finbir

Will fit nicely into a single crab environment but only temporarily in an invert commune whereby it's finder feaster during moulting.

Last listed as apple crab by former National Museum. Common around offshore areas near hard plate corals, semi-dense growth of caulerpas and our artificially created breakwater barriers. Like most reef crabs, it will rescape your tank for u n help create more swimming space for the existing fish community when given the chance.

Well James, I started out as a novice way back in 1984 when George Smit, a Hollander, showed how reef systems with LS could be kept using the then little known 'overflow system'.(Freshwater n Marine Aq Mag courtesy of National Library). Had to learn to cut glass strips n assembled my own set-up as those on sale at that time cost a bomb. To make a long story short, test kits were few n results assessed was anybody's guess. Being alone n cash-strapped was actually a blessing in disguise. I copied a design shown in FAMA n soon had a diy skimmer operated by a Hi-blow airpump. The inlet to the skimmer was 25mm PVC n gravity fed via the 4x2x20" tank overflow n recirculated via an ext Eheim 50w rotary pump outside the sump. Two Hagen 18w powerheads in the main tank with timers provided the current. Lighting consisted of 6 4'flourescents consisting of a mixture of Triton n Coralife( Also timed to brighten the tank beginning at 9am n ending at 9pm). Due to the reduction in heat output it was possible to cultivate Caulerpa racemorsa n C. sertularoides ,some obtained from Labrador beach but mostly from the old shops at Fish Farm Road 1 n 2 (now razed to the ground n relocated in Pasir Ris Drive 2). After buying all sorts of fishes n realizing that those jerks must be compatible or I'll be drilling holes in my pockets , I slowly came up with a safe plan to ensure their survival (that was during my early years). A modified toilet device in the sump connected via a plastic hose to the toilet flush system ensured evaporated water is constantly replenished (never failed me ). Oh yes, there were electronic sensors to help with topping up at that time. Finally I settled on more challenging fishes n found that if they weren't caught with drugs (cyanide) many of these scaly beauties will live n grow, albeit slowly. Thereafter, I rarely visited the fish farms up till they were relocated at the new sites. Then the ich to add new fishes created disaster for me (as mentioned in my earlier posting ). Trouble-shooting my mistakes has made me more able to deal with an emergency. Now life is back to normal. OMT I didn't use a chiller at that time. My current 4-footer has a Teco RA680 to keep the situation cool. Quite boring isn't it but then .........? Hope it's useful to u, Finbir.

Hi tjlee, Leaving the current tank like yours without fish for a minimum of 1 month may reduce the parasites to safe levels for u to refurbish new LS slowly. Cleaning everything to start immediately will not work as the eggs will still be there waiting to hatch n go for fresh kills. Here I would like to mention that a particular fish shop has been selling white spot infected fish for more than a month! I went there last Friday. Apparently they lack the knowhow to get rid of the parasites other than changing new seawater. U cn see the keeper using meters to test ph,nitrite, akalinity,etc....he.. he.. he.. while most of the connected tanks are teaming with new arrivals breathing and scratching heavily n the bigger ones swaying like misguided torpedoes. The wonderful thing is that initially the white spots may be mistaken for air bubbles from the heavy aeration n by close to noon, they drop off n settle at the bottom waiting for nightfall to restart n multiply. Fishes bagged n on the way to the new owners' tanks may have quite a handful of freeloaders waiting to start a new life without having to apply for PR. Just key in "marine fish for beginners" n u'll get all the info u need. Fishes no matter how good or easy will not live if they're drug-caught. Only time will tell.... Finbir.

The featured stuff is available at Pacific Marine Reef or Aqua Star. Remember to dismantle n oil the metal parts with vaseline if u want it to last 4 at least 10 yrs. Mine's already nearing 7 yrs. The best cheapo from China so far as rock shifting is concerned.

Hi fren, Once again I've to tell u that in the past I'd tried many so called remedies (see comments on treating white spots by Mike Paletta ) one of which cost $80 per kg. only to see them fishies die till 1 or 2 were left. Since ur tank is already 2 yrs old, wait for 3 weeks then add new fish, bearing in mind their compatibility viz. aggresiveness, size n state of health. One more thing is the filtration system u r using. Mine is a direct flow thru using a sump with a dsb n a powerful skimmer. I reintroduce a new stock of 8 false perculas, after 3 wks of waiting, n to date they r as plumb as one wants them to be. I threw away my Hawaiin Marinemix UV last year when I cleaned my storeroom! Keeping fish can be hassle free, if...... Cheers, Finbir.

