snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Wow. Glad to hear that you are doing ok. Keep that medication going! I know scratched eyes hurt like heck!!!
Help with a rebuild!
- Thread starter rlablan
- Start date
rlablan
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/40#post_3489082
Hi,
The tank looks GOOD. I really like the look of the rock work, you have lots of negative space on the sand. I think it looks very cool, and it gives you a good amount of space for corals that like to be on the sand.
The shelves and baskets in the cabinet are genus!! Very handy dandy.
As for the fuge.. I would pack that baby full of LR rubble (this is if you are not doing macro's). It will give the pods lots of places to multiply. I am not touching that mud question. You and Flower both have made some good points. So time will tell, I guess on this one.
Good luck with the livestock you have coming in. Besides the mandarine what else do you have coming??
Thanks Vest! I was going for a more open sand bed. There is also something about seeing a fish swim through a rock arch or under a rock ledge that is awe inspiring to me, even if it is in the tank. I wanted to have that feeling in my tank but I was also struggling with keeping the sanded open. I really like the open, clean sand.
I am quite impressed with those baskets. Keeps the cabinet really organized which is great because I like everything to have a place to be stored, not like in a pile somewhere.
I do have a small area of dried shells that I put in the first chamber but I only had one large piece of LR to add in there. I will pick up some rubble and fill the whole thing up. I think that's a good idea, now that you mention it.
In the order, I got
1 purple fire fish
1 small rock beauty angel fish
1 mandarin (green)
1 maroon and white feather duster
1 orange tube anemone (which they didn't send due to "species availability", says they'll send it within 2 weeks
)
1 citron clown goby
Everyone seems to be doing okay... now. I removed the 2 damsels that I had in the tank because up until adding these new fish, the two damsels have always been great. They were friendly and never harmed other fish, or myself. Originally, when I removed all the fish to change the tank around, I thought to myself " I shouldn't put these damsels back in... If they become mean, I will regret putting them in and they'll be so hard to remove.
Thankfully, They didn't take long to remove. About 15 minutes for both, and I didn't have to move a single rock. Just call me the Queen of damsel removal.
I am so impressed with myself. It was so quick and painless. I figured after all the horror stories I've heard... But I have learned. No more damsels for me... I enjoyed these guys. when there were 3, they were fine. Maybe they paired up or something.
Everyone is pretty mobile. There are pods all over the DT glass and tons in the fuge. I bought another bottle the other day, just to be sure. I will get another this weekend. I added a small amount to the DT when the lights are out, and add the rest to the fuge and leave it off for about an hour.
This weekend, I was thinking something like live amphipods or something like reef stew and add that to the fuge. Will they eat all the pods? Should I add these critters? What do ya'll think?
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/40#post_3489082
Hi,
The tank looks GOOD. I really like the look of the rock work, you have lots of negative space on the sand. I think it looks very cool, and it gives you a good amount of space for corals that like to be on the sand.
The shelves and baskets in the cabinet are genus!! Very handy dandy.
As for the fuge.. I would pack that baby full of LR rubble (this is if you are not doing macro's). It will give the pods lots of places to multiply. I am not touching that mud question. You and Flower both have made some good points. So time will tell, I guess on this one.
Good luck with the livestock you have coming in. Besides the mandarine what else do you have coming??
Thanks Vest! I was going for a more open sand bed. There is also something about seeing a fish swim through a rock arch or under a rock ledge that is awe inspiring to me, even if it is in the tank. I wanted to have that feeling in my tank but I was also struggling with keeping the sanded open. I really like the open, clean sand.
I am quite impressed with those baskets. Keeps the cabinet really organized which is great because I like everything to have a place to be stored, not like in a pile somewhere.
I do have a small area of dried shells that I put in the first chamber but I only had one large piece of LR to add in there. I will pick up some rubble and fill the whole thing up. I think that's a good idea, now that you mention it.
In the order, I got
1 purple fire fish
1 small rock beauty angel fish
1 mandarin (green)
1 maroon and white feather duster
1 orange tube anemone (which they didn't send due to "species availability", says they'll send it within 2 weeks
1 citron clown goby
Everyone seems to be doing okay... now. I removed the 2 damsels that I had in the tank because up until adding these new fish, the two damsels have always been great. They were friendly and never harmed other fish, or myself. Originally, when I removed all the fish to change the tank around, I thought to myself " I shouldn't put these damsels back in... If they become mean, I will regret putting them in and they'll be so hard to remove.
Thankfully, They didn't take long to remove. About 15 minutes for both, and I didn't have to move a single rock. Just call me the Queen of damsel removal.
Everyone is pretty mobile. There are pods all over the DT glass and tons in the fuge. I bought another bottle the other day, just to be sure. I will get another this weekend. I added a small amount to the DT when the lights are out, and add the rest to the fuge and leave it off for about an hour.
This weekend, I was thinking something like live amphipods or something like reef stew and add that to the fuge. Will they eat all the pods? Should I add these critters? What do ya'll think?
rlablan
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/60#post_3489375
Wow. Glad to hear that you are doing ok. Keep that medication going! I know scratched eyes hurt like heck!!!
Thanks snake.
Very nice of you. I am doing better and the doc said it healed really quick and I was doing much better than she expected.
