LOL, oh yeah, you've got close to a foot on me. Makes a big difference when working in the tank.




Thanks Nate!




Hi Kim! Thanks. Yes, I remember that you had the 45. Amazing how much of a nuisance those extra few inches in depth can be. Ooh, can't wait for you to post pics of the scooter blenny, they're so cute! While you're at it, post the christmas village pics too



I love logging on to see support and positive comments, it's a great way to start the day, I have to admit.

Especially since I just cleaned up round 2 of dog puke for the morning. Ugh.

I'll do pictures later. As for the village it's just styrofoam mountains with a couple of houses when i'm done with the frame work i'll post pics of the progress. And the scooter guy is really really cute.

Hi A, I think ur SPIFFY!!!!
:does silly dance and scurries off:

See MOM I DO listen.....hehe
The new additions look great. Were you able to fix the skimmer? The answer is probably somewhere in this thread but I'm too lazy to read through....haha. I just like looking at the pretty pictures.

Liveaquaria rocks EXCEPT I find them a bit pricey. I mean after shipping a $49.99 frag becomes $90...LOL. Guess we'll just have to order in bulk, you know just to save $$$ on shipping....LOL

Hi! *waving wildly at Weetie's hurriedly retreating back*

I think you're pretty spiffy too. Groovy, even.


Hi R! How are you? I still haven't done the skimmer, terrible, I know. I'm very sure it just needs a good cleaning. This is the first time I ordered from Live Aquaria--because of the shipping costs. But. The mandarin was on sale for $15!!!!! How could I not? DHaut ordered some stuff too, so this way we split the cost of shipping, and it was still cheaper than buying from the LFS.

tear,

you didnt include me

Some friends in my local reef club visited their WI facility and it is absolutely drool-worthy. You picked a good place to get your critter from. Total agreement on the priciness but that's what the sale page is for! I always check that sale page before diver's den or anything.

Bill

Aww, Mark. I'm sorry. But I didn't include your name 'cause you're more likely to wander in here of your own volition.



Hi Bill! Wow, I bet that was one amazing field trip. Their sale prices are really good. Factoring in splitting shipping costs, and their arrive alive guarantees, and it felt like money well spent.

Stuff from Diver's Den comes from the WI facility ... the rest CA ... unless specified. That I am pretty darn sure of ... I forgot the guy who is in charge on the WI facility ... I believe I met him at MACNA back in September.

In either case ... cool find on the mandarin!!! Hopefully it's a winner! Also ... CLEAN THAT SKIMMER! You know I had to say that.

Thanks, David! So far the mandy is looking pretty happy. Getting braver, finding lots of pods, completely uninterested in the other fish, and they don't seem interested in him either. He slept tucked behind the clam last night. So cute!

I know, I know, I've got to do the skimmer...I'm just afraid I won't remember how to put it back together once I take it apart.

Sounds like it's off to a good start!



Take pictures as you tear it apart. Then, you'll have a road map to putting it back together!

Looks like I get to join your club... looks like my acro has red bugs.

Unfortunately, I don't know how I'm going to get my hands on some Interceptor.

Yay!

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear this. Do you have any other pets? Maybe if you just go into a local vet and explain, they'll be willing to sell you a tab or two.

Haut! Are you cheerleading for dog puke? If you haven't had the pleasure, let me tell you it isn't the best way to wake up. Especially when I know it's my own blasted fault. I cook for him, but ran out and was too tired and lazy to cook a new batch yesterday, so I gave him regular bagged kibble. You know what I was doing this afternoon, right?

I've got a cat, but I haven't taken her to a vet since she was fixed, and even that was with a vet about 120 miles away. At first, some of the stuff I was reading about red bugs (aka the plague) had me concerned of near instantaneous death. However, now it seems like the plague is more of a slow death after reaching a certain mass of infestation. I'd have never know though, if someone in my thread hadn't posted a zoomed in shot of my acro photo.

It's going to be ok though; I'm getting hooked up with a nuclear weapon.



Oh boy, that makes things even worse! Riding the vomit comet is bad enough though....

I didn't know I had redbugs either, until Dan took those awesome macros of my tank.

Glad to hear you're getting hooked up.

And Boris thanks you for your sympathy re his intestinal troubles. Where would I be without Lysol and Murphy's Oil Soap?

And to think, some people IRL have asked why I take photos of my coral! Now that I've seen them in the photos, I can see them somewhat on the coral with my eye. Without that picture, and someone's eagle eye, I'd have been oblivious, and probably watched the acro slowly decline.




So many things you can fix with Lysol and Murphy's Oil Soap. It's the tag team equivalent of duct tape for the household cleaner world!

