Reef_Geek's tanks

[Reef_Geek]

I guess I could start a tank journal... seeing how I like taking pics.

began by buying this deal for bits and pieces: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=87628
http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w412/strauss11/IMG_0593.jpg

Took the tank and swapped with my 26 gallon bowfront gold fish tank.

July 6th 2012. 26 gallon Bowfront reef Day 1, hexagon now goldfish tank.
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/417557_10151096133252953_519559868_n.jpg
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/315452_10151096133357953_1138587684_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/528898_10151096133482953_1442262825_n.jpg

July 14, 2012:
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/548208_10151114472592953_434918255_n.jpg
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292438_10151114472767953_1560185391_n.jpg

Got this Ricordea from Gold Aquarium
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/582209_10151114472912953_915865363_n.jpg

Got this multi shroom rock from Wai's Aquarium
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/529387_10151114473097953_420576719_n.jpg

Got this multi Zoanthus chunk of live rock from Ocean Creation
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/599286_10151114473327953_1885477143_n.jpg

August 4, 2012. Got some zoas from ReefWars
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/533001_10151162700977953_1216508880_n.jpg
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576064_10151162701037953_353796077_n.jpg
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313498_10151162701117953_613762147_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293094_10151162701182953_996253825_n.jpg

Got this multi zoa colony from Ocean Creation
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/580745_10151162708832953_747322780_n.jpg

Got this Rhodactis from Snappy
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/547804_10151162701212953_657593649_n.jpg

tank on Aug 4, 2012
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/557410_10151162701287953_410112397_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

August 21, 2012. Added some LPS from Gold Aquarium

Caulastrea
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/557420_10151202933112953_1061006056_n.jpg

some kind of brain coral with nasty sweeper tentacles
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/376921_10151202933287953_44063833_n.jpg

Euphyllia
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/547210_10151202933392953_1402001195_n.jpg

Reef tank Aug 21, 2012
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/480325_10151203320237953_2126054445_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/376648_10151202933497953_277381587_n.jpg

Ricordea getting a purple rim
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/530105_10151202933747953_1461400881_n.jpg

Started a second reef tank. 25 gallon cube. Aug 21, 2012.
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309171_10151202933627953_348831449_n.jpg

Aug 25, 2012. Added frags from Lee9 (circled)
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/405248_10151212147522953_1383638539_n.jpg
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394178_10151212147672953_1507584678_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/486607_10151212147782953_177890865_n.jpg

Sept 4, 2012. Zoas from ReefWars
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309282_10151230180937953_1070963047_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/552027_10151230181017953_702732571_n.jpg

Reef tank Sept 4, 2012, with lots of frags from Xtreme.
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/431175_10151230181102953_955416405_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

Sept 14, 2012. Got some Acanthastrea & other frags from Gold Aquarium
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/377846_10151245067002953_1547677288_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253466_10151245067047953_97827441_n.jpg
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578591_10151245067097953_713038706_n.jpg
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389803_10151245067117953_1808384264_n.jpg
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/564686_10151245067207953_28118770_n.jpg

Starting to add corals to new cube reef. Rock work re-arranged, most pieces broken up with chisel.
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/393213_10151245067242953_1058497258_n.jpg

Ricordea from Gold Aquarium looking good Sept 15, 2012
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/3697_10151245714602953_638537960_n.jpg

Ricordea from Lee9 looking good Sept 15, 2012
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/536198_10151245714697953_86857707_n.jpg

Clowns have begun to live in Euphyllia earlier this month, but female not yet allowing male to come in. Sept 15, 2012
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/426900_10151245714742953_1182985347_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578469_10151245714917953_710854383_n.jpg

Euphyllia from Gold Aquarium
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/156158_10151245714992953_1547633288_n.jpg

Reef tanks Sept 15, 2012
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/246641_10151245715067953_216141344_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/271071_10151245715142953_791438521_n.jpg

Trumpet frag from Ryan-b
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/295187_10151245754467953_45246612_n.jpg

Acans & Zoas
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/643923_10151245754582953_432477800_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/431331_10151245754617953_87374239_n.jpg

Sept 21, 2012
added Blastomussa from Gold Aquarium
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228181_10151254332802953_907220115_n.jpg
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/400783_10151254333147953_65885533_n.jpg

added Acan from ReefWars
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/545683_10151254332842953_754112222_n.jpg

added Cyphastrea from ReefWars
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/561132_10151254332937953_846741191_n.jpg

Ricordea from Snappy last weekend looks good.
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/550881_10151254332902953_704581671_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/581413_10151254333002953_2024932208_n.jpg

Rhodactis from Snappy added last month looking good
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/303284_10151254332972953_893134719_n.jpg

Caulastrea frags added from MikeP this week.
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578514_10151254333047953_571404114_n.jpg

Echinophyllia added last month from Lee9 looking good Sept 21, 2012
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/206331_10151254333027953_770059860_n.jpg

Rhodactis from Gold Aquarium added this month looking good
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/156253_10151254333232953_1508300665_n.jpg

freebie mini carpet? from ReefWars added Sept 21, 2012. Thanks Denny!
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301485_10151254333312953_1207205500_n.jpg

multi zoa rock added early Aug from Ocean Creation looking good Sept 21, 2012
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/424738_10151254333367953_1502838448_n.jpg

Reef tanks Sept 21, 2012. Now both with eShopps PSK-100H skimmers.
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284294_10151254333427953_687215532_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/644119_10151254333477953_2035483734_n.jpg

[mrhasan]

I can see some holes for some more LR :D Haha jk!

Awesome build....things are looking really awesome :D

[Stones]

The tanks are looking more colorful and packed with each update! Thanks for sharing the tank progression pics.

[Enigma]

Breathtaking.

[Reef_Geek]

Thanks!