I was actually on my way home from the fish store. I drove down there to turn into the damsels I removed from the tank. My eye felt fine but it was rainy and cloudy all day. Upon going into the fish store, I had a burning sensation and then when I left, it was suddenly sunny outside. My eyeball FLIPPED OUT. I drove home as quick as I could but OMG... I thank God I am safe. I could barely see and I was practically doubled over in pain. Oh man... That pain is like nothing I have ever felt. I can't imagine anything worse. Within two hours of all this, I was shaking from the pain and Going to the doctor, I couldn't even open my eye... ugh. Awful.
Don't sleep with your contacts people! Learn from my stupid mistake. This is not something you want to experience.
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/60#post_3489375
Wow. Glad to hear that you are doing ok. Keep that medication going! I know scratched eyes hurt like heck!!!
Thanks snake.
Very nice of you. I am doing better and the doc said it healed really quick and I was doing much better than she expected. I was actually on my way home from the fish store. I drove down there to turn into the damsels I removed from the tank. My eye felt fine but it was rainy and cloudy all day. Upon going into the fish store, I had a burning sensation and then when I left, it was suddenly sunny outside. My eyeball FLIPPED OUT. I drove home as quick as I could but OMG... I thank God I am safe. I could barely see and I was practically doubled over in pain. Oh man... That pain is like nothing I have ever felt. I can't imagine anything worse. Within two hours of all this, I was shaking from the pain and Going to the doctor, I couldn't even open my eye... ugh. Awful.
Don't sleep with your contacts people! Learn from my stupid mistake. This is not something you want to experience.
rlablan
Active Member
As far as CUC members, I don't have any at this point, except for a 1in sand sifting starfish.
I removed the 3 or 4 crabs I had left in the tank and I found maybe 5 various snails. They are all living in the 30 gallon now. There isn't much for them to eat in this tank at this point, since I scrubbed the rock clean. The sand is staying clean, thanks to the star. Other than that, there are a few of those asterina stars or whatever they are.
I am feeding the tank very little... but the skimmer is pulling out a TON of stuff, probably due to its recent overhaul and cleaning. I am really please with that. My only complaint would be that it's become incredibly hard to adjust. It's sort of like if its a hair over in either direction... it's over flowing out of the cup within 5 seconds. I just have to watch it and if I do, them it's totally fine.
I was thinking of adding some CUC members, now that there is a heavier bioload on the tank but I don't really know what I want or need yet. I figure when I see a need for something, I'll get it. My biggest thing seems to be something to keep the sand clean. The star is doing a great job and the angel is picking at the rock all over the place, along with my blenny. Things are good. Hope they stay that way!
Current stock list:
1 Starry blenny
1 small clown
1 purple fire fish
1 mandarin
1 small (2in) rock beauty angelfish
1 very small citron clown goby
1 yellow watchmen goby
1 randalls goby
1 fireshrimp
1 small feather duster
1 sand star
2 colonies of xenia (1 large, 1 medium)
2 mini fungia plates (1 neon orange, 1 mint green striped)
1 softball sized colony of galaxia
1 toadstool leather (Which has grown about 2 inches in the last 3 nights. Every morning it's bigger!!
no complaints)
I think next, I would like maybe a lined wrasse? Something that stays small, is free swimming and peaceful.
Side note, Man, I sure miss my long nose hawk... kinda was thinking another one of those. I really want personality and peaceful as the theme for this reef tank. Lots of color... probably mostly movement from the corals, rather than the fish. Also, I would like to try a pearly head jawfish but I have never had luck with those in the past. They're super happy for 2 weeks or so and then they just disappear. What do you guys think? suggestions for small fish that I am missing out on?
I removed the 3 or 4 crabs I had left in the tank and I found maybe 5 various snails. They are all living in the 30 gallon now. There isn't much for them to eat in this tank at this point, since I scrubbed the rock clean. The sand is staying clean, thanks to the star. Other than that, there are a few of those asterina stars or whatever they are.
I am feeding the tank very little... but the skimmer is pulling out a TON of stuff, probably due to its recent overhaul and cleaning. I am really please with that. My only complaint would be that it's become incredibly hard to adjust. It's sort of like if its a hair over in either direction... it's over flowing out of the cup within 5 seconds. I just have to watch it and if I do, them it's totally fine.
I was thinking of adding some CUC members, now that there is a heavier bioload on the tank but I don't really know what I want or need yet. I figure when I see a need for something, I'll get it. My biggest thing seems to be something to keep the sand clean. The star is doing a great job and the angel is picking at the rock all over the place, along with my blenny. Things are good. Hope they stay that way!
Current stock list:
1 Starry blenny
1 small clown
1 purple fire fish
1 mandarin
1 small (2in) rock beauty angelfish
1 very small citron clown goby
1 yellow watchmen goby
1 randalls goby
1 fireshrimp
1 small feather duster
1 sand star
2 colonies of xenia (1 large, 1 medium)
2 mini fungia plates (1 neon orange, 1 mint green striped)
1 softball sized colony of galaxia
1 toadstool leather (Which has grown about 2 inches in the last 3 nights. Every morning it's bigger!!
I think next, I would like maybe a lined wrasse? Something that stays small, is free swimming and peaceful.
Side note, Man, I sure miss my long nose hawk... kinda was thinking another one of those. I really want personality and peaceful as the theme for this reef tank. Lots of color... probably mostly movement from the corals, rather than the fish. Also, I would like to try a pearly head jawfish but I have never had luck with those in the past. They're super happy for 2 weeks or so and then they just disappear. What do you guys think? suggestions for small fish that I am missing out on?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I've had an actual stick poke me in the eye and had a splinter removed. Talk about pain...
