Talkingreef Live - Episode 14

[Rob]

Here are a list of items discussed in this weeks Talkingreef Live show

Intro
*Petco Petition - Talkingreef is not promoting you sign, just that you read and sign if you feel you agree.
* * Stop Petco's Senseless Killing Of Marine Life Petition
* Show Times - do you want to keep TRL at 8:00 EST (GMT -4)?
* PoTM Contest
* * Talkingreef - TR Contests
* IMAC - Chicago - May 30 -June 1
* * International Marine Aquarium Conference (IMAC) - Main Index
* MACNA - Atlanta - Sept 5-7
* * MACNA XX Atlanta
* New Local News section coming

Mini Topic
* List of must have equipment items when starting a new tank

Questions and Answers
* Quarantine Tanks
* Transferring tanks and dealing with resulting cycles
* Kalkwasser
* * Kalk - Podcast Episode 13
* * DIY Kalk Doser - Video Podcast Episode 44
* What is and how to preventing "old Tank Syndrome" with regards to a deep sand bed (DSB)
* * Substrates pt1 - Podcast Episode 27
* * Substrates pt2 - Podcast Episode 28
* Do you need to turn of your skimmer when feeding Phytoplankton and/or rotifers?
* Maroon clown anemone and behavior in a new system.
* Using a phyto density stick, and what's the optimal density?
* Storing Kalkwasser
* Feeding Caulepra to display tank fish
* What is the right way to setup flow in the tank?
* Keeping Goniopora
* * Goniopora - Podcast Episode 45
* What causes a deep sand bed (DSB) to become "clumpy"
* Fragging Blastomussa sp. (Blasto)
* Emperor Filter or a Protein Skimmer

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[reefenthusiast]

While I agree that many of the species sent to Petco are not properly cared for, this is not directly the fault of the employees(most of the time). The corporate big wigs send various species with out consent to these stores and the employees have no choice but to try to deal with them. The systems in most petco's are capable of sustaining fish and many are captive raised, however most are not able to properly care for coral. Again this is no fault of the employees that work at these stores, it is the reluctance of those up the corporate ladder to invest in the proper lighting and skimming necessary. Furthermore it has come to my attention that most Petco's will be dicontinuing their saltwater sytems within the next year or so anyway, so the petition may not even be necessary. I support the idea of protecting these species as much as possible, but it is not necessary to push blame on to the low level employees that work in these stores. Most do the best they can and do not deserve to be insulted by questioning their dedication to proper husbandry of all animals.

[Mr. Tang]

I would have to disagree a little with you on that one. Corporate does not make the list each week of livestock that gets shipped to the stores. The local managers do. So if you want to blame anybody for lack of knowledge on the care requirements of the livestock, blame the managers and the ones they hire. I'm not defending the bigger people in these business's but lets see it as it really is. And I live by the biggest Petco in my area that has the biggest aquatic center in the state and they do a decent job. But I do believe thats because they have taken their time and gotten good people to work there. So don't always blame Corporate America for all the problems of the world.

[Rob]

i do love a good debate, but i would like to ask that maybe if people want to continue this discussion we take it to another thread..
Want to make sure we stay on topic a bit more in this thread.
Thanks

[bubbletip]

I listened to the show and heard the discussion regarding 2 part additives. There is a company selling reef safe 2 part additives here:

I don't have nay affiliation with them. Just knew about them and felt like sharing with everyone.

Bulk Reef Supply - Bulk Reef Supply

Jim

[Rob]

Jim, thank for the additional info

[vanmo92]

Finally got around to hearing this show. I am the TR member that sent you the petition.

[naldopr]

hi I have a 8 month old R/O 100gpd system and my tds was reading 3ppm and then 26ppm in days so I turn it off and replace the sediment, carbon and DI and still getting 9ppm should I replace the membrane?

[Rob]

yes its the filters have an average life span of "about" 1 year. if your water is a little dirtier than normal, or you use it a lot its likely its time to replace them all (including DI)

[bbl_nk]

Hey guys for the person that asked about cutting teeth in acrylic if you don't have a router, you dould go with a drill and a scroll saw. Drill a hole at the point you want you teeth to be from the lip (3/4 iinch, inch, etc.) at the spacing you want (1/2 inch, 3/4, 1 inch apart)

Then you could mock up a simple guide with a scrap of wood or acrylic and a clamp and cut the sides to connect the hole. Or if you feel gutsy, go slow and freehand it.

Any rough spots can be filed and sanded. With a small peice of sandpaper or emery cloth, slightly round the edges so it doesn't slice any livestock that could slip through. Since you aren't glueing this surface, its OK to sand and round.


Brian