Marshall Island Display !!

G

griseum

New member
Now that I'm out of the woods with the Rhomboidalis that scared the crap out of me last week, everything seems to be back to normal.

I built this system over the course of the last 2-3 months, and I'm still acquiring gear to get it ready for SPS, despite the relatively small size of the tank.

I would definitely enjoy any and all comments regarding the dedicated SPS route I hope to take, and the fish that are currently in the tank, all QT'ed, fat and happy now. (Thanks to everyone that helped me understand the Rhomboid's strange behavior.)

The stock list as of now, and I don't see any reason to add anything else fish-wise, unless I was to find another Marshall Island beauty. But I think the stock level is perfect right now.

Fish:
Cirrhilabrus rhomboidalis
Cirrhilabrus earlei
Nemateleotris helfrichi x3
Paracentropyge multifasciatus

Corals:
Ricordea yuma x1

Inverts:
Peppermint shrimp x3
Dwarf hermits x5
Turbo snails x3
Nassarius snails x2
Demosponge (purple with tubules) growing on LR

When I get back I will post the equipment so far, as I'm gathering the necessary pieces for (hopefully) a successful SPS tank.

Heres a few photos for the time being:

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Attachments

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That cant take over. Drop a tang in and bye bye caulerpa. That particular type he has in there doesn't grow all that fast and it easy to pull out. It also doesn't grow very dense. I use that in my sump with severeal others in place of cheato. I like that because I can weed and feed it to my tangs.

Cool display, I like the caulerpa here and there. I can't have something like that because I have too many tangs they destroy it fast.
 
triggreef said:
That cant take over. Drop a tang in and bye bye caulerpa. That particular type he has in there doesn't grow all that fast and it easy to pull out. It also doesn't grow very dense. I use that in my sump with severeal others in place of cheato. I like that because I can weed and feed it to my tangs.

Cool display, I like the caulerpa here and there. I can't have something like that because I have too many tangs they destroy it fast.
Click to expand...

What kind of tang is that for your avatar?
 
Re: multibar angel
Could you share any tips / shed some light on how you conditioned the fish to eat, what it eats - really, anything you think would help? How long have you had it? How long in QT?

I just got one that is a little over a week now, and appreciate any help I can get to ensure success. Yours is beautiful!
 
Thanks everybody for the compliments!
As far as the Caluerpa species that are in this tank, some of the LR traveled from my big system in the basement, which has multiple large refugium tanks in-line, with a large shark lagoon. So with the rocks, certain algae came as well. As did that really cool purple sponge, and now a yellow sponge is growing on the other side of the tank in the back!
As far as it taking over, It's actually dying off now! I'm not sold on ZeoVit yet, so what I've been testing is different types of Zeolites mixed in with Seachem Matrix Carbon, and SeaChem SeaGel. That coupled with the NR-1 CAD reactor with Brightwell Katalyst biopellets. That NR-1 reactor, despite its size, is the best pellet reactor I've ever seen, relatively speaking. So after playing around with the Zeolites, the Bubble Magus Curve skimmer breaking in, and Water changes, a lot of the Macro is shedding away, or Ive been removing it manually as it shows signs of turning clear.

EatBreakfast- Thanks! As far as the geographic location, all of these fish were collected and imported from MI. It just happened to all come together perfectly!

Which leads to the question about the Multifasciatus....

jonros_sea- The multifasciatus or multibar angel is a fish that I have drooled over for years. I had read very early on that collection point is crucial to survival. Whatever the collection methods used at some of the other locales, ie. Indo, "Bali", Philippines, result in a fish that does poorly, almost 100% of the time after you acquire it from a retailer. However, the Marshall Island Multifasciatus, with different collection methods, a more responsible chain of custody(? I'm speculating here) and in most cases, a slightly higher cost at the end, is one of the intelligent ways to go about purchasing this fish. LiveAquaria has also been bring them in from Vanuatu, and they have a similar success rate as do the Marshall Islands collected specimens.
In my other tanks, I feed NewLife Spectrum exclusively, varying sizes and recipes. I try to get every single fish onto pellets as fast as possible. I have great success with using NLS as the first food to hit the tank.
For this tank, I'm using thoroughly rinsed Frozen mixes like Mega-Marine, Angel formula, Spirulina-brine, etc. They get that twice a day, as well as a feeding of NLS UltraRed formula 1mm pellets.
Being a smart shopper, as well as luck, played a big part in the success of the Multifasciatus I have. I waited the past 4-5 years since falling in love, to purchase this one, that was from the right locale, that was displaying grazing behavior in the LFS and fed in the LFS right as food was offered, also.

