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Hi Everyone...

Yes I'm still alive... Just haven't had anytime at all for the blog unfortunately. So here is an update on what I've been up to.

1) My 2.5 gallon pico reef is still going strong, it has recently received a new addition. A few weeks ago I have added a Porcelain Crab. I was a little worried that added this little guy might mess up my little eco system but so far so good. He's out quiet a bit now. They are so cool to observe! I'll try to get a pic to post so you can all see him.

2) My wife and I are expecting our first child Oct 30th. We're super excited!

3) I've really been focusing on my photography lately. Remember that new Canon 40D that I bought around boxing day? Well here are a few picks that I've taken over the past few months. They are not reef related but I hope you enjoy!

Columbine Flowers

Expired Poppies

White Roses

Friend's twin boys 3rd Bday party

4) On July 11th the wife and I are going to England for a 2 week vacation. It'll be my wifes 1st time to England, 2nd time for me. While there we are going to go over to Paris for a day trip. Yes, I said day trip! Can't wait. We're also going to visit some friends that we met while on our honey moon in Venezuela back in October 2008.

5) Lastly I've been looking at starting up a photography business, specifically targeted to Real Estate Photography. I'm just in the planning/research stages at the moment and hopefully I can get this new project off the ground. I'll keep you all posted on how that goes!

Anyways, thanks for sticking around and...

Happy Reefing...

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I came across this short but interesting article this morning. Scientists have found sea horses in England's biologically dead River Thames. Quite interesting as I didn't even know that the river was considered to be brackish water.
Have a read!

Happy Reefing...

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Along with my 2.5 gallon pico reef I also have a 20 gallon community freshwater tank that has been running for at least 4 years.  It had been a while since I added any new fish to the tank.  One day last week I was at an LFS and saw some nice young German Rams so I thought I'd pick up 3 of them for the tank.  What a nightmare that turned out to be.  Within the first 2 days of them being in the tank, I lost 2 of them along with 3 of my original fish.  The LFS I got the Rams from have a 5 day guarantee so I took the 2 rams back along with a sample of the aquarium water, they require the sample so they can test for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates.  Of course the test came back all clear, no issues, so they replaced to the 2 Rams for me.  Took the new guys home, and acclimated them via floating the bag along with a slow drip, them placed them in the tank.  Three days later the original Ram and the 2 replacements were dead, but this time none of my original fish died only the Rams.  My original thoughts were that the fish were sick to begin with at the LFS, but the tank at the LFS that they were in were still showing great signs of health and there are a few of them that have paired up and are breeding in their tank.

I did several water changes to my freshie tank just to be sure.  I haven't lost any more of the original fish either.  So I'm back to square one.  I've done some further research on Rams and other dwarf South American cichlids and they shouldn't be that difficult to keep for an experienced fish keeper.  I've wanted Rams for at least the past 6-7 years but never made the move to get any until this mishap.  This sucks.  So now I'm more determined to set up a South American biotope tank in efforts to successfully keep some Rams.

Anyways, thought I'd share my frustrating story.  I find it funny that I've never had a set back with my tiny pico reef like I have just had with my freshwater tank.

Happy Reefing...

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