Tropic Cove's Blog

Algae In Your Aquarium

Tropic Cove — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:39:47 GMT

All aquariums are susceptible to algae and an overabundance of it can be detrimental. We have all seen it growing in our own aquariums or friends and we all have tried to avoid it at all costs. Algae can not only create an unsightly vista, but algae growth can cause the death of corals and other life on your live rock. There are many forms of algae and many solutions to reducing it. This article covers the underline causes of most algae problems.

To reduce or eradicate algae, we first must look at the cause. Two of the main causes of algae are organic matter and light.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is fish waste and food. The more fish you have in your tank that are producing waste, the more food algae has to grow. Over feeding can also create excess algae in your aquarium. Although fish are constant feeders, they tend to only eat for about 5 minutes after being fed. Any food left over, falls to the bottom of the tank or gets sucked up by the filtration system. Excess food than decays and feeds the algae instead of the fish.

Improper filtration can add to your algae problems. Good water movement will keep your water oxygenated and proper filtration will insure that you can handle whatever bio-load you choose to put in your aquarium. Proper research and talking to your Local Fish Store (LFS) will help determine which type of filtration is right for you.

Lighting

Light is extremely important for your corals and the right lighting can reduce algae growth. Algae loves to grow in red spectrum lighting. This means that you should use lighting that is made specifically for aquariums. Regular fluorescent bulbs, like what are used in commercial buildings, are NOT to be used. These put out a lot of red spectrum and will cause tons of algae growth and not help your livestock. Light is, arguably, more important than filtration in some instances. There are many, many types and choices of lighting. Again, it is a good idea to do loads of research, talk to other hobbyists, and your LFS when deciding what lighting system and what light bulbs are best.

Control of your lighting and the amount of organic matter will help keep your algae problem in check. Other things that will keep algae away are doing regular water changes, use Reverse Osmosis (R/O) water when doing your changes (in freshwater aquariums it is a good idea to supplement some minerals before adding R/O water.) Putting creatures in your tank that will eat the algae can also help. In freshwater, there are several fish that are good algae eaters. I personally don’t care for snails as algae eaters in a freshwater aquarium as they are a good host for parasites. In a saltwater aquarium, snails and small crabs will go after the algae and keep it in check.

-Kevin Ellwanger

AQUARIUM MAINTENANCE

Tropic Cove — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:14:19 GMT

Many people believe that cleaning an aquarium on a regular basis is an extremely daunting chore. They have anxiety over the thought of emptying all of the water and rinsing out the gravel every single month. Luckily, that is not how an aquarium should be cleaned. Once a month maintenance is ideal, but instead of tearing down the aquarium each time, only small ¼ water changes are needed. By using a gravel siphon, you can drain a partial amount of water from the aquarium while leaving the fish, ornaments and substrate in the aquarium. Just topping off an aquarium when the water level is low is not cleaning. When water evaporates, all the ammonia and gasses are still in the tank. Filling up an aquarium when the water evaporates, doesn’t count as a partial water change. You need to extract a portion of water periodically. This process takes only 5 – 10 minutes for the average size aquarium.

There is such a thing as cleaning your aquarium too much. Beneficial bacteria that grows on the substrate is a necessity for a healthy aquarium. It eats away at the toxic ammonia that the fish produce. If you take the gravel out of the aquarium and give it a good cleaning, you are destroying all that good bacteria that is needed. The gravel siphon allows you to remove the dirt along with a partial amount of water from the aquarium without destroying the bacteria. I highly suggest getting an aquarium siphon if you don’t have one. These simple devices are designed to get into the gravel and siphon out the dirt without destroying the good bacteria. Creating a healthy environment for you fish doesn’t mean a sterile environment.

-Kevin Ellwanger

Stocking a new aquarium

Tropic Cove — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:57:25 GMT

So, you have just brought home your brand new aquarium and have finished setting it up. The gravel is in place. The tank is filled to the brim with water that has reached a comfortable temperature for the type of fish you are planning on keeping. Now it’s time to go to the local fish store and purchase your new aquarium occupants.

