Update on my TBS rock...

[okiebones]

First shipment in November and second early December. An awesome bunch of life...300# rock, 150# sand and a bunch of different critters including alot of extra sent by Richard. And we ALL know he IS da' man! Of the original critters...all of the sea cukes have passed on...don't know why with the water parameters all good. Had 2 mantis about 1-1.5 inches long until yesterday when I found the king daddy himself...I'd guess close to 4 inches!! And looks mean! Doubt I'll ever get these guys out...they're way smarter than me. The only other losses along the way were a couple of sponges early on. The fact that everything else is still living is testament to how efficient the shipping is with TBS.
Other life in the tank now include:
Lawnmower blenny
2 Pajama Cardinal
Velvet Fairy Wrasse
Small Orange Starfish
2 Condylactus Anemone (thanx Richard)
2Gorgonia ( 1 red/1yellow)
Variouscoral..mushrooms, green star polyps, green brain
Now some pics:

 

[okiebones]

Left side of tank w/ star

 

[okiebones]

One of the Cardinals

 

[okiebones]

Velvet Fairy Wrasse

 

[okiebones]

Thw wonderful colors of TBS rock!

 

[okiebones]

The Brain and a meat coral in the upper center

 

[Splach]

Looks good Okiebones. Seems like a lot of fish to have in a 2 month old tank, but then I don't even have my tank yet and I want to put stuff on hold so I can't do much talking...

If you have a program that will let you do it is there any chance you could save the images larger? I am only getting like 1" by 2" and it is hard to see the good detail you seem to have in there.

 

[Sgt Fury]

Hey Okie, I'm waiting on my second shipment and would be interested to know how your second half cycled with the fish load. Also, ive got some of that orange...coraline?...on my rock. You wouldn't happen to know what that stuff is. I was using the red flashlight last night and noticed an orange aptasia like head in the middle of an orange patch of that stuff...pretty neat. Finally, I saw him.....his eyes just barely broke the plain of a piece of rock stacked against the back wall. I immediately new what he was and the rampage he could unleash in the tank if unchecked. I will stop this beast. I must, it is my duty. Once terminated, and he will be, I will mount his corpse above my tank and use a file to etch a hash mark on the tank's side. Now, off to devise a strategy and dress for a monumental battle with the Mantis-cong.

 

[liverock]

Hey Okie, I'm waiting on my second shipment and would be interested to know how your second half cycled with the fish load. Also, ive got some of that orange...coraline?...on my rock. You wouldn't happen to know what that stuff is. I was using the red flashlight last night and noticed an orange aptasia like head in the middle of an orange patch of that stuff...pretty neat. Finally, I saw him.....his eyes just barely broke the plain of a piece of rock stacked against the back wall. I immediately new what he was and the rampage he could unleash in the tank if unchecked. I will stop this beast. I must, it is my duty. Once terminated, and he will be, I will mount his corpse above my tank and use a file to etch a hash mark on the tank's side. Now, off to devise a strategy and dress for a monumental battle with the Mantis-cong.

There are no aptasia on our rock....they do not survive in the Gulf.....is another type of anemone..

off to the Keys!
Richard TBS:rollface:

 

[landlord]

Originally from HDTran in my post

The anemone is, I believe, a curlicue, not an Aptaisia. You can tell because the tentacles are curled and striped. The Aptaisia have a longer body, skinnier tentacles, and are all monochrome.

Just a thought

-landlord

 

[kashmir]

Sgt Fury

I have a lot of the orange stuff also. belive it is an encrusting sponge. Mine has recently developed 1/4 to 1/2" spikes coming out of a piece of it

 

[okiebones]

I agree with Kashmir..I think it is an encrusting sponge or a sponge of some type at least. Hey Sarg...if you win the battle let me know...I'm damn near obsessed with ridding my tank of the beasties. After seeing the really big one I'm figuring that they may be a bit easier to catch somehow since they can't hide as well.
As to the fish....I have 4 in the tank and added them gradually over about one month and have had no problem with tank parameters other than ammonia being 0.25. They seem to be doing really well. Mary at TBS told me that in the area of the Gulf that they pull rock the normal nitrate level is about 40 so the TBS rock and its life are used to it. I wont let it get over 40 but don't have a problem with it running 10-20 at all.
Doc

 

[kashmir]

Sgt. Fury
Is this the sponge you're talking about? The one I have with the spikes is on top and looks yellow in this pic. The bisg orge mass in the center is what i think you have.

