4lti7ude's Zoa Nano Tank Journal (From the Start)

[4lti7ude]

Journal Icon Legend:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/icon4.gif Thread Update!
:question: Question
:fadein: Website Link
This journal starts just like most fish fanatics I started with Fresh water aquariums March 2009 as a random hobby. I never really pictured me in the future becoming ADDICTED to fish, but look where we are now...
Here's some of my fresh water tanks I had in the past.

First tank
10 Gallon my roommate gave to me.
The Ex picked all the decorations inside... :neutral:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/n517857079_1490047_1870979.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/n517857079_1501665_1054862.jpg

Bought a 20 Gallon the next week.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/n517857079_1532166_6131882.jpg

20 Gallon Before getting switched to a more Natural Look.... So I thought at the time :lol:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/3153_78069152079_517857079_1660633_.jpg

Started leaning towards more natural looking tanks... Re did 20 Gallon
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/13369_171427342079_517857079_277550.jpg

Cichlid 10G tank
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/4972_95482747079_517857079_1904278_.jpg

This is how my planted tank is presently.

2x Nutrafin CO2 Fed
Marine land Magnum 220 Filter
Fluval E100 Heater
ZooMed Power Head
15W T8 Running 10 Hours
28W T8 Running 12 Hours
Tetra Silent 20G Air Pump Running 9Hours @Night
SeaChem Flourish Tabs
SeaChem Flourite Substrate Mixed
SeaChem Flourish Daily
SeaChem Flourish Iron Daily
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01746.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01745.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/icon4.gifOnly planning to get new lights, and Power head then the tank is finished aside from random plants here and there. Nothing to major for now.
The Cherry shrimp are breeding like crazy and the tank is full sustaining now. I don't need to do anything but top off the water and clip plants sometimes.

[Doug]

Wow. Very nice tanks. Great job.

[globaldesigns]

Great Pic's, now it's time to try salt

[TheKid]

IS that a ten gallon african cichlid tank?

[ElGuappo]

IS that a ten gallon african cichlid tank?

they look like tiger barbs to me.

[bauder1986]

IS that a ten gallon african cichlid tank?

Yah thats what it looks like....

hmm so where are the salt water tanks?

[4lti7ude]

Lol the one 10 with the white sand is a Cichlid tank, and my first one was a Barb Tank.

Ill be uploading my salt water tank pictures tomrrow afternoon :mrgreen:

[bauder1986]

cool. yah i have a couple of 10 gallon FW tanks kicking around too. I keep them around because they are amazingly cheap! Cant wait to see what you do with your first SW tank.

[4lti7ude]

cool. yah i have a couple of 10 gallon FW tanks kicking around too. I keep them around because they are amazingly cheap! Cant wait to see what you do with your first SW tank.

Well as promised I have updated the thread :lol:
Sadly its not fully updated yet... But here's my salt water tank in its past building up stages.

[4lti7ude]

The old 10Gallon was then switched to a salt water tank.
I came into this with only a bit of knowledge so forgive my mistakes.
Random information but as you can see I never really ever waited for a tank to cycle before. I'm just to excited to get fish and always seem to find ways around making my tank have to start fresh... Maybe I'm just lucky.

10 Gallon Tank
50 Gallon Aqua Clear Filter
Life Glow T8
Marine Glow T8
Hydor 100W Heater
10 Gallon Air Pump w/ Read Sea Wood Air Stone (I wanted it cause it was Red Sea :redface:)
Full Ice Cream Bucket of Live Crushed Coral Substrate from a friends tank.
12.77 Pounds of Live Rock from Pisces Pet Emporium
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0000.jpg

!!PROBLEM!!
Rock is LITTERD with Aiptasia Anemone (aiptasia pallida)
I was so excited when I thought I had a bunch of free anemones...
I never read the thread on where to get rock before I did... Seems like many people warned of this.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0001.jpg

New Rock from a friend!
Live Sand from his set up tank
Hydor Koralia 1 from Golds
Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab (clibanarius tricolor), Gorilla Crab (gorilla gorilla cancer), Spotted Mushroom (actinodiscus sp.), Super Man Mushroom (actinodiscus sp.), TONS of colorful Brittle Sea Star, and some other random Hitch Hikers... So far all good ones tho.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0004.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0005.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0006.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0007.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0008.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0010.jpg

Could this be Sponge...? Black and Yellow stuff
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0009.jpg

!!DONT BOY THIS!!
At this point I was using a $22.00 Oceanic BioCube Mini Hydrometer which I also picked up from Pisces Pet Emporium
http://akamai.f3images.com/IMD/600/OA36014/OA36014_1.jpg
I borrowed a Refractometer and when the Oceanic Hydrometer read OFF the charts was the salt really at 1.025.
Bought a Refractometer off a friend now and threw that piece of garbage out.

Found a Bristle Worm in my Rock!! Thanks to the CanReef members for helping me figure out what it was.
Follow up on thread :fadein:http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=63622
This is my Drawing of it because my camera sucks...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/Random/DSC01711.jpg

[4lti7ude]

About 1.5 Weeks later from setting up the tank I got my first fish!!
Clown Fish (amphiprion ocellaris) from Golds.
I wish I bought him with a buddy, but I think it might be to late now to add another guy?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0011.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/icon4.gifI have a Tail Spot Blenny (ecsenius stigmatura) with neon green around his eyes =D
He came from Ocean City, he was the only one in the mixed tank to.
Haven't been able to get a picture of him yet... He camouflages way to well with the purple in the rock for my camera to capture...

Juvenile Bluelined Trigger (pseudobalistes fuscus) from Ocean City.
I had to sell him in about 1 week because I noticed he was killing all the brittle star fish. He was smaller then the clown fish too.Way, way to aggressive.
A nice lady from CanReef in Edmonton took him to her huge tank
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0013.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/Random/DSC01724.jpg

Sand Sifting Sea Star (astropecten polycanthus) from Golds to clean up my sand algae that was coming a bit. The Bluelined nipped him real good on the one arm before he left the tank...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0019.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0020.jpg

Three Head Frog Spawn (euphyllia paradivisa) Frag from friends tank
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0015.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0017.jpg

Random picture of my clown fish. I named him Marlin after Nemo's dad.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0018.jpg

With Night LEDS !!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0016.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/icon4.gifAs referred from the CanReef thread on Nano Skimmers I got the Rio Nano Skimmer from Ocean City
Thanks to Seamazter from Ocean City for helping me set it up and get it running amazing. Its skimming out the darkest foam and aerating my tank really great.

The Mushrooms are doing Great!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0014.jpg

Let me introduce you to Jacques.
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (lysmata amboinensis) from Golds.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0021.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/icon4.gif10 Gallon tank cracked at the bottom Sunday April 25th

[4lti7ude]

Since the little ten gallon cracked, I picked up a 20Gallon tall from Big Als.
All my old stuff fits, its just a taller tank.
I also added a background, which I used Sea View on.
I used Sea View on all my backgrounds since my first 20 Gallon.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01764.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01766.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01769.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/icon4.gifPicked up new rock from marineman.
All SUPER clean and live too :mrgreen:
Coraline is growing like crazy on my rocks already.
I still need a new heater tho. The little 50W Theo is on almost 24/7 trying to keep that thing the right temp.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01770.jpg

The Frogspawn is very happy with the new rock.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01772.jpg

Blenny hiding in his chosen home.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01775.jpg

Pink Coraline?!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01776.jpg

The Shrooms curled up real funny with the new amount of current, but there all regular again.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01777.jpg

Look at that weird tube underneath the Spotted Mushroom.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01778.jpg

[4lti7ude]

Some bad news.
I think I might have crushed Jacques when I was putting the new rock together.
I seen a piece of exo floating around with some nice red to it :cry:
Haven't seen him in the past few days, im pretty sure hes dead...

But after the bad news, I also have some good news.
Finally bought a new heater from Golds.
EHEIM Jager 100Watt :biggrin:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01804.jpg

Special thanks to marineman for the rock, and all the gorgeous corals.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01796.jpg

Evergreen Starburst Polyp (briareum sp.)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01797.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01790.jpg

Finally got a picture of my Blenny and his Neon eyes!
Zoas (zoanthus sp.)
Anyone know what kind this is?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01785.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01798.jpg

Its so hard to capture the Neon Candy Cane Coral (caulastrea furcata) glowing color.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01801.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01780.jpg

My Super small Birds Nest Coral (seriatopora hystrix).
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01802.jpg

Zoas I love, love, love Zoas. (zoanthus sp.)
If anyone knows the names of these Zoas they should identify them!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01781.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01782.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01788.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01800.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01791.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01793.jpg

As planned this is going to be a mainly Zoa tank.
I just find them to attractive to the eye :wink:

Totally impulse bought again (With a bit of pressure from a friend, and the employees) I picked up a small Purple Reef Lobster (enoplometopus sp.)
Fully Regret it. I had a STRICT fish plan and I went off it and this is what I get for it...
Help me catch this little guy on this thread.
:fadein:http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=64308 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=64308)

I have decided what I want for my tank.

1 Female Clown Fish (Gotta find a bigger clown for Marlin)
1 Small Two Spot Goby
1 Small Banggai Cardinal
1 Small Cleaner Shrimp (Jacques Successor)
1 Pom Pom Crab

I just need to wait for Golds to stock up again, then I can focus on Zoas!

Looking for Cheato in NE Calgary.
:fadein:http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=64266

[4lti7ude]

As of 10:00PM today, the Purple Reef Lobster is out of my tank.
Things didnt go as planned with the traps or what, but a simple quick tear down caught him in no time.

Im really bad with short term memory tho so I couldnt put it back together to much like last time.... But shes looking good. :wink:

[4lti7ude]

Purple Reef Lobster is out of the tank.
The catching process was alot harder then I thought.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01805.jpg

Such a nice lobby... Too bad he had to go. Must stick to the fish list.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01806.jpg

Time to check off a fish from the list.
Banggai Cardinalfish (pterapogon kauderni) from Golds as always :biggrin:
He used to be scared of me but now hes swimming around with the Clown and Blenny carefree.
He has a real hate for his reflection tho...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01829.jpg

While at Golds I also picked up some Frag Epoxy.
Finally the hermit will stop toppling frags.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01809.jpg

Sleeping off the powerhead.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01811.jpg

[4lti7ude]

Alright the tanks starting to get some algae a bit here and there. Its looking like the Blenny and Hermit need some help.

Went to Golds and picked up some super cleaners!
10 Astrea Snails (astraea tecta)
Kitty was making sure the drips were not to fast for the snails.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01818.jpg

While the kid and the snails are entertained, it was time for me to start my new canopy.
Read around that building your own window screen as a top was a perfect clean look. 36" Kit @25.00$ from Totem
The Kit is cheaper if your doing a small tank.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01820.jpg

Total trip to hell and back cutting the metal tho.
I always tell myself I should buy a dermal... and everytime I never do, and must resort to the hacksaw...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01823.jpg

But I'm not that useless so I still finished it hahaha.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01821.jpg

Using the tools that came with the kit I installed the screen.
The screen part is so much easier then the cutting.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01824.jpg

Screen Installed nice and tight. Looks professional if you ask me.
I don't care if its black or white because you cant see it when my lights are on top.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01825.jpg

OEM look mmmm.
I highly suggest this to anyone who wants a new canopy.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01827.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01836.jpg

Randomly. I picked up a Woods Digital Powerbar (Pretty much a Coralife one, just not water proof when closed)
Well first thing I need to say is.
WHOS IDEA WAS IT TO MAKE A POWER BAR THAT YOU CAN ONLY TIME 4 AT THE SAME TIME?! The whole point I would want one was to time them SEPARATELY!

Doesnt make sense to me. So I went back to the good old Noma Digitals from the Fresh Water Days. They do EXACTLY what I want. Simple set up, simple operation.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01837.jpg

If I wanted a 4 outlets to turn on at once id put a 4 plug in my Noma Digital.

[4lti7ude]

Just my rant about that waste of a power bar. But now that I'm done, so are the snails :mrgreen:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01831.jpg

They all gotta clean each other before they start this new reef. Even the Hermit wants in on this. (I suspect he wants a new shell)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01833.jpg

Worms are living pretty well in the sand. Tons of hairs come up at feeding time... Creeepy
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01832.jpg

Randoms!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01838.jpg

Neon Mouths! I love how the skirts are white but don't go all the way around white.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01839.jpg

Theres some green mouthed polyp with those zoas... Zoas are all spreading.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01840.jpg

[Finnegan]

thanks for the stag frag its looking pretty nice

[Reef_surfer]

i believe these are green eggs and ham. i have the same ones in my tank. when under the proper lighting they are anamazing color



Zoas I love, love, love Zoas. (zoanthus sp.)
If anyone knows the names of these Zoas they should identify them!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01782.jpg

[4lti7ude]

i believe these are green eggs and ham. i have the same ones in my tank. when under the proper lighting they are anamazing color


Thankyou so much.
Those are my all time favorite in my tank right now.
Under the actinics is such a amazing combination of colors.

[4lti7ude]

Just a few random pictures I found on my cameras hard drive that I thought were missing.

Stomatella Snail (Stomatella varia) This was taken about the 3rd day I started my tank, but sadly im pretty sure the Gorilla Crab ate him.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC00025.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC00024.jpg

Gorilla Crab from back in the day. I kinda miss him... But no time for crabs in the nano tank.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC00026.jpg

From my freshwater dip to try and remove the bristle worm only these randoms came out with the bunch of brittle sea stars that died.
No worm tho...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC00027.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC00029.jpg

Pod?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC00028.jpg

Freshwater?
Shrimp Feast :lol:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC00033.jpg

[4lti7ude]

Bristle worm is still alive...
I finally caught a picture of him, but with such a poor macro its still hard to see.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC00031.jpg

I know he cant really "hurt" me, but the thought of something like that in my reef kinda freaks me out.
Probably just going to have to live with it and start wearing gloves.

[fishytime]

The snail in question is a stometella snail:wink:

[4lti7ude]

The snail in question is a stometella snail:wink:

oO, thanks for the identification.
I guess astrea snails cant really just wear a birthday suit around :lol:

[4lti7ude]

The past Sunday I finally revisited Red Coral (Went there by mistake in my FW days)
Thanks to fishytime I picked up some gorgeous Zoas, and more.

This is just one of the ones I picked for now :smile:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01856.jpg

While letting them accumulate, I cleaned my filter and put 1 pound of live rubble inside it instead of the sponge and bio stuff.
Live rubble was also from Red Coral.

Nice and Cleaned up. Tons of live inverts came out of it.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01847.jpg

The beautiful live rubble.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01848.jpg

This is my cheap HOB sump until I find a Aquaclear 300+ on Canreef :razz:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01849.jpg

I read the tutorials on how to make one and this is just a cheap easy fast do if your not using cheato. I cut off the grill bottom of the Sponge holder and it fits right between the rock and impeller section. Place bag of carbon there and your good to go.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01850.jpg

Now I just need to pick up two white LEDs and i can light this on a opposite lighting cycle. Gotta add some substrate...
Runs much smoother then with the dirty sponge.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01851.jpg

My Coraline algae is growing amazing on the white rock. No dosing of nothing in this tank except food and salt. Id have to say its all thanks to Red Sea. I bought the salt because it would fit nicely in my shelf hahahah. Lucked out really good.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01854.jpg

Im kinda impatient tho, so I picked up some Purple Up from Red Coral.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01853.jpg

Now some old pictures from before I didn't upload on time.
Blenny hiding inside his second home in the reef.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01842.jpg

I really like my frogspawn just because its soooo fat. That's 3 Heads not one tho...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01845.jpg

I hope it splits soon.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01846.jpg

[4lti7ude]

Look who's still alive...
Dam.... Hes looking huge. I wonder what hes eating?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01857.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01858.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01859.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01860.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01861.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01862.jpg

[4lti7ude]

Sadly two Zoa colonies I picked up from Red Coral didnt survive :cry:
Poor guys only opened up for a day here and there, then died...

This guy survived tho :biggrin:
My top favorite right now.
Glove Polyp (clavularia sp.)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01906.jpg

Oh I love Neon green.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01907.jpg

Pod Hitching a Ride
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01905.jpg

:question: Soooo I was thinking of fragging some Starburst Polyps (briareum sp.)
and trying to make them grow on one of my snails shell.
I saw a picture of a Blue Tuxedo Urchin (mespilia globulus)on Canreef with Starburst Polyps Growing on it; Which started the idea.

Does anyone know if this can be done?

[4lti7ude]

Two Head Torch Coral (euphyllia glabrescens) from Golds!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01912.jpg

After a day of getting used to the flow and all; This is how he looks now!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01933.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01934.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01955.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01956.jpg

A little comparison of the Torch and Frogspawn size.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01935.jpg

And now a nice roll of random photos of the Corals and Fish inhabitants of my reef.

Blenny hiding out in his selected home.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01936.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01943.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01944.jpg

Banggai wants to come out for a few snap shots too.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01941.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01942.jpg

Marlin still being crazy Marlin.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01954.jpg

Beautiful Mushrooms which are soon leaving for a new home.
The Zoas and shrooms I hear aren't to good beside each other... Oh well more Zoas to come!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01938.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01940.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01945.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01946.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01948.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01952.jpg

Reflection off the front glass Ooo. Look at that Frogspawn reach!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01950.jpg

Glooow
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01958.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01959.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01960.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01964.jpg

Gloves have new growth already!
String was there holding on a fallen glove, but the hermit loosened the knot real good....
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01953.jpg

[4lti7ude]

Big Brittle Sea Star moving along the glass and reef.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01911.jpg

Anyone know the name of these Zoas?
They've grown over all the dead spots from when I first picked them up :biggrin:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01914.jpg

My Favorite mushroom. I wish I could keep him... but with such a little reef, theirs not to much room for variety.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01918.jpg

marineman's Neon Candy cane is growing huge. Everything in the tank seems to be growing larger...but never splitting... :neutral:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01915.jpg

Looking back at the Frogspawns first photos, they were so small and cute; now there kinda huge and scary :mrgreen:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01920.jpg

Nom nom nom.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01928.jpg

[lorenz0]

tanks looking awesome. i like the way your going with it

[Gaffer]

Wow, looking good.

I like the tall tank look.

That hydrometer is a POS. I bought one too as a quick & dirty check for one of my tanks but the float is way too easily influenced my currents in the tank.

If you want to get rid of some mushrooms I could trade you for a clownfish.

Andrew

[Zoaelite]

Great looking nano, reminds me of when I first started in salt water :biggrin:! If you like the mushroom I would keep it where it is, still lots of room between the zoas and the shroom. I actually have a few species of zoas and mushrooms grown together and they are doing just fine.

As for your purple up make sure you use in very small portions, the product is pretty much a calcium supplement so over using it in a nano tank can throw your levels out of balance.

You a LoL player by any chance?

[4lti7ude]

tanks looking awesome. i like the way your going with it

Thankyou :biggrin:

Wow, looking good.

I like the tall tank look.

That hydrometer is a POS. I bought one too as a quick & dirty check for one of my tanks but the float is way too easily influenced my currents in the tank.

If you want to get rid of some mushrooms I could trade you for a clownfish.

Andrew

Thankyou :biggrin:
I must say that Hydrometer is straight up a POS for sure hahaha. You'd think that something made from a company like that would make a good hydrometer...

The mushrooms are called for now; but ill be getting Zoas in return!
Thanks for the interest. I'm still torn on keeping the smaller mushrooms or not....

Great looking nano, reminds me of when I first started in salt water :biggrin:! If you like the mushroom I would keep it where it is, still lots of room between the zoas and the shroom. I actually have a few species of zoas and mushrooms grown together and they are doing just fine.

As for your purple up make sure you use in very small portions, the product is pretty much a calcium supplement so over using it in a nano tank can throw your levels out of balance.

You a LoL player by any chance?

Thanks :mrgreen:
I been itching to get a new larger tank started, but not till I move out.
Gotta keep the priorities straight hahaha.
Now im really thinking of just keeping this mushroom hahahah. I like him so much... The problem with small tanks is that you don't have much room for variety in the livestock... and that sucks....

Oh and the calcium doses I eased into them nicely starting with just 1ml.
Now im doesing just 1.5ml more then im supposed to and the purple is growing great same with the corals. Everyones just taking care of themselves right now :wink:

And no LoL here.
I waiting for Diablo III to come out before I hit the games again!

[Buzz]

Look who's still alive...
Dam.... Hes looking huge. I wonder what hes eating?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01857.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01858.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01859.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01860.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01861.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01862.jpg

Maybe it's just me but that looks like a fire worm.

[4lti7ude]

Maybe it's just me but that looks like a fire worm.

Ive been checking for a while what it was. (Made a whole thread on trying to identify it when it was still 2")

Buut im pretty sure hes a bristle worm.
No red color on him at all. I see him during the day and he looks just like a bristle worm to me.
No damage on anything sooo who knows. :twised:

[4lti7ude]

:question: Lately ive been reading up some more on Pom Pom crabs and im pretty sure I want one still.
Does anyone know how many I can have in a 20 Tall? Ive read alot about them being pretty aggressive to each other when theirs to many.
If I has a paired set of pom poms would I be able to house both of them in the 20 Tall?

I wouldn't mind if he held zoas instead of both his anemones, but I was wondering how do the zoas he hold survive if hes nocturnal?
(Many accounts of them picking up small zoas, aptasia, or corals in replacement of missing anemones.)

If he still has the anemones will they hurt the zoas or anything in my tank? Theirs a lot of random information floating around saying "With Caution" in reefs and others saying "Reef Safe".

[4lti7ude]

A bunch of new livestock this past weekend.
From planning to go to different stores in Calgary, I got sidetracked at Golds and just ended up picking up a bulk load of stuff.

First up to replace Jacques my first Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (lysmata amboinensis)

Jacques Jr. he has muuuuch longer feelers then Jacques Senior.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02006.jpg

Posing with the bristle worm!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02007.jpg

Zoas from Golds
Blue Skirts - Orange Mouths
Grey Skirts - Orange Mouths
Purple Skirts - Pink Mouths
Brown Skirts - Orange Mouths
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02004.jpg

Ahhh I hate this stupid frag plug!! Looks so unnatural but the Colony already was spreading onto it...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01980.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01982.jpg

I also aquierd a Orange Skirt - White Mouth Zoa colony, and Neon Purple Skirt - Goblin Green Mouths. Id take a picture of them but there mounted pretty far back from my cameras ability to capture focused pictures. Ill try to get pictures when they are a bit bigger. :cry:

Spotted Mandarin Goby (synchiropus picturatus) from Wai's Aquariums
When the Mandarin was being bagged the first bag broke open. I should have taken that as a heads up with the next bag, but while opening his bag to drip him as I pulled off the elastic the bottom of the bag broke open (BOTH BAGS!) and the Mandarin slipped in.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01985.jpg

Thankfully he survived and is eating happily around the reef :biggrin:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02008.jpg

Stomatella snail cleaning off my largest Astrea snail.
The Hermit killed a snail the other day... He didn't even use the shell. Now this Snail just hides behind the frog spawn every night.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02002.jpg

The Bristle worm is quite friendly now. Hangs out with all my fish no problem. Even seen the Mandarin floating on him with no aggression.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC01974.jpg

[4lti7ude]

Good Morning CanReef.
Im having a terrible morning so I decided to chill out by watching my tank wake up. Thought id take some pictures of my tank waking up for everyone.