Whether you are stocking a small 10 gallon, 55 or a larger 100 gallon plus size aquarium, you may feel a need to immediately fill the tank with lots of fish. But putting a large population of fish into a brand new aquarium is a recipe for disaster. Every aquarium must go through a cycling process or “New Tank Syndrome”.

Beneficial bacteria are what helps keep fish alive. The bacteria will eat away at the toxic ammonia that fish produce as waste. The bacteria convert the toxic ammonia to a slightly less toxic nitrite. The nitrite is than converted to scarcely toxic nitrate. Nitrate is taken out of the aquarium by water changes and absorbed by plants and algae. In a new aquarium with no established bacteria, the fish produce ammonia and then start breathing that ammonia causing death. It takes 4-6 weeks for these bacteria do develop naturally after fish are added.

In order for these Nitrifying bacteria to get started in your aquarium, you must feed it a bit of ammonia. Having the tank running empty for a month will not accomplish anything. One way a person can help break in their new aquarium is by adding a handful or two of gravel from an already establish aquarium. Sprinkle the gravel on top of the new gravel or by placing it in a mesh bag and inserting it into the filter area. There are also products available that help speed up the cycling process. These products can be very helpful in a new tank but I do not suggest using them as a sole substitute for patience and careful cycling.

When you do stock the aquarium, start with inexpensive and hardy fish. Medium tetras or barbs can be a good first choice for the aquarium. Fish that you should not start the aquarium are any types of catfish or algae eaters. These fish should be avoided in new tanks not only because there is little to no food for them yet, but since these fish are bottom dwellers, where the ammonia is more concentrated and there is less oxygen, they are more susceptible to toxic ammonia.

In saltwater aquariums, live rock is a perfect seed for beneficial bacteria. Just add several pounds of live rock to your new aquariums and in two to three weeks the aquarium will be ready for your new fish.

-Kevin Ellwanger

New Saltwater Shipment just arrived - Sept 23, 2010

Tropic Cove — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:33:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Here is a list of the new marine fish and invertebrates that just arrived!!

Fish:
Flame Angel
Lg. Royal Gramma
White algae blenny
Cardinal bangaii
Percula clown
2 striped damsel
3 striped damsel
green file
magenta dotty
royal dotty
yellow dotty
sm. blue hippo
humu humu trigger
niger trigger
red coris

Invertebrates:
LT Anemone
Arrow crab
blue leg hermit crabs
red leg hermit crabs
emerald crabs
Feather duster
cleaner shrimp
astrea snails
margarita snails
bali star
chocolate chip star

Coral:
Green frogspawn
Green hammer
green star polyp
lg. green plate

Stop in and check them out or give us a call : 231.347.5970

We are also on Facebook!!

New Arrivals for June 23, 2010

Tropic Cove — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:25:00 GMT

NEW ARRIVALS THIS WEEK:

MARINE FISH:

Bicolor Angel
Emperor Juv
Purple Queen Anthias
Royal Gramma
Canary Blenny
Scooter Blenny
Blue Eye Cardinal
Percula Clownfish
Green Chromis
Domino Damsel
Royal Damsel
Snowflake Moray Eel
Sleeper Goby
Spotted Mandarin
Yashia Goby
Kole Tang
Six Line Wrasse

Condylactus Anemone
Long Tentacle Anemone
Arrow Crab
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Turbo Snails
Nerite Snails
Blue Linckia Starfish

Pohnpei Fiji Live Rock

We also have Hydor Koralia Pumps at 10% OFF, these are the generation 2 pumps made to shut on/off for wave motion

Summer Aquarium SALE

Tropic Cove — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:13:00 GMT

We are doing a Pre-order Aquarium Sale this summer

29 Gallon         $199.00

37 G Column    $250.00

55 Gallon        $299.00

56 G Column    $325.00

75 Gallon        $375.00

125 Gallon        $650.00

All Aquariums come with Stand, Hood and Fluorescent light

29, 55 and 75 gallons have a choice of Black or Woodgrain

and the column tanks come with a back filter

Just pre-order the tank between now and July 27th and allow one to two weeks for arrival

Call us for more details
231.347.5970 or questions@tropiccove.net

New Saltwater Arrivals - May 14, 2010

Tropic Cove — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:35:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,
Here's a list of the new Marine livestock that came in last night. Also, Soon I will be posting some great Aquarium specials and we have Reef Crystal and Instant Ocean on sale this month for 20% OFF reg price.

