Rocketlily's Damsel in Zoanthidland 10g Nano

[rocketlily]

Budget update:

$300.00 Budget Items
Equipment:
4 Coralife Mini Compact 50/50 lamps 20 watt each @ $15.99 each Total $63.96 (Wiring supplies from shop)
Aqueon 50w Heater $25.99
Aquatech 20-40 HOB filter $ 2.00 ("scored" a good deal - receipt can be provided)
Used Nano Powerhead $26.21

Total Equipment: $ 118.16


Livestock:
3 small zoanthids (under 15 heads) @ $5.00 each $ 15.00 (transferred from 50 gal tank)
9 med zoanthids (15 - 25 heads) @ $10.00 each $ 90.00 (transferred from 50 gal tank)
1 small (7 head) flourescant zoanthid $ 5.00 (purchased from a local reefer)
1 small Blue Clove $ 5.00 (fragged from 50 gal tank)
1 green mushroom rock $ 20.00 (transferred from 50 gal tank)
5 blue mushroom $ 25.00 (transferred from 50 gal tank)
1 Yellowtail Damselfish (Live Aquaria price) $ 4.99 (transferred from 50 gal tank)
1 Stocky Cerith Snail (Big Al's) $ 2.99
2 Narssarius Snails (Big Al's $1.99 each) $ 3.98
1 Cerith Snail (Big Al's) $ 1.99
1 Blue Legged Hermit Crab $ 1.99
1 Red Banded Turbo Crab $ 4.99

Total Livestock: $ 180.93

Total spent on budget items (equipment and livestock): $ 299.09


"Free" Items
10 gal display tank - $0.00 (Had it at home already)
Maple for stand and canopy - $55.86
Sand - Left over from 20 gal - free
Rocks - 2 large cooking in basement - free
Rocks - 2 small $10.00
Thermometer - $1.49
Mag Cleaner - Left over from 20 gal - free

Total spent on free items: $67.35

Empty Tank
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/10_gal_empty.jpg

October 15-2008
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/10_gal_Oct_15-08.jpg

November 15-2008
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Nov_15_FTS.jpg

December 15-2008
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/IMG_0157.jpg

Jan 15-09
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/IMG_0243.jpg

Fb 15-09
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FTSFeb15-08.jpg

March 15-09
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FTS10galMar14-0925.jpg

April 15-09
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalFTS.jpg

A few favorites:
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalFlourescantZoanthid.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalManofSteel-SnowmanZoanthid.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalSaucerZoanthid.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalPinkZoanthid.jpg

[Stab_Master_Arson]

My intentions are similar. Simplicity. Good luck.

[rocketlily]

Spent today making a stand and canopy for my 10 gal. Still have work to do, fill holes in wood, stain and Varathane it.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/tank_and_stand.jpg

Budget update:

$300.00 Budget Items
Total spent on budget items: $0.00

"Free" Items
10 gal display tank - $0.00 (Had it at home already)
Maple for stand and canopy - $55.86

Total spent on free items: $55.86

[JDigital]

Sweet looking cabinet!! Nice work!

[Keri]

Wow!! Great job on the stand and canopy!

[michika]

Agreed, very good stand and canopy!

[mseepman]

wow...you built that in one day...I don't want to talk about how long my canopy took me.:redface:

What kind of light is going in there?

[rocketlily]

Thanks for the compliments on the canopy and stand. I figure my "free" stand will probably cost me around 20 hours of time. I'm working on staining it today, 2 coats of stain, then it needs 3 - 4 coats of clear.

For lighting, I am hoping to put in an 18" SlimPaq Actinic T5HO. It's been back ordered by the supplier, without a delivery date, but hope it will be in when it's time to put in water.

What date do we put in the water?

[lorenz0]

looking great

we put water in out tanks oct 15

[michika]

For lighting, I am hoping to put in an 18" SlimPaq Actinic T5HO. It's been back ordered by the supplier, without a delivery date, but hope it will be in when it's time to put in water.

Tell me more about this lighting would you? Maybe a link? I am definitely interested.

[rocketlily]

Ocean Aquatics is the supplier. Here's the link: http://oceanaquatics.com/store/product/2284/Nova-Extreme-T5-18%22-Saltwater/

Maybe if we order enough of them we can get delivery before the 15th.

