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Oooo please do post pics, i would love to try corals with my newly converted Sw lionfish tank. but me thinks wait till i know my parameters will stay constant

Thanks for those book names I am going to look for them. Hopefully I can get started on a saltwater tank as soon as I get my raise, which will be very soon! I can maybe buy my tank and try to keep the water constant and in the meantime read all of those books you suggested. I can't wait!!! I also cannot wait to see some more pictures of your tank matty! It looked great from the start. I bet it will look ten times beter when you get finished!


Christina

Aright here we go:

mattyboombatty attached this image:

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Nice. I really like the green star polyps, they just have a nifty look. I also have read that they are quick to spread and grow, so hopefully you'll have good luck with them.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Thanks books, they seem to be doing pretty well so far, though I havent really picked a spt out for them yet. I think I may let them spread from rock to rock on the substrate.

I got a turbo snail and a "green sea hare" to combat some of my algae. I've been waiting on a shipment my friends ordered - we all went in on some astrea snails, but it's been delayed and I needed something desperately. The green sea hare is just plain cool - here's a pic:



mattyboombatty attached this image:

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

The algae in your tank doesnt look that bad....make sure you supplement Nori for the seahare so he doesnt starve. My reef club has a community seahare...he goes from tank to tank when needed

Nori = those dry seaweed wraps?

The algae is actually getting pretty bad. I have been pulling out the big long strands but I can't keep up with the small stuff. I guess it's normal and if it goes away(or gets eaten) I'd still want the sea hare, so I wouldn't mind supplementing his diet. It's like the BN pleco I have in my algaeless planted tank...

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Yup, Nori is just dried seaweed used for making sushi. You should be able to find it in the oriental section of your grocery store, or an asian market. Its cheaper than packaged seaweed in the lfs's....just make sure its plain ole nori and doesnt have any added seasonings

First casualty

My sea hare died yesterday morning sometime, and I don't think it had anything to do with my tank or acclimation because all three at work(lfs) died yesterday too. It's really weird because they were all really active - then boom....all dead. I still feel really bad though. I liked that guy.

So after checking my water out and finding everything was good(except alk and calcium which were just a touch low), I ended up getting a Rainford's Goby. My boss was supposed to be getting in a $40 variant of the rainford's but ended up just getting a regular one, though a very nice looking regular one. So far he's been a bit skittish and mostly hanging out in his cave, but he has come out to eat a bit. Maybe when he settles in I'll get a picture of him posted.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Oh and I got some pulsing xenia from a friend and a few TINY peices of capenella, which I still need to glue down to a rock. They seem to be doing pretty well so far. I think the xenia even managed to catch a small piece of brine that I had aimed at the rainford's.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I have a few pics for everybody today. I got some sun polyps last night - I already know that they are coming out for feedings cause I've been the one feeding them at the lfs . I don't have a pic of them all the way out, but they were out a bit this morning so I took a pic.



I also got two new shrooms, one is MIA because I guess I didn't glue him down well. I didn't have any netting to tie him down that way, hopefully the coral glue method will be ok. The other mushroom I have a pic of from this morning.



The pulsing xenia:



Capanella:



Rainford's Goby:



And a cute pic I got of my yellowheads(note the second one in the back):

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Nice!

Could you give us another full view. You might have mentioned this all ready. What is the substrate (crushed coral?)



My Scapes

I like it too,

Although almost everything you say sounds like Chinese to me .

Your yellowheads are a courious couple, aren't they!

And nice picture taking as well.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Tetratech - I suppose I could do another full view . The substrate is aragonite sand.

LF - Thanks, I just take a whole bunch of pics and show you guys the ones that turn out ok .

The Yellowheads just have the best personality, they are too much fun to watch - always peeking around corners for danger(and for food, those pigs).

I just ran up all the tests and I'll jot down my results. I've been slowly upgrading to salifert test kits. I've read that everything else is pretty unreliable.

pH - 8.2 (salifert)
NH4 - 0ppm (marine enterprises)
NO2 - 0ppm (marine enterprises)
NO3 - 0ppm (aq pharm)
PO4 - .1ppm (red sea)
Ca - 375ppm (salifert)
Alk - 3.0 meq/L (aq systems)

I think the calcium is nearly in order now, but the alkalinity I still need to get up. I've been dosing B-Ionics for the last few weeks. Before that I was dosing a 1 part all-in-one that wasn't doing anything for me. I guess I learned my lesson .

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

better watch tht rainfords goby is still there in the moring!

better watch tht rainfords goby is still there in the moring!

Why's that? He's been in there 2 days now and there haven't been any problems.

