110g Mixed Reef V2 [Archive] - Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

fishytime

03-23-2008, 02:56 PM

Its happened again. My reef tank is growing. I started my salty life with a wee 20g, that only took about 7 months for me to upgrade to a 68g. And now the 68g will soon be upgraded to a 110g(72"lx20"tx18"d). This build will be almost entirely a diy project. The tanks I will be using were built and the equipment will and has been purchased, but the rest of the build I will do my self. The 110g I have had for three years running as a fresh water setup. First with cichlids then as a big community tank. Heres what I have and am planning to do. 110g display with a 55g sump/ refugium. The 110 was not drilled and did not have an overflow. The display will have dual corner overflows with 1" herbie style standpipes drilled through the bottom. The returns are 2, 3/4" drilled through the back, fueled by a Quietone 6000. This journal will be pic intensive, so here is a few shots of the "birth" of my new baby. Sorry if some of them are a bit blurry, but I was still shakin from drilling the tank myself (with Zylumn/Kevins help and encouragement...thanks again Kev btw).First time drilling glass.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1622.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1624.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1628.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1627.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1630.jpg:sad:

fishytime

03-28-2008, 04:09 AM

I got the sump finished tonight. Well... I finished it yesterday , but I leak tested the baffles tonight and....IT HOLDS WATER :biggrin:. Cutting the glass for the baffles actually proved to be way harder than drilling the tank. I just could'nt get the glass to break cleanly on my scribe. So I broke out the trusty beltsander to grind down the wonky cuts.The following pics show the sump and a couple of the goodies to go in it. The layout is; skimmer/drain section on the left, return pump section in the middle, and drain/refugium section on the right.If you guys see any issues with this design PLEASE let me know. This is my first sump and I wanna get it right. The return pump is a quiet one 6000, and the skimmer is a euro-reef rs135.I need to do the overflow box inside the tank, but I think I will leave the cutting of that glass to the experts. 3/16" glass was hard enough, never mind the 3/8" glass I will need for the overflow. Then after that is the plumbing. I am a carpenter by trade so wood is really my thing. But I am learning lots and I think I have a handle on how the plumbing needs to be.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1634.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1635.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1612.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1636.jpg

Ya Dude

03-28-2008, 05:32 AM

cool

Delphinus

03-28-2008, 06:05 AM

Great job so far!

fishytime

03-29-2008, 02:30 AM

Thanks Tony. Seems like a small project compared to what you've got in the works.

Zylumn

03-29-2008, 04:19 PM

Great job on the sump. Looks like its coming together.
Kevin

fishytime

04-20-2008, 04:01 AM

Thanks Kev(again). Its been kinda slow going lately as I am in the process of moving at the end of the month. I've been sneaking away from my packing duties every once in a awhile to get my plumbing parts together. I think I've finally got what I need. I ordered a few things from B.C. because a buddy was making a huge plumbing order and said I could piggy back on his order to save shipping. I got the stuff from him last week and figured out right away that I needed to go back( again) to the plumbing store. I am still waiting on the gate valves from a different order(picking them up tomorrow). But I thought I would share what I did today. Here is what the stack of parts for the return look like.

Before.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1655.jpg

After.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1656.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1658.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1659.jpg

The return goes from the 1" output of the pump to a ball valve by 1" flexible tubing. Then is reduced to 3/4" hard pvc . First a check valve, then a "T", then a ball valve for each return, bulkheads and finally through the locline.

fishytime

04-20-2008, 04:02 AM

More pics

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1660.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1662.jpg

Zylumn

04-20-2008, 09:11 PM

Its movin right along.

Alberta-newb

04-20-2008, 10:35 PM

Looks great so far http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/images/icons/icon14.gif I really like your sump set-up. So how quiet is your Quiet One and do you like it? Curious as I have a 6000 on order for my 120 build and not a 100% sure it was the right choice or not.

Francis "Alberta-newb"

fishytime

04-21-2008, 01:07 PM

Seems quiet enough...I've only tested it in the bathtub so far.I just siliconed in the overflows last night, so I will leak test the overflows and the return system either tonight or tomorrow night.

kwirky

04-21-2008, 04:27 PM

i really like that sump. it'll be cool to see pictures of it running when you test the plumbing

fishytime

04-29-2008, 01:06 AM

will post some more pics soon. Moving day tomorrow...keep your fingers toes and legs crossed for me:neutral:

fishytime

05-10-2008, 02:47 PM

Big updates. I moved last week and managed to get the tank ready so I could just move the contents of the 68g directly into the 110g. Its been running for a week now with NO glitches. The move went well and I didnt lose anything. Will post some pics of the rest of the build now and will post some of the tank with the livestock in it after I tweek a few things and clean the glass this w/e.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1687.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1685.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1666.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1671.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1672.jpg

fishytime

05-11-2008, 10:29 PM

Heres a few more shots of the up and running sump. Its been a week and a half now since the move and it looks as thought all the live stock has survived the move. I have one "small" thing to work out. My wee tiny ocellaris clown is the only fish in the tank that is small enough to fit through the eggcrate strainer at the top of the overflow. He is batting 100% so far. Every morning I have to rescue his dumbass from the overflow box. Gonna have to try and figure something out...cause he sure isnt. Im gonna take some aquascaping pics tonight, after it gets dark.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1708.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1710.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1709.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1711.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1712.jpg

Delphinus

05-11-2008, 10:42 PM

Gutter guard from Home Depot or Rona or whatever, and zap strap it onto the overflow eggcrate...

fishytime

05-12-2008, 06:54 PM

Thanks for the tip Tony. Will give that a try.

fishytime

05-15-2008, 01:09 AM

Heres what the tank looks like now, unless Ive changed it again:wink:. I used the same double overhang theme from the 68g. I really only used two of the original pieces from the 68g overhang on these new ones. These ones are more massive than the last and and I was able to put the pillar in that I didnt have room for previously.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1740.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1744.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1745.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1747.jpg

Delphinus

05-15-2008, 04:58 AM

Looks nice!

Douglas

05-15-2008, 01:29 PM

Looks great Doug! Hopefully my move and transfer goes as smooth as yours. Doug, from around the corner.

fishytime

05-16-2008, 12:22 AM

Looks great Doug! Hopefully my move and transfer goes as smooth as yours. Doug, from around the corner.

Hey thanks Doug,(great name btw) let me know if you need any help with the move. That makes three successful moves for this tank so far. The fishy gods must be happy with me or something.

fishytime

05-26-2008, 12:50 PM

I snapped a few top down pics of some recent additions. I also added a bi-color blenny. I was really missing the one I had before. Hopefully this one doesnt decide to carpet surf.

Purple monti cap I got from Danny Z at the frag swap.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1769.jpg

Tri-color acro also from Danny Z.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1771.jpg

Purple tort frag from Snappy at the swap.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1772.jpg

And another purpleish, so far un-identified acro I got from El Guappo(Mike) for helping him frag some stuff up.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1791.jpg

Snappy

05-26-2008, 02:27 PM

Doug,
Your new tank looks good, lots of potential. I new you'd eventually take the plunge to a bigger tank. Just a point of interest, if you put the "tan birdnest" into a lower light area (partly shaded) it will turn a cool green colour.:biggrin:
That tricolour acro is A.nana & the frag from Mike looks like it's probably A.tenuis. The piece from me is A.tortousa (aka Cali Tort):wink:

danny zubot

05-26-2008, 04:10 PM

Looks good Doug. I'll have to snap some shots of the frags your gave me, expecially the ric. Florida. It's a different color than my other one, almost red in comparison.

adidas

05-26-2008, 04:36 PM

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1636.jpg

ah good choice. i have a euroreef as well, wondering why i ever bothered with seaclones, prisms and coralife skimmers.

adidas

05-26-2008, 04:41 PM

looks good man.. you are catching up to me, i better get some more frags in my tank!! :P

fishytime

05-27-2008, 02:14 AM

sharuq1

05-27-2008, 03:56 AM

Where did you find your gate valves and that cool check valve? (yes I said cool....:redface::lol:)

fishytime

05-27-2008, 12:48 PM

Where did you find your gate valves and that cool check valve? (yes I said cool....:redface::lol:)

The gate valves and the check valves came from either OA or J&L.Not sure because I piggy backed on an order that Kevin made, to save on shipping.Seems kinda silly that we here in Alberta have to get plumbing parts from BC.... but a little birdie told me that could soon be changing:wink:

Alberta-newb

05-27-2008, 06:59 PM

Wow, looking great. I'm watching your thread closely for inspiration on my own 120 build. Nice aquascaping!

Francis

fishytime

05-28-2008, 12:42 AM

Wow, looking great. I'm watching your thread closely for inspiration on my own 120 build. Nice aquascaping!

Francis

Thanks A-newb. I was really trying to avoid the fruit stand look. Its not that hard to do with a pvc substructure. It took quite a while for me to do it though. I worked on it over a weekend , not steady because I had to keep the g/f happy with some yard work.

fishytime

05-28-2008, 12:46 AM

looks good man.. you are catching up to me, i better get some more frags in my tank!! :P

Catching up? Didnt know I was behind:wink: Thanks Joel.

fishytime

05-31-2008, 02:00 AM

For all the pic thirsty peeps out there here a few pics from a week or two ago, a couple weeks after the tank was both moved( as in houses) and transfered into a new tank. I was quite surprised how quickly things seemed to settle in.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1724.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1735.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1734.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1755r.jpg

JDigital

06-13-2008, 05:24 AM

Saw this tank tonight in person, and Wow! the pics really don't do it justice.. haha.

Thanks again for letting me peak at ur plumbing setup and tank Doug!

fishytime

06-13-2008, 01:06 PM

Saw this tank tonight in person, and Wow! the pics really don't do it justice.. haha.

Thanks again for letting me peak at ur plumbing setup and tank Doug!

Hey not a problem J. And thanks for the comps. Like I said Im excited to see what you do with your tank.

fishytime

06-18-2008, 03:29 AM

A couple of the nicer RC colonies I brought home from the shop. The A. Lovely came with two acro crabs. One is the bandit looking one that you get pics of if you google acro crabs. The other looks different. So not sure if its an acro crab or not.It sure hasnt left the A. Lovely it came on. Gonna try and see if I can get a shot of it.Keep in mind these just spent 4 days in a bag in the dark, so obviously not fully colored back up yet.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1830.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1831c.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1829.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1832.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1828.jpg

Delphinus

06-18-2008, 05:23 AM

Nice scores. :) AFAIK acro crabs nearly always have that raccoon/bandit look to them. I once got a colony that had an "acro crab" that was more of a "gorilla crab" (think that was the actual common name, not sure now). Thing got huge before I was able to catch it (only took a few weeks to go from teeny-tiny to .. not-so-teeny-tiny) and he did seem to irritate the corals to the point that the tissue died in the spots he was living in. Not the most destructive crab I ever had but not the most benign either. So just keep an eye on it I guess. It might be OK for all I know but thought I'd share my experience with it. Forewarned is forearmed or whatever it is they say.. :)

fishytime

06-19-2008, 03:46 AM

I decide not to risk the little crab and got him out before he ventured from the acro. He is in a container in my sump waiting for a ride to the sump of "nasties" we have at the store. Been asked for a updated fts so heres what the tank looks like today.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1882c.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1884.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1885.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1886.jpg

Delphinus

06-19-2008, 04:48 AM

Diggin' the aquascaping. :cool:

marie

06-19-2008, 04:59 AM

The aquascaping is wonderful but i forsee problems for you in the future with those monti caps so high up in the tank, They grow remarkably fast and they are going to shade everything underneath

fishytime

06-19-2008, 12:50 PM

Diggin' the aquascaping. :cool:
Thanks Tony. A pvc substructure is the way to go imho. You can be much more creative using one, not having to rely on the rocks supporting themselves.

