Lance's 225 gal tank

[Delphinus]

I get reply #1000! :p

... Wish I had something useful to say though.

[lastlight]

What gives is reply 1000 > post 1000? I'm new to this...

[Leah]

Nice photos! You could send him to me if they continue to not get along! :wink:

[Leah]

1000!!!

Anyways...

She's a 2 year old rescue from the animal shelter. Blue heeler crossed with something else...maybe german shepard I'm not a dog guy.

She chased a cat that was in our yard up our fence and the cat was def IN her mouth which sorta alarmed me. Our cat has been in hiding and the dog def wants to chase her. Incredibly gentle with the kids and already pretty well trained. She 'eliminates' (see I'm learning dog talk lol) outside like she should.

Here's a quick video I took today. You'd never know that we'd had her home for less than 30 minutes at this point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb_MXHlyfpE

Since it is here. :surprise: Congrats on the new rescue dog Brett...looks like she is right at home.

Sorry Lance... thought this was Brett's tank build for some strange reason. :lol:

:focus:

[fishytime]

What gives is reply 1000 > post 1000? I'm new to this...

same thing happened in my thread a while back.......the first post in the thread is a post and not a reply so therefor post 1001 is actually the 1000th reply:mrgreen:

[Lance]

She's a 2 year old rescue from the animal shelter. Blue heeler crossed with something else...maybe german shepard I'm not a dog guy.

She chased a cat that was in our yard up our fence and the cat was def IN her mouth which sorta alarmed me. Our cat has been in hiding and the dog def wants to chase her. Incredibly gentle with the kids and already pretty well trained. She 'eliminates' (see I'm learning dog talk lol) outside like she should.

Here's a quick video I took today. You'd never know that we'd had her home for less than 30 minutes at this point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb_MXHlyfpE


Ha! Shouldn't have any trouble getting the kids to sleep; that dog will wear them out big time. :biggrin: Congrats on the new addition to the family.

[Lance]

1000 replies! Wow, you guys talk too much. :mrgreen:

[fishytime]

1000 replies! Wow, you guys talk too much. :mrgreen:

My thread is coming up on 2000, your right we do talk too much:lol: ......I wonder what the percentage would be between reef related and non-reef related replies in both our threads?:razz:


BTW I was wondering what you feed your fish Lance? Bubba has to have one of the bluest chins I think I've ever seen...

[Lance]

My thread is coming up on 2000, your right we do talk too much:lol: ......I wonder what the percentage would be between reef related and non-reef related replies in both our threads?:razz:


BTW I was wondering what you feed your fish Lance? Bubba has to have one of the bluest chins I think I've ever seen...


Doug, I estimate your thread to be 40% reef-related, 40% sexual innuendos, and 20% BS. Mine, on the other hand is 80% BS and 20% reef talk. I guess you're just a sexy guy and I'm just full of $hit. :lol:

As for feeding the fish I use mainly PE Mysis, along with flakes, pellets, clams, shrimp, and various SF Bay brand frozen. I soak with Selcon twice a week and use Kent's Garlic Extract every other day.

[Delphinus]

What gives is reply 1000 > post 1000? I'm new to this...

I wouldn't say ">". Just that there is a post 1000, and a reply 1000. Doug sorta covered the explanation of this already. In the thread you see post #'s, but in the index you see # of replies. And neither are particularly important details except to those who like numbers. Sort of like how Remembrance Day this year will be 11/11/11 AND will also have an 11:11:11 time on the clock that day too! Ooh! Mark the calendars if you haven't already. :lol:

Sorry Lance. We can go back to talking about your tanks now. :redface:

[fishoholic]

Doug, I estimate your thread to be 40% reef-related, 40% sexual innuendos, and 20% BS. Mine, on the other hand is 80% BS and 20% reef talk. I guess you're just a sexy guy and I'm just full of $hit. :lol:



:pound: I have to agree :mrgreen:

[lastlight]

Doug, I estimate your thread to be 40% reef-related, 40% sexual innuendos, and 20% BS.

Lance you're a pretty generous guy lol.

[fishytime]

As for feeding the fish I use mainly PE Mysis, along with flakes, pellets, clams, shrimp, and various SF Bay brand frozen. I soak with Selcon twice a week and use Kent's Garlic Extract every other day.

Wow Lance, your fish get more variety than me.....seriously.....not much variety between fast food, Michelina's and ichiban......gawd I love the bachelor lifestyle:mrgreen:


Doug, I estimate your thread to be 40% reef-related, 40% sexual innuendos, and 20% BS. Mine, on the other hand is 80% BS and 20% reef talk. I guess you're just a sexy guy and I'm just full of $hit. :lol:


your bang on with the numbers about my thread, but your being too hard on yourself Lance.....I think there is less BS......... and some sexual innuendo in your thread too:razz:......its not that Im sexy.....its the staff discount at RC that appeals to the Girlys:wink:


:pound: I have to agree :mrgreen:

hey.....how can it be that you just dissed Lance and I and complemented me all in fours little words???

Lance you're a pretty generous guy lol.

:lol:so where would your estimation be at, Brett?

[Lance]

your bang on with the numbers about my thread, but your being too hard on yourself Lance.....I think there is less BS......... and some sexual innuendo in your thread too:razz:......its not that Im sexy.....its the staff discount at RC that appeals to the Girlys:wink:


Ha ha. Well, maybe I should let it be known that I get free booze from out liquor store! :lol:

[PoonTang]

Ha ha. Well, maybe I should let it be known that I get free booze from out liquor store! :lol:

and that makes ALL girls appealing to him :)

[Lance]

and that makes ALL girls appealing to him :)


For sure Darren, just look at the sentence someone put under my avatar. :lol:

[PoonTang]

LOL ya i saw that. Now i wonder just who would be responsible for that...

[Lance]

LOL ya i saw that. Now i wonder just who would be responsible for that...


I have no idea. :noidea:

[Lance]

If some of you remember, my Sailfin tang has taken up an intense dislike to Bubba the Trigger, chasing him into his rock cave and holding him there. I tried the mirror trick (which didn't really work: it just pi$$ed off the SF and caused it to become nasty with everyone) As a last resort I caught the SF and placed it in the frag tank for a week. He's now been back in the DT since 7:00 pm last night and has been humbled enough to show no aggression at all. Keeping my fingers crossed he continues to play nice.

On a side note: "Wanna see my wife's new Bearded Dragon?" :mrgreen: Will post some pics later.

[fishytime]

Back atcha with the "good to hear of success stories".....Bubba is far to pretty of a fish to spend all his time hiding!

:surprise:are you sure you wanna post those kind of pics here Lance?????.....not really the right kind of crowd(well, maybe some of us are)......although I am slightly curious:wink:

[Lance]

:surprise:are you sure you wanna post those kind of pics here Lance?????.....not really the right kind of crowd(well, maybe some of us are)......although I am slightly curious:wink:


He he he! How did I know it'd be you Doug to jump all over this one. Pics of the "lizard" are coming. We're getting quite the menagerie around here: a fat Beagle; an old cat; 4 Fire Belly Toads; a 1500 gal fish pond; 3 tanks with 24 fishes, shrimps etc, and "billions" of dollars worth of corals; and now a Bearded Dragon.

[lastlight]

Billions in coral Lance? We're not going to see a conveniently shot video of some rapist-looking guy dumping stuff in your tank followed by an insurance claim are we?

[Lance]

Billions in coral Lance? We're not going to see a conveniently shot video of some rapist-looking guy dumping stuff in your tank followed by an insurance claim are we?


:lol: No. It just seems like billions, probably closer to millions.