Coral Beauty Angel
Scooter Blenny
Starry Blenny
Banner Cardinal
True Percula Clown, Tank Raised
Green Chromis
Yellowtail Blue Damsel
Firefish Goby
Diamond Goby
Green Mandarin Dragonets
Orange Banded (Trimma) Goby
Rainfordi Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby
Geometric Pygmy Hawkfish
Volitan Lionfish
Strawberry Basslet
Yellow belly Blue Tangs
Sailfin Tang
Yellow Tang
Six Line Wrasse
Bubble Anemone
Purple Long Tentacle Anemone
Blue Leg Reef Hermit Crabs
Emerald Crabs
Neon Blue Stripe Hermit Crab
Blue Spot Sea Hare
Cleaner Shrimp
Peppermint Shrimp
Pistol Shrimp
Bumble Bee Snails
Nassarius Sand snails
Trochus Snail
Zebra Stripe Turbo
Black Brittle Starfish
Dalmation Linkia Starfish
Long Spine Urchin
Royal Urchin
Cocoworm
Feather Dusters

New Fish Arrivals for May 5, 2010

Tropic Cove — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:58:00 GMT

Hi Everyone, Here is a list of some new fish just in:

FRESHWATER:
    Small Angelfish, Cherry Barbs, African Butterfly, Johanni Electric Blue Cichlid, Cory Catfish, Discus, Male Betta, Blood Gourami, Kuhlii Loaches, Mollies, Gold & Twinbar & Mickey Mouse Platies, Small Plecostomus, RAinbow and redtail Sharks, Swordtails Velvet, Congo Tetras, Head Tail Lite Tetra, Lemon Tetras, Neon Tetras and White Clouds.

POND FISH:
    3" Butterfly Koi, 3-4" Red & White Comets, 5-6" Red & White Comets, 4" Silver Koi, 4-5" Shubunkins and Trapdoor Snails
    Along with Pond Lillies and Anacharis and Hornwort Plants

SALTWATER:
    Sebae Anemone, Arrow Crab, Sea Hare, Thorny Starfish, Algae Blenny, Smiths Blenny, Green Chromis, Percula Clownfish, Goatfish, Sixline Wrasse.

REPTILE:
    Baby Leopard Geckos and Green Anoles

New Saltwater Arrivals for April 16th, 2010

Tropic Cove — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:21:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,
Here is a list of new saltwater livestock that arrived this Friday

Flame Angel, Lawnmower Blenny, Copperband Butterfly, Banner Cardinal, Green Chromis, Green Clown Goby
Green Mandarin Goby, Yellow Clown Goby, Yellow Watchman, Kelloggi Seahorse, Blue Hippo Tang, Yellow Tang
Bubble Anemone, Rose Bubble Anemone, Long Tentacle Anemone, Chalice Coral, Blue Leg Reef Hermit Crab
Emerald Crab, Eagle Eye Zoanthus, Cleaner Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, Astrea Snails, Zebra STripe Turbo Snails and Orange Star Linkia

New Saltwater Arrivals for March 26th, 2010

Tropic Cove — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:15:00 GMT

New Arrivals in Saltwater this week:
    Neon Goby
    Royal Gramma
    Canary Blenny
    Diamond Sleeper Goby
    Dragon Goby
    Green Mandarin
    Yellowhead Jawfish
    Dart Goby
    Lg Red Hermit Crab
    Orange Gorgonia
    Banded Coral Shrimp
    Trumpet Coral
    Plate Coral
    Hydnaphora Coral
    Goniopora Flower Pot Coral
    Tongue Coral
    Torch Coral

