Chasmodes
Well-known member
Hi Everyone.
Sorry that I haven't been around much. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I haven't made much progress on the large oyster reef tank. Life got in the way. However, I recently tidied up my working area and have reorganized the oyster cultches (dry) and am in the process of adding more Gorilla Glue to strengthen them. The 20g version of the tank taught me that, to have overhangs, those bonds must be stronger. There are many "loose" oysters, ones that are glued in but wobbly. I want them sturdy, like a real reef. I have a buddy that promised to help me with my stand, and another one that promised to help me set up and plumb my tank (including the sump and future water changing station).
I do have an ugly version of an oyster reef tank as well as some brackish fish in QT. Between both tanks, I have 7 skilletfish, 3 blennies, 3 gobies, 5 sheepshead minnows, one rainwater killifish, a bunch of mud crabs, a hermit crab and a bunch of other hitchhiker type inverts. I was thinking about collecting more osyter shells and creating a new reef for the 20g so I can focus on finishing the big tank without using the cultches that I already made for it.
That said, I've kept up the river tank. I ditched the roots because they took up too much room. I'm in the planning stage of how to hide my powerhead. I may make a different, smaller version of the faux roots, similar to how Michael made his faux mangrove root. I may use materials that I have now, or perhaps, spend money, on some sort of sculpting material. I'm leaning toward Polygem if I do that.
So, what about the river tank? It's full of colorful fish life. My plants died off during the winter cool down and did not come back as they might in the river, partly because of my battle with cyano and I pulled out the remaining plants.
I killed off the cyano by adding a phosphate remover to my cannister filter, and using a green slime algae killer. I got fed up as constant water changes did nothing. This worked. My tank has been cyano free for 3 weeks now and looks pretty good.
I'm really stoked because I've introduced a new species, added more of species that I've kept, and they're very active and in spawning colors. To find out more, check out my latest video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu-EfY2yaYA&t=199s
BTW, Michael, Dawn and others, sorry that I haven't been around. I'm catching up on your threads, lots to read, and I promise that I will participate once I catch up. I'm currently on page 65 of Michael's thread.
Best wishes to all!
Sorry that I haven't been around much. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I haven't made much progress on the large oyster reef tank. Life got in the way. However, I recently tidied up my working area and have reorganized the oyster cultches (dry) and am in the process of adding more Gorilla Glue to strengthen them. The 20g version of the tank taught me that, to have overhangs, those bonds must be stronger. There are many "loose" oysters, ones that are glued in but wobbly. I want them sturdy, like a real reef. I have a buddy that promised to help me with my stand, and another one that promised to help me set up and plumb my tank (including the sump and future water changing station).
I do have an ugly version of an oyster reef tank as well as some brackish fish in QT. Between both tanks, I have 7 skilletfish, 3 blennies, 3 gobies, 5 sheepshead minnows, one rainwater killifish, a bunch of mud crabs, a hermit crab and a bunch of other hitchhiker type inverts. I was thinking about collecting more osyter shells and creating a new reef for the 20g so I can focus on finishing the big tank without using the cultches that I already made for it.
That said, I've kept up the river tank. I ditched the roots because they took up too much room. I'm in the planning stage of how to hide my powerhead. I may make a different, smaller version of the faux roots, similar to how Michael made his faux mangrove root. I may use materials that I have now, or perhaps, spend money, on some sort of sculpting material. I'm leaning toward Polygem if I do that.
So, what about the river tank? It's full of colorful fish life. My plants died off during the winter cool down and did not come back as they might in the river, partly because of my battle with cyano and I pulled out the remaining plants.
I killed off the cyano by adding a phosphate remover to my cannister filter, and using a green slime algae killer. I got fed up as constant water changes did nothing. This worked. My tank has been cyano free for 3 weeks now and looks pretty good.
I'm really stoked because I've introduced a new species, added more of species that I've kept, and they're very active and in spawning colors. To find out more, check out my latest video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu-EfY2yaYA&t=199s
BTW, Michael, Dawn and others, sorry that I haven't been around. I'm catching up on your threads, lots to read, and I promise that I will participate once I catch up. I'm currently on page 65 of Michael's thread.
Best wishes to all!
