Austin goes Rimless - Dudester's 203g mixed reef
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Dudester
Premium Member
chris wright - The gorgonian keeps looking better and better. It's actually happier since I pointed the flow away from it just over a week ago. There's now only about a 5 mm patch of algae on one of the terminal tips, and it's lessening daily.
The salinity control has been a little frustrating. I thought my refractometer was off, but yesterday Gabriel (GKarshens) came over with his refractometer, and he got the same reading that I had initially. Thanks Gabriel!! We tested his device with the 1.025 calibration fluid I have from Aquatronica, and he got 1.023 just as I had. I'm now of the opinion that the calibration fluid is off, since both of our refractometers read RO/DI water at 1.000. Anyway, I need to stop looking at numbers and keep my eye on the tank's inhabitants, as they are all doing fine so things must be okay.
maxxII - You are right, C. jordani is the fish I was talking about. I have seen that mesh cover before and was considering building one for night time use, but I think it will detract from the look of my rimless tank during the day. On the other hand, it's really inexpensive to build so maybe I'll put one together and see how it goes.
Thanks for your fish advice. My plan is very similar to the ones you proposed. My preference would be to add them all at once (small ones) if I can get them in together. I think I'll probably end up receiving the purple and yellow together, and the Chevron and powder blue will come in separately, so I'll have to select sizes based on what's already in the tank.
The salinity control has been a little frustrating. I thought my refractometer was off, but yesterday Gabriel (GKarshens) came over with his refractometer, and he got the same reading that I had initially. Thanks Gabriel!! We tested his device with the 1.025 calibration fluid I have from Aquatronica, and he got 1.023 just as I had. I'm now of the opinion that the calibration fluid is off, since both of our refractometers read RO/DI water at 1.000. Anyway, I need to stop looking at numbers and keep my eye on the tank's inhabitants, as they are all doing fine so things must be okay.
maxxII - You are right, C. jordani is the fish I was talking about. I have seen that mesh cover before and was considering building one for night time use, but I think it will detract from the look of my rimless tank during the day. On the other hand, it's really inexpensive to build so maybe I'll put one together and see how it goes.
Thanks for your fish advice. My plan is very similar to the ones you proposed. My preference would be to add them all at once (small ones) if I can get them in together. I think I'll probably end up receiving the purple and yellow together, and the Chevron and powder blue will come in separately, so I'll have to select sizes based on what's already in the tank.
gkarshens
New member
I just wanted to add that after seeing this tank in person, pictures do not do it justice! First it is much bigger than it looks in pics. Also Mike's rock work is terrific. It has so many nooks and caves. I can't wait to see it once the rock colors up and it has some Acros in it!
chris wright
In Memoriam
Glad to hear all's well 
Cheers
Chris
Cheers
Chris
invincible569
New member
good thread
reef / aholic
New member
Here are couple of my favorite tangs:
Chocolate/Mimic
Kole
Spotted Cheek
But I really like the idea of keeping anglefish and butterfly:
Bandit
Bellus
Conspicillatus
Clarion
Goldflake
Swallowtail
Lamarck
Peppermint
Multifasciatus
Wantanabe
Potter
Wrought iron
Declivis
Pearlscale
Reticulated
Saddlle-Back
Chocolate/Mimic
Kole
Spotted Cheek
But I really like the idea of keeping anglefish and butterfly:
Bandit
Bellus
Conspicillatus
Clarion
Goldflake
Swallowtail
Lamarck
Peppermint
Multifasciatus
Wantanabe
Potter
Wrought iron
Declivis
Pearlscale
Reticulated
Saddlle-Back
Last edited:
Dudester
Premium Member
khoivo1 - I think the Powermodule would be just fine for a tank of your dimensions. My tank is 60" long and I get good light penetration to even the sides of the tank despite the fact that the fixture is only 48" long. I don't think another 3" would matter too much, as long as you don't plan on having clams or SPS at the bottom side edges of your tank. You won't need a 10-lamp unit since your tank is 24" deep, probably an 8-lamp unit would be perfect.
RoBolton - I'm a huge fan of the spotted cheek tang but fear it would be too many in this tank. When I upgrade that's the first tang I plan to add. I'm going to stay away from angels for now, even though they are incredibly beautiful. Thanks for the suggestions.
My CBB didn't eat last night, which is a first since it's been in the tank. I'll admit, I'm more than a little worried. It was swimming just fine and there's nothing on the body to suggest an obvious infection, but it normally attacks the food.
RoBolton - I'm a huge fan of the spotted cheek tang but fear it would be too many in this tank. When I upgrade that's the first tang I plan to add. I'm going to stay away from angels for now, even though they are incredibly beautiful. Thanks for the suggestions.
My CBB didn't eat last night, which is a first since it's been in the tank. I'll admit, I'm more than a little worried. It was swimming just fine and there's nothing on the body to suggest an obvious infection, but it normally attacks the food.
Dudester
Premium Member
Despite how it pains me, I must report the good and the bad, and I now have the worst news of this tank's young 3 months. The CBB died today. I knew this would happen when it didn't eat last night, but when I saw it upright and in almost no distress this morning I was hoping for a rebound. I had it for just over 6 weeks, and it was over 2 months in captivity when I got it, so it couldn't have been attributable to cyanide. I can't believe how incredibly bummed I am about this loss. I know this is a difficult fish to keep, but I really hoped I would beat the odds. This was truly a gorgeous fish. Did I mention I'm really bummed?
Bax
Premium Member
Dude
Sorry to hear about the CBB. Beautiful fish, but I am very sheepish about trying one. I have found butterflies to be the most difficult fish for me to acclimate. I had a heinocus d. for almost two years that perished in a bout with ick after the move. Went through two in QT who looked great for weeks then just did the sudden death thing. I now have another through QT and in the display doing well. With hard to acclimate fish, you just have to choose the ones worth the effort (in your own opinion), be as diligent as you can, and be prepared for some disappointment.
Sorry to hear about the CBB. Beautiful fish, but I am very sheepish about trying one. I have found butterflies to be the most difficult fish for me to acclimate. I had a heinocus d. for almost two years that perished in a bout with ick after the move. Went through two in QT who looked great for weeks then just did the sudden death thing. I now have another through QT and in the display doing well. With hard to acclimate fish, you just have to choose the ones worth the effort (in your own opinion), be as diligent as you can, and be prepared for some disappointment.
reef / aholic
New member
Keep your head up!!!
Dudester
Premium Member
Thanks, everyone, for your condolences. I'll take a break from this fish for a little while. Some of the fish on my wish list should be arriving in Austin soon, so hopefully I'll have new additions to focus on. Speaking of new additions, I did get a few things over the weekend, but since I don't have any photos I'll wait to tell/show what I got.
jnarowe
New member
I feel for ya. I had the same thing happen with two naso tangs, and decided they just weren't my bag. You guys are all scaring me though, since my CBB has been doing so well. But I don't feed mine anything special either. It gets what it gets. I have thought about putting him into the overflow to mow down my aiptasia "filter"! :lol:
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