My thoughts exactly, Sam. I don't think it matters to them. I think it must be a 'logical conclusion' that someone came to, and it got repeated.
Weeds
- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
- Start date
Thanks for chiming in, Sugar Magnolia! It's nice to hear from you again. We seem to be reaching a consensus that barnacle blennies are great. I'd love to have more!
You know Dawn, it almost seems like they have a split personality. Most of the time, they're cautious, staying safe in their holes. Then, on rare occasions, they like get out and show off. Or, they'll cruise around, shopping for a new house. They're very social with each other, which adds to the entertainment!
It sounds like you're really enjoying your blenny tank! Woo!
It sounds like you're really enjoying your blenny tank! Woo!
The Royal Grammas are settling into QT. Acclimating seven fish at once is challenging! Hopefully, they can get through quarantine without much stress. I'm feeding them well. They seem to be doing OK. Tonight I noticed one of the mollies in QT scratching. I immediately initiated lowering salinity. I'll get it down to hypo levels over the next day or two. We'll see how it goes, and I'll decide if additional measures are needed.
Today I drip acclimated around forty or so mini strombus snails, and added them to the display. I hope they like diatoms! The two mollies I have in there have already made a dent in them. Now it's time to diversify!
It looks like I have to wait another week on the manatee grass. That will actually work out well, as it's been pretty cold around here lately, and it's supposed to warm up next week. Can't wait!
Today I drip acclimated around forty or so mini strombus snails, and added them to the display. I hope they like diatoms! The two mollies I have in there have already made a dent in them. Now it's time to diversify!
It looks like I have to wait another week on the manatee grass. That will actually work out well, as it's been pretty cold around here lately, and it's supposed to warm up next week. Can't wait!
lapin
New member
Those blennies are cool.
I did 5 royals, QT in a 10g for 2 weeks. I got small ones. They all made it thru TTM and Prazi. I would have to look to be sure I still have 5. One got large and the others are 1/2 that size. Each one has a spot in the rocks equal distant from the others. They do socialize in the am before lights on and at night before lights out. Same with the P-jammas. And of course at feeding time they dont care who's around. Its a free for all.
I did 5 royals, QT in a 10g for 2 weeks. I got small ones. They all made it thru TTM and Prazi. I would have to look to be sure I still have 5. One got large and the others are 1/2 that size. Each one has a spot in the rocks equal distant from the others. They do socialize in the am before lights on and at night before lights out. Same with the P-jammas. And of course at feeding time they dont care who's around. Its a free for all.
vlangel
Premium Member
I am loving the blenny tank. Usually I hate keeping up 2 tanks but the blenny tank is so easy and entertaining. It's not just the blennies, it's also the many inverts (shrimp and crabs, especially) that add to the joy. There is always something interesting going on in their world's as well.
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McPuff
New member
Michael, I would definitely suggest TTM at some point as grammas are so susceptible to ich. And with TTM you're basically ridding your new fish (and your system) of the parasite. This also means you don't have to bother with hyposalinity... and that sounds like a pain to me. Makes QT really straightforward. Prazipro and medicated foods and time. Done.
That said, my TTM tanks are about 6 gallons each. I suppose I could take 4-5 small grammas through 12 days in those small tanks. They typically won't eat too much anyway and only 3 days per tank means the water doesn't get too fouled anyway. I'll have to see what kind of price I can get from my LFS.
That said, my TTM tanks are about 6 gallons each. I suppose I could take 4-5 small grammas through 12 days in those small tanks. They typically won't eat too much anyway and only 3 days per tank means the water doesn't get too fouled anyway. I'll have to see what kind of price I can get from my LFS.
Thanks McPuff! I appreciate your input. I've seen you work miracles with your quarantine prowess!
I love how TTM works. It is an elegant solution. But it is more complicated in my case, with seven grammas. Hypo salinity is the simpler option for my situation, I think. All I have to do is remove a bucket of water from QT, then add another bucket back of fresh water. And repeat until the desired salinity is reached. I'm doing this over the course of a couple days. The fish stay right where they are, so they don't have to endure the stress of capture and transfer, etc.
