Foam Rockwall w/ built in refuge for a 26 gal bowfront
- Thread starter sam.basye
- Start date
sam.basye
New member
Been a busy couple of weeks!
I came back from spring break this past week. Went all over Florida!
A friend and I started spring break volunteering and racing in the Spartan race in Atlanta then made our way down Florida and back. Stopped in Clearwater, Seabring, Key Largo, and Key West along the way.
Only got to snorkel once though :/
We snorkeled off a bridge just before the Bahia Honda state park near the seven mile bridge.
It was rather choppy at high tide, poor timing..
Saw some neat stuff, a pretty cool red/black brittle star amongst other things. I think I found two mantis shrimp as well.
I got to try out my new barrier net I made and it worked great! I caught three fish and lost one. Some form of angel I believe. Not sure which type though.
My homemade barrier net
Here's the catch I brought home with me:
Algae eating fish - unsure of species
Snails - about 5 of the small black ones
2 tiny decorator crabs
Black urchin
Reef urchin
This guy has been eating from the sponge prefilter on the skimmer
I came back from spring break this past week. Went all over Florida!
A friend and I started spring break volunteering and racing in the Spartan race in Atlanta then made our way down Florida and back. Stopped in Clearwater, Seabring, Key Largo, and Key West along the way.
Only got to snorkel once though :/
We snorkeled off a bridge just before the Bahia Honda state park near the seven mile bridge.
It was rather choppy at high tide, poor timing..
Saw some neat stuff, a pretty cool red/black brittle star amongst other things. I think I found two mantis shrimp as well.
I got to try out my new barrier net I made and it worked great! I caught three fish and lost one. Some form of angel I believe. Not sure which type though.
My homemade barrier net
Here's the catch I brought home with me:
Algae eating fish - unsure of species
Snails - about 5 of the small black ones
2 tiny decorator crabs
Black urchin
Reef urchin
This guy has been eating from the sponge prefilter on the skimmer
sam.basye
New member
Little emerald crab - was with a group of large 3-4" emeralds
snails - 3 of the striped one
Tan/brown serpent star Snappy got a hold of him - lost most of two legs :/ Put him in the fuge with the other two.
2 serpent stars
Tiger flatworm - thought it was a nudi... In isolation until I decide whether or not to risk it eating something I like.
Bucket o' fun
sam.basye
New member
Duplicate emerald crab - 3 of the striped snails (black/tan speckled one)
New stylo growth
I bought Mr. Crab a souvenir from Key Largo. He'll grow into it... It looked smaller on my finger. lol
My mithrax is now a barnacle crab. lol And getting big - giant claws!
As for the tank, still going strong. I came home from break and immediately noticed the skimmer collection cup looked like someone poured coffee in it! I was pleasantly surprised that it was working properly and I don't plan on adjusting it anymore.
The corals are growing which is exciting! the green digi, purple stylo are the most prominent. I see a few small zoas popping up too. The monti is slowly spreading as well over an old dead spot.
I now have more snails and crabs than ever before!
Its finally getting warm so I think I'll be spraying the new light stand in the next week or so.
Lot's of great pics! Lot's of cool critters! How many of those are you putting in your tank?
Glad to hear your tank is doing great. Isn't it funny, how well our tanks do without us?
Glad to hear your tank is doing great. Isn't it funny, how well our tanks do without us?
sam.basye
New member
I tossed all those suckers in there [emoji14]
I have a good number and variety of snails now, all the crabs pitch in with the algae as well. The only thing I haven't really added is the flatworm. Still looking into that one for now.
Hmmm... For the past 6 months I haven't had any problems with my little freshwater tank and a few days after I leave for the break, a Molly is dead... This seems to happen every so often with it. They get separation anxiety thinking I'll never come back and kick the bucket. Lol other than that, timers and feeders and the neighbor are a help. Give extra detailed instructions and pre-measured food help. But then again, you wouldn't believe what I've come home to in the past...
I decided to leave the sw light on a high moonlight for the first 6 days to keep algae away and then resume normal time the next 4 days till I got back. Worked pretty well, just a little algae on the glass like usual.
