Sword Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I recently set up a 5.5g rimless AGA with hand collected flora and fauna from a South Florida tide pool . This is predominantly a macroalgae system with a crap ton of invertebrates (and one little blenny fish). Equipment JBJ Picotope 9w 50/50 Light - Going to upgrade this when money permits. Cascade 150 Power Filter - was on clearance for $9.99. Soon to have a NanoMag, Hydor Theo 50w Heater, and a new light. Occupants Macro algaes - will have to get them ID'd as I get better pictures of them. Goby - Ctenogobius boleosoma Dozens of snails - limpets, little tiny cerith snails, nerites, a BIG Turbo with awesome macro on his shell, predatory whelks, and probably other sorts in there as well Dozens of hermit crabs - red and blue legged - various sizes - one big man, probably 1/4 of the size of my big turbo snail Spotted Sea Hare - little guy - this tank was set up around him Crabs - little sand crabs, some crazy rock crab thing, crabs covered in macro Nudibranches - look like hair algae caterpillars - I had at least two. Not sure if they've made it into the tank yet or are still waiting to be sorted in the bucket. Starfish - little brittle or serpent stars. Dozens of Micro Sea Urchins Red compound tunicate with purple dots. White mass: Sponge? It's smooth Pods Pods Pods! All sorts - lots of little critters scurrying about. Most life I've ever seen. Pictures taken with my iPhone. Will take better pictures in time. Link to comment
dtfleming Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 the anenome thing looks like a thomas mushroom. Link to comment
mxstunter Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 TATS awesome u collected all this stuff from a tide pool!!! awesome. i would find a different method of filtration tho, ur prob better off with a hang on back. unless thats what u have Link to comment
Sword Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 The Cascade is a HOB. Just attached it, so it hasn't had much time to clear the water. I eventually want to turn this into a 10g SAIO. the anenome thing looks like a thomas mushroom. Do you have any pictures? It's somewhere between a RBTA and a sponge in appearance. Link to comment
b_c_fisher Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Overcollected=wrong Setting up bigger tank or another tank for said items=RIGHT Link to comment
Sword Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 Going to put them to use, no worries. I could easily put what I have left in my tank, but I didn't want it to be cluttered. Likely going to set up a 2.5 AGA for my bedroom or use some of the macro for my fuge when I drill my picotope. It's mostly stray macro and hermit crabs that fell out when I was picking the choice pieces. Link to comment
Sword Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 Red growth on rock appears to be a tunicate, I think. Link to comment
SbCaes Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Red growth on rock appears to be a tunicate, I think. sooo awesomeeeeeeee Link to comment
Sword Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 I am completely amazed by this tank. I can't wait to get some high quality photos for you guys Link to comment
Sword Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 Slightly better pictures! Blurry, but the best I can do for now. Click for full size Tunicate? Big Turbo (?) Snail with his macro algae hat and urchin friend. FTS From above-ish Butters, the Spotted Sea Hare, munching on some red macro Smooth, white growth on rock. Macro in the corner FTS The fiber wrapped around the intake is to keep the sea hare from getting injured. It also works as a prefilter and keeps the bits of macro out. Link to comment
RENDOG Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I like the tank....lots of Macro is coooool Link to comment
Sword Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 Anyone have any resources for identifying macro algae and other critters? I'm trying to figure out exactly what everything is. Link to comment
Jamie Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 this tank is sweet! and yes, that is some type of compound tunicate. Link to comment
Psychosis Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 My reccomendation? PM johnmaloney. Or Mr.Fosi. Link to comment
akabryanhall Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Awesome tank, I do believe the white growth is a sponge. Link to comment
RDDJ Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 That is awesome! A little free collection time goes in a big way. Link to comment
Sword Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share Posted May 11, 2009 So it turns out my blenny is not a blenny! After digging around fishbase, I've discovered that it's a darter goby. I really want to set this tank up properly as a Rimless 10g AIO. The Sea Hare has carved through all of the red macro algae in the tank. It's appetite is insatiable. I hope it starts eating on the other types or he might be going back to the tidepool. Link to comment
crrichey Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 That is a very natural looking aquarium my friend! Link to comment
Diatome Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Looks good. +1 johnmaloney for help on the macro and most everything else. Link to comment
Sword Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 The tank is in relative shambles compared to how it looked originally. The sea hare was more insatiable than I thought. It ate all of the pretty red algae I had. The thinner hair looking algae never took hold under the poor lighting. Tank is still running, with only the various Caulerpa sp. growing and spreading. I'm still finding new stuff in there every day. New crabs, starfish, snails, etc. Going to set this up as a 10g SAIO with DIY 70w MH. Hopefully I can start that project in the next few weeks. Going to either see if a local reefer needs the sea hare or return him back to his tide pool (which should be fine since everything in the tank, including the water, is from the same spot). Link to comment
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