I like where your tank is going so far.
Possum wrasses are really cool little reefsafe fishes. If you are missing out on anything - it would be them.
I like where your tank is going so far.
Possum wrasses are really cool little reefsafe fishes. If you are missing out on anything - it would be them.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
As a side note, would you check out my thread... https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/392517/8x2-stand-and-canopy-re-finish I could use some advice and encouragement as well... lol
rlablan
Active Member
I love your stand! Good job! I am subscribed to the thread now, so I'll be checking back to see Flower's canopy build. And then maybe mine after. ) hehehe
So are you talking about the white banded possum wrasse? That's what google turned up. Looks interesting. That can't be the only small fish that I'm missing out on though. What else you got for me?
I see a lot of fish on the sites that sell livestock but the stock photos generally turn me off to the fish. Therefore, I feel like I have a really limited view as far as fish that I think I want. I see chalk basslets and think it looks like a "boy" fish... but people on here say that they have great personalities and are so cute... I think they look creepy... but now I am considering buying one. I think it's Meowzer who I've seen talk about hers?
I just need someone to broaden my horizons... when it comes to livestock
) heheheSo are you talking about the white banded possum wrasse? That's what google turned up. Looks interesting. That can't be the only small fish that I'm missing out on though. What else you got for me?
I see a lot of fish on the sites that sell livestock but the stock photos generally turn me off to the fish. Therefore, I feel like I have a really limited view as far as fish that I think I want. I see chalk basslets and think it looks like a "boy" fish... but people on here say that they have great personalities and are so cute... I think they look creepy... but now I am considering buying one. I think it's Meowzer who I've seen talk about hers?
I just need someone to broaden my horizons... when it comes to livestock
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Delta pikeblenny
Bluethroat pikeblenny
yellowface pikeblenny
frecklefaced hawkfish
two spot blenny
Caribbean eyelash blenny
Indigo dottyback
Fijian Comical blenny
Court Jester Goby
yellow stripe clingfish
Anyways, ... some are common, some are not. Some are available right now on the Divers Den. I think my personal picks would be the court jester goby and the yellow stripe clingfish. Indigo dottybacks are also pretty cool little fish.
Bluethroat pikeblenny
yellowface pikeblenny
frecklefaced hawkfish
two spot blenny
Caribbean eyelash blenny
Indigo dottyback
Fijian Comical blenny
Court Jester Goby
yellow stripe clingfish
Anyways, ... some are common, some are not. Some are available right now on the Divers Den. I think my personal picks would be the court jester goby and the yellow stripe clingfish. Indigo dottybacks are also pretty cool little fish.
rlablan
Active Member
Update-
Since the mandarin arrived, he only stayed in a 3 inch area. Never saw him hunt, though I checked daily and there are a TON of tigger pods and little white pods on the glass. He also didn't eat any frozen food that was offered. I figured he was just trying to adjust. His stomach was NOT sunken in, and he looked pretty healthy and colorful. I don't think I saw him move and become very active until until late yesterday. Obviously, it wasn't enough. He died last night. I think the site I got him from offers credit. Hope so.
Everything else seems to be doing well. The fire fish had some tattered fins but they seem to be healing nicely.
Blitz- Thanks for the list. I will look into those in a little while. Headed to the fish store later today for some supplies and hopefully a frag or two.
I am also considering moving my big leathers from the small tank. They're taking up a lot of real estate. Plus, the coral beauty seems to be a picker. He was only picking on my brain coral so I moved it back to the small tank. The brain likes the MH halide light better anyway. The angel does not seem to be picking on the fungis plates though. We'll see I guess. I am gonna put some less expensive and less fragile corals in there first and hopefully he won't pick at those.
Since the mandarin arrived, he only stayed in a 3 inch area. Never saw him hunt, though I checked daily and there are a TON of tigger pods and little white pods on the glass. He also didn't eat any frozen food that was offered. I figured he was just trying to adjust. His stomach was NOT sunken in, and he looked pretty healthy and colorful. I don't think I saw him move and become very active until until late yesterday. Obviously, it wasn't enough. He died last night. I think the site I got him from offers credit. Hope so.
Everything else seems to be doing well. The fire fish had some tattered fins but they seem to be healing nicely.
Blitz- Thanks for the list. I will look into those in a little while. Headed to the fish store later today for some supplies and hopefully a frag or two.
I am also considering moving my big leathers from the small tank. They're taking up a lot of real estate. Plus, the coral beauty seems to be a picker. He was only picking on my brain coral so I moved it back to the small tank. The brain likes the MH halide light better anyway. The angel does not seem to be picking on the fungis plates though. We'll see I guess. I am gonna put some less expensive and less fragile corals in there first and hopefully he won't pick at those.
rlablan
Active Member
Got the mandarin taken care of. He is all "buried" and the site that I got him from credited me back the amount that I ordered.
I am going to the LFS in just a few minutes here and I am going to pick up more pods and keep seeding the tank.
Since this little guy passed, I will give it atleast 6 months and I will let the pods breed in the tank, that is unless I find a mandarin that is trained on frozen foods and I see him for sure eat the frozen. I have seen then around town, I just have never wanted to pay the price for them.
