Thanks Dawn. I should do a vid. Even though my tank isn't quite prime-time, I could at least show it before I get the water movement to a decent place. The wife wants to go camping, but the weather looks iffy, so I may be able to find the time.
Weeds
- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
- Start date
I think you're right, Kevin. But I have to admit, the UV was also instrumental, in the dino-fight at least. But getting natural consumers and competitors in early was a big benefit. I was also lucky I got the kind of dinos that didn't kill the critters that ate it.
Thanks McPuff. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, given its name. I would think the tentacles would be visible most of the time, but not easy to spot in my tank. I'll keep making the rounds with the magnifying glass and maybe it'll turn up. My white, Florida cucumber, Seymour, is rather pretty, as cucumbers go. What kind is your pretty one?
McPuff
New member
I'm not actually sure. It's black with a bright pink belly. Just did a quick search and I see it listed as, get this, a "black and pink cucumber!" :0) Holothuria edulis Based on the online prices, seems like I got over a 50% discount by buying at a swap! Gets about 12" apparently. Mine is probably 8-9" right now. It is the only one I've seen in person actually.
There are 2 Florida cucumbers that I don't see often unless I really look. And I've got 1 tiger tail that I hardly ever see. Last I knew it was in the same place for about two months straight. I think it wiggled it's way in between some rocks so who knows if it's still doing well. I assume so but never know.
Regardless, I do like having cucumbers and the black/pink is super active by cucumber standards. Definitely recommend them to anyone seeking an ugly but awesome invert for their reef. :0)
lifeoffaith
Member
I love cucumbers. I have a large Caribbean species in my Caribbean tank. As you said McPuff, I rarely see it.
Agreed lifeoffaith. What's not to love? They eat dirty sand and poop clean sand. Elegant!
In my experience, they can starve to death, if there's not enough detritus. That happened in the reef version of my 180, years ago. They get smaller and smaller. So I never keep more than one. I even toss some sinking pellet food in the tank occasionally just for them.
In my experience, they can starve to death, if there's not enough detritus. That happened in the reef version of my 180, years ago. They get smaller and smaller. So I never keep more than one. I even toss some sinking pellet food in the tank occasionally just for them.
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Too bad there isn't a land version for kitty litter... :hmm4::lol2:
That would be handy! And pretty gross…
Saturday I got a little bit done with the tank.
I did the tedious job of removing a pest macro that is trying to get established. It's a black/brown grasilaria, I think. I've seen it in two growth forms, or phenotypes. One is a thicker-stemmed phenotype, not far from the 'tree grasilaria', which looks OK. The other is more of a bushy turf that grows prolifically, and adds a rather dull color, dragging down the vibrant colors of everything around it. I had it in v1, and was never able to eradicate it. This time around, I'm determined to get rid of it, before it gets out of hand.
I pulled a few rocks to remove some bubble algae too. I have very little of it, and I'd like to eradicate it too. I considered getting an Emerald Crab, to go after the green bubbles, but after a little research, I decided against it. They eat small snails. While I was at it, I went ahead and modified my rock scape, as I had planned, to get a more natural looking arrangement. Only a few rocks were moved. I think I'm happy with it.
I pulled the Codium I had placed up on the fake walls, and put it back down among the grasses. After living with it for awhile, I decided it didn't look right. I like it much better on the sand.
I ordered some Caulerpa mexicana from eBay. Once again, I was disappointed. It was about one part caulerpa, two parts beard algae, which was inextricably tangled in a green mess. I picked what I could out of it and removed as much of the beardy stuff as possible, and put it in one of my QTs. Hopefully I can salvage some usable caulepra, without adding a pest. That someone would sell that makes my blood boil! It's like they cleaned out their tank, and sold the stuff they should have thrown away. Very disappointing.
I did a quick clean of my canister filter, and removed the charcoal, as well as the sponge filters, which are no longer needed. What remains is a little bio media and calcium media. I am continuing CO2 injection, through the intake.