[lastlight]

Someone's 'inflating' the worth of their super-sized organ me thinks :mrgreen:

[fishoholic]

Someone's 'inflating' the worth of their super-sized organ me thinks :mrgreen:

:lol:

Lance I have to say I'm glad it's a lizard you're talking about :razz:

[Lance]

Someone's 'inflating' the worth of their super-sized organ me thinks :mrgreen:


Well, there is probably 300 x $10 frags in it. :lol:

[Lance]

:lol:

Lance I have to say I'm glad it's a lizard you're talking about :razz:


I was never thinking anything else Laurie. :wink:

[Lance]

As promised: The wife's Bearded Dragon.



http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/Pippa/IMG_2479.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/Pippa/IMG_2465.jpg

[Lance]

I just noticed my big BTA is moving close to stinging range of the Frogspawn. Any bets on who's sting is the more potent?

[marie]

My bet is, the frogspawn will win and the BTA will head in the opposite direction :mrgreen:

[Lance]

My bet is, the frogspawn will win and the BTA will head in the opposite direction :mrgreen:

I hope you're right, cuz it'll be a PITA to move the frogspawn.

[Skimmerking]

I'm with Marie Lance mine was coming close to the Frog and once it touched it i now stays well clear of the frogspawn. like your wife stays clear of the hose :mrgreen:

[Lance]

I'm with Marie Lance mine was coming close to the Frog and once it touched it i now stays well clear of the frogspawn. like your wife stays clear of the hose :mrgreen:


He he he. You're not going to bait me with that one Mike.

[The Grizz]

Whew that was a trip backwards, had to back 4 pages to find some pics, WUWT. Tanks look great Lance, what the heck do you feed that torch? Mine hasn't grown a single new head.

[Lance]

Whew that was a trip backwards, had to back 4 pages to find some pics, WUWT. Tanks look great Lance, what the heck do you feed that torch? Mine hasn't grown a single new head.


Fish Poop.

[The Grizz]

Fish Poop.

:rofl: I have plenty of that, maybe mines a vegetarian :lol:

[Lance]

:rofl: I have plenty of that, maybe mines a vegetarian :lol:


If so, maybe you should feed your fish tofu. :mrgreen:

[Lance]

Sometimes I think I'm better off just leaving the tanks alone and leaving them to find their own way.
I test the big 3 every week and the other parameters monthly. Dosing is done via Drew's dosers and controller. For the last 9 months or so I'd been having a little trouble keeping calcium and alk balanced. One week Ca would be low and the next week Alk would be low: nothing serious, just not the numbers I'd like to see.
I've been pretty busy the last while and hadn't tested for 6 weeks. Also hadn't done a water change for 5 weeks. Just tested now and the numbers are as good as I've ever seen them.

(90 gal)
Ca:420
Alk:9
Mg:1320
And the others: Nitrate: 0 Phosphate: 0

(225 gal)
Ca:425
Alk:8
Mg:1310
Nitrate: 0 Phosphate: .001

(frag tank)
Ca:415
Alk:9
Mg.1305
Nitrate: 0 Phosphate: 0



Huh! Guess I should just leave them alone to do their own thing. Instead of "Keeper of the Reef" I'm now just the "Keeper of the Fish Food"
Silly bloody hobby!

[reefermadness]

That is good news....but can I share my experience. I test much less (once a month) than I used to and my numbers can get pretty out of wack in that time frame (I shoot for 8dkh and 400ppm calcium). Its not unusual to see alk at 6dkh or calcium at 350ppm by the end of the month (keep having to increase the dosages).....corals have never been happier though. Im sure if it went on beyond this point I would have a problem but my tank has never been happier. Also note that the decrease in alk and calcium happens very slowly over the month...no drastic changes.

I guess my point in all this is maybe chasing that magic number every week doesn't really help (although I'm sure keeping the numbers good and stable can't hurt).

[Lance]

The biggest surprise was the low readings for nitrate and phosphates in the big tank after 5 weeks without a water change. I have quite a few big fish in this tank.

[kien]

The biggest surprise was the low readings for nitrate and phosphates in the big tank after 5 weeks without a water change. I have quite a few big fish in this tank.

Don't you run bioPellets on this tank?

[Lance]

Don't you run bioPellets on this tank?


Yup. But I feed a lot and if I don't do a 10% water change every 2nd week the nitrates would start to climb. Not sure what happened here but I'm going to try reducing water changes to monthly and see how it goes.

[Greenmaster]

Yup. But I feed a lot and if I don't do a 10% water change every 2nd week the nitrates would start to climb. Not sure what happened here but I'm going to try reducing water changes to monthly and see how it goes.
It could be that because the denitrifying bacteria only replicates once every 5-10 hours that it takes a few weeks for them to catch up to your demand, but now that it's there it should be okay.

[Lance]

Noticed this morning the skimmer wasn't performing properly. Usually a sign of a dirty Beckett. Pulled the Beckett apart and found a snail lodged inside. Is there anywhere snails cannot get into?








http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/snail/IMG_2536.jpg

[fishytime]

Murphy's law huh?.... Where there's a will there's a way:lol:

[Lance]

Murphy's law huh?.... Where there's a will there's a way:lol:


Yea, that Murphy guy should be tarred & feathered!

[Skimmerking]

Lance that Beckett should be cleaning good on that tank. May be looking at having the skim mate more wet. to pull the crap out.

[Lance]

Lance that Beckett should be cleaning good on that tank. May be looking at having the skim mate more wet. to pull the crap out.


Mike, I love my Beckett's! No issue there. I skim pretty wet. I empty a liter of dark greenish-brown skimmate from the waste collector every other day.

[Lance]

Five minutes ago while watching TV I heard a splash and a thump. Found Sydney the Tuskfish, laying on the floor behind the stand. Scooped him up and plopped him back in the tank. Other than being covered in dust he looks ok. Stupid fish!
That's the second jumper in less than 4 months. I cover the tank with egg crate during the night. I guess I'll have to cover it during the day as well. :sad:

[Boomboy]

man you dont have the best of luck but your tank looks awesome.

[fishytime]

man you dont have the best of luck but your tank looks awesome.

I don't know man.... I would say that being there to hear the thud was probably the luckiest thing to happen to Lance in a while:lol:

Good save mang! Also good to hear he is ok.....albeit a little dusty

[Delphinus]

At least he gets a chance to revert to Harlequin Tuskfish instead of Harlequin Dustfish.

[christyf5]

Good save! My candy hogfish did the same thing the other day. Sadly he wasn't so lucky though :neutral:

[fishoholic]

Glad to hear you were there to make the save. I hate it when they suddenly decide to jump! :twised:

[Lance]

At least he gets a chance to revert to Harlequin Tuskfish instead of Harlequin Dustfish.


Hah! He looked like he'd been rolled in flour and was ready for the frying pan.

[Lance]

Yesterday, he hid out all day long but this morning he's out cruisin, and looking fine.

[Lance]

STUPID GBTA!!!!
It's never moved from it's spot in two years and grown to 15" across; happy as can be. All of a sudden it decides it wants to be somewhere else. And of course that somewhere else is right into the powerhead! Luckily, I came home when I did and turned off the pump before it got really ugly. Quite the mess with pieces of nem floating around the tank. I think it will be ok though, as it has since opened up again although a few tentacles are pretty mangled. The two Fire Clowns are avoiding it; almost like they know it's stressed and are giving it a rest. Wierd!

[lastlight]

I await Doug's words of wisdom regarding nems but that really blows man. Hit the carbon heavy and good luck =)

[PoonTang]

Wow thats sucky. Hope it is alright and didnt do the usual walk of death right through all of your delicate corals.