The aquascaping is wonderful but i forsee problems for you in the future with those monti caps so high up in the tank, They grow remarkably fast and they are going to shade everything underneath

Thats what cutters are for:wink: Im not sure this is their final resting place yet. I may try and attach them to the overflows on either side of the tank. Mostly mushrooms and zoas on the bottom, so they may actually benefit from getting some shade.

fishytime

07-08-2008, 03:24 AM

I picked up a couple KZ fiji purple bulbs for one side of the tank today. MAN what a difference. Its kinda cool to be able to run purple on one side and true blue actinic on the other. I thought it looked good when I had one of each( a purple and a blue) on one side of the tank. Not sure how it will end up but I do like the all purple look.Both sets of pics with 150w aquamedic 10000k bulb.

Before with blue HOT5s.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1884.jpg

After with the fiji purples.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1977.jpg

JDigital

07-08-2008, 03:33 AM

Damn! That looks great Doug... Major improvement. :biggrin:

fishytime

07-08-2008, 10:31 PM

Ok I done a bad thing.... I liked the way the fiji purple bulbs looked so much, that I just got back from the store with a new 4x24w aqua-medic T5 light. So now here is what the lighting configuration looks like. 150w mh with aqua-medic 10000k bulb with 2x24w HOT5s (one aqua-medic reef blue and one KZ fiji purple) on the left side. And on the right side is 8x24w HOT5s ( 2 AM blues, 2 KZ fiji purples and 4 AM 10000k). Hope the g/f doesnt notice:twised:. Probably shouldnt have bought the AM light as I will be ordering a 72" MH/HOT5 combo from the shop soon. I am flip flopping on which one to get. I have it narrowed down to either a 3x 150w mh, a 3x 250w mh or go all out and get the 4x250w mh(all three have 4x39w HOT5s). I figure I can use the AM T5s on the QT/hospital tank and the hagen T5s on the fuge, so not a complete waste of money.

Alberta-newb

07-09-2008, 04:59 PM

And that's a bad thing?....:lol: You can always justify having better lighting for the fuge and QT, copepods and new or sick livestock need love too:mrgreen:

Doug, the reef is looking fantastic! You're right with the Fiji purples they really make it pop..wish I had more than one in my set-up now, will definitely look at more when replacement time comes. It's amazing how quickly your tank is maturing in such a short time, a lot of growth visible from your last set of pics. I'm guessing there may be some xenia frags available soon? :biggrin:

What do you run for flow? Apart from the QO 6000, the Koralia 4? and the other powerhead, do you have anything else and what do you figure is your total? Curious as I'm still not really sure how much I need to add on my own set-up and I would like to follow your success.

Francis

fishytime

07-10-2008, 03:55 AM

Thanx A-Newb. I have a koralia 1, 2, and 3 in there for 1800gph the sieo 820 at 800gph and the return should be around 600 to 700 gph....so say 3200 gph ish. The koralias (1 and 2) are stashed behind one of the overhangs.

fishytime

07-12-2008, 02:19 PM

Heres a few random shots under the fiji purple bulbs.

Acropora Humilis (I think...Greg?)

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1996.jpg

Blueberry zoas

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1995.jpg

Crazy red palys

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1994.jpg

Orange and green tonga shrooms

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1993.jpg

Purple ricordia yuma

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1992.jpg

Acropora ?...milli?

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1982.jpg

fishytime

07-22-2008, 04:53 PM

Was feeling artistic last night and snapped a few pics.

Happy Mille
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2046.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2047.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2050.jpg

Various fiji purp/ aqua blue actinic shots
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2036.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2035.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2039.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2044.jpg

fishytime

08-24-2008, 03:47 PM

As some of you may or ma not know, RC has had (and still does have) some pretty sweet tonga live rock in. Ive been slowly bringing 10#s ish home a week for the last three weeks. Im swapping some of my jakarta and fiji rock out for the tonga. The "old" rock will in the sump and in the QT tank. Ive already done some swapping in the middle area of the display that was easy to get to, but I need to rid myself of some frags and a couple colonies to free up some space to move things down while I work on the swap. I have a weeks holidays coming up so will try and get the rest of the re-aquascape done then. I got a little lazy with my feeding for a couple weeks(just fed flakes and pellets) and I am paying for it now with a cyano and hair algae bloom. So in lieu of this we ordered in some yellow eyed Kole tangs and have one waiting things out in my QT. He/she looks goooood. I cant wait until it is in the display...but I will.

motokorth

08-24-2008, 04:48 PM

Looking good buddy. Question for you, where did you get the flexible hose? I'm thinking I will try to plumb up my tank like how you have it. Also where did you get the glass from? I'm thinking of doing some tweaks to the sump that the tank has before I get it wet :P.

fishytime

09-01-2008, 05:08 AM

I got the flex hose from PPE, laguna is the brand. We can get whatever size glass you need. I used an old scratched up 20g tank for the baffles in my sump and I had ***** @********* cut the glass for the overflow.:lol:

fishytime

09-07-2008, 09:56 PM

My week off was way to short and I didnt get near as much done as I thought I would. I made sure the re-model on the tank got done though.:biggrin:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2157.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2158.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2161.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2164.jpg

The kole tang seemed really timid and wasnt eating much while in the qt tank (It may have picked at some seaweed). Every time I entered the room it would wedge itself under one of the rocks and hide for the next hour. I left it in the qt for a week and a half with no signs of it really eating and figured I would roll the dice and put it in the display. It hid for the rest of the evening it was introduced, but the next day it was like a completely different fish. It was out and about, checking things out and picking at the rock, albeit nervously. Im wondering if the 33g qt tank was to small to try and qt a tang? The kole is only about 4", so I thought the qt would be big enough, but the tang sure seemed to feel uneasy. This was my first time qt ing a fish. I had always just released new additions into the display, until my last addition and the series of events that followed prompted me to set up a qt. Im not sure that qt ing is the way to go.It just seemed to add another stress into the fishes life. I will however continue to qt the one or two last fish I plan on adding.Hopefully I will leave the next one in the qt for longer than I did with the kole. I have a small 3-4" regal tang in qt now and Im thinking either a mystery wrasse, bluespot jawfish or a magnificent foxface that A-newb(Francis) got me thinking about. So in the tank now is a pair of ocellaris clowns, a royal gramma, a flame angel, a bi-color angel, a talbots damsel, a hectors goby( I think) and the kole tang. That should pretty much stuff the tank. Speaking of stuffing the tank, I brought home three new acro colonies and a nice orange acan from the shop the other day.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2156.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2135.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2125.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2129.jpg

Hairytank

09-07-2008, 10:23 PM

Everything always takes more time than you expect...
Your tank is looking great Doug, I really like the open rock work.

JDigital

09-07-2008, 10:44 PM

Your aquascaping looks alot different than the last time I saw your tank Doug. Looks good.

Carmen

09-08-2008, 01:29 AM

Love the new aquascape! Fantastic!
To QT or Not to QT? That is a GREAT question?????:question::wink:

fishytime

09-08-2008, 01:01 PM

Everything always takes more time than you expect...
Your tank is looking great Doug, I really like the open rock work.

Ya like typing out that last post....took me forever:biggrin: Thanks Mr. Hairy.

fishytime

09-08-2008, 01:03 PM

Your aquascaping looks alot different than the last time I saw your tank Doug. Looks good.

Thanks Josh. Yup its all ready for that pro-fessional photo shoot:wink:

fishytime

09-08-2008, 01:06 PM

Love the new aquascape! Fantastic!
To QT or Not to QT? That is a GREAT question?????:question::wink:

Thanks there girly. Was gonna use your experience as an example but but didnt want to bring up any bad memories. How goes the shopin?

fishytime

09-11-2008, 03:08 AM

I thought I would share a few pics that I think turned out pretty good.

Part of my zoa collection. Im hoping they will eventually cover the whole slab.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2175.jpg

Between the corals and the coraline I have a rainbow ROYGBIV
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2188.jpg

The sps shelf. Patiently awaiting a more even dispersal throughout the tank(waiting for new light).
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2165.jpg

Doug.

JDigital

09-11-2008, 03:42 AM

Did you ever pick up those 2 Tangs from my buddy?

lorenz0

09-11-2008, 03:53 AM

doug those zoa colonies are amazing

Delphinus

09-11-2008, 05:27 AM

I give it about 6-8 weeks before that shelf will be covered in zoos.

Tank looks nice, Doug. What new light are you considering? (sorry if this is answered in an earlier post)

fishytime

09-11-2008, 12:48 PM

doug those zoa colonies are amazing
I will confess that these zoas are the nicest ones I have so far.

I give it about 6-8 weeks before that shelf will be covered in zoos.

Tank looks nice, Doug. What new light are you considering? (sorry if this is answered in an earlier post)
6-8 weeks??? They must grow faster for you.
Im thinking the Maristar 2x250w MH(ushio 10000ks on the outside 20000k in the middle) with 4x39w HOT5s(fiji purples). Galaxy ballasts.

Doug.

Delphinus

09-11-2008, 04:14 PM

That would be a nice light combo. :)

Maybe 6-8 weeks is a little "overstated". What I've found with zoanthids though is that they reach a point of "critical mass" where all of a sudden they ramp up the sprawling rate. It seemed like you had larger colonies (as opposed to the little 6-7 polyps each frags that I always seem to start at :lol: ) so I thought maybe you were close. Could be more like a couple months though. At some point though you'll notice it, I'm sure. I find that what happens is of course they all grow at different rates and of course the really nice ones grow the slowest, and they wind up getting swallowed and they disappear. So something to watch out for if you happen to have any favourites.

Here's an interesting observation though, speaking of frag sizes. About 4 months ago or so I picked up a rock covered in blue zoanthids. There must have been close to 100 polyps on it. They did really well for about a month, then started dwindling away. Not real noticeable at first but eventually I was thinking, hey, didn't this rock have more polyps? I found a little clump of 2 polyps floating loose and I glued those to a frag disk. Starting from a frag size of 2 polyps is a pretty meek starting point, but that little frag is now about 10 polyps or so. Meanwhile though, the colony rock is now just a rock. For some reason the colony crashed. I have no idea why - if it's a predation or disease or just generic failure-to-thrive. But the little frag is doing well. It's like they need to be "borne" in your tank to be super hardy - otherwise it's a crapshoot.