(I get that alot... try to fit more rock in there....) :smile:

[Enigma]

Do you have any issues keeping the glass clean, where you can't squeeze something in to clean it? If not, I would love to know your secret.

[Reef_Geek]

Do you have any issues keeping the glass clean, where you can't squeeze something in to clean it? If not, I would love to know your secret.

Wow... great observation. YES, there are places that are a pain in butt to get into... here's my tool. Just a Brillo® pad attached to my plastic putty knife via a rubber band. I use the narrow putty knife from Rona® (in the paint section) as it's cheap, doesn't scratch glass, and gives me the 7" reach working in the tank but short enough to still give leverage to apply pressure from the handle.

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/308072_10151254917752953_1351328665_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/560485_10151254917842953_793917987_n.jpg

[Enigma]

Handy!

I'm very conscious of rock placement when it comes to keeping things clean. I go for minimal rock in my displays, typically. But, with my contest build I may need to add a lot more rock than I originally intended (to keep within the water volume restriction). Your tank looks so nice and clean, and there is no evidence of neglected glass in the photos. It eases my mind quite a bit.

I need to follow you around the city purchasing corals. We've got pretty similar tastes in a lot of things. A bunch of your specimens are on my "must have" list. :lol: And, you've found them locally!

[Reef_Geek]

I'm all around the city for work, and it has its advantages. 1) I get to scope out LFSs often if I'm in the area, and 2) I get to buy stuff and hide them in my reef tank before my wife gets home... :nono:

[mrhasan]

Aha. So that's why you got all those rocks in your tank? ;) Nice move :D

I'm all around the city for work, and it has its advantages. 1) I get to scope out LFSs often if I'm in the area, and 2) I get to buy stuff and hide them in my reef tank before my wife gets home... :nono:

[Reef_Geek]

Here's more stuff... who doesn't love stuff... especially photo stuff...

Acanthastrea frag (purple with stripes) added from ReefWars
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/534362_10151270031782953_2118858108_n.jpg

Acanthastrea frag (ultra Aussie red) added from ReefWars
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/375903_10151270031997953_215996412_n.jpg

Acanthastrea frag (ultra green) added from ReefWars
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/542009_10151270032207953_1425810619_n.jpg

Acanthastrea frag (solid green) & Favia on left, added from ReefWars
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/541265_10151270032332953_1520192187_n.jpg

Acanthastrea frag (red & blue) added from ReefWars, believe he rescued this from MikeP, acclimated & nursed, then fragged.
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/46339_10151270032422953_606016247_n.jpg

Hydnophora frag added from ReefWars
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/580309_10151270032917953_1847708958_n.jpg

Blastomussa frag from Gold Aquarium added two weeks ago. Eating lots of brine shrimp.
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/430061_10151270032687953_812860373_n.jpg

Amphiprion percula added from Wai's Aquarium
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/523122_10151270033387953_1410610453_n.jpg

Synchiropus picturatus added from Wai's Aquarium
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/388852_10151270033652953_329977444_n.jpg

Grade A green Acanthastrea frag added from Snappy about 3 weeks ago
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/581443_10151270033817953_1305335635_n.jpg

Acanthastrea frag added from Lee9 this past summer
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/298537_10151270034117953_766832726_n.jpg

Acanthastrea frag added early summer
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/561751_10151270034382953_1708500210_n.jpg

25 gallon cube reef getting more corals, and now with fish.
2x Amphiprion percula, 1x Synchiropus picturatus, 1x Plectranthias inermis (Geometric Hawkfish... which is not a hawkfish but an anthia relative that acts like a hawkfish)
Oct 2, 2012
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/304942_10151270033172953_346785847_n.jpg

26gall bowfront reef, upgraded to Innovative Marine's Skkye tablet light (92 watt 14K LED), bought from Baggio for $220 over the weekend. It's visually brighter than my 250w JBJ Viper K2 metal halide (14K).
Fish: 2x Amphiprion ocellaris, 1x Gramma loreto, 1x Synchiropus splendidus
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/577031_10151270034592953_608946752_n.jpg

Skkye tablet LED, blues only
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401487_10151270035697953_1611090295_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/189358_10151270034787953_1721796813_n.jpg

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/603768_10151270035037953_261811717_n.jpg

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/66095_10151270035247953_2115460721_n.jpg

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/23950_10151270035492953_1951665466_n.jpg

[mrhasan]

Awesome-EST!!!!

[Coralgurl]

Wow! Your tanks are stunning. You'll have them filled in no time, need a bigger tank! :biggrin:

[Skimmerking]

tanks looking great buddy

[Reef_Geek]

Wow! Your tanks are stunning. You'll have them filled in no time, need a bigger tank! :biggrin:

hmmm.... a bigger tank would be nice. (Hamster wheel in head starts turning... squeak squeak squeak)

[mrhasan]

hmmm.... a bigger tank would be nice. (Hamster wheel in head starts turning... squeak squeak squeak)

Yah. That tank is just too small for your appetite for corals :mrgreen:

[Reef_Geek]

My Thanksgiving weekend project.

36x18x24 65 gallon reef upgrade (worried pug not included). Going to consolidate my two reefs into the 65 gallon, turn the 25 gallon cube into a frag rack tank, turn the bowfront 26 gallon back into my bedroom goldfish tank, sell the 35 gallon hexagon tank & stand alone.

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/149672_10151274292867953_1070985508_n.jpg

[toytech]

Is it even possible to fit that much coraly goodness in one tank ? Youve got a nice collection going .

[mrhasan]

Still a very small tank for you :P

My Thanksgiving weekend project.

36x18x24 65 gallon reef upgrade (worried pug not included). Going to consolidate my two reefs into the 65 gallon, turn the 25 gallon cube into a frag rack tank, turn the bowfront 26 gallon back into my bedroom goldfish tank, sell the 35 gallon hexagon tank & stand alone.

