Day 212: New Pictures, Video, Fish, Coral, Water Tests, & Questions

dutchswan

dutchswan

Member
Hello Everyone!
It has been a while since I have been back to SWF, so I thought I would poke in to offer an update on the progress of my reef aquarium, including before & after pictures, and maybe ask a few questions. Before I go off on a tangent, a reminder of my setup and animals are reflected below (Pictures are at the bottom!)
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Tank: 47 Gallon Column (20Lx18Wx30H)
Filtration: Marineland H.O.T. Magnum 250 (Previously used an Emperor 400)
Protein Skimmer: "BAK PAK"
Live Sand: Nature's Ocean Live Aragonite Reef Sand (40Lbs)
Other Sand: Non-live Reef Sand (20Lbs)
Live Rock: 19 Melon sized cultured Fiji Live Rock
Lighting: 150W 14,000K Clip-on Metal Halide
Water Pump: 4.5W 750 GPH Koralia
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
Phosphate: 0
pH: 8.4
Calcium: 400ppm
KH: 125.3ppm
Gravity: 1.0215
Temperature:
Fish:
1 Coral Beauty
1 Ocellaris Clown
1 Cardinal
Coral:
Several Anthelia Colonies (1st Colony added on Day 64)
1 Zoanthid Frag (added on Day 204)
1 Alevopora -or- Gonipora? (added on Day 204)
Inverts:
2 Red Leg Hermit Crab
1 Blue Leg Hermit Crab (Hitchhiker)
1 Peppermint Shrimp
2 Turbo Snails
1 Astrea Snail
Hitchhikers:
Several Feather Dusters
Several Stomatella Snails (Black & White)
Several Brislte Worms
Several Asternia Stars
Pests:
Bubble Algae
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A brief Update: My tank went a while without a lot of attention due to the birth to our new son on in August (http://www.vanwyk.net/baby), and being without a nanny for a while. From late August through late December, I made sure all of my aquarium inhabitants were fed, but the tank itself got away from me a little. I had hard green algae all over the tank, and did not perform a water change (or even a water test) for over three months. I watched the health of my fish or Anthelia to gauge if I needed to make any changes, but everyone seemed content. I did lose a couple of hermit crabs, but I have no idea why they died.
We hired a new Nanny late November, and our lives started to return to normal after Christmas. After 3 1/2 hours of hard work with a razor blade, I returned my tank to its original condition right around the new year. My tank is on the edge of a platform in my office which ajoins the master bedroom (viewable from all sides). I got tired of my Emperor 400 taking up a whole side, causing my protein skimmer to be an eye sore on the other side (viewable from the bedroom) so I changed it out this week with the H.O.T. Magnum 250; allowing the filter and skimmer to occupy the side that is viewed less often.
My two largest red legged hermit crabs died last week, and I have no idea why they died. It was similar to when two others died last fall...I just walked in and saw them out of their shells dead on the sand bed. I also added 2 coral frags this week, and am trying to find a new home for the original antheilia colony and the large rock they came on (it has spread very well to my embedded life rock). I am sure the zoo frag I added will do fine, but should have done more research before buying the Alevopora. Now that I am learning about them after the fact, it appears most believe its life expectancy in captivity will be limited to about a year. :-| Any pointers in how to increase its longevity is greatly appreciated!
Question 1: Any concerns about my Nitrate level being at 5? 5 and 10 on the color card are VERY close so it could be 10, but it seemed just a tad closer to the 5.
Question 2: My calcium is finally up to 400 all on its own. I do not add any suppliments to the tank. However, my KH is only 125ppm. Is this too low?
Question 3: Any idea why my hermit crabs keep kicking the bucket?
Question 4: Considering my current stock of fish, what other fish might compliment the DT?
Question 5: Why is my Clown such a bully? Whenever I put my hand in the tank, he/she immediately swims up and bites me. It doesn't hurt, but my mind expects it to, so it is still irritating. I also noticed him taking nips at the Alevorpora when I had it on the sand at the bottom of the tank. Since I have moved it to the top level rock (~9" from water surface), he seems to be leaving it alone. It spent most of its time retracted all the way when it was on the bottom, but now it is starting to come out more.
Question 6: How do I keep my sand cleaner? Between the fish poo and algae growth, the sand is FAR from pristine. Should I vacuum it up (an advertised capability of my new filter when connected to a hose), or will a particular type of fish keep it sparkly clean?
Question 7: Is what is pictured below a Alevopora or Gonipora ??/////
A final thought: My cardinal is a boring fish...I wish I hadn't bought him. My Coral Beauty is the coolest fish ever, He swims all over the place, in and out of rock, and was a great investment! The clown is good to, except that he bites me, though he doesn't bother the other two fish.