Of course this stuff only happens to the nice ones. My reddest zoos crashed earlier this summer too, I have yet to find more of the same variety. Got a couple others "close" to the same degree of bright red but of course it's never quite the same. 30 or so other varieties in this tank and they all spread like weeds (although most were very slow to start), so I don't really think it's a environmental issue, .. just some adapt better or worse than others...

fishytime

09-12-2008, 03:38 AM

JDigital

09-12-2008, 04:24 PM

Did you ever pick up those 2 Tangs from my buddy?.

fishytime

09-13-2008, 02:36 PM

.

I didnt end up with the scopas but the regal is in my qt right now. Wish I had more cash when I went to see him but my truck just swallowed $1400 so money was kinda tight. The regal looks to be in fantastic shape ,ate the same night I brought it home and didnt get ichy. Will probably give it another week in the qt. I know some may say that two weeks isnt a long enough qt period, but I think its hard on fish like tangs to be in a small tank for any length of time. It is showing the same signs that the kole tang did when it was in qt; very skittish and and nervous. At least the regal is eating, not like the kole.

Doug.

fishytime

09-18-2008, 10:24 PM

I was going through the some 900 pics I have in my photo bucket account and thought I would do another round of growth pics.

orange digitata
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0488.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0926.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1360.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1447.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2155.jpg
green digitata
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0862.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0925a.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1450.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1558.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2039.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2208.jpg

fishytime

09-18-2008, 10:29 PM

and more

hydnophora rigata
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0573.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1201.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1878.jpg
green cap
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1333.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2133.jpg
tri colour acro
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1833.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1842.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2064.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2065.jpg

fishytime

09-20-2008, 04:14 PM

I decided that the ugly, power sucking, non adjustable seio power head had to go. So I replaced it with another koralia 4. So in the tank now are; 2- K4s @1200gph each, 1- K3 @850gph, 1- K2 @600gph and a conservative 700gph from the return. Thats a total of 4550gph for 43.5 Xs turnover. Hold on fishies!!!

Delphinus

09-20-2008, 04:32 PM

Big ugly and bulky for sure, but I thought Seio's were otherwise fairly low wattage? Or is it just you get better gph per watt out of the Koralia's?

michika

09-20-2008, 09:04 PM

Looks great! Now I want to head back up north to get more SPS!

The growth photos look really great. What is the time lapse between them?

fishytime

09-21-2008, 03:12 PM

Big ugly and bulky for sure, but I thought Seio's were otherwise fairly low wattage? Or is it just you get better gph per watt out of the Koralia's?

Tony, the seio is rated @ 820gph @18w. The koralia 4 is rated 1200gph @12w. So the choice was easy, plus there is the whole mounting option thing.

Looks great! Now I want to head back up north to get more SPS!The growth photos look really great. What is the time lapse between them?

Caterine, the digitatas sequence is over about 10 months. Might be more impressive if I could manage to stop accidentally fragging it:redface:. Still having PE issues with it. Great color, good growth but no PE(like in the first couple pics). The cap is about 5 months growth and the tri colour I just got at the last frag swap, what three months ago? The tri color shocked me a little, you dont notice until you start looking through old pics. I notice the change in colour but the growth surprised me.

fishytime

09-30-2008, 05:06 AM

The regal tang I had in qt went into the display a few days ago and seems to have settled in nicely. There was no issues at all between the resident kole and the newbie. I also lucked out and got a big arse black crab out of the tank when I removed a rock to frag some green monti cap for a fellow canreefer. Sounds silly but I was giddy about it for the rest of the day. Another thing I am giddy about is the new "ultra man" monti I got from Drew( Thanks again).

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2289.jpg

Actinic
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2292.jpg

Alberta-newb

09-30-2008, 10:44 PM

I also lucked out and got a big arse black crab out of the tank when I removed a rock to frag some green monti cap for a fellow canreefer. Sounds silly but I was giddy about it for the rest of the day.

I know how you feel! Yesterday I found my pistol shrimp had taken out a hitchhiker crab and was desperately trying to drag it's carcass back into his rock. Put me in a good mood all day:mrgreen:

The monti looks awesome! How long has it been in your tank?

fishytime

10-01-2008, 02:38 AM

I know how you feel! Yesterday I found my pistol shrimp had taken out a hitchhiker crab and was desperately trying to drag it's carcass back into his rock. Put me in a good mood all day:mrgreen:

The monti looks awesome! How long has it been in your tank?

The monti just went in on saturday. Drew says it crazy orange so I expect once it settles in it will be pretty nice.

fishytime

10-02-2008, 04:58 AM

I did a water change a couple days ago and things were looking pretty happy, so I snaped a few pics just before lights out.

Acan
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2294.jpg
Blasto
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2295.jpg
Candycane
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2298.jpg
Mille & company
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2299.jpg

fishytime

10-07-2008, 03:26 AM

so after reading a couple recent threads, I have re-thought my lighting decision. The threads about solar lighting and the new LED light link have got me worried about the cost of running three 250w mhs and the cost to run a chiller for the tank( the tank hit 87at one point this summer with its present lighting). I have decided to go with two tek 36" 6x39w T5s up front and my two hagen 24" 2x24w in the back. Of course now Im worried that my sps will suffer because of this. Soooooo I figured I would add a couple more sps colonies( good logic eh?)and the infamous blue zoas.I put them beside the green ones for a color reference.I also added a wee small tuxedo urchin. He is about the size of a cherry tomato now.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2312.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2313.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2314.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2315.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2310.jpg

JDigital

10-07-2008, 03:30 AM

I'll try and make it over one night this week Doug... Try and get some photos for you. :)

Delphinus

10-07-2008, 06:36 PM

Wow those blues and green (zoos) look really sharp on their own, never mind the wicked contrast putting them side by side like that. Me like!!

fishytime

10-08-2008, 12:59 PM

Wow those blues and green (zoos) look really sharp on their own, never mind the wicked contrast putting them side by side like that. Me like!!

:lol: Thanks Tony. How did I know you would comment about the blue zoas? Lets all hope they do well enough that I can frag them .....soon.

fishytime

10-17-2008, 05:07 AM

The decision is made about my lighting and Im running the new set up on the tank now. I went with 2x Tek 36" 6x39w HOT5 units. Man these things are freakin bright!!!:cool: I am using my 24" hagen HOT5s behind the Teks but Im not sure I will need to. I Have started the teks up high to see how things react. The bulb configuration is, from front to back.
TEK
KZ fiji purple
AM(aquamedic) reef blue
Aqua Science 15000k
AM 10000k
Am 10000K
AM 10000k
Hagen
AM reef blue
KZ fiji purple

It looks really white to me, or that just may be bright. Im not sure I like it or not. I may have to play with the bulbs a bit. I will post some B&A pics once I re-arrange the sps cluster I had going there.

JDigital

10-17-2008, 05:13 AM

Im not sure I like it or not. I may have to play with the bulbs a bit.

Maybe you should try MH.... :wink: You'll miss the skimmer affect.

fishytime

10-17-2008, 01:06 PM

Maybe you should try MH.... :wink: You'll miss the skimmer affect.

I will probably miss the shimmer effect, but Ive been reading that there is a retro-fit LED that produces the shimmer effect. I will have to look into it. On another note we got some incredible white cheek powder browns in at the store and Im humming and hahing over one.There was one in particular that I was gonna take...absolutely stunning.... but Carmen was there and she decided to take it. Congrats on the fish btw Carmen. So many beautiful fish...so little room in the tank.:lol:

motokorth

10-17-2008, 01:42 PM

We need some pictures Doug, I was also looking at all those pretty new fish and I will be back today to pick some out.

michika

10-17-2008, 01:46 PM

Yup, Doug we need photos. I need a pretty tank fix.

Carmen

10-17-2008, 03:18 PM

Yes, thank you Doug! I am so very pleased with this new Powder Brown. He is STRIKING!! I will be sure to post a couple pics once he feels a little more comfortable but am I ever GLAD I got him before you claimed him Doug!:p
Really want to see those pics of the new lights though Doug!

JDigital

10-17-2008, 05:03 PM

On another note we got some incredible white cheek powder browns

Yea, they are gorgeous! Too bad you missed out on it! Congrats Carmen! haha

fishytime

10-19-2008, 05:27 AM

We need some pictures Doug, I was also looking at all those pretty new fish and I will be back today to pick some out.

Yes, thank you Doug! I am so very pleased with this new Powder Brown. He is STRIKING!! I will be sure to post a couple pics once he feels a little more comfortable but am I ever GLAD I got him before you claimed him Doug!:p
Really want to see those pics of the new lights though Doug!

Yup, Doug we need photos. I need a pretty tank fix.

Ok. I was gonna wait til I had the tank re-arranged and do a befor/one tek on/after sequence of pics, here is a sneek peek of the the one side with the canopy I made(150w 10000k mh/ 2x24W HOT5s), one side with the Tek.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2327.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2328.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2329.jpg

Hairytank

10-19-2008, 05:41 AM

fishytime

10-19-2008, 02:50 PM

Yea, they are gorgeous! Too bad you missed out on it! Congrats Carmen! haha

Its not that I missed out. I told Carmen if she liked it and wanted it, she had better take it, because if she didnt I was going to. So I guess I forced her hand a little.

fishytime

10-19-2008, 02:55 PM

The tank is looking pretty good Doug and the T5HOs sure do put out the light.
I have a TEK 4X39 on my 46 gal and they are bright, but the 6 is just just wow.

BTW, what is the hairy stuff on your T5 lights?

Thanks "A". I am pleasantly surprised by how much light they put out. Mind you , its only a 20" deep tank.

The hairy stuff was just for you mista "Hairy":mrgreen: I threw a towel over the tek to cut back the amount of glare so I could take the pics.

OCDP

10-19-2008, 04:01 PM

Sweet tank :) Really like the rockwork there.

fishytime

10-21-2008, 03:52 AM

Sweet tank :) Really like the rockwork there.

Thank you very much. I dont know how many hours Ive spent either going through piles of lr looking for that perfectly shaped piece, or trying to make that now not so perfectly shaped piece once you get it home fit.

fishytime

10-25-2008, 03:35 PM

Reef tanks never cease to amaze me. A couple weeks back I was pumped when I managed to get a big black hairy mf crab that I had been "hunting" for a while. Well last night after the daylights went out and actinic was left on I notice another one of these hitchhiker crabs.:surprise: I am wondering if an emerald crab that I bought months back was possibly carrying fertilized eggs when I brought it home??? It didnt look like an emerald to me, but the lfs dude assured me it was(???) saying emeralds come in a few different color variations. So the hunt is on again. I cant leave this crab in the tank. Everything thing Ive read suggests black and hairy is baaaaaaaaad. It does have the algae eater pads on his claws tho. So anyway, as Im now combing over every square inch of the tank last night with a flashlight, looking for more of these crabs, I see movement. I look with the flashlight and of course dont see anything. I wait a minute or two and go back to the same spot in the rock and find my hectors goby!:surprise::surprise: Second time in three months I have seem him(that was a good buy:lol: ). I had wrote him off for dead, long ago. My tank is not that big, you would think I would at least spot him at feeding times? I like to think that I am an observant person but...?

