Mysterious New Guy

[BrianB421]

Quick update...

After nearly a week of looking for who was snacking on my zoas... I've found nothing. But then again, whoever it was decided to stop so I can't complain too much. I still have my eye on my emerald crab...

I received my Mg test kit and I was correct (or better yet, all the forums I read were right) and my Mg level was indeed low. It was sitting at 1150. My wife (the chemist) is mixing a batch of Calcium Carbonate and Epson Salt tonight. We will bring the Mg level up to around 1300 ppm tomorrow over the course of a few hours. I have a good feeling this will solve my minor snow storm. Here is to hoping for no ill effects from the increase in Mg!

After playing with the two Hydor Evo 1500s and the Smartwave controller trying to get the flow how I want it, I've decided to purchase an additional two more Evo 1500s to increase the overall water movement and maintain the random flow that's generated by having them alternating two at a time. I'm going to try the #4 sided dice setup as explained in my previous posts.

Pictures to come!

 

[BrianB421]

So I added the recommended amount of the DIY 2 part Mg to my tank last night. It advised waiting between 24-48 before testing the levels. My question is, how long will it take for the precipitate (given it was calcium carbonate due to low Mg) to go away once Mg levels are restored? Gratsy!

 

[worm5406]

It depends on mixing and how much was in there. Depending on how it bound, you may not get it to come out.

If you take a FINE filter sock and run your overflow into it you should be able to pickup some of the participate and get it removed. In a participate state it may not have enough trashing/flow to break it up and remove it.

Personally I would remove it out and check levels. That will ensure that it is up to the correct levels that you are looking for.

 

[BrianB421]

Quick update:

Snow Storm Problem: So all my levels are solid and the precipitate is nearly gone. The filter sock is taking care of it as well as the increase in water movement. I will continue to run the filter sock until it's completely removed.

Flow issue: I added two additional hydor 1500/1600s to the wave maker. All four are on the flat panel on the left side of my tank. They are set up very similar to a #4 side of a dice. I've got Top Left PH and Bottom Right PH on for 30 seconds then it switches to Top Right PH and Bottom Left PH for 30 seconds. This is creating a lot of random/chaotic water movement. The top two are pointed upwards as well as my pump return in order to break up the surface. This has given more of a shimmer to my LEDs as well which is a cosmetic plus. All the fish seem happy with the new flow, especially the Angels and the Tang.

Coral Update: I recently added several different zoa frags to the tank. The Emperor Angel hadn't picked at any up until a few days ago. He picked half the Gorrilla Nipples off it's frag plug. It was a cheap frag but it could be an indication of things to come. I may look at moving my zoas to another tank (future build). He hasn't really displayed any interest in the rest of my zoas, but I'm worried now he has the taste for zoa blood...
On a happier note, I will be getting an order from World Wide Corals today. I ordered my first SPS (Jedi Mind Trick Monti Frag) which I am very excited about. I also picked up a chalice (Pooti Tang Chalice) and a Yuma Ricordea to go in my ricordea garden. To round the order out, I purchased a small frogspawn colony (3-4 heads). Right now I only have softies like shrooms, zoas, button polyps, and ricordeas so I'm breaking into the LPS and SPS game. Should be a lot of fun. I will be posting pictures once they arrive. In the mean time, here are the links from WWC...
https://www.worldwidecorals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=F01
https://www.worldwidecorals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=F43
https://www.worldwidecorals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=F43


Fish: So, more developing with the duo of Angels in my tank besides missing zoas. At first, the Koran Angel was very dominant and would chase the Emperor from time to time since it's about 1/2 inch bigger. Well the Emperor figured out that it is quicker and more spry than it's "buddy" and is taunting the Koran. The Emperor will cut the Koran off to spark a chase and then dart away just to come back and do it again and again. Most of the time they ignore eachother so this is new. There is no nipping at fins or beating eachother up, just this game of chase that the Emperor seems to enjoy. They eat together and even sleep in the same cave so I'm leaning towards it being harmless. I still am keeping an eye on it and I see myself removing the Koran before too long if this "play" gets rougher.

I'm also looking at getting either a small harem of Anthias or Flasher Wrasse. Doing my research and trying to see what's best for the tank.

 

[BrianB421]

Here is a quick FTS. This is with the "Not so Smart Phone" so it's not the best shot. Those button polyps are getting out of control! The other is the Frogspawn colony I should be getting today. Updates on the new corals to follow.

 

[worm5406]

Yup I would knock those buttons out. But that is just me. Isolate them to a single rock at least.

