Aric's Ten Gallon Torture Chamber Log

[FloridaBoy]

Hey Fish Head, do you have any marine experience?
I don't want to discourage you here but before you continue collecting wild anemones, filter feeders and other delicate inverts maybe you need to some research on cold water systems. Floating ice in the tank won't really cut it if you're serious, and I think someone needs to tell you that. For starters, you're going to need an aquarium chiller to keep the water at the correct temp. These are available online and some aquarium retailers, but their not cheap.
And that's just for starters; as far as care is concerned, many anemones and certain other inverts are difficult to impossible even for veteran aquarists, often wasting away without the proper system/maintenance/care.
If you have not done so, please read some books on the basics of marine aquaria, and once you do that, you will need to do additional reading on coldwater species and their special requirements. Be advised; you may find a basic tropical marine fish-only system easier and just as interesting, at least until you have some experience. Would like to see you succeed here, but until you are confiident you can create a suitable environment for your captives, why keep collecting them?

 

[Fish-Head Aric]

You're going to have to work a lot harder than that to discourage me. Yes, I have a fair idea of what works, that doesn't work, and have a fair grasp on the reasons.

There's a reason this aquarium's being called a "10 gallon torture chamber."

One thing certain is that is that the rules for tropical marine and the rules for coldwater/temperate marine differ enough to where there's a lot of "trial and error" involved.

This tank is purposefully rather heavy on "trial and error," partly to test the extremes of what will survive without excessive investment. There is also a matter that many of the creatures caught in nature have varying tolerances regarding temperature shifts, volume of current/air circulation, etc.

When I get working with the "big tank" I will be incorporating a cooling system, a tidal "dump tank," and a number of those things that are standard features in serious aquarium establishment.

I don't claim to be an authority of any sort, but I do have the basics down and resources for when I get the "real thing" rolling.

 

[FloridaBoy]

As I said, don't WANT to discourage you, not trying.
Guess I just don't like seeing living creatures being "tortured."
If you have a fair idea of what works, then you would have not added any fish the day of set up. "Okay kiddies, let's drop some wild creatures into a hostile environment; we know in advance these mussels will starve, these fish will shock and these jellyfish will croak too, but who cares... they are guinea pigs in the grand experiment." Your research can/should prevent this experimentation at least to a degree. Trying not to criticize your madness, after all I did the same thing... when I was 10 years old. Then I grew up and collected for wholesale/retail tropicals/inverts for years but always tried to succeed instead of fail, by providing proper housing for the animals. Find someone in your area with coldwater systems who can advise and save you (and the local fauna) some trouble. Do wish you success with your big display; sounds hopeful. Good luck to you.