With TTM, I'd need to set up multiple buckets and put multiple fish in each, which would also be stressful for them, and complicated for me.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a believer in TTM! I just think with seven fish, I'd like to try the simpler option first. I can definitely make it happen though. I'd just need to set up some buckets with pvc pieces or something, so that multiple fish could cohabitate with as little stress to them (and me) as possible.
I'm going to study up on TTM in the meantime, so I'll be ready to commit to it, if/when the time comes. Also, I will continue mulling it over, and how best to do it with seven fish.
It sounds like you might be attempting it. Let's share our experiences and see what we can learn together.
I love how TTM works. It is an elegant solution. But it is more complicated in my case, with seven grammas. Hypo salinity is the simpler option for my situation, I think. All I have to do is remove a bucket of water from QT, then add another bucket back of fresh water. And repeat until the desired salinity is reached. I'm doing this over the course of a couple days. The fish stay right where they are, so they don't have to endure the stress of capture and transfer, etc.
With TTM, I'd need to set up multiple buckets and put multiple fish in each, which would also be stressful for them, and complicated for me.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a believer in TTM! I just think with seven fish, I'd like to try the simpler option first. I can definitely make it happen though. I'd just need to set up some buckets with pvc pieces or something, so that multiple fish could cohabitate with as little stress to them (and me) as possible.
I'm going to study up on TTM in the meantime, so I'll be ready to commit to it, if/when the time comes. Also, I will continue mulling it over, and how best to do it with seven fish.
It sounds like you might be attempting it. Let's share our experiences and see what we can learn together.
Today I've seen the first sign of green - some film algae on the glass. I think I'll go ahead and move Seymore (the cucumber) and Mom (the conch) over to the display. It would be good for the wife if I could break down the holding tank asap. My home office is kinda cluttered. The QT will stay up and running until I move all my schools through. Then I'll go back to my previous arrangement in the display cabinet, with a 20 and a 26 gallon QT.
In my search for Mom, I grabbed some macro algae that had some mini serpent stars in them. I added them to the bucket for acclimation to the display. Woo Hoo! I wonder where those came from. I found about six.
Interesting time for my tank. Starting up an ecosystem from the bottom up. I'm letting Nature teach me the next steps to take to assist in the process. Early days. Next wave of life will likely be worms and pods. I may try live mysids again. When I added them to v1, they got gradually picked off. If I could get them in before more fish are added, maybe they could build a sustainable population. That would be sweet!
In my search for Mom, I grabbed some macro algae that had some mini serpent stars in them. I added them to the bucket for acclimation to the display. Woo Hoo! I wonder where those came from. I found about six.
Interesting time for my tank. Starting up an ecosystem from the bottom up. I'm letting Nature teach me the next steps to take to assist in the process. Early days. Next wave of life will likely be worms and pods. I may try live mysids again. When I added them to v1, they got gradually picked off. If I could get them in before more fish are added, maybe they could build a sustainable population. That would be sweet!
Has anyone noticed the irony that a 19 page thread about weeds has none? Here's some old pics to wet your appetite:
vlangel
Premium Member
Has anyone noticed the irony that a 19 page thread about weeds has none? Here's some old pics to wet your appetite:
Those pics are some of the most beautiful that I have ever seen.
Woo Dawn, thanks! You're so kind!
Today I lowered salinity in QT down to 16ppt. One more bucket ought to get me there tomorrow. Everyone looks good and I've seen no further scratching. The royal grammas are getting along surprisingly well. Aggression is pretty limited, which is better for everybody. One of them is large, probably male. So the harem order may already be decided. That's cool! In my first attempt, with the same number of fish, there was a long period of general jerkiness between them. These fish seem mellower.
