﻿<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>FishChannel Forums / Saltwater Forums / A Place for Beginners  </title><generator>InstantForum.NET v4.1.2</generator><description>FishChannel Forums</description><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/</link><webMaster>forums@bowtieinc.com</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:27:49 GMT</lastBuildDate><ttl>20</ttl><item><title>Freswater question for saltwater experts!</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic149360-25-1.aspx</link><description>Hey!  I have a question regarding the dried seaweed used to feed Tangs, and the like.  Does it fall apart very quickly in water?  I bought some sushi nori(which is basically, the dried seaweed used in the making of sushi, and comes in sheets, just like at the pet store), and I bought vegetable clips to put in my freshwater tanks, to feed my herbivorous/omnivorous fish, and it fell apart within a few minutes!  I was wondering if the $7.98 kind at the pet store does the same thing.  If so, I'll stick with the $1.98 package at the local grocery store.  Thanks!</description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:04:03 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>felixpaws</dc:creator></item><item><title>New reefer light question.</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic149458-25-1.aspx</link><description>Okay I know there are a million questions about this everywhere, but I want to ask mine.  I am setting up a new tank from scratch.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;I have a 30 gallon finnex M tank.  24" across x 18" deep (not sure about the width with the dividers).  I plan on having a shallow sand bed, probably 2" at most.  Its more for asthetics.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;I have a Outer Orbit 250w MQI lighting setup.  There is also 4 T5's with this setup and the most awesomest blue and white lunar lights.  Total wattage is 355.  I got this from a friend of a friend for a good price (cheaper than a good PC setup).&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;I plan on keeping SPS in this tank at some point in the future, which is another reason I wanted the 250w HQI.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;What are your thoughts on using this light for soft corals and zoa's to begin with?  From what I have read it is way to powerful, so I am probably going to be using some diffuser to cut back the MH output and putting some distance between it and the tank.  Will this work good for SPS in the future?&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Any other suggestions for using this setup with the softies and zoa's?</description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:41:17 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>SeanS</dc:creator></item><item><title>home breeding live copepods</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic148395-25-1.aspx</link><description>me and my brother have set up a large, spaced breeder tank, and have bought a bottle of 100 live copepods. i was just wondering if any1 has any suggestions or advice on breeding them...&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;thnx.</description><pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2008 12:01:38 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>lilsaltyfresh</dc:creator></item><item><title>Setting up a Saltwater Tank?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic149163-25-1.aspx</link><description>I'm new to saltwater tanks and I was wondering how long and what order to put in my fish.  Here is a list of aquatic life I am putting in:&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Invetabrates: Carribean Live Sand, Fiji Live Rock, Banded Coral Shrimp&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Fish:  Ocelarris Clownfish (2), Chalk Basslet, Pajama Cardinalfish&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;I wanted to know what I should put in first, second, third, etc. and how long to space it out.  Also, how long should I have the tank running before I put anything in? &lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin"&gt;</description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:26:45 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>FastFoward5k</dc:creator></item><item><title>New to Saltwater</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic148903-25-1.aspx</link><description>I was looking at my local fish store, and I became interested in researching and maybe later getting a saltwater tank.  I have had some experience in freshwater, but this would be my first time even like touching a saltwater tank.)  I found a 30-gallon, cube-shaped tank that was very nice looking (and not too expensive).  I would like set up a reef, and also put in fish and invertabrates.  The invertabrates I would like would be a Coral Banded Shrimp, some Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, and a Chocolate Chip starfish.  Some fish I would really like to put in are: a Spotted Sweetlips, 3 Pajama Cardinalfish, a Longnosed Hawkfish, 3 Candy-Striped Cardinalfish, a Blue-Streaked Goby, and a Sailfin Tang.  I would like to know if this is a good idea, if you have any suggestions for fish I should add or take out, if I should not do a reef, etc.  But please reply! &lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin"&gt;</description><pubDate>Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:03:05 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>FastFoward5k</dc:creator></item><item><title>Starting a saltwater</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic148912-25-1.aspx</link><description>I already have a 55gal freshwater tank and I have always been interested in saltwater. I just wondered if a 20 or 30 gallon tank would be large enough for salt water.