<<Sabrina here....  Begging, PLEADING, that queriers use proper capitalization!!  At the very least, show some respect for yourself and capitalize the letter "I" and your name!  Fixing all of these is no small task for me/us, but will take you only minutes....  Please use proper grammar when writing in....  -SCF>>

re: 125gal question – 08/08/07
hey Neale don't ever come to my neighborhood cause ill break your
jaw.....everything died great idea genius
<Someone didn't take their bromide this morning...>

re: 125gal question – 08/08/07
hey Neale just messing with you so far so good...water is just settling
now so we will see. By the way the only reason i said hey at the beginning
is because you provide a service and i needed help we are not friends and
i didn't think you guys were so sensitive sorry. And don't talk down to
peoples mistakes nobody including yourself is perfect. Thanks
<Hello Michael. Yes, WWM provides a service, but we don't get paid for it. We do it to be helpful; it's all about volunteerism, the desire to give back to a hobby that has given us so much pleasure. Even if we were paid, that shouldn't make a difference. If you go into a bar or restaurant, you still say "Hello" and "please" and "thank you" to the serving staff; you don't say "hey" and order a beer. (Well, you could do, but speaking as someone who's worked as a barman and as a waiter, I can assure you rude customers are the ones upon whom staff play little pranks from time to time. Best not to think about it if you have a queasy stomach!) Finally, you could just check the House Rules for sending e-mails -- one thing we expect here is a reasonable standard of English, including "I" instead of "i", that sort of thing. Since we have literally dozens of messages to sort through each day, when people make an effort to ensure their messages are easy to read and clearly laid out, we appreciate it. So don't take umbrage, don't focus on my one line reprimand but instead read through and digest the many lines of help I offered. If you still have queries or don't agree, write back, so we can discuss. Good luck, Neale>

Re: filtration and oxygen  – 07/18/07
Thanks Tom for your advice! This is Rene, here.
<<Nice to “meet” you, Rene! Glad to have been of help earlier.>>
Sorry about forgetting to proof my question. I don't bother with capitalization and some punctuation in _personal_ emails, as it makes for faster typing.
<<Understood.>>
I agree, however, that the presentation should be grammatically correct on a public forum such as this. I will do better in the future!
<<Much appreciated. Some folks just don’t “get it” and, consequently, get their letters returned unanswered until they do get it, in many cases. Where names are concerned, I like to work with folks I’ve worked with in the past if I can be of assistance to them. E-mail addresses don’t always “ring a bell” with me but names usually do. Plus, I like to think our readers consider themselves to be “real people” to us and not simply nameless hobbyists.>>
Thanks again.
<<You’re more than welcome. Best regards. Tom>>

Re: cuban hogfish introduction... Making the effort... courtesy required   7/7/07
Looks like you are new to the internet email and chat etc. or you are prejudging me because you have a problem with my name since it's not Bob, Tony or Joe????
I sense unbelievable arrogance in your tone..!
<Uhh, no slight intended; we just require that folks try their spelling, grammar checkers... Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/QueryCorrsRefPg.htm
Bob Fenner>
On 7/3/07, Shaji and Kala Varughese  wrote:
> thanx for the quick reply. ok... i was thnking the same thing. i just
> moved the daughtyback to a 10 gallon tank i have. now my cuban hog is very
> happy. do you think the daughty back would forget it's past? i am hoping
> when i put him back in the tank after a week or 2, he will be like a new
> fish in the community???? hopefully he will get along with the cuban
> afterwards.

