New to the dark side - 11/29/05
Hi!
I've taken care for a freshwater fish tank for 3 years now, and so far none of my fish have died. I want to try a marine aquarium, but I'm a little afraid. I'm willing to buy all supplies and equipment needed to start one. Are marine aquariums for experts?
<Certainly not. But they do require a bit of research. WWM should help you there! It's much easier if you take your time in setting it up.>
And I have one more question. I have actually been doing a lot of research on marine aquariums.
<good to hear!>
I went to my local Petco to check out the livestock. I found out that they did not have any kind of warranty for marine fish. I was thinking about getting tangs, so I went to the section. I found a few Naso tangs that I really liked. The thing was, they were swimming kind of slow, and they had weird brownish and blackish spots around the gill area. Should I buy fish from there, or should I go to a marine specialty shop if I do start the marine hobby?
<I would prefer a specialty shop myself... but be sure to quarantine any livestock for at least a month to be safe. Do read up on Naso Tangs - they need a large tank - and avoid having more than one tang unless you are planning on a very large system indeed.>
Thanks a Lot!
<You're welcome! Regards from Shanghai, John>

Petfish Acronyms, Arcane Terminology
Bob:
Will try to be more economical with my questions. I am awaiting delivery of
your TCMA and Anthony's RI among other saltwater related books.
I have Googled WWM for "acronyms", "abbreviations", "WWM terms", "industry
terms" and several other key words or phrases to no avail. Where may I find
a list of their meanings. Most I have been able to recognize but some still
elude me.
TYVM,
Benjamin
<Ahh, the mystery... do please send along these curiosities... We don't have a thesaurus or ornamental lexicography per se... Bob Fenner>

"Beautiful Hair Algae"
Bob,
<James>
When you get time you may find this item interesting.  Back in the late 60's
in my freshwater days I heard of a new shop opening about 12 miles away,
"Love's Aquarium".
<Heee! An appropriate name for the times... Did they have paisleys and peace
signs on their windows?>
While browsing through the store I came upon 7 or 8 crystal clear tanks with
fish that had colors I've never saw before....gorgeous.  My first encounter
face to face with marine fish.  Naturally I had to have a saltwater tank.  
Anyway to shorten this up, several weeks later, again at Love's, I came upon
this beautiful mustard yellow fish.  Tom says (Love) that's a yellow tang.  
Wrap him up Tom.  Not so fast Jim.  This fish requires a healthy green algae
growth to survive (1969).  Well, I didn't have algae.  I did everything
imaginable to grow it.  Daylight, warm white, cool white, plant lights, no
algae.  Also didn't use skimmers or wet/dries then.  So, no algae, no tang.  
A few years later Aquarium Systems came out with "Sea Garden".  The answer
to my prayers.  Off we went to get Sea Garden.  In two weeks, I'll have my
yellow tang.  No you won't, still no algae.  OK Bob, bottom line is, back
then I pulled my hair out trying to grow algae to no avail.  Why is it now,
that one of the biggest problems with marine systems is the prevention of
algae, when over 30 years ago, I couldn't grow it to win a bet?  I always
think about that when I get an algae outbreak.
Jim (Salty Dog)
James Gasta
<Yet another example of "Murphy's Law" in petfishing! BobF>