I noticed today that I think something layed eggs on the wall and one on the glass. Little round white flat circles, about 7 total. Pic if possible tomorrow.
I have a good number and variety of snails now, all the crabs pitch in with the algae as well. The only thing I haven't really added is the flatworm. Still looking into that one for now.
Hmmm... For the past 6 months I haven't had any problems with my little freshwater tank and a few days after I leave for the break, a Molly is dead... This seems to happen every so often with it. They get separation anxiety thinking I'll never come back and kick the bucket. Lol other than that, timers and feeders and the neighbor are a help. Give extra detailed instructions and pre-measured food help. But then again, you wouldn't believe what I've come home to in the past...
I decided to leave the sw light on a high moonlight for the first 6 days to keep algae away and then resume normal time the next 4 days till I got back. Worked pretty well, just a little algae on the glass like usual.
I noticed today that I think something layed eggs on the wall and one on the glass. Little round white flat circles, about 7 total. Pic if possible tomorrow.
sam.basye
New member
Update. Just finished a 5 day blackout which eliminated all the algae on the rock, sand, everything.. manual toothbrush day one and day 5.
Going to look into getting a uv sterilizer.
All the new critters are doing fine, haven't seen the flatworm in a while though. The serpent stars are hidden in the back and moving sand and rubble around - I think it is them..
Coral is growing well with the new light!
Snail eggs disappeared after a couple days...
White oval egg things hatched a few days ago. Do not know what they are and never saw anything afterwards.
top center
after
skimmer doing its thing
Going to look into getting a uv sterilizer.
All the new critters are doing fine, haven't seen the flatworm in a while though. The serpent stars are hidden in the back and moving sand and rubble around - I think it is them..
Coral is growing well with the new light!
Snail eggs disappeared after a couple days...
White oval egg things hatched a few days ago. Do not know what they are and never saw anything afterwards.
top center
after
skimmer doing its thing
Very cool. Hey, on the third pic, with the sea star and stylophora, is that a flower (rock) anemone?
sam.basye
New member
I believe they (I have 2) are calliactis tricolor anemones I found washed up in Charleston SC.
I actually came home this past week and the hermit had attached it to it's shell!
Look up post #64 when I first got them.
I decided I didn't want it stinging everything on the shell so I relocated it there.
I actually came home this past week and the hermit had attached it to it's shell!
Look up post #64 when I first got them.
I decided I didn't want it stinging everything on the shell so I relocated it there.
That looks tight, Sam! Of course now I want a full tank shot...
sam.basye
New member
Thanks!
Here are some FTS's for you.
Tank and fish cabinet
I'll take a better one in a few min
check out the growth - look at the base where it meets the wall. The 1/2" -3/4" stubs that weren't there when I first glued it in.
Look center at red led - didn't realize the fans would suck in winged insects D: at least two fruit flies to date...
My torch ended up getting some weird receding dead spots on the stalk/skeleton... happened over the weekend I was gone a few weeks ago. Isn't affecting the health as of now.
I got some more of them white egg sack things too. I have a snail in QT (1/2 gal plastic betta tank) as it has two egg sack things on its shell. Waiting to see if they hatch so I can determine what they are!
Here are some FTS's for you.
Tank and fish cabinet
I'll take a better one in a few min
check out the growth - look at the base where it meets the wall. The 1/2" -3/4" stubs that weren't there when I first glued it in.
Look center at red led - didn't realize the fans would suck in winged insects D: at least two fruit flies to date...
My torch ended up getting some weird receding dead spots on the stalk/skeleton... happened over the weekend I was gone a few weeks ago. Isn't affecting the health as of now.
I got some more of them white egg sack things too. I have a snail in QT (1/2 gal plastic betta tank) as it has two egg sack things on its shell. Waiting to see if they hatch so I can determine what they are!
I remember when you were quizzing me about the foam changing color… Now you've schooled us all, with your sweet, tidy setup!
Doesn't have to be big. Doesn't have to be complex. Just well-thought out, and executed. Well done! Can't wait to see more!
