First Time Salty ~370L

[drsquirrel]

jewel anemone looks the same as what I said too - when searching they both have loads of variants with bright colours


A Halloween Hermit molted today, I saw before that they molt with full colours - though it took 10 seconds before I remembered that whilst I was wondering what "killed" it. Granted, the one shell looks empty and hasn't moved since last night - I just assume (and hope) it's hiding due to a molt



"Midnight" the Bicoloured Angel, named by my neighbours daughter, is swimming slightly more openly and won't dart away unless you move around suddenly. Still grazing and taking both flake and frozen mysis shrimp. No signs yet of having the corals (I realise this could still change in years to come ). And as I am typing this, she is letting the cleaner shrimp have a good clean including behind the ears(gills)

I must have so much space behind the rock (considering the tank is setup double sided) as she pops in the rock here there and everywhere and comes out everywhere else



A few more odds of things I have bought recently, I have other stuff but really don't remember Got myself a selection of frozen foods (already had the blood worm) just incase I get a very picky fish - and will last long enough anyway).

Marine Flake (only had one brand at the shop to choose from), Bloodworm, Mysis Shrimp, Prawn, Mussel, Krill Pacifica and Nori



Got myself some cheato, straight in the sump under a 18w "power saving" bulb for now.



Finally picked myself up a KH/Alk test kit, along with 23kg more salt, D&D again.



And iQuatics Carbon..............In bulk...

 

[drsquirrel]

End of next week I will be looking at the next inhabitant - I don't think LFS will have B&W in yet so am thinking of another fish for this fortnight.

I'm not that sure on a Flame Firefish, because of how shy they can be, specially with some of the "semi aggressive" fish I am thinking of getting. If I do decide it would be best first right, so it can settle in without so many other fish?

The other choice is a Goby/Blenny of some kind. Although looking through lists of them (regardless of if shop has them in stock) am not sure what to go for. I like the idea of having a Yellow Watchman Goby + Coral Banded Shrimp pair, although a Watchman doesn't really capture my imagination that much.

I am forgetting though a Midas Blenny, which could be an option.

Any suggestions?



RE: Crabs
I know emerald mithrax crabs are reef safe but not seen any yet, and neither do I think they are that pretty (Sorry ) though I do like the look of an anenome/porcalin crab which is also reef safe, although I see they are filter feeders so im not sure if I should wait until the tank matures a bit more?

 

[seffieuk]

I would always wait for a tank to be a little more mature before putitng in either shrimps or crabs

Seffie x

ps yes, least aggressie first and the bicolours are lovely fish - you could also consider a dracula goby if you can find one - awsome

 

[drsquirrel]

Firefish/Fire Dartfish



I assumed it would just dart for the rockwork and wouldn't see it for days, but was swimming out in the open from the outset. Bicolor angel did a bit of chasing, but not far.

Saw it going into one of the holes in the rock work, but settled on the sand under a small overhang instead.

Next day, still out in the open, roaming most of the tank, sometimes near the Bicolor angel with no chasing.

First feed - flake, took it, and took a bit of nori that broke off when the shirmp/bicolor went for it. Surprised me as I read it was just frozen/live on 2 sites I usually check, but asked in shop what they feed and said flake, checked later online and other sites say flake too.




Other tank things...
Fan worms - gone.
Hair algae (just a small "garden" on one of the rocks) - gone.
Very small yellow polyps of some kind - gone.
Beadlet nem - almost gone.
Clove polyps - gone! I've been keeping an eye on these to see if they had any signs of being eaten but perfectly fine until one day.

My other polyps are fine.

I assume most of the above is the angel

 

[drsquirrel]

Midas Blenny




I don't usually name fish - although I name it Benny... Benny the Blenny.

Elastic band is still there from Nori the other day.

Feeding on flake, mysis and mussel already and openly swimming. Has a few holes to sit in, one at night and another in the day which watches over us at the desk.

 

[seffieuk]

I really like Midas Blenny and you will be surprised just how big they get

Seffie x

ps you might want to consider getting benny a couple of large barnacles to live in