Some questions as I start out

[mr. limpid]

I remember the day I bought my rock from a little shop in Joliet. I wiped out all his tanks, I felt sorry for the fish in those tanks no place to hide. Matter of fact I got a free hitch hiker that day a lawn mower blenny came out of the rocks. I felt like I should of taken him back, but didn't because I would of probably had to return a rock too and he didn't have enough in the first place.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/390249/some-questions-as-i-start-out/20#post_3456687
I remember the day I bought my rock from a little shop in Joliet. I wiped out all his tanks, I felt sorry for the fish in those tanks no place to hide. Matter of fact I got a free hitch hiker that day a lawn mower blenny came out of the rocks. I felt like I should of taken him back, but didn't because I would of probably had to return a rock too and he didn't have enough in the first place.
LOL..that reminds me of how I learned to never to purchase damsels.....
I went to a LFS and wanted some rock...I was picking my pieces and saw a few really nice ones in a certain tank, I asked the shop lady "how much?" to which she replied $50.00 to $100.00 a pound...SAY WHAT???
She said the damsel in that tank bites, and for no amount of money was she putting her hands in there. Her husband the shop owner came in about then, and she asked him to get the three pieces of rock I wanted. He just rinsed his hands and reached in and got what I wanted ($10.00 per pound)...afterward I noticed his hand was dripping blood...his fingers were missing little chunks of meat. He explained to me about damsels and told me if I was smart I would never get one. Most new beginners do because they are so pretty and inexpensive...big mistake.
He said piranha are shy fish and as long as they are fed, you can put your hand in the tank and not get bit, but not with a mature damsel. So I have never wanted one, and try and warn the beginners to not get one.

 

[mr. limpid]

My clowns are the same way now that they have reached the age of spawning. The male is fierce, if I don't keep a eye on him he will hit my arm, hasn't drawn blood, but sure scares me if I don't know its coming.

 

[smallreef]

The male or the female???

 

[gemmy]

I ordered my rock from SWF and got a good deal with free shipping. I got tons of critters. I think that is where my scutus came from.

 

[steelermike]

I have a question on lighting. I know it will be beneficial to get quality lighting down the road if I want to do some corals. In the mean time I have an old fashioned flourescent hood with 4 36" bulbs. I ran across some bulbs at ***** today that fit into those hoods:
Zoo Med Reef Sun 50/50 Bulbs

• 
  50/50 combination of 6500K trichromatic daylight phosphor and actinic 420 phosphor in the same lamp.
• 
  Ideal for all marine aquariums, reef aquariums, African cichlids, and discus fish.
• 
  Provides high intensity full spectrum illumination, strong in the shortest wavelength blue region essential for photosynthetic corals and invertebrates, balanced with 6500K daylight for natural color enhancement and viewing pleasure.
• 
  Long Lasting: effective for up to 10,000 hours
  and:
  
  Zoo Med Coral Sun T-8 Bulbs
  
  • 
    Long-lasting bulb is ideal for all marine aquariums, reef tanks, and African cichlids
  • 
    Simulates short wavelength blue light which penetrates to reef depth in nature
    Promotes growth of essential algae for corals and invertebrates
    Effective for up to 10,000 hours
  Are these any good? Given that I will be running regular flourescents for a while, would it be good to get somehitng like this? Coralife make a few types as well.
  Coralife 20,000K High-Intensity Purified Super Daylight Lamps
  Simulate the deeper ocean environment
  20,000 kelvin, high-intensity, purified super-daylight lamp
  Rare earth color-enhancing phosphors
  Ultimate lighting for deep-water aquariums and invertebrate habitats

Thanks in advance for your replies