I've seen no fish scratching for the last couple weeks or so, which is a relief. However, after reading a bit, I still have concerns. I could have ich in the tank. I don't know! I may not know until I try to add new fish. So I'm hesitant to start quarantining another round of fish. Rock and a hard place…
The Neon Damsels are growing, and growing more beautiful! Living jewels. I decided the enigmatic tuxedo damsel needed a name. My wife said his black and white coloring reminded here of prison clothes. So his name is Papillon.
I did the tedious job of removing a pest macro that is trying to get established. It's a black/brown grasilaria, I think. I've seen it in two growth forms, or phenotypes. One is a thicker-stemmed phenotype, not far from the 'tree grasilaria', which looks OK. The other is more of a bushy turf that grows prolifically, and adds a rather dull color, dragging down the vibrant colors of everything around it. I had it in v1, and was never able to eradicate it. This time around, I'm determined to get rid of it, before it gets out of hand.
I pulled a few rocks to remove some bubble algae too. I have very little of it, and I'd like to eradicate it too. I considered getting an Emerald Crab, to go after the green bubbles, but after a little research, I decided against it. They eat small snails. While I was at it, I went ahead and modified my rock scape, as I had planned, to get a more natural looking arrangement. Only a few rocks were moved. I think I'm happy with it.
I pulled the Codium I had placed up on the fake walls, and put it back down among the grasses. After living with it for awhile, I decided it didn't look right. I like it much better on the sand.
I ordered some Caulerpa mexicana from eBay. Once again, I was disappointed. It was about one part caulerpa, two parts beard algae, which was inextricably tangled in a green mess. I picked what I could out of it and removed as much of the beardy stuff as possible, and put it in one of my QTs. Hopefully I can salvage some usable caulepra, without adding a pest. That someone would sell that makes my blood boil! It's like they cleaned out their tank, and sold the stuff they should have thrown away. Very disappointing.
I did a quick clean of my canister filter, and removed the charcoal, as well as the sponge filters, which are no longer needed. What remains is a little bio media and calcium media. I am continuing CO2 injection, through the intake.
I've seen no fish scratching for the last couple weeks or so, which is a relief. However, after reading a bit, I still have concerns. I could have ich in the tank. I don't know! I may not know until I try to add new fish. So I'm hesitant to start quarantining another round of fish. Rock and a hard place…
The Neon Damsels are growing, and growing more beautiful! Living jewels. I decided the enigmatic tuxedo damsel needed a name. My wife said his black and white coloring reminded here of prison clothes. So his name is Papillon.
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Nice update on the tank Michael. It's always a crap shoot when buying on ebay. Hopefully, the caulerpa will tank hold in your QT and you can frag off of it.
Papillon is a cool name. I love the original movie with Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen. I haven't seen the remake, but it's on my list of movies to watch.
Papillon is a cool name. I love the original movie with Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen. I haven't seen the remake, but it's on my list of movies to watch.
Yep, Papillon is a classic. When I add more of the tuxedo damsels, I guess I'll have to give all of them french names. My target numbers are 5 total tuxedos and 8 total neons.
I have noticed a couple of downsides to keeping schools of fish. First it will difficult to name each fish, since it will be challenging to tell them apart. Also, it requires extra vigilance to observe each individual, to make sure it is eating, behaving normally, etc. But having had some practice, I know it can be done.
I meant to take pics last night, after dark, but I forgot. Here's a few I just took today.
The new rock layout. I see now one of the reds got loose. This arrangement gets the rocks further away from the glass at the end, easing maintenance. Overall it is less square and has a smaller footprint. There are now three rocks that rest on top of others, adding room for more fish to hide and sleep.
The grasses. I'm trying to strike a balance between keeping them clean and pretty, and allowing detritus to build up, as it does in nature. This will give additional cover and food for the detrivores.
One of the neons. As they grow, the shiny area grows too. Gorgeous!
Papillon, cruising.
