Fish 'N' Chips
A Monthly Marine Newsletter
July 2006 Issue

Index

From Liz
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 07/25/06

Links Directory: I've replaced the site list on the Fish 'N' Chips site with a Links Directory. While I loved using my site list to learn how to work with an online database, I've never found the time to keep it updated with new links. The Links Directory is a fresh start so I'd like to invite everyone to visit it and submit their saltwater related sites. There are only a few categories there now. Suggest the ones that you need for your sites - you know best what category your site should be listed under. Everything submitted will be visited and approved by me before it's published. And, if you become a link partner with my site, I'll display your logo or banner ad. Please make this a great resource for all your fellow Fish 'N' Chips subscribers and other hobbyists. The Links Directory allows you to rate and comment on sites also. Visit the Fish 'N' Chips Links Directory at http://www.marinefiends.com/wsnlinks/ (url updated 03/09/08, originally http://www.marinefiends.com/wsnlinkspreview/).

Software Reviewer: I received responses from three subscribers who said they would be interested in doing software reviews for Fish 'N' Chips. Thanks for responding! I've emailed them all and we'll be working out the details. Hopefully we'll get things all figured out quickly and you'll start to see reviews soon.

UPS Survey: The UPS Survey is complete. I have all the responses and will be putting together the information and running up all the totals and all the rest of that good stuff. I hope to have the results for everyone in the next issue.

Laughs Wanted: Remember the Just for Laughs section of Fish 'N' Chips? This will be it's last month if I don't get some new family friendly jokes submitted. Send in your joke by visiting http://www.marinefiends.com/submit.html.

Visit This Month's Subscriber's Tank Showcase: Russell's 80 Gallon Reef Tank is this month's Showcase and can be seen at http://www.marinefiends.com/showcases.html. To submit your tank photos and information, visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submittank.html (url dead 03/09/08).

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A Short & Sweet Review
Oceans Motions Super Squirt
By stepnrazr, 08/25/2005
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan, 03/17/06

One of the things that seems pretty important in a reef tank is water motion. Not just any motion, but "surgy" motion, like one sees on the actual reef. The Oceans Motions Super Squirt (http://www.oceansmotions.com/) provides the opportunity to do this by having four 3/4" outlets that are opened by a rotating drum. Depending on the version you buy, the outlets can be opened sequentially, or two at once in opposition, or two adjacent outlets with a delay. If it turns out you want a different option, you can buy a new drum for $25 and pop it right in.

I have been running mine for about 4 months now, and it has been absolutely trouble free. It is rated for 2200 gph, and is easily handling the 1200 gph I am putting through it. The motion is great, and it was easy to plumb. I would have preferred threaded outlets, but I guess you can't have everything.

So, if you want to run a closed loop, and don't mind parting with $200, I would recommend this unit.

Editor's Comments:
Editing was limited to spelling corrections and some grammar (capitalizing the beginning of a sentence, adding a period at the end, etc.). No other editing was done, what you read was exactly what was posted on the Saltcreep web site.

More information and an image of the product can be found at http://www.oceansmotions.com/supersquirt.htm.

Please visit Saltcreep at http://www.saltcreep.com/ for this review, forums, and much more.

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Doin' It Yourself!
Auto Top Up!
By Ian Brunsdon, 07/28/05
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan, 03/18/06

Here's a really cheap way to do an auto top up system if you use a deionizer (not an R/O unit).

You need:

• a long length of airline (mine was 12 meters!) and a non-return valve
• a small Torbeck float-type toilet ballcock replacement kit
• an adapter to screw onto it so you can use the airline as the feed for the ballcock (these are available through most aquatic stores or you can make your own from a bottle cap, but be sure it can cope with the pressure!)
• a length of pvc 90 degree angle about 10cm long
• cable ties
• a strip of glass the width of your tank/sump (could be the bracing bar!)
• a power drill

Steps:

1. Follow the route from the cold water tank in the loft, down to the airing cupboard, this is usually directly over it.
2. Follow the route from the airing cupboard to the tank (not so easy!) you may be lucky or you may need to lift a floorboard to do this!
3. Following the route, drill holes from the airing cupboard to go to both the loft and the room containing the tank
4. Feed the airline down from the loft to the room containing the tank (no one said this was easy ... just cheap!)
5. Assemble the float unit, then drill the pvc angle to take the pipe and also to accept two cable ties to hold the unit to the glass strip.
6. Attach airline to the unit at the tank end and to the D/I unit (in the loft) attach a short length of airline to the inlet, then the non-return valve to the very end of the pipe.
7. Fit the bar across the tank/sump, and adjust the float until the valve is closed at the desired level.
8. Plonk the entire D/I unit in the cold water tank and start the syphon.

Bingo! Auto top up!

Doing it this way means the D/I unit is under no pressure, therefore no leaks on the carpet and the whole thing cost me around £20 plus the purifier.

