Weeds

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks for the encouraging words Dawn! I've been struggling lately, with the work to get algae under control and the motivation to do it. Getting the tank somewhat cleaned up and taking some pics has boosted my enthusiasm. Yay!

The two new mollies are eating algae, so that helps. I'd love to get a dwarf angel fish to go after it, but I don't dare spend that kind of money in these uncertain times. My wife would kill me!

I am going to give Ulva Intestinallis another try. It's like regular Ulva but stringy like spaghetti and moves nicely in the current. The last time I tried it, it disappeared overnight. This time I'm starting with more of it (two cups), and also the Tuxedo Damsel that I think removed it is gone, so I have high hopes. I will be putting it at the top of the fake wall again, in the bare spots in very bright light. In the wild this plant grows in quite shallow depths, and is often exposed at low tide, so I think it can handle it. Fingers crossed!

 

[ThePurple12]

Looking great. Love the back wall, I might have to try something like that in my seahorse tank.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks ThePurple12. The back wall is coming along well. I really don't like cleaning the back glass. So much so that I made a fake wall. If you are interested, I put a link to my fake wall build thread in the first post of this thread. Most people put rocks and rubble in theirs to simulate a reef wall. I skipped the rocks and sanded mine down to simulate a mangrove mud bank.

When I restarted this tank, I decided to cover the left end wall too, to hide a new wave box. It was a smaller wall, but a bit more complex.

 

[neilp2006]

I love your "˜rock' work Michael- remind me, it's all black pond foam, right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks neil2006. Yes, it's all black pond foam. I did add some silica sand to the original, back wall to give it a little brownish warmth. Also there are 20+ plastic bottles in there to provide caves for royal grammas I kept in a harem of seven.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Today I did another water change, to hopefully get calcium levels down to the point that it won't precipitate on the grasses. I also pinched off all blades that were coated, so we're back to just green. It's thinned out but looks okay. I got a few pics.

 

[vlangel]

Loving these pics Michael! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Dawn! It's good to have something decent to show. I haven't forgotten about getting you the shoal grass. Sorry it's taking so long. With all the work just to get to this point has been a huge effort. Hang in there!

 

[vlangel]

Thanks Dawn! It's good to have something decent to show. I haven't forgotten about getting you the shoal grass. Sorry it's taking so long. With all the work just to get to this point has been a huge effort. Hang in there!

It's fine Michael and no need to be sorry. Everyone is busy this time of year and I figured that you will get to it when you have time and I can be patient. I just appreciate you offering it.

I have your purple sponge ready to send as well.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

So I have seaweed on the way today, I think. It's taken a looong time. I ordered on June 6th. It's a new vendor for me, and like most online sites, they said orders will take longer, with the pandemic. But Jeez!

My biggest concern is how long have my weeds been sealed up in a box? I'm half expecting a bunch of green goo. We shall see! I'll report back…

 

[vlangel]

So I have seaweed on the way today, I think. It's taken a looong time. I ordered on June 6th. It's a new vendor for me, and like most online sites, they said orders will take longer, with the pandemic. But Jeez!

My biggest concern is how long have my weeds been sealed up in a box? I'm half expecting a bunch of green goo. We shall see! I'll report back"¦

Here's having fingers crossed that you do not get green goo!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I waited 20 days and received the wrong seaweed. This is just unacceptable. No glowing review for this lame-@ss vender! I won't even mention their name. Did they think I wouldn't notice? Utterly disgusted…

 

[ThePurple12]

Wow, that's disappointing. What did you order?

 

[vlangel]

Ahh, I am sorry Michael, that stinks!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I ordered Ulva Intestinalis, they sent Ulva Lactuca. I informed them of the mistake, they say they will correct it. So now I guess I just wait.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Dusk Lighting

 

[vlangel]

Dusk Lighting

Cool effect!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Dawn! I actually meant to get shots before the lights went out. But I was too late, so I took one with just the blue light still on.

 

[ThePurple12]

Nice! Are those mangroves still growing? They might need some air eventually.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks ThePurple12! Yes, the mangroves are still growing. It is my hope they will eventually reach the surface and get some air. For now, they are soaking up nutrients from my yard dirt substrate. I was not willing to float them with styrofoam blocks or some other hideous temporary setup, in my display. So, they make it this way, or they don't. They seem to be doing pretty well, and growing slowly. I think I've had them for about a year now. I still don't know if they'll make it, but I've enjoyed having them.