<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614</id><updated>2007-09-11T20:41:06.598-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Eric V. Van Der Hope's - "Reef Keeping Basics Blog"</title><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/'/><link rel='next' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default?start-index=26&amp;max-results=25'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default'/><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>36</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-2099266884201008506</id><published>2007-09-03T17:26:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-09-11T20:41:06.628-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Why reinvent the wheel twice? - Part 4</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hi guys!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is the 4th in a series of 14 reasons why you don't have to reinvent the wheel twice . . .! You simply DON'T have to . . . and you SHOULDN'T have to make the SAME mistakes!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Get it done right, the first time, and have fun doing it! Imitate someone who has proven they are successful at what they do.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/dave_tank.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/dave_tank.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;(c) Copyright 2006 Dave Playfair&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Read Dave's intro here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/dave.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/dave.htm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Its time to get serious in this exciting hobby! How? Learn from those who have a track record of success!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Start here if you are ready and willing . . . !&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----&gt;&gt;&gt; Read, learn and take action . . . !&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Learn more here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=3"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here's to your Reef Keeping Success!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Regards,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#3333ff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;(((Reef Tsunami)))&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/09/why-reinvent-wheel-twice-part-4.html' title='Why reinvent the wheel twice? - Part 4'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=2099266884201008506' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/2099266884201008506'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/2099266884201008506'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-3583326281365574486</id><published>2007-08-19T20:17:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-09-11T20:31:18.433-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Why reinvent the wheel twice? - Part 3</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hi guys!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Why reinvent the wheel twice . . .? You DON'T have to!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You SHOULDN'T have to make the SAME mistakes!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Get it done right, the first time, and have fun doing it! Imitate someone who has proven they are successful at what they do.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/carole_tank.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/carole_tank.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;(c) Copyright 2006 Carole Jurrens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Read Carole's intro here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/carole.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/carole.htm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Its time to get serious in this exciting hobby! How? Learn from those who have a track record of success!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Start here if you are ready and willing . . . !&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----&gt;&gt;&gt; Read, learn and take action . . . !&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Learn more here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=3"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=3&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here's to your Reef Keeping Success!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Regards,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#3333ff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;(((Reef Tsunami)))&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/08/why-reinvent-wheel-twice-part-3.html' title='Why reinvent the wheel twice? - Part 3'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=3583326281365574486' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/3583326281365574486'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/3583326281365574486'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-8605916732001191847</id><published>2007-08-07T17:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-12T17:48:52.517-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Pacific coral reefs dying . . . !?</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;An Associated Press report indicates that coral reefs are dying faster than expected. The climate change is among reasons for this decline . . .&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Coral reefs in much of the Pacific Ocean are dying faster than previously thought, according to a study released Wednesday, with the decline driven by climate change, disease and coastal development.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Researchers from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill found that coral coverage in the Indo-Pacific - an area stretching from Indonesia's Sumatra island to French Polynesia - dropped 20 percent in the past two decades.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;About 600 square miles of reefs have disappeared since the 1960s, the study found, and the losses were just as bad in Australia's well-protected Great Barrier Reef as they were in poorly managed marine reserves in the Philippines.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Read more on this article here: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20169258/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Reefs are dying faster than expected&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;I sincerely hope you find these articles thought provoking as well as educational.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Regards,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Eric&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/08/pacific-coral-reefs-dying.html' title='Pacific coral reefs dying . . . !?'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=8605916732001191847' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/8605916732001191847'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/8605916732001191847'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-1721148210376513277</id><published>2007-07-13T13:21:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-12T17:32:18.482-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Great Barrier Reef under attack!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;The Great Barrier Reef and its bounty is under attack. Climate change threatens existence of one of the world's grandest ecosystems.