Our Journey To The Salty Side - Part One

[seffieuk]

Lovely Pics sis
Your hammer is really getting to big, come on get that razor blade out, I've got a spot waiting

yeah, there is a two head bit that would be good for you - let's do it

Seffie x

 

[seffieuk]

OMG Lola the clown is taking an interest in Bill the Nem, well to be honest he is getting so big you could hardly miss him She is starting to flirt with him by putting her fins in, I have seen her jump a couple of times so am assuming she is de-sensitising (if there is such a word) herself I understand there are a couple of theories around why they do not get stung but it certainly looks like she is taking it slow for some reason, either changing her slime coat or de-sensitising, it is so very interesting watching her i'm glued to the tank (not literally of course )

Seffie x

 

[ben1987]

think we need a pic

 

[TigerIssey]

Good News,

Any chance of some pictures??

Yes I have heard that in some way they become kind of immune to the stings, am not sure of the precise mechanism though.

 

[seffieuk]

Every time I go to take a photo she comes and begs - will go feed them and then try again

Seffie x

 

[TigerIssey]

Thats typical clownfish behaviour, after the first few days of pickiness, mine are PIGS.

When you drop food in, they dart everywhere, I have to make sure some gets down to the watchman.

Have to say have seen the inside of a watchman gobies mouth, its HUGE.

Keep trying

Once they are hosting, if the big bad camera monster frightens them, or anything else, they will dart back to there host and sunggle in and cower, the little wooses

 

[Trod]

WOW, great news, might have to come and have a peek

 

[seffieuk]

she has gone back to the leather

I have another problem - as you might remember I have some cyano - I know exactly what is causing it - Bill the Nem has settled in a place with low flow and the low flow is causing cyano to form on the sand bed I get what I can get up regularly and turn the sand but it soon comes back as I am not sorting out the problem! So I thought, ok you have got to move the powerhead! Moved the powerhead to create more even flow and Bill immediatley started to move no, no ----- was so worried that overnight he might move to the powerhead that i put the powerhead back where it was .............Bill then moves back to his special place phew.

Any other suggestions, will hopefully be getting a bigger tank one day soon but until then I think I will just leave the powerhead alone - any other thoughts, apart from moving the powerhead?

Seffie x

 

[Trod]

Don't know if you've read this but I thought it was very interesting

http/netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm

 

[ben1987]

what phosphate reading are you getting?

 

[seffieuk]

thanks for the link Trod, but am not happy to add anything to the tank. I really know what the problem is, I was over feeding and the flow is not enough in that area

Have cut down the feeding and the length of time I have the lights on which is helping but just got that last bit left where the flow is not good enough, but Bill doesn't like much flow at all I'm in a catch 22 situation, if I move the powerhead, Bill moves, if I don't move the powerhead I get cyano on the sand bed.

Ben, Going to do a bigger water change tomorrow then wait 24 hours and do some water testing, will let you know how it goes.

Think I could probably do with some more sand shifting critters as well - suggestions please got loads of bristle worms and about 8 Nass V - think I will get some more Nass (as think Freddie the hawk has had a few, not that i mind, he is worth it)

Seffie x

edit: eekkkk, just checked my RO water before changing the membrane 024 AND the bl***y water container is leaking as well. Me thinks it is just not the flow causing the problem then.

How often do you change your membranes?

 

[Trod]

My unit should be in on tuesday, if you need water x

 

[seffieuk]

My unit should be in on tuesday, if you need water x

Thanks Sis, but got enough to do water change and then will go get some new containers x

Big sis x

 

[kelwoo]

Hi Seffie

Don't know whether this would help but our fish guy said to get rid of cyano turn off all lights and cover the tank with a blanket or sheet so it's completely dark and leave it for 2-3 days. He said the fish and corals would be fine in the dark and it will kill the cyano right off. He has been keeping marines for 25+ years and owns his own shop, and hasn't steered us wrong with his info yet, although we haven't had the need to try it - touch wood.

The other thing is you mentioned some more sand sifting critters - i have some cortex large ceriths (they are 3-4 times bigger than nassarius vibex) in my SH tank and they are always in the sand, turn it over and eating (they are algae eaters and detritis eaters - best of both worlds) . I got mine from this site

cerith snails.

Hope this helps

Kelwoo

 

[seffieuk]

thanks Kelwoo, I will go take a look later

Must admit I would be worried about keeping my Nem in the dark and some of my corals

I'm not too worried, it will come right in the end

Seffie x