Thanks for the comments everybody! I would also like to hear criticism about the Zeolites, Carbon and SeaGel blend....

Heres a quick video.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rDyv6lqMFRc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Awesome looking tank. Not as nice as the shark pond but it still looks great. I like the Marshall Island theme. If I can redo my tanks I would have done specific bio types. I am looking forward to updates.
 
Thanks! Ive been contemplating adding more live rock/dry rock, but the pieces I have in there now seem to fit where they are so well, I dont know what to do? Haha
I tried to re-create a reef rubble zone for the helfrichs, and I'd like to have some sort of reef-slope area for the deeper water wrasses.
That and I'm doing mostly a Berlin Method, so more LR is important in a way....
 
The mystery wrasse is great! Just a bit of a bully with other wrasses and similar niche occupiers, IME. Defintely gorgeous coloration. Along with the helfrichs its a great color scheme!

Picked up a Hydor Smart Level and the recommended Sicce Syncra 0.5 pump for an ATO.
Another fantastic purchase from SaltwaterAquarium.com !! I've been using them pretty regularly and they have been phenomenal in every way. Customer service is top notch as well! Just a quick plug for Ken and the rest of the people over there!!!

Anyway, I've heard nothing but good things about the Hydor Smart Level, so Im looking forward to installing it.
As well as a Korallin C1502 calcium reactor which I've seen mixed reviews about.... hopefully it'll do its job.
Thanks again for the compliments!!!!
 
Hitch hiking. I'm also looking to host a Multibar, and was thinking of a very similar setup. I am actually surprised to see this. I thought my idea was kind of unique. :)
 
Unboxed both the Hydor Smart Level and the Sicce Syncra top off pump. Im very impressed with the Hydor. It makes me feel so more secure not having to rely on float switches. I've used them on other tanks and in other applications, with a terrible track record.
The Sicce Syncra is the quietest pump I've "Never" heard. Even coming on and off, dont even notice. Two solids items..... but Im already regretting this Reef Sump 75, as its overly tiny, and pretty much full already.
Next up is the Korallin C1502....

Pics soon...
 
So after using the Hydor Smart Level for a week, I must say it is by-far the best ATO I have ever used. I had to take off the Sicce Syncra I purchased along with the Smart Level, as it was too strong, even when reduced at the intake with the built in dial. Now with a much smaller pump, that meets the wattage and time requirements of the Hydor, I haven't had an hiccups at all. Its been fantastic.

Next on the agenda, I have the makings of the Mesh Cover for the tank, and I think I am going to put on my 250watt metal Halide, dual actinic fixture, so that I dont worry that the Current isnt putting out enough PAR.
Do you think a 250watt DE and dual PC Actinics is too much for these deepwater fish, and for corals in a 50gallon display? Im worried about roasting everything. It will be hung, and not sitting on the frame, so i can raise the fixture between 2 inches and 2 feet?
Thanks!
 
The inevitable happened. I had noticed two of the Helfrich's firefish pairing up, and the third was hiding more often. Over 48 hours, it turned into the pair trying their hardest to murder the third, where ever he went.
With some stroke of luck, i was able to catch the odd man out, and put him in an acclimation box. I was prepared for this to happen.

What are the odds that i have a true pair? Or will this happen again, narrowing it down to one?

I know its a roll of the dice. It could go either way, depending on the sexes of the two, especially. Anyone have experience pairing up Helfrichi firefish?
 
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Helfrichi FS?

Luckily the remaining pair dont seem to be paying number 3 any mind, in the box. I do have to move him to another tank now, or trade/sell him.
 
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