</description><pubDate>Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:53:35 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>scottneth06</dc:creator></item><item><title>Mail Order Brides</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141079-25-1.aspx</link><description>Has anyone purchased any "livestock" over the internet? Its very tempting with the prices. I would really only want to purchase one of the "cleanup" crew packages that are typically sold. (different types of crabs and snails). Has anyone had success/failure?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Also, just to clarify (and this is the fresh water side of me coming out) I dont need any mechanical filtration in my tank? (again, have a 72gallon with about 30 lbs lives rock, just added 50lbs dry rock, 50 lbs substrate, which is slowly being turned over to new sand, two strong powerheads for movement and a Seaclone 100 protein skimmer). No power filter that hangs off the back is needed? or canister filter? Just want to be sure. The fish crap has to go some where. Guessing natures way is best - let the critters handle it?&lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:38:34 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HuntValley</dc:creator></item><item><title>Banded Cleaner Shrimp</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic148797-25-1.aspx</link><description>Hi.  I'm kind of new to aquariums, and I would like just to purchase a small tank, some easy coral, and a Banded Cleaner shrimp.  I would just like to know what to feed it, if I should use live sand, if I should ever do a 100% tank change, and other stuff like that.  (I will do other research but I can't find anything so far.) &lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/Wink.gif" border="0" title="Wink"&gt;</description><pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:31:19 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>FastFoward5k</dc:creator></item><item><title>Coralimorphs</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic148590-25-1.aspx</link><description>Ok, so I got these things growing in the shadows. Pretty reclusive during "light" times and very active and extended at dark times. If I had a pic I would show u, but can't seem to snap a good one due to crappy night vision lens. Did my research, and found out they are some kind of Coralimorph. I did some more research and found a pic that resembles a Caribbean type exactly. The thing is, a stalk is growing from a single point, that's different from a mat-like clump and is mobile(moved to different overhang last night). Both species have the same tentacles with the white bulb at the end but this single stalk anemone looks a little more robust and evil to it's cousin. It is not Aiptasia and not a Sebae anemone but does show rainbow colors at its base column. Should I be alarmed? The Live rock that I bought is from Fiji and fully cured(as far as I know). Tank is 1.5 years running and this Coralimorph just now pops up? Why is it so late to the party?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Anyhoo...&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Chad</description><pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:05:26 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>stewwey</dc:creator></item><item><title>Tanksize question</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic147233-25-1.aspx</link><description>I have a cabinet that has a space that seems perfect for a built-in aquarium. The size would be 36"w x 24"h x 7"d. Is the 7" dimension too narrow for the this?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thanks,&lt;br&gt;Lennart</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:24:56 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Lennartik</dc:creator></item><item><title>Are sharks good?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic142758-25-1.aspx</link><description>I 've been intrested in sharks for a long time, is there a species that can be kept in an aquarium? If there is, how can I keep it?</description><pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:50:41 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Shark Hunter</dc:creator></item><item><title>Nanos</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic146573-25-1.aspx</link><description>Ok I wanna start a salt water community im going to get a 12gallon Nano tank. And im wondering what kind of Salt,lights. all that stuff. i wanna grow coral in the tank and have like 2 clown fish. So if you could post what i need for the tank i will very tankful  (hehe) for your time it</description><pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:58:17 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Crush</dc:creator></item><item><title>What are these tentacle-y things?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic146248-25-1.aspx</link><description>I'm playing with my new camera and I want to know what these inhabitants on my new live rock are?&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;img onload = "resizeThis(this)" src="http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1674/7930010/19458601/312797000.jpg"&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;img onload = "resizeThis(this)" src="http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1674/7930010/19458601/312796999.jpg"&gt;</description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:09:46 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>TurtleLover</dc:creator></item><item><title>Need some HELP!!