New member
Sun, 02/06/2011 - 14:19
Hey guys, name's Kevin, just found the site. I've had Salt tanks for about 7 years, fish only, wifes afraid a open top reef tank will smell 
I haven't done much with my tank for about a year but keep it up and running. I've had damsels that won't let me put any new fish in. I have a lot of rock, so they have been a bear to catch. I'm down to one big damsel, a Yellow tang, a bicolor dottyback and a coral beauty. I've caught and "re homed" the other three damsels and I'm working on the last one now. He's a bit skitish and is being a pain to catch. I'm in Western Branch but have a office over near OBICI so pretty close to the shop. I'll be stopping by soon 
I'm an old guy, wife and one grown son and one almost grown son. Work for the Fire Dept and Medical Transport. Well, I'll be lurking more than anything else probably, just trying to get back on top of things.
Sun, 02/06/2011 - 21:56
#2
Hey Toolman
Welcome to the boards. Hope to see you around. If not on here in the shop. If you have a shop near Obici then you aren't but 10 minutes to the shop. Lucky you, I live in Va Beach and still spend a good bit of time driving out there. If you have any questions contact myself on here for board related questions. Jeff, Myself and another member here (pjmiller) can get them answered for you. As far as fish questions many will answer your questions but trust Jeff. Make sure you check back weekly at a min Jef puts up all kinds of good deals and if you check out shop photo's I put up pics of the shop/inventory. Just email Jef with the picture number and he can give you a price.
As far as reef tank with open top It doesn't stink let your wife know. I have a 125g open top no screen no glass with 10 fish no smell coming from my tank, only smell you ever get is same from the skimmer as with all tanks.
Mon, 02/07/2011 - 11:57
#3
Welcome
Welcome Kevin! Good luck in catching the last damsel. I have heard of people using small hooks to harmlessly catch them... but I am sure my wife would be totally against this method! Definitely no smell from a reef tank. I have a 75 now and will be completing a 210 build here over the next month, and have had no issues... especially if you are using carbon.
Jeff is a tremendous source of knowledge in the hobby that is hard to find and trust! Good luck with everything and welcome again.
howdy,
I had the same issue you are having with the damsels. I absolutely refuse to empty my tank of rock just to catch the fish. I use crsoss stitch plastic (the sheets of litle square holes) and cut it so it arched over the opening of the over the rim ...i dont know what you would call them, the fish stores use them to put your fish in when they transfer it to the bags...the plastic square containers. and then i cut 1 piece to block one side of the arch coming off the plastic box. i fed inside the trap for 3 days. they would dart in and out, until one took over the box and wouldnt let anything else in there, pushed the box up against the front of aquarium, which pushed the mesh inside the plastic box, thus catching the little buggers. I trapped 4 velvet damsels this way. Sure beats takng all the rock out of an established tank.
Good luck catching them.
Dan