Thru sharing we improve n minimize losses of livestocks. Normally, all inverts are safe except when wrong chemicals are dunked into the tank. Damsels r helluva tough n yours may well survive if it's still darting about normally. Nowadays a lot of info is available via the Net to help the enthusiasts avoid pitfalls. A water change will not work if death is caused by white spots or internal strife. Good luck, Finbir.

Hi there, I had my LS for 18yrs without changing water. Everything was fine, a pair of true perculas even laid eggs til the fry stage. I kept a Golden pygmy angel, a Venus angel, and a couple of Mandarins (paired) . Problem developed when I added a newly bought Majestic. Within 2 days nothing could stop the death march. Just 2 months ago the same thing happened when I transferred my fish after giving away one of my tanks. But those I'd left in about 6inches of old water n running jus' an air pump survived till I was confident to release them in the new setup using dsb from the former. The new toll was a Blueface(w me for 1yr), a Naso, a purple tang(w me for 3yrs), 6 true perculas(I had a double-decker setup), 6 false perculas, 2 foxface lo (with me for 3yrs) n a scarlet cleaner shrimp. The survivors were an adult Koran angel, a unicorn tang(abt 15cm long) n a Naso. All the fishes developed white spots n :(I kept them alive by removing them n dipping in aerated tap water buffered to same ph as original tank. Out of desperation I dumped them back into my old tank. For some unknown reason I didn't do the same for the others, hence the high casualty. Recently I added a sailfin tang, a bi-color angel, a copperband and a 3-spot angel. So far everything is running fine n they're fattening up on mysis, cyclopeeze , pellets n flakes. Don't give up, Finbir.

Hi Daniel, If the 3 pcs inside totalled 2.7kg then it's dammed heavy! Bet it's magnetic. Eballasts of wattage 150 can be bought at Sim Lim Tower, jus' to name one. N they r very much lighter, more energy efficient besides generating less heat. Most get put off by the cost until they weigh the advantages of using one. Happy reefing, Finbir.

Hi Daniel, Looks to me like it's a complete set-up with ballast n ignitor. U need to open the box to see the ballast. U can actually tell if it's eballast or magnetic by its weight. Regular ballast is darn heavy. Good day, Finbir.

Hi fren, What's ur best price for the 2 Sure grip? Thanks, Finbir.

Hi there, Thks 4 the reply. My intention was to get a pump replacement for my Macro 250S. Scoured several prominent shops. None sells the impeller. BTW, jus to let u know, saw the latest same wattage version of ur pump. Cost only $100. Maybe it's b cos chaps like we came knocking n can't get the replacement. Finbir.

Hi there, Thks 4 the reply. Finbir.

Hi bro, Bought the short spine black n white version yesterday. Thanks for replying. Finbir

Hi fren, M interested but what's the colour, length of spines n is it $10 4 both? Good day. Finbir.

Gee man, Thks for the treat! Warmest regards, Finbir

Hi fren, Mind telling what's the wattage of the original pump used to power the skimmer n where I can get a new one? Thks. Finbir.

Hi there, Got same problem last time. Even the pump shown in illus. of box didn't help but the Eheim p/hd rated 23w will. Dump the pump u r using! Good luck. Finbir.

Hi there, Here's a cheap way to get a pair. U just need to get 2 healthy ones, one slightly smaller than the other n place them into the tank at the same time. It's also possible to place the bigger or smaller one a bit later, provided u r there to ensure there's no rebuttal or one of them may end up dead. A. ocellaris r more forgiving but 4 A. perculas spell disaster. A. percula is very territorial n paired ones hate the sight of any other common clowns. Happy reefing. Finbir.

No problem. We've to act responsibly. Happy reefing. Finbir.

Hi Alucard, U need an aged DSB system (mine's almost 5yrs old!) n the amount of muck is frightening when stirred otherwise the guys u want to buy are going to 'invert' haven. They'r shaped like roti pratas n remain partly covered in sand most of the time. Mine's never reproduced nor grown bigger but once in a while I do a head count by digging them out with a plastic rod. Price's similar to the short-spined sea-urchin at time of purchase, last yr. Now u know what u're in for; still game? Cheers, Finbir.

Hi Alucard, Can let u have 5 sand dollars if the price is right. Good day. finbir

Hi fren, How many sand dollars u want n what price u willing to pay? May be able to let go about 5 if price is right. Good day. finbir.

Hi, U can try Aqua Star Trading at Blk 925 Yishun. Happy shopping. Finbir

Hi fren, What's the wattage of the pump? Thanks. Reefer