Novahobbies' 37g Seahorse Tank Journal
- Thread starter novahobbies
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novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Wow.
It's done. It didn't go as planned (what ever does??) but we made the move yesterday between 11 and 4. Fish were bagged for about 3 hours; corals, 4. Of course the rock column was the hardest thing to do, and naturally it didn't fit perfectly in the tub I had left out for it. By the time I realized that mistake, it was too late to stop. Covered the exposed bits with a wet towel, and just kept going.
Due to a communication error, the tank wound up going to my aunt's house to be "boarded" for a month. I managed to break a part of the filter during the transport, but it was repairable.
So far I've only lost a few things: my pink lobophylia didn't make it for some reason, and a single nass. snail did something I've never seen before -- it left it's shell!! I'm sure it's a goner by now, since the sand sifting goby was seriously eyeing it when I left last night. I'm also not entirely sure about my golden gorgonian...it might not make it, as it seems like it lost a good amount of tissue during the move.
Just think -- I get to do this all over again in little more than a month! I have some ideas for the next transfer, though. Since it's going to my new place, I'll probably leave it at my Aunt's until the main move is over. I'll set up a 20g as a temporary tank, and transfer everything into that so I can have a little more time to do a proper job on the display tank. I'll tell you a secret, though. Now that I see what a fun mess it is to transfer even a relatively small tank, I'm not entirely sure I want to go through same process for my big 110g aquarium. If we're staying in this house for just 2-3 years, I may just leave the big tank empty!
It's done. It didn't go as planned (what ever does??) but we made the move yesterday between 11 and 4. Fish were bagged for about 3 hours; corals, 4. Of course the rock column was the hardest thing to do, and naturally it didn't fit perfectly in the tub I had left out for it. By the time I realized that mistake, it was too late to stop. Covered the exposed bits with a wet towel, and just kept going.
Due to a communication error, the tank wound up going to my aunt's house to be "boarded" for a month. I managed to break a part of the filter during the transport, but it was repairable.
So far I've only lost a few things: my pink lobophylia didn't make it for some reason, and a single nass. snail did something I've never seen before -- it left it's shell!! I'm sure it's a goner by now, since the sand sifting goby was seriously eyeing it when I left last night. I'm also not entirely sure about my golden gorgonian...it might not make it, as it seems like it lost a good amount of tissue during the move.
Just think -- I get to do this all over again in little more than a month! I have some ideas for the next transfer, though. Since it's going to my new place, I'll probably leave it at my Aunt's until the main move is over. I'll set up a 20g as a temporary tank, and transfer everything into that so I can have a little more time to do a proper job on the display tank. I'll tell you a secret, though. Now that I see what a fun mess it is to transfer even a relatively small tank, I'm not entirely sure I want to go through same process for my big 110g aquarium. If we're staying in this house for just 2-3 years, I may just leave the big tank empty!
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
I think so. I'll have to stop by after work today and check up on the tank. I also need to pick up a frag rack to put some of the corals on. Ironic considering I have all those Magnarox I'm developing, but they're all in the storage pod right now. Didn't think of it until later, I suppose.
Honestly, this whole past week has been a zoo. I'm grateful for everyone who came in to help out with the moving sale, and for the cleaning up afterwards. There aren't a lot of men in my family who can lift much...I think I laid hands on every single piece of furniture in that house...but I have to say my 16 YO cousin was right there with me moving the 110g tank into the POD, and my wife's cousin Mike volunteered to help schlep water up and down the stairs for the seahorse tank. Couldn't have done it without them. And I would have been lost if my aunt, monther in law, and wife weren't there to clean up the mess behind all that furniture!!
It's over and done. As you can probably tell from this rather erratic narrative, my brain is still more than a little fried. I know for a fact that the next move will be easier.
Lois, I think part of my problems had to do with timing. My elaborate plans for the animals were shot to hell when I was first informed that the tank was NOT welcome at the temporary place (though I cast no blame there whatsoever; I'm grateful for the rent-free room for a month!!!), and the second strike was when we discovered the buyers were doing the walkthrough a full day early, and EVERYTHING had to be gone and out of that house by noon on Monday. Best laid schemes o' mice an' men, and all that. If I was looking at the tanks you have, I think I would consider a full month's overlapping mortgages to be a small price to pay in order to move the tanks slowly - one at a time - until the deed was done.
