Re: A visitor to S. Ca. Thanks so much for a very quick reply, never expected to hear from you so soon.  No specialty here, but marine displays here are few and far between so would like to take the opportunity whilst we are on your side of the pond.  At the moment I only have a 200 ltr tank with two percula clowns, some yellow polyps, some pulsing xenia and some mushrooms, so pretty much a beginner (been going about 12 months). Oh and a Goniopora which I bought under recommendation from the LFS, now I know I should have read up about it before taking their advice ! Cheers Martin <Ahh! There are many such shops that you'd enjoy seeing... but they are spread about. My advice is to use directories like the telephone companies Yellow Pages and Net map services to find, make itineraries... lay out where you want to go... leave plenty of time for traffic... Call on local folks to show you about (perhaps there will be club meetings, even "tank tours" during your visit) to get you about, make introductions. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Glossary - 3/7/2006 Hi everyone, <<Hi Ian.>> Does a glossary exist anywhere that explains all your acronyms and "tank talk", so a newcomer can come to grips quickly with what is being discussed? <<Yes. Read here: http://wetwebfotos.com/Home?actionRequest=articleView&articleID=253.  Lisa.>> Regards, Ian

Chi town LFSs 28 Jun 2005 Bob: <Ben> Is there a fish/coral store-supplier in the greater Chicago area that you trust? I have visited two stores near my house (Hinsdale) and both make me cringe with overheard advise to customers. Sincerely, Ben <Am unfamiliar with the stores there... I would check on the Net, through pet-fish BB's, and fish clubs for other members endorsements here. Bob Fenner> Abbreviations Hi crew: <Alfonso> Looooong time reader, not much of a question poster, basically because someone else always seems to ask first. ;). Any way, due to the fact that many of your readers are new to the hobby, and others not so new, but still learning a lot (like me), and also because I have always been an abbreviation illiterate, I will like to submit the following link (found in Reef Central) which has been very helpful. Hope it helps someone as much as it has helped me. Cheers!! http://www.megapathdsl.net/~fmariani/abbreviations.htm   Alfonso Garza Vasconcelos <Thank you for this. Bob Fenner> 

Michigan Local Stores 4 April 2005 I'm moving to northern Michigan this summer (Petoskey). Any recommendations on marine aquarium stores or resources to find stores.  <Let me begin with suggesting www.michiganreefers.com. Its an amazing source of information. Including places to shop. Also there is a great conference getting ready to take place up there that would be a great source of information. Check out http://www.masm.org/MMC/default.asp.>  Thanks  <Good luck, MacL> 

Looking for fish stores in your area Do you Know any good/reputable Fish stores in New York/New York City, particularly Queens Jahner <Nope, I'd run this question by the BB's like ReefCentral, Reefs.org for a broader input. Bob Fenner> Article Hi Bob, I've made the changes you were so kind as to suggest and sent the article to Rob, who forwarded to the TFH editor. Also, as promised, here are .doc and .rtf versions for the WetWebMedia site. Thanks again for your time and guidance, on this issue and many others. Travis <Thank you my friend. Be chatting, Bob Fenner>

Re: Article Bob, I found my way to the article and your comments. They are all much appreciated. I wanted to see how bad the damage was before saying this :) but yes, you may certainly leave the article posted! <Very well. Will remove the suggested changes parts at your direction, supplant the piece with your changes...> If you have any other comments about the article in general, I'm quite used to criticism (constructive and otherwise...) of my writing, so please fire away! It can only make the end product better. <It is fine. Useful, literate as it is> Do you have any general advice for submitting such an article to the publications? Specifically, should I submit to all at once or only one at a time and wait for response? <One at a time... to your fave, choice first... and if rejected (which I doubt), off to the next. Perhaps you might include a scan, graphic of your design to go along with the submission> This has been a real pleasure, Bob, and I can't thank you enough. Travis <Thank you my friend. Bob Fenner>

Article (reefkeepers best friends) Hi Bob, I've been reading your FAQ's for months and thoroughly enjoyed the Conscientious Marine Aquarist. I could have many questions to ask about reef tanks and the care of our inhabitants, but my real purpose today is to ask you about writing. I find your style to be captivating, more so in your FAQs than in the CMA due to necessary differences in tone.  <You are correct. Thank you for your kind words> Either way, you're the writer I'd like to have help me if possible.  <Gladly> I'm an advertising writer by trade, but have always aspired to be published in other fields. I found myself wondering why the following article hadn't been written yet (to my knowledge), so I did it myself. I'd love to hear your advice, opinions and criticisms. I'll attach the article with the hope that you have the time to work with me a bit. If not, I completely understand. Thanks for sharing your knowledge so openly with the aquarium world either way. <Mmm, how best to proceed? The piece has definite merit in content and a good format. I would make a few mechanical changes... and place/submit it with/to your favorite hobby magazine (any: TFH, FAMA, AFM...) for publication. Might I post the article and my suggested changes (in emboldened italics) on WWM with links, a note back to you? If you prefer that it not be permanently archived there I can remove it after our going back and forth. Bob Fenner> Sincerely, Travis E Staut 

