40 Gallon Breeder reef tank build...
- Thread starter mmittlesteadt
- Start date
mmittlesteadt
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All 15? Wow. Thanks! Yeah, that sump has been the greatest thing. My display tank really is only a display tank. The only thing I do with my display tank is clean a little algae off the glass and feed the fish. That's it.
Everything else is done in the basement where I have easy access to a utility sink, RODI, and everything I else I need for very easy routine maintenance.
Genera
Blink and you're dead.
I have a group of Sailfin Mollies in my 90 and they are already breeding! Peaceful with basically any fish, eats microalgae, downside is males will fight if not enough females. Mixing oceans? Indopacific and Caribbean. I like biotoped tanks, but mixed tanks look pretty cool. I just prefer the natural look. I'm excited for the final outcome!
mmittlesteadt
New member
In freshwater I almost always setup biotopes. It's a tad bit more difficult for me to set up a reef biotope and also have the combination of fish and corals I want.
How do the Mollies do, given they reproduce so quickly? Are the young quickly eaten or do they multiply so fast and increase the bioload on the tank substantially?
I was thinking of a single male because I wasn't sure how they do in my reef.
mmittlesteadt
New member
I seem to have some new coral growing on the rock my zoa is on. Anyone know what these might be (where red arrows indicate)? Is it new growth of the zoa? Are they Mushrooms? Leather?
They've grown considerably within the last week or so.
They've grown considerably within the last week or so.
ZeeSparrow
New member
I'd guess they're discosoma mushrooms.
mmittlesteadt
New member
That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't positive.
They've grown A LOT since I got that rock with the zoas on it. No matter what they are, I feel lucky to have gotten two different corals for the price of one (which was already at cost). Even the Zoas have spread and gotten bigger.
When I first got it...
And now...
By the way Zee...how are your fish doing?
They've grown A LOT since I got that rock with the zoas on it. No matter what they are, I feel lucky to have gotten two different corals for the price of one (which was already at cost). Even the Zoas have spread and gotten bigger.
When I first got it...
And now...
By the way Zee...how are your fish doing?
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mmittlesteadt
New member
I moved my Xenia to the middle of the tank, front and center and also moved my flower pot coral into an area with good flow but a little bit less light. The Xenia sure is blowing around. I'll have to see how they respond to the switch. The Xenia was doing fantastic, but the goniapora just hasn't really extended as much. I've read they like good flow but less light. We shall see.
Thought I'd post up a video of my Xenia and GSP. I know a lot of people hate them, but I love them.
Xenia and GSP
Thought I'd post up a video of my Xenia and GSP. I know a lot of people hate them, but I love them.
Xenia and GSP
ZeeSparrow
New member
Wow the growth on those zoas is impressive. Nice video.
Fish are doing very well, thanks for asking. The lawnmower is a little pig now that he's eating. [emoji241]
Fish are doing very well, thanks for asking. The lawnmower is a little pig now that he's eating. [emoji241]
Martini5788
New member
mmittlesteadt
New member
Good to hear your fish are doing well and your lawnmower is the pig they are known to be!
Yes, all of my corals are really going nuts with growth. After the move my goniapora has perked up better than where it was.
mmittlesteadt
New member
mmittlesteadt
New member
No diatoms, but I've had (and still having) algae outbreaks. But my Astrea snails are keeping it in check for the most part. I'm liking the outbreak actually as my next addition to the tank is a lawnmower blenny and I've been waiting for the right time to add him.
Yes, I saw someone's tank overrun with Xenia, Mushrooms and GSP and it was gorgeous! I'm only going for easy to keep softies (no LPS or SPS for me) and while it might seem odd to most, I'm actually hoping my tank is overrun with "weeds". I love the look and they help with nitrates, phosphates and I'm looking for the most self sustaining tank possible.
BigJohnny
Active member
I've seen 10-40g nanos utilize some of that red seaweed looking macro algae (don't know what it's called unfortunately) to great effect, and it still looks good! here's an example:
mmittlesteadt
New member
Yeah, I've seen macroalgae tanks that look cool too. Lots of varieties and colors.
mmittlesteadt
New member
I added a beautiful chalk bass to my tank yesterday. Gorgeous neon blue stripes. He isn't out much since he's new to the tank, but he is united with his little buddy, the Twin Spot Goby with whom he shared the same tank for a couple of months at the LFS.
I wonder if they recognize each other. Hard to tell with fish, but for some reason I can't explain, ever since I added the Chalk Bass, my Twin Spot has been more active. Coincidence?
I wonder if they recognize each other. Hard to tell with fish, but for some reason I can't explain, ever since I added the Chalk Bass, my Twin Spot has been more active. Coincidence?
BigJohnny
Active member
Let's see a pic of that chalk bass! I'm getting one for my tank and had no idea they could have any blue coloration.
mmittlesteadt
New member
I certainly will...but for now he is not the most cooperative for a photo shoot.
Got a couple of pics of him when he came out for food. Hard to get pics of him...very fast swimmer and likes to dart in and out of caves and overhangs. Plus my lighting is more to the actinic setting right now. His "electric blue stripes really are this intense, but more blue than this. He has a rust-red color to his body.
I can see him most of the time, but he like to hand out in a big cave so he's typically in the shadows. At least he is one fish I have that will swim throughout the tank, even though its more like going in and out of the rockwork.
A video would show more, so I will try to get more.
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BigJohnny
Active member
Talk about actinic haha! Looks almost color inverted, does it look like this in normal light?I certainly will...but for now he is not the most cooperative for a photo shoot.
Got a couple of pics of him when he came out for food. Hard to get pics of him...very fast swimmer and likes to dart in and out of caves and overhangs. Plus my lighting is more to the actinic setting right now. His "electric blue stripes really are this intense, but more blue than this. He has a rust-red color to his body.
I can see him most of the time, but he like to hand out in a big cave so he's typically in the shadows. At least he is one fish I have that will swim throughout the tank, even though its more like going in and out of the rockwork.
A video would show more, so I will try to get more.
