InsaneClownFish
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Some of the Blasto in my tank:
Some serious glow under actinics:
Picked up a very nice Squamosa:
Some serious glow under actinics:
Picked up a very nice Squamosa:
Diary of my LiL 40 Gallon Breeder(Intense)
- Thread starter InsaneClownFish
- Start date
InsaneClownFish
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I just picked up this Favia. I'll have to get better pics, because it's really unique. The walls are purple and the eyes are a minty green/blue. There's a pinky red pattern forming on the outer walls under actinics, and the feeding tentacles are pink...very neat:
Here you can see the Montipora Digitada that has grown from a 1cm frag, found in a fellow reefer's sand, to an almost 3 inch by 3 inch patch on that top rock. If you look closely at the center, you can see the outline of the original frag. It took over a year's time, but the first branches are finally forming; as seen here:
Here you can see the Montipora Digitada that has grown from a 1cm frag, found in a fellow reefer's sand, to an almost 3 inch by 3 inch patch on that top rock. If you look closely at the center, you can see the outline of the original frag. It took over a year's time, but the first branches are finally forming; as seen here:
InsaneClownFish
New member
More of the new Favia:
My huge Pagoda Cup:
Turbinaria- the polyps and rim are a bright yellow:
My huge Pagoda Cup:
Turbinaria- the polyps and rim are a bright yellow:
InsaneClownFish
New member
Orange Plate- to the left you can see where I've moved the large brain:
InsaneClownFish
New member
Angry Nemo:
InsaneClownFish
New member
Now that things have settled down a bit....hopefully I'll get the chance to update tonight...
InsaneClownFish
New member
There are three main things I have learned during my reef experience thus far:
1. A chiller is a necessity in a climate that can hit 100 degrees in the summer.
2. Falling off a water change schedule can be just as deadly.
3. Caulerpa Racemosa in a closed system is absolutely ridiculous.
Heat issues continued to be a problem this summer. When spring rolls around I am investing in a drop in chiller.
I lost many of my corals due to my own neglect. I just didn't have alot of time for tank maintanance. Coupled with that was the constant proliferation of the macro algae: Caulerpa Racemosa.
Do not put this stuff in your tanks!!! :mad2: It can go asexual frequently, and in a closed system like mine a 1 inch piece that originally came in with some live sand easily filled the tank 40 times over. It is impossible to remove from the rocks, and while it is great at filtering the water, it is extremely unsightly, robs the water column of precious oxygen, and blocks out the light....
Fluctuations in temperature and water quality led to the slow demise to my plate, blastos, ophyllia, cup, and turbinaria....
Algae was an issue in the case of the plate coral. It had a "wound" that progressively got worse...and then finally succumbed to algae.
1. A chiller is a necessity in a climate that can hit 100 degrees in the summer.
2. Falling off a water change schedule can be just as deadly.
3. Caulerpa Racemosa in a closed system is absolutely ridiculous.
Heat issues continued to be a problem this summer. When spring rolls around I am investing in a drop in chiller.
I lost many of my corals due to my own neglect. I just didn't have alot of time for tank maintanance. Coupled with that was the constant proliferation of the macro algae: Caulerpa Racemosa.
Do not put this stuff in your tanks!!! :mad2: It can go asexual frequently, and in a closed system like mine a 1 inch piece that originally came in with some live sand easily filled the tank 40 times over. It is impossible to remove from the rocks, and while it is great at filtering the water, it is extremely unsightly, robs the water column of precious oxygen, and blocks out the light....
Fluctuations in temperature and water quality led to the slow demise to my plate, blastos, ophyllia, cup, and turbinaria....
Algae was an issue in the case of the plate coral. It had a "wound" that progressively got worse...and then finally succumbed to algae.
InsaneClownFish
New member
One of the other problems I had, was the day I offered to take my neighbor's half black angel- because he was moving.
Well this angel single handedly brutalized my LPS. It flat out killed my Wesophylia. Unfortunately, it was traded in at the local fish store a bit too late.