[lorenz0]

your planning on keeping zoo's and other soft coral i take it

[rocketlily]

Mostly zoos and a few mushrooms. I would really like to add Suncorals if I could find some small frags at a very good price that works with the budget. In reading about the Suncorals, it doesn't look like they need alot of light. I've been feeding my Duncanopsammia axifuga 3 -4 times a week now, since February, so feeding woudn't be an issue.

Anyone out there with small Suncoral frags at good price?

[mseepman]

I have that light in my nano canopy. I use it in combination with my 70w MH. Gives out some pretty decent light and was well priced. Only problem that I can see so far is that only Current makes the bulbs for it so far. Hoping to see some more in the market soon as the nano market continues to take off.

[michika]

Suncorals don't need light, but they do require constant feeding.

I could swear you and I are thinking the same things for these nanos...

[JDigital]

What date do we put in the water?

You can have it in anytime between Oct 15-Nov 15th.. must have water by Nov 15 tho.

[rocketlily]

Suncorals don't need light, but they do require constant feeding.

I could swear you and I are thinking the same things for these nanos...


I'm used to feeding corals in my other tank. Don't mind it at all. Sometimes it's very interesting to watch them eat.

If we're thinking the same then you must have very good taste in tanks.

[michika]

:D

I know where there are some sun corals in Calgary, but as for Edmonton & Area, sorry, I am clueless.

[rocketlily]

Always willing to take a little drive.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Suncorals don't need light, but they do require constant feeding.

I could swear you and I are thinking the same things for these nanos...

Make that three of us. LOL. Ahem...maybe I should change up my strategy.

[rocketlily]

Added water and rocks to the tank today. Here's the picture of the tank and one showing the wall it's sitting in. Sorry this pictures are bad. I think I need a new camera that takes straight pictures.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/10_gal_Oct_15-08.jpg

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/10_gal_room_view.jpg

[JDigital]

Wow... you couldn't have asked for a better spot for a tank!

[rocketlily]

It's a spot that has housed many various things over the years, stereo's, shelving with knick knacks, children, etc. Never could get it right, but the 10 gal is a perfect fit.

[Chaloupa]

That IS a perfect spot! Looks good....I guess I better get into high gear and get mine filled!

[rocketlily]

All prices updated.

[JDigital]

"Free" Items
10 gal display tank - $0.00 (Had it at home already)
Maple for stand and canopy - $55.86
Sand - Left over from 20 gal - free
Rocks - 2 large cooking in basement - free
Rocks - 2 small $10.00
Thermometer - $1.49
Mag Cleaner - Left over from 20 gal - free

The 2 small rocks, the thermometer and the material for the stand don't need to be deducted from your budget. Unless you are just keeping a tally for yourself. But don't take that $65 or so out of your budget.

[rocketlily]

Just keeping a total tally on this tank. That way when I show my husband how little it completely cost me, he'll forget about the money I spend on the new corner tank. :lol:

[JDigital]

Just keeping a total tally on this tank. That way when I show my husband how little it completely cost me, he'll forget about the money I spend on the new corner tank. :lol:

Fair enough... LOL..

[rocketlily]

Thought I would post a picture of my tank tonight. I've updated all the prices on the first post. I'm really happy with the way the stock has responded to the change in tanks. Colors are starting to change already. Still need to add a few things but I thought I would wait and see how everything like's it placement first. The damsel was going to be headed back to some store, but I would like to keep it, so this is his new home. I still have to figure out how to keep the sand in place, as he keeps fanning holes and covering up mushrooms and hitchhiker growth on the bottom rocks.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/10_gal_Oct_27-08.jpg

[Chaloupa]

WOW...lookin good!:biggrin:

[JDigital]

Damn! I gotta get a move on with Livestock.. lol..

Tank looks good... like the new aquascape!

[rocketlily]

Just redid my prices, due to today's price increase on zoanthids and it looks like I'm over and finished.

This challange has been great to participate in as first of all I got to start a new tank. Two for the living room, not bad. I'm also not sorry I did it because the zoanthids I had needed a change in scenery and my little blue fish needed a new home.

There has been amazing improvement in the stock transferred. Probably due to better water conditions and easier to move the corals around for proper lighting and flow. I have let the 50 gal go unattended while getting the new corner tank ready. I'll probably keep this one running until next summer, as I believe it will be hard to control the temperature.

I look forward to watching everyone else and good luck to you all.