As promised a full tank shot:


mattyboombatty attached this image:

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Coming along very nicely Matty.

I hope those sun polyps do well for you! They certainly are one of the prettiest corals around. What are you feeding?

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

gorgeous, glad you went with the sun coral idea, it looks
gorgeous.

:^)

Thanks Ferretfish, Megil

I've been feeding cyclop-eeze(taking them out and placing them in a bucket w/airstone), and I noticed they just grabbed up a mysis shrimp, but I'd gladly take any other suggestions as well.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Those are the best for them. PE mysis as well. Sounds like somebody has already steered you in the right direction.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Looks very nice Matty,

But it seems to me that your algae problem on the rock at the left is getting worse.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

coz it might end up half way over the world and into my tank

tanks look good

Ferretfish - *points at self for doing research before buying*

LF - yeah I'm still waiting on the snails that I need to help me fight it, that and I haven't pulled any out in a couple days. I'm still not going to freak out, I'll be patient for a while longer.

coz it might end up half way over the world and into my tank

now I gotcha

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Feed the sun polyps like mad, they need it! They look like they will be a very nice addition once you get them fattened up. The centers of them when they are closed should be "bulging" up instead of concaved. It might take a couple months of heavy feedings, but you have a head start since you already have then trained

hopefully the coral glue method will be ok.

chances are the other one will float off before it attaches too. If you dont have any netting, you can use a piece of thread and a needle to sew the mushroom onto the rock....either that or you can use some live rock rubble in a lower flow are of your tank. Place the rubble in a small bowl and then place the shroom inside the bowl. It will attach to the rubble and then you can place the shroom where you want it

Last edited by DarkRealm Overlord at 04-Nov-2005 18:47

I'll be feeding them (hopefully) every day, maybe twice on my days off.

you can use a piece of thread and a needle to sew the mushroom onto the rock

You can peirce the shroom with a needle without seriously injuring it? It's such a tiny little shroom, and I definitely don't have surgeon hands...I'd hate to hurt it. I think I'll be using the rubble method. That sounds a little safer to me.

The one that stayed glued down looks like it's still firmly attached in a low flow area, it already had attached itself to some gravel so I think it will stick. The other one hadn't attached itself to anything yet. It was a really intense neon green/yellow....hopefully I'll spot it before it gets sucked up during the next water change.

Thanks for the advice DRO I'd love to pick your brain a little about corals...maybe I'll look into buying that book by Calfo you guys like so much.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

OHH!!!

BUY CALFO'S BOOK!!!

The Book of Coral Propagation and Reef Invertebrates...

Those two boooks are some of the best money you'll ever spend, I promise. They're worth every penny, especially if you're getting into algaes, corals, and clams.

Go on amazon, I think you can buy both for a discounted price. If you can, buy the PocketExpert package too.

Like Nate said, keep those guys well fed. They need to eat. I got lazy with mine b/c of school and whatnot...dont let that happen. I cant wait to watch them grow. Maybe yours will grow to be even nicer than Nate's colony was. (shhh, dont tell him I said that)

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Maybe yours will grow to be even nicer than Nate's colony was. (shhh, dont tell him I said that)

Ummmm, I CAN read

You can peirce the shroom with a needle without seriously injuring it? It's such a tiny little shroom, and I definitely don't have surgeon hands...I'd hate to hurt it

you wont hurt it....you can mangle shrooms up pretty bad and the most you will usually do to them is make them reproduce! Slice that baby up like a pie with a razor blade!

Pick my brain anytime you want. Im almost always on messengers, Aim, yahoo, and msn...or shoot me a PM or email

Ummmm, I CAN read

Shucks...I forgot. Forgive me?


I want to try this mushroom sewing project too. My friend Lonnie was thinning out his tank from them...maybe I should pick up a couple and experiment. Can I use pink thread?

You can pick my brain too Matty. It may not be as fun to pick as Nate's, but I do know some stuff. Really.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Shucks...I forgot. Forgive me?

Of course! But you owe me frags

I want to try this mushroom sewing project too. My friend Lonnie was thinning out his tank from them...maybe I should pick up a couple and experiment. Can I use pink thread?

In your sump right? You dont want them taking over your sps

You can pick my brain too Matty. It may not be as fun to pick as Nate's, but I do know some stuff. Really.

LMAO...everyone knows they can pick your brain too...you post more than I do anyway

Of course! But you owe me frags!

What what?! You dont have a real tank to put them in Nate! Set up your dream tank, and then we'll talk. Okay?

In your sump right? You dont want them taking over your sps

Oh...I suppose...but how badly could a little experiment hurt?

