Reefs by Design

12/28/2022

I know I have not posted much but I have been busy. If you want a reef quote text or message me plz.

Upgrading my 29 gal reef into a Biocube 32. I have had the tank since spring but put off the project because drilling the back to add the eShopp Prodigy M Slimline overflow was rather nerve wracking to think about. But it's done as of today and all went well.

So forgive my growling dog in the background. They were guarding their Christmas bones. But...

Here is the reef I build for this project. Which do you like? The arch? Or the cave?

The cave is just a sorta flattish piece added to the front of the arch. It forms a cathedral type dome much like you see in karst caves and has more places for my fish to hide. So I am kinda leaning toward the cave.

09/03/2021

Hey everyone. Just a heads up. If you want to speak with me then leave a message or number on voice mail as many people block their number id these days. Understandable. But I am not always able to pickup. Text and emails work too.

06/05/2020

To my local clients plz if you hear anything about the 2 horses shot near Union Mills plz contact the LaPorte Co Sheriff's office. The reward is up to $4250 I think for info leading to an arrest. These were kid's horses and personally I would not need a reward to help. Hoping tho this reward motivates someone to tell what they know.

Police are looking for whoever killed a horse and injured another in La Porte County. The family says they're devastated and just want answers. There are no suspects at the moment. The LaPorte County Sheriff's Department is going to be speaking with neighbors about the incident. The owners describe....

03/28/2020

I have been asked if I am still able to build reefs. The answer is yes. HOWEVER getting to materials is problematic. It is most likely going to be limited to materials on hand. But since pieces must cure in the tanks for about a month do not hesitate to inquire.

Everyone stay safe and healthy!

03/15/2020

His name is Curly. And if we get locked down I get stuck with the TP killer.

Sometimes ya just got to love the irony of life.

03/08/2020

This is always good advice, but in lieu of the coronavirus outbreak have instructions for basic feeding and maintenance of tanks in writing and near the tank. With our expensive saltwater systems care tends to be more involved than a sprinkle of fishfood.

And it always helps to have a network of friends if you are travelling that can fill in. Ya just never know if your itinerary will change in an instant and delay your return home.

12/15/2019

The eggs from the previous post fell victim to my Red Thorny Sea Star just hours before they hatched. But this pair of clowns were right back to spawning yesterday in the same location. It's just alittle frustrating as I can not really clean the glass on that corner. But at least I have a few days to engineer something that can be affixed over the eggs to catch the fry this time.

If that fails I guess I will set some glass plates in the corner to remove by under water transfer after they spawn again.

Not sure why this pair suddenly decided to reproduce. They have been together for 4yrs now.

11/30/2019

ETA- Since it's the holiday weekend and timing is not the best I decided to just take off my sock and overflow sponge. Any fry that emerge at night will end up in the sump. I will get them the next morning and do my best to save them from there.

Not the best picture. But my pair of clowns spawned on the glass. Eyes are starting to develop. I can not underwater transfer since they did not lay on rock or something movable. Not really sure how to save the fry. They will either go down the overflow and be eaten by the other fish in the tank. Anyone have suggestions?

11/18/2019

Not saltwater related but I am a beekeeper too. This is an award winning documentary and showing in Fort Wayne starting next weekend. Google Demand Films if you are interested and new showing locations are being added daily. I will be driving from the South Bend area to Fort Wayne to just see it Saturday with my hubby and a couple friends.

Now that I think about it maybe it is related. Just like the honey bees our oceans and natural coral reefs are suffering.

A cinematic journey about the current international bee crisis and what it means for our food security. This film explains the problems of modern large scale...

11/15/2019

Hello Everyone,

Hope everyone survived the big snow! We only received 7 or 8 in. Very lucky compared to the area just east of us. Some spots received 18 in! It's sure gearing up to be a brutal winter early!!!!

Just a quick FYI. Yes I am still building reefs. So anyone is welcome to contact me for information. The best way is by email. If you call just be sure to leave a message. Bad weather means the outdoor livestock need more care and that means I am actually outside dressed in Carharts and more for longer periods of time. So just be sure to leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Also a bit of BAD NEWS that effects our hobby. The FDA has proposed that over the next 2 yrs ALL OTC MEDs (antibiotics and more) for livestock be phased into prescription only. That means basic meds to treat something as common as fin rot or pop eye will require you taking your fish to a veterinarian in order to be treated. Sounds like we all need to contact our representatives and senators. I seriously can not shell out hundreds of dollars to treat a fish....not to mention bagging a sick fish and taking it to a vet office and sitting there waiting as oxygen levels decrease and ammonia increases is pretty much guaranteed death sentence. I am writing my representative and senator protesting this over regulation. It will unnecessarily increase costs of this hobby. It will result in senseless deaths of fish. I hope you all concern doing the same and please spread the word.

10/18/2019

In case u missed this....

https://www.reefapaloozashow.net/chicago/

Wish I was going. I was planning on it. But the weather has not been the most cooperative for painting outside these past couple of days. It is sure it be a wonderful event!

10/06/2019

Mark has claimed his reef!!!!