I am thinking of looking for a pistol shrimp for my beloved randalls goby. This rock beauty seems to be getting a bit nibbly on some of my fish. It's also been rubbing it's bottom or side on other fish... even the larger, previously existing fishes. My previous beauty was a lot more peaceful than this guy. At the time that I had the previous RB angel, I was housing it with a dwarf angel, a coral beauty... they were fine together, as were all the guys in the tanks. Do you think this would help extinguish his dominant behavior over my peaceful fish. I feel bad for my randals goby. I've had him for so long, I don't want anything to happen to him. If I can get them to pair up, could a pistol shrimp help protect him?
I am going to the LFS in just a few minutes here and I am going to pick up more pods and keep seeding the tank.
Since this little guy passed, I will give it atleast 6 months and I will let the pods breed in the tank, that is unless I find a mandarin that is trained on frozen foods and I see him for sure eat the frozen. I have seen then around town, I just have never wanted to pay the price for them.
I am thinking of looking for a pistol shrimp for my beloved randalls goby. This rock beauty seems to be getting a bit nibbly on some of my fish. It's also been rubbing it's bottom or side on other fish... even the larger, previously existing fishes. My previous beauty was a lot more peaceful than this guy. At the time that I had the previous RB angel, I was housing it with a dwarf angel, a coral beauty... they were fine together, as were all the guys in the tanks. Do you think this would help extinguish his dominant behavior over my peaceful fish. I feel bad for my randals goby. I've had him for so long, I don't want anything to happen to him. If I can get them to pair up, could a pistol shrimp help protect him?
rlablan
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/60#post_3489401
Delta pikeblenny
Bluethroat pikeblenny
yellowface pikeblenny
frecklefaced hawkfish
two spot blenny
Caribbean eyelash blenny
Indigo dottyback
Fijian Comical blenny
Court Jester Goby
yellow stripe clingfish
Anyways, ... some are common, some are not. Some are available right now on the Divers Den. I think my personal picks would be the court jester goby and the yellow stripe clingfish. Indigo dottybacks are also pretty cool little fish.
So far the only guys I am interested in are:
indigo dottyback- aren't all dottybacks aggressive? I have always stayed away from those, due to people saying they are aggressive.
Fijian comical blenny- LOVE his coloring. Can I keep more than one blenny? I already have a fairly large and semi (not really at all but can be) aggressive Starry Blenny. If the blennies are the same shape, aren't they aggressive to each other?
Court jester goby- I see these in town quite often. They are all right looking... are they pretty entertaining to watch or something? Why does this fish make the list, IYO?
yellow strip cling fish- a google search turns up that this fish is difficult to keep. How so... are they hard to feed? whats the dealio, yo?
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/60#post_3489401
Delta pikeblenny
Bluethroat pikeblenny
yellowface pikeblenny
frecklefaced hawkfish
two spot blenny
Caribbean eyelash blenny
Indigo dottyback
Fijian Comical blenny
Court Jester Goby
yellow stripe clingfish
Anyways, ... some are common, some are not. Some are available right now on the Divers Den. I think my personal picks would be the court jester goby and the yellow stripe clingfish. Indigo dottybacks are also pretty cool little fish.
So far the only guys I am interested in are:
indigo dottyback- aren't all dottybacks aggressive? I have always stayed away from those, due to people saying they are aggressive.
Fijian comical blenny- LOVE his coloring. Can I keep more than one blenny? I already have a fairly large and semi (not really at all but can be) aggressive Starry Blenny. If the blennies are the same shape, aren't they aggressive to each other?
Court jester goby- I see these in town quite often. They are all right looking... are they pretty entertaining to watch or something? Why does this fish make the list, IYO?
yellow strip cling fish- a google search turns up that this fish is difficult to keep. How so... are they hard to feed? whats the dealio, yo?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/60#post_3489654
So far the only guys I am interested in are:
indigo dottyback- aren't all dottybacks aggressive? I have always stayed away from those, due to people saying they are aggressive. They can be. Sometimes you won't know unless you try it. A lot of what I was told would NEVER work together actually just lived in peace and harmony once they got their places.
Fijian comical blenny- LOVE his coloring. Can I keep more than one blenny? I already have a fairly large and semi (not really at all but can be) aggressive Starry Blenny. If the blennies are the same shape, aren't they aggressive to each other? I have kept more than one kind of blenny in a tank, but for the most part they have always been in tanks 90g+ with plenty of live rock. I don't think that blennies have a highly aggressive nature unless something tries to invade its hole.
Court jester goby- I see these in town quite often. They are all right looking... are they pretty entertaining to watch or something? Why does this fish make the list, IYO? Their colors, their behavior, they can be kept in small tanks and don't grow every large. They eat both algae and meaty foods. Pretty much a helpful fish.
yellow strip cling fish- a google search turns up that this fish is difficult to keep. How so... are they hard to feed? whats the dealio, yo? They typically have to have a well developed reef tank with some branching corals - like some LPS corals and SPS corals. I guess they would do well with kenya trees and other softies like that. They don't eat flake foods... and prefer meaty feedings... mostly frozen. But, they will help pick off parasites and small pest organisms. I plan on putting one in my next tank.
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/60#post_3489654
So far the only guys I am interested in are:
indigo dottyback- aren't all dottybacks aggressive? I have always stayed away from those, due to people saying they are aggressive. They can be. Sometimes you won't know unless you try it. A lot of what I was told would NEVER work together actually just lived in peace and harmony once they got their places.