     Lace Rock - Base
    Pohnpei Live Rock

Also Just In: Herbtana Parasite medication (REEF SAFE)

New Saltwater arrivals for February 20th, 2010

Tropic Cove — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:21:00 GMT

New arrivals for this week:

Flame Angel
Imperator Angel; Juv
Royal Gramma
Lawnmower Blenny
Red Scooter Blenny
Copperband Butterfly
Banner Cardinal
Maroon Clown; Yellowstripe
Ocellaris Clown
Orange HOney Damsel
Dragon Goby
Firefish Goby
Green Mandarin Goby
Tiger Goby
Diadema Pseudochromis
Yellow Tang <-- Tiny guys this week
African Cleaner Wrasse
Six Line Wrasse
Bubble Anemone

Heteropsammia cochlea (Knuckle or walking Coral) <-- Just one

Blue Leg Reef Hermit Crab, Emerald Crabs, Bumble Bee Snails, Margarita Snails and Zebra Stripe Turbo and Nassarius Snails
Any of these are going to be 15% OFF when you buy 6 or more any combination for the next couple of weeks

White Sand Starfish and Orange Linkia Starfish are also in

Live rock is due in this coming Tuesday

New Fish Arrival for Jan 27th, 2010

Tropic Cove — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:09:00 GMT

FRESHWATER:

Marigold Swordtails, Mickey Mouse Platy, Neon Orange Platy, Balloon Molly, Black Molly, Blue Cobra Delta Guppy Pairs, Red Cobra Delta Guppy Pairs, 1/2 Black Yellow Male Guppy, Crowntail Male Betta, Dwarf Flame Male Gourami, Cherry Barb, Green Tiger Barb, German Blue Ram, Gold Severum, Mixed Oscar, Reganni Cichlid, Leleupi Cichlid, Johanni Electric Blue Cichlid, Demasoni Cichlid, Small Plecos, Mystery Snails, Pictus Catfish, Cory Catfish, Clown Loach, Bala Shark, Rainbow Shark, Redtail Shark, Black Ghost Knife, Leopard Puffer, Red Fan Goldfish, Black Moor Goldfish, Red & Black Oranda, Black Tetras, Bleeding Heart Tetra, Head & Tail Light Tetra, Neon Tetra, Rasbora Het, Glofish, Live Plants, Firemouth Cichlid, Feeder Fish, Aquatic Frogs.

SALTWATER:

Royal Grammas, Sand Starfish, Arrow Crabs, Yellow Tangs, Neon Blue Goby, Orange yuma Ricordea Mushroom, Hydnophora Coral, Long Tentacle Anemone

January 7th, 2010 New Marine and Freshwater Shipment

Tropic Cove — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:53:00 GMT

Happy New Year everyone,

Our New Arrivals this week:

Coral Beauty Angel, Flame Angel, Lawnmower Blenny, Copperband Butterfly, Ocellaris Clown, Alenn Damsel, Bicolor Chromis, Purple Firefish, Yellow Watchman Goby, Powder Blue Tangs, McCoskori Wrasse, Six Line Wrasse, Blue Leg Hermit Crabs, Sand Sifting Cucumber, Ricordea Mushroom, Star Polyps, Cleaner Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp, Margarita, Mexican and Trochus Snails, Red/Pink Tile Starfish, Feather Dusters, Cocoworms

Freshwater:

Black Molly, Sunburst Platy, Gold Wag Platy, Plecoostomus, Feeder Fish, Glolite Tetra, Gold Tetra, Neon Tetra, Skunk Botia, Siamense Flying Fox, Silver Sharks, Albino Cordy Cats, Leopard Danio, Pigeon Blood Discus, Zig Zag Eel, Male Bettas, Red Minor Tetras, White Cloud, Hornwort Plant, Ludwigia Plant

We are extending the 20% OFF Sale on Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals thru out January

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp are on sale for $25.00 ea
Gold Tetras for $1.59
Marine Snails, 15% Off of 10 assorted