Editor's Comments:
Editing was limited to spelling corrections and some grammar (capitalizing the beginning of a sentence, adding a period at the end, etc.). No other editing was done, what you read was exactly what was submitted to me by Ian Brundson. The photo was provided by and is the property of Ian Brundson.

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Caught In The Net
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 07/23/06

New Stuff Found

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/):

• Volume V, Issue VI, June 2006 - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/6
• Volume V, Issue, VII, July 2006 - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/7

Reefkeeping Magazine (http://reefkeeping.com/):

• July 2006 - Volume 5, Issue 6 - http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/index.php

Seas the Day Ocean Book of the Month (http://www.theoceanproject.org/action/book.php) (url updated 03/09/08, originally http://seastheday.theoceanproject.org/seastheday/book/index.htm)

• July 2006 - Voyage of the Turtle: In Pursuit of the Earth's Last Dinosaur by Carl Safina - http://www.theoceanproject.org/seastheday/book/july2006.htm (url updated 03/09/08, originally http://seastheday.theoceanproject.org/seastheday/book/july2006.htm)

Wallpaper of the Month

Title: Endless Blue
Copyright: Ryan Bliss, Digital Blasphemy
Link to Wallpaper: http://www.digitalblasphemy.com/fshow.shtml?i=endlessblue&w=1152&h=864&y=2005&n=Endless%20Blue&b=count

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Marine News
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 07/25/06

06/03/06, San Francisco Chronicle
Coral reef to thrive in city Science academy re-creates nature's diversity in tank
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/06/03/BAG9OJ7E7S1.DTL

06/03/06, Reef Relief Inc.
Public Comments on 4d Rule on Rule to List Elkhorn and Staghorn corals to the Endangered Species as "Threatened"
http://www.reefrelief.org/reefnews_index.shtml

06/04/06, INQ7 Interactive, Inc.
Illegal fishing killing C. Visayas marine life
http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=1&story_id=77980 (url dead 03/09/08)

06/09/06, Marine Conservation Society
mcs warns: keep your distance from giant sharks!
http://www.mcsuk.org/press/press_release.php?cust_id=73 (url dead 03/09/08)

06/16/06, LiveScience.com
Bush to Create Largest Marine Sanctuary
http://www.livescience.com/animals/ap_060615_marine_sanctuary.html (url updated 03/09/08, originally http://www.livescience.com/animalworld/ap_060615_marine_sanctuary.html)

06/22/06, Lenfest Ocean Program
Decline of World's Estuaries and Coastal Seas Has Accelerated in Last 150-300 Years
http://www.lenfestocean.org/newsroom/pr_2006_06_22.html

Recalls

Scubapro X650 Second Stage Regulators are being recalled by Scubapro of El Cajon, California, USA because the main housing of some regulators can change shape over time which could interrupt air flow and pose a drowning hazard. Consumers should contact Scubapro (http://www.scubapro.com/) for information on receiving a free replacement. Visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06177.html for the press release and photos of the item.

Suunto D9 and D6 Model Wristop Dive Computers are being recalled by Suunto Oy of Finland because the computers may incorrectly track dive time which may cause divers to miscalculate decompression time, risking decompression sickness. Consumers should take the product to a Suunto (http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/index.jsp) dealer for a free software update. Visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06216.html for the press release and photos of the item.

Versa Pro 2A Digital Dive Computers are being recalled by Oceanic of San Leandro, California, USA because when they are set for "User Selected Digital Gauge Mode," the "Elapsed Dive Time" can exceed the actual elapsed time which may cause divers to miscalculate decompression time, risking decompression sickness. Consumers should take the product to an Oceanic (http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/index2.cfm) dealer for a free replacement. Visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06194.html for the press release and photos of the item.

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Chips...er...Tips
Stock your tank with scavengers!
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 07/25/06

It's important to stock your saltwater tank with scavengers regardless of whether it's a reef or fish-only setup. Scavengers eat pretty much anything. There's usually a scavenger out there that'll handle every job in your tank from sand sifter (starfish), detritus eater (hermit crab), algae eater (snail) and so on. There are many, many critters to choose from to fill those odd jobs in your tank. There's a scavenger out there that'll handle the job without putting your other tank inhabitants at risk. You just have to be patient and do your research. Scavengers include the typical hermit crabs and snails as well as starfish, cucumbers, nudibranchs, crabs, abalone, shrimp, even bristle worms. Don't discount fish as scavengers either as blennies love algae and gobies can be sand sifters.

To Submit Your Tip: Visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submit.html.

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Upcoming Events
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 07/26/06

To Submit Your Event: Visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submit.html.

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Just for Laughs
Submitted by Doreen Pratt, 05/05/06
Edited by Elizabeth M. Lukan 05/15/06

Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says "Dam!"

To Submit Your Joke: Visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submit.html. Your joke must be family friendly and fish related. If you can't tell it to your children, don't send it to me and expect to see it published.

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Prove It!, a Bibliography
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 07/23/06

Article: Marine News

• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Subscription List (http://www.cpsc.gov)

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