[Lance]

I await Doug's words of wisdom regarding nems but that really blows man. Hit the carbon heavy and good luck =)


Yeah, Dougie and nems don't see eye-to-eye. :lol:
I've done a 20% water change, and changed out the carbon and will keep a close eye on things. Will take a few pics tomorrow if all goes well.

[fishoholic]

That sucks :sad: hope it recovers

[Delphinus]

You'd be surprised how little left of an anemone after an episode like that can regrow into a whole anemone... it should be ok. Man, 'nems is dumb.. betchfa it was getting ready for a split maybe..

[fishytime]

Good that you found it before it got too terribly chopped up............................ Wait for it............................. Nems is evil:mrgreen:

[Delphinus]

Nems is dumb.

[Lance]

Nem's going to be all right. Came home for lunch and it has moved again and is mostly opened up. It has decided to plant itself right beside the Candy Cane colony. Had to move them before it stings the crap out of them.

[lastlight]

Sounds high-maintenance. I don't think any of us need a second wife haha. No offense ladeez you're all great =)

[fishytime]

Nems is dumb.

Ok..... Nems is dumb when they stroll into a powerhead...... Nems is evil when one becomes fourteen in two years in a 110g tank:wink::lol:


*wonders what the combined intelligence of a clownfish and a nem is?*

[Lance]

Bloody thing is on the move again! Keeping me busy finding new homes for the corals in it's path. What the Hell? What's causing the sudden urge to try out every single square inch of the tank? No changes in the tank: no new lighting, flow hasn't changed. (Tony, chime in here. I need your "Nem Nawledge")

[fishytime]

Bloody thing is on the move again! Keeping me busy finding new homes for the corals in it's path. What the Hell? What's causing the sudden urge to try out every single square inch of the tank? No changes in the tank: no new lighting, flow hasn't changed. (Tony, chime in here. I need your "Nem Nawledge")


*said in a Forest Gump type voice*

That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road, and when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. Now, thinking since I'd run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. No particular reason. I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean.

[Leah]

*said in a Forest Gump type voice*

That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road, and when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. Now, thinking since I'd run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. No particular reason. I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean.

:wink:

All the Nem Nawledge you need is.... look for the nearest toilet.:razz:

[Lance]

*said in a Forest Gump type voice*

That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road, and when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. Now, thinking since I'd run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. No particular reason. I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean.


So what are saying Doug? My Nem is going to be the Ping-Pong champion and multi-millionaire?

[fishoholic]

So what are saying Doug? My Nem is going to be the Ping-Pong champion and multi-millionaire?

I think he's saying that one day for no particular reason it deceided to go for a run :lol:

[lastlight]

*wonders what the combined intelligence of a clownfish and a nem is?*

After reading the last few posts an outsider might be wondering the same thing about us collective reefers haha.

[fishoholic]

Sounds high-maintenance. I don't think any of us need a second wife haha. No offense ladeez you're all great =)

http://www.southwesterndifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/backpedaling.jpg

:razz:

[Lance]

Is it ever going to stop? Now it's decided to perch on top of my Zoa Garden. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Getting pretty close to tossing the SOB down the garborator!

[fishoholic]

That sucks :sad: guess that's why Doug's always saying nems is evil. I still love my nem but it would suck if it went walking all over the tank.

[fishoholic]

Eek! I believe I just jinxed myself. I checked on the tank before heading to bed and my anemone has moved from the rock he normally stays on to the rocks above and behind his normal spot towards the back of the tank :eek: I just pray mine doesn't go to far :neutral:

[Lance]

Eek! I believe I just jinxed myself. I checked on the tank before heading to bed and my anemone has moved from the rock he normally stays on to the rocks above and behind his normal spot towards the back of the tank :eek: I just pray mine doesn't go to far :neutral:


Uh Oh! Keep a close eye on him, they can move surprisingly quickly.

[Parker]

Hey Lance,

How far off the waters surface are your 400's?

[Lance]

Hey Lance,

How far off the waters surface are your 400's?


18"....... XM 15K's I had Geisemann 13K, but found them too yellow. With the XM's are 4x10K 39W T5's and 4x actinic 39W T5's

[Parker]

18"....... XM 15K's I had Geisemann 13K, but found them too yellow. With the XM's are 4x10K 39W T5's and 4x actinic 39W T5's

Yikes! I guess I better raise mine up. I've been thinking they are much too close at 6" lol

[Lance]

Yikes! I guess I better raise mine up. I've been thinking they are much too close at 6" lol


18" from the bulb, not the glass of the fixture. 15" from the actual fixture.
Do you have a heat problem at 6"?

[Parker]

18" from the bulb, not the glass of the fixture. 15" from the actual fixture.
Do you have a heat problem at 6"?

Rarely, maybe once or twice a year will my APEX shut the lights down because the tank gets to warm. It has to be above 27/28c outside for a few consecutive days before the basement starts to warm up to the level that the lights push the tank over the edge.

I was more concerned with bleaching and such.. I'm running 2 IC 10k's and 1 IC 14k

[Lance]

I don't have much for SPS in this tank, mostly LPS and softies. Several of the fish like to sample SPS polyps so I moved them to the 90g. The SPS did do well under these lights though. I read somewhere that 12" is a good rule of thumb for 400W halides over a 24" tank, depending of course on the bulb and the corals.

[Parker]

I have a 30" deep tank, with the halides at 6" above the water surface I can grow SPS on the sand, they actually do better down there. If I were to raise the lighting about 12" I should be able to grow SPS effectively down to about 15" below the water surface or right about where the tops of my lower piles of rock work sits, which gives me the bottom half of the rock work for lower light coral.

Thoughts? I guess it doesn't hurt to try it out.

[Lance]

I have a 30" deep tank, with the halides at 6" above the water surface I can grow SPS on the sand, they actually do better down there. If I were to raise the lighting about 12" I should be able to grow SPS effectively down to about 15" below the water surface or right about where the tops of my lower piles of rock work sits, which gives me the bottom half of the rock work for lower light coral.

Thoughts? I guess it doesn't hurt to try it out.


Yeah, I think if you were to raise them up some you would have good intensity for SPS from the middle of the tank up and could keep lower-light corals on the bottom.

[Parker]

Yeah, I think if you were to raise them up some you would have good intensity for SPS from the middle of the tank up and could keep lower-light corals on the bottom.

I hope you know that if it doesn't go well I'll be looking for a scape goat....

[Lance]

I hope you know that if it doesn't go well I'll be looking for a scape goat....


It'll be ok; besides I live a long way away. hehe.

[Lance]

Been a pretty busy summer this year and I just realized tonight that I haven't done any water testing for 9 weeks! :eek:

The results?



............drum roll please.............














(225g) Ca: 420 Alk: 9dKH Mg: 1330
(90g) Ca: 425 Alk: 8dKH Mg: 1320

Damn near perfect numbers! Sometimes I really love this hobby :biggrin: On the other hand if it's so damn easy why aren't I having to prune the corals every day?

[lastlight]

Yeah I was just thinking tonight while I was staring at some pieces with poor PE (never happens) that I should check params. Been a month or more for me...

[fishytime]

parameters?.......whats a parameter???:mrgreen:

[Lance]

This October marks my 4th full year in SW, and I just realized I have six fish that have been with me since day one. Huh! PJ Cardinal, Coral Beauty, Foxface, SF Tang, Yellow Watchman Goby, and an Ocellaris Clown. While the Tang and Foxface have moved to the bigger tank the other four are still in their original 90g home.