LMAO...everyone knows they can pick your brain too...you post more than I do anyway

Nobody ever picks my brain. They always ask you. Even though asking me is just like asking you...considering you've always been my guide...

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

What what?! You dont have a real tank to put them in Nate! Set up your dream tank, and then we'll talk. Okay?

Dream tank may be awhile..all depends on what goes on with Marcus and also on money/time/if Im here

Oh...I suppose...but how badly could a little experiment hurt?

Not too badly, as long as you make sure to pick out drifters and keep them isolated to a rock you can remove

Nobody ever picks my brain. They always ask you. Even though asking me is just like asking you...considering you've always been my guide...

A lot of new people posting too....they dont know that Dont worry about it, just keep on giving out info like you are

Dream tank may be awhile..all depends on what goes on with Marcus and also on money/time/if Im here

I'm worried.

>.<

Not too badly, as long as you make sure to pick out drifters and keep them isolated to a rock you can remove

Will do. And I'll only pick the prettist of mushrooms. No worries.

Got any favorites?

A lot of new people posting too....they dont know that Dont worry about it, just keep on giving out info like you are

Will do...I just hope you read through my things to make sure I'm giving out correct info. I'd hate to say something really wrong. I may post more, but these marine forums would crash without you.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

OK OK I'll pick both of your brains if you insist .

Calfo's Book of coral propagation is about $10 more on amazon than at marine depot. I'll see what the discounted price is.

And I found my MIA shroom...it was hiding behind the sun polyps...I found him whilst feeding them. I stuck him in a plastic cup with some sand(the best I could do for rubble ATM). That will have to do until I get some netting, or a needle and thread - I'm not much of a seamster so I don't have any on hand

the most you will usually do to them is make them reproduce!

Neat...I'll try that when he gets bigger - it's literally only the size of a pea. You can hardly tell it's a shroom.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

OK OK I'll pick both of your brains if you insist .

Oh we insist! LOL!

Calfo's Book of coral propagation is about $10 more on amazon than at marine depot. I'll see what the discounted price is.

I thought that you could by that combined with Reef Inverts for cheaper on amazon...but if it's cheaper on MD then by all means go for it. MD gets them in bulk I think, therefore yielding good prices.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

If you work at the LFS, why dont you order it in from one of your distributers?

Im suprised you found the shroom with it being that small! Ive lost big rics and havent been able to find them. They always seem to end up behind the rock and I dont notice them till I rearrange rock and find bleached, bone white rics

I may post more, but these marine forums would crash without you.

Without the both of you really. This site definitely lacks a healthy population of marine posters. Hopefully I can start helping out around here. And the both of you correct me if I post something malinformed.

*installs some lights on the dark side*

No wonder more people don't come over...it's so dark!

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Matty you work for your LFS?

Can you hook me up with some P. smithvanizi?

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

If you work at the LFS, why dont you order it in from one of your distributers?

I'll try, I'd get it half off I really don't know if it's available to us at all. I'll have to check it out.

Im suprised you found the shroom with it being that small

Me too, I think I got lucky...it's only a 30G tank though, it can't be too lost.

Can you hook me up with some P. smithvanizi?

If I even knew what that was...and if we got it in.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 04-Nov-2005 21:54

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

P. smithvanizi.....Princess Anthias

Well I've worked there for about 4 months and I've never seen one. I doubt I'd get away with it even if we had one in....my boss knows what size tank I have and employee purchases have to go through him. If it were a coral, that would be another story.

I got some pics of my sun corals devouring some mysis and cyclopeeze. Also a pic of the previously MIA shroom.





Give me a heads up before I crash the site with too many pictures

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Most people haven't seen them, that's the problem! I've wanted to stock my tank with them since January and I haven't been able to find them. So, the search continues...


Nate...the whole site is going to know that scientific name within a couple of weeks. Can I start like, sci name of the week thread? How fun would that be...


Your MIA mushroom is cute. Glad to see that your sun polyps are eating well. Do you have that really cool Kent target feeder? It's so fun to play with...

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Do you have that really cool Kent target feeder? It's so fun to play with..

No I just put him in a pitcher in the tank so it stays warm and in the light, with a bubbler. They aren't usually open before I start feeding yet, they open up when they smell/sense the food. If they were open I'd use a target feeder.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hey if anyone reads this - My cyclop-eeze thawed out a little while it was in my freezer. It was still mostly frozen and really cold, but kind of mushy. I don't know how it happened because I have other things in the freezer that are still frozen. I also moved it to a different freezer, which will hopefully keep it frozen, but my question is if I should throw it out and get another because it says not to thaw.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

It should be fine to keep using. I have done the same with mine. As long as it was still pretty cold you should be ok

Yeah it was, thanks DRO.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Ok I think I have decided on the fish I REALLY want. I might want too many or they might not get along - if so please let me know. I'm still pretty new at stocking marine tanks.