Fijian comical blenny- LOVE his coloring. Can I keep more than one blenny? I already have a fairly large and semi (not really at all but can be) aggressive Starry Blenny. If the blennies are the same shape, aren't they aggressive to each other? I have kept more than one kind of blenny in a tank, but for the most part they have always been in tanks 90g+ with plenty of live rock. I don't think that blennies have a highly aggressive nature unless something tries to invade its hole.
Court jester goby- I see these in town quite often. They are all right looking... are they pretty entertaining to watch or something? Why does this fish make the list, IYO? Their colors, their behavior, they can be kept in small tanks and don't grow every large. They eat both algae and meaty foods. Pretty much a helpful fish.
yellow strip cling fish- a google search turns up that this fish is difficult to keep. How so... are they hard to feed? whats the dealio, yo? They typically have to have a well developed reef tank with some branching corals - like some LPS corals and SPS corals. I guess they would do well with kenya trees and other softies like that. They don't eat flake foods... and prefer meaty feedings... mostly frozen. But, they will help pick off parasites and small pest organisms. I plan on putting one in my next tank.
rlablan
Active Member
I haven't updated or been around too much. This past weekend has been very busy.
I have a sick boyfriend,
A sick puppy
And have been trying to catch up on my chores since I have been incapacitated myself this past week...
All while dealing with the tanks and other critters.
Ugh.
SO- I did finally make it out to some fish stores this weekend... I would call them local but they were all about an hour to two hours away from my place. The not so local fish stores. Nevertheless, I found some awesome stuff that I am excited to share. I will have pictures but the light are out now, and I didn't have a chance to snap any yet.
After all of the stores that I went to this weekend, I ended up with:
1 small black tank bred clown- paired up right away with my existing orange clown. They are now happily hosting the xenia colony in the lower left corner of the tank. I am happy with this, I just hope that it does not cause tons of aggression. I saw my orange clown (the female) grab my randals goby by the top fin, give him a bite and a pretty aggressive shake. I guess we'll see what happens there.
1 6ish inch+ squamosa clam- went into the 30 gallon under the 150 MH. It seems to be very happy and spread out wide. The mantle looks lovely as well.
1 large frag of purple zoas (someone will have to name them for me... I dk. They were 29 bucks for 25+ heads, good deal to me.)
1 frag of powder blue/grayish colored zoas (again, dk what they are. about 10ish heads for 10 bucks...)
1 very large clump of sun corals- They're extended nicely. I am about to feed them. I want them to acclimate well, but then I will only feed them during the day, so that they will start to come out more.
1 softball sized colony of lord H. Acans. The guy at the store says "they aren't very bright". They're okay. I am hoping they will color up a little bit. They were under some terrible lighting and in a tank that was not very... good. It didn't have algae or anything but I could see how their color would fade in there. As of now, they are a light green with a small tint of blue. They have very bright green mouth though. (not all just a couple of the mouths are neon)
1 frag of some green Blastos, I think. (about 2 inches or so)
1 pistol shrimp for my gobies- Happy to say they are all living well in their cave. The shrimp went right in their cave and began digging. All three of them are buddies. let hope it stays that way.
Pics to come!
I have a sick boyfriend,
A sick puppy
And have been trying to catch up on my chores since I have been incapacitated myself this past week...
All while dealing with the tanks and other critters.
Ugh.
SO- I did finally make it out to some fish stores this weekend... I would call them local but they were all about an hour to two hours away from my place. The not so local fish stores. Nevertheless, I found some awesome stuff that I am excited to share. I will have pictures but the light are out now, and I didn't have a chance to snap any yet.
After all of the stores that I went to this weekend, I ended up with:
1 small black tank bred clown- paired up right away with my existing orange clown. They are now happily hosting the xenia colony in the lower left corner of the tank. I am happy with this, I just hope that it does not cause tons of aggression. I saw my orange clown (the female) grab my randals goby by the top fin, give him a bite and a pretty aggressive shake. I guess we'll see what happens there.
1 6ish inch+ squamosa clam- went into the 30 gallon under the 150 MH. It seems to be very happy and spread out wide. The mantle looks lovely as well.
1 large frag of purple zoas (someone will have to name them for me... I dk. They were 29 bucks for 25+ heads, good deal to me.)
1 frag of powder blue/grayish colored zoas (again, dk what they are. about 10ish heads for 10 bucks...)
1 very large clump of sun corals- They're extended nicely. I am about to feed them. I want them to acclimate well, but then I will only feed them during the day, so that they will start to come out more.
1 softball sized colony of lord H. Acans. The guy at the store says "they aren't very bright". They're okay. I am hoping they will color up a little bit. They were under some terrible lighting and in a tank that was not very... good. It didn't have algae or anything but I could see how their color would fade in there. As of now, they are a light green with a small tint of blue. They have very bright green mouth though. (not all just a couple of the mouths are neon)
1 frag of some green Blastos, I think. (about 2 inches or so)
1 pistol shrimp for my gobies- Happy to say they are all living well in their cave. The shrimp went right in their cave and began digging. All three of them are buddies. let hope it stays that way.
Pics to come!
rlablan
Active Member
So here are the pictures from everything purchased this weekend. I also redid the rock work a little bit, again.
