Yes, introduction is tricky. I'm really hoping I can get those damsels out before the grammas go in. That will be key.
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- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
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vlangel
Premium Member
I hope you can as well. I feel like the new fish will be a lot more relaxed without any damsels.
Agreed! That would be ideal. Of course we don't always get ideal. If I can't catch the damsels, I'll have to adapt. I really hope I can!
I'm jonesin' to get those Royal Grammas! Hopefully I can get them next week.
Maybe this weekend I can do some seagrass transplanting. I need to move a lot of them off the fake wall. I don't like it when they mingle with the Caulerpa. I'm also considering getting rid of the Shoal Grass. I like it but I think I'd like just the Manatee Grass. I like monospecific patches. Gardening stuff…
QT13
Maybe this weekend I can do some seagrass transplanting. I need to move a lot of them off the fake wall. I don't like it when they mingle with the Caulerpa. I'm also considering getting rid of the Shoal Grass. I like it but I think I'd like just the Manatee Grass. I like monospecific patches. Gardening stuff…
QT13
ThePurple12
New member
That would make sense. I guess in a tank like mine, the shorter growing shoal grass looks better, while in a tall tank like yours, manatee makes more of a statement.
Exactly. I may have some spare shoal grass if you want any. Maybe a shoal grass/dove snail combo pack? Keep that stylo happy!
Today I did a massive caulerpa export, ripping handfuls off the back wall. I only made a dent in it. It looks pretty rough but I imagine it will recover quickly. I really just wanted to get an idea how much was there. It's a lot.
I also pulled precipitate-covered seagrass out, which thinned it out considerably. If I have the energy tomorrow, I'll pull out the shoal grass. Then I will see where the manatee grass needs to be transplanted to. There's plenty of it too close to the walls, so I should have enough to fill in the holes. It's a daunting project, but if I just get started, hopefully I'll finish it.
Today I did a massive caulerpa export, ripping handfuls off the back wall. I only made a dent in it. It looks pretty rough but I imagine it will recover quickly. I really just wanted to get an idea how much was there. It's a lot.
I also pulled precipitate-covered seagrass out, which thinned it out considerably. If I have the energy tomorrow, I'll pull out the shoal grass. Then I will see where the manatee grass needs to be transplanted to. There's plenty of it too close to the walls, so I should have enough to fill in the holes. It's a daunting project, but if I just get started, hopefully I'll finish it.
ThePurple12
New member
I've got plenty of shoal grass at the moment, but if it starts dying off... The stylo is happy!
vlangel
Premium Member
Sounds like you were busy Michael! No rest for the
weary reefer! So what is your first impression of the back wall without caulerpa? Do you miss the lushness? Caulerpa is a 2 edged sword: it adds a wonderful lush look fast but unfortunately it also starves out everything else. I too am wondering if I should keep it or try to eradicate it from my fuge.
weary reefer! So what is your first impression of the back wall without caulerpa? Do you miss the lushness? Caulerpa is a 2 edged sword: it adds a wonderful lush look fast but unfortunately it also starves out everything else. I too am wondering if I should keep it or try to eradicate it from my fuge.
I got nowhere near all of the caulerpa, so it doesn't look that different. Just battered from a simulated school of tangs grazing event. I just wanted to knock it back a little, and see how deep it was. I'll probably take a few more swipes at it, as I get ready to add the Grammas. I'd love to get rid of it, but it would look rather stark for awhile, until I could get something else growing to replace it. I think the only way I could get rid of it, besides draining and disinfecting the tank, would be to add a Foxface or Tang to keep it at bay.
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vlangel
Premium Member
Yes, I am guessing that ridding the fake back wall of caulerpa forever is not really possible without the drastic measures you suggested. It's a little easier in my tank, mostly just removing certain rocks/coral skeletons. I am still on the fence about whether I want to do that or not.
The seagrass is growing back from my cutting, surprisingly quickly. I suspect the CO2 dosing is the cause. Nearly all aquatic plants are Carbon limited in Nature, as well as in our aquariums. I was very impressed with the results I had when the tank was freshwater. So I had to try it in the marine version. I think all the plants are enjoying the more central placement of the metal halide light as well. My two Sargassum plants have responded in slightly different ways. The one closest to the light has grown fuller, and the other one has gotten taller. Other than the large Gracilaria, they are the two biggest macros on the patch reef now. They started out as tiny, little leaves growing out of the rocks. I have little String of Pearls plants growing around it, but they're still pretty small. The Galaxauras are looking good, with new growth on all four. I moved the one in the back to the middle, so it's no longer shaded by the Caulerpa. There are several small Botriocladias scattered around, taking their time, gradually growing bigger.
Scarlett is still maddeningly timid. This afternoon I sat still on the couch for around forty minutes, and I saw her for a total of thirty seconds, in quick, twitchy bursts. I'm starting to see some film algae in her tank, so she'll have that to supplement the various foods I feed her.
