So far it looks like everything survived.
These Keys rocks were quite a bit larger than the Gulf rock in the 1st part, but not nearly as heavy (more porous?).
As you warned me, there is quite a difference in appearance on the 2 types. The Gulf rock had all kinds of sponges and trunicates and clams encrusted, and lots of purple coralline. This Keys rock has mainly plant organisms (some looks like sargassum), macros, and pink and orange corallines. No sponges or live clams (empty shells only) that I could find. So far no hitchhikers, except one red bristleworm, have appeared, but I know that may take a while.
Got all of it into the tank (and some into my girls' 15gal tank) and arranged temporarily until I can get some epoxy to stabilize it a bit. I think all of the critters survived; the only questionable ones are the cukes (5 of them). 3 of them are slowly moving around the tank now. Will keep watch on the other 2 this evening.
What were the anenomies? One has purple tentacles, the others green (flower anemone?). The purple dude traveled quite a bit right after I put him in, and I thought I had lost him. I did not like where he ended up so I moved him to another location and so far it seems happy. The green guys pretty much rooted right where I put them and dug into sand bed or into a rock crevise. Hopefully they can live under my VHO's (2 Actinic White, 2 Actinic Blue); I cannot afford to go MH at this point, either heat-wise or money-wise. However if I need to put in a couple of Full SUn or 50/50 bulbs in place of 1 or 2 of my existing bulbs, I can deal with that.
I'll post some photos on this thread in a little while. The sandstorm has almost cleared up enough in the tank so I can get some decent shots.
While putting the new stuff into the tank, I managed to get hold of the purple stone crab I asked about the other day and now he is grudgingly sharing the refugium with Stanley Mantis. RIght now they are squared off at opposite ends staring each other down.
Thanks a bunch, Richard and Mark. I think I made the right choice by not waiting for the Gulf Rock. I like the look of the mix I have in the tank right now. Color me happy
These Keys rocks were quite a bit larger than the Gulf rock in the 1st part, but not nearly as heavy (more porous?).
As you warned me, there is quite a difference in appearance on the 2 types. The Gulf rock had all kinds of sponges and trunicates and clams encrusted, and lots of purple coralline. This Keys rock has mainly plant organisms (some looks like sargassum), macros, and pink and orange corallines. No sponges or live clams (empty shells only) that I could find. So far no hitchhikers, except one red bristleworm, have appeared, but I know that may take a while.
Got all of it into the tank (and some into my girls' 15gal tank) and arranged temporarily until I can get some epoxy to stabilize it a bit. I think all of the critters survived; the only questionable ones are the cukes (5 of them). 3 of them are slowly moving around the tank now. Will keep watch on the other 2 this evening.
What were the anenomies? One has purple tentacles, the others green (flower anemone?). The purple dude traveled quite a bit right after I put him in, and I thought I had lost him. I did not like where he ended up so I moved him to another location and so far it seems happy. The green guys pretty much rooted right where I put them and dug into sand bed or into a rock crevise. Hopefully they can live under my VHO's (2 Actinic White, 2 Actinic Blue); I cannot afford to go MH at this point, either heat-wise or money-wise. However if I need to put in a couple of Full SUn or 50/50 bulbs in place of 1 or 2 of my existing bulbs, I can deal with that.
I'll post some photos on this thread in a little while. The sandstorm has almost cleared up enough in the tank so I can get some decent shots.
While putting the new stuff into the tank, I managed to get hold of the purple stone crab I asked about the other day and now he is grudgingly sharing the refugium with Stanley Mantis. RIght now they are squared off at opposite ends staring each other down.
Thanks a bunch, Richard and Mark. I think I made the right choice by not waiting for the Gulf Rock. I like the look of the mix I have in the tank right now. Color me happy
