purchasing Anthias.

[mrp2g]

I am in the process of purchasing anthias for my new 250 reef. Ive narrowed it to squampinnis or bartletts. I do not have a qt for them to go into. They will be acclimated ( dripped) for about 2 hrs and then go in the dispaly.
My concern is once they go in it will be difficult to get them out. I have had fish die and be consumed within hours, never to be seen again.
How do I provide a picture or specimen if it has been consumed by the time I get home from work. I mention this because I had an issue with another online vendor, who did not want to honer the value of a specimen I could not produce. This turn me off to online vendors, but your service with drygoods has been great, I have to try the livestock !
Thank you for any advice.

Allan

 

[dfs/la2]

Dear Allan,

We are happy to hear that you were satisfied with the quality of our company and that you have decided to try ordering live fish online again. We do quarantine everything that we sell. However, there will be some stress during shipping but caution that you should always quarantine any fish before entering them into a show tank. Regarding your question on our 14-day guarantee, with a few rare exceptions, we generally do not require bodies back to receive credit.

Sincerely,

Gwen S.
Drs. Foster and Smith
LiveAquaria

 

[mrp2g]

Thank you for your prompt response.

Thank you for understanding my concerns. Will not QT void your 14 day gar?
From the species I am considering, which do you recomend as my best shot? Would getting all females be ok?
thank you again.

 

[dfs/la2]

Dear Allan,

Since we want all our customers to feel confident during and after the ordering procedure, we are happy to answer any questions you may have. Though we strongly suggest using a quarantine tank to prevent any inadvertent transfers of disease or parasites, our guarantee will be valid whether the fish are quarantined or not.
As to your question on the Anthias, the Bartlett’s Anthias are showing available and are currently on sale. Only the male Lyretail Anthias is showing available and you should only keep one male of this species per tank. It would be fine to have all females, since they are hermaphroditic and the largest female should morph into a male.

Sincerely,

Gwen S.
Drs. Foster and Smith
LiveAquaria

 

[mrp2g]

Now that I am here, I have asked this question with little feedback. In my refugium, its about 20 gallons. I have about a 2 inch sandbed. All my plants ( cheato, calurpa) are covered with detrius and algae. They look almost dead. I have been told to completely clean out and try mud.
I have given it sometime and little to no improvement. I feel it will statr effecting my tank's health soon.

 

[dfs/la2]

Mrp2g,

Thank you for your reply. We are happy to assist you in addressing your refugium issues. To determine the best approach to improving your refugium health, we would require some additional information. We show from your recent post history that you have an additional 96 GPH powerhead in your refugium, and that your refugium has been running for 10-11 months. We would like to know the flow rate of the refugium’s main pump and the type of sand you are currently using in your refugium. We would also like to know what kind of filtration you are using in your main tank other than the refugium itself. Please respond to this thread with this information, or feel free to PM us, email us at techsupport@drsfostersmith.com, or call us at 1-800-334-3699 if you would prefer.

Nate M.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[mrp2g]

The fuge is a Precision Marine, about 20 gallons. Little giant 3MDX somewhere about 1100. LiveAgro I believe. The bio-balls in the fuge, occational carbon and Seaclone protien skimmer.
I ran a wet/dry, but it was replaced by the fuge.

 

[dfs/la2]

Mrp2g,

Thank you for the additional information. One reason for your refugium concerns may be a lack of mechanical filtration. If your only filtration media are bio-balls, refugium plants, and occasional carbon, you do not have a method of filtering out particulate matter, which may be causing the algae and detritus buildup. We would recommend reinstalling your wet/dry or another filter with mechanical filtration. We believe this will help your refugium become properly established.

Nate M.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[mrp2g]

There is not enough room under my system for a wet/dry system 36 inches long and a refugium 30 inches long. Is there any other options?

 

[dfs/la2]

Mrp2g,

You may choose to use a canister filter or a hang-on power filter, or internal filter. A hang-on filter would be the easiest to use, while a canister filter would allow you to place the filter below your aquarium or elsewhere, taking up less room than the wet/dry. An internal filter may not be as effective for your size aquarium, but may be able to be placed inside the refugium itself.

Nate M.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[mrp2g]

So the Aquafuge Pro Refugium that you guys have that sells for 344.99 runs with a seperate form of fMy fuge is very similar.iltration?

 

[mrp2g]

Wouldn't my protien skimmer and my live rock, along with my refugium be enough to run my system???
This has always been my understanding and see it done with every sump refugium.

 

[dfs/la2]

Allan,

The protein skimmer you currently have will only remove proteins and organic materials from the aquarium, this is also true for the bio balls in your refugium. You will need to add a form of mechanical filtration to remove the particulate matter that is forming on your plants, breaking down, and causing the algae to grow.

You may want to try placing a pre-filter sponge on your refugium or a powerhead with a pre-filter in your aquarium. This will help to add mechanical filtration to your aquarium.

Sincerely,

Joyce F.
Drs. Foster & Smith
LiveAquaria