now, to sit back and wait...

[Ron Popeil]

well, i finally was able to complete my dream clownfish system. after months of planning, waiting, weeks of preparing and QTing...it culminated with its final additions: a collected pair of vanuatu chrysopterus and a purple heteractis crispa.

the fish have been fat and healthy from the get go, ive been extremely fortunate. they eat. they dig. and they interact perfectly. the anemone was a bit of a surprise too, as i had been holding out for a electric green haddoni carpet. but, seeing as how all three were collected together, and the store owner didnt want to seperate them....i did what i think really helped with their introduction: added all three. so far everything has been great out of QT, no dips no chemicals...just lots of observing and a darkened tank for them to relax in.

here we go.

here are the two tanks: chrysopterus on the left, nigripes on the right.

these pictures were taken yesterday, today i added a clear little tile of acrylic just in case something....ridiculously improbable....happens. theyve been digging alot under the anemone, which is about 15" or so across. i also suddenly got worried that one of them might suddenly jump out, so tonight im figuring out how to add a moonlight. other than that, i cant stop feeding them. i enjoy it far too much.

 

[ezhoops]

Ron, WOW, did I say WOW, You are making me very jealous. That is a awesome looking pair of white tails and a sweet anenome to boot. Man that is a sweet set up. Did I mention I love it.

You gotta pm with the details of the LFS you got them from. This is crazy sweet!!!!

 

[boyooso]

beautiful

 

[slcw]

nice indeed.

 

[stykthyn]

way to go Ron, I know you have been trying to get them for quite some time now.

 

[lt34]

Never seen that type of clown. They are beautiful. So is the Anemone.

 

[criccio]

Awesome set-ups!

Do the chrys venture very far out from their nem, or do they sit tight?

 

[MarinaP]

Very nice, Justin.

 

[steveweast]

Very nice Jorden....it's a lucky thing for you that you beat me there.

 

[ClownReef®]

WOW!..gorgeous clowns!

What type of lights are those Ron??

 

[phender]

Very nice. I'm glad your patience paid off. I think I like the purple crispa a lot better than the green haddoni. Most of the wild pic I see of chrysopterus they are either in a merten's carpet or a crispa. I think I am more impressed with the anemone than the clowns.

 

[Ron Popeil]

thank you everyone for the compliments, i definetely appreciate it, and hope im able to achieve something from this.

chris, the clownfish are fairly shy, and hug the anemone every chance they get. theyre very cautious. im sort of surprised by this, but im thinking they will learn to trust me the longer i have them.

steve, i didnt know you were interested! if you happen to pick some up in the future, please let me know, id love to see how they behave in your system.

ireef, those are 400w radiums housed in a lumenarc reflector.

phil, i think im much more pleased with the choice as well, i just had so very rarely seen a cripsa of this color, i expected it to cost far too much if i ever came across one. but yes, its much more rewarding to look at.

thanks again everyone!

 

[OCDP]

Beautiful setup ... I really like the way both those setups look. It gives me more inspiration for my clownfish/anemone setup. I'll have a pair of one true perc and one false, with a purple H. Crispa as well ! I am looking forward to it.

Anyways.. very nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[LargeAngels]

Very nice. I would cover the tanks. They aren't even my fish, but I got nervous when I saw the open tanks.

 

[Rare Angels]

Awesome setup, as a fellow white tail chrysopterus fanatic I love your set-up. I had a pair of white tails until a few weeks ago when the died from a bacterial outbreak in a new system.

Keep up the good work and like Large Angels said cover the tank otherwise they will jump out.

Dave

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Sweet

 

[Ron Popeil]

thanks again guys, i appreciate it, but as far as a cover....is egg crate what im doomed to use? or is there another method that would work?

 

[ezhoops]

yes clear screening, I'll get some pics up. Its basically insulation screening placed in a normal screen frame

 

[OrangeKoi]

Gosh, what about taking two glass strips, cut to fit slightly loose, use silicone to "hinge" them with then you eliminate the "flying fish" syndrome. I don't know if you care, but this also eliminates alot of evaporation. Then you can raise one side to feed.

 

[Ron Popeil]

evaporation loss is not a big problem, but what im worried about is salt spray and having to clean off these glass strips so frequently. this is me being lazy. also, being so close to the halides, they will get pretty hot, hot enough that theyd be unpleasant to move even with a piece of glass glued on as a handle....at least this is what i speculate. but eggcrate is unsightly with such a large amount, and glass would look better. it is something i will look into.