.
Michael: Still no fatalities, so far. (I try my best not to murder other people’s pets whenever possible). I moved everybody to my 55-gallon, so they have lots of room now. I’ve had to move the Xenias around a bit to make sure they are getting enough water flow, so I’m still kind of experimenting with the proper placement for a couple of them. I’m feeding them and the mushrooms Microvert 2x per week. Is there anything else I need to be doing for them, other than this and keeping all the parameters in check? I also feed either brine or mysis (both soaked in Selcon) to the fish, so I’m assuming the corals are getting the benefit of this as well. Additionally, I add 8-9 drops of Iodide (Kent) to the water every night, which I’ve always done for the snails, shrimp, and hermits, anyway. I do it daily because I know the skimmer removes it. (Bak-Pac 2)
I also have a general question for you guys, if you don’t mind: I added a bubble coral to the tank, (after getting Joanne’s opinion – so far, it is doing incredibly well), and since my tank was FO for four years, I never checked the calcium. Now that I’m doing corals, I decided I’d better start. I have 500ppm in there now and I saw where you said you keep yours, Michael, at 425-ish. Is mine too high? Can it be too high? Also, I’ve always used Instant Ocean salt mix, but the guy at Petco said I need to use something else now because it doesn’t have calcium in it. I don’t generally pay much attention to Petco guys (unless it’s Rich, which it wasn’t). What do you use? Also, how do I have 500ppm of calcium in my tank without ever adding it? I do have a crushed coral substrate, is that where it’s coming from? One last thing: how often should I be checking for it?
Also, you said the next meeting is on March 10th, but where and what time? I checked the meetings forum, but didn’t see it. Do you guys post it somewhere else?
Thanks, as always, for your help, you guys. Until I found you, I didn’t know anybody besides me who had saltwater tanks. I am so happy that I found you and I appreciate your advice, opinions, and help very much.
There are a few pet shop guys in town who are very knowledgeable, but I’ve always had to take their advice with a grain of salt, because, in the end, they want to sell you something. With you guys, I don’t have to worry about that, and that makes a huge difference.
I’m looking forward to the meeting so I can meet more of you guys in person.
Shelly
sprite