JDigital

10-30-2008, 06:12 PM

So.... where's your tank update?:wink:

fishytime

11-01-2008, 03:15 PM

Ok here are the update shots. All shots taken by Jdigital Photography. Thanks again Josh and anything you want I will frag up for ya. Some tank shots, I will post some close-ups later.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS8.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS9.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS10.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Righthalf.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Lefthalf.jpg

Enjoy.
Doug.

fishytime

11-01-2008, 03:18 PM

And more

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTS2Oct.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Centershot.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTSUp2.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTSUp3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTSUp1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTSUp4.jpg

Doug.

Trigger Man

11-01-2008, 06:56 PM

The tank is looking great, and the pics by JDigital are well shot. Everytime I see pics of this tank its growth is tremendous.

Hairytank

11-02-2008, 01:23 AM

Doug,
Your tank gets better every time I see it. The T5's are certainly doing a good job of keeping things thriving.

By the way, do you have any heating issues with the new lights?

fishytime

11-03-2008, 01:27 AM

The tank is looking great, and the pics by JDigital are well shot. Everytime I see pics of this tank its growth is tremendous.

Doug,
Your tank gets better every time I see it. The T5's are certainly doing a good job of keeping things thriving.

By the way, do you have any heating issues with the new lights?

Thanks guys. I agree the shots Josh took are great. They have much better depth than I can ever take with my crappy point and shoot. I can dunk my camera in the tank though:razz:

I have seen about a two degree difference in temperature. Which is good... I guess. Anytime you can increase wattage and decrease temp, cant be bad right? Much better over all coverage with the T5s for sure. The metal halides do tend to leave shaded areas. But no more shimmer:neutral:

I did something today that I have been telling people I wouldnt do. Will tell you all bout it when I can post pics.

Carmen

11-03-2008, 01:30 AM

I did something today that I have been telling people I wouldnt do. Will tell you all bout it when I can post pics.

WHAT? Well don't leave us in suspense!

fishytime

11-03-2008, 02:48 AM

WHAT? Well don't leave us in suspense!

Sorry guess that is a bit of a tease:p.... How bout I distract you with some of Josh's pics of my fish?

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies4.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Hippo1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Hippo2.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Hippo3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Fish4.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Fish3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Fish1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Fish2.jpg

JDigital

11-03-2008, 02:55 AM

Those are some BIG lips on that Kole.. LOL :lol:

Carmen

11-03-2008, 03:24 AM

Love the expression on the fish in the last pic! Great shot!
But I really want to know what you did.......??????:lol:

OCDP

11-03-2008, 04:42 PM

Awesome pictures.. well done!

fishytime

11-04-2008, 02:40 AM

Love the expression on the fish in the last pic! Great shot!
But I really want to know what you did.......??????:lol:

Awesome pictures.. well done!

Time for Josh to take a bow. Ok Carmen ...it may be a while before I will be able to take pics of it, so I might as well tell you the story. I have for the longest time been telling people that I didnt think I would ever add an anemone to my tank. I was nervous about equipment mishaps and their tendency to wander around until they find a place where they are happy, all the while wiping out every coral they touch. I thought they were evil:twised: See, we got these absolutely incredible rose BTAs in at the shop (just ask Tony) on Saturday and I admired them from afar all day. By the end of Sunday I had had enough admiring and decided to take one home. I place it on a rock in a spot Im hoping it will like enough to call home and put a length of of 3" diameter tubing around it to help it feel secure. About a half hour or so later I notice that the tubing has drifted off the nem and amazingly it has already taken hold of the rock. So I take the tubing out and go to bed later that night with the nem still where I put it. I get up the next morning and first thing(even before coffee) I go to find the flashlight to check on "Rosie" and shes gone:surprise: Oh no.....I start looking at the coral to see if I can tell where it may have walked off to. Dont see any signs of dead coral... dont see Rosie either:sad:... start checking the overflows....nothing...oh no....start checking the power heads.....ROSIE....@#$%!!! Sucked into a koralia2 I have stashed behind the rockwork. I turned the powerhead off expecting Rosie to just fall out of it dead, but that didnt happen so I reach in to physically remove her from the powerhead and she's hanging on to it.:biggrin: Ok, so I havnt killed it in the first night. I left the powerhead off all day while I was at work hoping Rosie would crawl out of the cage she was trapped in by herself, but she didnt and I had to rescue her when I got home tonight. I have tried the tubing again but I put a heavier rock on this time. Man I hope she pulls through.

Carmen

11-04-2008, 03:43 AM

HA HA That's hilariious! I was wondering what the $@#^ you were talking about! Well, I did see those incredible nems and I agree they are hard to not take a second look at!! Great beautiful bright color, I hope she pulls through and stays away from those KORALIAS! Have your clowns showed any interest?

Delphinus

11-04-2008, 03:58 AM

FWIW, I've had a few BTA's and powerheads attempting to occupy the same coordinates in space/time and I've always been amazed at how little tissue can actually regrow an anemone on top. I suppose there are never guarantees (I'll never know what happened to my old Rose BTA - just vanished one day after 4 years ... how does that happen??), but you just never know. I had this one clone of my brown BTA a few months ago completely obliterate itself and all that was left was a little bit of the foot, but it literally regrew a new anemone. Took a few months mind you, but it did come back from the brink. Weird stuff.

Mine went for a wicked walkabout too. All the way to the back of the rock and just peeking out ever so slightly. :lol: But it stayed put there all day, so hopefully it's a spot to its liking.

JDigital

11-04-2008, 04:57 AM

Time for Josh to take a bow.

Just helping you out buddy. :mrgreen:

I KNEW it was a nem... just needed your post to confirm my guess. I'll get your tools back to you this week sometime if your not super busy..

fishytime

11-06-2008, 12:49 AM

I hope she pulls through and stays away from those KORALIAS! Have your clowns showed any interest?

Well she has survived her close encounter of the koralia kind. The clowns couldn't care less at this point.

Mine went for a wicked walkabout too. All the way to the back of the rock and just peeking out ever so slightly. :lol: But it stayed put there all day, so hopefully it's a spot to its liking.

Wont it wither away back there with reduced lighting? I ask this because mine did the same thing. It moved from up front to behind a rock and I have to strain even to get a look. I am concerned because it is quite dark where she has rooted( did I mention I just plain cant see it). Is ther some way to encourage her to move? Small powerhead maybe?

I'll get your tools back to you this week sometime if your not super busy..

No hurry man.

Delphinus

11-06-2008, 01:11 AM

Wont it wither away back there with reduced lighting? I ask this because mine did the same thing. It moved from up front to behind a rock and I have to strain even to get a look. I am concerned because it is quite dark where she has rooted( did I mention I just plain cant see it). Is ther some way to encourage her to move? Small powerhead maybe?

It can happen. Sometimes they are just adjusting to different light levels than they are accustomed to so they seek out a darker spot on their own, but whether they are smart enough to come out on their own...

A small powerhead works quite effectively in encouraging them to move. They don't like that at all.

I find that the best spot that they can find is one where they can completely wedge their foot ("pedal disk") into a cave or crevasse and then they can "peek out" (the top or "oral disk" only) into the light and current. Not too much current and not too little current. ("This porridge is too hot. This porridge is too cold. This porridge is just right." :lol: Good luck finding the happy medium.) If you make a spot like that in the front then it might stay put. Sometimes they just wander though. It's weird. My old brown BTA stays put like a rock unless it splits. My old rose would never split and would change spots all the time. Basically identical conditions (same tank). So I guess there is individual-to-individual preferences.. :neutral:

Anyhow short answer yes a small powerhead does work really well. I've had to do that trick in the past if I wanted to sell a clone and I couldn't get at it, I did the wee powerhead pointed at it trick and it encouraged movement within a couple of hours up to maybe the longest I think was about a day.

fishytime

11-06-2008, 02:03 AM

Thanks alot for the advice Tony. Nemanator of Canreef:biggrin: I think I will let her be for a bit. I dont want to force her from where she is comfy while she is healing up. The issue is going to be feeding her. I cant see the mouth? How long before I need to start worrying? Im assuming that if she starts loosing color, she is not getting either enough food or enough light?

Delphinus

11-06-2008, 04:42 AM

fishytime

11-07-2008, 03:00 AM

I was going to maybe wait a week with mine before attempting feeding. Ideally, if it will take it, I'll try mysis shot out from a turkey baster and it will eat what it catches. My other BTA seems to do well with this. Failing that, maybe some chopped shrimp or prawn pieces in the 1/4"-1/2" size placed in the middle of the oral disk with say large tweezers or something like that. You don't really need to see the mouth, if hungry enough the 'nem will take care of the rest. :)

PS. Oh and once a week or thereabouts is usually fine with BTAs, at least in my experience. I've gone long periods of time without feeding them too but it's probably better to give them a little bit to work with for the first bit.

Thanks again Tony. This RBTA (and the rest in that shipment) is the first nem that has struck me as something I wanted to add to my tank. I just dont want to "kill" it.

How bout another round of JDigi pics?

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTSEndTank.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS9.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS8.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS10.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTSUp3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTSUp2.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/FTSUp1.jpg

Delphinus

11-07-2008, 05:01 AM

Man, some people have a knack for taking tank shots. I've never been able to learn that knack. :lol: Outside photos, closeups of plants, etc. - no problem, but as soon as I take a tank photo I'm like .. do I need new glasses or is it out of focus??

Course in this case I'd say the subject matter isn't entirely blameless for the great photos too. :p Some nice colours in there!!

JDigital

11-07-2008, 12:42 PM

Carmen

11-07-2008, 06:41 PM

Awesome pictures! That is one beautiful tank - you should be proud! And JDigital I don't think you could take prettier shots! You are a true artist!!

fishytime

11-07-2008, 11:31 PM

Course in this case I'd say the subject matter isn't entirely blameless for the great photos too. :p Some nice colours in there!!

Awesome pictures! That is one beautiful tank - you should be proud!

Thanks guys. There is still one or two tweaks Id like to do. We are never really finished with the tank are we?

Rosie moved again :bad-word: . Right to the back of the tank, any farther back and she will be outside the tank. I shudda listened to my original instincts about nems. They are evil :evil: . Problem now is, I dont think I can get a powerhead any where to blast her out from back there.:confused:

ElGuappo

11-07-2008, 11:53 PM

the pump i am currently using for mixing water is nice and small may fit where ever you want and you may borrow it at your will.

