[michelle's ocean fantasy]

give me time on the equip pics- should have some tonight for you. My new protein skimmer (haha my only protein skimmer as I did not have one) is working very nicely.

[thelastmucci]

sorry to hear about your losses....I think Ryan G would know this better than most..is there any sort of star that wouldn't eat your fish...I know a choclate chip is right out but I could have sworn I read something about "peaceful" starfish.

[reefnoob1991]

How long have you had your tank up and running again? It seems your adding way too much too fast...sandsifters should be added atleast 6 months after due to how much they eat and same with anemones for water stability.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Brandon, Hi there. My tank has been up and running since Sept 18th 2007. Actually it only sounds like alot - but if you saw in real life the 'actual' size- the largest fish I have put into my tank is the sailfin- and again, he is as round as a pepsi can- maybe a tad smaller. All else has been bought small-purposely. #1 to avoid a bio-overload, and #2 to enjoy watching everything grow. MY sandsifter is doing great- didn't realize how active they were! And the anenomes are swaying back and forth with ease. I took a picture of it with the maroon/white striped clown, who is now as of tonight snuggling with the domino damsel!-go figure- Everything is going well. Thanks for checking though

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

sandsifter going around the rocks and 'back under'

baby maroon/white with anenome

3 baby clowns

Snuggle Buddies !!

[plecosword]

Ha I like your maroon! I mean I love him lol
That is sucha dream tank!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Those two are so silly! The other 3 clowns are not allowed near them- not even to look at them snuggling!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Mario- u are so fast! Didn't know anyone was on here!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

oops- gotta go- nite everyone!!!

[aquasalt]

Michelle, where did you get your sailfin?

[plecosword]

oh lol, I would Imagine the maroons would chase of the other clowns, they are kind tough.

[WhatReef]

Hello Michelle you dont know me but i just was sulfin through the sight and came across your posts,, and was looking at your pics and i just wanted to asked you a dumb question or two, first did you cure all those rocks you put in there secondly how long has your tank been runningi have had my tank going for about 6 months i willl post some pics of it for you to see

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Jim & Rebecca: I bought the baby sailfin from "Tanks A Lot" in Ocala. $30. He has been doing great- although I think he is getting a bit 'pudgy' around the waistline lol! He eats ALOT compared to the yellow tang.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Garrett: Hi there! Glad you are surfin thru RB! No- I have not cured anything. I did a freshwater rinse after I got home and then placed the rocks into my tank. The only thing I did with the rocks/1 piece of fake decoration that I got from a friend- was to do an extra long freshwater 'bath'- letting them soak an hour or so before placing in the tank. Just because it was in another tank. Yes- would like very much to see your pictures! And I have had my tank 'up & running' for 5 months (since sept 2007). Will check back to see your pics!-

[aquasalt]

Any updates?

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Hi everyone - it is so funny you posted here, Jim. I was just thinking I need to get back here.
Be patient and I will have some pics. Alot has happened and I am just trying to get back to normal. We lost my husbands mother and his grandmother - they passed away within a week of each other. So I have had barely time to do anything let alone jump on here---and I really miss you guys !!!!
UPDATE: YES! Today I came home with a rock with some grass (which I will be posting for an id. I think it is a sawblde, but what to be sure) a zoo with 3 buds, brown color, a small colony of xenia-about the size of your hand if you were to cup it.) Thats all really as have been very hectic with LIFE. I have a baby clam on hold for me at a local store, and going to Gainesville next week to get a yellow/blue carpet anenome for my 3 baby clowns. I added the rock with the grass because my nitrates were a bit high, they are fine now. Pics to come....... I'm so happy to be back!!! (oh yeah--and no other casualties since my last post!! whoo hoo! if it wasn't for that star fish I wouldn't have lost anything....something to be proud of in my book! )

[plecosword]

I cant wait ofr pics!

[aquasalt]

Sorry to hear about your family's loss, Michelle.
Post some pictures when you get around to it!

[eldalote2]

very sorry about your loss michelle. i live in gainesville and im hopefully going to get a job at aquatropics for the summer, what other fish stores do you know around here or in ocala?

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

@#$@ I'm jealous of you! I would love to work in Aquatropics all day long- heck I would even volunteer as night security (hee hee so I could watch the corals and fish at night!) Ocala: Aqualinks is a small family owned store on Silver Springs Blvd. (352)236-3474 and TanksALot off of Silver Springs Blvd (can't remember the exact name of the road...8th? maybe) (352)840-0017 ask for Jason - this is a cool place to work- but not as big / busy as Aquatropics. I LOVE talking to Adam at Aquatropics. There is another guy who helped us out last time- I have to get his name this weekend. If you are in G'sville- stick with Aquatropics- I would think that is the better store- not to mention saving on GAS!!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

THANK YOU guys- I appreciate your thoughts. It has been very very hectic, and I am longing for things to calm down . I am so glad I can find refuge in my lil' ocean, even if it is for a moment or two. My xenia are doing quite well. Pulsing and swaying. I am not sure which type of zoanthid I got- or if it is one. <?>

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Also you will notice...DON'T YELL AT ME!!!.... that my coralline has disappeared. I came home to find my husband had 'cleaned' the back wall of my tank....Needless to say he again was told 'hands off' and explained for so long how that is a good thing needed in the tank...so it is being built back up.

[plecosword]

lol how long did it take to build up? I have mine kinda coming up on hte back lol

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Hey Mario! Long time no see! Love that eel in the pic! The wall did not take much time at all actually, and it is coming back nicely. If I had to guess,...maybe about a couple of weeks to start to notice it as a thin film, then it just kept thickening up and spreading. *** Who knows how to determine the age of a baby crocea? Just brought one home tonight along with a royal gramma.......do I count the ridges on the shell like the rings of a tree? How do you know how old they are?

[plecosword]

We need pics missy! lol I like Royal grammas!