Christmas at Easter

[dklaue]

Richard,
Plain and simple, you are a truly giving person, and a great boon to the Saltwater community.
Thank you so much.

(now to get my nephew to get a package )

I picked up my second half yesterday, and just hearing about Richard’s generosity from others doesn’t prepare you for what he does. It was like Christmas all over again hunting through all the wonderful surprises.

The rock was even better than the first half, with corals and clams and what not attached.

The other box with the critters was just packed.

Surgically hunting down a few crabs in some holes (including getting the huge one out of the Hyatt that was about 1.5-2”)

Landscaping was fun figuring out, and may change.

I had so many bags my tank and sump were almost over flowing.

 

[dklaue]

Hunting for stragglers: I found many starfish, a few crabs, a small anemone, a decent sized feather duster, and a shrimp

Time to unload:

Bags unloaded and arranging things:

Lid back on and lights!

The morning after:

 

[dklaue]

Does anyone have any idea what this is?
It looks like a rock the size of a small marble, with a dime sized cluster of what looks like fiber optics that glow a pale green in color. I may try to get a clearer picture later and repost. I placed the small rock with it on a protective ledge of another rock so it wouldn’t shift in the current much.

I took readings yesterday before adding anything, and again today and I can see the spike already flowing through the Nitrogen cycle. The ammonia is staying low so far, and being converted very well it seems.

Yesterday is the first number, Today is the second:
Ammonia = 0.1
Ammonia = 0.25

Nitrite = 0.1
Nitrite = 0.4

Nitrate = 10
Nitrate = 20

I can’t stop watching it, it is so fascinating. The crabs are furiously changing shells. The goby is busy patrolling. The anemone are finding places to attach. Snails are all over the tank. The Gorgonians and sponges are sitting pretty, but I’m not happy with where they are, will have to work on it. The big fan worm is busy filtering when the decorator crab isn’t bothering it. There is just so much to watch.

Again, Thank you very much Richard.

 

[rklaue]

WOW!!!!

WOW!!!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Outstanding! I am absolutely amazed:bigeyes: at the rock/livestock & thrilled for you David:celeb1:My neck hurts from staring at the screen so I hope you parked your tank next to a comfy chair lol!!! What a great package!
Richard, I'll be giving you a call when my tank arrives:beachbum:

 

[liverock]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9677658#post9677658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dklaue
Does anyone have any idea what this is?
It looks like a rock the size of a small marble, with a dime sized cluster of what looks like fiber optics that glow a pale green in color. I may try to get a clearer picture later and repost. I placed the small rock with it on a protective ledge of another rock so it wouldn’t shift in the current much.

I took readings yesterday before adding anything, and again today and I can see the spike already flowing through the Nitrogen cycle. The ammonia is staying low so far, and being converted very well it seems.

Yesterday is the first number, Today is the second:
Ammonia = 0.1
Ammonia = 0.25

Nitrite = 0.1
Nitrite = 0.4

Nitrate = 10
Nitrate = 20

I can’t stop watching it, it is so fascinating. The crabs are furiously changing shells. The goby is busy patrolling. The anemone are finding places to attach. Snails are all over the tank. The Gorgonians and sponges are sitting pretty, but I’m not happy with where they are, will have to work on it. The big fan worm is busy filtering when the decorator crab isn’t bothering it. There is just so much to watch.

Again, Thank you very much Richard.

You did a great job on your tank! I am impressed!

little green alien guy is a ricordia ....from the Keys!

and the "fan worm" is a feather duster, from Haitai....

Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

oh yea...and the plants need to be 'rooted' in the sand, like a small potted plant...they will root in a few weeks.....and eat nitrates while they are at it!

 

[dklaue]

I don't know whether to be excited, or to start shaking in horror. Seems that Soda water didn't clear out all the hitchhikers.

I am now the proud owner of a 1.5" Green Mantis (center of the picture)

 

[scowiii]

They can be kinda hard. Just do a search and try to set up traps to get them. But looks awesome. You should always still try to use gloves though in your tank from what I have heard for your protection from the critters and other biological organisms that may be contained inside your aquarium.

Looks Awesome though.

 

[Seehag]

Nice shot's I like the purple anenome, did he come in the first shipment? Did he gro to that size from a little guy, or was he that big out the bag?


Art

 

[dklaue]

Nice shot's I like the purple anenome, did he come in the first shipment? Did he gro to that size from a little guy, or was he that big out the bag?

He is brand new out of the bag. I specifically ask for the Condylacitis anemone when I let Richard know I was ready for the second half last week end. I am hoping that when I add my tomato clown he takes to it. It is somewhere between baseball and softball size.

 

[dklaue]

The hunt begins, but I am thwarted at every turn.

Finally I decide if he won’t come to me, I would have to go get him and dismantled all my rock while he watched with a mocking look. Once I got his rock out, I spent 30 minutes squirting his hole, but he wasn’t budging. I finally took a piece of hard air line tubing and gently prodded him until he was out.

Success!

 

[dklaue]

Then I had to rebuild the rocks without squashing anyone. That was fun. The tank ended up looking very different, and my anemones seems to claim the big open area on the left of the tank. I was finally able to secure my gorgonians and my plants are now firmly planted.

Center stage I have my Ricordea

At the front entrance of the Hyatt, I have dedicated doormen.

My goby is constantly on the prowl.

My clam and his attached coral are just chilling.

The bad news? I still hear popping in my tank. Pray it is a pistol shrimp.

 

[rklaue]

That last shot is just incredible! Love the new aquascape too, great job Dave:thumbsup:

 

[Seehag]

Look's good was the anenome extra? I will check outthe page..


Art

 

[jakkalofv]

that looks awesome, but I should ask, did you buy just the package and get a bunch of thrown in extras? or did you order some of those other things as well (sponges, anemones, etc)?

 

[tangafish]

that is an awesome looking tank, you did a great job on the layout. how are all of your sponges doing? what is that in the back on the far left side, is that a hugeeee gongorian or what..richard's generosity is always a pleasant and unexpected surprise..usually it takes years of collecting different corals and plants at an HUGE expense to have a tank that looks that good. that is the amazing thing about the tbs you get an instant reef.. great thread dklaue & awesome pics! what kind of camera are you using, i cant get a decent close up with mine. I just discovered a green mantis in my tank but fortunately he is in a quarantine tank so not running amuck in my reef, so far havent had any luck catching him..pretty sad that a 1" shrimp can outwit me..lol. Keep us posted!

 

[vetdog]

What kind of lighting are you using?

 

[msman825]

any up dates

 

[Radar1]

these threads make me want to start a TBS tank. Good luck with a clown hosting the Condi as I have never heard of a clown hosting one, but they are colorfull and nice to look at.

 

[magellan007]

great tank. now i wanna set up one, too.

 

[dragon_av3]

Very nice! I like how the aquascaping came out the second time... looks like a good shady spot (cave) in the center.