Adding bacteria from the sea

[CaptiveReef]

Moorish Idol

Moorish Idol

Paul,

From the pics of your tank, man everything has exploded with great growth and extension. And your Moorish Idol looks fantastic!!!!! The top fin streaming, I have seen past pics of him, and he looks better now!!!!
I still can't get over the age of your tank.:thumbsup:

I think you have the oldest tank around.

CaptiveReef

 

[Paul B]

Captive, thank you but I have to tell you that picture of my Idol is an old picture. His dorsal fin is no where as long as that any more. His body has gotten larger but his fins have shrunk. I wish he still looked like that. All of my corals seem to be growing nicely as they do in the summer when I add bacteria and what not. If I could figure out exactly what I was adding that was such a benefit that would be nice but until that happens I will just add everything. I am going out boating again today and of course I will be slogging around in the mud collecting stuff.
You can see the Idol here in a recent picture. He is still very lively and healthy but I can't keep up with feeding him. I used to think you could feed these fish two or three times a day but I believe four or five is better. Of course it really messes up your water. Also my reef is much too small for an Idol. I see that he gets frustrated having to turn around so much. They are long distance swimmers since they eat mostly sponge and it only grows in small widely spaced patches.
(I saw Tony last week)

 

[CaptiveReef]

It still looks great!!!

It still looks great!!!

The Idol still looks great! Idols do have special requirements, I sent you a pm, please give Tony my number.

Thanks, Greg


CaptiveReef

 

[dougie]

awsome tank paul!
going to start using NSW in my own setup now.

Cheers

 

[Paul B]

Dougie, if I lived in Australia I wouldn't ever think about using ASW.
I did my first SCUBA dive in Sydney in 71.
Paul

 

[old salty]

Paul,

I've seen many beautiful tanks on this site, but yours is by far the most interesting!! I think it may because your tank isn't sterile that it looks the most natural. I am stealing one of your ideas; the bottle in the reef. I already have a place for it, now I just need to develop a taste for Chivas Regal!!

 

[jvetter]

Paul,

First, thanks for your sharing your enthusiasm and sense of humor. I always enjoy your posts, and your experience is always valuable.

Again, thanks.

Jim

 

[Paul B]

Old Salty, I have a use for that Chivas Regal. If you send it to me I will send you back a nice empty bottle that you can put in your tank. Big bottles look the nicest. :rolleye1:

Jim, thank you, I am feeling very enthusiastic.

Salty, this is a Grand Marnier bottle but I have room for many Chivas or Couravasier bottles.
No cheap stuff in my tank.:beer:
Paul

 

[Paul B]

I am going out bacteria collecting today to the east end of Long Island. Maybe I can get Billy Joel to help me. I wonder if there is a size limit on bacteria! :lol:

 

[scarter]

no size limit, but you can only collect 30 million in a day, otherwise you face a fine