</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic146036-25-1.aspx</link><description>Here is my problem ..... &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;I have been trying for sometime now (about 3 years in total ) to get a well established and beautiful reef tank up and running. But I always keep running into the same problems. I cannot seem to stop algea from growing EVERYWHERE!! I can never seem to get any coralline algea to grow and the algea that I have is kind of like green hair algea but ti grows on everything including my soft corals inturn killing them. I currently have a 90 gallon reef tank set up with a few fish in it and a mud sump refugium. I also have a canister filter, a marine land Penguin cartridge filter and an aquamedic turbo-floater skimmer that is pulling great Skimate out of the tank. My lighting consists of a hood with  two metal halide 10,000k, 4 compact flor. acatinc bulbs and 6 blue moon LED bulbs. I have tried everything from cutting down on the lighting to only 4-6 hours a day, stopping my addition of trace minerals (Calcium, Molybendium,Strotinum, ECT.) Altering my feeding to every 2 days and no matter what I do this crap overwhelms my tank and makes it look horrible. There is also this REALLY hard to scrape off green algea that grows on the glass as well. Even with my chemistries being good (numbers posted below) I cannot get corals to thrive and pretty much everything that I put in there in the way of Corals dies in a little while. I do consistent 20% water changes with either RO/DI water or boxed sea water from petco and I still get the same problems. I am at the end of my rope!!.... I also have two power heads to keep water flow up and still no luck. I have tried snail and everytime I put them in my tank they die and then I have to go fishing for them as well.  I have about 60 lbs of natural live rock in there and about 10-15 lbs of aquacultured rock in there as well. Please help me because I am out of ideas here and there are good salt stores here in wyoming to help me. I am used to being able to ask these kinds of questions at my local shop as I moved here from Louisiana. (great shops there)&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Here is a list of my live stock in the tank:&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;2 small clowns, 2 small seudochromis, 2 turbosnails (everytime I put some in there they all die), 1 snowflake moray eel (which is pretty small about 4 inches long).&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Current water chemistries:&lt;/P&gt;&lt;FONT face=Verdana size=3&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Ammonia (NH3-4) 0.004&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Nitrite (NO2) 0.048&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Nitrate (NO3) 2.5&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Phosphate (PO4)  0.22&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Silica (SiO2-3) 0.3&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Potassium (K) 302&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Calcium (Ca) 381&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Boron (B) 3.4&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Molybdenum (Mo) &lt;FONT face=Verdana size=3&gt;0.1&lt;/P&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;FONT face=Verdana size=3&gt;&lt;P&gt;Strontium (Sr) 9.9&lt;/P&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Magnesium (Mg) 1268&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Iodine (I-) 0.03&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Copper (Cu++) 0.01&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Alkalinity (meq/L) 3.01&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt; &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt;Thanks ahead for the help !!!&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P align=left&gt; &lt;/P&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:00:06 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>wildfire44231</dc:creator></item><item><title>nano cube?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic144605-25-1.aspx</link><description>would a 6 gallon nano be good to start off with?I would just like to get my feet wet in the saltwater world.&lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin"&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:01:44 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>blue74</dc:creator></item><item><title>Where to start</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic145905-25-1.aspx</link><description>Ok I think I'm ready to start with saltwater but I have no idea were to start.How small a tank can a saltwater be?Would ten gallons be big enough?What are some good fish to start with?Weres a good place to get all the stuff I?What all do I need?Ok I think thats it but I'm sure i'll of more.&lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin"&gt;</description><pubDate>Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:02:53 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>guppygirl1990</dc:creator></item><item><title>New Additions</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic145817-25-1.aspx</link><description>What would be a good additon to my tank?  I like the Maroon Clownfish, Hippo Tang, and all Blennies and Gobies.  Also, what would be the lighting requirements for corals?