College 3-Gallon Reef Tank!

[Wiilio]

Hello nano-reef,

 

After a long break from the saltwater hobby (and a long two years in college, which is still going on), I've jumped back in with what will hopefully be a long-running and successful tank.

 

 

Hardware/Filtration:
3-gallon JBJ Picotope

PAR30 3 blue/2 white bulb

AquaClear 70 with overflow and box

- Seachem Purigen and Phosguard

Aqueon Pro Heater

JBJ ATO

Rock/Sand:

No idea how much anymore, but it's there!

 

Livestock (* = planned):

Fish:

Neon goby

 

Invertebrates:

* Sexy shrimp (3)

Emerald crab (1)

Astrea snails (5)

Nassarius snails (5)

Blue-legged hermit crab (1)

 

Corals:

Ricordea
Zoanthids

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Thanks for reading!

[ArabTanker]

If you guys want to see them, I have close-ups of pretty much every organism in the tank.

 

We do.

 

Not sure what you lfs carries; mine only has an old MP10 and some gigantic Koralias for sale. But check out Hydor Koralia's nano line of powerheads. I have no experience with them but I was going to get them for my tank so I read a lot of reviews. They seem to be made well.

 

Good luck and welcome back.

[Wiilio]

Thank you very much!

You ask, and I deliver:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, my favorite macro:

 

Also, one of the firefish is acting a bit... not really STRANGE, but... different. One is quite large and skittish (the one that is in the picture alone), and the other one is smaller and more outgoing (also a bit beat up; there's a chunk out of the top of its tail, and its dorsal fin and one of its pelvic fins looks snapped; there were a lot of firefish in one tank at the store). The smaller one was out within 10 minutes of being in the tank, while the larger one started coming out today.

On to the point. Since they have both been out today... the smaller one has shown some unusual behavior. When close to the big one, it sort of wiggles its tail. Also, they will both be hovering in the water column, minding their own business, when the small one will just stroll on over behind the rock (not dart back, like its scared... just slowly swim), stay for a little while (usually a minute or less), and pop back out. Does anyone know what's going on here?

[Wiilio]

I have returned with purchases!

 

I got the water tested at the store. When the lady came back with my results, she asked:
"Do you even have fish in the tank?"
"Yes, why?"
"You know your cycle won't start until you have something living in the tank..."
"I have had it cycling for two months with live rock and snails."

She handed me the results:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0

Nitrates: 0

pH: 7.8 (A bit lower than it was; did my first water change since having the tank once I got home, which should help with that)

Calcium: 440

Phosphates: 0
Alkalinity: 300 (17 dKH... a bit higher than recommended, but is it a problem?)
Salinity: 1.023

 

I bought:
5 Nassarius snails...

 

2 peppermint shrimp

 

And this little guy!

 

The firefish are still doing well and not murdering each other. Don't know how long it would take for them to start fighting if they were going to fight, but for now it's peaceful.

 

The neon goby has already tried to do its job (the large firefish has a parasite on his side), but the firefish keeps shying away from it. Hopefully they'll get comfortable enough with each other soon.

I had to remove the Gracilaria because it was bleaching. I don't really mind; I almost like the tank better without them. If I could find some seagrass to put in their place, that would probably look the best (to me, anyway).

And the Caulerpa went sexual this morning, which is why you might notice some fuzziness (more than usual anyway) in the pictures.

Updated FTS:



Sorry the quality isn't amazing, by the way. I poured all of my money into the tank, so there isn't much left over for a fancy camera.

[Wiilio]

Apologies for posting twice in one day, but I figured I should let you guys know that my dad actually has a pretty good camera, allowing me to take pics like this:

 

And this:

 

So now I'll be able to get better pictures!

[MeepNand]

This place sells star grass: http://floridapets.tripod.com/index.htm But they don't ship to CA.

[Wiilio]

This place sells star grass: http://floridapets.tripod.com/index.htm But they don't ship to CA.

 

Lucky I'm in NC!

 

I think the shoal grass would be right up my alley. I want it in the background, and it'd be awesome if it would cover the whole back wall.

 

Thanks for the link!

[Wiilio]

A few updates:

1) The Aiptasia-X came today, and I went to town. The most justifying aquarium-related feeling I've ever had: Seeing that dead aiptasia peeling off the wall and flowing away into nothing. It seriously felt so good. An audible "Yeah!" escaped my mouth.

2) Since the peppermints (which I'm still not convinced they actually are) didn't do their job, they're going back to the LFS on (probably) Friday, and I will replace them with a skunk cleaner shrimp.

 

3) The firefish are both insanely scared of the neon goby, but not so much of the shrimp. That's why I'm getting a skunk cleaner. Anyway, the neon goby is also returning.