I'd like to hear other longevity stories from yous guys. I'm sure there are some of you who have been in the hobby a lot longer than me with some fishy friends who are downright ancient.

[christyf5]

Comgrats Lance on your 4 year milestone. that is awesome that you still have fish youve had from the beginning. I have a regal tang that Ive had since 2004 and a royal gramma since 2006. Sadly a couple of years ago my other my long term fish, scopas tang (2002) and powder blue tang (2008) were wiped out in my uv bulb incident. I also lost a melanuruus wrasse that I had had since 2007 from popeye last year, :( damn this post was sadder than i intended, sorry.

[Lance]

Comgrats Lance on your 4 year milestone. that is awesome that you still have fish youve had from the beginning. I have a regal tang that Ive had since 2004 and a royal gramma since 2006. Sadly a couple of years ago my other my long term fish, scopas tang (2002) and powder blue tang (2008) were wiped out in my uv bulb incident. I also lost a melanuruus wrasse that I had had since 2007 from popeye last year, :( damn this post was sadder than i intended, sorry.


I hear you. Sorry to bring up sad memories. "Old Purple" really is getting up there isn't he? I remember reading a post awhile back where Doug has/had a Clownfish for a long time. Can't remember how many years but I was impressed. I want to hear about other senior citizen fish. I know Marie has a couple of old timers. Maybe I'll start a thread on it.

[christyf5]

I hear you. Sorry to bring up sad memories. "Old Purple" really is getting up there isn't he? I remember reading a post awhile back where Doug has/had a Clownfish for a long time. Can't remember how many years but I was impressed. I want to hear about other senior citizen fish. I know Marie has a couple of old timers. Maybe I'll start a thread on it.

Yeah you should :biggrin: I love hearing success stories like that. Its also neat to see "aged" fish

[Lance]

(Bad News; Good News; More Bad News; Some more Good News; and some more Bad News) :sad:



I haven't been on here in nearly a month due to health issues: I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery on Oct. 17th. The surgery went well but unfortunately they found more tumours, which were scraped and sent off for analysis. After three weeks of waiting, the results just came in: Tumours are non-invasive. I am now officially cancer free! :whoo:
I am still several weeks away from going back to work, but ahead of schedule on the Old "mend-o-meter".

Not nearly as serious, but never-the-less disturbing, is how badly the tanks suffered while I was gone. The 90g was hit the worst: the pumps running the GFO reactor and the skimmer packed it in at some point. Combined with no skimmer or GFO, the tank was badly overfed and the nitrates and phosphates went through the roof. Algae and red slime kinda went wild and Aiptasia boomed with all the excess nutrients. Yesterday I showed my wife how to do a large water change and I got the skimmer and reactor back on line. Also went on an Aiptasia hunt and the tank is looking better now. Unfortunately most of my SPS did not survive. :cry:
The big tank fared better. After a large water change the nitrates and phosphates are back to acceptable levels.
All-in-all, it's been a pretty shitty month but I still feel like one hell of a lucky bastard!

[Mrfish55]

Holy hell Lance, sorry to hear, hopefully you make a full recovery, going thru the whole cancer thing with the mother inlaw right now, things don't look too good for her though, I am off again just had surgery on my elbow but if you need 1 good hand with anything give me a call, best of luck to ya.

[Lance]

Holy hell Lance, sorry to hear, hopefully you make a full recovery, going thru the whole cancer thing with the mother inlaw right now, things don't look too good for her though, I am off again just had surgery on my elbow but if you need 1 good hand with anything give me a call, best of luck to ya.


Sorry to hear about the mother in-law Dave. :sad: Keeping my fingers crossed for her.
That elbow is sure causing you grief eh? Second surgery now?
Thanks for the offer, but we're ok. Joan makes a great reefer. (When I'm standing over her giving directions that is.) :mrgreen:

[Mrfish55]

No only one surgery, couldn't work the way it was but it is feeling much better now, still be a few months before I'm back to work though. Give me a call when your ready to restock your corals I have some stuff to part with.

[lastlight]

That's great news lance we've both been thinking of you hoping things would turn out ok! Tank shmank we know you can fix that up no prob ;) welcome back bro!

[Delphinus]

Yikes, roller coaster. Here's hoping things continue an upward trend. Good luck!

[fishoholic]

Cancer is so awful (step dad has it and has made it past the 5 month mark when the doctors thought he'd only live a few weeks maybe months) so glad to hear your recovering and cancer free. I'm sure your tank will perk up in no time and look good again :biggrin:

[Parker]

That's quite the ride you went on Lance, I'm very happy to hear you're Cancer free. Hope your recovery is speedy.

[christyf5]

Jeebus Lance!! Thats scary! Glad to hear you're doing ok! The tanks will rebound with time I'm sure (mine always seem to and I've put them through a lot!). I've got tons of SPS ready for you whenever you are if you need/want them (although I'm sure Marie can get you stocked up as well :wink:).

[Lance]

Thanks everyone.
This might be a good time to do a major overhaul with this tank. I'm thinking once I'm up and about again I will take out most of the rock, remove what nasties there are and re-scape it.

[fishytime]

well I got the impression that you were a feisty bugger.....if anyone could beat it you would.....glad to hear both you and the tanks are on the up swing....and really happy your back here:biggrin:

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

OMG, I skip a few threads and you had CANCER!!!

Glad things are looking up for both you & Dave. Hopefully 2012 will be a better year. One thing about health scares is that it helps put things in perspective.

Cheers guys.

Anthony

[Leah]

Oh My Lance! I stumbled upon this and was like what the heck, I am so glad all is well now...what a shock. Glad you are back now as everyone has been so low key around here. That is a lie...actually it has been boring. :surprise:
We need you back on Canreef adding all your wisdom and expertise. :wink:

[Lance]

We need you back on Canreef adding all your wisdom and expertise. :wink:


Haha! Just spat some coffee on my computer screen when I read this one.
Thanks Leah for your little white lies. :mrgreen:

[Lance]

OMG, I skip a few threads and you had CANCER!!!

Glad things are looking up for both you & Dave. Hopefully 2012 will be a better year. One thing about health scares is that it helps put things in perspective.

Cheers guys.

Anthony


Thanks Anthony.
Yeah 2011 kinda sucked. I've been poked, prodded, sliced & diced more in the last 6 months then in my entire life. Never spent a day in hospital before this. This ordeal certainly has made me appreciate friends and family.

[Lance]

Little video of my humongous nem. (click on the pic)


http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/th_MVI_2616.jpg (http://s371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/?action=view&current=MVI_2616.mp4)

[PoonTang]

Nice nem Lance. I've been busy and away and such and havnt been on here much and it appears I've missed out on alot. Glad to hear your alright now and you know of course that anything I have you are more than welcome to have a frag of. God know I owe you a frag or 2 by now ;)

[lastlight]

That thing has some serious reach Lance... great job growing that badass so big!

[Lance]

I never thought I'd see this day: I have become bored with two reef tanks! Time for a drastic change I think.

Ever since my bout with the "big C" and my being laid up, the 90g really suffered and I lost most of the SPS. Now that I'm healthy again, I've got the tank back on track but I seem to lack the interest to stock up the SPS again. I find I'm enjoying the 225g with it's big fish and big LPS. So, I think I need a change with this tank. Keep the 225g as is and do something else with the 90.

Any suggestions?

I've even contemplated converting it to freshwater and going with discus or SA or CA cichlids. Holy Crap! I can't believe I just said that. :redface:

[Mrfish55]

Wth Lance, first Marie now you! Next thing you know I'll be filling the 750 with goldfish! Must be something in the water around here.