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;by Anne Thompson&lt;br /&gt;Chief environmental correspondent&lt;br /&gt;NBC News&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Off Australia's east coast, you will find the Blue Outback, a kaleidoscope of life that is the Great Barrier Reef, the world's biggest structure built by living organisms. But it is under siege from climate change and warming waters that have twice bleached its spectacularly colored corals white.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"It really looked like Christmas, like someone had just come across and put snow over everything," said Perry Jones, captain of a charter boat, who saw the mass bleachings firsthand in 1998 and 2002.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The mass bleaching in the summer of 2002 affected 60 percent to 95 percent of reefs in the marine park, according to a 2004 joint . . .&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Read the entire article here: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19680311/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Great Barrier Reef under attack!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hope you find this article extremely informative!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Regards,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eric&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/07/great-barrier-reef-under-attack.html' title='Great Barrier Reef under attack!'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=1721148210376513277' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/1721148210376513277'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/1721148210376513277'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-8288646091434905864</id><published>2007-06-17T17:05:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-08-12T17:11:40.783-07:00</updated><title type='text'>To All the Wonderful Fathers Out There</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Personally, I feel that our Fathers don't get enough recognition!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So today, it's a good day for those of us that procrastinate way too much! :-(&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This day is for YOU Dads!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You deserve the very best on this day and EVERY day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even though it may seem to you that you do not get the recognition you deserve, you are in our hearts and minds and no matter what you do or do not do, you mean everything to us.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You are our anchor and foundation that fills every aspect of our lives, you touch our hearts and fill our souls!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yes, Today is YOUR day but every day should be as well!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Happy Father's Day!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Regards,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Eric&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/06/to-all-wonderful-fathers-out-there.html' title='To All the Wonderful Fathers Out There'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=8288646091434905864' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/8288646091434905864'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/8288646091434905864'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-8504031547613935700</id><published>2007-05-13T20:12:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-14T18:23:57.644-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Happy Mother's Day</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hello guys and gals . . . !&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;This is a quick note to wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm sure all of us are grateful for our Mothers and what they've done for us and have had to deal with throughout our lives!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I hope that all of you had or are having a wonderful weekend with your mother, family and your friends. I wish that you will be able to celebrate this day in your own way.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Take care and thanks again for readership, feedback and your support thus far in the year.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Regards,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Eric&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/05/happy-mothers-day.html' title='Happy Mother&apos;s Day'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=8504031547613935700' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/8504031547613935700'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/8504031547613935700'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-7671638534428325546</id><published>2007-05-11T21:34:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-11T22:07:32.695-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Why reinvent the wheel twice? - Part 2</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hi guys!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Why reinvent the wheel twice . . .? You DON'T have to!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You SHOULDN'T have to make the SAME mistakes!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Get it done right, the first time, and have fun doing it! Imitate someone whose proven success at what they do.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/alicia_tank.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/alicia_tank.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;(c) Copyright 2006 Alicia Honn&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Read Alicia's intro here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/alicia.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/alicia.htm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Its time to get serious in this exciting hobby! How? Learn from those who have a track record of success!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Start here if you are ready and willing . . . !&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----&gt;&gt;&gt; Read, learn and take action . . . !&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Learn more here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=568"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=568&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here's to your Reef Keeping Success!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Regards,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#3333ff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;(((Reef Tsunami)))&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/05/why-reinvent-wheel-twice-part-2.html' title='Why reinvent the wheel twice? - Part 2'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=7671638534428325546' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/7671638534428325546'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/7671638534428325546'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-3801677278476645242</id><published>2007-05-08T20:10:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-09T21:30:41.754-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Water Quality Measurement Guide</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;I've found the following to be a good guide to go by when comparing water quality measurements. This is a general guide that I've found to be beneficial and has lead to the success of my tank continually looking impressive and staying healthy. This is a compilation averaged out from a variety of successful reef keeping enthusiasts.