KP Aquatics still hasn't gotten grammas in stock. It's a bummer because it's wreaking havoc on my timing. We're fast approaching the three week mark, and Scarlett seems quite healthy. Hopefully they'll get them in soon!
QT18
Scarlett is still maddeningly timid. This afternoon I sat still on the couch for around forty minutes, and I saw her for a total of thirty seconds, in quick, twitchy bursts. I'm starting to see some film algae in her tank, so she'll have that to supplement the various foods I feed her.
KP Aquatics still hasn't gotten grammas in stock. It's a bummer because it's wreaking havoc on my timing. We're fast approaching the three week mark, and Scarlett seems quite healthy. Hopefully they'll get them in soon!
QT18
ThePurple12
New member
It would be really cool to have 2 big Sargassum plants scraping the surface. The one in my tank was smothered by hair algae, but it could recover. I have 2 more in the seahorse tank. Do yours have the air bubbles on the leaves? I noticed mine get them once they get bigger.
It's been an unusually long time without pictures...!
It's been an unusually long time without pictures...!
That would be cool. I hope it happens at some point. I haven't seen any air bladder thingies. They do seem particularly happy these days so stay tuned! I really hope to get the patch reef thoroughly covered in lush macro growth. I got pretty close a while back when I had a big Dragons Breath and the Botriocladia plants were going nuts. But they weren't quite 'right'. I took the DB to my LFS and pruned the Botriocladia way down, when it got too leggy. I might try a sponge or a gorgonian one of these days, if I can get what I want.
Yes, I have gone a little while without pics. It seemed like there was more going on with you and Dawn's tanks, so I kicked back and watched what you two were doing. It's been very impressive watching y'all's progress! Right now, my tank looks a little rough, with the back wall Caulerpa in tatters. I'd like to have another go at it, and see how close to gone I can get it. Maybe this weekend.
Yes, I have gone a little while without pics. It seemed like there was more going on with you and Dawn's tanks, so I kicked back and watched what you two were doing. It's been very impressive watching y'all's progress! Right now, my tank looks a little rough, with the back wall Caulerpa in tatters. I'd like to have another go at it, and see how close to gone I can get it. Maybe this weekend.
vlangel
Premium Member
I wonder if Scarlett is so timid because she is confined in the QT? She may be a bit less shy when she gets in the display and it feels more like home. I wonder how things would go if you caught the damsels and kept them in a holding tank and moved Scarlett in the display. If she is timid by nature then she may not be a problem for any newcomers after her, especially when the newcomers arrive in multiples, (as in 6 grammas and 4 damsels). I feel for you about the delay in being able to order the grammas. That is unfortunate.
Good luck in defoliating the caulerpa on the back wall this weekend.
Good luck in defoliating the caulerpa on the back wall this weekend.
I have wondered about that. I arranged the QT so that all the cover is at the back end of the tank. Maybe I should spread it out a little, so she might feel less vulnerable out in the open. I'm sure she will feel better in the display. I'm dying to get her in, but I'm not going to put her in until I at least have the grammas and have a plan. Some people QT fish for two months, so I do have time to play with.
Defoliating. New word! Me likey!
QT20
Defoliating. New word! Me likey!
QT20
No, I looked it up! Defoliating is a word, and you used it correctly.
I agree there's no hurry to get Scarlett into the display, other than I want to. I'm quite disappointed that KP's hasn't gotten the grammas in. So now I'm looking at another site, to see if they'll get captive bred Orchid Dottybacks in stock. Whoever gets fish in first wins!
I agree there's no hurry to get Scarlett into the display, other than I want to. I'm quite disappointed that KP's hasn't gotten the grammas in. So now I'm looking at another site, to see if they'll get captive bred Orchid Dottybacks in stock. Whoever gets fish in first wins!
vlangel
Premium Member
Well wonders never cease about me using the word defoliating correctly. And so I guess 'exfoliating' really is for loofahs and granular face cleansers!
I am still rooting for grammas but orchid dottybacks would be cool too. Since they are captive bred do you think they will use the holes built in the wall? I suppose it might have to do with how many generations they are removed from their ocean ancestors. I am finding that clownfish are not as interested in hosting BTAs as when I was younger and my theory is that they are losing some of that instinct which is so crucial in the ocean environment but not necessary at all in aquaria.
I am still rooting for grammas but orchid dottybacks would be cool too. Since they are captive bred do you think they will use the holes built in the wall? I suppose it might have to do with how many generations they are removed from their ocean ancestors. I am finding that clownfish are not as interested in hosting BTAs as when I was younger and my theory is that they are losing some of that instinct which is so crucial in the ocean environment but not necessary at all in aquaria.
That's a good point about the Orchid Dottybacks. My guess is that they would still seek vertical habitat, but it could also be like captive bred clowns ignoring anemones. I guess it's not terribly important, as long as everyone finds a home. I'd definitely prefer they use the holes in the back wall. If I did end up with them, I might not need to remove the damsels. I'm sure the larger and more established damsels would 'encourage' them to seek shelter alternatives to the patch reef.