Honestly, this whole past week has been a zoo. I'm grateful for everyone who came in to help out with the moving sale, and for the cleaning up afterwards. There aren't a lot of men in my family who can lift much...I think I laid hands on every single piece of furniture in that house...but I have to say my 16 YO cousin was right there with me moving the 110g tank into the POD, and my wife's cousin Mike volunteered to help schlep water up and down the stairs for the seahorse tank. Couldn't have done it without them. And I would have been lost if my aunt, monther in law, and wife weren't there to clean up the mess behind all that furniture!!
It's over and done. As you can probably tell from this rather erratic narrative, my brain is still more than a little fried. I know for a fact that the next move will be easier.
Lois, I think part of my problems had to do with timing. My elaborate plans for the animals were shot to hell when I was first informed that the tank was NOT welcome at the temporary place (though I cast no blame there whatsoever; I'm grateful for the rent-free room for a month!!!), and the second strike was when we discovered the buyers were doing the walkthrough a full day early, and EVERYTHING had to be gone and out of that house by noon on Monday. Best laid schemes o' mice an' men, and all that. If I was looking at the tanks you have, I think I would consider a full month's overlapping mortgages to be a small price to pay in order to move the tanks slowly - one at a time - until the deed was done.
things just keep coming up....I will DEFINITELY do it this weekend as hubby is off, and I really want 2 sets of eyes...OH AND his arms in the tank LOL
flower
Well-Known Member
I can't imagine moving a big tank after just a few years either. It would sure be hard to not have my tank for that long.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Yes, but I'm staying at her place for a few days while everyone else is up for a wedding in Ohio. And of course her place is on the way "home" from work every day, so don't ya know I'll be visiting quite a lot.
You know what keeps me going right now? In just a few short weeks, I'll have a Place of my Own. Not rented. Not a family member's. Mine. I can rip up the tile and put in hardwood if I want. I can paint the walls purple and the ceiling puke green if it struck my fancy (it doesn't!). I can set the den up as a small office, and surround myself with all those things that inspire and comfort me. After all these years of living with the standard rules of rental agreements, the idea that the Wife and I will now have a place to build a nest without too much worry about what happens if we change this fixture or that appliance is very appealing. Yes, I know the COA has its rules and regulations...but it's a comparatively looser tie than those that bind most rental contacts down here.
Oh, and of course: The long-planned, oft-mentioned, and heretofore unknown-to-my-wife Pipefish tank will finally be set up. I think she suspects something by now, since she was helping me load the tank equipment in the pod last week. She mentioned that there seemed to be "more fish stuff than (she) remembered..." in the garage!
You know what keeps me going right now? In just a few short weeks, I'll have a Place of my Own. Not rented. Not a family member's. Mine. I can rip up the tile and put in hardwood if I want. I can paint the walls purple and the ceiling puke green if it struck my fancy (it doesn't!). I can set the den up as a small office, and surround myself with all those things that inspire and comfort me. After all these years of living with the standard rules of rental agreements, the idea that the Wife and I will now have a place to build a nest without too much worry about what happens if we change this fixture or that appliance is very appealing. Yes, I know the COA has its rules and regulations...but it's a comparatively looser tie than those that bind most rental contacts down here.
Oh, and of course: The long-planned, oft-mentioned, and heretofore unknown-to-my-wife Pipefish tank will finally be set up. I think she suspects something by now, since she was helping me load the tank equipment in the pod last week. She mentioned that there seemed to be "more fish stuff than (she) remembered..." in the garage!
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Just got to my aunts.... everyone seems fine. Gonna test the big three later tonight and see if the parameters are in line...
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/366648/novahobbies-37g-seahorse-tank-journal/240#post_3379354
Just got to my aunts.... everyone seems fine. Gonna test the big three later tonight and see if the parameters are in line...
Nothing better than seeing all is well and nothing dead.
Are you feeding 2xs a day or did you teach your aunt how to feed them?
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/366648/novahobbies-37g-seahorse-tank-journal/240#post_3379354
Just got to my aunts.... everyone seems fine. Gonna test the big three later tonight and see if the parameters are in line...
Are you feeding 2xs a day or did you teach your aunt how to feed them?
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
I wanted to wait for everything to settle down before I posted this. Aside from the Lobo and the Nass. snail that I mentioned, it looks as though everything has pulled through. I had a very minor nitrite spike during the first night, but I let it stew overnight and it was gone by morning. The corals that had grown onto the rock actually all survived....some zoas, GSP, clove polyps, and a little piece of Xenia were all permanently attached but lived. My seahorse took a day or so to start eating again, but I saw her chasing down some mysis yesterday morning, so I feel a lot better about her now.