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/uploaded_images/guide.JPG" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;These readings should be a minimum of what you should be keeping track of when you first start your tank. These same readings should be a goal for even the well established tank and should be taken periodically at that point.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;More research material can be found on this topic as well as others here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=607"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=607&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/05/general-water-quality-measurement-guide_08.html' title='Water Quality Measurement Guide'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=3801677278476645242' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/3801677278476645242'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/3801677278476645242'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-8851315035354515150</id><published>2007-05-01T19:14:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-01T23:02:10.508-07:00</updated><title type='text'>"The cat got your tongue . . . ?"</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;O.K. ladies and gents . . . no comments . . . ?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The cat got your tongue . . . ?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm sure you want to do your part to be socially responsible in our hobby - right?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;I went ahead and gave this post/thread a jumpstart - so visit the forum to share your thoughts . . . !&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=582"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=582&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;All of us should be aware of how the fish supplier gathers our wet fishy pets. The wholesaler shouldn't 'turn the other way' if it's discovered that his supplier is using techniques that adversely affects the fish, corals and inverts delicate life when they are being caught.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Visit the forum and share your thoughts:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=582"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=582&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;If you wish to expand on this or simply provide your own ideas to this post/thread, then please do so!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;color:#3333ff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;(((Reef Tsunami)))&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/05/cat-got-your-tongue.html' title='&quot;The cat got your tongue . . . ?&quot;'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=8851315035354515150' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/8851315035354515150'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/8851315035354515150'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-2978026599581486478</id><published>2007-04-30T23:07:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-01T19:12:28.687-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Social Responsibility in our Hobby</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;As marine aquarists (a.k.a. marine fanatics, reef addicts) what can we do or what are we doing now that promotes social responsibility within our hobby . . . ?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;----&gt;&gt;&gt; What are you doing or wish that you COULD do to accomplish this or encourage others to think or do the same.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Please feel free to contribute your thoughts at my forum, RKB's:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=582"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=582&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Eric&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;color:#3333ff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;(((Reef Tsunami)))&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/04/social-responsibility-in-our-hobby.html' title='Social Responsibility in our Hobby'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=2978026599581486478' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/2978026599581486478'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/2978026599581486478'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-3734673714086676670</id><published>2007-04-27T22:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-04-27T23:35:00.974-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Why reinvent the wheel twice? - Part 1</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hi guys,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Why reinvent the wheel twice? You DON'T!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This comes to mind when individuals ask how they too can have a reef tank like the one below. You just imitate someone who has done it before, and done it SUCCESSFULLY!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/adrian_tank.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/adrian_tank.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;(c) Copyright 2006 Adrian Nichols&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="justify"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Read Adrian's intro here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/adrian.htm" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/coauthors/adrian.htm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When you decide you are ready to get serious in this exciting hobby, learn from those who have a track record of success.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Read the book, "Reef Keeing Basics - Successful Reef Management."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Here's to your Reef Keeping Success!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Regards,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------------------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;br /&gt;Publisher - Author - Editor&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;--------------------------------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/04/why-reinvent-wheel-twice-part-1.html' title='Why reinvent the wheel twice? - Part 1'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=3734673714086676670' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/3734673714086676670'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/3734673714086676670'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-3580113300994619708</id><published>2007-04-21T10:52:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-01T19:14:04.238-07:00</updated><title type='text'>'missing in action'</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hello all!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I've been 'missing in action' at our forum (as well as my blog!) as some of our long term members have probably noticed! But I've also noticed that many others have been 'missing in action' as well! :-(&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Things have been very hectic on my end and still are but I'm trying to make more of an effort to check in with my friends here at RKBs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm sure you have all been busy too, so - this is by no means an ultimatum, however - this is a call to action!