Much of this has been a learning experience, and much of what I have lost is my own fault. If I had "acted" on time...on many occasions, I could have saved quite a few things.
My own arrogance in saying to myself...oh that will recover...didn't always work...
On of the other things that is very trying with this hobby is time. It's very easy to put things off. Life happens, but the tank still needs to be watched.
One of my biggest problems is that this hobby is fueled my how much cash I have in my pocket...when there's no real money to spend on corals, or I am in one of my more frugal modes, I did not pay anywhere near as much attention to the tank- and what was already there...
There is no substitute for good husbandry, and mine was clearly lacking.
Well this angel single handedly brutalized my LPS. It flat out killed my Wesophylia. Unfortunately, it was traded in at the local fish store a bit too late.
Much of this has been a learning experience, and much of what I have lost is my own fault. If I had "acted" on time...on many occasions, I could have saved quite a few things.
My own arrogance in saying to myself...oh that will recover...didn't always work...
On of the other things that is very trying with this hobby is time. It's very easy to put things off. Life happens, but the tank still needs to be watched.
One of my biggest problems is that this hobby is fueled my how much cash I have in my pocket...when there's no real money to spend on corals, or I am in one of my more frugal modes, I did not pay anywhere near as much attention to the tank- and what was already there...
There is no substitute for good husbandry, and mine was clearly lacking.
InsaneClownFish
New member
On top of this, what I believe to have been some type of predatory whelk, began to proliferate in my tank.
About a month ago I decided something drastic had to be done about the current condition of the tank. After the last "pruning" or racemosa, I had removed the WORST pieces of rock and let them completely dry out.
I made the ultimate decision to remove ALL the live rock. Now all the live rock has been completely removed for just over a month, and I am pretty much sure all the macro has died off....about 90%.
Basically the tank has been pretty barren except for the few pieces of already dried out rock I returned to the tank...
I've been trying to keep dead on with the water changes as the tank has progessively been going through mini- cycles...
Unfortunately, one of my striving corals, a sun coral, I decided to let die out with the rock, rather then risk the Caulerpa, that was deeply embedded in it, get back into the system.
About a month ago I decided something drastic had to be done about the current condition of the tank. After the last "pruning" or racemosa, I had removed the WORST pieces of rock and let them completely dry out.
I made the ultimate decision to remove ALL the live rock. Now all the live rock has been completely removed for just over a month, and I am pretty much sure all the macro has died off....about 90%.
Basically the tank has been pretty barren except for the few pieces of already dried out rock I returned to the tank...
I've been trying to keep dead on with the water changes as the tank has progessively been going through mini- cycles...
Unfortunately, one of my striving corals, a sun coral, I decided to let die out with the rock, rather then risk the Caulerpa, that was deeply embedded in it, get back into the system.
InsaneClownFish
New member
Another problem is psychological with this hobby...
The tank looks fantastic...I don't really need to be up on my water changes....I have fantasmo tank...lol
Doesn't work that way...
So now the tank has been in recoup mode, and I've slowly added a few choice things to see how they would take.
My Maroon clown is doing very well, and so is my sixline wrasse- my last one had disappeared, so this one was also an acquisition from my neighbor.
My favia survived. There was some die off from the movement and some sand covering parts, but it's actually been showing significant new growth. The colors seems slightly different- interesting piece.
I purchased some Zooanthids for the first time ever. I knew zoos would do especially well in my type of set up, but I had always shyed away from them because of their toxic nature. All in all they are one of my favorite corals. I did the recommended fresh water dip on the zoos, and they are doing fantastic. They are a very rich red color with some single green polyps mixed in. This frag is actually showing new growth as "babies" are appearing on the bottom.
The tank looks fantastic...I don't really need to be up on my water changes....I have fantasmo tank...lol
Doesn't work that way...
So now the tank has been in recoup mode, and I've slowly added a few choice things to see how they would take.
