Building my 56 gallon Column reef tank
- Thread starter monsinour
- Start date
kiefers
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/620#post_3339352
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/620#post_3339334
So, let me ask this then. What kind of starfish can I have in my tank? Will a choco chip star be ok in my tank? What about that orange/red one that was in the photo contest?
Those are not reef safe stars.
A froma is a nice little sea star but it needs a very, very mature tank and yours has not been established long enough. all the stars need mature tanks except the serpent and brittles.
I have never ever had any problems with serpent stars. They move like an octopus, really cool to watch on the rare occasions they come out. A small chunk of raw shrimp once a month put out in the open after lights out under moonlights...and they will come out and put on a show.
EDIT: the red knobby starfish is in my book as not reef safe, but I have had them in my reef without a problem before... so maybe when they get bigger
you mean the general or tile star? If you keep them well fed and happy they will sometimes leave you reef alone. My experience.
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/620#post_3339352
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/620#post_3339334
So, let me ask this then. What kind of starfish can I have in my tank? Will a choco chip star be ok in my tank? What about that orange/red one that was in the photo contest?
Those are not reef safe stars.
A froma is a nice little sea star but it needs a very, very mature tank and yours has not been established long enough. all the stars need mature tanks except the serpent and brittles.
I have never ever had any problems with serpent stars. They move like an octopus, really cool to watch on the rare occasions they come out. A small chunk of raw shrimp once a month put out in the open after lights out under moonlights...and they will come out and put on a show.
EDIT: the red knobby starfish is in my book as not reef safe, but I have had them in my reef without a problem before... so maybe when they get bigger
you mean the general or tile star? If you keep them well fed and happy they will sometimes leave you reef alone. My experience.
monsinour
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3356759
Very nice!
We want a pair of Firefish, as soon as we banish the 2 Chromis back to the LFS.
Does any of your other fish mess with the PFF? I'm a little worried about our Sixline being an a$$.
Well, this is PFF #2 in our tank. The yellow brittle star ate the first one we believe. The first one was larger than this one and didnt really get picked on all that much. First day or 2 there was the usual, "this is my space, gtfo" but beyond that nothing. With this one, which is much much smaller than the original, there has been noticable picking still. First few days it was open season on the little guy. Now the only thing that pics is the McCroskers wrasse. But he is an @$$ in the perfect definition of @$$. He is the largest fish in the tank, for now, and picks on everything. The Orchid that we have picks on occasion, but that is just around feeding time. The PFF gets its share of the food and doesnt show any ill effects of the picking. I am thinking that once the territory struggle has been settled, everyone will get along. Currently in the tank fish wise are
2x nemos
2x PJs
1x McCroskers
1x Royal Gramma
1x Orchid
1x PFF (should be in the tank with odd #s is what I read. so if you want 2, might have to get 3 to prevent fighting.)
Future fish are
1x One Spot Blenny (should be arriving at the LFS this week but the weather scares me)
1x Coral Beauty / Flame Angel
1x Blue Mandarin
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3356759
Very nice!
We want a pair of Firefish, as soon as we banish the 2 Chromis back to the LFS.
Does any of your other fish mess with the PFF? I'm a little worried about our Sixline being an a$$.
Well, this is PFF #2 in our tank. The yellow brittle star ate the first one we believe. The first one was larger than this one and didnt really get picked on all that much. First day or 2 there was the usual, "this is my space, gtfo" but beyond that nothing. With this one, which is much much smaller than the original, there has been noticable picking still. First few days it was open season on the little guy. Now the only thing that pics is the McCroskers wrasse. But he is an @$$ in the perfect definition of @$$. He is the largest fish in the tank, for now, and picks on everything. The Orchid that we have picks on occasion, but that is just around feeding time. The PFF gets its share of the food and doesnt show any ill effects of the picking. I am thinking that once the territory struggle has been settled, everyone will get along. Currently in the tank fish wise are
2x nemos
2x PJs
1x McCroskers
1x Royal Gramma
1x Orchid
1x PFF (should be in the tank with odd #s is what I read. so if you want 2, might have to get 3 to prevent fighting.)
Future fish are
1x One Spot Blenny (should be arriving at the LFS this week but the weather scares me)
1x Coral Beauty / Flame Angel
1x Blue Mandarin
slice
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3356762
1x PFF (should be in the tank with odd #s is what I read. so if you want 2, might have to get 3 to prevent fighting.)
I've read the same for the purple variety, but the regular firefish gobies like to be in pairs, according to all I've read, including the SWF description, so I think we will be OK.
Thanks for looking out for me though!
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3356762
1x PFF (should be in the tank with odd #s is what I read. so if you want 2, might have to get 3 to prevent fighting.)
I've read the same for the purple variety, but the regular firefish gobies like to be in pairs, according to all I've read, including the SWF description, so I think we will be OK.
Thanks for looking out for me though!
monsinour
Active Member
Been a while since I updated this thread so here goes.
THe LFS has not received the one spot blenny and the algea continues to grow. The stuff on the bottom corner is still there, but in one spot it is gone on the rock. The seal rock still has some on it. The 3 trochus snails are cleaning machines and the 4 nassis put on a good show at feeding time. I like to play the theme to "dawn of the dead" in my mind when they pop out of the sand. All the fish are getting along just fine with the normal qubbling over food. I am up to a full cube of mysis for the night feeding and what the fish dont eat, very very little, the shrimp and snails greedily snap up. Adding the plankton like stuff seems to have benefited all the coral in the tank as the 2 gorgs that sprouted new growth have really taken off. I hate to say it but the little 2 headed frag that I made earlier was taken off the plug by my urchin. I have no idea where it landed in the tank and I havent been able to locate it. How bad is it if I cant find those 2 heads? On to the pretty pictures.