The house is STILL in limbo with the bank. The seller's bank still hasn't officially approved the sale. If this takes longer than 1 month, I'll be moving from our temp place with family -- which is where we're staying now -- into a vacation rental. I will NOT be moving the tank. Jenny is a fair fishkeeper...especially if I'm over there DAILY... and I think the excess moves would just cause far too much undue stress. They're in a safe place; they can stay there until our final move.
My new Koralia-2 evolutions and timer were supposed to be delivered today, but I don't think it's gonna happen. Weather caused a delay in Jacksonville last night, so I probably won't see my new equipment until Monday.
Rats....
The house is STILL in limbo with the bank. The seller's bank still hasn't officially approved the sale. If this takes longer than 1 month, I'll be moving from our temp place with family -- which is where we're staying now -- into a vacation rental. I will NOT be moving the tank. Jenny is a fair fishkeeper...especially if I'm over there DAILY... and I think the excess moves would just cause far too much undue stress. They're in a safe place; they can stay there until our final move.
My new Koralia-2 evolutions and timer were supposed to be delivered today, but I don't think it's gonna happen. Weather caused a delay in Jacksonville last night, so I probably won't see my new equipment until Monday.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
What a nice boss I have. I came in to work this morning, and there was my package nice and pretty on my chair. Two new Koralia evolution 750's, and an Ocean Pulse Duo to control them.
Of course, don't ya know I can't install them until tomorrow. RATS. But hey, I got 'em!
Of course, don't ya know I can't install them until tomorrow. RATS. But hey, I got 'em!
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Cool. New evos are in, on a 20 second timer. Horse seemed okay with it... its less "overall" flow, but stronger per powerhead, so I was a little watchful at first. I think she'll be fine.
On a slightly frustrating note, it looks like she's growing more cirri. SURE, now that I'm away for most of the time. Oh well...let's see how long she keeps them.
On a slightly frustrating note, it looks like she's growing more cirri. SURE, now that I'm away for most of the time. Oh well...let's see how long she keeps them.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Not much going on for the seahorse tank right now. It's definitely hard to run a "long distance" tank, but at least I'm getting to know my aunt a lot more! IMO the tank is still in some strange half-assembled stage...I didn't bother re-attaching a lot of the corals because...well, I'm just going to be moving this over again farily soon. So it doesn't look very pretty...but at least its healthy.
Some good news, though: We're still waiting to close on the property, but we've decided to put the seahorse tank in the bedroom with a new stand. I have to make a new three-level stand with a hood that will allow the tank to blend in better with the light-wood asian theme that Wife wants in the bedroom. I'm pretty happy about that -- I'll finally be able to hide all the "stuff" that's hanging on the tank, and it should look pretty nice when done.
On the pipefish front, I'm happy to say that Wife has grudgingly agreed to let the tank go forward. I don't think she's all that impressed with anything that looks remotely snake-like, but hey.... hopefully when this one is done it will be just as nice as the seahorse setup.
Now, if only I could get the freaking property to close!!! I'm DEFINITELY ready to move.
Some good news, though: We're still waiting to close on the property, but we've decided to put the seahorse tank in the bedroom with a new stand. I have to make a new three-level stand with a hood that will allow the tank to blend in better with the light-wood asian theme that Wife wants in the bedroom. I'm pretty happy about that -- I'll finally be able to hide all the "stuff" that's hanging on the tank, and it should look pretty nice when done.
On the pipefish front, I'm happy to say that Wife has grudgingly agreed to let the tank go forward. I don't think she's all that impressed with anything that looks remotely snake-like, but hey.... hopefully when this one is done it will be just as nice as the seahorse setup.
Now, if only I could get the freaking property to close!!! I'm DEFINITELY ready to move.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Ugh..... this home buying process is really wearing thin. The seller's bank apparently didn't like my bank's lower offer (even though it WAS the same price as the original listing!!!) so they ordered a new BPO on the property. Which takes a week. Which translates into 2-3 more weeks of "paperwork." What a trip.
