220 Inwall - Plan

[bheron]

Airman - thanks!


Marc - thanks. they do look green. why?? I tried the "flourescent lighting" mode on the camera but it didnt look right.

GFK - thanks. Ive heard that and am fully aware. However, b/c I have nothign in my tankright now I welcome the growth!


Ok, an update and som pics...


- I installed a new spray bar in the tank with the hope this has beaten the microbubbles. Its been running since last night so Im hoping to come home today and notice a difference.

I dont like how it looks sticking in the water, but if it gets rid of the bubbles...

- Also spent $40 on PVC pipe and fittings for my Topoff system and my Water Change system. Topoffs are pretty easy for me, but as you saw last week I has a flood. No More. And my first WC took over 2 hours to do. I'll post pics if I get a chance to work on it this weekend. SHould be nice.

NUDE HERMIT!!! :eek2:

I grabbed the camera last night in a flash when I saw something I've always been so curious about. I had never seen a hermit out of his shell, or in the process of changing shells.

Nor have I ever seen a picture of what one looked like out of its shell!

These a pretty blurry b/c I had little time to snap them. I give you...my Naked Hermie:

Kind of looked like Princes Lea's hairdoo!

And he finds a new home!

And some more random shots

Froggie

Proud of this xenia shot

Peppermint

Serpent Star

 

[tgunn]

Hey Bryan,
Looking good! Just wait till you see your first hermit moult! You're going to think it's dead! The first time I saw a moult up against the intake screen of the return pump in the sump I thought my hermit was a gonner (especially since he was hiding in his shell)...

So how's your auto top off work?



Tyler

 

[bheron]

WHoa- I just assumed they were always dead hermits. Always assumed they were just murderous thugs with each other.

Which reminds me - I have a hermit thats about 2 years old and is GIGANTIC! I had to banish him to the sump a few times b/c he's just out for hermit and snail blood.

Clarification - the top off is not "automatic". no way. not yet at least. Im just planning to make it easier to do is all. Some day I'll get an auto top off system.

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6658602#post6658602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bheron
WHoa- I just assumed they were always dead hermits. Always assumed they were just murderous thugs with each other.

Which reminds me - I have a hermit thats about 2 years old and is GIGANTIC! I had to banish him to the sump a few times b/c he's just out for hermit and snail blood.

Clarification - the top off is not "automatic". no way. not yet at least. Im just planning to make it easier to do is all. Some day I'll get an auto top off system.

It's incredible because they look EXACTLY like a live hermit. That is until they start falling apart. My shrimp has done that to me a few times. It's always remarkable how these things moult!

Heh, sounds like my hermits; I made the mistake of buying huge ones to begin. My thought was, "A small hermit cleans X, so a bigger one will clean much more!".. Well, it was great until he kept rearranging things and eating my zoos. :lol:

Ah, okay, so a top off helper. Right now I'm just using a float valve in my sump hooked up to my RO/DI system. I know it's not fail safe, but I have the DI output valve set to a slow trickle, so even if it sticks open it won't cause problems too fast.

I'd eventually like to build a holding pail for top off RO/DI with a "flood drain" just in case the fill of the top off pail gets stuck on.

Tyler

 

[bheron]

HOLY MOLTING!!!

HOLY MOLTING!!!

I've always felt discovering the aftermath of an invert molting in your tank has to be one of the great milestones in reefkeeping! Seriously, I think all of us remembers having our first reaction to finding what looks to be a dead crab or shrimp in our tank, only to find it has simply molted. In the words of Del Griffith, "scared the bedjesus out of me!" Anyone?

Anyway, I digress. The reason for this post is that last night I happened to witness one of the single most amazing things since I've been in this hobby --- I caught my peppermint shrimp molting right in front of me!! Yep!

I've never heard anyone talk about it b/c I always thought it was something done in private, out of sight, at night, etc. I also thought it was a long, drawn out process for the invert.

So let me tell you exactly what I witnessed last night, by chance....

I all of the sudden saw all 3 of my peppermint shrimps out and about. This was strange in itself since they always hide, and I've NEVER seen all 3 since I first put them in the tank over a month ago. And they were moving pretty strangely. It just so happened that I was watching the right one at the right time. 'Cause all of the sudden, one of them grabbed onto the underside of a rock. And in a very quick fashion, it started. First, a little slit on his back opened up. Then, the shimp simply started to pull himself away from the rock, but through the opening in his back!!! :eek2: It only took about 5-10 seconds and I quickly realized what I was seeing. I really felt freaked out watching it, like something from an alien movie as his new body "hatched" right out of the old, leaving the old one stuck to the rock.

