APRIL'S POLL:

SHOULD THE SICK NURSE SHARKS AT NAIB BE LEFT IN THEIR CARE?

15.38 % - YES 84.62% - NO

We feel if your can't keep them alive you've got no business keeping them.

SHOULD A PET STORE CONTINUE TO SELL CORALS IF THEY HAVE FLAT WORMS?

3.45% - YES 96.55% - NO

Good for flat worm exit sales bad for everything else.

WILL YOU BE ATTENDING THE RALLY ON EARTHDAY?

22.22% - YES 55.56% - NO 22.22% - MAYBE

We had a great time. Many thanks to our sponsors, and to those who participated. We got lots of signatures and stopped some from going in at all.

THANK - YOU TO ALL WHO TOOK PART IN OUR PAST POLLS. WE HOPE THAT YOU VOTE FROM THE HEART AND NOT JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE AGAINST US.

MARCH'S POLL:

DO YOU THINK SELLING A NURSE SHARK TO A PET STORE IS RESPONSIBLE?

5.26 % - YES 94.74% - NO

Most people agree that selling a sharks that get 14 feet SHOULD NOT be sold to Pet Stores. What is responsible about selling sharks for home aquariums?

DO YOU THINK A NATIONAL AQUARIUM SHOULD BE THE BEST AMERICA HAS TO OFFER?

91.43% - YES 8.57% - NO

"National" and "American" use to mean something Americans were proud of.

AN AQUARIUM SOCIETYS' PRIMARY MISSION SHOULD BE TO SEEK OUT NEW & BETTER IDEAS TO HELP DO IT BETTER?

94.12% - TRUE 5.88% - FALSE

If they are not for seeking out new and better ideas to help do it better, then why do they even exist? What DO they stand for?

FEBRUARY'S POLL:

WHAT IS THE REASON YOU HAVE AN AQUARIUM?

EGO - 0%, CONSERVATION - 2.56%, PROFIT - 0%, ENJOYMENT - 89.74%, CURIOSITY - 5.13%, DECOR - 2.56%

Although we enjoy the window into another world we would hope that conservation would eventually top the list.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CONDITION IN YOUR TANK?

TEMP. - 28%, SALINITY - 28%, PH - 36%, TRACE ELEMENTS - 0%, CALCIUM - 0%, ORGANICS - 8%

Top three were listed in proper order, it wouldn't matter what the other levels are if your temp. is 84 or salinity 1.030.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR ADVICE FROM?

INTERNET - 36.13%, FRIENDS - 2.49%, PET STORES - 48%, FISH CLUBS - 6.69%, FORUMS - 5.56%, OTHER - 1.13%

Find a GOOD friend to get real advice from that has a healthy tank and definitely do NOT listen to the others that have a monetary interest.

JANUARY'S POLL:

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CHANGE YOUR FILTER PADS?

ONCE A MONTH - 26.32%

TWICE A  MONTH - 15.79%

EVERY 2 MONTHS - 36.84%

EVERY 3 MONTHS - 10.53%

WHEN SOMETHING DIES - 5.26%

NEVER - 5.26%

We recommend every month, however you can stretch it out a couple of months if bio load is low. We DO NOT recommend never or when somethings dies.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVE ROCK AND DEAD ROCK?

PRICE - 41.18%

COLOR - 11.76

WEIGHT - SHAPE - 0

SMELL 47.06%

The difference between LIVE rock and DEAD rock is all of the above. The price is not much different but the color weight and shape are as different as day and night. The worst part is the the smell. The real difference is the  beneficial bacteria and biological diversity of REAL LIVE ROCK MADE IN THE USA!

HOW MANY FISH DO YOU HAVE LEFT?

0 - 5 - 54.17%

6 - 10 - 4.17%

11 - 15 - 29.17%

16 - 25 - 4.17%

25+ - 8.33%

Depending on where you buy your fish will depend on how many you have left. Wholesale facilities and Pet Stores everywhere mix all the fish together and pour chemicals on them to keep the parasites down caused by mixing them all together. Snorkel Bob is RIGHT! Most of the fish brought in the Industry are dead within a year except for a lucky few.

DECEMBER'S POLL RESULTS:

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CHANGE YOUR WATER?