New fish for the Holidays

Tropic Cove — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:15:00 GMT

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

New Arrivals Just In

Marine:
Coral Beauty Angel, Flame Angel, Imperator Angel, Emerald Blenny, Copperband Butterfly
Banner Cardinal, Maroon Clown, Ocellaris Clown, Black & White Ocellaris Clown, Green Chromis
Firefish Goby, Rainfordi Goby, Scissortail Goby, Geometric Pygmy Hawk, Dwarf Lion, Blue Tang, Sailfin Tang, Yellow Tank
Cleaner Wrasse, Carpet Anemone;green, Long Tentacle Anemone, Bubble Coral, Duncanops Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Trumpet Coral, Umbrella Leather, Emerald Crab, Green Frilly Slug, Sea Hare, Cleaner Shrimp, Coral Banded Shrimp, Trochus Snails, Orange Star, Red/pink Tile Star, Long Spine Urchin, Royal Urchin, Gold Head Sleeper Goby

(Lots of Gobies this week, so I think we'll have a sale on all gobies)

Freshwater:
Cherry Barbs, Gold Barbs, Indian Sun Cat, Milomo African Cichlids, Peacock African Cichlids, Oscars, Cory Catfish, Zebra Danio; Gold, Black Moor Goldfish, Calico Fantail Goldfish, Red & White Goldfish, Red Fantail, Male Bettas, Fancy Assorted Guppy Pairs, Dojo Weather Loach, Bubble Eye Oranda's, Hifin Platys, Plecostomous, Swordtails, Bala Shark, Amano Shrimp, Neon Tetras,

As a Reminder, we are open until 4 pm on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve and closed Christmas Day, and New Years Day

Have a Merry Christmas!!

Saltwater Arrival for December 4th, 2009

Tropic Cove — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:20:00 GMT

Hey Everyone, New Arrivals for this week,

Blue Hippo Tang, Cleaner Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, Dogface Puffer, Flame Angel, Yellow Longnose Butterfly, Banner Cardinal, Green Chromis, Volitan Lionfish, Green Clown Goby, Green Mandarin Goby, Rainfordi Goby, Dispar Anthias, Red Leg Reef Hermit Crabs,
Assorted Nano Coral Frags for $20.00 each, Orange Dragon Slug, Velvet Sea Slug (sorry this was special ordered and spoken for along with Red Grape Algae) Nassarius Snails, Bubble Anemone and Long Tentacle, Sun Polyps, Royal Urchins and Pistol Shrimp.

Also, Santa will be at the Mall this Saturday from Noon - 3 for free pics and a free drawing for assorted prizes through out the mall

New Saltwater Arrivals for November 20th, 2009

Tropic Cove — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:09:00 GMT

Reef Life Calendars are in.   These are great calendars and can be purchased for $11.95 or
FREE with a $100 or more saltwater livestock purchase.

Now here are the new guys:

Imperator Angel; Juv    Orange Anthias; Female    Flametail Blenny    Copperband Butterfly    Pajama Cardinal

Bicolor Chromis    Green Chromis    Kupang Damsel    Firefish Goby    Rainfordi Goby    YasaHasha Goby

Kelloggi Seahorse; Tank Raised    Blue Hippo Tang    Convict Tang    Powder Blue Tang    Yellow Tang

McCoskeri Flasher Wrasse; Male    Melanarus Wrasse; Male    Six Line Wrasse

Bubble Tip Anemone    Long Tentacle Anemone    Yellow Leather Coral    Emerald Crabs SALE 6.99

Indonesian Live Rock <- Great shapes and color: Only $7.50/#

Sea Hare    Cleaner Shrimp    Pistol Shrimp    Mexican Turbo Snails <-- Buy 1 get a free Margaritta Snail

Red Fromia Starfish    White Sand Star    Royal Urchin    Feather Dusters -  SALE $10.99

ALSO FOR THE REST OF NOVEMBER: INSTANT OCEAN SALT AND REEF CRYSTALS ARE 20% OFF

New Saltwater Arrivals, November 5th, 2009

Tropic Cove — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:55:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

First I would like to apologize for the lapse of upkeep on this blog. The following are new arrivals of Marine Stock,
In a couple of days I will list some drygood specials for the month of November.