I have a new "bonsi tree" in the works
I also have new red stalks of algea coming up next to the flakey like stuff
I have a new section of the red bubble algea growing. I am probably going to take these pieces off of the rock and take it with me to the monthy meeting for my local club as I know there will be people who want it. I have a few places on the rocks with 1 or 2 bubbles forming so I know I will have new pieces soon.
If you have never seen the underside of an urchin, just look below. The pic after it is a size reference. When this guy hitched on my rock, it was barely bigger than a quarter for the body. Now the body is almost as big as my power head.
Here is one of the gorgs with its new growth. The new branch is almost as big as the original piece.
And here is a pic of my hammer coral. Its on the bottom of the tank along the side. It appears to be getting decent flow and appears to be happy.
and if you have a dog, and you want to be creative with its hair cut, by all means experiment
THe LFS has not received the one spot blenny and the algea continues to grow. The stuff on the bottom corner is still there, but in one spot it is gone on the rock. The seal rock still has some on it. The 3 trochus snails are cleaning machines and the 4 nassis put on a good show at feeding time. I like to play the theme to "dawn of the dead" in my mind when they pop out of the sand. All the fish are getting along just fine with the normal qubbling over food. I am up to a full cube of mysis for the night feeding and what the fish dont eat, very very little, the shrimp and snails greedily snap up. Adding the plankton like stuff seems to have benefited all the coral in the tank as the 2 gorgs that sprouted new growth have really taken off. I hate to say it but the little 2 headed frag that I made earlier was taken off the plug by my urchin. I have no idea where it landed in the tank and I havent been able to locate it. How bad is it if I cant find those 2 heads? On to the pretty pictures.
I have a new "bonsi tree" in the works
I also have new red stalks of algea coming up next to the flakey like stuff
I have a new section of the red bubble algea growing. I am probably going to take these pieces off of the rock and take it with me to the monthy meeting for my local club as I know there will be people who want it. I have a few places on the rocks with 1 or 2 bubbles forming so I know I will have new pieces soon.
If you have never seen the underside of an urchin, just look below. The pic after it is a size reference. When this guy hitched on my rock, it was barely bigger than a quarter for the body. Now the body is almost as big as my power head.
Here is one of the gorgs with its new growth. The new branch is almost as big as the original piece.
And here is a pic of my hammer coral. Its on the bottom of the tank along the side. It appears to be getting decent flow and appears to be happy.
and if you have a dog, and you want to be creative with its hair cut, by all means experiment
monsinour
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3361106
Great pics. I'm still ridiculously jealous of the algae you have! If you lived closer I'd rob your tank, LOL.
I told you the trochus snails would be worth it!
That urchin is HUGE! Are we still sure it's a purple urchin, mine is not that big and is much older than yours.
Come to the meeting this month for CDMAS as I will be bringing some of the red bubbles to give away. PM me if you dont know where its at. I also think that I might have to "chop" down the original "bonsi tree" as it's support doesnt hold it off of the rock anymore. I might have to find a way to remove some of the 'leaves' to make the top lighter to allow the 'trunk' to support it. The red stalky stuff grows really fast and in about a month, I will have to cut some of it out and give it away too. When the lights come on tomorrow, I will take a shot of the urchin from the top.
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3361106
Great pics. I'm still ridiculously jealous of the algae you have! If you lived closer I'd rob your tank, LOL.
I told you the trochus snails would be worth it!
That urchin is HUGE! Are we still sure it's a purple urchin, mine is not that big and is much older than yours.
Come to the meeting this month for CDMAS as I will be bringing some of the red bubbles to give away. PM me if you dont know where its at. I also think that I might have to "chop" down the original "bonsi tree" as it's support doesnt hold it off of the rock anymore. I might have to find a way to remove some of the 'leaves' to make the top lighter to allow the 'trunk' to support it. The red stalky stuff grows really fast and in about a month, I will have to cut some of it out and give it away too. When the lights come on tomorrow, I will take a shot of the urchin from the top.
mylady
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3361114
Everything is looking good.....poor doggie
LOL
What's wrong with the doggie? She is 14 years old and was a matted mess before I groomed her. I figured even at 14 she still needed a little pizazz! She's sporting a little rhinestone feather bow though it's hard to see the bling in that picture. With the old dogs I do clean and comfy and don't worry about perfection. How come everyone always feels sorry for the dogs and no one ever says "poor groomer"? LOL
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3361114
Everything is looking good.....poor doggie
LOLWhat's wrong with the doggie? She is 14 years old and was a matted mess before I groomed her. I figured even at 14 she still needed a little pizazz! She's sporting a little rhinestone feather bow though it's hard to see the bling in that picture. With the old dogs I do clean and comfy and don't worry about perfection. How come everyone always feels sorry for the dogs and no one ever says "poor groomer"? LOL
monsinour
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3361136
Looking good! I am also jealous of the algae you have!
Where at in Jersey? Maybe we can meet up sometime and I can get you some. If its 2 day ground, maybe ship you some. Can algea go on a 2 day shipping experience?
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/380344/building-my-56-gallon-column-reef-tank/780#post_3361136
Looking good! I am also jealous of the algae you have!
Where at in Jersey? Maybe we can meet up sometime and I can get you some. If its 2 day ground, maybe ship you some. Can algea go on a 2 day shipping experience?