[Chaloupa]

NO NO NO! Don't quit yet....lets just see how the pricing increase etc plays out....or take out 2 frags...I don't want you out of the contest! The more the merrier.......:lol:

[sphelps]

Prices were changed back, so..

[JDigital]

Just redid my prices, due to today's price increase on zoanthids and it looks like I'm over and finished.

This challange has been great to participate in as first of all I got to start a new tank. Two for the living room, not bad. I'm also not sorry I did it because the zoanthids I had needed a change in scenery and my little blue fish needed a new home.

There has been amazing improvement in the stock transferred. Probably due to better water conditions and easier to move the corals around for proper lighting and flow. I have let the 50 gal go unattended while getting the new corner tank ready. I'll probably keep this one running until next summer, as I believe it will be hard to control the temperature.

I look forward to watching everyone else and good luck to you all.

I reverted the zoas prices 20mins before this post was made. I also made it clear that no one was DQ'd. So I don't know what the fuss is all about.

All I was trying to do was make a detailed price list for everyone, and to differentiate prices on the regular and rare zoa's, but even that has been revised (Simply Zoas.. regular or rare, same price)

Your zoa prices are fine, and you are not DQ'd... LOL

[rocketlily]

Looks like I'm back in.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Looks like I'm back in.

That's what I'm talkin' about.....;)

[Chaloupa]

Woohooo! good to see!

[JDigital]

Looks like I'm back in.

You were never out.. :lol:

[rocketlily]

Here's my Nov 15th pictures. I have not added anything new in the last month so there have been no changes in the prices. I seem to have room for 2 little red mushrooms if anyone around Edmonton needs to sell some. I have not included in my pricing the Aiptasia or Hydroids as I'm considering them free hitchhikers.:lol:

FTS
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Nov_15_FTS.jpg

Left Side
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/Nov_15_Left_Side.jpg

Right Side
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/Nov_15_Right_Side.jpg

[Lance]

Nice job! Looks good.

[JDigital]

Contest Reminder:

**Updated FTS and Budget Required today (Nov 15/08) to remain in the contest**

[rocketlily]

Bought a new orange zoanthid at a local store in Edmonton on Saturday. Prices on first post have been updated.

My daughter came home for the weekend and she agreed that my aquascaping did kind of suck. So we spent the day re-aquascaping. Broke a couple of heads of two of the zoanthids and glued them onto a new rock. Nice way to get a free frag. Not sure what colors they are but we'll see when they open.

Also bought a new camera so hopefully the pictures in the future will be better. I'll have to wait for a few days to post the pictures as they will be downloaded into the computer that won't have internet access for a few day. A little off topic, but we finally get high speed internet tomorrow. We live 18 km outside of Edmonton and until now have never had access to any high speed internet providers. Finally joining the 20th century.:multi:

[superduperwesman]

Bought a new orange zoanthid at a local store in Edmonton on Saturday. Prices on first post have been updated.

My daughter came home for the weekend and she agreed that my aquascaping did kind of suck. So we spent the day re-aquascaping. Broke a couple of heads of two of the zoanthids and glued them onto a new rock. Nice way to get a free frag. Not sure what colors they are but we'll see when they open.

Also bought a new camera so hopefully the pictures in the future will be better. I'll have to wait for a few days to post the pictures as they will be downloaded into the computer that won't have internet access for a few day. A little off topic, but we finally get high speed internet tomorrow. We live 18 km outside of Edmonton and until now have never had access to any high speed internet providers. Finally joining the 20th century.:multi:

Yeah high speed is nice... but ours is a bit finicky from time to time (5 min outside Calgary so it works on radio waves??)

A new camera.... NICE! I'd love to get one,

Looking forward to seeing the new scape

[rocketlily]

I've been having trouble trying to keep some of the frags mounted in place. Some of them always end up pushed out of their places and lying in the sand. I've been blaming the Damsel for all this trouble.

Well this morning I peered into the tank with my LED flashlight, and what did I see. A CRAB!!! No idea where he came from and no ID on him as I didn't get a good enough look. Looks to be the size of a loonie.

Haven't figured out what to do yet. Going to think about it for a day or two, as in the last 8 months I've had to get rid of 3 other hitchhiker crabs and kind of feeling bad about it.

