High Nutrient Macro Algae/Sea Grass Reef

I released Plank this evening. He swam around a bit but I did see a pesky damsel swishing his tail at Plank. The wrasse is a third bigger than any of the damsels so I am going to watch and see what happens.
 
Plank is doing ok, I think. He hangs up near the surface above the powerhead but I much prefer that to him hiding in the rocks. I see him eating so that was good.

I am sorry to report that I found Marmalade dead in the tank last night. I could barely believe it. Bummer!
 
ThePurple12 said:
Aw man, not the blenny! Do you know why?
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I know, it stinks. Yes, he was an orange spot blenny and he had the best personality. I have no idea why. He was chased by the tang but he never seemed stressed over it. I would see him retaliate with a swim by attack from above but maybe he was more impacted than I knew. All I know is I miss him, he was a cool fish.
 
My hubby took me to me to a LFS to get a salt acclimated molly, which I picked a nice female for Molly McGuire, my male.

We also saw some adorable baby occellaris clowns cheap so came home with one of those too. And I am a sucker for feather duster worms so bought a cluster of 3 with a small green freebie attached. My feather duster garden is growing. I have 5 large Hawaiian types with 4 littler ones. I love them all.

Plank is doing very well. Although he stays near the powerhead he will now leave that area to chase food and he is eating well now. That helps take the sting out of losing Marmalade.
 
That's a good haul! I love dusters too. Pics? With the new clown, how many do you have now? Which tank will you keep your mollies in? With a male and female, you'll soon have babies! Seeing one born is intense. As soon as it's out, both parent fish try to eat it! But some make it and its cool to watch them grow and survive.

Go Plank! Can't wait to see that beautiful fish.
 
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Cool, is that Gracilaria hayi at the top? If so, I wonder why it’s spreading out like that. Mine always grows in a bush shape.
 
Great pics! Looks like Plank is easing his way into the community. Cute new clownfish. Also in that pic, your Grasilaria hayi looks like plating montipora. Nice! Beautiful pic of Flame, the firefish. You've got quite the feather duster grotto going. Another gorgeous pic!

Dawn, your tank looks amazing!
 
Michael Hoaster said:
Great pics! Looks like Plank is easing his way into the community. Cute new clownfish. Also in that pic, your Grasilaria hayi looks like plating montipora. Nice! Beautiful pic of Flame, the firefish. You've got quite the feather duster grotto going. Another gorgeous pic!

Dawn, your tank looks amazing!
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Thanks Michael, I am glad that the grasilaria hayi looks like a monti because I can't seem to keep those, LOL.

I am happy with how the fish are doing with each other. They seem to be getting along alright.

In general the tank and system are doing well and I am pleased.
 
That's funny ThePurple12 and I both noticed your G. hayi's growth. I remember when I had it in the Caribbean tank. Some of it grew in a more bushy shape and some grew into a more plate-like structure. This demonstrates one of my favorite science-y terms; phenotypic plasticity, where the same species of plant can show different growth forms, in different conditions.

I'm so jealous of your fish community. Who needs TV when you have live and in-person fish soap operas playing continuously! I miss that. I need more fish…
 
Michael Hoaster said:
That's funny ThePurple12 and I both noticed your G. hayi's growth. I remember when I had it in the Caribbean tank. Some of it grew in a more bushy shape and some grew into a more plate-like structure. This demonstrates one of my favorite science-y terms; phenotypic plasticity, where the same species of plant can show different growth forms, in different conditions.

I'm so jealous of your fish community. Who needs TV when you have live and in-person fish soap operas playing continuously! I miss that. I need more fish"¦
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Some of my gracilaria hayi would grow more bush like, (n fact it all started that way) but as time has passed it is nearly all growing more plate-like. There must be something unique about my tank that is causing that????

Fish soap operas are great until they turn into murder mysteries! Or worse yet dramatic thrillers where a hapless victim is being stalked!!! I have tried hard not to allow that to happen but it can be tricky at times. There can always be a renegade even among docile species or cowering wallflowers among what should be more bold species.
 
I think flow and light are the two biggest factors that change growth forms, although mine grows the same way wherever I put it.
 
Agreed. Maybe light is most important, not sure. I enjoyed keeping it in the Caribbean biotope tank. It grew so well I eventually got tired of it.

I know what you mean, Dawn, with the show getting too dramatic! It's great to have lot's of fish, but it can be intense. I remember my seven member gramma harem took months to settle down, until Big Daddy emerged from the juvenile females.
 
Michael Hoaster said:
Agreed. Maybe light is most important, not sure. I enjoyed keeping it in the Caribbean biotope tank. It grew so well I eventually got tired of it.

I know what you mean, Dawn, with the show getting too dramatic! It's great to have lot's of fish, but it can be intense. I remember my seven member gramma harem took months to settle down, until Big Daddy emerged from the juvenile females.
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It has also grown great in my tank and at times I feel like its growth may be limiting some of my other macro algae? I probably should prune it back more drastically.

Last night I noticed that Monarch, my royal gramma has a film on his body and I caught him scratching and breathing heavy. Now I am very nervous. I do not know if I can catch him and move him into a hospital tank. I have prazipro. I am going to do a bigger water change too. Yeah, fish drama can stink! Especially if one is worrying about a pandemic in the tank!!!
 
Michael Hoaster said:
I hope everything's ok. I was never able to catch any grammas when mine got ICK. Crossing my fingers!
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I too am hoping for the best but doubt that I will be able to catch him. I did a sizable water change, (about 15 gallons) hoping that may help. Last night when I looked at Monarch he appeared to have less of a film look but I do not like the way he was breathing. I will check him out tonight since I did the water change. Everyone else seems good.

This morning I checked on the new female molly and she looks to be settling in well. Molly McQuire is quite smitten with her but not overly intrusive so that is good.

I should name her and the baby clown soon.
 
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