t="zoofrag01.jpg" src="https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/data/2/25/25457693_zoofrag01.jpg
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
my clown nips at me too but has never shown any aggression at all to the YT or the sixline in the tank.
He only nips when I'm crubbing the glass up and down from the inside.
 
ecooper

ecooper

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchswan http:///forum/thread/383377/day-212-new-pictures-video-fish-coral-water-tests-questions#post_3352626
Question 1: Any concerns about my Nitrate level being at 5? 5 and 10 on the color card are VERY close so it could be 10, but it seemed just a tad closer to the 5.
Question 2: My calcium is finally up to 400 all on its own. I do not add any suppliments to the tank. However, my KH is only 125ppm. Is this too low?
Question 3: Any idea why my hermit crabs keep kicking the bucket?
Question 4: Considering my current stock of fish, what other fish might compliment the DT?
Question 5: Why is my Clown such a bully? Whenever I put my hand in the tank, he/she immediately swims up and bites me. It doesn't hurt, but my mind expects it to, so it is still irritating. I also noticed him taking nips at the Alevorpora when I had it on the sand at the bottom of the tank. Since I have moved it to the top level rock (~9" from water surface), he seems to be leaving it alone. It spent most of its time retracted all the way when it was on the bottom, but now it is starting to come out more.
Question 6: How do I keep my sand cleaner? Between the fish poo and algae growth, the sand is FAR from pristine. Should I vacuum it up (an advertised capability of my new filter when connected to a hose), or will a particular type of fish keep it sparkly clean?
Question 7: Is what is pictured below a Alevopora or Gonipora ??/////
A final thought: My cardinal is a boring fish...I wish I hadn't bought him. My Coral Beauty is the coolest fish ever, He swims all over the place, in and out of rock, and was a great investment! The clown is good to, except that he bites me, though he doesn't bother the other two fish.
Hi. The tank is looking good! That CB has some really nice color (also one of my favorite fish). Sorry you don't like the bangai; I think they're gorgeous. All of my clowns nip at me (I have 2 maroons in a 75 and two perculas in my biocube), but it's because they've learned the had means food. The only one I don't feed by hand any more is the big maroon; she's big enough I can see teeth now. For the sand, you could get some sand-sifting snails (nassarius - but not sure if that's spelled correctly). But, I wonder if you have enough flow at the bottom of the tank. I also have a Bak Pak skimmer and know there's not a lot of water movement there. The Korali is a nice size, but it's high. With that type of tank shape, I just don't know there's enough movement at the bottom. Just my thought. Good luck!
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Definitely get some nassarius snails....some cerith too.....and I also think you need another powerhead,....get one on the opposite side of the tank then the other PH and place it much lower
 