[rocketlily]

Here's my FTS for December 15th. Here's the first picture of the newly aquascaped tank. Having problems with algae blooms. Looks like I should have taken more time to let the tank cycle before adding the corals and fish. I don't think it will be too hard to deal with. I still have an unknown crab hiding somewhere, but he's not done any damage so I'll let him be.

Budget has been updated to reflect the new Flourescant zoanthid I bought from a local reefer. Still have not added the apitasia to the budget as I think it should be a free hitchhiker.

FTS Dec 15-08
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/IMG_0157.jpg

New Zoanthid
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/IMG_0170.jpg

Mushrooms
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/IMG_0172.jpg

[Lance]

Nice

[Chaloupa]

OOOOOH looking good! LOVE the new Zoa!

[JDigital]

Love the Aquascape!! Great looking tank so far.

[superduperwesman]

New scape looks good!

[sphelps]

Agreed! You got skills. Looking good.

[Leah]

Very nice! What an amazing canopy and stand, will you teach me how to do that?

[superduperwesman]

So how much do you think the zoas will grow out over the next few months??? Think you'll have a full out zoa garden??

[Der_Iron_Chef]

It's looking good! Aquascaping is excellent.

[rocketlily]

I would love to take credit for the aquascaping, but it was my daughter's work. She seems to have a talent. If I can keep my hands out of the tank I do expect some growth from the zoanthids. I'm not sure how much with the lighting only being incandescant. In the past I have experienced amazing growth with a 150 MH, but I didn't use it on this tank due to the heating issues.

[rocketlily]

Very nice! What an amazing canopy and stand, will you teach me how to do that?

Actually easy with the right equipment and one piece of board at a time.

[noirsphynx]

It's looking great. I'm going to rescape mine too, it's too dark right now.

[rocketlily]

I had to post my Jan 15th pic today, as I'm leaving on holidays Wed morning for 2 weeks in the Domican Republic and won't be back in time for the Jan 15th deadline. I'm looking forward to some sun and hopefully snorkling for the first time.

All did not go well with the little tank during the last month. I spent too much time on the 90 gal tank and Christmas. Didn't do water changes and probably overfeed the little Damsel, so I have had a major outbreak of algae. I bought a little Turbo snail and he's been doing a great job of cleaning things up. Hopefully by next month it will look better.

Also had major problems with a hitcherhiker crab. Zoanthids were constantly knocked off and upside down in the sand and mushrooms picked off their rocks. Friday morning he was sent to inspect the septic pipes and hasn't reported back yet.

Sorry for the very bad picture, but hopefully next month will be better.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/IMG_0243.jpg

[Lance]

Also had major problems with a hitcherhiker crab. Zoanthids were constantly knocked off and upside down in the sand and mushrooms picked off their rocks. Friday morning he was sent to inspect the septic pipes and hasn't reported back yet.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/IMG_0243.jpg

How'd you catch the little bugger. I've been trying for a month to catch a large crab in my tank. Did you have to move some rockwork or did you use a trap?

[rocketlily]

I have used this method 3 times in the past year and it always seems to work. I cut a plastic water bottle in half, throw away the top and poke a few holes in the bottom so it doesn't float. The in the bottle put in some Mysis, nori and anything else that might entice the little begger. I then lean it up against a rock that I think he might be in, giving him a nice easy path to the food. Once he goes down for the food he can't climb up.

Sometimes it only takes a few minutes after lights out, other times it has taken a couple of nights.

Good luck. I know that they can be very annoying to say the least.

[Lance]

I have used this method 3 times in the past year and it always seems to work. I cut a plastic water bottle in half, throw away the top and poke a few holes in the bottom so it doesn't float. The in the bottle put in some Mysis, nori and anything else that might entice the little begger. I then lean it up against a rock that I think he might be in, giving him a nice easy path to the food. Once he goes down for the food he can't climb up.

Sometimes it only takes a few minutes after lights out, other times it has taken a couple of nights.

Good luck. I know that they can be very annoying to say the least.


I tried the bottle trap and even leaned it up against the rock like you did. Bugger is just too smart or too full of Ricordea to go for the bait. I'll keep trying though. Thanks for the info.

[JDigital]

New FTS is looking great!!

Hasn't been much for updates or stories of the tanks these days..