My Maroon clown is doing very well, and so is my sixline wrasse- my last one had disappeared, so this one was also an acquisition from my neighbor.
My favia survived. There was some die off from the movement and some sand covering parts, but it's actually been showing significant new growth. The colors seems slightly different- interesting piece.
I purchased some Zooanthids for the first time ever. I knew zoos would do especially well in my type of set up, but I had always shyed away from them because of their toxic nature. All in all they are one of my favorite corals. I did the recommended fresh water dip on the zoos, and they are doing fantastic. They are a very rich red color with some single green polyps mixed in. This frag is actually showing new growth as "babies" are appearing on the bottom.
InsaneClownFish
New member
I also bought a small $10. frag of some purplish red sea xenia. I'm going to add some silver/blue Anthelia soon.
I'm taking a new approach with my soon to be revived reef- frags, frags, frags. Since I am now a firm believer that you can't say something is doing "well" in your tank until you've had it at LEAST six months, I think frags are the way to go.
I want variety, yet before I was too anxious to "fill" the tank quickly. This has left me with the extra live rock and less space. I spent too much money before. Now I like finding a nice frag for $10. or $15.
I'm also learning that oftentimes, especially in smaller tanks, that species oriented or "type" systems do much better.
Let's face it, my closed, "natural" system is not very good for sps.
Maybe in the future, when the tank is very established, I will try a nice milli or two..or some easy digi- which did very well in my tank.
I should keep some of the LPS that I originally wanted to keep...I was too worried about aggressive types...that's less of an issue now than some of the other REAL problems I have had.
Mainly though, I plan on limiting my tank to mainly zoos and rics. Some of the most beautiful tanks I have seens are layeres in Zoos, Ricordia, and various Yuma. For my system, that's best quality is the natural filtration...that doesn't strip nutrients from the water column...these are the best options...
Unfortunately, clams are probably not right for my tank. I may start a clam tank in the future, but I am starting to believe that clams are just better kept in species tanks.
That being said, there were other things that hurt my clams chances...unknown nips from my old angel and pinched mantle, which I think spread...were two....hopefully, if I have the tank VERY established again...I will get brave and do ONE clam....and really CARE for it.
I'm taking a new approach with my soon to be revived reef- frags, frags, frags. Since I am now a firm believer that you can't say something is doing "well" in your tank until you've had it at LEAST six months, I think frags are the way to go.
I want variety, yet before I was too anxious to "fill" the tank quickly. This has left me with the extra live rock and less space. I spent too much money before. Now I like finding a nice frag for $10. or $15.
I'm also learning that oftentimes, especially in smaller tanks, that species oriented or "type" systems do much better.
Let's face it, my closed, "natural" system is not very good for sps.
Maybe in the future, when the tank is very established, I will try a nice milli or two..or some easy digi- which did very well in my tank.
I should keep some of the LPS that I originally wanted to keep...I was too worried about aggressive types...that's less of an issue now than some of the other REAL problems I have had.
Mainly though, I plan on limiting my tank to mainly zoos and rics. Some of the most beautiful tanks I have seens are layeres in Zoos, Ricordia, and various Yuma. For my system, that's best quality is the natural filtration...that doesn't strip nutrients from the water column...these are the best options...
Unfortunately, clams are probably not right for my tank. I may start a clam tank in the future, but I am starting to believe that clams are just better kept in species tanks.
That being said, there were other things that hurt my clams chances...unknown nips from my old angel and pinched mantle, which I think spread...were two....hopefully, if I have the tank VERY established again...I will get brave and do ONE clam....and really CARE for it.
InsaneClownFish
New member
I also have two new additions to my reviving tank. A neon green 7-8 inch Haddoni Carpet is snug on the left side of my tank. When I purchased it, I knew right away that I would now be dedicating a large sum of the tank to its care...and this would limit my future coral prospects.
This is good in a way, because it will keep me in the zoo and mushroom realm...