dutchswan

dutchswan

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ecooper http:///forum/thread/383377/day-212-new-pictures-video-fish-coral-water-tests-questions#post_3353198
Hi. The tank is looking good! That CB has some really nice color (also one of my favorite fish). Sorry you don't like the bangai; I think they're gorgeous. All of my clowns nip at me (I have 2 maroons in a 75 and two perculas in my biocube), but it's because they've learned the had means food. The only one I don't feed by hand any more is the big maroon; she's big enough I can see teeth now. For the sand, you could get some sand-sifting snails (nassarius - but not sure if that's spelled correctly). But, I wonder if you have enough flow at the bottom of the tank. I also have a Bak Pak skimmer and know there's not a lot of water movement there. The Korali is a nice size, but it's high. With that type of tank shape, I just don't know there's enough movement at the bottom. Just my thought. Good luck!
Don't get me wrong, the Cardinal (Bangai?) is an attractive fish, he is just not a very interesting fish. He seems like he is a small fish in an aquarium whereas the clown and CB seem like they are in their natural habitat...graceful and with personality, swimming around the tank; in and out of the rock (well the CB mostly does that). The Cardinal just sits their stationary unless it is feeding time. Then his movements are "darting" and, well, just not very interesting.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchswan http:///forum/thread/383377/day-212-new-pictures-video-fish-coral-water-tests-questions#post_3352626
Question 1: Any concerns about my Nitrate level being at 5? 5 and 10 on the color card are VERY close so it could be 10, but it seemed just a tad closer to the 5. Nothing to worry about. Of course, we all strive for 0ppm, but in reality, many of us don't reach it. Unless you're getting into serious SPS keeping, I see know issues with 5-10ppm nitrates. IMHO, anything under 20 is fine.
Question 2: My calcium is finally up to 400 all on its own. I do not add any suppliments to the tank. However, my KH is only 125ppm. Is this too low? I honestly do not know the numbers off the top of my head so I can't comment right now. I'm in the car on my phone.
Question 3: Any idea why my hermit crabs keep kicking the bucket? Does seem a little odd. Maybe there isn't enough algae for them? Just a thought though. I can't keep Red Legged Hermits alive for long periods of time either. You'd be better suited with snails anyways.
Question 4: Considering my current stock of fish, what other fish might compliment the DT? Quite a lot of possibilities out there. A flasher or fairy wrasse would be a great addition, An Orchid Dottyback, a firefish, a basslet (royal gramma, chalk, black cap). I definitely recommend a blenny, they have great personalities, for your size tank, I'd look into a BiColor Blenny. Those are just some quick ideas that popped into my head.
Question 5: Why is my Clown such a bully? Whenever I put my hand in the tank, he/she immediately swims up and bites me. It doesn't hurt, but my mind expects it to, so it is still irritating. I also noticed him taking nips at the Alevorpora when I had it on the sand at the bottom of the tank. Since I have moved it to the top level rock (~9" from water surface), he seems to be leaving it alone. It spent most of its time retracted all the way when it was on the bottom, but now it is starting to come out more. Many clowns are this way. I trained mine to fear the hand. They would bite all the time, so I started keeping a fish net next to my hand while working in the tank, and if they got too close, I chased them away with the new. After a few weeks, they learned not to go near my hand. Also, try feeding on the opposite side of the tank as your hand (harder to do in smaller tanks). From my experience, clowns are less aggressive towards humans when they are in pairs and when they have an anemone, definitely things to consider down the road.
Question 6: How do I keep my sand cleaner? Between the fish poo and algae growth, the sand is FAR from pristine. Should I vacuum it up (an advertised capability of my new filter when connected to a hose), or will a particular type of fish keep it sparkly clean? I think you might need another powerhead down further in your tank. I agree that there is not enough water movement on the bottom of the tank. With that said, you need some nassarius and cerith snails. I know some people don't like sand sifting fish, but a small Yellow Watchmen Goby or something similar would help a little.
Question 7: Is what is pictured below a Alevopora or Gonipora Goniopora ??/////
A final thought: My cardinal is a boring fish...I wish I hadn't bought him. My Coral Beauty is the coolest fish ever, He swims all over the place, in and out of rock, and was a great investment! The clown is good to, except that he bites me, though he doesn't bother the other two fish. I'm not a cardinal fan either, but my three do swim around together at night, and a like that there is movement in the tank at night.
 
dutchswan

dutchswan

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/383377/day-212-new-pictures-video-fish-coral-water-tests-questions#post_3353202
Definitely get some nassarius snails....some cerith too.....and I also think you need another powerhead,....get one on the opposite side of the tank then the other PH and place it much lower
You really think so regarding the PH? The 750gph PH at the top creates a sort of "cyclone" affect. While there is obviously more current the closer you get to the PH, the Anthelia at the bottom still sway quite a bit. In fact, the HOT Mangnum 250 (which I just packaged back up to exchange for an Emperor 280) also acted as a sort of PH. I tried pointing the outflow of the HOT Magnum so that it was not TOO turbulent and ended up pointing it directly at the other PH so as to cancel some of the flow out. The aleopora clearly did not enjoy the extra current. I suppose another getting another PH does not mean I have to get another 750gph...perhaps just a smaller one. I'll figure it out eventually. :-/
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
YES, definitely think you would benefit from another PH, and I don;t think a 750 is too big, you just have to position them right
 
dutchswan

dutchswan

Member
armpit to fingertip I must be about 28" long....my 30" tall tank is a ... pain ... to reach the bottom. Imagine a grown man standing on the edge of the platform with one leg, the other leg on a roller chair, armpit hung over the edge of the tank trying to move things with fingertips; all while my clown takes cheap shots at my arm. heh. The Emperor 280 is about $30 less than the HOT Mangnum 250 I am bringing back....maybe ill get a PH with the difference. :)
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I always though that banggai cardinals were a schooling fish, maybe he/she is just lonely, just my $0.02. Your tank looks nice, thatnks for sharing.
 
D

dertotschlager

Guest
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by dertotschlager http:///forum/thread/383377/day-212-new-pictures-video-fish-coral-water-tests-questions#post_3354239
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/383377/day-212-new-pictures-video-fish-coral-water-tests-questions#post_3353224
I always though that banggai cardinals were a schooling fish, maybe he/she is just lonely, just my $0.02. Your tank looks nice, thatnks for sharing.
Banggai Cardinals are not schooling fish. They can be kept in proven pairs. If you keep them in groups a Proven pair in that group will kill the rest (speaking from experience)
Agreed. They're not supposed to be kept in large groups like PJ's can be.
 
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