FarmerTy

Sometimes the sand can basically cement itself together. There are many theories to this as to why but I figure you probably don't have enough critters turning it over in the sump.

How you're okay bud!

Thank you. That makes absolute sense.

Madsalt, Are these the XB series?

If you have no takers on the board, I'd take it to a local fish store for credit and get something else nice for your tank.

Check their prices on live aquaria. That's for a medium sized specimen.

I think the indo-pacific was in the $80 range and the red sea was in the $125 range. They only have an indo-pacific in stock right now.

Make that 13! I just wrote this between handling negotiations for my listing but I figured it would help. Don't judge the content as I wrote it on the fly. Please everyone, make a thoughtful comment if you have the time. They stated specifically that this is not a vote or a popularity contest so don't comment just to comment. Try to have a good argument as to why this is not beneficial and not the right route for conservation of corals. There is a better way and if you think of one or think of how this is not the way, please comment! We can all sit there and hope that someone else will write something impactful that changes their mind on the regulation but if we're all sitting there looking around and nobody does anything about it, you can go ahead and say goodbye to our little hobby. If you think they'll stop at stony corals, think again. Next up will be softies, LPS, and fishes. Make a difference, save our hobby! To Whomever it may concern: To start off, a little background on myself. I graduated with an Ocean and Coastal Resources degree from Texas A&M University. I have spent 10 years in environmental consulting, during which I kept a saltwater reef tank as a hobby. I have discussed and reviewed many examples of coastal resource conservation during my studies at A&M. I am fully aware of the fact that conservation of our oceans and their inhabitants is critical, as many of the processes that occur beyond our scope of vision in the oceans effect many global processes around the world. From underwater currents effecting climates in England to vast consumable fish populations disappearing around the world's fisheries. We know that protecting our oceans are key to keeping our environment stable and sustainable. I applaud the effort. The regulation you aim to impose aims at the heart of many industries. That alone I would not consider to be a valid point to not pass the regulation. Just because these industries profit and are maintained by this industry does not prompt them to being saved. I do however would like to make a point that many of these industries help developing nations have a global impact on the economy, as it is their main source of exportation of a good that world markets are willing to pay for. What I see is not the problem of exporting these specific corals, but more regulation on these industries in the foreign countries that export them to the US. I find it more beneficial to regulate the collectors then to try to regulate what gets imported. The experts lie in the people who handle and deal with these corals species daily. If this regulation passes, you'll leave it in the hands of agents who inspect these packages of corals being imported. I know I can tell the difference between an Acropora jacquelineae and an Acropora lokani, but would an agent inspecting the package know the difference? I can guarantee the exporters of corals know the difference as they will charge you more for one or the other, it's their business to be able to identify the corals so they can charge prices accordingly. This regulation only aims to put the power of identifying and approving in the hands of the least capable personnel to do it. I agree that the industry needs to be regulated and that importation of certain corals needs to be monitored and certain species should not be collected anymore. I just see a more effective plan at aiming to regulate the collectors than to impose this regulation to have agents try to identify corals that they have no background or experience doing so.

Yikes! C'mon guys, just take a couple of minutes and write something... otherwise we'll be up a creek!

They had 2 at River City Aquatics the other day. One is from indo-pacific and the other is the red sea variant. They can get both... just call and ask them to and they'll usually be able to get it in very quickly. The red sea one was sold by accident yesterday... was holding it for me, but they are ordering me another one. Just talk to Jake and tell him Ty sent ya!

Typically the indo-pacific I hear has higher survival rates... possibly due to the way they are harvested or the logistics of them arriving in the States. The red sea one's are prettier in my opinion. I am planning on adding a red sea variant to my tank. I will probably be keeping a real good eye on my zoas and prepared to move them when he decides they look too tasty. The hard part is to get them to eat. I would not buy one that I don't see eating in the store first. Also, smaller one's are usually better to buy as the larger one's tend to have problems adjusting to tank life. Hope that helps!

I'm sure logistics are incorporated into the price. Are you looking at liveaquaria? Also, certain fish's coloration varies from where they are harvested. For instance, the regal angelfish has a more orange-ish body with a blue chest if from the Red Sea, but more of a yellow body with yellow chest if from the Indo-Pacific. The desirability of the color of the Red Sea variants makes them more expensive.

Probably looks about the same if smeared I guess!

Dang that autocorrect! Thanks for having my back Reburn.

And half my logbooks had clay smears on them...

Peppermint angel?

Yup, Jake cut me my 3% commission on that sale too for talking you into it. I can retire early!

Wasn't that hawk supposed to go in my tank? How's that strawberry shortcake looking? I picked one up the next day too... couldn't resist a frag for $20!

Well, that's 0.04 ppm with some algae that sprung up... so the true amount of phosphate is even higher than that!

I got this on loan right now from Timfish. If somebody wants it next, just PM me.

That would have been my office!

Is that the picture of the one in your cubicle Victoly? Don't lie!

My guess is if its good enough for an analytical lab and costs $1k, the water will work just fine for mixing saltwater and topoff. My lack of desire to lug jugs of water around would be more the determining factor than price on that one though. I am a pretty lazy reefer though so don't give too much credit to my opinion on that one.

It levels itself out once your routine is set. Basically, if you feed consistently and do water changes consistently, you'll be able to direct your amount of GFO usage accordingly as most variables associated with the export and import of phosphates will be more stable. Yes, it is driven purely by PO4 levels. I wouldn't expend the effort to try to calculate numbers regarding your import and export of phosphates. Just monitor your tank levels and adjust GFO accordingly. Again, it helps when all your processes are consistent (feeding/water changes/etc).

No kidding! My naso would rip me a new one if I tried that. It's like holding a scalpel blade that could flop randomly in your hand.