Just the other night I snagged a cute little fire clown. I knew it might be a risk with the maroon, but I also mused that my "angry nemo" had never bothered anyone. Well he immediately brutalized the fire clown. In fact I thought I might lose him to the constant dive bombing.
Fortunately, a happy thing happened more quickly than anticipated. The fire clown took immediately to the Haddoni- he practically makes love to that thing...:lol: As you can guess...the maroon won't go anywhere near him now...
I had added a cute little blue assesor a few weeks ago that I believe was lost to the Haddoni's sting...ahh the chances we take...
This is good in a way, because it will keep me in the zoo and mushroom realm...
Just the other night I snagged a cute little fire clown. I knew it might be a risk with the maroon, but I also mused that my "angry nemo" had never bothered anyone. Well he immediately brutalized the fire clown. In fact I thought I might lose him to the constant dive bombing.
Fortunately, a happy thing happened more quickly than anticipated. The fire clown took immediately to the Haddoni- he practically makes love to that thing...:lol: As you can guess...the maroon won't go anywhere near him now...
I had added a cute little blue assesor a few weeks ago that I believe was lost to the Haddoni's sting...ahh the chances we take...
InsaneClownFish
New member
I just added two Trochus snails- as most of my snails had succomb to heat issues or pyramid snails.
I also progressively added 20 blue leg hermits. These have started to grow and trade out shells.... I'm definately over my issues regarding the true benefits of hermits.
I found a couple ceriths that have been doing well. One of my jumbo Tongan Nassarius is still alive. Asterina stars are out again, and I even saw a stomatella wandering around once more. If I'm not mistaken, I think I even saw some tiger pods still(I added these).
I had also removed a sizeable amount of CHEATO which had become frequently unmanageable.
Ahhh one thing I had forgotten..I added some really bright yellow with white polyped gorgonian....looks great in the tank.
So this brings me to the other night. I examined the live rock I had in the vat. There was 90% die off of the macro...some pieces actually had a dying piece of the racemosa...but for the most part it was either completely gone..or dying stringy stuff. I had waited an extra week as there was still some green slimy die off....I wanted this algae to be COMPLETELY dead.
So the other night I picked out some of the larger pieces, some even had some living chaeto embedded in the rock, and decided to readd them. I put about 40% of the rock back into the tank. I tried to examine the rock as best I could...and hopefully the racemosa has died off enough to not grow back..
I had to strike a balance between the macro decay and trying to save some somewhat fresh life...especially the rich red and purple corallines.
Crossing my fingers...:rollface:
One thing I should note is that there was one piece of rock that I initially cleaned off all the racemosa and returned to the tank...I did this because there was a very small green BTA that had embedded in the rock- another donation from my neighbor. After about three weeks I noticed very small offshoots of the racemosa returning. I carefully removed the rock and cut each piece off. After I RUBBED the areas with a combo of salt and alk buffer..
I checked the surrounding rock carefully and returned the piece to the tank...nothing since.
Unfortunately, the BTA has not been doing well all along. It's very small compared to my maroon clown who has tried to host ON it many times....I think this is one of those cases of...I love you too much...
I also progressively added 20 blue leg hermits. These have started to grow and trade out shells.... I'm definately over my issues regarding the true benefits of hermits.
I found a couple ceriths that have been doing well. One of my jumbo Tongan Nassarius is still alive. Asterina stars are out again, and I even saw a stomatella wandering around once more. If I'm not mistaken, I think I even saw some tiger pods still(I added these).
I had also removed a sizeable amount of CHEATO which had become frequently unmanageable.
Ahhh one thing I had forgotten..I added some really bright yellow with white polyped gorgonian....looks great in the tank.
So this brings me to the other night. I examined the live rock I had in the vat. There was 90% die off of the macro...some pieces actually had a dying piece of the racemosa...but for the most part it was either completely gone..or dying stringy stuff. I had waited an extra week as there was still some green slimy die off....I wanted this algae to be COMPLETELY dead.