I got the cucumber and fighting conch into the display, after a long drip acclimation. When I looked for the sea stars, I could only find one in the bottom of my bucket. I found the others hitching a ride on Seymore! I got the coral skeleton out of the display. The former blenny resident is integrated into the 'rock group' now, which is now three. Plus one in the barnacles, and the fifth is back in his hole, high up the new fake wall.
I did some mods on the new fake wall. I hand drilled some holes through it to provide subsurface water flow to the wave box. This has nearly eliminated the bubbles. I also trimmed the top of the wall down a little, for improved flow. I'm gradually figuring out ways to optimize the wave box's performance. Once I get my ro/di setup working properly again, I'll be able to dial in the water level, which really effects wave height.
I got the cucumber and fighting conch into the display, after a long drip acclimation. When I looked for the sea stars, I could only find one in the bottom of my bucket. I found the others hitching a ride on Seymore! I got the coral skeleton out of the display. The former blenny resident is integrated into the 'rock group' now, which is now three. Plus one in the barnacles, and the fifth is back in his hole, high up the new fake wall.
I did some mods on the new fake wall. I hand drilled some holes through it to provide subsurface water flow to the wave box. This has nearly eliminated the bubbles. I also trimmed the top of the wall down a little, for improved flow. I'm gradually figuring out ways to optimize the wave box's performance. Once I get my ro/di setup working properly again, I'll be able to dial in the water level, which really effects wave height.
Thanks Kevin! Getting my tank back up and running took a lot longer than I expected. A lot of that was because of procrastination, and a lot was just life. Once I got through the major system hurdles I gained some momentum. Right now, all I have going is sand and rocks. It's not much to look at. But it is good to focus on the substrate, and adding the little guys that are so important to the ecosystem.
I'm of course anxious to get the manatee grass in. Should be this week! The two, little shoal grass plants have both put out new leaves, so that's encouraging. The snails, conch and cucumber all seem to be enjoying the diatoms. The mollies too. They've done especially well cleaning the back wall. I should be able to add worms soon. I just want to make sure there is enough for them to eat. They can probably get by on much less than I think.
It was fun, going through old pics for inspiration. It was also helpful to see what I liked, and what I didn't like. V1 was a jungle of color and life, and a whole lot of fun. Plus I learned a lot.
It will be another learning experience this time around, since I'm planning for things to be a bit different. I really want the manatee grass to dominate, with much less emphasis on macros. This will mean I'll have to modify my methods to get there. One of the biggest differences has already happened, with the large quantity of yard dirt included in the substrate. I'm thinking (hoping) that, with a fertile substrate, I'll have less dosing to do. The grasses should take off quicker, since they won't have to wait a year for the substrate to accumulate nutrients.
Of course, we'll have to see what Mother Nature has to say about all this! I'll be listening…
I'm of course anxious to get the manatee grass in. Should be this week! The two, little shoal grass plants have both put out new leaves, so that's encouraging. The snails, conch and cucumber all seem to be enjoying the diatoms. The mollies too. They've done especially well cleaning the back wall. I should be able to add worms soon. I just want to make sure there is enough for them to eat. They can probably get by on much less than I think.
It was fun, going through old pics for inspiration. It was also helpful to see what I liked, and what I didn't like. V1 was a jungle of color and life, and a whole lot of fun. Plus I learned a lot.
It will be another learning experience this time around, since I'm planning for things to be a bit different. I really want the manatee grass to dominate, with much less emphasis on macros. This will mean I'll have to modify my methods to get there. One of the biggest differences has already happened, with the large quantity of yard dirt included in the substrate. I'm thinking (hoping) that, with a fertile substrate, I'll have less dosing to do. The grasses should take off quicker, since they won't have to wait a year for the substrate to accumulate nutrients.
Of course, we'll have to see what Mother Nature has to say about all this! I'll be listening…
It occurs to me that I've thought a good deal about the 'what' I'm trying to achieve, but not so much about the 'how'. Basically, I want to take what I learned in v1 (which was a jungle) and use it to get what I want in v2, which (I'm hoping) will be more like a desert. Where v1 was a free-for-all, in v2 I want control.