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/149672_10151274292867953_1070985508_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

I agree, wife does not. Had my eye on a 90 gallon cube but it seems my wife holds the voting share... boo.

[mrhasan]

I agree, wife does not. Had my eye on a 90 gallon cube but it seems my wife holds the voting share... boo.

You can get one on Christmas! Just silently bring it into the house and the next day when you wife sees it, just tell her that Santa gave it to you :lol::mrgreen::razz:

[Reef_Geek]

what a long day with lots of bucket & tank lugging...

Here's the 65 gallon with live rock and corals consolidated from the two smaller tanks (25 gal cube & 26 gal bowfront). The corals have just been put back into the tank and I've yet to re-arrange. Water is still cloudy of course on all tanks. I made a bold move that some may not agree... I sawed off the center brace at the top tank frame to accommodate the clip on Skkye 92w LED. I'm ok with it, others will disagree. Tank measures 36x18x24.
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/66351_10151275746732953_1715000767_n.jpg

25 gal cube is now mostly empty with sand. I'll be building a frag rack soon to grow out my smaller pieces. Water still cloudy from the rock extraction.
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399646_10151275746827953_1694150516_n.jpg

oh the humanity! 26 gal bowfront now a goldfish tank in my bedroom. Again, water still cloudy from set up.
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/581595_10151275746857953_867779544_n.jpg

38 gal Hexagon tank now empty. Will post separately for sale.
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/548354_10151275746432953_730093361_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576527_10151275746567953_1413020591_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

Day 2 after 65 gallon reef has been set up with corals & live rock from the 2 smaller tanks. Water has cleared up in most tanks. Very few pieces of corals lost... but I did lose a few that fell onto each other over night.

Built a frag rack for the 25 gallon cube.
frag rack built from egg crate, zip ties, & 3/4" diameter pvc.
4" height shelf is 13"x13"
8" height shelf is 13"x9"
12" height shelf is 13"x5"
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/552567_10151277615162953_1876674401_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581585_10151277615252953_272886337_n.jpg

65 gallon reef is clearing up... but I just re-arranged the corals this evening and got a bunch of them to slime up as I molested them. So the skimmer is going a bit nuts, I've had to open up the flow rate quite a bit to keep it from overflowing... so micro bubbles are everywhere.

I've taken some egg crate and zip ties to make a "fish jump preventer" on the open top. Now I can get cool fish like jawfish, fairy wrasses, and anthias!

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/399721_10151277615387953_1170047798_n.jpg
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/598714_10151277615307953_521097434_n.jpg

Full tank shot. Amphiprion ocellaris and Amphiprion percula are mingling... silly clowns.

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/557653_10151277615442953_1421147747_n.jpg

I know you are all worried... but the goldfish are all doing ok too (day 2 after move)

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/75184_10151277630377953_984842888_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

65 gal reef, now without micro bubbles

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/383483_10151279046107953_1894123492_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250466_10151279046777953_82196300_n.jpg

added mummy-eye chalice from Gold's Aquarium

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/246449_10151279048922953_869546177_n.jpg

Added Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon) from Gold's Aquarium

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/68756_10151279046552953_250913715_n.jpg

Frag tank

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/304444_10151279046252953_1454780883_n.jpg

added Purple Dottyback (Pseudochromis porphyreus) to frag tank from Nixon

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/560709_10151279046602953_1198502165_n.jpg

Synchiropus picturatus came out a few times.

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/419533_10151279046692953_304565986_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

Synchiropus picturatus. This guy just loves swimming around my tank without a care. My Synchiropus splendidus (same tank) is seen maybe once every second day.

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/416803_10151286583572953_1225768105_n.jpg

Bought the nice Two Little Fishies veggie magnet. Yep, over priced for what it is... but worth it to me. I'm clipping nori and don't have to fuss with a suction cup... or as previously, trying to wedge the nori in my glass cleaning magnets.

PS- nori $3.29 for a 20 sheet pack at Superstore. Roasted nori, for sushi.

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/545823_10151286583612953_1574404837_n.jpg

This cryptic bugger... had this guy for about 3 weeks. Finally caught a photo! He's a Geometric Hawkfish (Plectranthias inermis) which is actually not a true hawkfish member... but more closely related to Anthias. Just convergent evolution to the same behaviour of perching and ambushing prey.

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/550958_10151286583662953_119882842_n.jpg

3 foot 65 gal reef Oct 13, 2012.

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/10612_10151286583717953_754167112_n.jpg

[mrhasan]

Got a beautiful purple dottyback myself. The six line wrasse did the worst thing in his life by challenging the dottyback and ended up on the carpet :( I hope the dottyback doesn't get ****ed on my clown and firefish.

[Reef_Geek]

my purple dotty's been ok with the pair of small A.percula (1.5" ea) in the 25gal frag tank. I understand they get aggressive, primarily towards other basslet types or look-a-likes, and aggression is exacerbated with limited space in a smaller tank.

Is there possibility your sixline jumped independent of your dotty?

[mrhasan]

my purple dotty's been ok with the pair of small A.percula (1.5" ea) in the 25gal frag tank. I understand they get aggressive, primarily towards other basslet types or look-a-likes, and aggression is exacerbated with limited space in a smaller tank.

Is there possibility your sixline jumped independent of your dotty?

Nop sixline jumped because of being harassed by the dottyback. I would say it was sixline's fault since he started the fight when dotty was introduced.

Now he is being a bit aggressive towards the firefish but to my utter surprise, the clowns the defending the firefish :O Whenever the dotty would come towards firefish, they would rush to the scene and the dotty would move to his side. Such a wonderful thing! I hope his aggression towards firefish comes down. He is just too pretty to be taken out and I can't find any other pretty fish which is reef safe.