So the other night I picked out some of the larger pieces, some even had some living chaeto embedded in the rock, and decided to readd them. I put about 40% of the rock back into the tank. I tried to examine the rock as best I could...and hopefully the racemosa has died off enough to not grow back..
I had to strike a balance between the macro decay and trying to save some somewhat fresh life...especially the rich red and purple corallines.
Crossing my fingers...:rollface:
One thing I should note is that there was one piece of rock that I initially cleaned off all the racemosa and returned to the tank...I did this because there was a very small green BTA that had embedded in the rock- another donation from my neighbor. After about three weeks I noticed very small offshoots of the racemosa returning. I carefully removed the rock and cut each piece off. After I RUBBED the areas with a combo of salt and alk buffer..
I checked the surrounding rock carefully and returned the piece to the tank...nothing since.Unfortunately, the BTA has not been doing well all along. It's very small compared to my maroon clown who has tried to host ON it many times....I think this is one of those cases of...I love you too much...
InsaneClownFish
New member
So that brings me pretty current. The tank looked a bit cloudy last night, so I'm going to do another water change today. Hopefully when I get home from work this morning it doesn't look too bad.
I've been keeping up with the water changes as to abate the mini cycles.
I'll add the rest of the live rock in either one or two parts over the next couple weeks. This way I can observe it closely for any odd growth. The less rock in the tank, the easier it is to remove pieces and deal with the problem.
Everyone wish me luck..and hopefully I'll have some new pics soon...
I've been keeping up with the water changes as to abate the mini cycles.
I'll add the rest of the live rock in either one or two parts over the next couple weeks. This way I can observe it closely for any odd growth. The less rock in the tank, the easier it is to remove pieces and deal with the problem.
Everyone wish me luck..and hopefully I'll have some new pics soon...
InsaneClownFish
New member
I'm not positive, because it may have more to do with a change in camera and bulb changes, but after looking over some of the older pics, it does appear some of my LPS either changed, or lost, color due to water quality.
I did have very small bits of valonia that hitchhiked it, but these were very few and would eventually go away. Also, I had some Aptasia form. It spread quickly, but for the most part they went unnoticed.
Let me emphaize this. None of the issues I had came close to the asexual Caulerpa Racemosa.
I've looked over the live rock, and I had such deep coralline growth with the T5s. I even had a couple of sessile Tunicates form on their own. Also, there were lots of "baby" clams on the bottoms of alot of the rocks.
I had even noticed a baby softie or LPS that had been "born" from the live rock, and there was what apeared to be a tiny colony os sun coral developing on the same rock.
One interesting note on the toughness of my current Six Line...he jumped out of the tank and landed hard...I couldn't find him for a few minutes...and then he was subsequently incased in mucus from the Haddoni. That's got to be the toughest lil sucker on the planet! :smokin:
I'm going to work hard to get some pictures up by the end of the weekend.
I did have very small bits of valonia that hitchhiked it, but these were very few and would eventually go away. Also, I had some Aptasia form. It spread quickly, but for the most part they went unnoticed.
Let me emphaize this. None of the issues I had came close to the asexual Caulerpa Racemosa.
I've looked over the live rock, and I had such deep coralline growth with the T5s. I even had a couple of sessile Tunicates form on their own. Also, there were lots of "baby" clams on the bottoms of alot of the rocks.
I had even noticed a baby softie or LPS that had been "born" from the live rock, and there was what apeared to be a tiny colony os sun coral developing on the same rock.
One interesting note on the toughness of my current Six Line...he jumped out of the tank and landed hard...I couldn't find him for a few minutes...and then he was subsequently incased in mucus from the Haddoni. That's got to be the toughest lil sucker on the planet! :smokin:
I'm going to work hard to get some pictures up by the end of the weekend.
good to hear u are getting back to it . I'm in the same boat,from crashing BB to issues with new sand, it gets tough but U gotta stick it out!