I have noticed a couple of downsides to keeping schools of fish. First it will difficult to name each fish, since it will be challenging to tell them apart. Also, it requires extra vigilance to observe each individual, to make sure it is eating, behaving normally, etc. But having had some practice, I know it can be done.
I meant to take pics last night, after dark, but I forgot. Here's a few I just took today.
The new rock layout. I see now one of the reds got loose. This arrangement gets the rocks further away from the glass at the end, easing maintenance. Overall it is less square and has a smaller footprint. There are now three rocks that rest on top of others, adding room for more fish to hide and sleep.
The grasses. I'm trying to strike a balance between keeping them clean and pretty, and allowing detritus to build up, as it does in nature. This will give additional cover and food for the detrivores.
One of the neons. As they grow, the shiny area grows too. Gorgeous!
Papillon, cruising.
vlangel
Premium Member
Beautiful pics Michael. I like the looks of the rockwork closer to the back wall. It gives the impression that they (the rocks) tumbled down from the wall, the way they would in nature.
I thought I would really miss the fake mangrove root but I admit that I don't. I love the way the reds and greens play against each other. As an artist, red and green are compliments of each other and perhaps that is why it is pleasing to the eye.
So do the mollies get names too? Have any of their offspring grown up?
I thought I would really miss the fake mangrove root but I admit that I don't. I love the way the reds and greens play against each other. As an artist, red and green are compliments of each other and perhaps that is why it is pleasing to the eye.
So do the mollies get names too? Have any of their offspring grown up?
Just back from camping in Moab. Spring greens and flowers in the desert!
Thanks Dawn! I'm glad you like the rock work. Hopefully I can leave it alone! I really appreciate your comment on the lack of the fake mangrove root. I don't miss it either. I think the sand bar and patch reef combo provides enough interest and variation to make up for the loss. I am enjoying the colors as well. I was surprised how much I like the combinations of color in both green and red areas. It would be easy to allow the reds and greens to mingle more, but I think keeping them separate (mostly) will look really nice, as the plants mature.
I haven't named any mollies. Probably because I think of them as 'temps'. The ones I have now are the 3rd or fourth generation of offspring from the originals I bought when I had the Look Downs in v1. I'm not crazy about the way they look in a marine tank, but when I see them eating algae, I'm reminded why I like them so much. Like cucumbers or serpent stars, they're not much to look at, but their utility is hard to beat. They'll likely be moved down to the QTs in the near future. The female is pregnant, so I might wait for her to give birth beforehand, because I like having a school of tiny fish. We'll see.
I haven't named any mollies. Probably because I think of them as 'temps'. The ones I have now are the 3rd or fourth generation of offspring from the originals I bought when I had the Look Downs in v1. I'm not crazy about the way they look in a marine tank, but when I see them eating algae, I'm reminded why I like them so much. Like cucumbers or serpent stars, they're not much to look at, but their utility is hard to beat. They'll likely be moved down to the QTs in the near future. The female is pregnant, so I might wait for her to give birth beforehand, because I like having a school of tiny fish. We'll see.
Thanks Kevin. They're no oyster cultches but I like the rock scape too. Maybe it could inspire similar designs, where the reef's footprint is greatly reduced. I was inspired by fresh water planted tanks, for this design. I really liked seeing a lot of variations of green and texture within the areas of green, and then a small splash of red. That's what I'm going for. It's a new challenge to start with a design plan and stick to it, but I'm enjoying it so far, and I think it will grow into just what I wanted.
Big Ulva export today. I wanted my reds to be less spread out, so I moved the Dragon's Breath from behind the barnacle shells to the right of them. I like the tighter grouping.
From the end, down low.
From higher on the end.
Barnacle Blenny in the rock.
Rocks from the front.
The other Barnacle Blenny. Good look at the unknown green plant that's growing from some of the rocks. Also the Halymenia elongota (I think), which should grow into something special!
Back towards the grasses. The Codium plants are still doing well.
Thanks VWD! It's coming along. When the plants are grown in and I have more fish it'll really look good. I'm enjoying the journey and learning about Nature, in the process.