4) I'm going to be getting either a yasha or hi fin shrimp goby instead of a yellow watchman, depending on what the LFS has. That pistol shrimp has made a fantastic burrow (about 6.5" and has three entry holes) and it'd be a shame if he didn't have something to share it with.

 

5) Considering getting a clown goby as well. I saw that the LFS got a green clown goby in on Monday. The only thing stopping me from picking him up then was not knowing whether or not it was eating. They have also had yellow, and BLACK. Black would be kinda cool, but I don't think it would stand out much considering my tank background is also black (wish I had made it blue).

So in short:

Going back - peppermint shrimp (both), and neon goby

Buying - yasha/hi-fin goby, possibly clown goby

 

Thanks for reading!

[Wiilio]

Update time!

As far as the removals go:
* Aiptasia, as far as I can tell, is gone. If any more pop up, I can take care of them.

* Peppermint shrimp are gone.
* Neon goby is still in there, mainly because I can't friggin catch him.

Additions:

This guy

 

And a Hydor Koralia Nano 240 Aquarium Circulation Pump

 

Changes:

* I guess the smaller firefish is gone... it hasn't been out lately, even though it was the one that came out within 10 minutes of being in the tank. The larger firefish is definitely more skittish.
* I moved around the bryothamnion. I broke up a lot of the pieces and put them all over the rock.
* The pistol shrimp has a pretty extensive burrow going on... at least 3 entrances, I'm thinking 4 and possibly 5.
* The neon goby seems to share the burrow! They aren't paired or anything, but the goby will swim through one hole and pop out another.

Updated FTS in the first post.

Thanks for reading!

[Wiilio]

Hope I'm not talking to myself here...

Just a few picture updates.

Still no sign of the smaller firefish... I'm assuming it's dead.

Lil neon has decided it likes rocks now, although it still seems to favor the back wall

 

The firefish has finally started coming out again, and it looks like it's starting to tolerate the neon:

...although it still won't allow the neon to clean... hmph.

 

Also getting some nice macro growth:

 

Notice how purple this is! And the picture doesn't even do it justice:

 

 

Also, can I get an ID on this algae growing off the bryothamnion? I'm going to clip it off when I do my water change so it's not a problem later on, but I'm curious as to what it is:

 

 

And in case you haven't gotten your picture fill today:

 

 

Updated FTS in first post.

Thanks for reading!

[gena]

OMG....your rockscape is fantastic!!!!! Very awesome tank you have here. Are you planning any corals? I will enjoy following this tank, so I hope you do lots of updates...more than one a day is ok too

[FlCandy]

Amazing tank! You going to try any LPS or softies in there? I love that macro it's awesome, let me know when your ready to ship some my way.

 

Firefish looks great, bet it was just that one submitting to the larger one.

[JoelRHale]

I have returned with purchases!

 

She handed me the results:

Ammonia: 0

Nitrites: 0

Nitrates: 0

pH: 7.8 (A bit lower than it was; did my first water change since having the tank once I got home, which should help with that)

Calcium: 440

Phosphates: 0

Alkalinity: 300 (17 dKH... a bit higher than recommended, but is it a problem?)

Salinity: 1.023

 

Don't worry about chasing a number with ph or dkh, stability is more important. Messing with buffers only really reaps benefits in more delicate systems, not in a macro tank. The less stuff you add, the better you'll be in the long run IMO.

[FlCandy]

Mr. Hale!

[Wiilio]

OMG....your rockscape is fantastic!!!!! Very awesome tank you have here. Are you planning any corals? I will enjoy following this tank, so I hope you do lots of updates...more than one a day is ok too

 

Thank you! That front portion actually comes out and makes a third arc, but the pictures don't show it well. When the lights come on tomorrow, I'll try to snap a pic of that. Wasn't planning on any corals for this tank! I was hoping to find some more macros that would add even more variety (I REALLY like the Padina genus). However, I have a list made for a 4-gallon rimless cube that'll be 100% rics. Just have to get the money... which should be on its way!

 

Amazing tank! You going to try any LPS or softies in there? I love that macro it's awesome, let me know when your ready to ship some my way.

 

Firefish looks great, bet it was just that one submitting to the larger one.

 

Once this all grows out, I'd be more than happy to send you some! Hope you like caulerpa

 

That's what it looked like before the small one vanished. There was also a lot of bullying from the large one going on.

 

Don't worry about chasing a number with ph or dkh, stability is more important. Messing with buffers only really reaps benefits in more delicate systems, not in a macro tank. The less stuff you add, the better you'll be in the long run IMO.

 

Thanks for the info! I didn't think dkh was something I should chase, but I just wanted to make sure.