Oh, and what also made it even more interesting, was that one of the other peppermints was watching from the side. Right at the end, when it seemed the molting shrimp was having a tough time getting himself completely out, and was just hanging there half in-half out, the other shrimp rushed over...leapt from his rock and did a dive to the molting shrimp and latched on. Kind of like a trapeze act. Then, with the extra weight, the molting shrimp was pulled completely out of his shell and they both fell to the ground!

Wow. Ok, tell me if anyone's ever witnessed that???

Here's a pic of the shrimp:

And, after the entire episode, just a shell left on the rock:

 

[melev]

Very cool. Keep watching closely, and let us know what else you observe.

 

[tgunn]

Wow, that's incredible! I envy you; I've never managed to actually witness any of my inverts in the process of moulting. Sounds like it was a pretty cool process to watch... Like you I presumed it was a long drawn out process. It's cool that the other peppermint helped out the one having trouble. So incredibly cool!

It's stuff like this that I love so much about the hobby. I can look in my tank and see something new and interesting all the time.

Later,
Tyler

 

[bheron]

Marc - I'm not sure if youre just ribbing me there b/c of my overdetailed, over-obessive nature!?!

Tyler - yea, thats what I love about this. I spend alot of time just peering around the floor of the tank, through the rockwork, etc, to really observe things other than fish and coral. I really enjoy the inverts and misc creatures more than many other things. And Im going to continue to add different types as I go.

Oh, also, yea how about that other fish "helping" him out. Im still not sure if he really was helping him or was he attacking him. When they hit the ground the molting shrimp kinda freaked out and the love affair was over.


Some critters and inverts that are on my list:

- Urchin: failed twice before with this, but really want one.
- Linkia star: blue or red. Heard they're tough but Weatherson has given me confidence.
- Tigertail Cuke: had two before
- Conch: had one before

What other cool ones are out there?

 

[Stile2]

I have found many molts from my cleaner shrimp.

But it would be super cool to see it happen.

Keith

 

[melev]

I'm not ribbing you. Not much anyway. Actually, I was referring to reading your future experience when you observe them release their fry into the water like I did a year ago. That was fascinating, and you might recall the videos I posted.

 

[bheron]

Marc - got it . Yea, I think I do remember that- you mean peppermints releasing fry? Wow. Do I need a male and female, of course?


Oh, in other news, very small upgrades are being made to the system. I'm in the middle of finishing the trim around the tank - its slow, but almost there. I suck at it!

Also, I decided not to install the rubbermaid tud as my fuge at this time. I'm going to use the 15g holding tank as a fuge as well. I really need to start growing my macro. So, check out what I did....

I took the LOA light that I use for my fuge (awesome) and just hung it from a chain! Works really well. I have the small ball of chaeto in there that I've been holding onto since I took down my old tank in April. Its down to a small amount but will hopefully grow back quickly! Im also going to put a layer of sand in there and rearrange the rock for a nice fuge/holding tank.

 

[melev]

Shrimp are asexual. They don't need a boy & a girl to make a billion babies. Matter of fact, it was strange looking in Casper's tank and seeing the Cleaner Shrimp carrying eggs, considering the other livestock is a seahorse, some bristleworms, some hermits and some corals.

Your new refugium may need two bulbs side by side, 4" off the water.

 

[bheron]

Marc -

Shrimp are asexual. They don't need a boy & a girl to make a billion babies. Matter of fact, it was strange looking in Casper's tank and seeing the Cleaner Shrimp carrying eggs, considering the other livestock is a seahorse, some bristleworms, some hermits and some corals.

HAHA! Amazing. Question: how can you tell they're carrying eggs? This is great - something else to observe!

Your new refugium may need two bulbs side by side, 4" off the water.

- Hmm. good point. I have an extra fixture I can use. The picture, however, does not doit justice as far as how much light is generated by it. I do have a 15W strip light I also use for QT lighting maybe I can use. BTW- Marc, you totally turned me and a bunch of other people on to this whole LOA thing. When I just used a 15W flourescent I didnt get much macro growth. When I switched to the LOA 75W it was amazing!!!

Thanks, again, for that "Mele-vention"!

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6702466#post6702466 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bheron
Marc - I'm not sure if youre just ribbing me there b/c of my overdetailed, over-obessive nature!?!