 

[Sgt Fury]

Yep kashmir, thats the same stuff. Well then I guess the group consensus is an orange encrusted spounge. Mine has yet to develop points but, now that im mentally comparing the two species, they both have simliar vent holes. Oh, I checked out your pics....nice brain....any updates? I dont have a digital camera yet and am hoping the fat boy in red will be in a festive mood this year.

Landlord you hit it on the head....Its a curly cue. Not knowing what it was and fearful of an epidemic, I ran to the LFS and bought the last peppermint shrimp and few turbo snails. I bought the three snails with the full knowledge the second shipment would come with a cleanup crew. But, when I developed a short lived diatom bloom 2 days ago i once again panicked and had to do some thing right away......yes, I am a compulsive bafoon....at least the wife doesnt know.....

Okie my battle with "he/them who will not be mentioned" is in the begining stages. I have put together an impressive aresenal of weapons and strategys. Firstly, and as i write this, I just placed a 20 oz Mtn Dew bottle trap with half a frozen shrimp about 2 inches from the perps hole. I wasnt successful with a clear bottle last night. Only ended up with a conch.....I think I heard laughter among the rocks when i pulled that empty trap up. So, for my second attempt, I will darken the bottle color and place it closer to his liar. Patients is a virtue. Oh, I was really suprised at rotting smell my formerly fresh shrimp had after only one night in the tank...yeesh!! Also, being a flyfisherman and fly tyer, I have devised serveral harpoon like devices out of old hooks. I dont hold out much hope with it because I had a hard time piercing the rotting shrimp when I cleaned out the first bottle trap. If I dont get any results, I'm going to place a really fine hook in a piece of shrimp and dangle it mockingly around his liar. When he grabs it I will yank his twi tching butt out of the tank and introduce him to the bottom of my shoe. Regardless, i will keep you posted.

Last thing before I go off to bed. I found some really small worms or coral heads that look like a tiny flower with a purple center. Really surprised to find them. I can only imagine what time and the second shipment will come. i hope it comes before chrismas....see ya

 

[kashmir]

Sgt

I'll update some pics tomorrow. Spent time watching the sand last night. Fortunately I didn't get any of "he that won't be mentioned" I have two gorilla crabs that I need to deal with though. Anyone have any suggestions.

What kind of fly fishing do you do? Fresh or salt?

Overview of tank is attached. Still working on some of the plumbing details.

 

[Sgt Fury]

kashmir, in my LBK days (life before kids) i stuck mostly to fresh..trout, steelhead, etc. One day I hope to get my sons involved so I can enjoy it again.

anyways, no luck with "it". My green bottle trap was empty this morning. ....dam. I will break out the rod tonight and dangle the baited hook in front of his pathetic little face. If that doesnt work, i will back off a day or too and try a new tactic......fishing line snares.....hmmmm.

 

[Daoust]

You will catch the little guy.
I had 2 in my first half of the package I caught the first one in a week or so. the most recent capture took me about 3 weeks to get him.

I used the standard bottle trap every body is using accept I put holes around the bottle to let the stink out to attract him. and threaded fishing line in the holes to hold the bottle top on.
I ran the string out the side of the tank.

When I get home around 6pm I bait a fresh trap and turn on the tank lights. My mantis usually become active at that point. I then place the fresh trap in front of his hole up against the rock and wait. After a few minutes he would venture out to investigate the trap. once he gets into the mouth of the trap to investigate the food I yank the string the bottle shoots to the top of the tank and the mantis is left confused and ready to be re located.
So far this approach has worked 2 times. if he doesn't get in the bottle by the time I am done watching for him I just leave the trap till the next night when I pull it out and re bait it. Mine seemed pretty smart he must have touched all sides of the bottle and even came out and clubbed it a few times to be safe. One time he noticed the string leaving the top of the bottle and immediately ran back into his hole. Hmmmm
Anyway instead of the bait at the bottom of the bottle I found I had better luck it seemed with the bait closer to the mouth of the trap so they could reach in and get the food without having to run to the back of the bottle. And at that point when they reach I yanked and so far its Me 2 & Mantis 0.
Well thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s my 2c.
Good luck with your capture.
D.