Marine Discussion: 90g FOWLR (first SW tank) journal

lbear said:
I am looking forward to see the latest pictures of your tank. Any update?
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The cleaning crew arrived this afternoon (FedEx "Priority" service doesn't really exist around here since the hurricane). I also made some small adjustments to the rock arrangement... will post more info and pics this evening.

How many lb of liverock in your display tank and refugium now?
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Let's see... 90lbs. of dry rock and 35lbs. of live rock in the tank, and I bought a few more pieces of LR yesterday (about 8lbs. worth) for the refugium.

I am thinking of getting some hirocks, either 30 lbs or 60 lbs. What's the approximate size of each piece of hirock you've got?
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I'd say that the average is about 6 - 7 inches. There are, of course, some smaller pieces and some larger pieces, but pretty much all of them have interesting shapes.

In this hazy photo, only the hirocks are in the tank...

IMG_1269.jpg


--Mike
 
Oh, forgot to mention a few other details...

I decided not risk not quarantining these first fish. I figured that since they were tank-raised, there would be less of a chance of them carrying parasites or disease. I will monitor them carefully for signs of ich or other problems, and worst case, will do what it takes to get them out (removing rocks, etc.) if treatment is needed.

I may push it and add one or two other small fish without quarantining, but the dwarf angel and yellow tang will definitely be quarantined, as by that point, if the main tank were to be infected, having to put ALL the fish (current residents and new arrivals) in quarantine for treatment would be a big deal.

I acclimated the clowns in a bucket, much the same was as I did the cleanup crew... gradually adding tank water, about a half cup at a time. I had intended acclimate for about 2 hours, but after a little while I noticed one of the clowns began to be very aggressive towards the other. I was concerned that they (especially the one being attacked) would be weakend by this, so I netted them and put them in the tank after just 1 hour.

They've been perfectly civil since then, swimming around peacefully together. I guess it was the tight confines of the bucket that set off the aggressiveness. Maybe next time I'm acclimating multiple fish, a few pieces of PVC for hiding spots would be a good idea (or, even better, multiple buckets).

--Mike
 
RENEGADE said:
oh those are sweet pics!
I never really wanted a starfish but after seeing your pics I'm rethinking :)
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They are indeed fascinating creatures. I found it impressive that both starfish immediately headed for the crevice in the rocks upon being introduced to the tank... I guess they do this by feel?

--Mike
 
Stars actually use all those feet to 'taste' things as well. And, speed will vary with species. Brittles and serpent are indeed very fast, when they want to be. They are also readily trained-if you feed them at the same place each time, they will learn to go there when hungry and beg.
 
OrionGirl said:
Stars actually use all those feet to 'taste' things as well. And, speed will vary with species. Brittles and serpent are indeed very fast, when they want to be. They are also readily trained-if you feed them at the same place each time, they will learn to go there when hungry and beg.
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Yes, I noticed that when I drop a shrimp pellet in, he feels around with his tentacles, and it was pretty clear that he was "tasting" (and maybe smelling as well) the area to locate the food. When he finds it, the lucky tentacle curls up, bringing to food to his mouth.

Also, I watched closely when I fed him yesterday (he pried the shrimp pellet away from a equally determined nassarius snail), after he consumed the pellet, a few little bits remained on the bottom of the tentacle... using those many tiny hair-like things on that bottom surface, he actually passed the food from one to another towards the central disk area.

The kids really get a kick out of watching him eat, and it's hard to resist their "feed him one more!" pleas.

--Mike
 
In short, I was not blown away by this package, but I do not feel that it was a total waste either.
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That's about the way I felt. Frankly, the whole amphipod kit is a bit lame. A wad of chaeto, or even filter floss, makes them just as happy.

I like the tupperware montage :D
 
mogurnda said:
That's about the way I felt. Frankly, the whole amphipod kit is a bit lame. A wad of chaeto, or even filter floss, makes them just as happy.
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I've been watching the refugium quite a bit. I've spotted a few small specimens scurring about on the sand bed, and have also seen a few large ones, but they seem to be mostly hanging out in the rock. As a side note, these creatures (especially the larger ones) seem very purposeful in their movements. I'll watch as one exits a hole in a rock, darts across the sandbed into an adjacent rock, then returns a minute later, as if he just went to borrow a cup of sugar from his neighbor.

I've had a few Scarlet Reef Hermit deaths... 2 confirmed (and another 1 or 2 possible as evidenced by the Scarlet Reef Hermit parts I sometimes see scattered on the sand). One of the deaths was probably not caused by any foul play... I just noticed the mostly-intact dead hermit laying outside of his shell. But last night, I think I witnessed a mugging-in-progress by a Blue-Leg. I think it was already pretty much over by the time I noticed it, but a Blue-Leg looked to be trying to extract an apparently dead Scarlet out of his shell. This took place in a dark alley behind a rock, making it hard to see exactly what was going on. But some Nassarius snails joined in as well, presumably hired by the Blue-Leg to get rid of the body.

I'm trying to make sure these guys get enough food... I add a little extra when I feed the fish, ensuring that at least some bits make it down to the sandbed. But when I turn the pump and powerheads back on, many of these pieces start flying around again. So, I've taken to just turning on the powerheads for a while, which give the bits of food time to fly around the tank and eventually settle somewhere, before turning on the return pump.

--Mike
 
So, does your aquarium still look basically like this:

IMG_1408.JPG


except with some fish? Can you post an updated wide shot if things have changed?

Thanks!

Peace....
 
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