ONCE A WEEK - 15.38%

TWICE A  MONTH - 11.54%

ONCE A MONTH - 30.77%

WHEN SOMETHING DIES - 23.08

NEVER - 19.23

30% Once a month is what we recommend, however you can stretch it out a couple of months if bio load is low. We DO NOT recommend weekly, bi-weekly, never or something will die.

WOULD YOU OR DO YOU DECORATE YOUR TANK FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

10% -  YES

90% - NO

We seen more of an increase for Thanksgiving than for Christmas. Thanks for your support.

HOW MANY FISH HAVE YOU PURCHASED THIS YEAR?

0 - 5 - 42.11%

6 - 10 - 21.05%

11 - 15 - 5.26%

16 - 25 - 42.11%

25+ - 31.58%

We will find out this month how many of them are left!

NOVEMBER'S POLL:

DO WE NEED TO PUT UP A SIGN THAT SAYS: "DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS IN OUR TANKS."

80.77% - NO

19.23% - YES

Most of you get it, Thanks. How about a sign that says; "DO NOT COLOR ON WALLS WITH CRAYONS"? OR "DON'T PEE ON THE FLOOR" Common guys, what happen to common sense? Where does it end? We feel we shouldn't have to clutter up our Rescue Center with a bunch of unnecessary signs.

ARE CLOWN FISH FUNNY?

84% -  YES

16% - NO

Although their jokes are a bit wet, puffers are funnier.

WOULD YOU BE MORE LIKELY TO BY CORALS GROWN BY STUDENTS?

68.97% - YES

17.24% - NO

13.79% - MAYBE

We are starting an Aquaculture 101 program for schools in D.C. We will be bringing in the corals for resale and proceeds will be used to support local schools. They need all the help they can get. We need ideas for a national name brand for school grown corals.

OCTOBERS POLL:

Do you agree with snorkel Bob? 99% of Fish die within a year.

80% - YES

20% - NO

YES, YES, YES!

Pet Stores, wholesale facilities, or Aquariums will not be honest and are not held responsible for the death of the creatures. Hobbyist's on the other hand will tell you closer to the TRUTH. We all have killed fish, had tanks crash and accidents with our creatures.

The Industry wants you to succeed?

11.54% - TRUE

88.46% - FALSE

FALSE. The "INDUSTRY" counts on the failure of your tanks. You have to buy more, By giving bad advice, will also add to the death rates. If everybody would set a tank up right from the beginning and never had to re-buy, most Pet Stores would go out of business.

Are frags on a plug just a fad?

71.43% - YES

28.57% - NO

Most people do not use frag plugs anymore. It's and eye sore in your tank until they turn purple and they get knocked over.

The industry says.“If we cut a $100 brain coral [in half] and sell both pieces for $60, we sell them faster and make more profit.”

It's just away for the other guys to rip you off even more by getting an already over priced coral, cut it up and sell it for even more. We don't do this in our store, but for those who like them I will carry the fragging supplies.

SEPTEMBER'S POLL:

Do you love your fish?

YES - 88.89 %, NO - 0.0 %, They're just a fish 11.11%

Sorry, if you take offense, but if you do not love your fish your should not have them. Most of us DO love our pets and they are NOT just a fish. They have feelings, Character, and bring us a lot of love and joy in return.

Do you have any Bangaii's left?

YES - 40%, NO - 60%, Some 0.0%

The Industry kills half of their population every year. Buy Tank raised to help save their existence.

Should cities implement Coral guidelines?

YES - 87.50 %, NO - 12.50%

YES, it seems some people NEED laws to do what's right. Morality has fallen and it's too bad laws have to be created in order to DO THE RIGHT THING! STOP stripping the Oceans of it's resources.

AUGUST'S POLL:

WHICH DIRECTION DOES A YELLOW TANG SWIM?

CLOCKWISE - 50%

COUNTER CLOCKWISE - 50%

OURS SWIM CLOCKWISE

WOULD YOU TAKE AN AQUACULTURE 101 COURSE?

YES - 87.50%

NO - 12.50%

FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED CONTACT US FOR DATES AND TIMES.

DO NURSE SHARKS ADD TO THE ECOLOGY?