[christyf5]

I've even contemplated converting it to freshwater and going with discus or SA or CA cichlids. Holy Crap! I can't believe I just said that. :redface:

I was thinking about editing your post so you didn't actually just say that! :razz:

[Lance]

Wth Lance, first Marie now you! Next thing you know I'll be filling the 750 with goldfish! Must be something in the water around here.

Yea, I saw Marie's thread yesterday. I was actually going to post this two weeks ago but I thought I should give it a little more time in case I changed my mind.



I was thinking about editing your post so you didn't actually just say that! :razz:

It's kinda like swearing isn't it?

[christyf5]

LOL, it is like swearing. After 5 minutes of Discus you know you'd be wanting to go back to saltwater anyways :razz:

I think theres more than a few of us that are feeling the need for change. I'm just too lazy to do it and like you, have no idea what I want to change to. I'll probably just buy a new fish and call it a day :razz:

[Lance]

LOL, it is like swearing. After 5 minutes of Discus you know you'd be wanting to go back to saltwater anyways :razz:

I think theres more than a few of us that are feeling the need for change. I'm just too lazy to do it and like you, have no idea what I want to change to. I'll probably just buy a new fish and call it a day :razz:


That's just it. I'll always have the big tank, I just don't know what I want with this tank.

[Mrfish55]

Fill it with clowns and nems, always entertaining.

[jorjef]

Any suggestions?

I've even contemplated converting it to freshwater and going with discus or SA or CA cichlids. Holy Crap! I can't believe I just said that. :redface:

Planted tank with a giant school of Rummy Nose. Google Spencer Jack, he is the king of cichlids and stocks a ton of fish.

[Lance]

Planted tank with a giant school of Rummy Nose. Google Spencer Jack, he is the king of cichlids and stocks a ton of fish.


Yeah, I've seen his website before. He has a good reputation here in Canada. I was considering a planted tank if I go with discus, but not with a South American cichlids tank though; too much hassle to keep them from uprooting the plants.

[fishytime]

goldfish and treasure chest bubblers:mrgreen:

[marie]

How about a paludarium, I've always wanted to set up one. It could look pretty awesome with a corner tank

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dLSVgS5AxBI/Sdd5OHEPwHI/AAAAAAAAbHU/ODHCHf6Geow/s400/paludariummisty.jpg

[marie]

Another of my favorite paludariums

http://www.fishconnectiononline.com/images/grotto3.jpg

[Lance]

How about a paludarium, I've always wanted to set up one. It could look pretty awesome with a corner tank

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dLSVgS5AxBI/Sdd5OHEPwHI/AAAAAAAAbHU/ODHCHf6Geow/s400/paludariummisty.jpg


Hey, that might be an idea Marie. They are pretty cool. I don't know a whole lot about them but that's what makes it fun right? :biggrin:

[Lance]

goldfish and treasure chest bubblers:mrgreen:


I lean more toward the deep sea diver with bubbler. And goldfish are soooooooo yesterday! It's all about Guppies now! :mrgreen:

[jorjef]

They don't grow too big and have alot of machismo... Altolaprologus either the comps or calvus both are very cool fish. Ambush predators so they won't need alot of aquarium length for swimming.They grow very slow so buy the largest you can.

[Skimmerking]

You should bring the 92 corner down for me so I can down grade and get on with my reno's

[Mrfish55]

I lean more toward the deep sea diver with bubbler. And goldfish are soooooooo yesterday! It's all about Guppies now! :mrgreen:

LMAO I have a 14 gal bio cube with about 50 guppies in it, all I need is the bubbling diver, maybe some neon plastic plants. Think you may be onto something.

[Lance]

You should bring the 92 corner down for me so I can down grade and get on with my reno's


Fed Ex to Manitoba? Cost more than one of those fancy skimmers of yours. :mrgreen:

[hillegom]

I lean more toward the deep sea diver with bubbler. And goldfish are soooooooo yesterday! It's all about Guppies now! :mrgreen:

And I thought it was all about Endlers now.
But what do I know!

[Lance]

LMAO I have a 14 gal bio cube with about 50 guppies in it, all I need is the bubbling diver, maybe some neon plastic plants. Think you may be onto something.


50 guppies in 14 gallons. Sounds like a big fishy orgy to me. Do T5's come in red for the guppy red light district?

[Mrfish55]

50 guppies in 14 gallons. Sounds like a big fishy orgy to me. Do T5's come in red for the guppy red light district?

You got that right, originally started with a male and two females ( poor things) would be nice if marine fish reproduced that easy.

[Lance]

And I thought it was all about Endlers now.
But what do I know!


Fancy Venezuelan guppies. Excuse me! I should say Fancy Venezuelan guppy-like fish. :lol:

[lastlight]

Another of my favorite paludariums

http://www.fishconnectiononline.com/images/grotto3.jpg

I feel sick participating in any of this discussion but holy crap that light through the hole in the rock ceiling look is AMAZING!

Good luck Lance!

For anyone interested a spot may become available on my friends list in the near future.

[fishoholic]

Any suggestions?



Sell the 90g down grade to a 30(ish)g cube tank and fill it with lots of cool little gobies/blenny's and maybe pipefish or seahorse. I have to say I'm enjoying my 34g cube watching the yasha and pistol shrimp and my pipefish. Yesterday I put some mysis in and the pipefish got it then the yasha zipped out and tried to grab it from the pipefish but the pipefish held onto it. Then the yasha realized there was more mysis and he grabbed another piece of it. Was hilarious to watch, wish I had my camera ready to capture the moment.

[fishytime]

I feel sick participating in any of this discussion.

I dont wanna offend any of our freshwater friends here but, I sorta agree with this sentiment.....going back to fresh now would be like going from full 1080p HD to black and white:mrgreen:

[christyf5]

I dont wanna offend any of our freshwater friends here but, I sorta agree with this sentiment.....going back to fresh now would be like going from full 1080p HD to black and white:mrgreen:

+1 Although that paludarium thingy above looks pretty wicked

I say go with Lauries idea, downgrade and do gobies and smaller fish. They're fun :)

[Lance]

For anyone interested a spot may become available on my friends list in the near future.



Oh oh. Starting to show a little SW snobishness! That will open up a spot on my friend's list for someone who is already famous and not just "soon enough". :mrgreen:

[lastlight]

I take it back man... I can't afford to loose you!

I secretly still fantasize about frontosas and malawi sexiness.

If I'm ever unable to afford the 404 I already know what I'd do with it!

[Lance]

Sell the 90g down grade to a 30(ish)g cube tank and fill it with lots of cool little gobies/blenny's and maybe pipefish or seahorse. I have to say I'm enjoying my 34g cube watching the yasha and pistol shrimp and my pipefish.


The 90 is kind of a tweener size. Too small for big fish and too large for little fish or seahorses.
I like your idea Laurie but I really like the corner tank and don't want to give it up. I'll keep tossing ideas around and maybe even ask the wife's opinion............WOW, that will be a first!

[Lance]

I take it back man... I can't afford to loose you!

I secretly still fantasize about frontosas and malawi sexiness.

If I'm ever unable to afford the 404 I already know what I'd do with it!



He he I knew you'd come crawling back.

I did the East African thingy already years ago. It was a cool tank though; the rock scaping was a work-of-art if I say so myself.

[Leah]

Oh oh. Starting to show a little SW snobishness! That will open up a spot on my friend's list for someone who is already famous and not just "soon enough". :mrgreen:

You mean you haven't noticed this side of everyone here yet, where have you been? :lol:

Oh that was a little harsh....poor Brett. :wink: He needs all the help he can get.

[Lance]

You mean you haven't noticed this side of everyone here yet, where have you been? :lol:

Oh that was a little harsh....poor Brett. :wink: He needs all the help he can get.



To tell the truth Leah, I've been guilty of looking down my nose at the Freshies myself. :redface:

[lastlight]

I'll keep tossing ideas around and maybe even ask the wife's opinion[/I]

Maybe have her look down the 'idea pipe' and see what comes (out) of it?

[Leah]

Discus are gorgeous!

[Lance]

Maybe have her look down the 'idea pipe' and see what comes (out) of it?


The "idea pipe" is not a good idea.

[fishoholic]

The 90 is kind of a tweener size. Too small for big fish and too large for little fish or seahorses.
I like your idea Laurie but I really like the corner tank and don't want to give it up. I'll keep tossing ideas around and maybe even ask the wife's opinion............WOW, that will be a first!

Well just think of how many little gobies/blennys etc you could put in a 90g I'm sure you would see some of them some of the time :wink: :lol: I always thought it would be cool to have a bunch of fairy wrasses and dwarf angels together.

[Lance]

DAZED & CONFUSED

My poor Fire Clowns are screwed up. Their Nem moved again and left their clutch of eggs uncovered. The parents take turns, going from guarding the eggs and then to the Nem and back and forth all day long.


In this pic you can see the red egg cluster under the rock overhang on the left side. The Nem has moved about 10" to the right.
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/Jan2012/IMG_2639.jpg


You can see the eggs better in this photo. Mama clown is to the right of the eggs.
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/Jan2012/IMG_2638.jpg

[fishytime]

nems is evil!........ and fire clowns?....poor?......I dont know how your fire clowns are, but the ones we had at the shop a while back were the meanest SOBs on the face of the earth.....they would come from across the tank to take a chunk out of you whenever you were in the tank.......Kevin put one in the clam system at the old shop and all the customers got a kick out of watching the clown attack us every time we were in the tank..........I wouldnt call them poor.....except maybe they're poor in the IQ department:razz:.....

[lastlight]

Kevin put one in the clam system at the old shop and all the customers got a kick out of watching the clown attack us every time we were in the tank....

Until I bought the 'poor' thing :lol:

[Lance]

nems is evil!........ and fire clowns?....poor?......I dont know how your fire clowns are, but the ones we had at the shop a while back were the meanest SOBs on the face of the earth.....they would come from across the tank to take a chunk out of you whenever you were in the tank.......Kevin put one in the clam system at the old shop and all the customers got a kick out of watching the clown attack us every time we were in the tank..........I wouldnt call them poor.....except maybe they're poor in the IQ department:razz:.....



Oh they're evil all right! Taken some of my hide more than once. Even so it is still
sad to see them trying to guard both the eggs and the nem.

[PoonTang]

You could always use the 90 to house the beagle! Your choice as to wether you drain the water out first :twised: or turn it into a mini gro-op

[Lance]

You could always use the 90 to house the beagle! Your choice as to wether you drain the water out first :twised: or turn it into a mini gro-op


Beagle Shmeagle, Gro-op would be easy: just add soil and seeds. The tank is already equipped with timed lighting and the ATO for watering. Wouldn't even alert the new smart meter! :lol:

[Lance]

Do you have a fish that is a PITA to feed? It's hard to believe but my PITA is this guy.


http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/fish%20pics%20new%20camera/IMG_0572.jpg





Sydney the Tuskfish. Toughest fish in the tank, but in some ways the wimpiest. When I approach the tank every fish goes nuts at the front glass hoping to get fed. But not Sydney; he hides in the rockwork and won't come out until I move away from the tank. Consequently most of the food is gone by the time he comes out. The only way I can get food to him is by tossing in a few large chunks of food. The other fish can't eat large pieces and he will steal it away. The only bad thing about this is I'm afraid he'll rip some poor fish's face off one day as he steals the food so aggressively, and has a nasty mouthful of teeth. Anybody else have this problem with their Tuskfish.

[fishytime]

I would venture to guess that not to many peeps actually have a tuskfish......

maybe you could try a long piece of pvc and a compressor to get food to the tank without freaking Sydney out:wink:.......

[Lance]

I would venture to guess that not to many peeps actually have a tuskfish......

maybe you could try a long piece of pvc and a compressor to get food to the tank without freaking Sydney out:wink:.......


Oh it would freak him out alright, but prolly not as much as the wifey! Poor girl has nightmares of demon-like compressor hoses chasing her around the house. :twised:

[Lance]

A NEAR DISASTER!

Leaving on vacation tomorrow and won't be back for 16 days, so I just did a water change on all 3 tanks. Mixed up 75 gals of SW and started on the 90g first. Had about 15 gals of the new SW into the tank when I noticed the two clams were closing up and some of the corals were starting to slime up. Uh Oh! Checked the temp on the tank: 74F! Stuck my hand in the new water and it was ice cold. The heater in the mixing container must have failed. I keep the container in the garage which is at about 60F. Tank temp dropped 4 degrees in five minutes! No wonder the inverts looked ****y! I always check the temp and salinity before water changes, but forgot to this time. IDIOT! Slowly raised the temp back to 78 and everything appears to be okay. Clams have re-opened and corals stopped sliming. Whew! Too close for comfort.

[lastlight]

Gald you caught that! I sometimes remember to do a high-tech hand-test comparison between tank and barrel good call.

[Mrfish55]

Must be something in the air, my routine sump cleaning yesterday turned into a 14 hour day for me, just about everything that could go wrong did and everything that could break did, end result both my tank and myself are looking real tired and I leave tomorrow for a week, wonder what's going to happen while I'm gone? Enjoy Mexico, 2 weeks sounds nice.

[christyf5]

Yikes! Lucky you caught it. Have fun in the sun :biggrin:

[Lance]

With sadness & relief, I've decided to shut down the corner tank. It has served me well for 41/2 years but it is time to go down to one tank. I am now in the process of moving some corals, fish, and rock over to the 225g. The rest of the livestock will be sold or given away to good homes.


A few of the last photos:

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/90galmarch/IMG_2362.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/90galmarch/IMG_2363.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/90galmarch/IMG_2365.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/tanks%20feb2011/IMG_2324.jpg

[Skimmerking]

that is too bad Lance oh well its for the best. I really don't know how people can mange more then 1 tank.

and you are there and I'm here that 92 gal corner crap.

[Mrfish55]

What, did you get your Hydro bill too? Now I hear we have a rate increase comming :cry: if you need homes for anything let me know, I have a little space available.

[Lance]

What, did you get your Hydro bill too? Now I hear we have a rate increase comming :cry: if you need homes for anything let me know, I have a little space available.


Several factors Dave. Maintaining two tanks just wasn't as much fun anymore; we're traveling more now and one tank is easier for the tank sitter; and yes the Hydro bills are getting a little out of hand: up to $500 and we have gas heat, water heater and range, so that's lights and tanks only.
As for temporary homes, I think I'll be ok. I have the 33g frag tank with sump, live rock and skimmer. By the way, do you want the blue Crocea? Can't keep clams in the 225g, too many clam eaters in there.

[Lance]

that is too bad Lance oh well its for the best. I really don't know how people can mange more then 1 tank.

and you are there and I'm here that 92 gal corner crap.


And here I was going to ship it out to you cuz I thought you liked it so much. :mrgreen: Actually Mike, the wifey is going to make a nice big home of it for her lizard (Bearded Dragon)

[Mrfish55]

That is a very nice clam, I am sure we can work something out. If you need a hand moving things around give me a call, I'm not doing anything.