[rocketlily]

Came back from 2 weeks holidays and made the mistake of having my tanks overfeed. Did wonders for zoanthid growth but it will probably take awhile to clean up the tanks. Here's 2 pics from yesterday.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/IMG_0312-Copy.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/IMG_0311-Copy.jpg

[BlueAbyss]

Lookin good :cool:

[rocketlily]

The last month has gone well. Green algae is now under control. All zoanthids have grown well but blue mushrooms are not opening up as well as they used too. The coraline algae growth on the back glass is growing too well and really takes away from the rest of the picture. Guess it's some to do some scraping.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FTSFeb15-08.jpg

[Chaloupa]

Looks fantastic...very very colorful!!!!

[karazy]

looks awesome!

love that 'scape!

[noirsphynx]

I've seen this tank in person and it's beautiful, pics don't do it justice.

[Lance]

Nice! Tank looks great!

[Myka]

Nice!! Will look much better when you clean that back glass too. :)

[rocketlily]

Here's my March 15th picture. Posted it on the first page as well. Nothing is new this month. Algae is under control, I believe due to the one turbo snail and the cutting down on feeding. Three of the zoanthids decided this week to only open half of the polyps, not sure why. Finally getting the coraline algae scraped off the back of the tank. I think it looks a little nicer than way. I have been letting a couple of Apitasia's grow bigger and I think they're big enough now to get a hold of the syringe. (I'm still counting them as free hitchhikers)

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FTS10galMar14-0925.jpg

[Flash]

Looks unreal!

[Chaloupa]

WOW...looks absolutely GORGEOUS! Growing in really well!

[Keri]

Here's my March 15th picture. Posted it on the first page as well. Nothing is new this month. Algae is under control, I believe due to the one turbo snail and the cutting down on feeding. Three of the zoanthids decided this week to only open half of the polyps, not sure why. Finally getting the coraline algae scraped off the back of the tank. I think it looks a little nicer than way. I have been letting a couple of Apitasia's grow bigger and I think they're big enough now to get a hold of the syringe. (I'm still counting them as free hitchhikers)

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FTS10galMar14-0925.jpg


Very nice! The little fish makes the zoos look Huge! I like it.

And I'm amazed, you posted from the future! (Today is the 14th ;) )

[Lance]

Niiiiiice!

[JDigital]

Looks great.. that is some cool aquascaping.. I'd say best in the contest. :mrgreen:

[rocketlily]

Thanks, I have a very artistic daughter.

[JDigital]

Thanks, I have a very artistic daughter.

I'm a sucker for overhangs... :mrgreen:

[EmilyB]

Very nice !

[sphelps]

Looking great, your picture matches your theme perfectly!

[rocketlily]

That's because for some reason the only thing I can take a proper picture of is a zoanthid.

[rocketlily]

Time has come to end the contest and it has been fun. I've enjoyed the little tank and the challenges that come with it. For the most part all zoanthids have grown and done well. The one I use as my avatar is not doing well. Only a few heads are open and the others have not opened in the past three weeks. I've tried moving it and dipping it but really unsure of what is happening. The blue mushrooms have not done well, but the green ones have done extremely well. Go figure. The Blue Damsel is impossible to keep from digging holes in the sand. A real little s#*t. The left rock is now leaning to the point where it is almost a bridge. I reposition the rock and he finds a way to move it. His nightime bed is underneath it and I guess he doesn't like it messed with.

I'm glad I kept this tank simple. Nothing to go wrong with the equipment, however there is a terrible noise that comes from the glass in one of the front corners when cleaning it. I've never posted a picture of the wiring for the DIY lighting, someday I might. I thought if I did post it for last months photo contest I would surely win. Not something I would want to be known for. If I had to do it over again, I'd do exactly the same thing.

Here's the final FTS and some of the corals in it.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalFTS.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalBlueCloves.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalBluebirdZoanthid.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalCitrusZoanthid.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalFlourescantZoanthid.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalManofSteel-SnowmanZoanthid.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalMushroom.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalMushroom2.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalPinkZoanthid.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalPink2Zoanthid.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalSaucerZoanthid.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/rocketlily/10%20gal%20Nano/FinalUnknownZoanthid.jpg

[JDigital]

You've got some sweet zoas in there.. looks really good rocket! that bridge must have been a pain in the arse though.. haha!

[sphelps]

Awesome collection and good growth! And all this on the original $300 budget, very well done.

[karazy]

great looking tank!

Very impressive

[Chaloupa]

NICE! Amazing looking Zoa's in your tank!!!