Doesn't have to be big. Doesn't have to be complex. Just well-thought out, and executed. Well done! Can't wait to see more!
sam.basye
New member
Making me blush Michael 
Ahh, the foam changing color question(s).. Guess I'm not paranoid about it anymore lol. Very little of my wall is exposed to just air. I don't see much variation in color. The part I sawed off to fit the big hob filter is still black.
I also remember being forced into documenting the process and running the risk of public humiliation when it turned into an algae infested, coral and fish killing disaster.. So far I have avoided this! For the most part..
I didn't realize that I could selectively take pictures when I want so that no one ever sees the bad days lol. Makes me look like a seasoned pro with no problems. Far from the case. I have been having to cut the lights a couple days every other week from the algae accumulating all over the sand bed. It got pretty bad this past week for whatever reason.. But these are pics that magically go away [emoji14]
Michael, I think I contracted the brown Cyrano from reading your build thread. Haha
Just bought a UV sterilizer to help keep it at bay. Will hopefully be here early next week.
I'm thinking about adding 2 more chromis. But I want a clown pair too. The clowns might come first. Not sure when though, them and some chaeto for the fuge.
Snappy found a way to the back somehow! He goes back and forth so it's OK for now.
Experimenting with foam in the skimmer to get rid of the copious amount of micro bubbles as well.
That's all for now!
Ahh, the foam changing color question(s).. Guess I'm not paranoid about it anymore lol. Very little of my wall is exposed to just air. I don't see much variation in color. The part I sawed off to fit the big hob filter is still black.
I also remember being forced into documenting the process and running the risk of public humiliation when it turned into an algae infested, coral and fish killing disaster.. So far I have avoided this! For the most part..
I didn't realize that I could selectively take pictures when I want so that no one ever sees the bad days lol. Makes me look like a seasoned pro with no problems
. Far from the case. I have been having to cut the lights a couple days every other week from the algae accumulating all over the sand bed. It got pretty bad this past week for whatever reason.. But these are pics that magically go away [emoji14]Michael, I think I contracted the brown Cyrano from reading your build thread. Haha
Just bought a UV sterilizer to help keep it at bay. Will hopefully be here early next week.
I'm thinking about adding 2 more chromis. But I want a clown pair too. The clowns might come first. Not sure when though, them and some chaeto for the fuge.
Snappy found a way to the back somehow! He goes back and forth so it's OK for now.
Experimenting with foam in the skimmer to get rid of the copious amount of micro bubbles as well.
That's all for now!
Good point about the pics! I just couldn't bring myself to post pics of my cyano-scourge…
Sure, you've still got a struggle like the rest of us, but it makes it all worth it with a good full tank shot!
Sorry I made you blush-not! I remember the epic battle I had, designing and building my fake mangrove root. I had doubters at every turn! But when I finished it, I got some very rewarding comments. We all do better with some encouragement from our peers! I say pay it forward!
Sure, you've still got a struggle like the rest of us, but it makes it all worth it with a good full tank shot!
Sorry I made you blush-not! I remember the epic battle I had, designing and building my fake mangrove root. I had doubters at every turn! But when I finished it, I got some very rewarding comments. We all do better with some encouragement from our peers! I say pay it forward!
sam.basye
New member
So, I am finally not so busy with school and life, just graduated!
I have a few new updates on the tank,
New fish!, Hermit crab, UV sterilizer, and my newest toothpick barrier!
I bought a nice misbar occellaris clownfish
and a novelty crab lol I couldn't resit. It looks just like my big hermit, but darker brown.
The UV sterilizer was probably a waste, being that I'm trying to get rid of algae that isn't floating in the water, but on the substrate. This thought didn't occur till after I bought it, oh well.
Toothpick barrier to keep my two scarlet hermit bastards from crawling to the 'fuge and making me retrieve them..
Pushed each 'pick in a far as they would go
Broke off the pointed end and pushed them back in so they were all flush
Completely blocking all direct access over the wall and into the 'fuge
- I watched my emerald run between them like it was nothing... It has kept the hermits out though! There is still access through the overflow section.
Check out the size of these claws!
I'm on the look out for a reasonably priced fancy female occellaris and a BTA for their host which will be the next thing on my list.
I have a few new updates on the tank,
New fish!, Hermit crab, UV sterilizer, and my newest toothpick barrier!
