Thanks very much all... your comments are so much appreciated...
Sid, the tank took a little to settle in, but after a few weeks all of the sand stayed put. When I upgrade I will not use Southdown though, but rather switch to a coarser grade sand for a few reasons, with one of them being I'm going to be using the Tinze Streams. In my opinion DSBs are now outdated and unnecessary. Dealing with nitrates is no longer an issue, and the long term sustainability of DSBs is too much of a hassle to deal with while offering benefits that I achieve through other means. Some things will enter a DSB and never come out... the basic debate has been discussed in many threads... I could elaborate if you like but the last thing I want to do is debate it... I'm not saying they don't work of course...
TexasTodd I have attained them through so many places, with alot being from local buddies... I've been very picky and my patience has paid off...
Bunifa, I think the key to success with this fish starts with an experienced aquarist getting a specimen that is eating, providing it with great water conditions like those seen in sps tanks, and a diet containing sponges and green matter... as always throw in a bit of luck...
AktionJaxsun I spent so much time and effort on the stands and hoods of this system that I'll probably always keep it. When I upgrade to the 180 this guy will become a softie tank, and the calcium reactor will follow the sps... the only thing I'll sell will be frags...
jun41 I got the cardinals from Liveaquaria and as of this moment they have some in stock. They carry them from three different locales. I have the new Scott Michael volume 3 Reef Fishes book (Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes, but also includes a great section on cardinals), and he mentions how Apogon cyanosoma is a complex containing many species. The only other local reefers keeping Apogon genus cardinals I've seen was Robie Sayin (Robz) who keeps Apogon leptacanthus which get along pretty well in a large group. Unfortunately these guys get VERY aggressive when they breed and are widdling themselves down as I find one here and there with "death blows" as a result of breeding pairs. I may increase the school again when I have the 180... they are so striking and almost never seen. I love cardinals and the natural behavior they display in small tanks... except for the death blows
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cardinals for sale link
Thanks again all... I promise I will post many more pictures this week...
Johnny