First Marine Experience

[ben1987]

theres a fair bit of room on that rock for corals if you go down that route

 

[JJ56]

Thanks for the comments guys,

I'll be the first to admit, I don't really like how the tank looks under the current lighting. However, I think, for me, the best option would to stock the tank making it a FOWLR until I can buy the right lighting for my purposes. I'm pretty sure the tank will be rescaped eventually too to give it more height.

As for stocking, I'm very undecided. I would like some small, colourful fish, which are reasonably active (Clowns seem blindingly obvious) . Although, I've heard some people mention wrasses are a good option. Any ideas on what would be good to look into?

I will eventually be adding corals and building a reef, (I think I'll to leave the tank a few more months yet to mature) once I have sufficient lighting.

Thanks

JJ

 

[tahneen]

if I can recall your tank is 30g so Ill make a possible stocking list


clown pair
royal gramma
carpenters wrasse
midas blenny

all are very colorful and should get along

 

[JJ56]

Tank was re aquascaped last night, pics will follow maybe tomorrow.

Anyone remember me asking for an ID on the anemone on the right?

I've ID'd it as a Phymanthus, It's hideous and I hate it with a passion, it can sting and burn corals and can even kill small fish when older. How do I kill it? It's now so big it can't retract into its hole so I cant plug its hole. Ideas? I really want this thing gone!

Thanks

JJ

 

[seffieuk]

I don't know anything about these animals - but if you don't want it how about offering it for FREE in the bss section

Seffie x

 

[JJ56]

That was my first option, I thought, I'll just remove it and see if anyone wants it, but I can't think of a way of removing it.

However:

I have managed to make it retract into it's hole (which is quite deep) by directing the flow from a small powerhead at it. I did try directing the flow under its footing but it still just retracted inside it's hole. Any Ideas? I would like it gone..... It'll be getting plugged up otherwise.

Also, I am pretty confident I have another hitchhiker on the prowl. It appears to be a shrimp, it's brown, possibly with lighter bands, about an inch long, has 2 defined large claws and most worryingly, it can click its claws, much like a pistol shrimp. These are getting louder each day now, I can hear it from across the room. It is hiding in a large piece of LR which I know has a vast system of tunnels in it, as it can retreat into one and pop out on the other side of the rock. This has made my attempts at removing it worthless, and it has yet to leave the rock.

Haha, why is this hobby known as "the stress factory" ? But it is mighty interesting!

Regards

JJ

 

[seffieuk]

Oh lordy, look up mantis shrimp

Maybe someone would be willing to swop a piece of LR the same size as it is on

Seffie x

 

[JJ56]

It's not causing a problem as of yet, it could prove to be something else and harmless. I'm hoping it will come out into the open for me to deal with. No seige of his LR is being planned as of yet.

I'm going to leave it for now, as it's been quiet today, Although worryingly, my largest hermit may have died overnight, shell on it's back, no crab to be found. Hope this wasn't related. I returned from the lfs today jubilant with the newest addition to my tank. A cleaner shrimp! Lovely colouring, and appears to be doing a good job already.

Hoping to continue to update my CUC as its still very low in my opinion:

2 red hermit (1 possibly MIA)
1 blue hermit
1 cleaner shrimp

Can anyone reccomend a group of snails? Also, think I'll add more hermits (halloween hermits?)

Thanks, pics later today

JJ

 

[JJ56]

Not going well over the last two days.

First, one red hermit thought dead. Now confirmed.

Cleaner shrimp I added, (acclimatised properly), died after 12 hours in the tank. It died quite suddenly, as it was happily moving around the tank and feeding on the LR, even came onto my hand. It was on the side of some LR, eating, then just seemed to develop laboured breathing and it fell off onto it's side, and couldn't right itself.

Today, my other red hermit hadn't moved all day, so I picked it up and a slug / snail / satanic beast thing casually crawled from it's shell must have eaten it, I have removed said beastie from my tank.

So now, I only have 1 blue hermit in the tank. I will get the water tested tomorrow and do a large waterchange if neccesary.

Once thats sorted, I need to rebuild my CUC.

JJ

 

[JJ56]

I'm still alive! And tank is looking good 1 year on....

I sort of lost the enthusiam with the tank at the end of last year; due to me buying a car, paying for driving lessons and revising for exams. But now, I feel rejuvinated and want to pick up where I left off.

Over the past year, the tank suffered a horrible aiptasia infestation (now only 4 remaining!) , I ended up binning some LR when it got so bad, and buying some more.

A overhead t5 (3 x 39w) aqua one unit now sits over the tank, should be ok for softies!

The tank was stocked with a pair of clowns, and a dwarf bicolor angel. They lived together for over a year; but just last week, i found one of my clowns had jumped through a gap in the lid and died on the floor!

But anyway: now looking to improve the tank once again

Tanks as of today, excuse the poor pictures (and dirty front glass ):

Plans: possible tank upgrade into my bedroom, maybe differant size and new stand)
lots more liverock, want to fill the tank more, and have a more realistic aquascape
start adding softies

Thanks, comments welcome!

 

[JJ56]

No one got any comments? Gonna head out to the large marine place across the tyne from me tomorrow; see what I can pick up.

Decided what the upgrade will be, 18x18x18 cube tank, 150w mh, closed loop style system, to keep powerheads, heaters etc out of tank.

Looking for a suitable tank now, second hand, maybe new. I rang up someone today following a online browse, but I was a day too late and it had gone.

Just a quick question, will my Bi colour have a nip at Zoas? saw some nice frags the other day.... tempting.

Thanks, JJ

 

[seffieuk]

welcome back Jonathan

So you are planning a new tank - exciting but was sorry to hear about your clown

Pretty Angel, it's always a bit hit and miss with angels - buy something cheap and give it a go

Looking forward to your updates

Seffie x

 

[JJ56]

Thanks Seffie, yeah I'm abit gutted about the clown jumping, theres something sad about about a lone clown (male). (still amazed it managed to jump through the 1" square wiring gap, what are the chances on a covered tank? )

I had a toadstool leather frag in there a few months back, which the bicolour didn't nip at. However, it did knock it over one day when I was at college, and came home to find the frag didn't make it. Might try some zoas with him and see. I hope the angel will play ball; it's a beautiful fish, nicely mannered too.

Anyway, tanks back on track now, hoping to keep improving it unitl I have a cube setup in my room.

Cheers!