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Community Corner

VIDEO: DIY Saltwater Aquarium

Discovery Aquatics owner Clint Anderson has been tending to fish tanks for more than 15 years.

Editor's Note: Ask Me Anything runs every Wednesday.  Know an expert in Minnetonka who's got some secrets of his/her craft to share? Let us know.

So, here's your conundrum.

Ever since your 3-year-old watched "Finding Nemo" at daycare, he's wanted  an aquarium.

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Rather than grabbing a goldfish from the local superstore, why not do it up right? 

Clint Anderson of Discovery Aquatics walks us through the steps of starting a new, saltwater aquarium. 

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Part of a small niche of stores that cater to saltwater tank owners' needs, Anderson recognizes the importance of owning a saltwater tank, particularly when it comes to the coral you can grow, along with providing a solid home for your little clown fish. 

"There are so many you can get," he said. "And it's kind of neat. You can grow out these coral in the tank, and there are varieties you can't get in nature anymore. So you can repopulate the species in a way that keeps them from going extinct." 

Few things sparked an interest in saltwater aquariums like the previously mentioned Pixar classic.

He said the interest keeps shop owners busy.  

"There are a few of us that cater to everybody's needs as best we can," Anderson said.

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On Mondays, Patch runs 'Fish Out of Water,' where our Minnetonka editor tries her hand at different jobs in the west metro.  Tuesdays feature 'Superstar Next Door'—a video segment highlighting notable athletes and teams in community sports leagues. Wednesdays have the 'Ask Me Anything' segment where local experts show us what they do and how they do it. And finally on Thursdays, Patch features 'Order Up!' which introduces us to the personalities in the kitchen of a local restaurant.

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