Hairytank

11-08-2008, 01:34 AM

You could use a powerhead with some flexible tubing attached to try and encourage her out...that way the whole powerhead does not have to go back there.

tang daddy

11-08-2008, 03:26 AM

nice pics...

Love your tricolour colony, so deep purple reminds me of the cadbury foil mmmmmn.

fishytime

11-09-2008, 02:48 PM

You could use a powerhead with some flexible tubing attached to try and encourage her out...that way the whole powerhead does not have to go back there.

That a great idea Aaron! thanks.

fishytime

11-09-2008, 02:55 PM

nice pics...

Love your tricolour colony, so deep purple reminds me of the cadbury foil mmmmmn.

Thanks TD. It is probably my favorite colony. It actually has lightened up a little with the addition of the new lights. Here is a pic of it from a couple monthes ago.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2130.jpg

fishytime

11-14-2008, 01:51 AM

Time for an update. Rosie the bta is missing:sad: . I pointed a powerhead at her a couple nights ago and now I dont see any sign of her at all. At least before I could see part of her through a hole in the rock. Im not at all thrilled with the thought of having to dismantle the entire center portion of my tank. I just got it to where Im happy with it. Its been a couple weeks with no food and very little light. At what point should I tear the tank apart to get her out?

On another note I think I am done with fish stocking for this tank. I added a powder blue tang and a solar wrasse(working at RC is baaaaad:lol:). That brings the fish list to: powder blue tang, blue regal tang, kole tang, flame angel, bi-color angel, pair of ocellaris, royal gramma, solar wrasse, talbots damsel, hectors goby(maybe), candy stripe goby, and a yet to be identified anthia. Is that to much?? I think it is, but as another canreefer said thats thirteen fish....thats a bad number. Anyway the PBT seemed to settle right in and there was minimal posturing between the tangs. The PBT has made buddies with both the regal and the Kole. Although I think the resident tangs would like the newbie to f off and stop following them around. The wrasse wasnt quite so smooth. My little bi-color angel is a bit of a turd and proceeded to initiate the wrasse( even thought the wrasse is twice his size) for a couple days. I thought for sure the wrasse was going to go carpet surfing(not a covered tank) trying to avoid the harassment. It found a couple hidey holes were it could ride out the storm and now the bi-color has gotten used to the wrasse and has eased up on the "jumping in".

Here is a few JDigi pics, just to keep you pic hungry peeps fed.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Blasto.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softie3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies10.jpg

Carmen

11-14-2008, 02:06 AM

UGH...sorry to hear that about Rosie! Wow, wouldn't want to be tearing things apart now!

Glad to hear evryone has settled in and established whose boss. Sounds promising! But I think that number 13 is a bad one to stop on.....!:razz:

I like how you keep adding more JDigital pics every so often! He sure does a great job of capturing the textures and colors! Love his work!

Carmen

fishytime

11-17-2008, 03:33 AM

I have spotted Rosie!:biggrin: Just a fraction of her mind you, but at least I can see her. So tonight, I gave a good turkey baster blast of mysis and brine in her general direction. Hopefully she got a few. I am going to leave the first power head that flushed her in the direction she is headed in now in and add a second to see if it scootches her out in to the open. Im starting to worry about the new powder blue:neutral: . I havnt seen it eat with the rest of the gang yet. It is constantly picking and still looks full bodied, but it still concerns me. I feed mysis, brine, "Michika's blend" arctic pods, red, green, and purple algae. Fresh whole shrimp and a top quality flake food less often. The solar wrasse is doing well. The bi color angel still takes a run at the wrasse every now and then, but the wrasse seems not to be to bothered by it. So I am seriously considering upgrading skimmers to a deltec ap600. Anyone running one of these?

lorenz0

11-17-2008, 03:37 AM

saw the HD video of your tank. WOW looks great

fishytime

11-17-2008, 04:06 AM

Hey!..... I havnt even seen it yet:smile:

lorenz0

11-17-2008, 04:38 AM

lol whoops sorry. but its good. there are some crazy shots where your going to be thinking "thats mine???"

fishytime

11-17-2008, 12:47 PM

Really? I cant wait to see it.

JDigital

11-20-2008, 03:34 PM

Really? I cant wait to see it.

Dan has been working on it this week. I heard un-editted it was about 11 Gigs of video. :lol:

michika

11-20-2008, 05:40 PM

You need more photos!

I'm now curious to see this video!

Delphinus

11-20-2008, 06:25 PM

Me too! Can't you guys at least release a theatrical teaser?? :p

fishytime

11-21-2008, 04:16 AM

How many gigs? ......Dang ...Im gonna need a new puter to view it.:biggrin:

Ok more JD pics.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies2.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies5.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies7.jpg

Ken

11-21-2008, 06:22 AM

Hey Fishytime, your aquarium aquascape is magnificent!!! Seems like your aquarium filled up quickly, love those pics. Great job! Too bad I'm not closer, I would love to come by and see it. Thanks for the great pics. Regards Ken

JDigital

11-21-2008, 11:39 PM

Hey doug, Hope you don't mind me taking the liberty to post this for you.

Here is the link to Dan's video of your tank. Be sure to enlarge it to FULL SCREEN to get the best effect. :D

http://www.vimeo.com/2304609

Enjoy!

fishytime

11-22-2008, 12:48 AM

lol whoops sorry. but its good. there are some crazy shots where your going to be thinking "thats mine???"

You need more photos!

I'm now curious to see this video!

Me too! Can't you guys at least release a theatrical teaser?? :p
Ladies and gentlemen.... for your viewing pleasure. A Dan the man production.:lol: You were right Lorenzo... I dont believe thats my tank. Great job Dan!
Hey Fishytime, your aquarium aquascape is magnificent!!! Seems like your aquarium filled up quickly, love those pics. Great job! Too bad I'm not closer, I would love to come by and see it. Thanks for the great pics. Regards Ken
Thanks alot Ken. Took alot of fartin around to get it to where Im happy with it. It doesnt take long to fill things up when you do weekends at an aquarium shop.:twised:Well anytime you make it to Cowtown feel free to drop me a line and come and have a boo if you want.

JDigital

11-22-2008, 12:54 AM

I knew you'd like it.. haha!

michika

11-23-2008, 01:23 AM

*drool*

I like it!

sharuq1

11-24-2008, 03:54 AM

WoW!

Lance

11-24-2008, 04:22 AM

Absolutley Terrific!!

Carmen

11-24-2008, 06:39 PM

MikeP

11-24-2008, 08:02 PM

Great video! Really good job Dan (whover you are :)). Very nice pics too JDigital. Tanks looking awesome Doug.

fishytime

11-26-2008, 04:24 AM

WOW! Really a great video! You should be proud - super tank!
That solar wrasse is TERRIFIC! Gotta get me one of those Me thinks!

How's that powder doing? Any signs of eating yet? I hope she comes around she looks very nice.
Rosie creeping out yet? Glad to hear she's still around!

Carmen
Hola Senorita. Thanks Carmen. I love the wrasse so far, always up front and checkin the rocks for wrasse food. The PBT seems to be doing well, still full bodied though I cant say that I seen it eat anything other than what its picking off the rocks. Rosie is still playing shy. Seems to be creeping a little more out in the open, either that or she has expanded slightly. I have been spot feeding mysis twice a week.

*drool*

I like it!

WoW!

Absolutley Terrific!!

Great video! Really good job Dan (whover you are :)). Very nice pics too JDigital. Tanks looking awesome Doug.
Thanks to yous guys too. Catherine, so um...how long am I babysitting these acros for you? If your not careful they may encrust onto my rock.:razz: They are lookin good btw, did you recognize any of them in the vid? I noticed yesterday my kole tang was looking thin, which is odd because everything else in the tank is plump and the kole always eats his fair share of food not to mention the constant algae picking. I fed the tank and he ate as usual but didnt seem as enthused about it as it usually does. Today I get home and as Im relaxing looking at the tank I notice that he is missing. He is hiding behind some rock work and when I fed tonight he didnt eat:sad:. Other than not being as fat as the rest of the bunch he is not showing any external signs of anything, but is breathing fast. Water tested out at 0, 0, 5.

tang daddy

11-26-2008, 05:36 AM

hey nice vid just watching it on my 42" monitor and was like wow!! the colours on the rics and candycane pop same with a few others.... I want to do one.

michika

11-26-2008, 01:39 PM

I'll probably take my acros from you this weekend, provided that between now and Saturday morning nothing happens to my tester corals.

Crappy about the kole tang. Internal parasite maybe?

fishytime

11-27-2008, 02:17 AM

I'll probably take my acros from you this weekend, provided that between now and Saturday morning nothing happens to my tester corals.

Crappy about the kole tang. Internal parasite maybe?

You know Im just harassing you, right? Take as long as you need.....really.
My Kole died today:cry: Im wondering if possibly he was weakened due to stress from me adding the pbt. There didnt appear to be any animosity between the two. Im keeping a real close eye on the rest of the crew,and they all appear to be acting normal.

Trigger Man

11-27-2008, 02:54 AM

Sorry to hear about the Kole, it looked good in there.

Delphinus

11-27-2008, 03:09 AM

Sorry to hear... :(

Carmen

11-27-2008, 04:50 AM

:cry::sad: Sorry about the Kole Doug - maybe I was right about the #13??? Better get 2 more fish to replace him.:wink:
Is PBT still lookin okay?
TTYL
Carmen

lastlight

11-27-2008, 06:57 AM

That video is incredible man.

I'm not sure if you've mentioned this but how have you constructed your ledges and overhangs?

Looking forward to seeing more!

fishytime

11-28-2008, 12:35 AM

That video is incredible man.

I'm not sure if you've mentioned this but how have you constructed your ledges and overhangs?

Looking forward to seeing more!

Thanks everyone for the condolences. I did the overhangs with a pvc substructure and a combination of zipties and underwater epoxy. It ended up being a PITA but the end result was well worth it methinks.

fishytime

11-28-2008, 02:37 AM

Im starting to run out of JD pics. You all will have to get used to my mediocre photography skills again.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies8.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Softies9.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS5.jpg

fishytime

11-29-2008, 03:47 PM

Dont you just loooooove the ups and downs of keeping a reef tank. As some of you may know, I have been trying to convince my rose bta to come out from behind my rock work. She has been in the back of my tank for three weeks now. Last night I noticed that she has made her way to a place where I can almost actually see her when I look at the tank. Im thinking "yes". So I wake up this morning to find pieces of Rosie all over my tank. @#$*!!!! She must have found another powerhead some time over night. Im not sure she will recover from this incident as there is alot of damage. Nems is evil.

karazy

11-29-2008, 05:55 PM

aww man that sucks.

maybe you should have just chained her to a rock or something :lol:

Delphinus

11-29-2008, 06:03 PM

Sorry to hear. Man alive it can be frustrating with them sometimes. Sometimes you get lucky and they just sit in the same spot for years. Sometimes they can't sit still and eventually commit hari-kiri. :(

ElGuappo

11-29-2008, 06:04 PM

sorry about your string of bad luck lately. :twised:

fishytime

12-01-2008, 03:43 AM

Well Rosie didnt survive her second encounter with a koralia. The damage was too severe.:cry: So to console myself I brought home four clams( I know.....I have a problem:lol:) . Heres two croceas. I brought home two squamosas as well but the glass is dirty:redface: so will have to get those one later.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2436.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2437.jpg

Trigger Man

12-01-2008, 03:50 AM

those are some nice look clams. They look way different under your lights then at the store. I really like the second clam, to bad my fish would probably tear clams apart in my display.