BTW sorry for hijacking your thread :$

[Reef_Geek]

no worries.

Maybe you have an octagon shaped tank. :lol:

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7uwduSl18THQpxvwXMr-_0wkRevmsU2G7dV8bFR9m9icN4jEpYw

[Reef_Geek]

Added Acropora formosa and Acanthastrea (not yet opened) from Tidal_Waters

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319055_10151288191192953_1236862973_n.jpg
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/46225_10151288191302953_965748815_n.jpg

Added Flame Hawk (Neocirrhitus armatus) from Ocean Creation

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426299_10151288191352953_202504301_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/548391_10151288191407953_1887323950_n.jpg

One of the Blastomussa started showing receding tissue and exposing skeleton. I just read that Blastomussa are actually surprising tricky... having very latent reaction to stress, and typically thought to be due to being exposed to bright light too quickly. It's been 8 days since I moved my 2 tanks into one big reef, I must have placed this frag too close to the light... 8 days later it's showing stress. Bugger. I've just moved it to the sand bed, might be too late.

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/539495_10151288191267953_629634608_n.jpg

[mrhasan]

no worries.

Maybe you have an octagon shaped tank. :lol:

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7uwduSl18THQpxvwXMr-_0wkRevmsU2G7dV8bFR9m9icN4jEpYw

Haha. I don't like shapey shapey (sorry no such word exists but you do get the idea :P) tanks. I prefer long foot print tanks (currently have a 20long) :D

[mrhasan]

You are really really quick grabbing awesome deals :P I wish I had a car :(

The hawk looks awesome. Been there yesterday and that fish is a beauty.

Added Acropora formosa and Acanthastrea (not yet opened) from Tidal_Waters

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319055_10151288191192953_1236862973_n.jpg
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/46225_10151288191302953_965748815_n.jpg

Added Flame Hawk (Neocirrhitus armatus) from Ocean Creation

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426299_10151288191352953_202504301_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/548391_10151288191407953_1887323950_n.jpg

One of the Blastomussa started showing receding tissue and exposing skeleton. I just read that Blastomussa are actually surprising tricky... having very latent reaction to stress, and typically thought to be due to being exposed to bright light too quickly. It's been 8 days since I moved my 2 tanks into one big reef, I must have placed this frag too close to the light... 8 days later it's showing stress. Bugger. I've just moved it to the sand bed, might be too late.

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/539495_10151288191267953_629634608_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

Acanthastrea from Tidal_Waters is a bit more open today

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/526061_10151289600312953_1503259836_n.jpg

Added today from Gold (was on hold for a few days under quarantine):
Naso Tang (Naso lituratus)
Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
Palette/Hippo/Blue/Royal/Regal Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247389_10151289600392953_463043700_n.jpg

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/581443_10151289600437953_1227565754_n.jpg

orange tang (no, not really)

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYN1hTgl12iAqWMPkmGWpzYkmgAss6r 2VBVoVK0C8LzSWe5NapRw

[mrhasan]

Orange tang is clever! It is named such that the oceanic authority cannot sue them for stealing any name! :lol:

Acanthastrea from Tidal_Waters is a bit more open today

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/526061_10151289600312953_1503259836_n.jpg

Added today from Gold (was on hold for a few days under quarantine):
Naso Tang (Naso lituratus)
Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
Palette/Hippo/Blue/Royal/Regal Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247389_10151289600392953_463043700_n.jpg

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/581443_10151289600437953_1227565754_n.jpg

orange tang (no, not really)

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYN1hTgl12iAqWMPkmGWpzYkmgAss6r 2VBVoVK0C8LzSWe5NapRw

[Reef_Geek]

Well, the recent additions have flared up a bout of Cryptocaryon outbreak. The new Naso Tang and Yellow Tang are fine and showing no spots nor flashing (scraping bodies on rocks), they might have completed the treatment at Gold's and have developed immunity to it, but my new Hippo/Blue/Palette Tang along with existing residents A.ocellaris and Powder Blue Tang have it. Spots look larger and more sparse than Oodinium... so I am assuming Cryptocaryon. I've been freshwater dipping for 3 or 4 days now... thought I'd share the limits of the FW baths.

So far for the Powder Blue...
I know his bolt/hide holes so I place my nori clip at the opposite end of the tank. I've had good success at catching him 4 times now throughout the past 3+ days. When he goes to the other end of tank, I'll wedge my fish net in his path to the other end of the tank along the glass... and also has helped to suddenly shut off the lights so he becomes visually impaired (no dilating pupils). First dip 2 mins, second dip 2 mins, frustrated with spots not going away, next dip increased to 15 mins watching closely... fish never became unresponsive so last night's dip I pushed to 30 mins... no issues. Tap water with temperature match, aprox 3 gallons, 5ml of Hagen StressCoat for Chlorine .

A.ocellaris, one dip at 20 mins.

Most spots now gone on Powder Blue Tang and A.ocellaris.

Blue tang, not yet been able to catch, still covered in spots.

Update on the Blastomussa that exposed skeleton. Thread on issue here: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=90755

Looking much better in the past several days simply by placing it lower in the aquarium away from the bright light. No target feeding needed... looks like it was a case of light shock. Photo today.

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/430164_10151293981072953_709386632_n.jpg
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/425855_10151293992992953_1110496148_n.jpg

[tim the toolman]

Tanks look great very nice system.
Unless I missed something though, I think those 4 tangs will have a hard time coexisting in a tank of 65g. This could be one of the factors leading to illness. Not trying to stick my nose in just seems a little crowded.

[Reef_Geek]

definitely crowded if they reach larger sizes. At present, they're only about 5 inches. Always have the option to sell or use opportunity to convince wife to let me upgrade tank size. Have worked years in the fish/aquaculture business... and you can see the crowded conditions in LFSs when you visit... often it's about water QC more so than space. Not much aggression/nipping/tail swipe so far. There's also the "malawi cichlid" set up effect... that is, put enough fish in the tank and not one fish bears all attacks... one fish is chasing one guy but then quickly loses focus to another fish... whereas if you put very few fish in, there's typically one winner and one loser.

Outbreak definitely from intro... it's only been days upon arrival.

Good thought though.

[mrhasan]

definitely crowded if they reach larger sizes. At present, they're only about 5 inches. Always have the option to sell or use opportunity to convince wife to let me upgrade tank size. Have worked years in the fish/aquaculture business... and you can see the crowded conditions in LFSs when you visit... often it's about water QC more so than space. Not much aggression/nipping/tail swipe so far. There's also the "malawi cichlid" set up effect... that is, put enough fish in the tank and not one fish bears all attacks... one fish is chasing one guy but then quickly loses focus to another fish... whereas if you put very few fish in, there's typically one winner and one loser.

Outbreak definitely from intro... it's only been days upon arrival.

Good thought though.

You are my greatest source of inspiration :mrgreen:

[Reef_Geek]

wow, that's high praise. thanks.

[mrhasan]

wow, that's high praise. thanks.

My pleasure :D

[Reef_Geek]

Well, my battle with Cryptocaryon irritans continues...

I'm now doing 30 minute dips as the standard. Have done it to a Flame Hawk, Clowns, and all my Tangs (Powder Blue, Naso, Yellow, Blue/Palette/Hippo/Regal/Royal). After freshwater dips at night, the fish look great through to next morning, but by evening their spots have returned. So I got sick of catching them (if I can) out of this:
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/421080_10151295238482953_1666647760_n.jpg

This one I believe deserves a Klondike bar. I caught all my tangs out of the 65 gal reef without dismantling any rock work. The bigger tangs were easy as I know their paths of escape into the rock work, so I just bait the other end of the tank with their nori clip, and quickly move a net into place along their travel path between them, the rocks, and the glass. The little blue tang took about 3 hrs of chasing around with wooden dowels throughout the rock work, until he got under a rock that was near the top, I quickly shut off the lights to confuse him, and chased him into a black coloured net.

I've since removed my frags/hermits/snails/rack and turned the 25 gal cube into a holding tank for easier catch & FW dips. No medication, considering lowering salinity to 75-50%... but not as low as true hyposalinity. In the dip/bath bucket, I'm using a bit of Herbtana (came with a bunch of crap I got in package deals) aprox 1/3 cap full, along with Stress Coat (for chlorine) aprox 5ml, and just tap water (aprox 2-3 gal)... 30min bath once daily (twice if I have time).

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/304444_10151279046252953_1454780883_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/62021_10151295238502953_511462434_n.jpg

While I have the camera out...

Blastomussa that had receding tissue and exposed skeleton continues to look good after relocation to a dimmer spot on the sand bed

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/557647_10151295238447953_662719892_n.jpg

Acquisitions from Tidal_Waters over the weekend looking solid. They were Acropora formosa, Acanthastrea, and (no photo) Pocillopora.

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578367_10151295238397953_115977365_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/377431_10151295238677953_960166773_n.jpg

Other photos from around the tank... Acanthastrea from Lee9 this summer, my other Blastomussa that did not get light shocked, and some amphipods having sex.

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208042_10151295238552953_170568769_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/420513_10151295238652953_736976324_n.jpg
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/598718_10151295238597953_1594969475_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

An update to my battle with Cryptocaryon irritans.

it was Oct 19th when I got really sick of catching my fish at random (whenever I had success catching them) for several minutes of freshwater baths. Oct 19th, I caught all the infected fish, turned my frag tank into an isolation tank (no medicine), and house them for easy catching and daily dips. This is in essence a mix of pseudo-hyposalinity and pseudo-tank-transfer method.

I left behind in the main display: my fake hawkfish (Geometric Hawk), my real hawkfish (Flame Hawk), my two mandarins (Green & Blue), and my Royal Gramma. I was unable to catch them and/or they showed no spots.

Today (Oct 22, day 4 of treatment) the infected fish show 95% spot free with a few at 100% spot free.

Treatment as follows:
1) isolation tank held at pseudo-hyposalinity at 20 ppt. Noticed my amphipods and isopods in the live sand weren't happy upon dilution (emerging and swimming frantically) but many are still alive when I dig in the sand/rubble. I also see a chiton still trucking along the glass. At the very least, the lowered salinity made the infected fish (w/ parasite ridden gills) more comfortable at osmo-regulation, and may have curbed infectious phase parasite viability.
2) fish continued to eat like nothing was wrong... nori, frozen Artemia enriched with Spirulina for HUFAs, and frozen Mysis.
3) daily freshwater baths at 30 minutes on tangs & clowns, using water conditioner to neutralize chlorine (StressCoat and then AquaPlus when I ran out), matching temperature but otherwise tap water with Calgary tap water pH. A few times I added Herbtana to the baths but not sure that it really did anything.

I'll likely treat one or two more days and move them back to the main display. Two tangs have already returned. I've increased my isolation tank salinity to 26 ppt as I don't want to kill my live sand biodiversity and bio filter critters.

[Reef_Geek]

It's been a little while since I updated my journal. I went away for a fantastic vacation to Costa Rica. Thread here with photos: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=90538
Nearing my departure date, I was still at the winning end of a battle with Cryptocaryon. When vacation day came... well, flights are booked so here we go... Came back with many fish not making it, but most corals ok. Pretty dejected for a while. Oh well. If I fear for my tank, I'd never go on vacation... life's too short to miss out on seeing the world.

Anyway, things have come back to normal now since that late October trip. On Nov 19, I added a second light to my 65 gal reef. Now it has two Innovative Marine 92 watt LED tablet Skkye lights (dual spectrum model). Got the new unit from Wai's for $500 + GST and was pretty pleased, as this unit sells for $581 USD mail order out of US and Pisces in Calgary sells for $675.

BEFORE:
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/430761_10151345255537953_454412133_n.jpg

AFTER:
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378391_10151345255607953_505778592_n.jpg

I've recently added an Elegance coral. Picked this up on Black Friday at Pisces for $80, though it wasn't on sale. The size of its skeleton is the size of a regular hard shell taco... actually I told my wife it was a taco coral... silly non-aquarium folk. This piece was a good deal, as Ocean's wanted in excess of $110 for his piece that was not neon green with pink tips... he has a few like that too but said those were more expensive and I didn't bother asking further.

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/27991_10151352707962953_1357849610_n.jpg

Full tank shot 65 gallon Nov 24:
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/45364_10151352708012953_1410293931_n.jpg

25 gal cube frag tank currently housing 5 new acquisition fish under observation, using herbtana. There's a Powder Brown Tang, a Naso Tang, a Yellow Tang, a Flame Angel, an Arc Eye Hawkfish.

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/9696_10151352708107953_2030033839_n.jpg

[kien]

Nice! Love that elegance! Might have to visit the OC and tell him the big P is selling theirs for $80 :-D

[Reef_Geek]

Nice! Love that elegance! Might have to visit the OC and tell him the big P is selling theirs for $80 :-D

IMO 'Big P' could do better with their corals. Such a big store and so many display tanks... but so few corals tanks where corals are for sale. I mean... they have a room for monkeys, but only a few tanks of corals for sale. Anyway, they only offer two or three tiers of corals and each tier is flat rate pricing for better or worse. There was another elegance half the size for the same $80 price... so if you look carefully through the tanks of corals (same price for better or worse) you can sometimes find the ones that are under priced out of the batch.

IMO OC's pricing is pretty fair. He doesn't under price nor over price and he's often consistent from one shipment to the next. Sometimes I feel bad telling him someone else is cheaper as I'm not trying to nickel and dime him... I'd just as well say nothing and buy at the cheaper place if the price difference is worthwhile and all else is equal. But I often also don't mind paying a few bucks extra (<$10) at OC, he's a friendly guy and gives honest opinions. I also think he tries to get his prices to end in the number 8 for Chinese superstition, and that makes me chuckle.

[Reef_Geek]

So I got sick of ineffectively quarantining new fish in my frag tank using Herbtana. It's just not working. Lost my Flame Angel this week to Cryptocaryon. So I stripped down my frag tank, took out the sand, frags, frag rack, power head, and now it's a quarantine tank with Cupramine. Screw you protozoans! It's on!

One day I'll set up another frag tank with the metal halide lamp.

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/381988_10151361246242953_2029265558_n.jpg

[lastlight]

You've got some super nice acans and i love that Caulastrea too! Hope your battle with the sick fish turns around for you.

[Reef_Geek]

thanks. me too!

[FishyFishy!]

definitely crowded if they reach larger sizes. At present, they're only about 5 inches. Always have the option to sell or use opportunity to convince wife to let me upgrade tank size. Have worked years in the fish/aquaculture business... and you can see the crowded conditions in LFSs when you visit... often it's about water QC more so than space. Not much aggression/nipping/tail swipe so far. There's also the "malawi cichlid" set up effect... that is, put enough fish in the tank and not one fish bears all attacks... one fish is chasing one guy but then quickly loses focus to another fish... whereas if you put very few fish in, there's typically one winner and one loser.

Outbreak definitely from intro... it's only been days upon arrival.

Good thought though.

At the risk of sounding like the 'Tang Police'....I'll be the first one to say something about the tangs. (and belive me, I don't usually say anything about the tang situations).

In Reality, its not aggression, or being 'to crowded' in a 3 foot 65 gallon tank with 4-5 tangs in it.... it's the fact that they need lots of swimming room, as they are an active, continuously swimming fish. Just because fish stores cram 6 tangs in a 20 gallon tank, dosn't mean that morally, you should too. With that much rock work, there is probably only 30-40 gallons actual swimming room in there for them. Thats not a suitable habitat for them at all.

If you are in the "fish/aquaculture business" as you say, then you should truely know better, or at the very least, sympathize with these animals a little more.

Sell the tangs. Theres a lot more fish out there that you can keep. Wait until you have a bigger, better setup for the tangs.

Just a thought..

[kien]

At the risk of sounding like the 'Tang Police'....

Too late! Tang PO-PO!

[FishyFishy!]

Too late! Tang PO-PO!

Daym you!!! :twised:

[Reef_Geek]

Those tangs are long gone via outbreak during my vacation to Costa Rica. The current tangs are 3" only.

Fish Business / Aquaculture business doesn't have anything to do with morality. I'm not going to get into a debate on morality here as it's always a matter of perspectives. A non-fishkeeper would just as well call all confinement immoral. Let's pass on this topic.

[FishyFishy!]

Those tangs are long gone via outbreak during my vacation to Costa Rica. The current tangs are 3" only.

Fish Business / Aquaculture business doesn't have anything to do with morality. I'm not going to get into a debate on morality here as it's always a matter of perspectives. A non-fishkeeper would just as well call all confinement immoral. Let's pass on this topic.

Sure. What kind of filtration are you running?

[Reef_Geek]

The 3 tangs and hawkfish are in a quarantine tank w/ Cupramine running with Rena canister filter. Main display is a Berlin system.

[FishyFishy!]

The 3 tangs and hawkfish are in a quarantine tank w/ Cupramine running with Rena canister filter. Main display is a Berlin system.


Nuff' said!

[Reef_Geek]

Here's some macro shots Nov 30, 2012. Taken with a Canon 5D mk II with a 100mm f/2.8 macro lens (non IS).

Yup, glass was dirty and didn't bother to clean it. Noticeable as a fogginess to the corals further in the back of the tank.

Catalaphyllia jardinei
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/556777_10151361989842953_961932438_n.jpg

Plerogyra sinuosa
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577893_10151361989862953_1942970537_n.jpg

Zoantharians
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/67887_10151361989867953_724096752_n.jpg
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/533887_10151361990147953_1704321967_n.jpg

Ricordea
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/481748_10151361989907953_1998869193_n.jpg

Pocillopora
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/32384_10151361989912953_1003942281_n.jpg

Acropora
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/577819_10151361989982953_1484832880_n.jpg

Montipora
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305989_10151361989997953_876976352_n.jpg
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/74703_10151361990252953_679940616_n.jpg

Echinophillia
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/481486_10151361990317953_1272404869_n.jpg

Euphyllia
http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306018_10151361990027953_759777537_n.jpg

Faviid
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382090_10151361990267953_2042033398_n.jpg

[Reef_Geek]

Those tangs are long gone via outbreak during my vacation to Costa Rica. The current tangs are 3" only.

Fish Business / Aquaculture business doesn't have anything to do with morality. I'm not going to get into a debate on morality here as it's always a matter of perspectives. A non-fishkeeper would just as well call all confinement immoral. Let's pass on this topic.

Ok, so I wasn’t in the best of moods when responding to this. I’m now a bit cooled off and just want to better articulate this. By no means did I intend for this to sound uncompassionate. It is accurate, but lacking in explanation and perspective.

Any business’s first objective is to create shareholder value. Shareholders can range as anything from common stock buyers of a public company to a sole proprietor. Either way, if the company does not align its activities to create value for its owners, it will cease to exist as a going concern, or it’s not a business (it’s a charity rather). Next, a company would be wise to hold mission statements (and have tangible actions) in corporate social responsibility, holding values that matter to those it does business with and to those within communities that drive their business. Being corporate-socially responsible is not necessary for any company to remain a going concern, so it is not a mandate so much as a very wise and right thing to do.

Now transferring this to the aquaculture / aquarium business. The people employed in the aquarium business are everyday people, some of whom aren’t even hobbyists. The degree to which any given individual employed in this business "cares about animal welfare" varies as much as any hobbyist. Assuming that one must be conscientious or a conservationist would be just that, an assumption that is no more valid when applied to any other person. The aquarium business and aquaculture IS a fishery, only the end consumers do not eat the harvest. That said, there’s a whole lot of mortality among capture rates leading to the provision of the strongest specimens that survive to the market (capture, hold until landing, hold until export, hold until import, hold until shipped, hold until tanked at LFS, hold until your tank). So participation in this hobby is not an act of conservation nor compassion. Putting this back into a fair perspective, however, most species are those of sustainable wild populations and many (not all) are caught using sustainable practices. So just treat it as such, hobbyists are consumers of a fishery, but hobbyists are not noble providers of shelters. Hobbyists, however, would be wise to learn where poor fishing practices exist and avoid buying species from those regions, and would be wise to avoid species that are unsuitable for captivity.

Now onto the issue of stocking density. The objection is that 3 tangs at 4”-5” and 1 tang at 2” is overstocking a 65 gallon. This is as debatable as can be. You could put up a poll and likely the split would be 40-60 or 30-70… and many hobbyists exceed this without wanting to cause ripples here so publicly. At the very least, someone from the fish business is not likely to err on the conservative side of stocking density. It’s in fact ongoing improvement to push the envelope on stocking density through sound husbandry practices. You will see the same thing at public zoos and aquariums that are nationally accredited (e.g. AZA).

So to clarify this point, the fish business is first and foremost about business and science. It can be compassionate and conscientious, but it is not a prerequisite. I did not mean to sound so harsh.

By way of mention, the Cryptocaryon outbreak is not a stocking density issue. It is my fault, but not a stocking density problem. The fish were undergoing treatment at the LFS, and the owner was hesitant to sell so soon. So he had me wait and wait, and I grabbed them as soon as he'd let them go. So they were clearly not fully cured. The outbreak occurred within days of their arrival. My fault is that I rushed, plus I did not have a full quarantine tank set up. It's my fault for being too brave and impatient. I was used to using pharmaceutical grade chloroquine, chloramphenicol, and formalin which are more effective at protozoan eradication, and I over estimated whatever the LFS was using. In treatment, I tried to short cut using freshwater dips and Herbtana, but my 1 week vacation did the fish in. Since then, I now have a full quarantine tank where I can use copper. The new fish, have never lived one second in the main display, so one can knock the Berlin system all they want, but it has no influence on fish that never lived there.

[Reef_Geek]

To learn more about the aquarium fishery, see this article

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2jlNbV2L-HXNjRieDNlcnQyU2M

[albert_dao]

That was a wordy way of saying "other people don't give a f__k, why should I?"

[Reef_Geek]

I don't understand how you interpreted I don't give a f__k.

I'm trying to say that the state of it is very different from what we believe. We would be wise to learn more about what and where we support and be smarter consumers. You cannot ignore that we're challenging wild populations, and hobbyists are the demand that drives this. If we choose to stay in the hobby, then we must be aware of our impact. It's not a "let's quit the hobby" issue... it's a "being an aware consumer" issue.

[albert_dao]

Of course you don't, and that's more or less the problem being enunciated here.

In any case, carry on :)

[Reef_Geek]

I'm sorry that you are getting that impression. You are wrong.

