Weeds

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks SaltySully! That's good to know.

It sounds like they're shifting the risk away from themselves and towards consumers. Good for them in the short term, but bad in the long term. If folks don't believe they can keep fish alive, this hobby is doomed.

 

[Chasmodes]

Nah, not snippy. I didn't take it that way. You're just trying to keep your thread on track I remembered from before that you weren't interested in them, but for some reason, I thought that maybe you'd changed your mind. I was mistaken. I won't bring them up from now on unless you do. "Saul Goodman"! :thumbsup:

It makes me feel like I'm not good enough for this hobby, and maybe I should try something else.

Well, it's not you, because of your approach, you're definitely good enough. The problem is that some things happen that we can't control, but have to deal with.

 

[SaltySully]

Thanks SaltySully! That's good to know.

It sounds like they're shifting the risk away from themselves and towards consumers. Good for them in the short term, but bad in the long term. If folks don't believe they can keep fish alive, this hobby is doomed.

That's about it sir.

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[SaltySully]

Sea grass looking good by the way!

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[Michael Hoaster]

Saul Goodman! Brilliant! Yeah, McPuff brought them up, and so we got into it again. No biggee.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep trying.

I just broke down one of my QTs to disinfect it, after losing two Neon Damsels to Uronema. Uronema is challenging. It can live without a fish host indefinitely, so a fallow period doesn't work. You have to bleach everything and let it dry thoroughly. I have the feeling I'll be doing it to my other two QTs, in the coming days…

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Stephen! I'm so grateful for the seagrass you collected for me. It's doing well!

If anyone's looking for seagrasses, SaltySully is your guy!

 

[Chasmodes]

Oh wow. Can you treat Uronema with meds?

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Yes. The problem is that once you see it, it's too late. I'm currently looking into meds, to prophylactically treat new fish. Chromis are especially prone to getting it, which is why I gave up on them and switched to damsels. Now I'm finding that damsels get it too. Yay.

 

[vlangel]

Michael, what is uronema? I am not familiar with that malady.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

It's a parasite.

Here's a link: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/disease/uronemamarinum.php

I started hypo salinity today, in all three QTs. I had them at about half way to hypo on introduction. I went ahead and added erythromycin to combat any bacterial infection.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I like this one so much I'm posting it again in a larger format.

A little tighter crop on Sargassum and reds.

Tighter crop on the Barnacle Blennies.

 

[Chasmodes]

I love those pics!!! Just like a real lagoon.

 

[McPuff]

Wow, you're getting a lot of growth on and around those rocks. Very cool!!! Lots of diversity too.

Sorry about bringing up the jawfish. Too soon... :0)

Michael, consider Divers Den if you haven't already. I've got a 100% success rate with them. Their fish also have 14 day guarantee and they are wysiwyg which is very nice. Just gotta keep looking to find what you want.

For damsels, I'm surprised they keep coming in with illness. Maybe place a special order and pick them up before they are released at the store. You do all the acclimation. Less stressful for the fish and if they die within a short time, your LFS may write them off to the supplier. Mine has offered to do this before. Worth checking.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Kevin! I love 'em too! It seems like every time I post pics, it goes to the next page, so you don't see them. So I make up an excuse to repost 'em!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks McPuff! Yes, the stuff growing out of the live rock is much more than I expected, and is mostly reds, which is good since that's where I want reds. I love Florida farmed live rock!

No worries on the jawfish suggestion. It has come up before - too soon indeed!

I buy from Live Aquaria. Do you think they treat DD fish any better? I am mulling over different buying strategies, including through my LFS. I wonder if damsels in general aren't getting treated as carefully as other fish, throughout the chain of custody.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

This reminds me of van Gogh's "Starry Night".

Note the smaller, thinner, darker Shoal Grass in front.

Red Macros on patch reef.

Green versus Red.

 

[Chasmodes]

I love the pics! The Codium almost looks like a coral head! So cool! I want some! For me to get it, I have to collect a couple hours further South or East to the Ocean. I plan to do that. I want some Codium for sure. But, also, a spotfin butterflyfish is on my list to collect. I won't find them at my current stomping grounds (not salty enough).

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Kevin! I agree, Codium does look like coral. After not having much luck with it in the past, I'm stoked to have it doing well this time around. Dropping my heater setting to 77 degrees and putting them in better light seems to have made the difference.

I could see Codium in your tank, for sure. A Butterfly fish would be cool too, but they might go after your anemones. I have looked at some Butterflies too, for my tank. My concern would be for my worms in the sand bed. The Heniochus Butterflies look like my best bet, as they are more of a water column plankton picker. A great schooling fish as well, I'd love to have about four of them!

 

[vlangel]

Thanks Kevin! I agree, Codium does look like coral. After not having much luck with it in the past, I'm stoked to have it doing well this time around. Dropping my heater setting to 77 degrees and putting them in better light seems to have made the difference.

I could see Codium in your tank, for sure. A Butterfly fish would be cool too, but they might go after your anemones. I have looked at some Butterflies too, for my tank. My concern would be for my worms in the sand bed. The Heniochus Butterflies look like my best bet, as they are more of a water column plankton picker. A great schooling fish as well, I'd love to have about four of them!

The pics are great. I can't believe how many snails are working on the grasses! I can totally see 4 heniochus iin your tank if they don''t eat things they shouldn't.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Dawn! Yes, the 'plague of snails' does a very good job. I'm so relieved to not to have to clean the grasses myself anymore! The Heniochus are very tempting…