</description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:57:09 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>O'Leary</dc:creator></item><item><title>Newbie looking into saltwater</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic144309-25-1.aspx</link><description>Hello to all. I am new to this site and I am so glad I found it. I currently have a 46g freshwater tank. I just started my hobbie in june of 07 and am in love with it. I have learned so much and this stuff is far more intailed than I thought. Now my question is I am thinking about taking on the task of a saltwater tank. I have no idea what I am doing and want to do my reasearch before I take the chance. Where is a good place to go to understand saltwater set up, sumps and evrything I need to know to have a succeful tank ? Also I hear that saltwater tanks can be very difficult and expensive to keep and require daily attention and water changes ? Is there any truth to this ? Any and all help would be grateful. Dont be afraid to tell me I am crazy for going saltwater . lol Thanks in advance. </description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:20:44 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>scoluvsmo</dc:creator></item><item><title>Pinned Topics</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic144656-25-1.aspx</link><description>Welcome to the FishChannel Forums! Below you will find links to Frequently Asked Questions and important topics from the FishChannel Forums. Before asking a question on the forums, first make sure you look at the list to see if it has already been covered. Please read the following links below: Official Rules and Regulations, Are Your Fish Sick?and Information needed for other members to answer your questions. &lt;P&gt;If you have you see a topic that you think should appear on this list, please let the FishChannel Moderator know, via PM or by posting the URL for the topic in the Suggestions Forum. &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic123343-11-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Official Rules and Regulations&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic147834-11-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;FONT color=#1111ff&gt;Are Your Fish Sick?&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt; &lt;BR&gt; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic121980-21-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Information needed for other members to answer your questions&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt; &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic124618-11-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Abusing Private Messaging&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic136643-12-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;FONT color=#1111ff&gt;Step-by-Step Instructions for Deleting PMs&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt; &lt;BR&gt; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic125207-16-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;How to Post Pictures&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt; &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic124737-16-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Video Clip Challenge&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Link to great fish videos.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic118056-16-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Show your tanks!&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Pictures of members tanks. &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic143754-16-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Basics for taking great pictures&lt;/STRONG&gt; &lt;/A&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic132702-5-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Freshwater Stocking Guide: A Reference for Beginners&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt;&lt;BR&gt;An Answer to the Question "How Many Fish Can I Keep?"&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic129268-21-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Ich: What you've always wanted to know.&lt;/STRONG&gt;  &lt;/A&gt;&lt;BR&gt;An in depth explaination of Ich and how to treat it&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141732-5-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Fish Food&lt;/STRONG&gt; &lt;/A&gt;  &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic137823-5-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;What's the difference between pH and Hardness &lt;BR&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt;How are they related &amp;amp; how are they different?&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic110830-5-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Stocking List for a 10 Gallon?&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt; &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic111759-5-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;The A to Z of FishKeeping&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic124856-4-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Signs of Nutrient Deficiencies&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt;   &lt;BR&gt;Chart &amp;amp; Definitions&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic125276-19-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Dechlorinated Water And Cycling&lt;/STRONG&gt;  &lt;/A&gt;  &lt;P&gt;&lt;A href="http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic145859-31-1.aspx"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;FONT color=#1111ff&gt;Community Safe Shrimp&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/A&gt;</description><pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:31:48 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>FishChannel Moderator</dc:creator></item><item><title>damsles?