How will I achieve this? What will I do differently? I mentioned above that adding dirt is the first big difference. The point of it is to give the seagrasses a fertile soil to grow in. This will allow me to deemphasize dosing the water column. I'd like to get the grasses in before I add macros, so they can get established without any competition.
Another big change is not having the DSB planter I made of coral skeletons. It provided a perfect substrate for macros to sprout from. It became a turf that required pruning - an endless battle. Without it I'll have much more control over where macros grow. And less pruning to do.
For the most part, this will be a more slow growing display. I've had my time in the fast lane. It was fun but too much work.
So, for now, I focus on the substrate. As life forms, I'm adding more characters. In time, it will be able to support a natural ecosystem, right in my living room.
How will I achieve this? What will I do differently? I mentioned above that adding dirt is the first big difference. The point of it is to give the seagrasses a fertile soil to grow in. This will allow me to deemphasize dosing the water column. I'd like to get the grasses in before I add macros, so they can get established without any competition.
Another big change is not having the DSB planter I made of coral skeletons. It provided a perfect substrate for macros to sprout from. It became a turf that required pruning - an endless battle. Without it I'll have much more control over where macros grow. And less pruning to do.
For the most part, this will be a more slow growing display. I've had my time in the fast lane. It was fun but too much work.
So, for now, I focus on the substrate. As life forms, I'm adding more characters. In time, it will be able to support a natural ecosystem, right in my living room.
Chasmodes
Well-known member
That kind of reminds me of my front yard, the endless battle to keep the wrong kind of weeds out. I'm losing that battle, and the war, though, and your underwater version has a much better chance at success!
As your plan unfolds, more and more I think about duplicating what you are doing for perhaps a section of my larger tank, starting with a plan building from the bottom up, not just dumping play sand in the tank. I have a luxury that I have yet to take advantage of, to actually bring in substrate from the actual ecosystem that I'm emulating. Anyway, this is very exciting!
BTW, any idea of when your grasses will arrive? Should be pretty soon, right?
As your plan unfolds, more and more I think about duplicating what you are doing for perhaps a section of my larger tank, starting with a plan building from the bottom up, not just dumping play sand in the tank. I have a luxury that I have yet to take advantage of, to actually bring in substrate from the actual ecosystem that I'm emulating. Anyway, this is very exciting!
BTW, any idea of when your grasses will arrive? Should be pretty soon, right?
Thanks Kevin! It was a losing battle with out of control macros, in v1. I brought it on myself of course. I drove the tank hard, with high light and nutrients. This gave me lots of good growth but it became too much of a good thing. My plan this time is push the seagrass and restrain the macros. Will it work? Time will tell.
Employing your local substrate is very exciting! I think it will look and work beautifully.
I'm hoping to hear from the collector any day now!
Employing your local substrate is very exciting! I think it will look and work beautifully.
I'm hoping to hear from the collector any day now!
That is the way I'm leaning, Kevin. The possible downside of that strategy is that without macros to help soak up nutrients, micro algae can take hold. So I may employ some macros to help keep the water column low in nutrients.
At this point I don't know anything for sure. In v1, it felt like the macros were outcompeting the seagrasses. I'd like to avoid that. I remember saying that it may have been better to start with the grasses only.
The big difference this time is the dirt in the substrate. That should provide for most of the seagrass' needs. If they do flourish in the dirt, that will allow me to be more stingy with water column dosing.
Bottom line is yes, I'd like to plant the seagrass first, and get it growing well before adding macros.
At this point I don't know anything for sure. In v1, it felt like the macros were outcompeting the seagrasses. I'd like to avoid that. I remember saying that it may have been better to start with the grasses only.
The big difference this time is the dirt in the substrate. That should provide for most of the seagrass' needs. If they do flourish in the dirt, that will allow me to be more stingy with water column dosing.
Bottom line is yes, I'd like to plant the seagrass first, and get it growing well before adding macros.