These are the Zoanthids I got. I don't know what they are... any guesses? This chunk is pretty big and it was a little under 30 bucks. Its mounted nicely too. I am pretty happy with those. Hopefully they will start to spread. They are partially closed because I was feeding them. I have started reef roids. Never used those before. They seem good...
Here is the large chunk of acans. They were also being fed so they're a little closed up. The color, like I said, isn't terribly bright. They're a little brighter than they look here but not much. I am hoping that they will brighten up and that the LEDs don't make them brown out.
These are the "blastos" I was told. Are they actually? This was thrown in on some old credit that I had from the guy I got these from. They looked neat. Any special requirments about these? That seem pretty happy... spread out nicely under the light. They're pretty close to my fixture, upper middle of the tank.
Here are the sun polyps. I have never kept these or dendros. These guys have been coming out a bit towards the later evening, usually only when there is food in the tank. I am hoping that they will come out a bit more as time goes one. Any tips for keeping sun polyps?
Here is a few pictures of the clam. It didn't go in this tank, But I thought I would share anyway. I am especially proud of this acquisition. I think it's a nice sized clam and while it's no maxima or deresa (sp?), I think it's neat looking in it's own understated sort of way.
Can't see it too well but there is a nice green colored rim on the mantle of this clam. It's got a lot of gold swirls and gold polka dots on the underside of the mantle. It's pretty. I also like how BIG it is.
These are the Zoanthids I got. I don't know what they are... any guesses? This chunk is pretty big and it was a little under 30 bucks. Its mounted nicely too. I am pretty happy with those. Hopefully they will start to spread. They are partially closed because I was feeding them. I have started reef roids. Never used those before. They seem good...
Here is the large chunk of acans. They were also being fed so they're a little closed up. The color, like I said, isn't terribly bright. They're a little brighter than they look here but not much. I am hoping that they will brighten up and that the LEDs don't make them brown out. These are the "blastos" I was told. Are they actually? This was thrown in on some old credit that I had from the guy I got these from. They looked neat. Any special requirments about these? That seem pretty happy... spread out nicely under the light. They're pretty close to my fixture, upper middle of the tank. Here are the sun polyps. I have never kept these or dendros. These guys have been coming out a bit towards the later evening, usually only when there is food in the tank. I am hoping that they will come out a bit more as time goes one. Any tips for keeping sun polyps? Here is a few pictures of the clam. It didn't go in this tank, But I thought I would share anyway. I am especially proud of this acquisition. I think it's a nice sized clam and while it's no maxima or deresa (sp?), I think it's neat looking in it's own understated sort of way.
Can't see it too well but there is a nice green colored rim on the mantle of this clam. It's got a lot of gold swirls and gold polka dots on the underside of the mantle. It's pretty. I also like how BIG it is.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild#post_3487747
I then took off all of my clothes and danced around naked for a few hours... especially in front of the fish... They danced with me. (I know I can say this because I'm the only one here... I won't judge me.)
I wanted you to know two things.
First, I'm sorry I didn't see this thread 2 weeks ago. I would have chimed in.
Second, I noticed this little line RIGHT away. Yes, even married guys pick up on the word "naked" when they read it. I will not tell you the visual I got, but I will say that it was pretty damn funny. I can only imagine the dead fish in the tank if they saw ME in that condition.
OK. I stopped reading just to make this comment, so you can see where I am in the thread. I'm continuing to read now.....
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild#post_3487747
I then took off all of my clothes and danced around naked for a few hours... especially in front of the fish... They danced with me. (I know I can say this because I'm the only one here... I won't judge me.)
I wanted you to know two things.
First, I'm sorry I didn't see this thread 2 weeks ago. I would have chimed in.
Second, I noticed this little line RIGHT away. Yes, even married guys pick up on the word "naked" when they read it. I will not tell you the visual I got, but I will say that it was pretty damn funny. I can only imagine the dead fish in the tank if they saw ME in that condition.
OK. I stopped reading just to make this comment, so you can see where I am in the thread. I'm continuing to read now.....
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
OK, I just finished reading your thread. No, I'm not a slow reader....I'm a forgetful person who realized mid-thread that the cats were beating down my door and there was no cat food in the house! Rather than being mauled to death by two common housecats and possibly eaten before the authorities could discover the body, I decided to take a break and go get some catfud.
Aside from some minor bickering between Flower and Limpid, (
) I agree with much of what was said. I know Deb has had some serious problems with Miracle Mud, and although hers seems to be an isolated incident....well, ya can't deny the firsthand experience there!! My gut feeling is if you're only using the fuge for pod population, then there's NO reason to add sand or macros to a fuge. Or....even light! Pods don't need it, ya know. In fact, a dark fuge is known as a cryptic zone, and some people have been doing some very interesting things with NPS corals and a cryptic fuge.
Now, I have to say this....I'm a big, BIG fan of chaeto in my fuge. I've personally never had issues with it dying off (caulerpa is another story) and I know of very few tanks that are SO nutrient deficient that they would have Chaeto die from lack of nutrients. Chaeto is a terrific sponge....it grows like wildfire when the nutrient load is high, yes, but simple light and trace nutrients is more than enough to keep it alive. If you choose that path or change to it, then yes you can light your fuge on a reverse timer.
I'm actually bummed that you got rid of the black sand. Have you seen my 110g build? The old memory isn't what it was; I don't know if you've commented on it. My whole sandbed is black this time around, and personally I'm loving it. Since you had it, you can answer this question: Did you have any issues with KH, pH, or Ca with the black sand? I know it doesn't buffer a darned thing, so I'm curious how your numbers were when you were running it.