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic129455-25-1.aspx</link><description>my friend told me that i should start my salt water tank with damsels, because they are cheap and hardy. what do you think</description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:07:42 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>MoorishIdol</dc:creator></item><item><title>Brackish Water Information Needed</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141463-25-1.aspx</link><description>Hello Forum Members,&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I need some help in starting a brackish water tank.  I know that brackish water is somewhere between freshwater and saltwater.  I recently won a 16 gallon tank in a contest and I'm very interested in trying my hand at the saltwater way of life.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Perhaps I'm foolish in my reasoning for trying brackish/saltwater, as I think that a brackish water set-up will be a good stepping stone to a full blown saltwater set-up some day.  If I'm wrong, please correct me.  I think it will be a great learning experience for me to try none the less.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I plan on purchasing 2 Green Spotted Puffers from the local Wal-Mart store.  I know I will be taking a chance purchasing these fish this way, as Wal-Mart fish keepers are usually less than experienced at fish keeping (no disrespect meant to any Wal-Mart employees who happen to actually work at Wal-Mart...  I'm just basing my opinion on personal experience in the past.  I wasn't very impressed with past purchases.)  That being said, I still plan on purchasing 2 Puffers for this tank.  I figured that I'll be saving at least 2 Puffers from a direct life right into someone's toilet.  &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I know that puffers need room, so eventually the pair will have to be moved to a larger tank.  I'm also aware that Wal-Mart sells their Puffers as freshwater fish.  I know that unless these fish are graduated to brackish water simulated tanks, that their life expectancy is greatly reduced.  Hence forth the need of the information I'm looking for.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I have been online looking for any and all information on raising Green Spotted Puffers, but the information is generally too vague and confusing.  Any suggestions would be most appreciated.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I plan on asking an awful lot of questions on this subject before actually purchasing these fish.  I don't want to go into this endeavor only half prepared.  I'm not that kind of person.  Fish are people too ya know.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thanks in advance for any advice and information given on this topic.  I hope that this topic is informative to more than just me.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thanks&lt;br&gt;rocknrob&lt;br&gt;&lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/Smile.gif" border="0" title="Smile"&gt;</description><pubDate>Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:59:25 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>rocknrob</dc:creator></item><item><title>Lighting for a 110h reef</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic143535-25-1.aspx</link><description>I have been doing alot of research on properly keeping a reef tank and lighting is my main hang up. I already have a new 110 high and want to know if i can put a lighting system on it that would allow me to place light demanding corals anywhere i want or am i going to be limited to the top half of the tank? I think the new solaris or galileo led lights might but their out of my price range. T5 lights will not penetrate the depth will they? What aboutpower compacts and metal halides? Going to keep very easy corals for a long time but depending on future success or failure would like to not be limited. Maybe just forget the tank, hate to cause its already here and would like to utilize it.Thanks for the time and hope i was not to windy!  </description><pubDate>Sat, 15 Mar 2008 06:47:12 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>lakec3</dc:creator></item><item><title>going from fresh to salt water</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic143708-25-1.aspx</link><description>Ok here it is a question most of you have heard a thousand times i am sure.  I am moving in the next couple of weeks and when I set up my 75g tank I am thing of switching over to salt water.  My question is what would suggestions be for set-ups?  I have a 75g tank and just standard lighting two 48" fluorescents and a Eheim 2215 canister and a inline heater.  I also have a 25g tank and was wondering if there was a way for me to use this as a sump even though my 75g is not drilled?  My plans for this tank are live rock 75lbs or more as well as fish.  The ones the interest me at this time are clownfish as well as puffers and trigger fish not to sure whether this is a good combination or not. </description><pubDate>Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:27:49 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>racefan28</dc:creator></item><item><title>New Setup - Fish Recommendations to Cycle</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic143363-25-1.aspx</link><description>I've got a Marineland 29 gallon Saltwater kit set up. All water levels and temp are fine. Would a pair of clownfish make a good starting fish to get the cycle going? My plan was to eventually stock 2 clownfish, a cardinal or two and a few yellow tail damsels. Eventually I'd like to add some live rock, some cleaner shrimp and a chocolate chip star. &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;I'd really like to start with the Clownfish but am not sure if the damsels would be a better choice to start.