[Lance]

That is a very nice clam, I am sure we can work something out. If you need a hand moving things around give me a call, I'm not doing anything.


I should be ok but if I run into a snag when I start moving stuff I'll let you know. As for the clam I'll let you know when I'm ready and you can come get it. Just glad it's going to a good home.

[Mrfish55]

And here I was going to ship it out to you cuz I thought you liked it so much. :mrgreen: Actually Mike, the wifey is going to make a nice big home of it for her lizard (Bearded Dragon)

If you are going to turn it into a lizard home would you be interested in a trade? Justin's 90 corner is near perfect except for the leaky seam

[Lance]

If you are going to turn it into a lizard home would you be interested in a trade? Justin's 90 corner is near perfect except for the leaky seam



PM'ed

[lastlight]

The tank has such a nice mature look to it Lance (just like it's owner :biggrin:). Sad to hear you're shutting it down but I could never handle more than one tank it amazes me people do...

[kien]

One tank is a challenge, two tanks definitely takes it to another level of pain. I want to shut my second tank down pretty much every other day.

[Lance]

Yup, it was time I think. No more dividing my time between the two.

[fishoholic]

The tank has such a nice mature look to it Lance (just like it's owner :biggrin:). Sad to hear you're shutting it down but I could never handle more than one tank it amazes me people do...

Hummmm and I have 5 tanks......what does that say about me :lol:

Sorry to hear about you shutting it down but I do understand maintaining multiple tanks can be a PITA

[christyf5]

Sorry to see that one go Lance, it sure was a beauty. I still have my old 90 sitting empty in the basement. People always ask why I don't set it up. I tell them I have enough trouble with the tank I already have, why ask for more? :razz:

[Lance]

Sorry to see that one go Lance, it sure was a beauty. I still have my old 90 sitting empty in the basement. People always ask why I don't set it up. I tell them I have enough trouble with the tank I already have, why ask for more? :razz:


I hear ya. Although it's sad to see it go, I'm already looking forward to fewer water changes, fewer equipment malfunctions, and more money in my pocket. :lol:

[PoonTang]

I find this sort of behavior totally unacceptable !

[Lance]

Grrrrr!!!!! Vicious Bloody Fish!!!!

The other day I moved the Chocolate Tang and the Coral Beauty from the 90 to the 225. I wasn't too worried about the Angel because they're scrappy little guys and don't take too much crap, plus he's small and quick and can find lots of hidey holes until the resident bullies calm down. I was worried about the tang though because he is only 4" and there is a large 7" Sailfin and a 5" Kole already in this tank. I put the two in a large perforated plexiglass fish box (21x10x14). This box is for acclimating new fish to their neighbours. The fish can see and smell them but can't get at them. The idea is that after awhile they will get used to the newcomers being in the tank. I left the box with the newbies in the tank for 4 days. By this time the other fish were pretty much ignoring them. So yesterday I rearranged the rockwork, added some new rock and corals, dimmed the lights, fed the tank from both ends and released the two. Instant violence! The Tuskfish ignored the food and attacked the tang, biting off half its tail with one bite. The 6" Lamarck's then began battering it with his head. I chased them off and the Tang escaped into the rockwork. I then tried the mirror trick which really pi55ed off the Sailfin but the Tuskfish and Lamarck's ignored it, and were trying to scare the Tang out of hiding. I then turned the lights off and left them off for 24 hours. When I turned them on I found the Tang staggering about with numerous bites and most of its tail and fins torn off. He was so-out-it I was able to easily net him and place him in the frag tank. He's now been in there for 6 hours and has begun to eat. A small dose of Epsom Salts in his water to keep infection away. I'm hoping he'll be alright and I can nurse him back to health and find him a good home. I feel like such a 5hit for putting him through that. I just hate trying to introduce new fish into an established tank. Don't know what else I could have done though. Funny thing is the two big Tangs didn't really bother with him, it was the Tuskfish and the Lamarck's. The Coral Beauty by the way is doing fine, after a few half-hearted chases the others are fine with him. He's eating and exploring his new home.

[fishoholic]

That sucks :sad: My mimic tang got jumped in for 3-4 days when I first added him but they all are fine now. It's always a risk adding new fish, I hate it when it doesn't work out.

It also amazes me how some of the most unexpected fish will attack the newbie. My blenny went after my fisheri angel way worse then my flame angel did.

[marie]

If your stuck for a home for him Lance he could go in my 120 with the yellow tang (Doofus would kill him in my big tank).

It is less then ideal because although he sounds like he is the same size or bigger then my yellow I would imagine he would be in for some hazing for a few days.....

[Lance]

If your stuck for a home for him Lance he could go in my 120 with the yellow tang (Doofus would kill him in my big tank).

It is less then ideal because although he sounds like he is the same size or bigger then my yellow I would imagine he would be in for some hazing for a few days.....



I think he'll be ok in the frag tank Marie. It's 36" long and has live rock and corals in it. When he's healthy again I have to find him a good home though. If you're interested you can have him. I've also got a squammosa you can have.

[Lance]

That sucks :sad: My mimic tang got jumped in for 3-4 days when I first added him but they all are fine now. It's always a risk adding new fish, I hate it when it doesn't work out.

It also amazes me how some of the most unexpected fish will attack the newbie. My blenny went after my fisheri angel way worse then my flame angel did.


I know. It's really hit-and-miss with fish. I just noticed the Coral Beauty eating nori side by side with the Lamarck's like they were old buddies. Stupid fish!

[Delphinus]

Aaarggh, sorry to hear. Stupid fish. Lord of the Flies in our tanks is not as fun as one might think.

Sorry to hear about the 90g shutdown but I understand the reasoning. Sadly it makes sense. I wish I could consolidate the 3 tanks I have now into 1, although I imagine the FW fish would totally hate that after a while.

[lastlight]

Sorry to hear Lance. I've been lucky having never witnessed this new hazing / violence everyone speaks of but perhaps it's because I've had my Kole nearly from the beginning and the only other tang I've added was massive. I also don't have any fish with daggers for teeth like your tusk. Hope he recovers that was a pretty fish for sure.

[Lance]

Happy to say he's doing quite well. Eating like a pig and out & about now. On closer examination the wounds aren't as bad as I first thought. Mostly to the tail and finnage. The several bites to the body are fairly small and not to deep. Already beginning to heal. It always amazes me how fast a healthy fish can heal damaged tissue.

[Lance]

Boy am I stupid! Cleaned up the skimmer from the 90. Ran it overnight in vinegar water and today changed out the water in the tote and added a little bleach to the water, figuring the skimmer would come out nice and clean and shiny. Turned on the skimmer and left it for a couple of hours. Big mistake! The bubbles from the skimmer released the bleach into the air making it unbreathable. Lucky it was only the garage. Have had the door open for a couple of hours and I can at least go into the room now. Twit!

[fishytime]

wow! careful man!!!.....brain cells are precious:razz:

[Lance]

wow! careful man!!!.....brain cells are precious:razz:


I know. And apparently I am already in short supply.

[Lance]

Here's the 90 a few weeks ago:


http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/90galmarch/IMG_2362.jpg



And here it is this morning after Joan just finished the lizard den:


http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/Raffis%20new%20home/IMG_1474.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/Raffis%20new%20home/IMG_1475.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/lancefishtank/Raffis%20new%20home/IMG_1477.jpg

[Skimmerking]

frigging cool Lance i like it alot :biggrin:

[Lance]

frigging cool Lance i like it alot :biggrin:


Thanks Mike, but I can't take any credit. All I did was clean the tank out, Joan did all the rest of the work.