Your rockwork is beautiful, simply beautiful. I'm glad you chose to forgo the foam cover for the overflow. Your tank is really conducive to a minimalist style. If you do decide to do one again, you can do a couple things to make it look more natural. 1: smaller is better. A thin carved skin on the overflow is almost always going to get your point across better than a huge faux column, especially in a small tank. Try to keep it as close to the actual RR overflow as possible. 2: Use pond foam. Black. Looks better in the long run...trust me, I've done both. You can check out my seahorse thread for more on that. 3: Foam is carveable...you can cut it with a steak knife to your hears content, making angular rock faces instead of the goopy stuff that looks like a lava flow with a case of the Trots.
Your boyfriend's idea with the baskets is BRILLIANT. I'm totally stealing this for the cabinets I just built for the 110. Tell him I said thanks.
Finally, I'm sorry to hear about the eye. Hope it's healing up quickly. Michelle (my wife) scratched her cornea years ago...trying on clothes of all things; a tag scratched her eye...and the damage changed her prescription in that eye by a full point and a half. This is a morality tale about the dangers of clothes shopping, BTW. Take it to heart. (And now your BF can thank ME).
Aside from some minor bickering between Flower and Limpid, (
Now, I have to say this....I'm a big, BIG fan of chaeto in my fuge. I've personally never had issues with it dying off (caulerpa is another story) and I know of very few tanks that are SO nutrient deficient that they would have Chaeto die from lack of nutrients. Chaeto is a terrific sponge....it grows like wildfire when the nutrient load is high, yes, but simple light and trace nutrients is more than enough to keep it alive. If you choose that path or change to it, then yes you can light your fuge on a reverse timer.
I'm actually bummed that you got rid of the black sand. Have you seen my 110g build? The old memory isn't what it was; I don't know if you've commented on it. My whole sandbed is black this time around, and personally I'm loving it. Since you had it, you can answer this question: Did you have any issues with KH, pH, or Ca with the black sand? I know it doesn't buffer a darned thing, so I'm curious how your numbers were when you were running it.
Your rockwork is beautiful, simply beautiful. I'm glad you chose to forgo the foam cover for the overflow. Your tank is really conducive to a minimalist style. If you do decide to do one again, you can do a couple things to make it look more natural. 1: smaller is better. A thin carved skin on the overflow is almost always going to get your point across better than a huge faux column, especially in a small tank. Try to keep it as close to the actual RR overflow as possible. 2: Use pond foam. Black. Looks better in the long run...trust me, I've done both. You can check out my seahorse thread for more on that. 3: Foam is carveable...you can cut it with a steak knife to your hears content, making angular rock faces instead of the goopy stuff that looks like a lava flow with a case of the Trots.
Your boyfriend's idea with the baskets is BRILLIANT. I'm totally stealing this for the cabinets I just built for the 110. Tell him I said thanks.
Finally, I'm sorry to hear about the eye. Hope it's healing up quickly. Michelle (my wife) scratched her cornea years ago...trying on clothes of all things; a tag scratched her eye...and the damage changed her prescription in that eye by a full point and a half. This is a morality tale about the dangers of clothes shopping, BTW. Take it to heart. (And now your BF can thank ME).
rlablan
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/60#post_3490654
I wanted you to know two things.
First, I'm sorry I didn't see this thread 2 weeks ago. I would have chimed in.
Second, I noticed this little line RIGHT away. Yes, even married guys pick up on the word "naked" when they read it. I will not tell you the visual I got, but I will say that it was pretty damn funny. I can only imagine the dead fish in the tank if they saw ME in that condition.
OK. I stopped reading just to make this comment, so you can see where I am in the thread. I'm continuing to read now.....
Bahahaha you get the booby prize for being the first person to notice that line! Either no one said anything, or no one said anything until now. Good eye.
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/60#post_3490654
I wanted you to know two things.
First, I'm sorry I didn't see this thread 2 weeks ago. I would have chimed in.
Second, I noticed this little line RIGHT away. Yes, even married guys pick up on the word "naked" when they read it. I will not tell you the visual I got, but I will say that it was pretty damn funny. I can only imagine the dead fish in the tank if they saw ME in that condition.
OK. I stopped reading just to make this comment, so you can see where I am in the thread. I'm continuing to read now.....
Bahahaha you get the booby prize for being the first person to notice that line! Either no one said anything, or no one said anything until now. Good eye.
rlablan
Active Member
Hi nova! So glad you can join us!
I have seen a lot of you on the sites from time to time. I dunno if I have seen your thread, BUT I will subscribe now that I know it's there.
"Your boyfriend's idea with the baskets is BRILLIANT. I'm totally stealing this for the cabinets I just built for the 110. Tell him I said thanks."
- 1st off- My idea. lol He just mounted them for me. God, how he hates mounting. Couple of tips-
1-the baskets can be found in different sizes, I got these ate target. They are the EXACT size of the small glass bottles with droppers, like lugols solutions. you can fit about 3 small bottles, and then one of the Larger glass bottle in each shelf. These are metal, I dunno if they will rust from the humidity but they are good so far. They also sell some bigger ones that are made for showers instead of sinks and are made of plastic. Look for those at Bed Bath and Beyond.