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Come back and participate at the forum when you have the chance! The forum has already been seeing some 'action' recently, so join in the fun! :-)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hope to talk with some of you soon.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#000099;"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#3333ff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;(((Reef Tsunami)))&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;P.S. Opps, forgot to give you the link to the forum, here it is:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/04/missing-in-action.html' title='&apos;missing in action&apos;'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=3580113300994619708' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/3580113300994619708'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/3580113300994619708'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-2377222108461097154</id><published>2007-01-06T10:18:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-04-27T23:41:44.340-07:00</updated><title type='text'>A useful resource</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hi all,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please visit my most recent commentary here:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/commentary.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/commentary.htm&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Title: An Important Announcement&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Kind regards,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;--&lt;/span&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2007/04/useful-resource.html' title='A useful resource'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=2377222108461097154' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/2377222108461097154'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/2377222108461097154'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-6239929070146472497</id><published>2006-12-03T00:06:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T01:04:32.862-08:00</updated><title type='text'>A time for reflection</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Saturday, December 2nd, 2006&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To all my friends . . .&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As the holiday season fast approaches, I'd like to take the time to reflect on the past and remember that your support as a reader of my eZine/blog has contributed to my success in this fascinating hobby &amp;amp; ultimately a source of inspiration to write my book for the benefit of those wishing to learn more without having to learn the hard way!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Your continued support as an avid reader of my column encourages me to improve my website so that it becomes the best online resource for the saltwater fish and reef keeping hobbyist.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In spirit of the season, and as a token of my appreciation for your support, I'll gladly make available to you a 25% Holiday Discount on my book - "Reef Keeping Basics."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://holidaygift.reefkeepingbasics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://holidaygift.reefkeepingbasics.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. May your holiday season be filled with peace and joy!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sincere regards,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eric&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;--------------------------------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;br /&gt;Publisher - Author - Editor&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;--------------------------------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/12/time-for-reflection.html' title='A time for reflection'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=6239929070146472497' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/6239929070146472497'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/6239929070146472497'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-116432488860059052</id><published>2006-11-23T15:27:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T00:25:26.941-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Giving thanks on Thanksgiving Day</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Thursday, November 23th, 2006&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;To all my readers, customers, colleagues and friends, on a personal note . . .&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Today in the US we celebrate Thanksgiving Day! :o)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm sure that even though there are many of us thatare grateful and thankful each and every day for all that we may have, this is still a day that's designated for this entire nation to give thanks . . .&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm sure you have your traditions on this day as do I, like watching some good competitive football and eating excellent home cooking with the entire family and/or with close friends! :o) This tradition as well as watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, the Rose Parade on New Year's Day, a 4th of July celebration and others, is also a time to reflect on world events and how many of us SHOULD be very thankful for what we have.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Perhaps you don't live in the US - but even if you do not - I'm sure you have a time or day, maybe even everyday - that you take the opportunity of giving thanks. In our busy everyday lives, we may not fully appreciate what we have - our LIFE!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Again, as I've done many times, I want to take this time to thank our troops who put their lives on the line, done in an unselfish way. It requires great sacrifice on their part and I'm truly grateful for their unswerving service to their country! Having served in the military, there's nothing more satisfying than knowing people appreciate what's being done.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;No matter if you agree or disagree with how our troops are being managed in 'wars' throughout the world, we still are grateful for their sacrifice and duty to country!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Before writing to you, I happened to read the latest news on the net - and again, no surprise - more blood being 'spilled' in Baghdad. Most of us may be lucky, and live in a country where we are sure to wake up alive! It's so important to keep this in mind, for often many of us take too much for granted.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So give thanks for what you have, for the life you have and your family and friends you spend time with. This earth is but a tiny piece of our universe. It is however,the only place where we can live. The catch is, we have to all get along with each other in a peaceful way, that is our challenge! :o)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Every single living person CAN make a difference!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I hope that you, your family and your friends have a safe and pleasant day and upcoming holiday weekend! :o)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To all friends and family members - wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving! :o)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My thoughts are with you all . . .