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Thanks!&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Jim</description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:11:05 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>jayedwood</dc:creator></item><item><title>Odd appearances in my tank</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic143409-25-1.aspx</link><description>Ok, the joys of saltwater and finding things that come with live rock (I'm assuming this is where they came from).  I did a PWC earlier today and didn't really notice anything weird.  Tonight I looked at my tank and on the walls (mainly the front of the tank) there are a million little white specks that are alive and moving around in little jerking motions!  They are super tiny.  Then there are larger whitish/orangish/yellowish dots with what looks like sticky hairs coming out of them that they use to cling to the walls of the tank.  The latter appear in loosely formed groups and the super tinies are just all over.  Any ideas?  Thanks.</description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:52:37 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>TurtleLover</dc:creator></item><item><title>red sea max aquarium</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic142471-25-1.aspx</link><description>hi i have been keeping fresh water fish for about 25 years on and off i was in my lfs and they had redsea max aquariums 34 gal reef ready tank kits has anyone used these?? are they any good i am thinking that it would ce a straight forward way of starting out with salt water.&lt;P&gt;any feed back you can give would be great&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;tks &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;dan</description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:41:54 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>danvan</dc:creator></item><item><title>I got a tank!</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141459-25-1.aspx</link><description>apparently my obsessive research and longing looks at the sw tanks at the lfs haven't escaped my boyfriends attention.  I wasn't quite ready, but here we go.  &lt;P&gt;The love of my life just got home from work, with an extra/late Valentines present.  He went to PetCo after work and got me a 12 gallon Eclipse Instant Ocean aquarium kit.  I want to make this as beautiful as possible, his heart was in the right place.  I know you all recommend starting big, but I want to work with what I have since he picked it out.  He also brought home some live sand (it's packed in water, sold at PetCo) and went to the other lfs to get 6lbs of live rock.  I set it up with the sand and rock.  He also got the boxed ocean water and an API saltwater master test kit and purpleup.  The salinity was a bit high in the ocean water so I mixed in some fresh.  &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;What will be my options as far an inhabitants at this point.  Later on we want to upgrade to an 80 gallon bowfront he saw (just couldn't afford right now).  For now we will be trying our best with this one.  Here's the link to what I now own:&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyid=13544&amp;amp;Ntt=instant%20ocean%20aquarium%20kit&amp;amp;OneResultRedirect=1" target=_"blank" class="SmlLinks"&gt;http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyid=13544&amp;amp;Ntt=instant%20ocean%20aquarium%20kit&amp;amp;OneResultRedirect=1&lt;/a&gt;</description><pubDate>Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:50:44 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>TurtleLover</dc:creator></item><item><title>What were those little worms?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141430-25-1.aspx</link><description>I was looking at the tank of live rock for sale at my lfs when my bfriend spotted a couple critters in them.  They looked like tiny little worms, longest was a little over an inch that we saw, very very skinny, first 1/4" was a bright orange and the rest of the body was brown and it looked kinda fuzzy.  What the heck was it?&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;I'm starting to get obsessed with research and ogling the sw tanks at the lfs, can you tell?</description><pubDate>Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:35:52 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>TurtleLover</dc:creator></item><item><title>Feather Dusters</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141367-25-1.aspx</link><description>What can you all tell me about feather dusters?  I'm continuing research into a saltwater tank and I really like the idea of a feather duster or two in the tank.  Are they easy to keep?  How do you put them into a tank? Do they burrow by themselves or do they need something special to anchor to?  Any info would be great!</description><pubDate>Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:08:24 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>TurtleLover</dc:creator></item><item><title>Octopus Reef BH-100</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141371-25-1.aspx</link><description>Hooked it up, and it continuously "belches" out large bubble from the return. I have re started it about 3 times and adjusted the collection cup. THere is no way of adjusting the intake (king 225pump). Any suggestions?