Diary of my LiL 40 Gallon Breeder(Intense)

[InsaneClownFish]

Marc, Croceas definately like to be up on the rock work. In fact, when they're happy they'll actually embed into the rockwork...probably via some chemical reaction through their bysal threads...

I've fixed the problem though...the clam is WAY up top now...and loving the lights(I answered my own question)...

Postin some new pics soon...

 

[tsquad]

Yay more pics! I'm getting a Frogspawn sometime next week from Thunderstruck...a few heads for only $40!

 

[InsaneClownFish]

I took some time and repositioned my Crocea this morning.
Here's some pics of how I placed my Crocea in relation to the lights:

The Crocea is about 1-1.5 inches from the T5s and loving it..

 

[melev]

The surface of the water looks dirty to me. Do you have any powerheads pointing at the surface to keep it clear?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

The surface of the water is dirty...

I never really minded it. When I do water changes I sorta skim it off.

All of the powerheads are pointed at the surface, but I really don't want to angle them up any more.

Is this surface scum an issue, other than the way it looks?

 

[Mariner]

Is this surface scum an issue, other than the way it looks?

It indicates excessive nutrients/proteins. Better skimming will take care of it.
BTW, sorry about your crash...glad your flying again. My 40g is coming along nicely, albeit slowly. The flameback is still kicking!
Mariner

 

[melev]

It inhibits good oxygen exchange.

 

[tsquad]

Hey John, I finally ruined all the valonia. Only a couple I couldn't get off, so I don't think they'll pose much of a problem. I've got another emerald coming too, so I think I'm good. What if the spores stayed in the rocks after I rinsed, and I'm going to have a huge valonia outbreak (knock wood this doesn't happen)? That would be very very depressing. Anyways, now I have lots of open space for new corals, and no algae at all, so I'm thrilled.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Tyler, hopefully you'll be ok. It sounds like you've got things under control.

Marc, I've been watching the waterflow, and I'm thinking of adding a very small powerhead right at the waterline. Unfortunately, it looks like the area of the most flow is towards the front of the tank...and not towards the back where oxygen would be exchanged.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

The other night I started the arduous task of manually removing the pyramid infestation from my snails.

Interestingly enough, they only seem interested in my Tiger Trochus and Astreas, because they've completely ignored my larger Trochus. I also have snails that are virtually identical to pyramidalle snails, yet they are not..

I'm just grateful that pyramid snails are so diet specific- the ones that prey on clams will not prey on snails...and vice versa.

Here's a pic of them infesting one of my Tiger Trochus:

 

[InsaneClownFish]

One of my Astreas:

 

[jarhed]

Pyramid Infestation? :eek2:

What on earth are those???? Is that the name of them (so I can do a search and find any and every bit of info on them)?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

jarhead, pyramidalle snails are very tiny white, or slightly off white snails that look like baby ceriths...or grains of rice. They only achieve aprox 4mms in length.

They are very specific parasites that feed off the fluid of mollusks.

They literally suck your invert's blood...

Enjoy!

 

[melev]

I wanna see macro shots. Close ups, please.

I wonder if they eat Fighting Conchs.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Any suggestions for a camera Marc?

I've been borrowing...errr....usurping my mother's Sony and it is AWFUL at taking macro shots...

Well I checked a couple of my Ceriths just in case...nothing...

Hey speaking of Ceriths....guess what my angel had for breakfast?

Cerith eggs up on the side of the tank from last night's spawning....funny to watch him circle the tank and then manipulate himself between two powerheads in order to get at them....

 

[JCoral]

this is my favorite tank diary

 

[melev]

My camera is now old-technology, but I do like that you can get within 1 centimeter of the object. It is a Fuji S602Z. I would think the Fuji S7000 is equally good or better.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Thank you JCoral! I hope I've kept things interesting and informal! :wavehand:

Marc...I'll definately look into them...:thumbsup:

 

[JCoral]

i am perplexed by your setup...so do you have any filtration at all?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

I have TONS of filtration....lots of live rock....lots of sand...lots of critters...lots of infauna...pods...clams.....bacteria......


Oh you meant FILTERS? CARBON? Skimmers?....

None.

Sumpless, Skimmerless, Reactorless, Refugiumless
All natural filtration self contained within the little glass box.