&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sincere regards,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;P.S. Personally, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, you are an extension of my family. Thanks for reading my articles, my comments and I hope you continue with me on this journey, accepting my help and helping me pursue my own goals. I sincerely hope that you've benefited and will continue to benefit from being an important part of my online family! :o)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------------------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Publisher - Author - Editor&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;--------------------------------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/11/giving-thanks-on-thanksgiving-day.html' title='Giving thanks on Thanksgiving Day'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=116432488860059052' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/116432488860059052'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/116432488860059052'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-116305665605758694</id><published>2006-11-08T23:08:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T00:26:30.638-08:00</updated><title type='text'>A Reef Tank to Envy</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Ultimately, as saltwater fish or reek keeping enthusiasts - our goal is to maintain a prestine mini-ocean environment that can sustain all kinds of life. It's a tremendous responsibility that surely gives us satisfaction when we see the results. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;That leads me to show you what I found after I recently was surfing the net. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Here are some images of a beautiful reef tank that I'm sure provides the owner much satisfaction and enjoyment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/uploaded_images/RalfP-rc-_4-791775.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/uploaded_images/RalfP-rc-_4-782639.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;(Click on image to enlarge)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;a href="http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/uploaded_images/RalfP-rc-_1-741865.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/uploaded_images/RalfP-rc-_1-732193.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;(Click on image to enlarge)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;The owner of this fantastic looking tank is Ralf Prehn. To learn more about this guy from Germany and to view his gallery, visit his site at: &lt;a href="http://cashh.de"&gt;http://cashh.de&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You ready to make your friends envious of your tank? This is NOT out of your reach! Read my book and learn HOW NOT to make the most common mistakes hobbyists experience &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;in our hobby and a whole lot more!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;br /&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope is the Publisher and Author of the book "Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef Management" as well as the editor of the popular and informative newsletter "Reef Keeping Basics - the eZine/Blog" - A Newsletter For The Serious Reef Keeping &amp;amp; Saltwater Fish Hobbyist. Would You Like to Discover Exactly How to Build A Perfect Aquatic Life Environment For Your Marine Fish Pets - Without Having to Do It the Hard Way!? Then simply visit his website and learn how you can: &lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/11/reef-tank-to-envy.html' title='A Reef Tank to Envy'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=116305665605758694' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/116305665605758694'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/116305665605758694'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-116211160281922764</id><published>2006-10-29T01:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T00:30:35.051-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.5: Not Taking the First Piece of Advice You Get with a Grain of Salt</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make&lt;br /&gt;Mistake #5: Not Taking First Piece of Advice You Get with a Grain of Salt&lt;br /&gt;by Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;br /&gt;Copyright (c) 2006 ReefKeepingBasics.com&lt;br /&gt;~~~~&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Whenever we start on any new venture, there are generally people that are more than willing to put in their opinion. It is no different when you wish to set up your first saltwater tank. You may have people say, "What do you want to do that for?" You may also have people that will offer lots of advice. They will talk as if they know everything there is to know about saltwater tanks, and they might. However, unless you are absolutely certain of a person's expertise on the subject, do not accept the first piece of advice you hear.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are uncertain about what to do when setting up your tank, you do have options to choose from!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The first reaction is simply to decide to do things without first asking someone knowledgeable.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can find reputable individuals in many areas . . . (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/articles/102806.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;read more here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;br /&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope is the Publisher and Author of the book "Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef Management" as well as the editor of the popular and informative newsletter "Reef Keeping Basics - the eZine/Blog" - A Newsletter For The Serious Reef Keeping &amp;amp; Saltwater Fish Hobbyist. Would You Like to Discover Exactly How to Build A Perfect Aquatic Life Environment For Your Marine Fish Pets - Without Having to Do It the Hard Way!? Then simply visit his website and learn how you can: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/10/5-most-common-mistakes-you-shouldnt_29.html' title='The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn&apos;t Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.5: Not Taking the First Piece of Advice You Get with a Grain of Salt'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=116211160281922764' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/116211160281922764'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/116211160281922764'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-116089987435404336</id><published>2006-10-15T01:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T00:31:24.112-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.4: Incorrect Lighting</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make&lt;br /&gt;Mistake #4: Incorrect Lighting&lt;br /&gt;by Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;br /&gt;Copyright (c) 2006 ReefKeepingBasics.com&lt;br /&gt;~~~~&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How important is lighting in a saltwater tank? It is crucial. It will make it, or break it. Why? It is imitating the natural sunlight that these tropical creatures need to live and flourish. You will very likely want to have corals and anemones in your tank. Most of these creatures need the proper type of lighting in order to grow and prosper without difficulty.