wasp

Hmmm... I think what he meant, in a humerous way, is that truly "natural" methods cannot realistically be exclusively relied on in a tank. After all, our tanks are not "natural" we have to maintain them by artificial means, and if we did not, they would be dead in weeks. What applies in the ocean does not apply in the confines of our tanks. Therefore, for me anyway, I do not have an ideological objection to using any means that does not appear in the ocean. For example, Joes Juice, copper treatment, plastic hose or garlic are not found naturally in the ocean, but I do not have a problem using any of those in my tank, in order to achieve what mother nature cannot in the confines of my tank.

Here's some science, quoted it before but you may not have read. http://www.reefs.org/library/article/h_ ... jorge.html It has been shown in lab testing that chemicals in garlic will kill Cryptocaryon irritans ( marine ich ). However what many do not know is that the garlic losses much of it's effectiveness within a few hours of being crushed. That is why people complain they used something out of a bottle and it did not work, hence I have posted the article so that people can use garlic in an informed way. All this and answers to your question documented in the article.

The odds of the bottled garlic working are a lot lower than fresh garlic.

The sure way is to quaranteen all fish for 8 weeks so parasites in the tank will die. Treat the fish with copper and return to tank. But if this is not possible Garlic can work, but must be done right. Don't use the bottled product, only freshly ground cloves should be used for best effect. check this http://www.reefs.org/library/article/h_ ... jorge.html

Wow Thanks all, I wasn't expecting such a useful response. By the time I go through all that I should be able to come up with something workable! I'll update on progress.

Here's a note of caution http://www.niwa.co.nz/pubs/bu/01/warfare.htm By the way, I'm not knocking NSW, I use it myself, but just be aware.

Thanks Ben, Does that web site supply to NZ? Or is it via the others you mentioned, Kelly Tarltons etc

At last! My 2 false perculas have laid eggs. I know chances are slim, but I'm going to give raising them a shot. If anybody can tell me anything at all about this I'd greatly appreciate it. In particular does anyone know where or how to get live rotifers? And anything else, please share. Thanks!

Dan Berlin skimmers are not highly regarded. You say your order is on indent, to be honest I don't know what that means, but if it means you can stop the order, in my own personal opinion I'd do that and get something like a Deltec. Seeding rock? Not nessecary, it will seed itself there is plenty of bacteria floating around. However if you could get some already cured rock it certainly would not hurt any. And sand or bare bottom. This is still the subject of much debate, however there is little doubt that it is easier to keep the tank clean if it is bare bottom. However some people prefer sand for aesthetic reasons, if you do go with sand, aragonite is best as it is the most in harmony with the PH and other values you will be wanting to keep your water at. Also considerably cheaper than coral sand. Some of the livestock you may wish to keep will prefer sand, so this is something you may wish to consider. One possibilty is to start the tank bare bottom, and if you find this is not to your liking, it is a simple matter to add a thin layer of sand at a later date.

Oh, well if that's the case, better ignore my previous post saying cyclops is the same. The cyclops are quite a bit bigger than what Pies describes, probably about a mm. The fish find them quite small, but just big enough to track down and eat.

They have a frozen product at Hollywood called Cyclops, which I understand to be the same thing. They are fresh water pods. Supposed to be rich in some stuff fish need, my fish love them.

Well done Chim, even though what you apologised for was hardly the same league as some of the other stuff people have said. If others were man enough to front up and apologise this whole thing would be unnessecary.

Ok well you will get some stick, but I support it. It will be best in the long run.

This is turning into a "moderators against the rest" thing. No need for any arguing at all, we're all on the same side, or I hope we are. The stuff quoted above is hardly serious enough to get in a flap over. I'm just supporting lifting this forum out of the gutter, and the moderators are the ones with that job.

Hmmm... Well I didn't say it as a joke. What I see happening is what you said Pegasus. Every time a moderator moderates, there are complaints. However I have been wondering if this has led to the moderators feeling intimidated, because I'm pretty surprised to see what's been let slide of recent times. And what makes me cringe is us being referred to as "you salties" as if we are all to be judged by the very worst posts a few can come up with. Most of us love our hobby and would like a cordial relationship with other like minded people. You moderators own the board. You do not have to take crap. If you see a post that is abusive, delete it. If someone gives you crap, ban them (temporarily). No need to enter into arguments with people, if they don't like it there are other forums. That is what most of us want.

Shut the forum? Totally unnecessary! A permanent ban on some people is also overkill. What is needed is some effective moderation. Just deletion of offensive posts, and if someone does not then get the hint, they get banned for a month. Then if someone STILL does not get the hint, perhaps they should be regarded as an inveterate offender and a permanent ban considered. But most people are capable of positive contributions in a well run environment, and a permanent ban should only be extreme last resort.

For me, I was embarrassed a few weeks back when I encouraged some people to come to this site. So now, the situation continues, with abuse, sexual inuendo and insults to other people, and comments like "why don't you get a big black dog up ya?" To some people I suppose this is witty. Fair discussion, banter and dissagreement is acceptable, but I don't think the purpetrators of this gutter level drivel realise how disgusted some people are. It's also become obvious that every time one particular person posts, another particular person just cannot contain themself from making some mindless attack. And I mean EVERY time. Anyhow I am afraid I have now given up recommending this site to anyone. One day if people can sort out their personal problems and fixations I hope to be able to recommend the site again.

Iduncan, agreed. I should have said, in a normal reef tank environment, alkalinity will take PH up to 8.2 / 8.3, and CO2 will try to take it down. ( I think that's right, anyway )

PH in a reef tank is simply a function of alkalinity against carbon dioxide. The alkalinity drives PH up, and CO2 drives it down. Therefore you need to measure and correct if nessecary your alkalinity, and have some means of gas exchange such as skimming, or surface agitation to ensure CO2 does not accumulate. Alkalinity can be raised by adding baking soda, although the baking soda will initially add some CO2. To avoid this, the baking soda can be baked in an oven for an hour at 250 degrees, which will turn it into "baked" baking powder, or washing soda, which does not release CO2. When adding, if you add too much, it will precipitae out calcium, so alkalinty and calcium should be added in balance.

Well I took the wife and went and checked the place out today. Recommend the experience to anyone.

Photoperiod may also be too short. Your caulerpa is rather pale, one way or another I'm sure there is insufficient light.

Hmmm... Think I'll go and have a look!

I have a question about hydnophora, I have one which I've had for maybe 2 years, always in close proximity to other corals, often an inch or so, and it's never stung anything. But I've heard a lot about the power of these things, I'm wondering if perhaps there are some less aggresive than others? Anybody else had any thoughts on that? Or maybe it's just a matter of time and I'll find something wiped out?

Well it certainly looks like it's pulled a pile of crud. I've seen all the hype about these on RC, now your using one what's your assesement of it against Deltec. I don't mean price, I know they're dear, just performance.

Well I know I cannot afford it, but have to ask - How much $$$ ?