Joe's TBS Red Sea Max 130D

[joec]

Hi all -

After years of lusting after TBS rock, I finally got a tank to put them into! The wife bought me a Red Sea Max 130D for my birthday and after some life events happening (second child being born, etc) - I am finally up and running.

There are not enough nice things I can say about Richard - between his patience, guidance and enthusiasm - I am very thankful!

Anyway, here are some photos of me putting my part one into the tank last week. Can't wait for part two! More pics to come - enjoy!

Three boxes ready to go -

Smoothing out the sand bed -

Closeup of that great Florida sand -

Nice big piece of base rock -

Some smaller pieces of rock waiting to go in -

Already tons of life on these rocks! -

Rock is in! -

Some temporary aquascaping -

Sponges, snails and featherdusters - oh my! -

Nice little tower and small piece in the corner -

 

[joec]

Ok so as it turns out, I've spotted two gorilla crabs (so far). I know about the water bottle trap contraption, but does anyone have advice on helping catch these suckers? I assume I want them out before my part two goes in, right?

 

[joec]

Also, can someone ID this thing? It looks like some kind of anemone or maybe even egg pouches of some sort? No idea... (The thing the snail is 'pointing' at)

 

[discocarp]

Looks like tunicates.

 

[joec]

Yeeeeee haw!!! Part two is here and I have new pics for you all!

Boxes full of rocky & crittery goodness waiting to go in -

Bag O' Critters getting drip acclimated -

Unveiling the bag of beautiful rock -

Critters and stuff floating before going in -

Sponges and other things placed in the tank -

Question about the anemone hitchhiker in photo above ^ ^ ^ located in the bottom right of the photo. At least I THINK it'a an anemone of sorts. Can anyone ID it? Overnight, he got up and moved down under the rock behind it and is not coming out. I know some anemones are mobile and will pick new spots but I'm worried it will die if it's not getting any light. Any suggestions?

Another weird hitchhiker. Can anyone ID this one, too? It's very starfish-like.

Nice looking thing Richard threw in (thanks, Richard!). Need an ID if possible, please... Sorry for the focus, my point-and-shoot was struggling with this one.

More good looking sponge! (You can see thing from above to the right in this photo as well) -

Some more sponges - love that little yellow ball sponge! -

Finally, a full-tank shot (would love to hear your feedback on the aquascape) -

All-in-all I'm pretty amazed at the quality of the stuff Richard provided!! Simply amazing. I mean, I knew what I was getting before I ordered, but once you see it in person, it's a whole new story... Besides that, Richard is a very kind & patient person, fielding each of my emails with ease and being very accommodating. Thanks so much! I'll be sure to update with any new developments or things I find in the coming weeks & months!

 

[liverock]

Looking good!

Looking good!

Nice job Joe!

The starfish is in fact a basket star, they have a symbiotic relationship with the candelabra gorgonian you have in there...and will usually hang out attached to them....and the plants with the root balls, treat as you would a plant in your garden....make a hole in the sand and 'plant' it!

and the anemone is a flower anemone...I collect those down in the Keys.....and the other anemone...another common one that lives on the aquaculture site...they will move around until they find the spot in the current they like!

Keep us posted!

sea ya
Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com :rollface::rollface::rollface:

 

[joec]

Wait, which one is the candelabra gorgonian? And what plant with the root ball - the one on the left I put on the rock?

Thanks for the ID's, trying to grasp all this info!!

 

[liverock]

Wait, which one is the candelabra gorgonian? And what plant with the root ball - the one on the left I put on the rock?

Thanks for the ID's, trying to grasp all this info!!

LOL

Look here for Id's

http://tbsaltwater.com/thepackage/organisms.html

and yes...the plant on the rock.....I think you had a couple...stick them in the sand and they will root....and are great natural nitrate removers!

sea ya
Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com

 

[joec]

Hmmm, I don't think I have a candelabra gorgonian in the tank - nothing that looks like the one on the ID page.

I'll go ahead and stick that plant into the sand today! Thanks for the tip.