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One of the decisions individuals base their choice on when purchasing the types of lighting they need - is the cost of how much that lighting can be!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That's already the wrong thinking!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If the proper research is done prior to maintaining a reef tank - you'd already know what kind of lighting would be needed and therefore be aware of how much it would cost.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Certain types of lighting can be very expensive though - that's for certain!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;However, this shouldn't be a reason to not use the necessary lighting for the aquarium - for it could mean life or death for your precious tank-mates!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From the initial purchase of the tank - you should already know what type of system you will maintain.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Corals and anemones often show brighter colors . . . (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/articles/101406.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;read more here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;br /&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope is the Publisher and Author of the book "Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef Management" as well as the editor of the popular and informative newsletter "Reef Keeping Basics - the eZine/Blog" - A Newsletter For The Serious Reef Keeping &amp;amp; Saltwater Fish Hobbyist. Would You Like to Discover Exactly How to Build A Perfect Aquatic Life Environment For Your Marine Fish Pets - Without Having to Do It the Hard Way!? Then simply visit his website and learn how you can: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/10/5-most-common-mistakes-you-shouldnt.html' title='The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn&apos;t Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.4: Incorrect Lighting'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=116089987435404336' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/116089987435404336'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/116089987435404336'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-115915283297560313</id><published>2006-09-24T19:48:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T00:35:02.090-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.3: Haste vs. Patience</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make&lt;br /&gt;Mistake #3: Haste vs. Patience&lt;br /&gt;by Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;br /&gt;Copyright (c) 2006 ReefKeepingBasics.com&lt;br /&gt;~~~~&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Patience is a virtue! It's also the most important aspect to consider while involved in this hobby - practicing it should be considered a requirement! :o)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There is much to consider in the saltwater fish and reef keeping hobby, all of it has to do with slowing down and looking at the big picture.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The biggest thing is trust. Trust that all this patience and waiting will be worth it in the end. As a result, you will reap the benefits of a beautiful and peaceful saltwater or reef tank - if you have the patience to start it right.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Patience starts with the proper research which was adequately explained in our earlier series of articles.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It follows through with 'getting your feet wet' first rather than simply just 'jumping in'! Everyone approaches the setting up of tanks differently. However, everyone should at least follow the same principle - take your time. There may be certain aspects of tank management that seem tedious and routine - but they are not. Be careful to not fall into the trap of complacency - you'll end up not spending the needed time with the necessary maintenance tasks and as a result your aquarium will suffer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's easy to want to have a beautiful tank right away and see the fish in your tank immediately! Who likes the 'look' of an empty looking tank? Nobody - right? However, moving too quickly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;. . . (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/articles/092406.htm"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;read more here&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;br /&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope is the Publisher and Author of the book "Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef Management" as well as the editor of the popular and informative newsletter "Reef Keeping Basics - the eZine/Blog" - A Newsletter For The Serious Reef Keeping &amp;amp; Saltwater Fish Hobbyist. Would You Like to Discover Exactly How to Build A Perfect Aquatic Life Environment For Your Marine Fish Pets - Without Having to Do It the Hard Way!? Then simply visit his website and learn how you can: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/09/5-most-common-mistakes-you-shouldnt.html' title='The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn&apos;t Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.3: Haste vs. Patience'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=115915283297560313' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115915283297560313'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115915283297560313'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-115587497272629652</id><published>2006-08-17T21:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T00:58:17.206-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Eric V. Van Der Hope asks for Your Help?</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hello all saltwater fish and reef keeping enthusiasts!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yep - as the title suggests, I'd like to ask for your help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Recently, Fishlinkcentral revamped their website and changed their voting criteria for saltwater fish-related and reef keeping sites!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a result I've set up a new voting link to vote for our site.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It looks as though everything on fishlinkcentral has been reset - so we have a clean slate to work from - so let's getto the #1 rating we were at once before!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Not sure how often we can all vote - but you certainly can't vote for the site more than once per day!! (even 2 days.)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bummer! :o(&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyways . . . could you please take a moment to vote for our website - it'll take you just a few seconds to click on through.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here's the url to vote our site back to #1:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://vote.reefkeepingbasics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://vote.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Give our site a 5 out of 5 (that's an excellent)!