RE: Article Wow. The rumors of your response time are true! Thank you so much for taking the time. Proceed however suits you best- your suggested plan is fine with me! <Real good. Will go over, send URL later today. Be chatting, Bob Fenner> Travis

Marine BB's thanks for info do u know of any online chat rooms for marine fishkeeping. dave <Oh yes: http://wetwebfotos.com/talk/, reefcentral.com, reefs.org... Bob Fenner>

Ending it all - 1/24/04   Hi guys, Right now  I am very very annoyed!!! <Sorry to hear. What's up?>  You see I have a 75 gallon tank with only a tang, a clown, a cardinal fish, and a wrasse. <Okiday>  Sounds ok but not if you've gone through 9 fish. <Whoa! OK. Back the truck up here, how old is this tank and when was your last death??>  All which died from freak accidents. <Does happen from time to time>  e.g.. sucked up in power heads, <That is why power heads are such a pain> tank temp gone up. <Hmmm.... Any idea why this happened or at least what actually was the cause? I use an AquaLogic dual controller - one with the heater connected to one side and the other side connected to a fan (or better yet a chiller)> So anyways I cant take this anymore and am thinking of selling the tank. <Hold on here.... have you at least learned from your mistakes? I totally understand getting frustrated, annoyed, angry, saddened, and depressed over the loss of our pets and the various charges in our care, but this is a hobby based on experience. It takes time to learn what works and what doesn't. I too, have experienced moments of doubt and regret over this hobby for many reasons. (actually quite frequently) Deaths, ethical issues, expenses, time, and of course the stress of it all drives me to self doubt and thoughts of selling it off and letting it become someone else's problem. When I really sit down and think about the joy of the science, the beauty of the animals, and all the people I have met and had the pleasure to discuss the hobby with, I actually come around to the conclusion that this is a wonderful experience and it makes me a better person for doing it. I have been thoroughly educated on the plight of the ocean and its inhabitants, I have become a diver and seen many wonderful cultures in far off places and some of the most magnificent reefs on earth, met a few of my best friends through this hobby, and more times than I can count exhibited extreme excitement for what wonder my tank may next hold within, and all of this makes all the loss, frustration, and stress worth while. It is a marriage of sorts. You just need to find some middle ground and talk yourself through what you like and dislike about your situation.> Do you think I should do this or just live with stress of things dying....<I think you need to look at what the issues are and do your best to prevent them. There is more education, not only on this site, but at your local reef clubs, forums, websites, and books. Get involved. Learn from experiences (your own and others) and educate yourself for the what the future might hold. Create a plan (what it is you want your tank to look like, what it will cost, and how much time it will take to maintain) then execute with some diligence and patience mixed in. Scott, I would re-evaluate, find the issues and try to prevent them. Think beyond the fish and the environment the best you can. The decision is yours my friend, just do your best and with time comes knowledge. Keep your head up in all you do. ~Paul> Scott.

- WWM Kudos - Hi Ladies and Gents, Thanks for putting up with dumbasses like me (especially J.) asking dumbass Q's (Brown sand for instance!?!). <Appreciate the kind words - but you do realize the only dumbass questions are the ones that remain unasked.> Having read and re-read a lot of the information on this site, I have my 100 Gal tank up and running for 5 weeks now. 100 Lbs LR, going pink and busting with life, 2 Orange Dartfish, Green Xenia, Anemonestone and 10 Turbos and that's it for now..  EVERY person I spoke to beforehand furrowed their brow, sucked a deep breath and said "oohhh, y' don't wanna do that.", Then listed a plethora of 'reasons' why keeping a marine tank is a waste of time, money and far too difficult to provide any enjoyment. Not one person said "good on you, bet it'll look great".  The point I'm trying to make is, you don't only provide a valuable service from a purely practical point of view, but you also act as psychological backup. Here in the dark, wet Northwest of England our services are somewhat limited. No marine club or society. Only one inadequately stocked LFS and I have no friends who are into the hobby, so your collective efforts have and will continue to be my primary source of information and support. <Glad we could be of help/service.> Thank you very much. BTW, am Setting up a 'fuge, so....I'll be back. Cheers, Duncan McCombie.
<Cheers, J -- >