2- In mounting these, I would suggest doing what we did, especially if you have a standard stand. We went to Ace hardware and got some various washers and screws. We mounted these on the doors for easy access and to prevent everything getting covered in salt creep. (as far away from the sump as possible) The door on my stand in kind of thin, so we used the washers to bulk up the baskets themselves and then we were able to use the smaller screws because I didn't want em poking through the door. The are REALLY well on there and I am loving these things so far!
These little things are so handy for storing all those little viles of meds, or oddly shaped tools... no more disfunction under my stand! I hate that!
"Your rockwork is beautiful, simply beautiful."
Thank you so much. I am quite pleased with it myself. Allow for maximum flow and lots of hiding places for future blennies and rock perching fishes. The few I have now are LOVING it. It is really open and it makes this tank seem a lot bigger. It also looks more peaceful than the old clunky rock from before the rebuild.
I really loved the black sand, I just got kind of tired of it. Maybe someday in a bigger tank, I want to do half the stand in black and then transition into white sand on the other half... I will have a built in someday and I want it to be lllooonnnnggg, tall and wide.... With a very wide sand bed. Peninsula style. Half n half... we'll see.
As far as this little tank goes, it just go so intense. It seemed to like... suck all the light in the whole thing out. I thought I liked it but now I don't really miss it. It was fun for a while.
With numbers, I did not see an increase in any numbers when I was testing. I didn't have to dose for anything. I was seeing great growth from acans/brains/plates before the algae attack. After that is another story. The only elevated numbers I say were Nitrate and Phosphate. I can't honestly say that is due to the sand... more so to my neglect. I can say that my sand bed was running in the danger zone of depth. It was just barely 4 inches... not quite a DSB and that is really bad for exchange. Either needs to be 2ish inches or well over 4... somewhere around like 6+.
I can say that I never had a PH swing in the test that I did see... PH was always a little higher in this tank, as opposed to my little guy across the room. That has white, mixed grain sand and its PH is never quite where I want it. It's always a smidge too low.
As far as the mud... where were you weeks ago?
It's in there now, and the pods are loving it... I think it's gonna be a pain to remove and I just don't want to deal with it... If it becomes a problem, I'll pull it but it's there now... The polyp extension has been awesome since I added that though. I am trying new food too but even before that... So far, I like the stuff. Time will tell though.
Now I'm on my way to get dog food. lol I have a small dog with an irritated tummy. I will be back to do a full update.
"Your boyfriend's idea with the baskets is BRILLIANT. I'm totally stealing this for the cabinets I just built for the 110. Tell him I said thanks."
- 1st off- My idea. lol He just mounted them for me. God, how he hates mounting. Couple of tips-
1-the baskets can be found in different sizes, I got these ate target. They are the EXACT size of the small glass bottles with droppers, like lugols solutions. you can fit about 3 small bottles, and then one of the Larger glass bottle in each shelf. These are metal, I dunno if they will rust from the humidity but they are good so far. They also sell some bigger ones that are made for showers instead of sinks and are made of plastic. Look for those at Bed Bath and Beyond.
2- In mounting these, I would suggest doing what we did, especially if you have a standard stand. We went to Ace hardware and got some various washers and screws. We mounted these on the doors for easy access and to prevent everything getting covered in salt creep. (as far away from the sump as possible) The door on my stand in kind of thin, so we used the washers to bulk up the baskets themselves and then we were able to use the smaller screws because I didn't want em poking through the door. The are REALLY well on there and I am loving these things so far!
These little things are so handy for storing all those little viles of meds, or oddly shaped tools... no more disfunction under my stand! I hate that!
"Your rockwork is beautiful, simply beautiful."
Thank you so much. I am quite pleased with it myself. Allow for maximum flow and lots of hiding places for future blennies and rock perching fishes. The few I have now are LOVING it. It is really open and it makes this tank seem a lot bigger. It also looks more peaceful than the old clunky rock from before the rebuild.
I really loved the black sand, I just got kind of tired of it. Maybe someday in a bigger tank, I want to do half the stand in black and then transition into white sand on the other half... I will have a built in someday and I want it to be lllooonnnnggg, tall and wide.... With a very wide sand bed. Peninsula style. Half n half... we'll see.
As far as this little tank goes, it just go so intense. It seemed to like... suck all the light in the whole thing out. I thought I liked it but now I don't really miss it. It was fun for a while.
With numbers, I did not see an increase in any numbers when I was testing. I didn't have to dose for anything. I was seeing great growth from acans/brains/plates before the algae attack. After that is another story. The only elevated numbers I say were Nitrate and Phosphate. I can't honestly say that is due to the sand... more so to my neglect. I can say that my sand bed was running in the danger zone of depth. It was just barely 4 inches... not quite a DSB and that is really bad for exchange. Either needs to be 2ish inches or well over 4... somewhere around like 6+.
I can say that I never had a PH swing in the test that I did see... PH was always a little higher in this tank, as opposed to my little guy across the room. That has white, mixed grain sand and its PH is never quite where I want it. It's always a smidge too low.
As far as the mud... where were you weeks ago?
It's in there now, and the pods are loving it... I think it's gonna be a pain to remove and I just don't want to deal with it... If it becomes a problem, I'll pull it but it's there now... The polyp extension has been awesome since I added that though. I am trying new food too but even before that... So far, I like the stuff. Time will tell though.
Now I'm on my way to get dog food. lol I have a small dog with an irritated tummy. I will be back to do a full update.