I thought I'd update this just for shiggles, even though very little has been going on. The tank is definitely in maintenance mode only right now. Flower, to answer your question from before: yes, my aunt has been feeding the morning meal, and I usually pull the afternoon shift. I am fighting a potential problem....to "simplify" things we've been using PE mysis cubes instead of breaking off pieces of a flat pack. Whoever said that the PE cubes are the same as the flat pack was fibbin' through their teeth. I can tell a BIG difference. The cubes have a lot more schmutz in them, and I'm pretty sure my equine custodian isn't rinsing them before adding. I'm seeing a lot of cyano as a result of excess nutrients in the tank. I added some red slime remover to the mix yesterday when I did a water/filter change, and turned the skimmer down low so it wouldn't overflow but would still provide the aeration needed. I don't care for dealing with cyano in this fashion, but it will have to do for now.
Oh! One small addition made it into the tank recently. I got a medium size green-eye acan the other day to go with the other acan colony. I don't have a pic yet (sorry!) but it's a green and purple acan, about 15 heads. Pics in a couple days, I promise....
I thought I'd update this just for shiggles, even though very little has been going on. The tank is definitely in maintenance mode only right now. Flower, to answer your question from before: yes, my aunt has been feeding the morning meal, and I usually pull the afternoon shift. I am fighting a potential problem....to "simplify" things we've been using PE mysis cubes instead of breaking off pieces of a flat pack. Whoever said that the PE cubes are the same as the flat pack was fibbin' through their teeth. I can tell a BIG difference. The cubes have a lot more schmutz in them, and I'm pretty sure my equine custodian isn't rinsing them before adding. I'm seeing a lot of cyano as a result of excess nutrients in the tank. I added some red slime remover to the mix yesterday when I did a water/filter change, and turned the skimmer down low so it wouldn't overflow but would still provide the aeration needed. I don't care for dealing with cyano in this fashion, but it will have to do for now.
Oh! One small addition made it into the tank recently. I got a medium size green-eye acan the other day to go with the other acan colony. I don't have a pic yet (sorry!) but it's a green and purple acan, about 15 heads. Pics in a couple days, I promise....
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/366648/novahobbies-37g-seahorse-tank-journal/240#post_3388502
Ugh..... this home buying process is really wearing thin. The seller's bank apparently didn't like my bank's lower offer (even though it WAS the same price as the original listing!!!) so they ordered a new BPO on the property. Which takes a week. Which translates into 2-3 more weeks of "paperwork." What a trip.
I thought I'd update this just for shiggles, even though very little has been going on. The tank is definitely in maintenance mode only right now. Flower, to answer your question from before: yes, my aunt has been feeding the morning meal, and I usually pull the afternoon shift. I am fighting a potential problem....to "simplify" things we've been using PE mysis cubes instead of breaking off pieces of a flat pack. Whoever said that the PE cubes are the same as the flat pack was fibbin' through their teeth. I can tell a BIG difference. The cubes have a lot more schmutz in them, and I'm pretty sure my equine custodian isn't rinsing them before adding. I'm seeing a lot of cyano as a result of excess nutrients in the tank. I added some red slime remover to the mix yesterday when I did a water/filter change, and turned the skimmer down low so it wouldn't overflow but would still provide the aeration needed. I don't care for dealing with cyano in this fashion, but it will have to do for now.
Oh! One small addition made it into the tank recently. I got a medium size green-eye acan the other day to go with the other acan colony. I don't have a pic yet (sorry!) but it's a green and purple acan, about 15 heads. Pics in a couple days, I promise....
Oh bummer...I hate cyano. I have never seen PE mysis shrimp even sold in the stores around me. I feed my horses the Hikari mysis shrimp (only one store carries it), but I also have my tank and refugium seeded with amphipods. You might consider changing to Hikari since it's pretty clean and Aunti doesn't care like you do....toss some amphipods at night into the tank once every couple of weeks until you can get the tank into the new home. I also added two yellow clown gobies to help eat leftover food and I also have the peppermint shrimp to eat extra since they have made such good short work of the aptasia.
Also, a cube is much more food than a small chunk of the flat piece and if memory serves (sometimes it does anyway) you only have the one horse...I feed a cube to feed the 4 horses and the critters I listed
I got the Hectors goby you told me about, he is so pretty and he nibbles all day long darting back and forth like a huney bee. LOL...He will never starve in that tank.
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/366648/novahobbies-37g-seahorse-tank-journal/240#post_3388502
Ugh..... this home buying process is really wearing thin. The seller's bank apparently didn't like my bank's lower offer (even though it WAS the same price as the original listing!!!) so they ordered a new BPO on the property. Which takes a week. Which translates into 2-3 more weeks of "paperwork." What a trip.