12PM Everyone's awaking from their sleep.

The largest snail is already coming out of his hideout. (The hermit is out of his shell and missing?)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02016.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02017.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02020.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02019.jpg

Blenny is already out and waiting for breakfast!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02021.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02022.jpg

Snails starting the cleaning.... I dont think they stopped cleaning :lol:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02023.jpg

The babies are starting to sparkle.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02025.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02026.jpg

I spy...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02030.jpg

I finally captured the Neon inside the hands.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02034.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02036.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02038.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02039.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02040.jpg

The new colony I promised to take pictures of!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02042.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02046.jpg

Candy :razz:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02043.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02044.jpg

Hes always looking for food...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02049.jpg

[4lti7ude]

1PM and the lights are all on.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02059.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02053.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02055.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02056.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02056.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02056.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02064.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02067.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02069.jpg

[4lti7ude]

Last piece of hardware for the tank.. Check!

Nova Extreme :biggrin:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02084.jpg

Built in Fan
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02086.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02087.jpg

Had to make sure all the lights were separate controlled. I love my actinic lights to much to give them up.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02088.jpg

Quick test to make sure everything's working.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02089.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02091.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02090.jpg

Moon LEDs. I didn't even know these came with this fixture when I picked it up... :redface:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02092.jpg

FTS
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSC02093.jpg

[lorenz0]

good choice on the t5's

[Zoaelite]

Wow that light adds some ZING, great little fixture.

[4lti7ude]

good choice on the t5's
Thanks :biggrin: I was origionally hoping LEDs, but when I saw this on sale I couldn't resist.

Wow that light adds some ZING, great little fixture.
It really does, much better then my cut T8s hahahaa.

[4lti7ude]

Pictures from the old camera that I forgot to upload.
Also with the old t8 lights.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0147.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0146.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0145.jpg

My stomatella snail population is growing. Ive spotted tons lately all cleaning away.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/SaltWaterAquarium0143.jpg

[Greenmaster]

Looks good... I started with a 29g FW and now I'm over 10x that with SW :D

[4lti7ude]

Looks good... I started with a 29g FW and now I'm over 10x that with SW :D

Holy sheeeet.
Thats a HUGE tank compared to a 29Gallon hahahha. Very nice rocks :razz:
Saltwater is very addicting.
I have new plans for my Freshwater tank when I move out :wink: Cant turn my back on my lovely plants.

[Greenmaster]

Holy sheeeet.
Thats a HUGE tank compared to a 29Gallon hahahha. Very nice rocks :razz:
Saltwater is very addicting.
I have new plans for my Freshwater tank when I move out :wink: Cant turn my back on my lovely plants.

I never had any "real" FW plants just the ones that rot... went 29 FW then I wanted bigger fish so within 4 months I went to a 70 FW lasted only a couple weeks till I went to a real fish store (whole store was about the size of my living room) saw what other fish there were both FW and SW (instead of just box store fish) saw the coral banded shrimp and had to have it... as well as some other cool fish.

[4lti7ude]

Recently I acquired a Fuji Film DSLR and I'm very impressed with this camera already, even tho I don't even know how to use it so well yet.
I'm ready to learn some more about photography tho :biggrin:

Some photos of the Nova Extreme, its really increased the color and life of my tank! Proper lighting is a must!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0827.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0830.jpg

I like my wires tucked and clean.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0837.jpg

Full tank shot
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0889.jpg

Fresh water tank shot!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0892.jpg

The nice entertainment of the fish tanks infused with technology :wink:
Oh ya that's my baby "Kitty"
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0886.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0838.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0877.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0872.jpg

I forgot to mention I got some People eaters from Red Coral.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/rice_ghost/CANREEF/DSCF0876.jpg

Id like to give a specail thanks to fishytime for all his help and beautiful Zoas!

[Greenmaster]

Nice pics congrats on the camera.