Well, now you've got my wheels turning...duct tape...yes, I believe it could reduce emissions...

Yeah! That gives me an idea (WARNING: For the feint of heart, now is a good time to look the other way ):

You could make a cone for your dog's head, and at the end, have a comet catcher! It's a self-cleaning yack!

Let's think this through, shall we? Would I rather clean the floor? Or bathe the dog? I think I'll stick with door #1, thanks.

Sounds good. At least you've got options though.

I don't think the mandarin is going to make it.

He's been moving slowly for a few days, and by this afternoon was barely moving at all.

Dan recommended I try moving him into the sump/fuge; but I can't catch him easily (I tried), and I'm afraid the stress of netting him will finish him off for sure.

Opinions?

Unfortunately, I don't have any pearls of wisdom for you in this area.

I hope it all works out though!

Awe Thats too bad. I'm sorry i can't help you out. Maybe block up holes with cups or something so he stays in the front. If u have to just net him or use it to block him.

Thanks for the good thoughts, Tyler.




Thanks, Kim. My rock is very, very porous, and this is a tiny mandarin, <2"; so I don't think I can block all the caves and holes.

Actually, I can't find him at all right now, but I haven't seen any supicious snail/bristleworm gatherings, so I assume he's still alive.

I added more pods to the fuge and dt this afternoon, in hopes of enticing him. No such luck. In the meantime, I'll keep hoping.

Sorry about the Mandy Anne.

Has it eaten for you at all yet?


Hopefully it settles in and pulls through for you.

c'mon little fella, eat sumptin for the nice lady will you please??

Thanks Richie.

He was at first. Not enthusiastically, but some. Nothing today.

I'm so bummed, I can't tell you. I really feel these are lives we are responsible for. And now I also feel guilty. I know this is a fish I should have bought locally, not had shipped, but it was such a savings for me; the difference btw wanting one and getting one.

Understood. Many of us feel the same way. We care a great deal about the little creatures we work so hard to provide for.

The money, while important, isn't usually the first thing we are thinking about when we lose a critter either is it?
Always sadness over the life lost and not "well, there goes $45 ....."

Try not to beat yourself up too much my friend. It could have gone the other way as well and, with a little luck, still may.

Thanks for the understanding and kind words, my friend.

What's going on in here?! What happened to the Mandarin?!

Hoping that he will pull through for you!

any update on it's condition?

I'm sorry to say the Mandarin died this morning.

When he didn't die right away, I started to hold out hope that he would pull through, but no such luck. Poor little guy.

I wonder if he was too small/young to be successfully shipped. Sigh.

sowwy buddy.

Thanks Richie.

Awe thats too bad. I'm so sorry

Indeed.


Looks like your Mandy has joined my Lt. Sammie in Davy Jones' Locker.

Thanks Kim.



Thanks Tyler. Well, now you have your mission, stab Davey Jones through the heart so our poor soldiers can be freed.

Aye Aye.... now I just need a sailing vessel and a crew to help me flip the ship over just as the sun sets on the right day. Suppose I ought to get busy on that.


I've always wanted to build my own boat anyways!

Sorry Anne

I honestly don't think this is your fault. He was skinny-looking when he arrived. Don't beat yourself up over it. We'll have to find you a nice fat one locally for cheap

and

+1

Fishtown gets so many of them weekly ... but with the 50 they get, with in 24-48 hours ... half are left after that ... then by the end of the week ... there are usually only 10-15 still in there ... thin and looking like death ... I personally have had better luck with the Spotted Mandarins!

You build the boat, I'll watch the rum. It is egg nog season, no?



Aww, thanks, Dan. You're a good guy, but don't worry, I won't tell.



Thanks, Dave. I know these guys are tricky. Interesting to know about the spotteds.

I wouldn't mind if my NY friends kept their eyes open, give a shout if you see a chunky mandy for me.



*****and a question for any guitarists who might be reading. My son put a "capo" on his Christmas list. It's an acoustic, I think Ibanez, guitar. I looked online, and there are many, they all look different. Help?

This is what I've used for 10 years:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/pro...ring?sku=361600

I've had great luck with my Dunlop capo.

Oh... and I'd love to see some updated pics of the tank!

Looks good!


Thanks Meech. I don't have new pics right now, but give me a couple of days and check again.

Sounds like a plan!






Indeed it is. I'm not sure I've ever had the stuff though. This seems to be the winter of trying new things, however, so maybe I'll hunt some down this season.

mmmmm egg nog

Egg nog is delicious, I agree, Dan. It's also one of those things, people tend to love it or hate it. S'okay Tyler, if you don't like it, I'll take care of it for you.

I've never had it either.

anne, how are the blue cloves doing?