Comments for Aquarists Online | Aquarium Fish Resources And Information http://www.aquaristsonline.com Information And Resources For Anyone Interested In Aquarium Fish, Saltwater Aquariums, Tropical Fish, Home Aquariums. Aquarium Care, Aquarium Equipment And Much More. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:21:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Should You Use Natural Seawater In Your Aquarium by John http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/general/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-25959 John Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:21:50 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/#comment-25959 Hello. In my reef system I use an artificial salt mix as it isn't practical to use NSW. The corraline grows steadily and makes some very interesting shapes. I need to clean it off the glass, particularly in the corners once every three months generally, so it's slow growing (which from a cleaning point of view is an advantage). The lighting is low power, a bank of five fluorescents, blue and marine white. I suppose theoretically there should not be a great deal of difference between growth with NSW or artificial provided the mixtures are up to spec and kept so. It will be interesting to see what happens. Hello. In my reef system I use an artificial salt mix as it isn’t practical to use NSW. The corraline grows steadily and makes some very interesting shapes. I need to clean it off the glass, particularly in the corners once every three months generally, so it’s slow growing (which from a cleaning point of view is an advantage). The lighting is low power, a bank of five fluorescents, blue and marine white.
I suppose theoretically there should not be a great deal of difference between growth with NSW or artificial provided the mixtures are up to spec and kept so.
It will be interesting to see what happens.

]]> Comment on Should You Use Natural Seawater In Your Aquarium by Ray http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/general/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-25958 Ray Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:20:15 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/#comment-25958 Hey John im experimenting once again. This time to examine how fast corraline algae responds to the NSW. For some reason its moderate growing with mixes. So we spent all day today changes things around. We also changes filtration system with higher out flows to seed the corraline algae better! Will take a few pic before and after and email to whoever wants to see results if its any different. Hey John im experimenting once again. This time to examine how fast corraline algae responds to the NSW. For some reason its moderate growing with mixes. So we spent all day today changes things around. We also changes filtration system with higher out flows to seed the corraline algae better! Will take a few pic before and after and email to whoever wants to see results if its any different.

]]> Comment on Should You Use Natural Seawater In Your Aquarium by John http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/general/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-25956 John Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:34:51 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/#comment-25956 Nice to hear again Ray. Agree with what you say about NSW being 'treated' before it goes in the display aquarium. Despite the fact (I think I can call it fact?) that the natural stuff is best caution remains the rule. Nice to hear again Ray. Agree with what you say about NSW being ‘treated’ before it goes in the display aquarium. Despite the fact (I think I can call it fact?) that the natural stuff is best caution remains the rule.

]]> Comment on Should You Use Natural Seawater In Your Aquarium by Ray http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/general/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-25950 Ray Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:20:38 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/#comment-25950 Hello everyone! its been a while since ive been on here. Wanted to let everyone know that my tank is doing great. I stopped using NSW for a while and noticed a decline in my corals, Corraline algae and such. Started adding trace elements and dosing calcium but the tank is not doing as well as it was when i was using NSW. So this weekend its back to the beach. Seems that its harder for my tank to deplete all the elements found in nature rather than usuing man made stuff. Just thought Id share this with my fellow aquarist. Wish we could post pics on here to show you what I am meaning by all this. Frankly even the coloration of my fish have declined. They were much brighter before than they are now. For anyone intending to us this method of harvesting NSW "DO NOT PUT IT STRAIGHT INTO YOUR TANK"! I cannot express this enough! Get a 55 Gallon Drum or Trash can, Place the water in there for at least 48 hours with a filter, Power head and if possible a UV sterilizer. Then use as water change water. You will be very happy eith results! Happy reefing everyone! send me a message from time to time I feel so not loved by you all! LOL my email is xdeputy101@yahoo.com from Destin , Florida! talk to you guys later! Hello everyone! its been a while since ive been on here. Wanted to let everyone know that my tank is doing great. I stopped using NSW for a while and noticed a decline in my corals, Corraline algae and such. Started adding trace elements and dosing calcium but the tank is not doing as well as it was when i was using NSW. So this weekend its back to the beach. Seems that its harder for my tank to deplete all the elements found in nature rather than usuing man made stuff. Just thought Id share this with my fellow aquarist. Wish we could post pics on here to show you what I am meaning by all this. Frankly even the coloration of my fish have declined. They were much brighter before than they are now. For anyone intending to us this method of harvesting NSW “DO NOT PUT IT STRAIGHT INTO YOUR TANK”! I cannot express this enough! Get a 55 Gallon Drum or Trash can, Place the water in there for at least 48 hours with a filter, Power head and if possible a UV sterilizer. Then use as water change water. You will be very happy eith results! Happy reefing everyone! send me a message from time to time I feel so not loved by you all! LOL my email is xdeputy101@yahoo.com from Destin , Florida! talk to you guys later!

]]> Comment on How Can I Help The Marine Aquarium Hobby? by John http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/general/how-can-i-help-the-marine-aquarium-hobby/comment-page-1/#comment-25949 John Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:11:37 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/?p=1117#comment-25949 Hello Sharma. The requirements of all marine fish are basically straight forward, they need seawater with the correct parameters and stability. They also need security. Security is provided by the provision of suitable rocks which form caves and crevices. If the system is top be a reef then these caves etc will be automatically provided. This area is not the place to fully discuss seawater parameters, however there is an article on this site giving all of this information (Go to the Blog page, go to Catagories, click on Water Quality, then scroll to the text called 'Seawater Parameter Guidelines'). One type of fish I would strongly advise against could cause surprise as it seems ideal - it's hardy and eats well. Unfortunately, they are, to varying degress, very territorial and could cause great distress or even death to fish that are to live with them. These are damsel species. What you'll want is something that is colourful and interesting and shouts 'marine'. A fish that is hardy and will forgive some new aquarist mistakes (within reason!) is the so-called common clownfish (properly known as Amphiprion ocellaris). They are sociable and eat well. If you decide on one or two of these then try and get some home bred types, they are quite readily available and are reported to be even hardier in an aquarium than those from the wild. Wild clownfish live with anemones but you should not attempt this until you have some experience. Anemones are not that easy to keep and require lighting in the same way that corals do. The clownfish, especially home bred ones, will be quite happy without an anemone. Another very beautiful fish with a different colour is the royal gramma (properly known as Gramma loreto). This fish is a great addition to a system giving variation in colour and habit. Its sociable and should not cause any problem (remember all fish could argue from time to time but this is not nasty aggression). Another fish could cause some doubt when a picture of it is seen as it appears delicate. However, it is a good addition with the correct tank mates such as the ones listed above and below. The fish is the firefish (Nemateleotris species). There is more than one fish name in this family. They are slim with a long dorsal fin and again should not cause any problems. A final suggestion is the bicolour blenny (properly called Ecsenius bicolor). It has a longish body and again is different and shouldn't cause any problems. I suggest you go into an internet search engine and type in the suggested names - use the proper names for accuracy. From the list you will be able to find all the information you need and also see the fish in photographs. Fish need security, a correct and stable environment and a commitment to ongoing maintenance for success. The two watchwords of the marine aquarist are research and patience. Hello Sharma.
The requirements of all marine fish are basically straight forward, they need seawater with the correct parameters and stability. They also need security. Security is provided by the provision of suitable rocks which form caves and crevices. If the system is top be a reef then these caves etc will be automatically provided. This area is not the place to fully discuss seawater parameters, however there is an article on this site giving all of this information (Go to the Blog page, go to Catagories, click on Water Quality, then scroll to the text called ‘Seawater Parameter Guidelines’).
One type of fish I would strongly advise against could cause surprise as it seems ideal – it’s hardy and eats well. Unfortunately, they are, to varying degress, very territorial and could cause great distress or even death to fish that are to live with them. These are damsel species.
What you’ll want is something that is colourful and interesting and shouts ‘marine’. A fish that is hardy and will forgive some new aquarist mistakes (within reason!) is the so-called common clownfish (properly known as Amphiprion ocellaris). They are sociable and eat well. If you decide on one or two of these then try and get some home bred types, they are quite readily available and are reported to be even hardier in an aquarium than those from the wild. Wild clownfish live with anemones but you should not attempt this until you have some experience. Anemones are not that easy to keep and require lighting in the same way that corals do. The clownfish, especially home bred ones, will be quite happy without an anemone.
Another very beautiful fish with a different colour is the royal gramma (properly known as Gramma loreto). This fish is a great addition to a system giving variation in colour and habit. Its sociable and should not cause any problem (remember all fish could argue from time to time but this is not nasty aggression).
Another fish could cause some doubt when a picture of it is seen as it appears delicate. However, it is a good addition with the correct tank mates such as the ones listed above and below. The fish is the firefish (Nemateleotris species). There is more than one fish name in this family. They are slim with a long dorsal fin and again should not cause any problems.
A final suggestion is the bicolour blenny (properly called Ecsenius bicolor). It has a longish body and again is different and shouldn’t cause any problems.
I suggest you go into an internet search engine and type in the suggested names – use the proper names for accuracy. From the list you will be able to find all the information you need and also see the fish in photographs.
Fish need security, a correct and stable environment and a commitment to ongoing maintenance for success. The two watchwords of the marine aquarist are research and patience.

