I lost another gramma, leaving one or two. I'm only seeing one, but there should be another. Or it could have died hidden in a cave. The only visible one left is the male. It was the largest female, that stepped up to manhood when Big Daddy died.
I had hoped to save all of them from disease. I didn't. Hypo salinity didn't fail me. It was my fault. I was too slow to begin treatment. That's the problem with curing sick fish-by the time you see symptoms, it could already be too late. Or if it's not, you have to correctly diagnose and quickly treat them to have any chance of success. I was way too slow. Lessons learned.
Now I need to focus on getting my little ecosystem healthy again. As soon as hypo is over, I'll be able to really do stuff. I can't wait! Two days after clipping the turtle grass, new blades are already a half inch tall. I think fast is good. The quicker they regrow, the quicker they use up reserves. I also noticed the the current is less powerful, with the live rock scattered about the right end of the tank. The ulva doesn't billow as much as it did before.
I've been thinking about what to plant on the back wall. I'm thinking I want something towards the top, that will shade the bottom of the wall, keeping it unplanted, so it doesn't crowd into the grasses. Having the wall in shadow provides a nice, dark background for the grasses as well. Plus I might get some encrusting sponges to grow there.
I'd like the rock DSB planter to be unplanted as well-not the DSB, but the rocks themselves. I think maybe I should just see what grows, and if some parts don't sprout something that'll be fine. I'd like at least some of the hardscape to show through.
On the fake roots, I expect the grasilaria hayi to come back in the same places it was before. I'd still like to get some sponges on the shaded roots. On the ones in good light, I'd like to get some nice, flowy weeds to dance in the current. If I ever decided to give up on sponges, I'd consider adding a light to bathe the roots in light, and just plant more plants.
But I won't give up without a fight. Sponges are just too cool. I think I am getting close to having some success. I think there is sufficient food and current. Dosing sodium silicate is another plus. I just need to get some good, healthy specimens, and get lucky with placement and orientation.
The detrivore community will need rebuilding as well. I'm not sure how much I'll need to add, and how much will come back on its own. I still have pods and snails. I'm not seeing spaghetti worms or mini brittle stars though. I'll get some more live sand and/or mud.
A lot to figure out. But of course, I love it.