2 yeallowhead jawfish(have in sump) 3.9"
1 rainfords goby(have in display) 2.6"

1 percula clown 3.1"

1 clown goby 1.4"

1 twelveline wrasse 3"

I think it might be too much with the twelveline wrasse, that would be the fish I'd take off the list first, even though I really like them. Let me know what you guys think.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 05-Nov-2005 15:28

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Looks good Matty.....I would agree though that the 12-line would be too much for the tank, not because of size or stocking, but because of the pods and such that they will pick at. In a tank that size, even with the sump/refugium I think it will deplete the pod/mysis population down to almost nothing, which IMO isnt going to be healthy for your tank. The fauna/infauna do more for your tank than you would think.

Thanks DRO, I didn't think about that at all. Dang my small tank. I honestly couldn't afford anything larger though.

Maybe I'll go with another perc or a neon goby instead of the wrasse. What do you think?

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Sounds good to me.....Id probably go with the clown, just because I find their behaviour to be more comical when there are two

Agreed---

I just have this thing against neon gobies. Idk what it is about them, they just bother me. So small and delicate, they just never seem to do well IMO, even tank raised ones.

If you buy the clowns young, often they'll form a pair. They're that weird thing where they can change sex...I forget what it's called...actually I know what it's called but I dont know how to spell it.

I've never seen a 12 line wrasse in person...hmm, new mission. Do they get bigger than the 6 lines?

What about pseudos?

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

I thought most pseudos are aggressive...I don't want anyone beating up on my rainfords goby.

I think the 12 line just has different coloration. *I think*

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

It all depends Matty, Pseudochromis fridmani is probably the most peaceful out of all of them. Most people have good luck with them.

I think I'll just stick with the clowns and the gobies. I think I'll get the clown goby first - sometime this week. I'll get the percs sometime later, in a few weeks. I don't really like to rush the stocking for a bunch of reasons.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

No worries, it was just a suggestion. But the Helfrichi firefish is just DDG...we actually got one in last week, and I saw it in person. I almost died.

And good call on the not rushing the stocking...your tank is still new and could easily mini cycle, especially since it's small.

Do you quarantine?

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

But the Helfrichi firefish is just DDG

Wow, just looked it up and it is very attractive. That I'd buy up instead of a clown.

Do you quarantine?

....of course I do....


or at least I know I should. If I were to be getting any fish that was more than $15 and/or was really sensitive, I would. Instead I just acclimate really well and try not to stress the fish out and try to stock in the right order to minimize territory disputes.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 06-Nov-2005 17:20

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Wow, just looked it up and it is very attractive. That I'd buy up instead of a clown.

told you so IMO its one of the prettiest fish in the trade...you're gunna pay for its beauty though, even at wholesale this guy is pricey

"Do you quarantine?"

....of course I do....


or at least I know I should. If I were to be getting any fish that was more than $15 and/or was really sensitive, I would. Instead I just acclimate really well and try not to stress the fish out and try to stock in the right order to minimize territory disputes.

dont worry...I think we're all the same way when it comes to QT. I'm in the process of getting a quarantine set up, because when/if I ever get my anthias in, i'll need to QT everybody after that, for fear of losing them.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Last time i saw a Helfrichi firefish, it was going for about $159....:%)

Nick
"Impossumable- unable to play dead"

Well i got some new stuff...After this I'm going to have to stop for a little bit and save up some dough.

Here's a few pics of what I've added recently:

Yellow Cucumber:


Some Polyps:


An acanthastrea (only 2 polys) A little help here on the requirements please, I didn't do much research on these guys.



And another nice closeup of my rainfords goby:

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

What Acan is it? Lords?

Either way, Acans are pretty hardy. LPS, medium to high light, medium(ish) flow.....and target feedings if you want them to bud and reproduce faster. Generally speaking Acans will bud pretty easily. I would guess that if you target feed, that the frag you have will add another 2-3 heads in a month or two.

I'm not sure what type of acan it is. It wasn't even labeled - it was in the 3 for $35 bin at work. I recognized it as an acanthastrea though, But I can't seem to find much info on the net about them - just pictures. I was hoping you guys might figure out what type it is. If not, oh well....it's very nice anyways.


What can I target feed it, and when should I do the feedings?

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients