Reef Tank DIY - For Dummies

Dash · #1 10-27-2018, 06:03 AM

Yeah they’re usually sold as freshwater. I haven’t seen them around lately, maybe because of their reputation for being “difficult.” I haven’t found this to be the case. Some people acclimate them by slowly raising their salinity over months but I took the advice of doing a 24-hour drip. They were totally fine.

They love shellfish as much as I do, ha ha. Crustaceans are their natural prey. Most CUC have enough protection against them - I have snails, hermits, urchins and have not lost any. However I would not keep shrimp (although I do have a pistol with YWG).

They are my faves for sure.

DKoKoMan · #2 10-27-2018, 06:10 AM

I cannot believe the puffers are freshwater lol. They look like they have some awesome personality in the tank.

Dash · #3 11-04-2018, 05:00 PM

I always remove whatever I buy from frag plugs (mostly because I don't like the look of them), but when I got SpongeBob, I didn't want to disturb him thinking he'd die for sure, and he was fully encrusted on his little rock plate. Anyway, I got him in back in June and he's been doing his thing, which is a lot of nothing thankfully. Then the other day as I was moving things around as I often do, I see....dun dun dun - aptasia! My first encounter. Six of them peeking out all around his plate. Where have they been hiding all this time?

After some quick googling, I decided to fish him out in a clear container and injected a bit of vinegar into each one. One of the larger ones withered & hung down in a heap immediately. It's been a few days and no re-appearance but I will keep an eye on Bob for a while.

Frogger · #4 11-04-2018, 05:06 PM

When I get a frag/coral/sponge that I can't separate from the base or there are dead areas of the base that are exposed I always cut off as much as I can and I cover the rest with superglue right up to and on the edge of the live tissue. This helps reduce the potential for unwanted hitchhikers.

Hopefully they have not spread elsewhere

Dash · #5 11-04-2018, 05:35 PM

I have to admit this was one addition I didn't inspect as carefully as I usually do. I was so worried about getting it into the tank without exposing it to air. It sure goes to prove how easy it is to bring a pest into the tank. On the other hand, my examination of it in the clear container also showed a low-growing cool sponge on the rock. So there's good with the bad.

Dash · #6 11-04-2018, 05:42 PM

I also finally have a new tail spot blenny to replace dearly departed Basil. After hiding for a day, Jenny now goes all over the tank and gets along with the segmented blenny.

Dash · #7 11-10-2018, 07:20 PM

I might obsess slightly over the the puffers but they are such singular oddballs. On occasion, they will be frighteningly fat first thing in the morning. What could they possibly have eaten? First thing I check is the pistol shrimp. Nope, there he is opening up shop for the day. Hermits? All fine. Hmm... My best guess are giant amphipods (maybe 300 of them?) or 50 brittle stars.

This picture doesn't even capture how big his stomach is.