Here's some eye openers from my article in Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine (FAMA):
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2jlNbV2L-HXNjRieDNlcnQyU2M

The point is... the hobby can be a sustainable wild fishery so long as wild captures are properly monitored, enforced, and managed. Within the article, you will read about MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) that serve to protect small regions of the whole area, and also provides recruitment to the surrounding areas. Outside the article, hobbyists would be wise to be aware of what and where they support. There are nations that have poor records of fisheries management, and there are nations that have achieved sustainable fisheries.

-Two divers used to be able to harvest 1000 Mandarins in 3 hours, now two divers typically catch about 30 in 3 hours.
-Average size of mandarins caught is 3 cm (down from 6 cm), this is near sexual maturity
-118,000 Banggai cardinals are exported per month, but this is after an 85% mortality rate post-catch
-Arraial do Cabo (Brazil) used to land 600 Condylactis per week, now they are locally extinct
-Cebu (Philippines) have protected and unprotected areas. Differences between fished and unfished Sebae anemones (Heteractis) is density (1 per 200 square yards vs 1 per 40 square yards) and size (16-32 square inches vs 64-80 square inches)
-same comparison above for clownfishes... density (1 per 10 square yards vs 1 per 200 square yards) and size (6 cm vs 2.5 cm length)

[Reef_Geek]

Maybe I haven't articulated the corporate social responsibility part well enough? I'm trying to convey that while a company does not have to be engaged in extended social-community programs or hold such values (as we see many examples of this around us), I am by no means advocating this. I've worked for 7 different employers, 3 of whom are fortune 500 companies. The most successful have been those with proper corporate social responsibility mandates.

[Reef_Geek]

I don't expect to get everyone's alignment, nor do I claim to be a saint. If I can leave you with one practical one-liner--

As much as you can, support shipments out of Hawaii and Florida because US fisheries are (largely) properly managed. Yes, landed costs are typically higher, that's why LFS still source from Indonesia and Philippines.

[albert_dao]

What does this have to do with four tangs doggy paddling in a crowded 67 gallon tank? This entire tirade has been a big straw man stuffed with equal parts false dichotomy and call to authority. Like, literally, the entire schlong of arguments are non-relevant, but in the most verbose manner possible. It's almost... museum worthy in its grandiose self-importance.

I mean, hey, if you're gonna do it, do it and have the cajones to say "you know what? You guys can go take your self righteousness and shove it." But standing from the pulpit and delivering this oratory? Too funny.

<3

[Reef_Geek]

Didn't realize you're still stuck back at the stocking density thing. You weren't very specific as to what I "don't give a f__k about."

Yeah, if you're talking about the stocking density, I still don't feel I'm over stocking. I've spawned 69 species of marine fishes in captivity so I know what works and what doesn't.

If you're talking about people talking about compassion for fish without understanding that hobbyists are driving an uncompassionate fishery, that I care a great deal about.

[albert_dao]

Must.... resist.. urge.. to ... troll....

[Reef_Geek]

whatever. I don't even know what that means.

[Reef_Geek]

nevermind.

[Arok3000]

What does this have to do with four tangs doggy paddling in a crowded 67 gallon tank?

Not to stir the pot or anything, but for what it's worth, there are actually four tangs in his 25 gallon cube.

Just sayin'.

[Reef_Geek]

Not to stir the pot or anything, but for what it's worth, there are actually four tangs in his 25 gallon cube.

Just sayin'.

no there's not. somewhere along the way, there was a lot of stuff. You missed that they died from a Cryptocaryon outbreak leading up to a one week vacation. The new tangs are new acquisitions. There's a Naso (3") and a Yellow (2") in a 25 gal cube under quarantine.

[albert_dao]

Oh, I don't actually care about the tangs. It's a free country and the customer is always right.

No, that's a non-issue. But the sermon of silliness was worthy of having a lengthy documentary made and graded.

lol

[ChizerBunoi]

Nice! Love that elegance! Might have to visit the OC and tell him the big P is selling theirs for $80 :-D

That is a beautiful elegance. I went to that store across the street in my business clothes and the owner wanted $130 for their elegance that wasn't even close to your taco coral. Good score.

[ChizerBunoi]

IMO OC's pricing is pretty fair. He doesn't under price nor over price and he's often consistent from one shipment to the next. Sometimes I feel bad telling him someone else is cheaper as I'm not trying to nickel and dime him... I'd just as well say nothing and buy at the cheaper place if the price difference is worthwhile and all else is equal. But I often also don't mind paying a few bucks extra (<$10) at OC, he's a friendly guy and gives honest opinions. I also think he tries to get his prices to end in the number 8 for Chinese superstition, and that makes me chuckle.

That is hilarious. Now it makes sense why he always adds $0.98 to the end of everything.

[mrhasan]

That is a beautiful elegance. I went to that store across the street in my business clothes and the owner wanted $130 for their elegance that wasn't even close to your taco coral. Good score.

Business clothes served you well ;) Hihi :lol:

Just to add something....I don't know why people always point fingers at this hobby saying this hobby is threatening lives under ocean while industries are carrying out sequestration to the ocean and billions of people love seafood. Pity!

[FishyFishy!]

Business clothes served you well ;) Hihi :lol:

Just to add something....I don't know why people always point fingers at this hobby saying this hobby is threatening lives under ocean while industries are carrying out sequestration to the ocean and billions of people love seafood. Pity!


Yes... there are HUGE other issues around the world... but thats really not relevant here at all.

How many tangs do you have in your 20 gallon Nano? NONE... because you have the common sense and decency not to do something silly.

[reefwars]

Arghh I hope nobody looks in my tank lol

[FishyFishy!]

Arghh I hope nobody looks in my tank lol

All I see is a tank packed full of awesomeness! :wink: