Forum Etiquette

I just wanted to convey that many people do not know how to talk properly when posting to forums. Unless you use emoticons to convey emotions people can take what you say completely opposite to what you had thought you had wrote. In the future make sure that what you wrote conveys your feelings.

100th Visitor

Wow. 100 visits to my little corner of the ocean. Some upcoming posts include a review of the AquaC Urchin Protein Skimmer. A review of my new 48" Coralife Pro 150HQI fixture once I get it set up. A review of my new in tank pump for water flow (as of yet undecided on what I want to pick up) as well as new creature profiles. So check back often for new content and feel free to let me know if there is anything you would like to see on here that would make your lives easier.

Regards,

Profile: Algae Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)

Scientific Name: Salarias fasciatus

Family: Acanthuridae

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallon

Size: Grows to maximum of about 5" in length.

Hardiness: Very hardy.

Temperature: Does well within normal reef tank temperature ranges of at least 75-84°F.

Description: Lawnmower Blennies are very interesting looking with a long body and gray to tan colored vertical bars on the sides. A long dorsal fin extends the length of the body. Small light-blue dots adorn the face and body. Feathery projections called 'cirri' around the face give this blenny what looks like a bad hair-cut.

Natural Environment:Indo-Pacific

Reef Suitability: Lawnmower Blennies are usually very good reef tank inhabitants in larger tanks that can sustain their appitite. While somewhat plain in comparison to the bright colours of other fish found on the reef they are known as a very personable fish. They spend most of their day perched on rocks surveying their surroundings followed by short bursts of algae munching.

Disposition: May chase or bully other fish in close quarters, but usually not an issue in larger tanks. I've only seen my specimin being bullied by my larger convict blenny. They should be kept as single specimens or as a male/female pair in tanks less than about 55 gallons.

Feeding: Lawnmower Blennies are primarily vegetarian. They have teeth that are adapt at scraping algae from the surface of rocks and the walls of the tank. Mine loves zipping up and down the tank walls eating as he goes. They do best in tanks that have algae on which they can forage throughout the day.

Project Update: Building an Aquarium Scraper

I had said that I was going to attempt to build an aquarium scraper for my 75 gallon marine aquarium. I took the plunge, bought the parts and put it together. My costs were as follows:
5ft 1/2" cpvc pipe: $2.79
45degree 1/2"cpvc coupler: $0.49
10 razor blades in a case: $3.89
Total cost with tax: $8.17

I kept the handle on my scraper quite long as I want to avoid having to put my hands in my tank if I can.
To make the holder for the blade I used the razor blade itself to cut out two notches. It was really quite easy and the blade is held firmly.

Results:
Fantastic. The blade was excellent at removing the stubborn algae from the aquarium glass. A big plus is that the blade is easily replaceable when dull at a very low cost. Why would any one pay the hefty price for a commercial glass scraper when one of these are super effective is beyond me. I recommend anyone who is looking to have clean glass in their marine aquarium to build one of these.