]]> Comment on The Protein Skimmer – What Is Wet And Dry Foam? by John http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-equipment/protein-skimmer/the-protein-skimmer-what-is-wet-and-dry-foam/comment-page-1/#comment-25948 John Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:37:27 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/?p=495#comment-25948 Well I don't know, blue stuff! The skimmer is operating correctly as its collecting the 'normal' residue, the brown 'orrible yuk that accumulates in the neck and waste receptacle, so the skimmer isn't at fault. Perhaps its the last of the factory left stuff which will go away after a little while longer - brand new skimmers usually don't operate at peak efficiency until after a short period. If all seawater parameters are as they should be and provided the livestock are showing no signs of discomfort a longer wait shouldn't cause any problem. Well I don’t know, blue stuff! The skimmer is operating correctly as its collecting the ‘normal’ residue, the brown ‘orrible yuk that accumulates in the neck and waste receptacle, so the skimmer isn’t at fault. Perhaps its the last of the factory left stuff which will go away after a little while longer – brand new skimmers usually don’t operate at peak efficiency until after a short period. If all seawater parameters are as they should be and provided the livestock are showing no signs of discomfort a longer wait shouldn’t cause any problem.

]]> Comment on Should You Use Natural Seawater In Your Aquarium by John http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/general/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-25947 John Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:27:21 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/#comment-25947 Hello Dave. Like so many others you report how well your system does with NSW. As you realise the greatest danger is pollution. Why systems do so well with NSW I cannot state categorically - but it seems to me Mother Nature's own is very mature and directly suitable, whereas synthetic mixes are more harsh even after mixing for 24 hours or so. Or maybe there's an ingredient in NSW that's not fully recognised for its importance, but I doubt that! Hello Dave.
Like so many others you report how well your system does with NSW. As you realise the greatest danger is pollution. Why systems do so well with NSW I cannot state categorically – but it seems to me Mother Nature’s own is very mature and directly suitable, whereas synthetic mixes are more harsh even after mixing for 24 hours or so. Or maybe there’s an ingredient in NSW that’s not fully recognised for its importance, but I doubt that!

]]> Comment on How Can I Help The Marine Aquarium Hobby? by Amit Sharma http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/general/how-can-i-help-the-marine-aquarium-hobby/comment-page-1/#comment-25946 Amit Sharma Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:23:45 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/?p=1117#comment-25946 I want to buy fish aquarium in my home. I want to know that from which types of fishes i should start. Basically i want to gain knowledge about fishes types. Please help me to tells the name of fishes which should suitable for beginner like me...... and also give me guide for take care for these fishes... Thanks. I want to buy fish aquarium in my home. I want to know that from which types of fishes i should start. Basically i want to gain knowledge about fishes types. Please help me to tells the name of fishes which should suitable for beginner like me……

and also give me guide for take care for these fishes…
Thanks.

]]> Comment on The Protein Skimmer – What Is Wet And Dry Foam? by jr http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-equipment/protein-skimmer/the-protein-skimmer-what-is-wet-and-dry-foam/comment-page-1/#comment-25945 jr Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:24:54 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/?p=495#comment-25945 I Jus got a coralife 220 n after 2days of break in..... the skimmer is collecting like a blue liquid substance w also the normal fish waste id say... i don't know nor could find anything bout that.....plz lmk if u know????? I Jus got a coralife 220 n after 2days of break in….. the skimmer is collecting like a blue liquid substance w also the normal fish waste id say… i don’t know nor could find anything bout that…..plz lmk if u know?????

]]> Comment on Should You Use Natural Seawater In Your Aquarium by dave http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/general/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-25944 dave Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:52:24 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/aquarium-water/should-you-use-natural-seawater-in-your-aquarium/#comment-25944 I have used sea water on my last 2 tanks. The tank was set up on synthetic and i vary the water change between natural sea water and salt. the reason for this is im still not brave enough to just use nsw :) i collect it from near the shore when the tide is coming in, i may have option in summer of collecting from deep. Through this winter it was proving difficult to collect so i went back onto synthetic and i would have to say that my tank isnt doing half as well!!! I have used sea water on my last 2 tanks. The tank was set up on synthetic and i vary the water change between natural sea water and salt. the reason for this is im still not brave enough to just use nsw :) i collect it from near the shore when the tide is coming in, i may have option in summer of collecting from deep.
Through this winter it was proving difficult to collect so i went back onto synthetic and i would have to say that my tank isnt doing half as well!!!

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