Delphinus

12-01-2008, 03:51 AM

Pretty cool patterning!

fishytime

12-01-2008, 04:29 AM

those are some nice look clams. They look way different under your lights then at the store. I really like the second clam, to bad my fish would probably tear clams apart in my display.

These ones just came in on Saturday. So I dont think youve seem these ones yet.

fishytime

12-01-2008, 04:30 AM

Pretty cool patterning!

Still a green one there for you Tony:wink:

Trigger Man

12-01-2008, 04:48 AM

All these random shipping days, it was much easier when all shipments came in on thursdays. Guess I'm gonna have to come down and take a look at the new stuff that just came in.

Hairytank

12-01-2008, 06:08 AM

I knew I should have picked at least one of those clams...

fishytime

12-03-2008, 03:24 AM

All these random shipping days, it was much easier when all shipments came in on thursdays. Guess I'm gonna have to come down and take a look at the new stuff that just came in.

I knew I should have picked at least one of those clams...

There should still be a few there and I dont think there was a dud in the bunch.

A little equipment update. I swapped out a few bulbs. I removed four total (two per side) AM 10000k bulbs and put in two giesemann aquablue+ and two giesemann midday 6000k ( one each per side). It didnt seem to change the overall appearance to much but I have noticed slight changes in the colors of some of the corals. Some good and some bad. I may experiment further.

ElGuappo

12-03-2008, 03:54 AM

Well i cant wait till the next time i get to see tank. :mrgreen:

JDigital

12-03-2008, 04:33 AM

There should still be a few there and I dont think there was a dud in the bunch.

A little equipment update. I swapped out a few bulbs. I removed four total (two per side) AM 10000k bulbs and put in two giesemann aquablue+ and two giesemann midday 6000k ( one each per side). It didnt seem to change the overall appearance to much but I have noticed slight changes in the colors of some of the corals. Some good and some bad. I may experiment further.

What do you got in the store for 36" lights? I called in on the weekend and was told you didn't have actinics....

fishytime

12-03-2008, 04:53 AM

What do you got in the store for 36" lights? I called in on the weekend and was told you didn't have actinics....

We dont have true actinic. Aquablue+ is a 60/40 mix of blue and white. Supposed to be gooood for sps.

Red Coral Aquariums

12-03-2008, 07:11 AM

Josh we have the geisman actinics + 's 36".
Kevin

fishytime

12-04-2008, 02:39 AM

We dont have true actinic. Aquablue+ is a 60/40 mix of blue and white. Supposed to be gooood for sps.

Let me re-phrase that. Aquablue+ is 60/40 more white than blue. Actinic+ is 60/40 more blue that white.

fishytime

12-04-2008, 03:58 AM

I thought I would do another round of growth pics. The date this shot was taken was July 10.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP1996.jpg
Sept 6
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2141.jpg
Nov 24
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2431.jpg

July 21
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2044.jpg
Sept 6
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2204.jpg
Dec 3
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2443.jpg

Sept 6
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2135.jpg
Dec 3
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2442.jpg

Sept 6
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2129.jpg
Dec 3
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2441.jpg

lorenz0

12-05-2008, 01:22 AM

wow that monti growth is amazing. soo when are you going to start fragging

fishytime

12-05-2008, 01:27 AM

Here is a couple shots of some newbies.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2445a.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2444.jpg

I must be a glutton for punishment.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2447.jpg

fishytime

12-08-2008, 03:35 PM

wow that monti growth is amazing. soo when are you going to start fragging

I could snap one off for you anytime bud.

fishytime

12-08-2008, 03:55 PM

I may officially giving up on trying to keep tangs. I lost the powder blue a couple days ago.:question: This tank has been a tang killer. I cant figure it out. So far I have lost two powder blues, a yellow, a regal, and a kole. I am at a loss. All tank parameters check out.All other fish are doing well. Paully (RC's computer guy) has a yellow tang that he wants to give me, but Im not sure I should take it. I may just be leading the lamb to the slaughter.

On a happier note, the new clams appear to be doing well and the green bta that I added (exactly in the same spot I put the rose bta I might add) has not moved at all(nems is evil).

I have a day or two off now so I will be working on the tank all day today doing a water change and surgically trying to rid the tank of the remaining xenia(my clowns are gonna hate me). I also need to get in there and glue some more stuff down. Its gonna be a great day:biggrin:

JDigital

12-08-2008, 04:10 PM

lastlight

12-08-2008, 05:48 PM

Congrats on the growth...looks like you're a naturally at growing these sticks! And if it makes you guys feel better I don't even have water in my tank yet. Especially in my sump...which has a leak somewhere.

Carmen

12-08-2008, 07:06 PM

Aw Doug, I'm so sorry to hear about the Tangs! GRR! Frustrating to say the least! :sad:

ElGuappo

12-08-2008, 07:23 PM

Man you have had some bad luck in the recent past. sorry to hear it.

fishytime

12-10-2008, 01:32 AM

Damn.. sorry to hear about the PBT.. Ich free at the time of death I assume?

If it makes you feel better, my tank overflowed last night. I have no idea how long my return pump was running "semi" dry..

No.... that doesnt make me feel any better. That sucks man.:neutral:

Congrats on the growth...looks like you're a naturally at growing these sticks! And if it makes you guys feel better I don't even have water in my tank yet. Especially in my sump...which has a leak somewhere.

Thanks lastlight. I would probably get better growth if the system where bigger buget:lol:

Aw Doug, I'm so sorry to hear about the Tangs! GRR! Frustrating to say the least! :sad:

Man you have had some bad luck in the recent past. sorry to hear it.

Thanks yous two.

Operation xenia removal was implemented, and executed to the extreme.There isnt a squiff of visible xenia left in the tank. I tried to be as careful as possible to not let bits of it float of into the tank but some of the xenia had grown onto the glass. Will have to wait and see if it springs up again somewhere in the near future ..... I wont wait to remove it if it does. Thanks to ElGuappo for lending me the extra hand I needed to remove a rock that was a foundation type rock that was supporting a whack of others. I cant believe how much better I feel about how the tank looks without that big chunk of xenia infested rock that was in the left front corner of the tank. I have some shuffling to do now as Im not sure what to put where. Im not happy with where one or two of the new clams are. Catherine (one of the resident clam gurus) and Kevin are going to come and have a look at the flow patterns in my tank and try to help me decide where to put them. I know that clams are not crazy about alot of flow, which poses some problems in my tank. Just wanna make sure its a good spot before I let them root in. The bi-color angel seems to have taken an interest in the clams. There has been some nipping but as far as I can tell no damage and the clams all seem to have good extension with their mantles. Will have to wait and see with that situation too. There may be either a bi-color angel for sale or some clams in the near future. Hope not, I love them all:mrgreen:

michika

12-10-2008, 04:25 AM

JDigital

12-10-2008, 05:13 AM

fishytime

12-10-2008, 03:18 PM

Have an empty strawberry bucket? If not a nice eggcrate box will work well too to guard against clam raids.

I also can't believe you got a day off. How does one accomplish such a thing? I think you need to share your secret! :P

Not just 1!....but 2!!!!!!! :lol:

It appears, (and I hope it stays this way) that the nipping that I observed may have just been some exploratory tastes. I suspect that if the little shite was intent on eating the clam he would be much more relentless in his chomping. Would like to avoid putting a strawberry basket in the tank for obvious reasons. Thanks for the tip though. The bi-color has put a serious doubt in my plans to bring home one of the incredible potters angels that are at the store right now. I have always wanted a potters but they are supposed to be more prone to nip at corals and clams than the other dwarf angels. That coupled with the fact that if I added one, that would make three angels in my tank and that could be asking for trouble. The potters at the store are considerably bigger than the flame and bi-color that I have so I think there would be a big power struggle. But the fact that the potters are bigger may be the reason that adding him may work.....hmmmmmm.

The time off is unexpected and unwanted, being that it is so close to x-mas. It did however allow me to get some of those "I'll do it later" type things that the tank needed done.

JDigital

12-10-2008, 03:32 PM

Those Potters make me wanna screw the looooooong cycle plans on my 75 and bring one home.. :lol: Gotta RESIST the urge!!

Delphinus

12-10-2008, 04:45 PM

It appears, (and I hope it stays this way) that the nipping that I observed may have just been some exploratory tastes.

I find this is not an uncommon behaviour. If it's something new they may just be seeing what it is. After all, a lot of what your hands bring into the tank is pretty yummy.

But generally speaking healthy things don't usually smell like food so the exploratory nips stops.

No guarantees of course but just throwing my observations into the hat here. :)

I have always wanted a potters but they are supposed to be more prone to nip at corals and clams than the other dwarf angels. FWIW that's not been my experience with this fish (with statistical sample size of 2 :lol:). Both were model reef citizens (past tense for one, present tense for the other. I lost my first a few years ago in a tank-move/upset-ritteri incident :( ). In fact I've always heard that of the Centropyge species, the C. loricula (flame) and C. potter tend to have the highest hit-to-miss ratios. I guess it's just anecdotal stories. Ultimate it's always hit or miss and you never know until you know... (y'know?)

Trigger Man

12-10-2008, 05:40 PM

those are some nice potters at the shop, made me think twice before leaving there without one.
Now I hear they may be alright with my coral (Tony), got me thinking again, just wondering how they would do with my established flame angel?

fishytime

12-11-2008, 02:35 PM

So I worked at the shop yesterday and spent much of the seven hours drooling over the potters(sorry Kev). I talked myself in and out of bringing one home several times. At the end of the day I left them at the shop. I have been reading that they dont adjust as easily as some of the other centropyge angels to a new tank. I will have to start a thread asking about others experience with them.

My clowns spent two days swimming aimlessly around the tank looking for their nem (xenia). I moved the nem to the corner where the xenia used to be and within a few hours the clowns where hosting in the nem. wooot :biggrin:. Im such a reef geek. I have pics but they turned out dark as the actinics where the only lights on and they are also a bit blury. I will take some better pics (hopefully) when the lights are one.

fishytime

12-11-2008, 11:06 PM

Alberta-newb

12-12-2008, 05:09 AM

So I get home this afternoon thinkin "Im gonna take some pics of the clown and her new love" and there she two timing on the nem already. I caught her, all nestled in to my colony of yellow polyps.....tramp.:lol:

LOL :lol: Likes playin the field eh? At least she hosts in corals, mine are still in love with the featherdusters. Funny as hell watching them wait for the worms to re-emerge after they've had enough. They aren't even fully open before the clowns jump right back in.

JDigital

12-12-2008, 05:12 AM

LOL :lol: Likes playin the field eh? At least she hosts in corals, mine are still in love with the featherdusters. Funny as hell watching them wait for the worms to re-emerge after they've had enough. They aren't even fully open before the clowns jump right back in.

I gotta see a video of that... :lol:

fishytime

12-12-2008, 11:19 PM

JDigital

12-12-2008, 11:26 PM

I see you updated your sig with the video link! Nice.

fishytime

12-13-2008, 01:16 AM

Im not above a little shameless advertising.:redface:

fishytime

12-15-2008, 05:26 PM

I was looking in the tank this morning and found this.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2456.jpg

You may remember when I was so happy to get one exactly like this one out of the tank a while back. I have no idea when they came in to my tank but this makes two that Ive seen. Hope I can get lucky enough to get this one out.

I should start renting out tank space. I am babysitting again. This time a couple of zoanthid colonies from RC. We got tired of everyone trying to talk us into selling them. I accidentally put one of the colonies to close to my rock work and they have already spread to my rock....sorry Kevin.:wink: One colony is the blue zoas I already have and the other is a cool gold centered pink rimmed one.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2457.jpg

My new squamosa clams have crawled their way out to where I could get a couple decent shots.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2459.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2458.jpg

I will be doing a battery of tests today so will post parameters later.

karazy

12-15-2008, 06:10 PM

that blue clam is absolutely beautiful

ElGuappo

12-15-2008, 06:12 PM

Looks like a emerald crab. or at least some sort of mytrax crab. BANISH him to the sump.

Hairytank

12-15-2008, 06:34 PM

The tank is looking great!
If you need help with the crab, I can come over and lend a hand like last time....:wink:

Alberta-newb

12-15-2008, 08:33 PM

I should start renting out tank space. I am babysitting again. This time a couple of zoanthid colonies from RC. We got tired of everyone trying to talk us into selling them....

I didn't bug you guys that much did I? :mrgreen:

fishytime

12-15-2008, 09:57 PM

that blue clam is absolutely beautiful
Thanks bud. We got lucky enough to get a few blue squamosas in. From what I understand you dont see blue sqamies very often.
Looks like a emerald crab. or at least some sort of mytrax crab. BANISH him to the sump.
The picture shows up more green but the crab is very black. Does look like its from the mithrax famaliy for sure. This was just the "shed" from last nights molt. Ya great...its growing:neutral:
The tank is looking great!
If you need help with the crab, I can come over and lend a hand like last time....:wink:
Do guarantee a crab removal with each visit?
I didn't bug you guys that much did I? :mrgreen:
Aw man...if you only knew. Almost once a day someone asks "how much for those zoas" and then its followed by a "aw cmon... everything is for sale right?" Once the big tank gets set up they will be back at the shop, hopefully spawning frags.

I started operation "hacro":biggrin: The hacking off of the ugly PITA concrete bases that some of my acros are on. The bases have a nub of concrete on the bottom that makes them near impossible to just place on the rock. Some of the bases are almost 2" tall, and thats 2" less room that the acros will have to grow before I have to start pruning. Every little inch matters right?:redface: So the bases have to go. It is proving to be a little more difficult than I thought it would be. I expect that there will probably be frags.:smile:

Here are the parameters. Dkh is Elos, the rest are Salifert. nitrate 10, ph 8.0, mag 1290:surprise:, ca 360:surprise:, dkh 7 . Water change 1 week ago with kzrb salt, dosing nothing. Ca was 480 and mag was 1380 the day after the w/c. Suddenly (probably not so suddenly as I been lazy with the testing) my tank is using ca and mag...hmmm wonder why:lol: I am the type that is bad for remembering to do things like dose calcium every day, so I see a reactor and a dosing pump in my near future methinks... oh Santa.

Delphinus

12-15-2008, 11:23 PM

Alberta-newb

12-15-2008, 11:39 PM

Doug, do you have a compressor and a die grinder? I hate the circular frag discs as well (just don't look natural!). I found a die grinder with a cut off wheel quickly trims them down to size. :biggrin: If you have air but no grinder I'll drop mine off for you.

fishytime

12-16-2008, 12:40 AM

Yeah what's up with them bases anyhow. At least I don't have a problem with trying to find a spot for mine though. (All currently filed under "G" :( )

I think your blue-lined clam is in fact a maxima not a squamosa. But you're correct, blue squamy's are very unusual. Be that as it may though, it is still quite exquisite. :cool:

Sorry bout your sps issues.
What??? Man I hate distributors. They came to us as squams and ultra croceas. Thanks for the heads up Tony. Looks like I have some clam homework to do.

Doug, do you have a compressor and a die grinder? I hate the circular frag discs as well (just don't look natural!). I found a die grinder with a cut off wheel quickly trims them down to size. :biggrin: If you have air but no grinder I'll drop mine off for you.

Thanks for the offer Francis. I am getting er done with a dremel and a 1 1/2" metal cutting disc. Not ideal,I know but it seems to be working.

Delphinus

12-16-2008, 01:30 AM

fishytime

12-16-2008, 01:49 AM

Well, maybe I'm wrong. :) But the pattern is one I've seen on pictures before for maximas. Maybe I'm overlooking something, but my first thought was "Wow what a nice maxima! But why didn't he post a picture of the squamosa!" Maybe I should have looked closer at the shell. Squamosa scutes are so noticeably more exaggerated and further apart from one another than those on maximas or croceas.

But ultimately, whatever it is: it is one wickedly pretty clam. I want one too! :lol: It was VERY hard making a decision the other day. I could have easily picked 4 right off the bat.

Oh you made it in did you? You didnt take the green crocea?

So both clams in that pic are maximas? Catherine! We need another clam guru here:lol: Maybe she can remember for sure if maximas were on that shipping list?

Edit* now that Ive compared the shells on these new clams to the shell from the squamosa that I had( to soon for a clam methinks) I think your right Tony.

Delphinus

12-16-2008, 01:53 AM

fishytime

12-16-2008, 02:10 AM

What?? I picked a green one .. I'll upload a pic. I picked the wrong one???:redface: :lol: Dang it, I have to go back now.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1257/62/113/678826046/n678826046_2171341_5159.jpg

Thats a sweet one.:wink: The one that Caterine and I thought you would like is still there. I was just looking at it yesterday thinking *if Tony doesnt come and get this clam Im gonna have to take it home....before Catherine gets her clamie little fingers on it* hmmmmmm.....I do have a key to the shop:biggrin:

fishytime

12-18-2008, 04:00 AM

Just a handful of JDig pics that I havnt shared yet.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS2.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS4.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS6.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS9.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS8.jpghttp://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/SPS10.jpg

Enjoy.

michika

12-18-2008, 03:54 PM

Small clams are so hard to ID for sure. The scutes can be difficult to differentiate when they are smaller then 1".

fishytime

12-21-2008, 02:26 PM

Small clams are so hard to ID for sure. The scutes can be difficult to differentiate when they are smaller then 1".

If you ever make it up to my place you could check it out for yourself.:razz:

As some of you may know RC got an early visit from Santa. Two huge coral shipments in the last week which loosely translated means Xmas came a little early for me too. I picked up another A.lovely to replace the one that RTNed on me after an ick treatment, a "pokerstar" M. danae and a couple other unidentified acros( one I havnt got a decent pic of yet.)

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2465.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2464.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2463.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2462.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2461.jpg

fishytime

12-23-2008, 03:51 PM

A few issues that have shown up recently. Its official, the tank is using crazy amounts of ca and mag. I have had to double my previous dosing regiment of ca and have started dosing mag. I am also having a major diatom bloom. I am thinking that the diatoms are entirely my fault as I have stepped up feeding in an attempt to keep everything happy. I have recently added clams to the tank and have been feeding pyto weekly and also started target feeding the corals reefroids again. I have been using Pohls "coral vitalizer" two to three times a week. This coupled with the need for a rowaphos change in the reactor, I am sure is the cause for the increase in diatoms. I will have to cut back on my portioning and frequency to see if this helps things.

Merry Christmas everyone!

michika

12-23-2008, 04:39 PM

You Mr. owe me a new keyboard! I just ruined this one by drooling all over it.

Delphinus

12-23-2008, 05:04 PM

Ditto that. And coral growth ... what a terrible problem to have, my friend. Chin up, you'll get through it, things will improve. ;)

fishytime

12-24-2008, 03:19 AM

You Mr. owe me a new keyboard! I just ruined this one by drooling all over it.

Sorry Catherine:redface: Red Lobster bib for you?:biggrin:

Ditto that. And coral growth ... what a terrible problem to have, my friend. Chin up, you'll get through it, things will improve. ;)

Ok .....I know there are worse problems to have.......But its a problem non the less. If you guys want dirt....here you go.....My bi-color angel needs to go!!! You know the blasto I added recently(page 18)?......Yup he ate it!.....Little shite:twised:. A snail or something knocked over an acro right on top of the blasto causing a small wound. The bi-color saw this as his opportunity and proceeded to devour almost the entire colony. There is a small piece of flesh remaining so it may come back Same fish that has been pecking at my clams......Come to think of it....he pecks at everything! Anyone want a bi-color angel???

Delphinus

12-24-2008, 03:36 AM

Sorry to hear about the angel... sounds like it needs to be rehomed for sure...

JDigital

12-24-2008, 07:26 AM

Trade the bi-color for a Royal Blue Pygmy? :lol:

fishytime

12-24-2008, 03:42 PM

I am tying a "bi-color only" fly that I hope to hook the little bugger with, but I dont have any material that closely matches the color of the blasto. Only thing is I cant get decent "backcast" in, in my living room. Also he is a crafty little guy and I will need to remain hidden while I approach the tank.

On a slightly related note....someone should design a miniature spear gun. Not to get my angel with:surprise:, but to spear other unwanted hitchhikers. I got another glimpse of the black crab that I have in the tank and this thing is getting huge. Larger than a toonie, with the leg spread. If I had a little spear gun Im sure I could get it out, as the crab seems to be getting bolder the bigger it gets.

karazy

12-24-2008, 06:23 PM

you could attach a pin to a weighted down nerf gun :p

or glue a pin to like a lil rubber thing and put it in a painball gun with 500 PSI

JDigital

12-24-2008, 09:30 PM

or glue a pin to like a lil rubber thing and put it in a painball gun with 500 PSI

500psi out of a paintball gun into a tank would blow more than the crab away...

karazy

12-24-2008, 09:32 PM

haha. All he said was he wanted the crab out. he didnt say nothin bout how the tank would look after :P

sharuq1

12-25-2008, 04:16 AM

Everything looks so wonderful. I'm so envious of all your beautiful colonies! Gorgeous clams too!

fishytime

12-31-2008, 04:13 PM

Trade the bi-color for a Royal Blue Pygmy? :lol:

Sure Man. I catch yours, you catch mine

Everything looks so wonderful. I'm so envious of all your beautiful colonies! Gorgeous clams too!