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Catch all you 'salties' and 'reefers' later!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;P.S. School is fast approaching which means hopefully it'll get busy at our forum! :o) So come visit with us soon and lets 'talk shop':&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;------------------------------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Publisher - Editor - Author&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;------------------------------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/08/eric-v-van-der-hope-asks-for-your-help.html' title='Eric V. Van Der Hope asks for Your Help?'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=115587497272629652' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115587497272629652'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115587497272629652'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-115533671395920427</id><published>2006-08-11T15:45:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T00:38:25.773-08:00</updated><title type='text'>I'm disappointed and I'll tell you why!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hello everybody!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm disappointed - and I'll tell you why . . . !&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I prepared a letter and sent it to all my readers last week.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The reason for the mailing was to announce the 3 winners of my book 'Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef Management'.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;However, the 3 recipients of the book have not replied!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm guessing perhaps these individuals simply changed their email address or their isp's are filtering their mail!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yikes! :o(&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;However, hopefully you'll benefit by the this!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What I've decided to do is to randomly select 3 different individuals to win my book!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;===== And the Winners are =====&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Jared Russouw from East London, South Africa&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Candis Snider from Linwood, North Carolina&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Simon Liu from Melbourne, Australia&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;===== ^^^^^^^^ =====&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Remember, if your name is included here, you must contact me immediately! You must reply &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;within a week or you will not qualify!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Why the deadline?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm simply trying to award those who take action! :o)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Best of luck!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Humbly,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eric&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;------------------------------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Publisher - Editor - Author&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-----------------------------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/08/im-disappointed-and-ill-tell-you-why.html' title='I&apos;m disappointed and I&apos;ll tell you why!'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=115533671395920427' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115533671395920427'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115533671395920427'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-115489513467547159</id><published>2006-08-06T13:06:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2006-08-06T15:39:21.020-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Announcing the 3 Winner's of Reef Keeping Basics</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Every reader of my eZine/blog are eligible to 'win' a free copy of my book!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So make sure you are subscribed or you won't qualify - that's it! :o)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is my little way of letting you know that I'm true to my word, because if you'll notice when you surf to my main site:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;you'll find that anyone who signs up is eligible to win!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How will it work . . . ?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I will personally pick 3 readers randomly - the day I decide to do it will not be 'set in stone', so announcing it on any given day is what you should expect!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Those I've selected must reply within a week or they will sadly be disqualified! :o(&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, without further ado, here are the next 3 recipients to get a free copy of my book, Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef Management:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;===== And the Winners are =====&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Hakob Arakelian from Athens, Greece&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Monique Fleming from Gilbert, Arizona&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Bryan And Amy Haldeman from Kennewick, Washington&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;===== ^^^^^^^^ =====&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Remember, if your name is included here, you must contact me immediately!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Best of luck!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Humbly,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Eric&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;------------------------------------------------------ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Publisher - Editor - Author &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;-----------------------------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/08/announcing-3-winners-of-reef-keeping.html' title='Announcing the 3 Winner&apos;s of Reef Keeping Basics'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=115489513467547159' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115489513467547159'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115489513467547159'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-115364200275837404</id><published>2006-07-23T00:56:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T01:00:12.117-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.2: Lack of Planning</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Mistake #2: Lack of Planning&lt;br /&gt;by Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;br /&gt;Copyright (c) 2006 ReefKeepingBasics.com&lt;br /&gt;~~~~ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Research leads to planning. Once you have all the information you need about what equipment you need, the types of fish, corals and invertebrates from which you have to choose, the conditions you want to achieve in your new tank, and the financial as well as time commitments necessary for the maintenance of the tank - you are then ready to make a plan.