Apologia in response to "Not Happy with the Help Received" - 6/7/07
Dear Crew,
<<<Hi Jason, Mich here.>>>
I could not help but notice the rather acerbic correspondence you received, which I copy:
> *Not Happy with the Help Received*
> * * Wow, thanks for all that help you promised.
> <<I promised you nothing>>
> Let me reword it in "lingo" you may appreciate. My "LFS" XXXXed me over.
> they sold me a tank, fish, live rock and live sand, and said, "get to it." I got:
> 16 lbs of live Fiji rock
> 10lbs of live sand
> a 12 (not 25) gallon nanocube tank
> a clown ( A. tricinctus)
> A Kaudern's ( or Banggai) Cardinal
> Mysis shrimp
> And Formula two flake food
> A basic heater
> I wasn't sold (or told) that I needed anything beyond that. I've remedied
> that not, thankfully (and expensively). My cardinal died, for obvious
> reasons. I wasn't even aware of what cycling the tank was, until earlier
> this morning. I got my questions answered, no thanks to you or your crap
> "search tool." For God's sake, one would think that someone of your obvious
> knowledge would overlook the grammar in a hastily typed, panic laden,
> email. I was unaware that marine hobbyism required MENSA level emails.
> Especially when one is requesting help. Apologies if I've wasted your
> time. My clown is fine, and my tank is cycling beautifully now. Thanks.
> (for nothing) -Bryna
> <Ah, good. BobF><<Mmm, there are over ten thousand visitors to WWM
> daily... in just the English rendition... queriers are referred to using the
> search tool, indices as we NOT only lack the resources to reiterate the same
> information, BUT there are VERY often side issues, further questions that
> people will answer for themselves by delving into what is archived... If
> this is a waste of ones time, I suggest looking into a more passive
> hobby/interest... like "video-fish" that one can turn-off when they're
> bored. RMF>>
The response by the bearer of the initials RMF <<<Robert M. Fenner, the WWM guru>>> is far too kind to this inquirer, Bryna.
<<<Ho buoy! Hopefully he won't see this! Hee!>>><Indeed! RMF>
Ergo, I would like to publicly reply to the aforementioned inquirer, who seemingly, believes in the obligation, vis-à-vis the benevolence, of WWM to grant help. Bryna is angered by WWM's requirements of proper grammar and spelling, which she finds excessive to say the least, and coins such frivolous practices as "MENSA level [sic] emails".
Furthermore, she expects unconditional help, implicitly at the cost of other inquirers and more importantly, that of the WWM staff.
<<<Yep.>>>
Monetarily, to be sure, WWM solicits but donations; concordantly, it would be rather erroneous to demand impeccable replies to one's queries.
<<<Yes, when a service is provided for free, out of the generosity of one's heart, it is generally appropriate to say "Thank you".>>>
RMF summarizes this quite well: "I promised you nothing". Furthermore, WWM is not a government organization required to grant assistance of any sort, or to any person. WWM is not even morally bound, by any standards, to grant any sort of help whatsoever. It follows that any help that WWM does provide is in their charity and something that inquirer's ideally would be thankful of. If that be not the case, at least the inquirers ought to be respectful of them.
<<<Yes, you would think this would be obvious, wouldn't you?>>>
The requirements of proper grammar and spelling serve, at the very least, to improve legibility. Bryna, who submits a hastily-written letter, expects WWM to decipher her query to her satisfaction, and to reply diligently. She asserts that she lacked the time to produce a well-written letter; I dissent, on the grounds that ammonia and nitrite accrue at a reasonable pace; it follows that either she seems to suggest either that nutrients digitally climbed from 0 to some incredible value, or that she simply failed to pay any attention to the system, until it was blatantly obvious that something was quite wrong. I add facetiously, that she epitomizes the lesson, "haste makes waste".
<<<A good lesson!>>>
Proper writing (or even an attempt at satisfactory writing) <Hee!> is additionally a gesture of respect toward recipient, whom she flagrantly disrespects. It seems rather reasonable to display such respect to the person one is asking for help from.
<<<A common courtesy.>>>
There is no need for obscenities be they censored or not -- albeit I suspect WWM were responsible for the X's.
<<<Perhaps.>>><This/that is correct. My doing. RMF>
Ironically, her disrespect of WWM is quite obvious in her follow-up letter.
<<<Yes.>>>
It is clear that Bryna egregiously dived headfirst into a swimming pool only to resurface with a painful head injury.
<<<I would concur.>>>
If there is one point that is quite obvious from WWM and from other resources as well, it is that the hobby of keeping nano reefs is not trivial, and requires not only interest,
but dedicated research as well.
<<<Yes.>>>
That she simply arrived at her local fish store to purchase the items and livestock--which she enumerated in her correspondence--is a testament to her lack of any sort of research or patience. That she wishes to pass the blame to WWM and the local fish store is tantamount to expostulating before a jury that one trespassed upon a law in ignorance, in the hope of exoneration. One's ignorance is not the fault of another.
<<<Hmm, sounds like you're in law school.>>>
I urge that Bryna would for herself, reflect upon the events leading up to the incident and truly determine the cause. Let one's knowledge not be in abeyance.
<<<Yes.>>>
Kind Regards,
<<<Thank you for your letter, Mich.>>>
Jason C. Wang
<Wowzah! RMF>

when you say please...complete sentences... fix your English and re send what is that suppose to mean???? Are you trying to help me or talk about me????
<A little from Column A, and a little from Column B. The idea is to encourage people to write properly and politely. If you don't make an effort writing to me, why should I make an effort to write back? I don't get paid for this. Mistakes with English because someone is very young or not a native speaker of the language is fine. But when people don't say "thank you" when I helped them and instead simply send another demand for yet more information, as you did, that's rude and demanding. So you shouldn't be surprised when people are less than cordial when writing back. Remember the Golden Rule: do unto others as you'd like others to do unto you. Cheers, Neale>

Please send understandable, non "net-speak" message to allow us to help you  4/25/07 
Thanks for your message. I can assure you, on behalf of the WWM Crew, we do very much want to help, but our time is limited just as yours is, I am sure.  Please take a few moments to send this message with proper capitalization, punctuation, etc., so that I (or another Crew member) do not have to do so myself.
See here for some tips: http://wetwebmedia.com/faqstips.htm
Thanks, Jorie>

High Nitrates, Ammonia, Lack of Reading, Understanding - 1/20/07
Thank You, I did figure out what was causing all the brown in my tank, when the tank was originally set up by an aquarium person, I purchased a pump for the sump, Well he  put a metal ring around the pump to hold the hose on there and a bread tie that also had metal and they were both corroder with caked on rust, I have since fixed this problem and now no longer have the brown.
and I think the nitrates were high and ammonia because of this, It's been three to almost 4 months since I have had this tank set up, and at the over flow at the top there are bio balls also and they were never cleaned and that is where the water goes, When I cleaned it they were all slimy and really dirty, done a 30% water change and nitrates and nitrites were greatly reduced, I will do another water change, in another week to completely remove them.
I also bought a Nudibranch, black and neon orange but, Unfortunately the damsel I have, killed him  lol.
And I Thank You very much for all your info and helping.
<Please, before you contact us again, for our sake, read where you have been pointed to! This is five separate emails from you in net-speak, complete with misspellings, improper punctuation, and lack of proper capitalization. PLEASE read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/QueryCorrsRefPg.htm and http://www.wetwebmedia.com/faqstips.htm . This is not a request, this is an expectation. We are an all-volunteer staff, who post all our correspondence for all to see, read. The cost of our assistance, is this expectation of proper English. -JustinN>

WWM, and proper English... not a request...   1/7/07
You know I am so glad that the WetWeb crew is more concerned with my spelling and grammer than the fact that my fish is sick. in the time it took for you guys to send me an email back asking me to fix these things my lionfish died.
<Try to see "it" our way... We don't have time for fixing the small "payment" (English is the "coin" of our realm... in other words, you want our free help, write in the medium, properly)... Tens of thousands of folks use this database daily... many are non-native speakers, children, folks of diminished capacity... I refuse to dedicate thousands of hours of my life, efforts at presenting "garbage"... No sale. Bob Fenner>

Re: (no subject) ?  12/21/06
no there are there is no other fish in the tank and yes the tank is  cycled
<Where are your complete sentences and punctuation? How about the previous correspondence? At very least a subject that your response may be related to? We get hundreds of emails every week, we do not remember specific situations based on email addresses. -JustinN>

Please re-submit query using common courtesy (e.g., capitalization, punctuation, etc.)  11/16/06
We would be glad to help, but would ask first that you consider the humans on the other end of the e-mail that have to sort this grammatical nightmare; please re-send using proper English conventions, such as capital letters and punctuation marks, and someone would be happy to respond.  Thank you, Jorie.

Tuxedo Urchin example of RMF rudeness, impatience    7/20/06
I have recently set up a 175 salt reef tank with the help of your book and the LFS.
<Hope/trust all is going well>
I have a tuxedo that has been very happy, going around decorating himself and eating well.  Two days ago, the branch of pulsing Xenia he carries
around on his back sucked up into a powerhead, he refused to let go.
<Mmm, will, should in time>
I turned the head off and waited until he moved away.  Yesterday he shed all of his decorations.  Today his blue strips are turning brown.
<"Bummed">
I decided to turn to your web site which I have always found helpful.
Sometimes I think the people don't read the writer's entire message before responding with insults but I have just tried to overlook that.
<Heee! Okay>
Today, however, while researching information about the Urchin I came upon this:
I Sea urchins just ate my feather duster and leather coral... poor English, lack of planning  9/28/05
Hello. you have a very informative site. I love it. I have 2 pin cushion and 1 pencil urchin, the other day, I noticed the pencil urchin was on top of
the feather duster, and I didn't think anything about it.  the next day he was still there, so I pulled him off, and the feather duster was just a pile
of mush. his pipe was all soggy and it just fell apart. there is a small piece in there still, but I am positive it is dead. I sat the urchin in the
back of the tank. later that day, I looked at the tank, and he was on top of a small new sprout of leather finger coral. now that am
<There is no such word>
paranoid, I moved him and he ate it too! it was gone! so now am constantly moving them around, the pin cushion ones too. cause am worried. I always
keep a leaf of romaine lettuce in the tank, ok the glass w/ a veggie clip, and the LOVE it. they will devourer a leaf in a matter of hours. so any
advice about the urchins eating my duster and coral?
<Learn to spell, use your grammar checker to learn... and use resources ahead of time to check the compatibility of the organisms you intend to buy.
Bob Fenner, too short of patience with ignorance today>
Since you hear from a lot of people from other countries I am surprised you would take such a stance and be so unfriendly.
Sincerely,
Kathye
<Can generally tell if a writer is penning something from a distant country, or a person is of limited capacity, or a child... But do indeed admit to a limit of patience with laziness on peoples' parts who are in turn so rude as to send us poor efforts. What you/the public sees is "fixed"... there are a hundred or two "corrections" in most any given days FAQs... and I tire of fixing these 15, 20 or more minutes daily... But "courtesy is contagious", and I do agree with your sentiment, that I should be more patient. Thank you for your note. Bob Fenner>

ThE mIsSiOnS tRiP..... NNS?   6/14/06
What do u mean by that? also, i thought u breeded bettas! do u? i need help with that area! lol
plz!
<English please>
                                      ---------------mIcHeLlE
gAlLeTtO-----------------

Re: ......ThE mIsSiOnS tRiP.....
sorry that you were missinformed but this is in english! thank you! come again~ lol jk JKJKJKJKJKJKJK!  so what do you mean by in english please?
<Beginnings of sentences are what? Capitalized? English... plz? i, u? Learn to/use your spelling/grammar checkers... Bettas are not breeded... Just give
me what I want... and no one gets hurt>

Thank you for contacting us at WetWebMedia.com   3/4/06
Your reply is below
<<Maria, I tried responding to this email, but re-writing it was taking far too long.  Please write back using proper grammar and punctuation, and I will be glad to help.
Thanks, Lisa.>> <Thank you, RMF>

Just Words   2/2/06
I am planning on creating a new reef tank. The process is very slow. Prior to establishing the tank, I have
been reading everything I can including your Daily FAQs.
<Hotay>
Just a quick thing, several times the response has been the original email contains a non-word. For example, Also I hear "a lot"
<Ah yes... the roving spell-checker... fixing the eponymous alots into a lot/s>
I realize that you like to publish grammatically correct inquiries, but I don't believe that reply is correct. Certainly lot is a word. Perhaps, it is meant
that alot is not a word.
<Ah, yes>
Webster's has a definition of lot that would apply to the original inquirer: 7 : a considerable quantity or extent .
Great site by the way! Sorry to write in over such a trivial manner.
John
<Thank you for this. What is that line from Herbert and the movie version of "Dune" re the Harkonens? "The process of removal continues". Cheers, Bob Fenner>

<... the beginning of sentences are capitalized... I, not i... > Classic  1/27/06
_____________________________________________________________
http://www.WetWebMedia.com
- your first source for ornamental aquatics information!
Date:  Thu, 26 Jan 2006 15:30:12 EST
what do you mean by grammar? do you mean excessive punctuation perhaps? i do not see any gross errors. let me know.

Already Answered Question on Naso and Cyano? Look in Today's Dailies  12/03/05
Crew,
<<Person.>>
I am thinking that the original email below did not make it to you...??? 
<<You are, which would be understandable, but incorrect. I believe James (Ye Olde Salty Doggie) replied this morning if I recollect correctly. Oh.. or.. it could have been AdamJ, too.. shoot, now I can't remember! But I'm fairly certain it was answered.>>
I see other emails from more recent dates being answered in the daily FAQ's, so I thought I would re-send. 
<<Don't rely on those dates as the actual reply date. Often folks may not date the queries they answer, or they put them in their folder then answer at a later date. If without a date, then I date with the day's date. Here.. care for a date? Mmm.. dates.. where..? oh yeah, don't use those as accurate dating. The query could be a week (and sometimes more) old. We add those more so folks researching can have a more accurate idea of *when* a specific reply was posted (sometimes can be very important in light of new facts on one subject or another). I really hope that made sense.>>
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Regards,
Steven
<<Steven, I'm going to hold onto this JUST in case YOU didn't get James' reply or were unable to view the dailies here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/daily_faqs.htm. Marina>> 

In defense of Marina, and Ready to Roast? 12/2/05
I am offering an opinion rather than a question.
<<Alright.>>
I have been reading the "Today's Frequently Asked Question," section each day for a few months. There have been some barbed comments from some of the people submitting the questions on the apparent tone of the answers.
<<This is not unknown, yes.>>
The crew often has to correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
<<Daily, and there are times when those that need correcting far outnumber those that don't -- rarity I've come to greatly appreciate.>>
Some of the submitted questions may not be expressed clearly or with an economy of words. Some
readers take his personally or take offence to this. I have to take side with the crew of WetWebMedia. I find the information helpful, and often expressed in a colorful and entertaining manner that to me reflects a passion for their work, and interesting personalities. I don't feel it is asking too much from anyone submitting a question to carefully proof read what they have written. I have submitted questions myself and been on the receiving end of being told on some of my faulty logic in my approach to problems, from Marina as it turned out on one occasion,
<<D'oh! Oh JEEZ....! really? Which one?>>
and found her answer informative and entertaining.
<<Whew!>>
She did not have to waste time on spelling and grammatical errors either.
<<I didn't here, either. Thank you.>>
So to some of the readers out there, lighten up and have some fun with this section. I personally will look forward to my next roasting. Mike Lomb
<<You have me laughing out loud here, Mike! A little humor makes life better, and I certainly appreciate your finely-honed sense. I would like to say thank you on behalf of the rest of the crew for you very kind words. 
Marina - Whose best roast always comes from the oven>> 

Why Do I Do It?  12/1/05
Why does Marina spend her time "mothering" answers provided by members of your staff. Seems odd; adds nothing, other than sarcasm, to otherwise noble efforts of the crew. Just curious.
Steve (a fan of several years)
<<I'm assuming that's a question, not a statement (questions always end with a question mark "?", not a period ".").  Most often I'm aiming for clarification, not sarcasm (for instance, when someone's wording isn't clear - at times spelled so incorrectly I cannot find a definition or mention of the word at all - or intelligible). Of course, conversely, if I make a mistake or misstatement, then I absolutely positively want to be corrected, as I do not wish to remain ignorant.
I also try to shoot for disseminating good information. If you have been reading on a daily basis then you know that I do provide information as well. 
There are those times when I do indeed intend to be sarcastic, as our attempts to encourage those who write in showing some effort in trying to use written word in a manner resembling intelligibly are constant. There is no mistaking those.
Now, if you're talking about grammatical, spelling, word use or other errors (such as the lack of proper punctuation in your first sentence), that is my "job" with WWM. If the persons writing and/or responding don't, then I must, which of course puts me in the position of "mothering" (which I call "educating"), doesn't it?
Since I do come off as sarcastic, then I apologize to you and our crewmembers, as this is not my intent.  It is to educate ( and for many it has been entertaining as well).  Marina>>

Marina's Mothering 12/2/05
Just wanted to say thanks for all of Marina's 'mothering'.
<<You are very welcome.. I think. (You've put a smile on my face.)>>
Your 'mothering' was a tremendous help during some recent dialog with Adam J. Don't stop! I consider your 'mothering' a valuable contribution.
<<My goodness, thank you for the compliments, and I am most happy that I have contributed in a helpful way.>>
BTW. The little flamer is in the community tank, doing great and 'rules the roost'.
<<All is as it should be!>>
Happy Holidays to all!
Roger
<<And a big wish for you and yours as well. Marina>> 

Reminders (or new info, depending who you are) on WWM Posting Protocol 10/11/05
Hello All,
<Mar...>
For you new folks, you'll get to know me - for those of you familiar with me, well, here it goes. I am sending this out as a reminder (or, new information for those of you who aren't hip to the sitch, yet).
<Heeee!>
*Emails in all caps: Generally we don't even answer these, they are returned to the sender to be retyped properly. I won't post them, so there are currently two in the "sent" folder that were (*very* kindly/patiently) answered, but won't be going up in the dailies. They are an eyesore. 
Bob, if you want them posted, just let me know and I will, but I haven't the time to retype entire queries. Fortunately these are relatively infrequent. 
<Nope... I send a note back if I see... and just delete if someone happens to respond>
*Corrections: I do spend a good bit of time correcting queries, unless there is note made in the response regarding egregious errors (we want folks to see what NOT to do). However, I will not spend time correcting the punctuation, grammar, and/or spelling of WWM crew. I won't name names, but I must assume that if you know you're just not good with this stuff, will you PLEASE use the spell-check feature that comes with just about *every* word processing program that exists (I really don't care what you use, just use it!)?
Please capitalize "I", the first letter of sentences, etc., etc. There are typos all the time, these don't take up a great deal of time and these
aren't the problem. But when there's a whole response that's filled with such mistakes, it becomes a daunting task to sort out.
<Yepster... this takes ten to thirty minutes of my time daily... and have spent several hundred hours "going back" re format issues...>
That's it (for now.. ugh), of course we have yet to put together a WWM P&P or anything like that.
OH! I forgot to remind everyone to have some fun today. It's Monday, and Mondays need fun.  (We are currently rather envious of those of you who are languishing in Hawai'i, and the family is itching to go diving again - criminy, obligations!)
<Sabrina and I are... doing the FAQ thang, and moving bits about, and having a good old time. BobF>
Your WWM Drill Sergeant/Novelist, and Occasional Cook, Marina

WWM, English, time... 9/28/05
while you try to teach me proper grammar my fish is dying thanks a lot!!
<Sorry for your inconvenience... do understand that this is an "all volunteer" operation... We don't have the time to fix folks' communication, just enough to try and respond... >
 I apologize for the language my gf is really distraught about the fish
<I do understand this... frustration... after putting a few hours per day into this "project" for the last decade, seeing its development, having so many good friends help... many leave out of time constraints... What could we do to improve? BobF>

Hey, This is Patrick Jewell, About to Read  11/20/05
Crew of Wet Web Media,
<Howdy>
I am doing a research paper for my Written Communications Class. We are writing a paper on a subject that experts disagree on. We can choose anything that we want to write one, that a expert would disagree on. I chose Fluorescent Vs. Metal Halide. My thesis statement is:
"Many experts disagree which lighting method overall benefits the aquarium the most. So considering all aspects (pros and cons) of Fluorescent and Metal Halide lighting, which one benefits the aquarium coral habitat and its owner the most?"
I came to you because you are an expert. If I could get a short statement (like three or four sentences), of what lighting do you favor most and facts that you know off hand to support your argument. Then can you put your credentials at your signature.
Example:
John Smith
Masters in Zoology, University
Aquarist for (X amount) years.
<<Do autodidacts count?  Marina>>
If you could help me with this it would be awesome.
<... Please glean what you're looking for by reading here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marsetupindex2.htm the articles and FAQs files on light/lighting. Our respective degrees are posted on the "About the Crew" pages, linked on the homepage. Bob Fenner> 

Pregnant what? Parents... please watch/supervise your children... 8/14/05
hi my names tasha. am 15 nd just got my first fish tank. i have my  
suspisions that 1 might be pregnant but am not to sure.
its side has like balloned and its a silvery colour.
can you give me advise as i am not sure?
thanks very much
tasha from england
<... What sort of fish is this Tasha? Please take a look here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwlivestkindex.htm
Scroll down to the Livebearers area... Bob Fenner>
Re: hay yeah sorry forgot to mention that there  goldfish
<Please scroll down to goldfish... and read. Bob Fenner>

Stocking, scientific naming conventions, punctuation...
hi guy sorry for using this but I tried to on the site but could not. any way I have been planning for my new tank I just got going. I have read and got a lot of info here. via your article and forum. but I get conflicting advice so I was hoping to ask you about my stocking levels and fish choices. I have done a lot of research and think I might have my list ready. been planning the whole tank set up off and on for the last year. got everything, I hope, except the coral list just started working on that. but will be getting mostly SPS with some LPS and softies. the total coral load will be medium not going wall to wall corals. will be using T5 lighting when I am ready for them.
I have a 72x18x20H tank about 150lbs of live rock with ½” sandbed. 45 gal sump with 30lbs of miracle mud and Caulerpa. A Sedra 1200gph and 586gph pump for the return. Total circulating water 140gal. measured. currently have 5 
damsels in the sump. Will run like this for 6mo. Then add the crabs and snails. (Creature list below ). Run with these for additional 3mo. . Approx 9mo. tank running before first group goes in tank. damsels back to the store. then add each group 1-2mo. Apart. the numbers are about the max size I think they will get plan on buying small.
Group #1
1-green clown goby (Gobiodon atrangulatrus)………………...1”
1-yellow clown goby (Gobiodon okiwawee)…………………..1”
1-lineatus fairy wrasse (cirrhilabrus lineatus)…………………..4”
1-Red Parrot Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis)………………...3”
Group#2
1-regal angel (pygoplites diacanthus )…………………………………….10”
1-false percula clown (amphiprion ocellaris) …………………………4”
1-blue hippon tang (paracanthurus hepatus)……….…………….8-9”
Group#3
1-flameback angel brazilian (centopyge aurantonus)……………3
1-mandrine goby (synchiropus splendidus)……………………...4”
1-orcid dottyback (fridmani pseudochromis)…………………….4”
CREATURES:
1-cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis))
1-electric blue hermit crab (calcinus elegans)
2-emerald matrix crab (mithrax sculptus)
5-zebra hermit crabs (calcinus laevimanus)
5-red legged mex. hermit crab (clibanarius digueti)
1-red flame serpent starfish (ophioderma rubicundum)
1-tiger serpent starfish (ophiolepsis superba)
5-nassarius snail (nassarius vibex)
10-turbo snails (turbo fluctuosa)
I would like to thank you for considering my question. and really thank you for providing us with all the info. found on your site it is really an amazing site. Thanks to the whole staff you guys are awsome!!!!!
gary but name on the site is hlama
<Beginnings of sentences, companies and their products, the pronoun "I", genera, your name... are capitalized... Please fix this message and re-send. BobF, who doesn't have the time, predisposition to correct folks writing.>  

An ich epidemic!!
hi crew,
oh, no. even more bad news, it looks like ich is spreading to the rest of my saltwater fish. right now, I'm putting them each in a freshwater bath with rid-ich. I read that you can try to kill the disease by lowering the salinity of the tank. what is the salinity I would have to change it to? and how long should I keep the tank at this level. Since this would be the first time I would be doing this, if there is anything else I would need to know, please inform me. Also, is this risky to the health of the fish themselves? Would I be better off just giving them treated baths.
thanks a lot
mike
<Mike... all this is answered on WWM... please don't send such illiterate messages to us... and no HTML, please. BobF>