Joel's 1st Marine Build

Thanks for the reply -- good info! Here are some pics:

Jawfish cave (although now seems empty..???)
jaw_cave.JPG

Blenny (he's the dark spot in the middle :) )
blenny.JPG

Bonus pic of shrimp and snail
inverts.JPG

I read a lot of posts today about how much jawfish jump, so I've been trying to locate my little guy. I've checked all around the tank, overflow, filter, sump, floor and don't see him anywhere. I'm hoping he's still in the tank and just found a nice hiding spot!

jaw_cave.JPG blenny.JPG inverts.JPG
 
Amphiprion said:
Well, refractive index and conductivity also vary with temperature. You'll want to let the sample reach room temperature before using your refractometer. Basically I always try to take readings that are at the same temperature of the instrument to get as accurate a reading as possible. This is also because my refractometer was calibrated with a solution at ~75 degrees (my tank is 82 degrees).

What I do find odd is that you say the salinity increased after you heated it? I suspect something may be wrong with the measurement, as it should read lower at a higher temperature compared to a colder temperature (without compensation, that is).
Click to expand...

The 2nd time I measure I had started to heat it, but don't think it had gotten to tank temp. Whereas the f1st time I measure after it had been running with a powerhead, which may have raised the temp. So the 2nd time may have actually been colder.

In general though, wouldn't it be better to measure the SG at tank temp?
 
It's best to measure specific gravity at the refractometer's temp and even more preferably at the temp you calibrated it--figure that natural seawater is 1.0264 @ 77 F. They are all supposed to compensate, but I'm not sure how well they actually do this. If you measure a tank that is much warmer, it will give you a false reading
 
I have found that measuring it once it hits around room temp or a little higher I end up being just fine to match up with my display that runs at 78 to 80. With daily 1/4 to 1/2 gallon top offs I stay right around 1.025. Maybe I should be a litle more exact but I see nothing but positives after my WC's. I also let my water mix with a PH for a day or two before hand.

The jawfish hiding is perfectly normal. They are architects so if you like where his hole is now take some LR gravel or shell pieces and sprinkle them around the front entrance . Chances are you will have the Sears Tower in your tank before you know it. You can also build a little PVC tunnel burrow with a few 1" elbows and some connectors. You can also use a "T". Bury it in the sand where you want him to hang out and place the LR rubble around it. BTW did you get a yellow head/pearly, dusky or blue spot?

This one might be a little big for your tank footprint. You can make them smaller though.

100_2326.jpg
 
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yeah, within a certain temp range, say a few degrees, you're fine. But when the tank is 5 or more degrees different, let it cool a bit.
 
Just got back from being out and found the jawfish (it's a yellow-head) camped out in the cave I took a picture of. Glad to see he's settled in there and doing ok!

Thanks for the suggestions about measuring SG. I'll sift through that for my next WC.
 
Such cool fish. Is he eating yet? I just want to caution you that jawfish are known to be susceptible to parisites and some diseases so keep an eye on his breathing and behavior. You may want to target feed near his burrow at least initially and use a garlic supplement to help out.
 
Yea, I'm digging him. :) I've been doing some spot feeding with mini pellets and I think he may have been eating the last time I fed this morning. I'll keep an eye on it. As for the blenny, he's also quite awesome and seems to be doing well so far too!

Thanks!
 
Some unfortunate news to report....I got home yesterday and found the jawfish dead, laying on his side. :( He had some white filaments coming off of him, but I don't know if that indicates the cause, or just part of what happened after....ugh...........

I checked the water params and they looked ok:
SG = 1.025, T=76G, Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0, Nitrate~=12
...Maybe he just had some pre-existing illness......I'm sure he wasn't getting bullied by anyone and even if he wasn't eating I don't think starvation would have been an issue so quickly.....Not sure though..........

So......ugh......Hopefully I didn't introduce any kind of lasting problem by not QTing. I think for now I'm going to hold off any any more additions and let the tank mature / settle.
 
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