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;There is a definite plan of action that has to be implemented before starting in this hobby.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Deciding how much of a budget will ultimately be your gauge on how you will approach the saltwater fish and reef keeping hobby.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Your saltwater tank adventure will begin with choosing the size of tank you wish to have. You will need to take into account the size of tank you can accommodate in your home. Then you can make a decision as to what types of fish and invertebrates you wish to have in your tank, knowing precisely which ones to choose to live together. You will have all the proper equipment to ensure you will be able to maintain a healthy environment in your tank. You will know the proper lighting levels and temperature and you will know to keep the salinity levels constant (this means replacing evaporated water on a daily basis).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Once you've put enough thought into size of the tank and have chosen what to get, you have to decide . . . (&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com//articles/072306.htm"&gt;read more here&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;----------&lt;br /&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope is the Publisher and Author of the book "Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef Management" as well as the editor of the popular and informative newsletter "Reef Keeping Basics - the eZine/Blog" - A Newsletter For The Serious Reef Keeping &amp;amp; Saltwater Fish Hobbyist. Would You Like to Discover Exactly How to Build A Perfect Aquatic Life Environment For Your Marine Fish Pets - Without Having to Do It the Hard Way!? Then sign up to his complimentary newsletter valued at $47. You can seek further information if you visit his website at: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;----------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/07/5-most-common-mistakes-you-shouldnt_23.html' title='The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn&apos;t Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.2: Lack of Planning'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=115364200275837404' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115364200275837404'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115364200275837404'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-115243882479252711</id><published>2006-07-09T02:45:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T01:00:50.758-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.1: Lack of Research</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn't Have To Ever Make&lt;br /&gt;Mistake #1: Lack of Research&lt;br /&gt;by Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;br /&gt;Copyright (c) 2006 ReefKeepingBasics.com&lt;br /&gt;~~~~&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's so easy to get excited about this wonderful hobby after seeing all the beautiful fish and corals at your LFS (Local Fish Store). So it's no surprise that many individuals, without any thought of taking a step at-a-time, purchase what they see - almost immediately! Did you know that a large number of fish enthusiasts have found their way into this hobby exactly this way . . . ? However, many of them discovered that they could have spent Less money, Less time and Less effort if they simply did the proper research.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyone involved in this hobby must be well informed of what's involved. Multiple opinions should be investigated from a good source. So be careful to not rely on just one source of information! If you find that you are getting the same advice from 2 or 3 different yet reliable sources - this could be a start of a good decision. :o)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The more you research, the more you'll draw from others' experiences to help materialize your own version of a saltwater tank or reef aquarium. So do not be afraid to ask questions as the more you learn the more you can put to good use. Continually . . . (&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/articles/070806.htm"&gt;read more here&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;br /&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope is the Publisher and Author of the book "Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef Management" as well as the editor of the popular and informative newsletter "Reef Keeping Basics - the eZine/Blog" - A Newsletter For The Serious Reef Keeping &amp;amp; Saltwater Fish Hobbyist. Would You Like to Discover Exactly How to Build A Perfect Aquatic Life Environment For Your Marine Fish Pets - Without Having to Do It the Hard Way!? Then sign up to his complimentary newsletter valued at $47. You can seek further information if you visit his website at: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/07/5-most-common-mistakes-you-shouldnt.html' title='The 5 Most Common Mistakes You Shouldn&apos;t Have To Ever Make - Mistake No.1: Lack of Research'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=115243882479252711' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115243882479252711'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115243882479252711'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12470614.post-115126466459743133</id><published>2006-06-25T12:42:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2006-12-03T01:01:35.529-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Do You Dive?</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="justify"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hi guys!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Do you dive? Then you'll no doubt love this article!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;However, even if you don't dive, I'm sure you'll love it just the same - since you are a lover of fish I'm sure you'd want to see them in their natural environment some day!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13440303/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13440303/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;If you've found this interesting - let me know! I'd love to hear from you!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also - if you've seen some articles that you think my readers would like - pass along the info - I'll check it out and let you know if it's suitable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Hope you've had a great weekend - talk to you later! :o)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Humbly,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Eric&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;------------------------------------------------------ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Eric V. Van Der Hope&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;Publisher - Editor - Author&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;"&gt;-----------------------------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/2006/06/do-you-dive.html' title='Do You Dive?'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=12470614&amp;postID=115126466459743133' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://blog.reefkeepingbasics.com/atom.xml' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115126466459743133'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/12470614/posts/default/115126466459743133'/><author><name>Eric V. Van Der Hope</name></author></entry></feed>