86.67% - YES

0.0% - NO

13.33%  - I DON'T KNOW

BESIDES THEIR EATING HABITS, WHICH HELPS CONTROL INVASIVE SPECIES, WE HAVE FOUND THEY DO ADD TO THE ECOLOGY BY STANDARDS; THEY PRODUCE SAND.

Results from July's Poll:

Should Pet Stores / Aquariums be held responsible for their death rates.

ABSOLUTELY YES! We all should be held responsible for the life in trusted to us.

YES 95% - NO 5%

Is it too late for the Gulf?

Only time will tell if it can heal. If we live long enough to see.

YES 53% - NO 65%

Do you feel you make a difference?

YES. You do even if you think you don't. Everything we do makes a difference. Some people can only see what's in it for them TODAY, but what we DO impacts the entire world and the PLANET we live on, not just what's in our back yard.

YES 46.30% - NO 42.59%

Results from June's Poll:

Should we get the life out BEFORE the oil gets it?

YES 81.82% - NO 18.18%

YES! Of course, we should take a sampling of all the life in the gulf that makes up the eco system to preserve it for future re-population. If you killed all the life in the gulf it would be a tragedy, but if you couldn't bring it back that would be FOREVER!

Is Saltwater harder then Freshwater?

YES 17.65% - NO 82.35%

NO! Only the lies of the industry makes it hard. Knowing the TRUTH makes it easier.

What type of lighting do you use?

PCS 70.00% - T5'S 10.00% - HALIDE 20.00% - LED'S 0.00% - OTHER 0.00%

PCS are good for most soft corals, some hard corals and fish only tanks.

T5'S Might be used in combination with halides BUT are not cost effective and are NOT efficient for most corals. They in fact are on their way out.

HALIDE'S are the best form of lighting for hard corals, reefs and although they maybe costly they will ensure the life of the creatures.

LED'S are not quite there yet. Although they are energy efficient the spectrum and effectiveness are questionable.

Results from May's Poll:

Should we drill in the Ocean?

YES 20.00% - NO 80.00%

After the last month of oil spilling in our oceans I would hope people would agree this is not safe. When drilling over land it can be contained. It does not matter who's fault is was. The fact is, it is killing creatures all over. The only way to keep this from happening again is DON'T DO IT! It will NEVER be safe. It's not just shrimp, crabs, oysters but also the entire food chain will break down all over the world. We need to PROTECT our Oceans. I won't take pride in saying I was right after the fact, for the dollar or for Prestige. Why can't anybody do the right thing just because they care? It's not going to be solved by one quick fix. We need to be working on many solutions simultaneously. In my opinion, they want to be the one who fixes it. They want the credit when THEY are the ones who created the problem to begin with.

Should animal torture videos be allowed?

YES 11.76% - NO 88.24%

Most of you have morals.

How do you test your Salinity?

Hydrometer 41.38% - Refractometer 55.17% - Taste 3.45%

We have had (too many to count), people kill creatures in their systems from testing ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, strodium, magnesium, iodide, calcium and forget about the two MOST IMPORTANT factors. Temperature and Salinity. Hydrometers DO NOT WORK! The product gets shipped from warehouses to pet stores to hobbyist. The float is wrong right out of the package. The needles are off 2-8 points. They should be replaced every year and if you drop them, that can throw it off too. The glass ones are not precise and this month alone we have had 5 different people kill creatures from salinity of 1.030.

BUY A REFRACTOMETER!

Should we buy stolen or poached corals?

YES 2.17% - NO 95.65% - SOMETIMES 2.17%

NEVER!

POACHING

It may be illegal and in violation because:

Conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.in season; usually the breeding season is declared as the closed season when wildlife species are protected by law. permit. baiting a field while hunting quail or other animals, using spotlights to stun or paralyze deer, or hunting from a moving vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft). Endangered Species Act for the USA or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and similar laws/treaties. cattle rustling"), not poaching. is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international

Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.

Possession of stolen goods - Corals collected Illegal

In the U.S. and most other countries, if the individual knew the goods were stolen then it is usually prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on value of stolen goods. If an individual knows about themselves having possession of stolen goods from another state, then, according to numerous federal laws, it is prosecuted as a federal crime. If the individual didn't know the goods were stolen, then the goods are returned to the owner and the individual is not prosecuted. Though there are often exceptions, because it is not easy to prove or disprove simple knowledge.

