Final Score

Final score:

Ecotech: 1 |  RBTA: 0

My RBTA decided to march itself into the wet side of an Ecotech Marine Vortech MP10. Guess who won.

(Picture after the jump)

Photos of the Reef

The rock work as of today (3.16.13)

After a water change this morning, I figured I should take a few photos of the reef de Chromie.

I've moved stuff around and removed a couple of corals, but most of the coral are still the same as before. Some coral have grown better than others, but many have not really grown as well as I would like. I have a problem of either breaking the coral before they grow or moving them too much.


(More images after the jump!)

Hitchhiker?!

"Are you the little guy causing all that big noise?" 

I've had some random "hauntings" and deaths in my tank, I have been on the lookout for a culprit. I'm wondering if this little guy had anything to do with it. I found him by chance after I turned the actinics on to look for my RBA. The RBT was on the sand bed, in a cave, and this crab was moving him around. Not sure if he was just decorating or preparing for a meal. I grabbed my aquarium tongs and pulled him out. 

I haven't positively identified the perp, but he will get no trial and no jury. It's out of the tank he goes. Let's hope this is the solution to my angry coral and hiding anemones...

New frags from Garrett's Acropolis

I got to see something really special today; Garrett's Acropolis. Steve was kind enough to show us his impressive coral propagating system. Located outdoors, his system utilizes natural light and under 600 watts of electricity to run! It's a beautiful system, with healthy, beautiful, and a good variety of rare corals.

I opted for some easier to keep acros, green slimer, a monti, and a birds nest (Ora birds of paradise) coral. I also got a blue Xenia frag!

You can see some great pictures of Garrett's Acropolis featured on Marine Depots Featured Tank for July 2011. Marine Depot also posted a video to their YouTube channel. I've posted it below:

You can also view more on Garrett's Acropolis on his official website at www.garretts-acropolis.com.


Finally, here's some pictures of my tank and the new frags (Taken with my iPhone, sorry. I'll get some with the DSLR soon).Until next time...

 

Feeding the Sun Corals

I've had my Sun Coral for over a week, and I they haven't come out much, even during feedings. I've tried a few things, but it seems that feeding them is a nice way of enticing (bribing) them to come out.

After some research, I found a useful trick: cover the coral to allow them to feed undisturbed. The instructions recommended a 2-liter bottle top, but since my frag is still pretty small, I used the top off a small water bottle. I cut the bottle about 1.5" below the neck, peeled off the label, and gave it a good rinse with warm water. I made a small hole in the lid, but decided it was unnecessary after the first try...

I put this top over the Sun Coral and added some frozen Mysis Shrimp. Within a few minutes, I saw some polyp extension, but most heads stayed half way in or more. I left the bottle cover in the tank for about 30 minutes, and then I removed it.

On try number two, I removed the cap. This time I tried some cyclopeze. I left the bottle top in the tank for several hours. Success! The heads all popped out!!

I'll keep my fingers crossed, and I'm definitely going to keep my feeding using the coral dome!

New Additions and Pictures

I took a trip to a local fish store and purchased a few corals and a fish. I purchased some Zoas, a Sun Coral, a Cat's Paw, and some Orange Mushrooms. The fish is a medium sized Yellow Tang.

After acclimation and a few hours, I snapped some photos. Everything is still getting settled in, but I've been messing with the placement of rock lately and i wanted to get some pictures. I was browsing some past entries, and I can see the progress and changes in the tank over that past few months. It's easy to miss the growth and changes when you see your aquarium everyday, and it's comforting to be able to see just how much everything is coming along. Check out the pictures below.

Until next time...

BTA Rose anemone split

My Rose Anemone just split... and one of the halves is on the move... time to put those foam covers back onto the Vortechs...

Now there are two anemones my clown hasn't hosted!

Will She Host?

My Clownfish has not hosted or even shown interest in my new rose anemone. While my clown has probably never had a host, I have read many stories and tips from people including to feed the anemone some Brine or Mysis shrimp. The theory is that the clown will see the food and sneak in for a peek. Once there, she will realize what the anemone is, and make itself at home. Sounds easy enough. I tried it. Nothing. Well, not nothing, at least the Rose Anemone got a nice little meal.

I've also read on a few forums about posting pictures of Clownfish hosting in anemones. Okay, that's a bit unconventional... I don't really buy it. I'll keep reading and looking for something else...

Well, post after post on several sites and forums seemed to back up this picture method, and I was finally inspired to give it a try. I founds some good color pictures at Rem'sReef.com. You can read about the success he had in his blog post, "Adding a Picture Does Get Clownfish to Host!"

I've printed the pictures and taped them to my tank. My Clownfish has responded so far by hiding in the back of the tank behind the rock work. While I have no idea if this will work or if my clown will ever host at all, what do I have to lose?

I'll keep you posted! Until next time...

Water change day

Sunday, funday water change! Tank husbandry all around. I changed about 15 gallons of water, siphoned some sand out, replaced the some media and filter sock, and more!!

I also changed the clear vinyl tubing on the TL Phosban reactor to black vinyl tubing. It looks much better now.

Did I mention I added fish? I added three Chromis and a Six-Line Wrasse. My Yellow Watchman Goby has been defending his territory well, and my Clownfish has been making her presence known.

So far the Chromis have adjusted well and the Six-Line Wrasse has been swimming around, foraging off the rocks. I'll post pictures soon...