Disney's Coral Reef 75G

[Bloodasp]

All corals do emit chemicals for defense. I've handled zoas with no issues but some people might just be more sensitive to them. I've handled my anemone with my bare hands, which is kind of stupid maybe, but with no ill effects but still just be cautious around them i guess, wearing gloves for your protection and theirs would be a smart idea.

[Keri]

If you are afraid of a cricket I can't wait till you see what comes out of your live rock... Just kill the cricket, it's not nice to starve to death.

edit: I'm sorry if I come off as rude, I just don't like to see things suffer. Good luck with your tank.

[Delphinus]

Crickets can live for MONTHS man on seemingly nothing. When I had salamanders I was listening to a constant sound of creekeet creekeet creekeet all night long for months and months after I stopped buying crickets. My suggestion is take a kleenex (that way you don't have to see it), grab him with that and toss the whole wad outside (you can retrieve the kleenex later).

Welcome to Canreef BTW

Looks like a decent enough start to things. You have some wicked fun ahead of you, enjoy the ride!

As far as painting the tank, I have, but a couple alternatives to consider:
1) get some of that plastic cardboard (you can get it at Home Depot/Rona/etc. in the lighting baffles section - not the lighting section itself but the spot where you find the acrylic lenses for fluorescent fixtures), and paint that instead and attach it with velcro strips. This way you can remove it if need be which can be useful if you need to see in from the back for whatever reason.
2) I think Ocean City sells this kind of plastic sheeting that sticks on sort of like window tinting. This is about as permanent as paint but at least is far less messy to apply.
3) Or just say to heck with it and paint it. Get some Krylon Fusion brand spray paint (can get it at Canuck Tire), this is a known safe/inert when dry paint, tape up the tank, lay out the newspaper over everything you don't want spray paint on and go for it.
4) Or construction paper, I used black construction paper on my FW tank. 4 years in and it's holding but I suspect on a reef tank it will be less resilient in the long run.
5) Or you could get a picture based background but I think these are kinda hokey. Go with a solid colour. Blue to remind you of the ocean deep .. or black. Black brings out colour contrasts like crazy.

[Delphinus]

What part of the city are you in? I can come get the cricket out for you if we're close and if it's really a concern (we probably aren't, I live wayyyy down south).

[Rbacchiega]

best thing I can reccomend...read read read. Search through here for 75 gallon builds (I have one going right now) and check reef central for 75 gallon builds as well. You'll find everything from fairly "basic" low tech builds to builds that will blow your mind.

PS, with the bulb setup it looks like you have, you'll be able to keep pretty damn near anything

[fishytime]

well you certainly jumped head first into the site huh?....good to see you here and sounds like the the making of a saweet set-up

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Go with a solid colour. Blue to remind you of the ocean deep .. or black. Black brings out colour contrasts like crazy.

or if you wanna experiment a little, you could try white....heard it REALLY makes the colours pop and is reflective to boot....I was thinking of trying it out on a "someday" project I have in the works

[DisneyCoralReef]

Originally Posted by Keri

If you are afraid of a cricket I can't wait till you see what comes out of your live rock... Just kill the cricket, it's not nice to starve to death.

edit: I'm sorry if I come off as rude, I just don't like to see things suffer. Good luck with your tank.

You're fine. I'm all about being blunt. If you cant take a reply, you don't belong on the forum.

As for the cricket? I got rid of him last night. Couldn't even release him outside as it's already to cold. PETA not required.

[Keri]

Originally Posted by DisneyCoralReef

You're fine. I'm all about being blunt. If you cant take a reply, you don't belong on the forum.

As for the cricket? I got rid of him last night. Couldn't even release him outside as it's already to cold. PETA not required.

Thanks