The poacher does not possess a valid license

The poacher is illegally selling the animal or animal parts or plant for a profit. (THIS INCLUDES CRAIG'S LIST OR E-BAY)

The animal is being hunted outside of legal hours.

The hunter used an illegal weapon for that animal.

The animal or plant is on restricted land.

The right to hunt this animal is claimed by somebody.

The type of bait is inhumane. (food unsuitable for an animal's health, i.e. peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, spaghetti, etc.)

The means used are illegal (for example, baiting a field while hunting quail or other animals, using spotlights to stun or paralyze deer, or hunting from a moving vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft).

The animal or plant is protected by law or that it has been listed as extinct or endangered

The animal or plant has been tagged by a researcher.

Note that only wild animals can be poached. Stealing or killing domestic animals is considered to be theft ("Possession of stolen goods)

possession

n. 1) any article, object, asset or property which one owns, occupies, holds or has under control. 2) the act of owning, occupying, holding or having under control an article, object, asset or property. "Constructive possession" involves property which is not immediately held, but which one has the right to hold and the means to get (such as a key to a storeroom or safe deposit box). "Criminal possession" is the holding of property which it is illegal to possess such as controlled narcotics, stolen goods or liquor by a juvenile. The old adage "possession is nine-tenths of the law" is a rule of force and not of law, since ownership requires the right to possess as well as actual or constructive possession.

possess
v. to own, have title to, occupy, physically hold or have under exclusive control.

Results from April's Poll:

Where do you get your water?

TAP 15.38% - R/O UNIT 33.33% - STORE 46.15% - OTHER 5.13%

We take making our water we sell very serious. We place importance on starting with GOOD water. We also understand millions of creatures lives depend on it. Tap water is NOT good enough for saltwater creatures. You may get by with it for awhile, BUT it will CRASH! Inverts will die as well as corals. City water has many contaminates in it as can well water. If you do use well water have your water tested BEFORE you give it to your pets.

Are Bangaii Cardinals saltwater guppies?

YES 13.46 - NO 86.54%

No brain-er! Most of you got it. Of course not. Although they may multiply like them (if you breed them properly) the babies come from opposite ends. They look nothing like them nor behave like them either.

Does the fish only grow to the size of the tank?

YES 8.93% - NO 91.07%

Another no brain-er! Most of you are listening. NO, they do not. It may stunt their growth. They may die before they get full grown, BUT they will continue to grow to their full size if you can keep the alive long enough.

How do you vote?

MY BELIEFS 90.00% - FOR US OR AGAINST US 6.67% - HOW IT EFFECTS ME OR MY WALLET 3.33%

Most of our beliefs come from what we experience, what we were told, or what we are taught. Some of us will believe anything and others nothing. As for the other 10%, God help'em.

MARCH'S RESULT TOTALS:

Should LARGE sharks be sold in "Pet Stores"? 92.86% says no and 7.14% says yes. The answer is NO!

There are no rehabilitation programs, the Aquariums won't take them and it is a FEDERAL offense to re-release them. So what are you going to do with any creature in your home that gets 12 - 14 feet and up to 800 lbs.?

Should Fish have living rights? 89.13% say YES and 10.87% says no. The answer is YES!

ALL living creatures have a right to exists. They were put on the earth for a reason. Whether you believe in GOD or not. Everything and everybody has or at least should have a right to live with decency and with respect!

Is the Bay Foundation Doing Their Job? 85.71% say no and 14.29% say Yes. The answer is NO!

A no brain-er. If they were doing their jobs the Bay would not be in the shape it is in today. If they practice what they preach it would only need to be monitoring it not watching it get worse. For almost 40 years' people have been funding salaries, and don't forget a brand new building. All of us pay, by the Millions (maybe BILLIONS) of dollars in government grants (TARP, EAR MARKS) they received to clean it. Funding their programs to raise more money? Misusing the funds they do get and EVERYBODY pays for it.

http://www.wusa9.com/news/living_green_now/story.aspx?storyid=97043

Do Fish Have FEELINGS? 87.50% say yes and 12.50% say no. The answer is YES!

The most controversial subject between scientists. There is actually proof that they do. (No matter their I.Q.) Read the article and do some research.