Thanks Kelly. I do have a bit of an unfair advantage when it comes to livestock that comes through the shop.:mrgreen:

I know I said that I was "swearing off" tangs, but Paully (Red Corals internet guy) recently moved and decided that his yellow tang no longer fit his tank plans. Sooooooooo, I being the glutton for punishment that I am decided to adopt it and give it a new home.When Paully told me about he said that it was big, but after I brought it home, I realized how big it is. Its about the same length as my regal, but with the body shape being so tall he is the new king of the tank. My regal seems to be pouting a bit, not at the front of the tank all day begging for food like usual. The yellow is eating now(didnt for the first couple days) and isnt showing any signs of ich, which has been a constant thorn in my side since I started into saltwater two years ago. I have my fingers crossed and hopefully the tang gods smile upon me.

Heres a couple random recent pics from the tank.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2485.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2484.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2483.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2482.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2478.jpg

JDigital

12-31-2008, 04:47 PM

Sure Man. I catch yours, you catch mine

No fair!!, I'll be tearing my 20G apart.. Easy pick'ns for you! :lol:

Look forward to seeing this King Yellow Tang!

fishytime

01-02-2009, 11:23 PM

Ive decided to up the flow in the tank and order in two tunze nanostreams 6055s and the multi controller:mrgreen:. So Im thinking the two visible koralias in the tank will be replaced with the tunzes and the two that are stashed behind the rockwork will stay. Although I may swap the stashed "K2" for a "K4". So that will put the movement inside the tank at somewhere near 6000 gph if I run the tunzes "full blast". Im not sure how some of the "more sensitive to flow" things in the tank will fare. I really hope I dont end up needing to re-home anything.:neutral:

JDigital

01-02-2009, 11:29 PM

fishytime

01-03-2009, 12:15 AM

I was actually going to order them before x-mas but my extended "vacation" put an end to that idea. Kevin said he needed to do a tunze order so....Talking to Laurier today just made me feel alot better about my decision. Im getting the osmolator top-off unit too:biggrin:

Boomboy

01-03-2009, 12:21 AM

talk about a gorgeous tank. wow, i hope to have my stock with beautiful corals like yours. great shots too JDigital.

JDigital

01-03-2009, 12:55 AM

Im getting the osmolator top-off unit too:biggrin:

Hopefully Kevin brings in more than 1.. :mrgreen:

lorenz0

01-03-2009, 05:05 AM

Glad i could help. Like I said, its a killer unit but i am going to run my 2 K-nano's in to just keep water moving in the back. LOL trust me full blast is insane.

fishytime

01-03-2009, 03:00 PM

talk about a gorgeous tank. wow, i hope to have my stock with beautiful corals like yours. great shots too JDigital.

Thanks alot man! As you probably know the tank is a constant work in progress.

Hopefully Kevin brings in more than 1.. :mrgreen:

We ordered in 4.:wink:

Glad i could help. Like I said, its a killer unit but i am going to run my 2 K-nano's in to just keep water moving in the back. LOL trust me full blast is insane.

Well I have a couple more feet of tank than you so hopefully the extra tank will dampen the insanity.:lol: Still... I cant believe Im so excited about a powerhead:redface: What a reef geek:mrgreen:

fishytime

01-05-2009, 04:10 AM

Treebeard

01-05-2009, 04:18 AM

Lucky thing you work in a well-stocked fish store and can keep on bringing him home fresh food to munch on! :biggrin:

JDigital

01-05-2009, 04:19 AM

I don't want your bi-color anymore thanks! :razz:

ElGuappo

01-05-2009, 04:32 AM

lucky thing you work in a well-stocked fish store and can keep on bringing him home fresh food to munch on! :biggrin:

lol

Lance

01-05-2009, 04:35 AM

My Coral Beauty does the same thing to my Brain Coral. Just picks at it enough to let it stay alive. Little Bastard!

fishytime

01-05-2009, 05:18 AM

Lucky thing you work in a well-stocked fish store and can keep on bringing him home fresh food to munch on! :biggrin:

lol

I would still prefer that he ate the frozen, dead in-expensive food rather than the rare blasto and nice acan.

I don't want your bi-color anymore thanks! :razz:

I will catch him for ya ...now:lol:

My Coral Beauty does the same thing to my Brain Coral. Just picks at it enough to let it stay alive. Little Bastard!

Lance, that sucks man. Does he bug anything else in your tank?

Im not really that mad. Its an angel right? Its not his fault its in his genetic code somewhere, to at some point snap and start eating coral. I just dont like what he decided to eat. I wonder how much a proven xenia eating fish would cost?:mrgreen:

Delphinus

01-05-2009, 06:20 AM

fishytime

01-06-2009, 04:58 AM

Ha! Whatever the cost, I'd probably want one too!

Sorry about the corals. Sucks to lose corals that way. I wasn't able to keep blastos or acan's in my 75g and I suspect it may be my CBB. (But, at least he pays the rent by eating aiptasia with extreme prejudice, so I live without blastos or acans. If that isn't an excuse to have a nano on the side, I don't know what is. :lol:)

The g/f would kill me.:sad: Probably gonna try and trap the bugger. Maybe I get lucky and get the damsel too:twised:.

I will get him......But first.....I dance *does a little happy dance* I got the second big mofo crab out of my tank tonight!!! Me so happy.For now, he is in a container in the sump. Im not sure where his future lies atm.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2534.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2535.jpg

lorenz0

01-06-2009, 05:08 AM

Oh man, all these stories about evil angels just gives me more of a reason not to get any in my tank.

lol that is one nasty looking crab

fishytime

01-07-2009, 03:57 AM

Operation "Bye Bye Bi" has swung into effect. Phase 1- bottle trap, Bait- nori(to minimize civilian casualties).

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2536.jpg

I caught my solar wrasse in about five minutes.:neutral:

Delphinus

01-07-2009, 04:00 AM

I caught my solar wrasse in about five minutes.:neutral:

I'm sorry but that's kinda funny. :lol: I don't know if you remember a couple years back I tried fishing out my sixline (who is far too clever to fall for a trap). First of all I felt like an idjit at the fishing store asking for ONE 1/4" hook but baiting it with mysis was .. well, interesting in itself AND I caught everyone at least once ... except for the sixline. :lol: He was far too suspicious of the mysis on a string. "Ooh, I want that ... but something about it is off. Here tang tang tang, come check it ouuuuuut" And of course the tang was all too happy to oblige. "Hoboy! A mysis on a STRING! YAY!" .. :neutral:

karazy

01-07-2009, 04:04 AM

tell that wrassehole to get the frag out of there before he blows the whole operation!

fishytime

01-07-2009, 04:17 AM

tell that wrassehole to get the frag out of there before he blows the whole operation!

:lol: Good one

I'm sorry but that's kinda funny. :lol: I don't know if you remember a couple years back I tried fishing out my sixline (who is far too clever to fall for a trap). First of all I felt like an idjit at the fishing store asking for ONE 1/4" hook but baiting it with mysis was .. well, interesting in itself AND I caught everyone at least once ... except for the sixline. :lol: He was far too suspicious of the mysis on a string. "Ooh, I want that ... but something about it is off. Here tang tang tang, come check it ouuuuuut" And of course the tang was all too happy to oblige. "Hoboy! A mysis on a STRING! YAY!" .. :neutral:

I thought about doing that too as I am a fly-fisherman and know how to tie flies. I know I could match the hatch and have an ice fishing ultralight rod and reel. I just thought I would get flamed hard for trying to "hook my fish" (I would go "barbless):mrgreen:

JDigital

01-07-2009, 04:27 AM

I caught my solar wrasse in about five minutes.:neutral:

I'll take him instead!! :mrgreen:

Good luck catching that lil bugger.

Alberta-newb

01-07-2009, 05:13 AM

:mad: My bi-color angel has struck again. This time a lemon/lime acan frag I just brought home. Same thing as with the blasto, he chewed almost all the flesh off. Since he ate the blasto, he hasnt touched the bit he left and it actually is looking like it may recover. Its like he knows that if he eats it all it wont grow back. *formulating strategy*

Was that the frag I was eyeballing at RC that day? Glad I didn't pick one up as well, I'm sure my goldflake would love another "tasty treat". He's done the same with a bubble and a donut already.....could end up with a FOWLR at this rate:mrgreen:

How you like the Tunze's ?

fishytime

01-07-2009, 05:23 AM

Was that the frag I was eyeballing at RC that day? Glad I didn't pick one up as well, I'm sure my goldflake would love another "tasty treat". He's done the same with a bubble and a donut already.....could end up with a FOWLR at this rate:mrgreen:

How you like the Tunze's ?

Angels:twised::neutral:

I dont know yet Francis, they should be here this Thursday. Im pumped!:mrgreen:

Carmen

01-07-2009, 02:10 PM

Cut the ribbed end off the bottle, Makes the tunnel more invisible and you will have MUCH more luck!!!!! They seem to be more hesitant to enter with the ribbed end on. (Other than the stupid wrasses) Trust me trial and error after 5 days proves my method works! And try a mirror in the back as well. REALLY it makes a difference. Only I would only leave it in there if someone will be home - cuz I caught all my fish and had alot of catch and release to do!
Good luck!

Boomboy

01-07-2009, 05:33 PM

just get him a tim hortons coffee and maybe a donut put it in there, and you'll get him in no time..:lol::lol::lol::lol:

michika

01-08-2009, 11:41 PM

I'm sorry but that's kinda funny. :lol: I don't know if you remember a couple years back I tried fishing out my sixline (who is far too clever to fall for a trap). First of all I felt like an idjit at the fishing store asking for ONE 1/4" hook but baiting it with mysis was .. well, interesting in itself AND I caught everyone at least once ... except for the sixline. :lol: He was far too suspicious of the mysis on a string. "Ooh, I want that ... but something about it is off. Here tang tang tang, come check it ouuuuuut" And of course the tang was all too happy to oblige. "Hoboy! A mysis on a STRING! YAY!" .. :neutral:

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/funny-pictures-your-cat-suspects-a-trap.jpg

fishytime

01-13-2009, 12:08 AM

My bi-color is still in the tank:neutral: Admittedly I havnt been trying that hard to get him. There has and will be a couple large fish orders at the shop. To avoid any temptation to bring anything home I figured a full tank is best. I did a water change and glass clean today so while things are looking good I snapped a few pics.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2542.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2543.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2545.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2547.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP2549.jpg