My posts have been lacking lately for a number of reasons. For one, my computer had some problems; the type that are best fixed by re-formatting the hard drive and a clean install of Windows XP (I have tried Vista and even messed a bit with Linux, but XP will be around for a while in my house). Also, my wife has been suffering from a Deep Vein Thrombosis, which has kept me busy trying to look after the house chores (and all but failing I might add), running errands and playing nurse.

So on to more exciting news. My Birthday will be coming up in a few days and we all know what that means; presents! Oh ya, I guess I should mention I will turn 40 this Birthday, but that doesn’t bother me the way it does some people. Let’s just hope no one does anything stupid like a black themed surprise party. I’m a simple guy, no big parties here; just take me to the Smoke Box (the best BBQ restaurant anywhere on the planet) and let buy something new for the tank and I’m a happy camper. Anyway, the exciting news is I received a $200 gift certificate to SaltwaterFish.com from my parents who live on the West Coast. I’m not sure what I’m going to spend it on, but some of it will most likely go towards rebuilding my cleanup crew, and I’m in the market for a couple of new fish. My wife has been hinting around about new lights for the tank, so I may see an upgrade to T-5 lights in the not too distant future.

Not much new otherwise. I’m continuing to battle the algae and winning. The PURA media is working well and I’ve see a nice increase in polyp extension since I started using it. I’ve also been doing a few more water changes to help battle the algae and I hope that new lights will have an impact too. The cheap bulbs I’m using are looking pretty green/yellow, the spectrum that tends to grow algae well.

Happy Reefing!