Flame Angel                            65.00
Strawberry Basslet                17.00
Copperbanded Butterfly         42.00
Banner Cardinals                    22.75
Green Chromis                        10.99 <--- ON SALE FOR $7.00 EACH
Maxima Clam                            50.00
Green Ricordia                        20.00
Feather Dusters                      15.00
Catalina Goby                            49.00    Remember they need cooler water
Firefish Goby                        18.50
Purple Firefish Goby            36.50
Green Mandarin Goby            29.00
Orange Banded Prawn Goby    26.00
Yellow Watchman Goby            19.00
Royal Gramma                        22.50
Sea Hares                            18.00
Cleaner Shrimp                    29.00 <--- ON SALE FOR $20 EACH
Peppermint Shrimp            11.99
Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp    23.00
Lettuce Nudibranch                   19.00
Margarita Snails                          1.89
Mexican Turbo Snails                 2.50 <---- BUY 2 GET 1 MARGARITA SNAIL FREE
Gold Rim Tang                            89.00
Long Spined Urchin                    26.00
Cleaner Wrasse, African            26.00
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish                    SOLD
Blue Regal Tang Med                SOLD

Call or email us if you have any questions or need to hold any of these guys
Thank You

Kevin
Tropic Cove
questions@tropiccove.net

Sidewalk Sales for the Bay Mall

Tropic Cove — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:22:00 GMT

Announcing the 3rd Annual Bay Mall Sidewalk Sales

Here are some of the specials we will have for Friday and Saturday the 24th and 25th of July 2009

Crickets .05 each (Yes that's right a nickel a cricket for Friday and Saturday only) Maximum purchase 250

Chinchilla Setup $145.00

Ferret Setup $189.00

Feeder Comets Buy 12 get 6 Free

Pig Ears .89 each

All Fish Plants and Coral   Buy 2 get 3rd 1/2 OFF
Freshwater and Saltwater

Cockatiels Greys and $59.00 each

Baby Bearded Dragons   $70.00

Select Ornaments        50% OFF

Also storewide savings of 15% OFF (excludes Cat and Dog Food and Flea Medication)

Saltwater Shipment for July 10th, 2009

Tropic Cove — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:08:00 GMT

This just in:

Marine Fish
    Flame Angels
    Dispar Anthias
    Lawnmower Blenny
    Copperband Butterfly
    Ocellaris Clowns
    Alleni Damsel (Awesome looking Damsel)
    Green Chromis
    Bluestipe Neon Goby (Parasite cleaner)
    Rainfordi Goby    (algae eater)
    Yasa Hashe Goby
    Target Mandarin Goby
    Geometric Pygmy Hawkfish
    Dwarf Lion
    Kelloggi Seahorse (Tank Raised)
    Clown Trigger
    Six Line Wrasse

Corals and Invertabrates
    Green Bubble Coral
    Torch Coral
    Chalice Coral
    Anemone Crabs
    Purple Lobster
    Ricordea Mushroom
    Maxima Clam (1st Grade)
    Cleaner Shrimp
    Fire Shrimp
    Margarita and Mexican Turbo Snails
    Nassarius Sand Snails
    Royal Urchins
    Feather Dusters

Follow us on Twitter @tropiccove for more updates

New Saltwater Arrival for June 25, 2009

Tropic Cove — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:39:00 GMT

Here is a list of our newly received saltwater fish:

Lawnmower Blenny, Red Scooter Blenny, Copperband Butterfly, Banner Cardinal, Pajama Cardinal, Maxima Clams
Ocellaris Clownfish, True Percula Clowns (nice size), Duncans Coral

Feather Dusters, Kelloggi seahorses, Cleaner shrimp, Pistol Shrimp, Lg Nassarius snails, Trochus snails and Royal Urchins.