I thought I'd update this just for shiggles, even though very little has been going on. The tank is definitely in maintenance mode only right now. Flower, to answer your question from before: yes, my aunt has been feeding the morning meal, and I usually pull the afternoon shift. I am fighting a potential problem....to "simplify" things we've been using PE mysis cubes instead of breaking off pieces of a flat pack. Whoever said that the PE cubes are the same as the flat pack was fibbin' through their teeth. I can tell a BIG difference. The cubes have a lot more schmutz in them, and I'm pretty sure my equine custodian isn't rinsing them before adding. I'm seeing a lot of cyano as a result of excess nutrients in the tank. I added some red slime remover to the mix yesterday when I did a water/filter change, and turned the skimmer down low so it wouldn't overflow but would still provide the aeration needed. I don't care for dealing with cyano in this fashion, but it will have to do for now.
Oh! One small addition made it into the tank recently. I got a medium size green-eye acan the other day to go with the other acan colony. I don't have a pic yet (sorry!) but it's a green and purple acan, about 15 heads. Pics in a couple days, I promise....
Oh bummer...I hate cyano. I have never seen PE mysis shrimp even sold in the stores around me. I feed my horses the Hikari mysis shrimp (only one store carries it), but I also have my tank and refugium seeded with amphipods. You might consider changing to Hikari since it's pretty clean and Aunti doesn't care like you do....toss some amphipods at night into the tank once every couple of weeks until you can get the tank into the new home. I also added two yellow clown gobies to help eat leftover food and I also have the peppermint shrimp to eat extra since they have made such good short work of the aptasia.
Also, a cube is much more food than a small chunk of the flat piece and if memory serves (sometimes it does anyway) you only have the one horse...I feed a cube to feed the 4 horses and the critters I listed
I got the Hectors goby you told me about, he is so pretty and he nibbles all day long darting back and forth like a huney bee. LOL...He will never starve in that tank.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
I think I may have to start doing that, yes. Flower, yes a cube is much more food than what I would normally feed, but there are fewer whole shrimp. The two mandarins and the sand sifting goby eat a lot of the leftovers. My male mandarin eats frozen and pellet food with gusto, and but the female really only eats pods. Yes, I have a very healthy pod population.
But you're right, I think I'm going to have to intervene and cut the food down somehow. Unfortunately Hikari brand is a no-go for this horse. She's VERY picky about her mysis, and will only eat PE. Figures, she likes the EXPENSIVE stuff. ;-)
I'm glad the Hector's goby is doing well in there! Very pretty little fish, isn't it?
I'm glad the Hector's goby is doing well in there! Very pretty little fish, isn't it?
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/366648/novahobbies-37g-seahorse-tank-journal/240#post_3388534
I think I may have to start doing that, yes. Flower, yes a cube is much more food than what I would normally feed, but there are fewer whole shrimp. The two mandarins and the sand sifting goby eat a lot of the leftovers. My male mandarin eats frozen and pellet food with gusto, and but the female really only eats pods. Yes, I have a very healthy pod population.
But you're right, I think I'm going to have to intervene and cut the food down somehow. Unfortunately Hikari brand is a no-go for this horse. She's VERY picky about her mysis, and will only eat PE. Figures, she likes the EXPENSIVE stuff. ;-)
I'm glad the Hector's goby is doing well in there! Very pretty little fish, isn't it?
Can you prepare the food for the next morning so it's already cut and rinsed for your aunt? I have never seen PE mysis for sale...I'm sure I could order it but would it remain frozen????? I do like the Hectors goby he doesn't swim like other fish but zips around back and forth like a bee. Those neon greenish yellow stripes really pop.
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/366648/novahobbies-37g-seahorse-tank-journal/240#post_3388534
I think I may have to start doing that, yes. Flower, yes a cube is much more food than what I would normally feed, but there are fewer whole shrimp. The two mandarins and the sand sifting goby eat a lot of the leftovers. My male mandarin eats frozen and pellet food with gusto, and but the female really only eats pods. Yes, I have a very healthy pod population.
I'm glad the Hector's goby is doing well in there! Very pretty little fish, isn't it?
Can you prepare the food for the next morning so it's already cut and rinsed for your aunt? I have never seen PE mysis for sale...I'm sure I could order it but would it remain frozen????? I do like the Hectors goby he doesn't swim like other fish but zips around back and forth like a bee. Those neon greenish yellow stripes really pop.
