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written by Lee Yanni on June 8th, 2010 | 
I’ve been trying to take a pic of my tank every month or so.
January, Live Rock only:
Another month later, with more corals. 
Another month later. I have more corals in there, but I didn’t notice how swampy it was getting in there.
It’s getting pretty swampy, but I didn’t notice until it was almost too late. A few weeks ago, I got a coral and it looked great at the store, but it had a meltdown (literally) in my tank. It was a xenia, and it went from gently waving, to shrinking more each day until it was gone. That’s when I noticed how dirty the tank is. The deep red patches are leafy red algae, and the texture on the back of the tank is Continue reading »
written by Lee Yanni on May 24th, 2010 |
Max mugging for the camera
I wasn’t sure that I wanted to get clownfish. I’m not sure how to explain that, except that I usually like to take a different route from the typical pet owner. But then again, I know that there is a reason that the “typical” pet owner chooses the pets he/she chooses. [...]
written by Lee Yanni on March 10th, 2010 |
A week after adding the live rock and the snails to my new marine aquarium, I found the remains of one of my beautiful banded trochus snails scattered on the rocks in my tank. The shell was broken into pieces.
 The remains of a snail. Did it die of natural causes, or was it a victim of murder? I immediately blamed the creepy crab with his big claws. I asked the experts here at the office, and they agreed to disagree. I got all kinds of responses. “Most crabs are scavengers.” “Never trust a hitchhiker.” “It depends what shape and color the tips of his claws are.” “When in doubt, take it out.”
I saw him climb into one of his rock caves and I decided that was my chance to remove him. I took the rock out of the tank and put it in a small bucket filled with water from the Continue reading »
written by Lee Yanni on March 1st, 2010 |
I got some “live rock” from a specialty store, and it ‘s the greatest thing ever. I don’t care if I never get fish – the rock itself is so great!
Just a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure I knew what live rock is, but I think I’ve got it now. Most of it is skeletons of coral, not really rock at all. It’s available “uncured” “cured” or “cultured”. The uncured live rock carries on it and in it, the life from the waters it came from. Of course that can be good or bad, depending upon what’s on it.
Cured live rock, is the natural “rock” that came from the ocean, but only the hardiest life remains. The things that wouldn’t survive in your tank, are removed before you get the rock, as well as any “hitch hikers”. Rumor has it, it’s a very smelly process to cure live rock.
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written by Lee Yanni on February 17th, 2010 |
I’ve always wanted Clownfish. I wanted them way before Finding Nemo came out, although I have to admit, I wanted them more after Finding Nemo came out…
This whole marine aquarium adventure started because of a pair of Clownfish. They were in my friend’s tank, doing just fine, despite the fact that it was overrun with creepy bristle worms. He had just about had it with his tank and was threatening to flush the fish and heave the tank into the nearest  dumpster. I don’t think he’d really do that, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I didn’t have a tank (yet) so I talked to the first responsible person I saw, and Continue reading »
written by Lee Yanni on January 27th, 2010 |
 I just got my first Salt Water aquarium from a friend at work and I’m starting to set it all up. The aquarium had gotten “out of balance” (infested with creepy bristle worms) so I needed to completely empty the tank, throw out the substrate, sun bleach the rocks and start all over.
I’ve had fresh water tanks since I was a kid, but I’ve never had salt. It’s a whole different world, so I felt like I needed a lot of help and advice. Of course, I went to PETCO to buy all the things I needed. I bought new substrate (aka crushed coral sand), salt and a filter refill.
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written by Lee Yanni on May 14th, 2009 |
Around the office, some people have large dog bowls on their desks, filled with candy. Other people have large dog bowls filled with dog biscuits. You have to take a moment to look at what you’re about to pop in your mouth. On Friday in the lunchroom there was a plate of dog treats [...]
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