 

[BrianB421]

Agreed. They started out as 2 or 3 polyps in two places on my tank just 6 months ago. Now they are getting crazy. I'm going to see if it's worth trading in one or two of those rocks to my LFS or if I'd be better off just cutting them away.

 

[BrianB421]

Few shots of the new frags. Should be placing them on the rockwork in the next few days.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Nice additions! :thumbsup:

 

[BrianB421]

Thanks! So I found the perfect spot for my frogspawn. Super glued it to the rock I wanted. The next day it was in the sand. I chalked it up to one of my bulldozer snails. So I glued it back on the rock. One hour later, it was back in the sand. So this time, I glued it back on and then stepped back and waited. Out comes my female Maroon Clown like a woman on a mission. She looks at the frogspawn for a moment and then proceeds to beat the frag plug like it stole something. After about 2 minutes of needless violence, the frag pops out on the sand. Big Momma (the previously mentioned clown) then starts cleaning off that rock. She gets her tail moving and kicking up sand all over my tank. This is not a spot I usually see my pair of clowns hanging out. My clown couple has been displaying all the signs of spawning for the past 3-4 months but I've never seen a clutch of eggs. Do you think this aggression is breeding related or is she just in disagreement with my placement choice? Here are some pics to laugh at.

 

[worm5406]

I think it is being a red-head maroon.

 

[oscarinw]

Hey Brian,
Catching up here. Beautiful tank but even more beautiful pair of Spinecheeks!
A couple of ideas here. Are you seeing pieces of the zoas missing or are they just closing, shrinking and dying? I know you said your Koran is nipping one of your colonies. Do you think that's who was behind your zoas situation?
Also, for flow, I would recommend you looking at a controlled DC pump. I think a WP40 would do great pointed towards the surface to create some good chaotic flow. Working with the Koralias, you would have something very close to random whereas if you doubled up on the number of Koralias you would just achieve another 2-way flow pattern. It is just an idea but worth considering I think.
One last thing is you said the wife is mixing calcium carbonate and epsom salts. That's not the correct combination for the 3rd part of the 2-part regimen. Maybe you meant Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate which is the correct ingredient, but just making sure.
Good luck with things and see you around!

 

[BrianB421]

I think it is being a red-head maroon.

Absolutely right. Love my firey red heads.

Hey Brian,
Catching up here. Beautiful tank but even more beautiful pair of Spinecheeks!
A couple of ideas here. Are you seeing pieces of the zoas missing or are they just closing, shrinking and dying? I know you said your Koran is nipping one of your colonies. Do you think that's who was behind your zoas situation?
Also, for flow, I would recommend you looking at a controlled DC pump. I think a WP40 would do great pointed towards the surface to create some good chaotic flow. Working with the Koralias, you would have something very close to random whereas if you doubled up on the number of Koralias you would just achieve another 2-way flow pattern. It is just an idea but worth considering I think.
One last thing is you said the wife is mixing calcium carbonate and epsom salts. That's not the correct combination for the 3rd part of the 2-part regimen. Maybe you meant Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate which is the correct ingredient, but just making sure.
Good luck with things and see you around!

I saw the Koran munch on a single zoa polyp. He didn't like the flavor and spit it out. Thanks Koran. :debi: If you read through, I ended up getting a total of four Koralias on the wave maker. Besides the random clicking noise when it starts in reverse, I like them. The flow is good and the way I have it set up makes it pretty chaotic. Good call on the MCH. You were correct on what I meant.

 

[BrianB421]

So I placed the frogspawn in a different spot. I also placed the new frags in other areas of the tank as well. Big Momma (Female Maroon Clown) decided she didn't like any of them. She was able to knock over the frogspawn (again). She also knocked over the rock that I places the ricordea on. What gives?

 

[BrianB421]

So I found a new spot at the front of my tank to put the Frogspawn. Big Momma approves... for now.

In other news, my local fish store is closing down and has all their livestock marked over 50 percent off. I picked up a few coral frags (candy cane coral, some variety of acan, and another ricordea for my wife's ricordea garden) but they weren't looking great in the store so I'm curious as to how well they perk up in my tank. I figured for 5 bucks a pop, it was worth the attempt to rescue them. I picked up a yellow prawn blenny (aka yellow watchman blenny) as well. I'm wanting to pick up a pistol shrimp in hopes they pair up. My tank is fairly large and I'm wondering what the chances are they will find eachother, and if they do, they will pair up? Anybody have any experiences with adding these two critters to a tank seperately?