Recent content by fish esq.

What other additives are you using? Dechlorinators & slime coat stimulators are also likely culprits. My advice is to stop using unnecessary additives for awhile and see if it addresses the problem. Also, once you resume using the product, use only as directed and avoid adding extra.

Yellow: with only 2-3", I technically don't have a DSB, but my tank was well established when I moved it. Don't worry about it, especially if your tank has been stable for some time. I moved my tank about 1.5 years ago; had the LR out of water probably for close to 4 hours and the SB shifted...

I concur with the majority. I had one for about 3 weeks. Great coloring, but it picked at everything (polyps, zoanthids, etc.). Finally gave it away to a relative with a FO tank. It was also a pain to get him out. My recommendation is for a coral beauty or a flame. I know neither are...

I used to use one on my planted FW aquarium with good results, but I no longer keep FW tanks. However, the skimmer performance depends on the water level of the tank (narrow range of effectiveness); if it is outside the optimum range, then its worthless. Also, it does make gurgling noises...

If you can get it, try a live brine shrimp. The moving targets really seem to perk up some slow eaters. Also, my fish eat frozen brine better when there is some water movement in the tank; I think it fools them into thinking the brine are live. You may want to consider making your own from...

My staple flake is Tetra marine flakes (color enhancing formula); all of my fish like it, sometimes more than frozen brine. For some reason, I can get virtually every fish I've ever owned to eat this. I also feed Nutrafin marine pellets, but its a hit or a miss; however the hermits really like...

Don't take this as a flame, but if you did research on this particular species, I'm sure you know that the prospects of sucessfully maintaining this fish is even at best. You may want to try live brine shrimp to get its appetite going. I've also had success with freeze dried krill or shrimp...

I'm not familiar about water from the Gulf, but I do use natural salt water from the Pacific for my tank with excellent results. The water is from Catalina Island and the company's website is Catalina Water, and is explains their procedure for NSW. HTH.

I'll repeat my request for more information. Can you please describe your set-up and the lighting you have (how much and what kind). Also, please advise on where the clam is located. This is not meant to be the Spanish Inquisition, but this information is pertinent to assessing your situation.

The bubbles are visually annoying and I recall reading somewhere that they may injure your fish if they attach to the skin. If the Rio's working well, I wouldn't worry too much. My bro-in-law changed from the Maxijet to a Hagen 802(?), and that resulted in much better performance. Also, if...

Can you provide a little more info about your tank, such as parameters, your lighting, photoperiod, etc. If you just got the clam, this may be normal, as it make take a day or two or three for the clam to adjust to the new environment. Also, clarify you comment that it's not getting direct...

I have to MJ powerheads, a 900 and a 750 (700?). Both also blow bubbles. I did two things which help reduce the bubbles: 1. Take them completely apart and clean them meticulously. I used a toothbrush to scrub all of the surfaces on the intake, the impeller, and the hole where the impeller...

I'd also concur that clams can be kept under VHOs and PCs. I have successfully kept t. maxima and t. derasa under PCs (2 x 96) in a 50 gallon. I know the MH nazis will say you absolutely must have MH for the clams to "thrive", but my clams seem perfectly happy and are growing at a steady rate...