[lastlight]

that's one handsome beardie =)

beardiescape looks amazing too.

[Lance]

Wow what a difference a good skimmer makes!

The gate valve on my MR-3 skimmer packed it in and I can't find one in my silly little town so I had to order one. Rather than go without a skimmer for a few days I put the Bubble Magus 150 Pro, (from the now shut-down 90g tank), on line. This skimmer is rated for 150 to 200 gallon tank. Within 48 hours the tank has developed cyano; I have to clean the film algae off the glass daily; nitrates have gone from 5 to 30 mg/lt. and some of the corals are looking a little ****y. I think I better do a fair size water change every few days until the gate valve gets here. How some aquarists go skimmerless is beyond me: They must do a water change every day and feed once a month.

[fishoholic]

Agreed 100% I also have no idea how people go skimmerless.

[Lance]

Came home this morning to find Bubba the Trigger doing the bacon on the carpet. (Only reason I came home from work was because I had forgotten some invoices I needed on the kitchen table). I scooped him up and plopped him back in the water. Who do I thank: Lady Luck or my lousy memory.

[fishytime]

Wow.... That was lucky that you you have a crappy memory:razz:.....triggers are fairly tough.... Hopfully he pulls through the incident unscathed ... Go buy a lottery ticket before you forget:mrgreen::razz:

[Lance]

.....triggers are fairly tough.... Hopfully he pulls through the incident unscathed ...


He's fine. :biggrin: Didn't come out for his breakfast but was front & centre for dinner, making a pig of himself as usual.

[christyf5]

Woo! Good save! Glad to hear he's ok. I never have that luck, they're always fish jerky for me :neutral:

[PoonTang]

Phew that was close! I had the same thing happen with a blenny one time. He was fine too, just tossed him back in the tank carpet lint and all.

[fishoholic]

Good save! Glad you got him in time. I've had a few triggers jump out on me before, unfortunately I didn't find them in time.

[Lance]

Stupid ass! When I fed the fish this morning he damn near did it again! His gluttony will do him in yet: So eager for the food he jumped out of the water, bounced off the euro-bracing and fell back into the water. Soaked me and scared the $hit out of his tankmates.

[Borderjumper]

Stupid ass! When I fed the fish this morning he damn near did it again! His gluttony will do him in yet: So eager for the food he jumped out of the water, bounced off the euro-bracing and fell back into the water. Soaked me and scared the $hit out of his tankmates.


Damn! He got lucky last time you were there to save his piggy azz::mrgreen:

Mine wasn't so lucky.. He died overnight in the rocks and I had to tear the rock work apart to get him out.. Damn fish!

[Lance]

Mine wasn't so lucky.. He died overnight in the rocks and I had to tear the rock work apart to get him out.. Damn fish!


:cry: Sorry to hear this Shelley.

[Lance]

PICKLED BRITTLE STARS

Cleaned a couple of powerheads this morning in a vinegar bath. I'm used to seeing a few mini-brittle stars in there but 32 of them! WTF do they do in there anyway? :noidea:

[gregzz4]

Wow
I guess they get an easy meal in there

[Lance]

Hey! It's been a while since I posted anything on the tank. (have been very busy with this & that)
Not much has changed, except for the fact that I had to treat a red flatworm infestation yesterday. I siphoned out as many as I could and then used a half dose of Salifert Flatworm Exit. Suckers were dying within 15 minutes. There was easily 5x more of them than I thought. I scooped out literally thousands of dead ones that were swirling around in the water column. Via a Fluval 405, and 2x TLF reactors and 1x BRS reactor I ran about 5 lbs. of carbon. Even with this much carbon the corals and Nem showed distress almost immediately. Pretty scary there for awhile! It wasn't until early evening that some of them started to open up again. Everything looks ok this morning. I've never had to treat for flatworms before, should I leave the carbon running for a bit longer?

[Leah]

I would change some of the carbon and let it run for longer.

[Lance]

Ha! I just changed half of it 10 mins ago.

[Leah]

Ha! I just changed half of it 10 mins ago.

Atta boy!

[Skimmerking]

if you can treat again Lance i would trust me. the big thing that people dont understand is the amount of worms in the tank. they can multiply so fast too. so when people are calculating the amount of water and rock and sand they underestimate. Just make sure you over estimate if you are running that much carbon it wont effect your stuff trust me. GL

[Lance]

Thanks Mikey. I'm going to let things be for a few days first I think. Some of the corals are still pouting.

[Lance]

Three weeks since I treated for flat worms, and they're back. Worse, Bubba the trigger has gone totally blind. I attribute it to the ingestion of dead and dying flat worms. He was chasing them around in the water column and eating them. I tried scaring him off the best I could, and caught up as many as I could with a fine net but I know he ate quite a few. I first noticed he was having trouble several days after the treatment. He was having trouble grabbing pieces of food. He usually gets more than his share at feeding time. As the weeks went by he was getting worse and worse. I started having to use a feeding stick and finally had to remove him to the QT tank. He is now totally blind and except for feeding time, spends all his time with his head in the rocks and his trigger locked in. I suppose the humane thing to do is put him out of his misery, but I wanted to be sure there is no hope for him first. I've been researching blindness in fishes, but can't find a whole lot of info. Anybody run into this before: I know the flat worms can be toxic but there are some fish who eat them regularly. Maybe dead flat worms are more toxic than live ones?

[Doug]

Yes the dead ones are toxic Lance. Thats why its best to siphon out as many as possible first and then have lots of floss or socks in the exit and change frequent and lots and lots of carbon.

I had to treat my 225g several times and usually over suggested dosage to eradicate most of them. My wrasse,s and mandarins cleaned up the rest I imagine or they just died out.

One of my large clowns back then, went bug eyed. Not sure if its the same but he recovered eventually.

[fishoholic]

Sorry to hear that Lance.

[PoonTang]

Total bummer Lance. I know how you feel as I lost my male trigger a while ago. Still would like to get another.

[Lance]

It appears Bubba is regaining sight in one eye. He can now see well enough to catch larger pieces of food by himself. I still have to use the feeding stick to get the food within 6" of him so he can see it, but at least he can now find his own food. He now even comes out of his hidey-hole for several slow laps around the tank every hour or so. Go Bubba go! :biggrin:

[JDigital]

w00t!! Good News Lance. Hope he makes a good recovery!

[Lance]

......Sigh...........So I guess I'll have to convert the 33g QT to a permanent home for Bubba. No way can he go back into the display with his very limited eyesight. Even if the bullies don't kill him he won't get enough food. :cry:

Note to self: Never, ever hand-feed a 6" blind trigger. "OUCH"

[lastlight]

sorry to hear Lance. thankfully you're able to do that before his tankmate's kill him.

[christyf5]

Aww bummer, I had high hopes for him. I recently had a wrasse go through the same thing, it had popeye for awhile then it receded but he was blind in one eye. He seemed to do fine and it wasn't until about a month later that I realized he had gone blind in the other eye (without any eye enlargement) and there was no way he could find food even when I was holding it right in front of him. I finally had to put him down. The whole thing was incredibly depressing. Not sure if I could have set him up in his own tank though :neutral:

[Lance]

Damn! Lost my oldest fish today. :cry: Pajama Cardinal I got in 2007. He was full grown when I got him so I'm guessing he was probably about 8 years old.
R.I.P. PJ

[kien]

Damn! Lost my oldest fish today. :cry: Pajama Cardinal I got in 2007. He was full grown when I got him so I'm guessing he was probably about 8 years old.
R.I.P. PJ

Sorry to hear lance.. Its tough losing old timers in your tank.

[lastlight]

Sorry to hear man.