 

Thank you all for stopping in, by the way. It's really nice to see such respected members gracing my thread with their presence

 

 

As far as updates and such go:

 

* Still waiting on a yasha/hi-fin goby... LFS has NEVER carried through with my requests when I ask them to order things... but maybe this time... Although honestly I'd just as soon get one from a member here who doesn't want theirs anymore. The problem with that is that most of the time they already have shrimp buddies!

 

* Everything seems to be comfortable now! When the firefish is out 90% of the time, you know the inhabitants are comfortable

 

* Always on the lookout for new macros and livestock to add, but for now I think I'll take a lesson from this guy:

 

and just "let it grow!"

Thanks for reading!

[gena]

I love your taste in livestock! And your attitude on stocking

 

I'll be getting some macros for my refugium eventually...maybe we can do some trading at some point!!!!

[Wiilio]

I love your taste in livestock! And your attitude on stocking

 

I'll be getting some macros for my refugium eventually...maybe we can do some trading at some point!!!!

 

That would be excellent! Right now the caulerpa is growing the fastest (of course), but both clumps of ochtodes are showing some nice purply growth The large clump even has pods in it!

[gena]

I used to have a giant clump of the ochtodes in my 28g tank. I eventually had to remove it because it was shading so much underneath it. Since you won't have any corals to worry about you can totally just let yours take off....lucky Yes...the pods LOVE hanging out in the ochtodes. That's probably one of my favorite macros of all.

 

BTW...your kitty has beautiful eyes

[FlCandy]

Gots lots of caulerpa from MR Hale before he broke the Horn down.

 

Love the red though! I have all but the one you get great pics of so cool!

[FlowerMama]

Those macro tanks are just so natual and flowy to me. And I agree w/ above that the scape is beautiful. I never saw one where the rocks meet to the center like that. Following.

[Wiilio]

I used to have a giant clump of the ochtodes in my 28g tank. I eventually had to remove it because it was shading so much underneath it. Since you won't have any corals to worry about you can totally just let yours take off....lucky Yes...the pods LOVE hanging out in the ochtodes. That's probably one of my favorite macros of all.

 

BTW...your kitty has beautiful eyes

 

What I would love to see is for it to completely take over the rock. I'm not sure I'd like to keep it that way, but I at least want to see what it would look like! Since they change colors with higher lighting, I wonder if it would fade into blue the more it went down the rocks.

 

I'll be sure to let him know you said so! He is, by far, one of the most photogenic cats I've ever had. And he's very loving!

 

Gots lots of caulerpa from MR Hale before he broke the Horn down.

 

Love the red though! I have all but the one you get great pics of so cool!

 

I love that one too! Of the four macros I have, that one looks the most like a coral to me. I was wondering if a clown goby would perch on it like it would an acropora. I'd love a GCG beebopping around in there

 

It's also showing some pretty good growth on the tips. The higher up they are, the brighter red they are.

 

Those macro tanks are just so natual and flowy to me. And I agree w/ above that the scape is beautiful. I never saw one where the rocks meet to the center like that. Following.

 

The caulerpa flows really nicely with the new pump going. I'll have to get a video of it at some point. And I'll be sure to get different angles of the scape tomorrow Thanks for following! It's really cool that there are quite a few North Carolinians on these forums.

[FlCandy]

Oh I bet a GCG would be awesome in there! Or a Citron (the orange ones)

[Wiilio]

Could my tank handle all of those?

Firefish

Neon goby

Yasha goby

Clown goby

 

+ Skunk cleaner, Randall's pistol, 5 hermits (REALLY good for cleaning the macros), 5 nassies, and 5 astreas

I guess the good part is that all of these are "light fish," plus I have the macros helping to maintain parameters.

[FlCandy]

I don't count shrimp. Or hermits. Just make sure to do the WC and don't miss one or over feed and you'll be fine with those macros.

Or snails and stars for that matter.... in the bioload anyways.

[gena]

What I would love to see is for it to completely take over the rock. I'm not sure I'd like to keep it that way, but I at least want to see what it would look like! Since they change colors with higher lighting, I wonder if it would fade into blue the more it went down the rocks.

The great thing about that macro is that it's an awesome money maker! Everyone wants it because it's so beautiful!!!!!

 

I think it definitely gets a lighter shade of blue/purple if it's shaded or in lower lighting. My gobies always liked to perch in it too. There was good eatin' in there (pods)

 

expanding on the clown gobies... even a yellow clown goby!!!!!

 

Could my tank handle all of those?

 

Firefish

Neon goby

Yasha goby

Clown goby

 

+ Skunk cleaner, Randall's pistol, 5 hermits (REALLY good for cleaning the macros), 5 nassies, and 5 astreas

 

I guess the good part is that all of these are "light fish," plus I have the macros helping to maintain parameters.

I think the GCG and Citron gobies get bigger. I personally would stick with a smaller goby, like the yellow clown goby. The macros will definitely love that bioload!!!!!