I bought a nice misbar occellaris clownfish
and a novelty crab lol I couldn't resit. It looks just like my big hermit, but darker brown.
The UV sterilizer was probably a waste, being that I'm trying to get rid of algae that isn't floating in the water, but on the substrate. This thought didn't occur till after I bought it, oh well.
Toothpick barrier to keep my two scarlet hermit bastards from crawling to the 'fuge and making me retrieve them..
Pushed each 'pick in a far as they would go
Broke off the pointed end and pushed them back in so they were all flush
Completely blocking all direct access over the wall and into the 'fuge
- I watched my emerald run between them like it was nothing... It has kept the hermits out though! There is still access through the overflow section.
Check out the size of these claws!
I'm on the look out for a reasonably priced fancy female occellaris and a BTA for their host which will be the next thing on my list.
sam.basye
New member
After a nice break from everything, I am back at the tank again.
I was super paranoid, did I say super.. for a few reasons.
Reason 1: I was going to be out of town for 3 weeks. Only bad things happen when other people are left in charge of your tank.
I saw everything and all my hard work being flushed down the pot whenever I thought about it.
Reason 2: I rent a mid 1800's cottage from a tightwad - still waiting for it to be unbearably hot before he will install the window a/c unit.
Therefore: when the temp inside of the house hits the high 80's at the peak of the day because I am not going to be home to open windows - tank starts to boil all its inhabitants. I had to rush back home before I took off for the 3 weeks and that is when I started getting paranoid. The tank was in the mid 80's. :uhoh3:
The guy taking care of the tank had a small fan to blow at the top of the tank and I think that is what saved me from losing everything. My 26 gal tank went through almost 10 gal of top off water over those three weeks!
This lit a fire under me and I just installed a custom back strip for the tank with 3 small fans. This should get the warm air out and keep the tank a few degrees cooler. I'm still contemplating the concept of building a chiller/heat exchanger for the tank.
The only thing that I lost over the break was a crab; found it all dehydrated and crispy in the empty trash can on the floor next to the tank, and I can't find one of the little anemone things. The one I can see has been moving.
So, I am very happy with the survival of the tank!
Ive noticed more growth with most of the corals as well.
Bought me a little 3 head frag of neon green cualastrea I need to put somewhere.
Here is a pic of the custom plastic back strip. Will post a pic installed tomorrow. Still need to cut out holes for the mangrove propagules.
I only shocked myself twice and blew one circuit breaker while building it. lol
I've been wanting to build a new tank...
I was super paranoid, did I say super.. for a few reasons.
Reason 1: I was going to be out of town for 3 weeks. Only bad things happen when other people are left in charge of your tank.
I saw everything and all my hard work being flushed down the pot whenever I thought about it.
Reason 2: I rent a mid 1800's cottage from a tightwad - still waiting for it to be unbearably hot before he will install the window a/c unit.
Therefore: when the temp inside of the house hits the high 80's at the peak of the day because I am not going to be home to open windows - tank starts to boil all its inhabitants. I had to rush back home before I took off for the 3 weeks and that is when I started getting paranoid. The tank was in the mid 80's. :uhoh3:
The guy taking care of the tank had a small fan to blow at the top of the tank and I think that is what saved me from losing everything. My 26 gal tank went through almost 10 gal of top off water over those three weeks!
This lit a fire under me and I just installed a custom back strip for the tank with 3 small fans. This should get the warm air out and keep the tank a few degrees cooler. I'm still contemplating the concept of building a chiller/heat exchanger for the tank.
The only thing that I lost over the break was a crab; found it all dehydrated and crispy in the empty trash can on the floor next to the tank, and I can't find one of the little anemone things. The one I can see has been moving.
So, I am very happy with the survival of the tank!
Ive noticed more growth with most of the corals as well.
Bought me a little 3 head frag of neon green cualastrea I need to put somewhere.
Here is a pic of the custom plastic back strip. Will post a pic installed tomorrow. Still need to cut out holes for the mangrove propagules.
I only shocked myself twice and blew one circuit breaker while building it. lol
I've been wanting to build a new tank...
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