</description><pubDate>Sun, 24 Feb 2008 05:14:26 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HuntValley</dc:creator></item><item><title>Blue Legged Hermit</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141343-25-1.aspx</link><description>I have one blue leg hermit (has bright blue and black stripped legs) and I just bought 12 margarita snails to start my cleaning crew. The hermit has been in there by himself for a while (there is one random turbo snail too that has been there for a while). There are empty shells all throughout the tank for him to "upgrade" to.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Problem is he is attacking the new snails. These snails all have shells smaller then him. I read online that hermits will only attack the snails when they want a new shell. Is this false? Do hermits go after snails? If that is true, why are they sold together in "cleaning crews"?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thanks</description><pubDate>Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:57:41 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HuntValley</dc:creator></item><item><title>Need Advice</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic139014-25-1.aspx</link><description>Hi, thanks for reading my post. All help greatly appreciated. I recently bought a 75 Gallon bowfront tank from an older gentleman that recently became ill and could no longer care for the tank. It has a few pieces of live rock (about 3-4 medium sized pieces), Coral substrate and 4 fish (2 p.clowns, blue tang, and I believe a purple tang). I have never had salt water before - have had freshwater for about 20 years and very familiar on that side of the hobby. Figured this would be a good tank to try my hand at Saltwater. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;First problem, i have to empty the tank and move it (about a 30 min ride). How much of the original water do i need to keep? I was guessing 50 gallons, and the have 25 gallons of "new" mixed and aerated ready before hand. I read its crucial to keep the "new" water at the same temp and gravity as the established. (76 degrees and 1.023). Any other pointers on keeping the water stable - dont want to stress the fish/live rock out any more then necessary. Figured on using the 5 gallon home depot buckets (new, washed out) and placing one fish in each bucket, same with the live rock. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Second, i dont believe he has a protein skimmer. Are these essential for salt water? I'm not setting up a reef, but would like to add some more live rock with some shrimp and maybe an anemone later on. Any suggestions as what a good protein skimmer would be?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Third, what other fish would i be able to add? I know salt water fish loads are way smaller then fresh, but in addition to the 4 "squatters" i'd like to eventually add some more. (a goby or two, maybe some damsels or chromis). Any suggestions of some really hardy, interesting fish?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Fourth and last - feeding! What works best? How often?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;THANKS!!! I really appreciate the help. &lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:24:02 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HuntValley</dc:creator></item><item><title>55 gallon SW tank!</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic141045-25-1.aspx</link><description>I love sw fish! If I had a 55 gallon sw tank that matured for a month or two could I put in 1 yellow tang, 2 percula clownfish, and 1 gobie, and maybe 1 firefish or damsel? I would introduce them very slowly! &lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/Smile.gif" border="0" title="Smile"&gt;</description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:34:59 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>jfish13</dc:creator></item><item><title>What fish would you keep?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic140962-25-1.aspx</link><description>72gallon bowfront, ph 8.3, 80 degrees, all nitrates/nitrites/ammonia good to go. About 35 lbs live rock (will be adding an additional 40 cured from store) and about 50 lbs live sand/gravel. Tank was recently moved, 50 gallons kept. All rocks and sand kept. Previously tank had been set up for 3 years. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I have decided to get rid of the hippo and powder blue tangs due to them needing a larger tank. Hopefully they will end up in a 125 or bigger some where. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Have a pair of Ocellaris clowns. Couple snails and hermits. So...what else should i but in there? A really like the flame angel and coral beauty. Tangs are beautiful, but i want the tank size to be appropriate and the fish to be comfortable and happy. I dont really like bengai (sp?) cardinals. Other suggestions?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thanks again.  I appreciate all the help from this forum. Hopefully when i get experience, i will be able to help a newbie like me someday. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:48:49 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HuntValley</dc:creator></item><item><title>55 Gallon Saltwater Beginner Tank!-Are My Plans Okay?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic140682-25-1.aspx</link><description>I am planning on buying a 55 gallon tank next December or December 2009. It will be my first ever saltwater tank and I am very happy about it! Only I want to do it &lt;b&gt;right&lt;/b&gt; with no overstocking. It will be Fowlr as I am fairly sure I could kill a coral in less than a day. I plan on having the following:&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;1 False Percula ClownFish&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;1 Green Chromis Damselfish&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;1 Firefish Goby&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;And I am still thinking what the final fish will be, any ideas? Do you think I could have a final fish? Please give me your input on my plans, I am still researching. I will have to save for awhile before I can scrap up enough, along with the money my parents are giving me for next christmas. Lotta' babysiting ahead of me.&lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/Doze.gif" border="0" title="Doze"&gt; It is worth it though.&lt;img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.fishchannel.com/Skins/Aquarium/Images/EmotIcons/Smile.gif" border="0" title="Smile"&gt;</description><pubDate>Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:20:10 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Genga</dc:creator></item><item><title>Hippo/Regal Tang Behavior</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic140809-25-1.aspx</link><description>Just moved a 72gallon salt set up and everything went smoothly (thanks hailey and ilovegoldbarbs) - fish seem happy and eating heartily. Live rock critters have even started to come back out of hiding. (fans, some little sponge looking balls - not sure what they are). &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Only question i had was on Sunday, about 24 hours after the move - all the fish (clowns, powder blue tang and Regal tang) all got their color back within in a few hours of the move - the Regal tang after eating, started flaring his/her fins and the black "painters palette" changed to an almost gold/yellowish color. After about 5 minutes it was back to black as night. I tried looking up some info and didnt really find anything to explain it. Any thoughts???&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;All water conditions are good, and pretty close to the original set up. I think his tank was at 82, mine has been steady at 80.</description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:53:11 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HuntValley</dc:creator></item><item><title>Boxed Ocean Water</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic139711-25-1.aspx</link><description>Well, for the last couple years we've been toying with the idea of a saltwater tank.  Slowly researching and such.  The other day I was at PetCo and saw "Real Ocean Water" in a box.  I was wondering if any of you used it and what you all think of it.  We're nowhere near ready to start a saltwater tank (no more room right now), but we like getting idea of what things to keep in mind for when the day comes.  Here's a link to what I'm talking about:&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.petco.com/product/11884/PETCO-Real-Ocean-Water.aspx" target=_"blank" class="SmlLinks"&gt;http://www.petco.com/product/11884/PETCO-Real-Ocean-Water.aspx&lt;/a&gt;</description><pubDate>Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:08:22 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>TurtleLover</dc:creator></item><item><title>Lighting</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic140694-25-1.aspx</link><description>What kind and how much lighting is rec for a 75g FOWLR set up? I will be including an anemone down the road for the clowns. 2x65w (i day, 1 blue) enough? or is the 4x65w needed? Also, i saw one of these hoods that have the 4x65w have a 10K 6.7K 460nm and 420nm vs. another brand that has 2 10K and 2 460nm. Which would be best of these two if i need the 4x65w. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thanks. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><pubDate>Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:56:50 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HuntValley</dc:creator></item><item><title>Reccomend a nano protein skimmer?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic140348-25-1.aspx</link><description>I have a 90 litre saltwater tank and have an internal protein skimmer.  It doesn't appear to have been working well recently, filling very quickly in light coloured water.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I have decided to look for a better one and am seeking some advice before making a purchase.  My tank has an integral hood so am I right in believing that a hang on skimmer isn't possible with my tank and internal ones are my only option.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Which would you reccommend?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Many thanks.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Mark.</description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:27:24 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>markcarolynn</dc:creator></item><item><title>What do you think of this type of setup?</title><link>http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic139751-25-1.aspx</link><description>This is just an idea.  What do you all think of this type of setup?  &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+15493&amp;amp;pcatid=15493" target=_"blank" class="SmlLinks"&gt;http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+15493&amp;amp;pcatid=15493&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;I see them at one of the lfs quite a bit, basically just some sand, a little piece of live rock and a couple little sea snails and a shrimp or two cruising around. </description><pubDate>Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:56:03 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>TurtleLover</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>