True that Vinny! Control is a relative term. Mother Nature IS in control. I just try to work with her. I should post a 'before' pic to show just how wild things have gotten!
Weeds
- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
- Start date
ThePurple12
New member
Do it! 
By popular demand, I give you BEFORE.
The grasses and macros are flourishing. They just need a little sprucing up. I've got a glass scraping workout ahead of me as well.
Next up, AFTER.
The grasses and macros are flourishing. They just need a little sprucing up. I've got a glass scraping workout ahead of me as well.
Next up, AFTER.
ThePurple12
New member
This is gonna be good
Well, I made a dent in it today. I got the glass scraped. I pulled out algae by the handful. It was a big disturbance to the tank, and I've got more to do tomorrow. So far it looks pretty good. I look forward to finishing tomorrow. And posting pics!
AFTER:
The tank cleaned up pretty well. I pulled a lot of seagrass blades that were covered in epiphytes and calcium, so they're not quite as thick as they were. Some blades are getting long - like 3-4 feet long. The splash of red area got a big haircut. I removed 3-4 large Grasilaria plants that were getting too big and shading everything else. I also clipped all the red grapes plants. They'd gotten leggy and covered in some ugly algae. Hopefully, some will grow back. The rocks got shuffled a little as well.
Papillon posing for me.
Looks a bit scalped now, but it'll grow back.
Pretty good focus on one of the Allen's damsels. Thin shoal grass at center, thicker manatee grass to the left.
From the end.
The grasses look great. I managed to rip out some of the caulerpa on the sand bed.
It was a fair amount of work but I'm glad I tidied up.
The tank cleaned up pretty well. I pulled a lot of seagrass blades that were covered in epiphytes and calcium, so they're not quite as thick as they were. Some blades are getting long - like 3-4 feet long. The splash of red area got a big haircut. I removed 3-4 large Grasilaria plants that were getting too big and shading everything else. I also clipped all the red grapes plants. They'd gotten leggy and covered in some ugly algae. Hopefully, some will grow back. The rocks got shuffled a little as well.
Papillon posing for me.
Looks a bit scalped now, but it'll grow back.
Pretty good focus on one of the Allen's damsels. Thin shoal grass at center, thicker manatee grass to the left.
From the end.
The grasses look great. I managed to rip out some of the caulerpa on the sand bed.
It was a fair amount of work but I'm glad I tidied up.
ThePurple12
New member
It looks great, the damsels really take it up a notch.
ThePurple12
New member
Have the damsels been spawning?
Hey, thanks McPuff! Nice to hear from you again.
Looking at my start date, I'm getting close to two years, so it is pretty getting mature.
Looking at my start date, I'm getting close to two years, so it is pretty getting mature.
Thanks The Purple12! I appreciate your encouragement for the big cleanup!
I'm a big fan of the Allen's damsels. They're gorgeous, without the blue devilishness. It's tough to capture their color because they're skittish. As for spawning, I've seen a lot of spawning behaviors, but it's tough to say if they've spawned for sure. My guess is yes they have, but I couldn't pinpoint a moment that it's happened.
That's the main reason I like to have multiples of fish. It brings out their natural social behaviors. They're getting pretty big. Some are in the four inch range.
I'm a big fan of the Allen's damsels. They're gorgeous, without the blue devilishness. It's tough to capture their color because they're skittish. As for spawning, I've seen a lot of spawning behaviors, but it's tough to say if they've spawned for sure. My guess is yes they have, but I couldn't pinpoint a moment that it's happened.
That's the main reason I like to have multiples of fish. It brings out their natural social behaviors. They're getting pretty big. Some are in the four inch range.
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Lookin Good Boss!
Woohoo! Thanks Vinny!
I really appreciate hearing from a reefer like yourself. Especially since this tank is so different from reefs. Out of curiosity, what interests you about my tank?
I really appreciate hearing from a reefer like yourself. Especially since this tank is so different from reefs. Out of curiosity, what interests you about my tank?
Any lurkers about? I'd love to hear from you!
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
I like the way it looks Michael, very natural with the grasses. I was always told "There is more than 1 way to skin a cat". I can appreciate a different approach.
Thanks Vinny. Good to know. I appreciate your open-mindedness!
McPuff
New member
I have been lurking... just awaiting the proper time for the ambush. Shoot! I just gave it away. :0)
Whatcha been up to McPuff? Corona funk? I have found it very difficult to motivate myself to do much with my tank. Last I heard, you were getting your stand/cabinet moving in the right direction.
McPuff
New member
Oh man, we've been doing all sorts of projects in and outside of the house. I had finished the stand and canopy back in the early spring (it only took me a year!). I'm really happy with the way it turned out but it's not perfect by any means. I worked with what I was given and made the best of it. Another change was upgrading my lights to Orphek Atlantiks which has been pretty awesome too. So much cleaner, only 3 fixtures (vs 9) and the coverage, intensity, and spectrum are much nicer. Finally... I built a plywood sump which is going to FINALLY be installed in the next few days. There is limited space for a sump so I made the decision to make the sump and maximize the space and get exactly what I wanted. I'll have to post some pics in my thread! But you are right, motivation to work on the reef has been tough as the weather has been so great. I'm outside whenever I can be outside!! And i know you are too!
That sounds awesome. Can't wait to see pics!