Tyler - yea, thats what I love about this. I spend alot of time just peering around the floor of the tank, through the rockwork, etc, to really observe things other than fish and coral. I really enjoy the inverts and misc creatures more than many other things. And Im going to continue to add different types as I go.

Oh, also, yea how about that other fish "helping" him out. Im still not sure if he really was helping him or was he attacking him. When they hit the ground the molting shrimp kinda freaked out and the love affair was over.

Some critters and inverts that are on my list:
- Urchin: failed twice before with this, but really want one.
- Linkia star: blue or red. Heard they're tough but Weatherson has given me confidence.
- Tigertail Cuke: had two before
- Conch: had one before

What other cool ones are out there?

Agreed; I have a magnifying glass by the tank for observing things going on in the tank. So much to see at a small scale too!

True enough; the other shrimp coud've been agressive; either way cool to see..

I have a tigertail cuke; he's a reall interesting critter, although only really visible at night on occasion (otherwise pretty hidden)...

I really enjoy my strawberry conch; he's active day and night; shuffling around and cleaning... Does a top notch job on the sand!!

I have a bristle star; he's yet to leave the rock he's hiding under; I just see some tentacles swirling around every now and then. I wouldn't mind a nice ornamental one though.

I've never really considered an urchin before. They're really interesting looking. I dunno why I haven't considered them...

T

 

[melev]

I have a huge diadema urchin that really needs a new home soon. It can eat GHA although my tank is devoid of that, and has chewed on coralline and even some SPS as it seeks its daily meal.

tgunn, I'd like to see a picture of your strawberry conch.

 

[bheron]

Tyler -

"I have a magnifying glass by the tank for observing things going on in the tank. So much to see at a small scale too!

- Very cool idea. Need to try that!

I have a tigertail cuke; he's a reall interesting critter, although only really visible at night on occasion (otherwise pretty hidden)...

- Ive had two before and, eventually, find that they become more and more comfortable about coming out during normal hours. Maybe that'll happen with yours.

I really enjoy my strawberry conch; he's active day and night; shuffling around and cleaning... Does a top notch job on the sand!!

- Ive never seen them around - just the Queen and Fighting ones.

I have a bristle star; he's yet to leave the rock he's hiding under; I just see some tentacles swirling around every now and then. I wouldn't mind a nice ornamental one though.

- Mee too. Very cool looking but not out much. I see pics of peoples linka stars out on the glass. Would LOVE that.

I've never really considered an urchin before. They're really interesting looking. I dunno why I haven't considered them...

- I hear they need corraline algae to feed on. The one I had that lasted a few days went right after it. You should check one out - too cool not to have!


Marc -

I have a huge diadema urchin that really needs a new home soon. It can eat GHA although my tank is devoid of that, and has chewed on coralline and even some SPS as it seeks its daily meal.

- What else do they eat normally?

 

[melev]

Those are pretty much its food - algae and calcium based coralline/corals.

 

[Airman]

Good deal about seeing the molt. I look at my tank every night belore I go to bed. I never see any thing that exciting.

 

[bheron]

Sorry, been waging a battle Im determined to win (below)..

First:


Marc -

Those are pretty much its food - algae and calcium based coralline/corals.

- Cool. Id like to get another one soon, so I now I'll have to wait until I get some nice coralline growing.

Airman -

Good deal about seeing the molt. I look at my tank every night belore I go to bed. I never see any thing that exciting

- Thanks. I feel privledged!!


Ok, if youve been following along you know Im waging a battle against microbubbles!!! Ive tried so many things - will list them all once the battle is won. But, for now, I think I'm down to the last, possible cause. And its suprisingly the most common cause of microbubbles in my opinion - the sump!

Yep. I have a 75gallong sump with some really nice baffles built in. Well, based on my process of elimination, and fixing every other darn possible cause, it has to be it. I figured the sump was large enough, and with the baffles, to prevent microbubbles.

But, I think thats it now. Ive never built any sort of bubble tower or anything, but I'm stopping any and all improvements and putting 100% of my attention to ending this battle.

This week I'll be working on designing some sort of bubble trap. Wont be making anything out of acrylic or glass, will probably use PVC or Rubbermaid material.

Good thing Melev checks into this thread!

PS - Marc, Ive seen your tower and right now will be modeling something after that, put out of PVC if I can.

 

[melev]

Bryan, just make it out of 3" PVC, and drill some holes around the base that are 1/2". Fill it up with a few inches of LR rubble, and place the drainline in there. If you have two drains, use a larger piece of PVC. It needs to be a few inches higher than the water line, which will keep the salt spray to a minimum.