Where the Wild Things Are: 100 Days (rezing the thread)

[Lula_Mae]

Those crabs!

[lkoechle]

A pic.  Here's a Maru.  Or two.  We're going back to the hospital tomorrow for more testing on my 18 month old.  So the week 14 FTS probably won't be up until Thursday or maybe Friday after water changes.

 

 

 

[Lula_Mae]

1 hour ago, lkoechle said:

A pic.  Here's a Maru.  Or two.  We're going back to the hospital tomorrow for more testing on my 18 month old.  So the week 14 FTS probably won't be up until Thursday or maybe Friday after water changes.

 

 

 

Hope little girlie gets better soon

[lkoechle]

22 minutes ago, Lula_Mae said:

Hope little girlie gets better soon

Us too.  It's a sweat test for cystic fibrosis.  if it isn't that, we have two MRIs next week.  Prayers for answers, healing, and sanity.  Our three year old has to go with us to all these appointments

[Lula_Mae]

2 minutes ago, lkoechle said:

Us too.  It's a sweat test for cystic fibrosis.  if it isn't that, we have two MRIs next week.  Prayers for answers, healing, and sanity.  Our three year old has to go with us to all these appointments

Oh, snap. CF is no joke! But no matter what, answers are better than nothing.  And your poor little guy must be bored to tears with all that! 

[Pjanssen]

Sorry to hear about your baby Leah. Nothing worse than having a sick child. Hoping for the best for you and your family.

[debbeach13]

Prayers for you and the family.

[Thunder Goose]

Sorry to hear your kiddo is so sick. Fingers crossed for a diagnosis. Toes crossed that it's something manageable (or curable). 

[lkoechle]

FTS 14

 

Moved some things around, I have plans regarding the red finger.  i was waiting to see if the extreme bare tips would recover,  but they havent. So I am thinking of cutting them and instead of tossing, putting them in the mantis tank.  I moved the corky fingers to get more flow because they just havent been doing well and I don't know why since all the other gorgs are.

 

 

 

 

[metrokat]

Hi there

Almost time for the contest end in FOUR DAYS!!

 

Please post some pictures and a final FTS whenever you get a chance along with your challenges and observations.

Any equipment feedback would be great too.

 

And a summary of livestock with prices

 

Thanks

[lkoechle]

Final Contest Post

 

We're finally here!  

 

Final FTS:

 

 

 

Challenges and observations:

Most of the animals in this tank were new to me.  I've never done a LR tank and have always started from sterile, so starting this tank how I did, was a lot different.  I've never cared for: porcelain crabs, sponges, gorgonians, macroalgae, starfish, etc I've never even had a blenny. It had hermit crabs and snails, and those I have had before   

 

Sponges I still don't understand and have been frustrating.  My biggest disappointment was losing my red sponge out of nowhere.  I plan on trying this species again in this tank in the future.  But that was a major upset for me.  It was fine and then it wasn't.  There was no in between.  The only thing I had added was Xport to reduce NO3.  I guess sponges are super sensitive to parameter swings despite the fact I still have very high nitrates.  So who knows.  Good news though is there is noticeable growth in the remaining sponges.  So, win there.  And Chicken Liver sponges are indestructible.  It's been living quite happily on the tank floor and I frequently forget it's there because Maru likes to bury it. Oh, and mounting sponges is a PITA, can't tell you how many times I've had to reglue the frilly yellow ones.

 

Macroalgae  I have a GHA farm in the rear chambers and my macros up front have all but melted away.  I have no idea why.  I'm thinking about removing the Xport bricks and see if they come back despite my nutrients being high.  This was the last change I had made.  The disappeared slowly and coincided with my daughter's medical issues.  By the time I had noticed, they were gone.  I wish I had been more attentive.  But c'est la vie.  

 

Feeding is a challenge because Maru the Seaweed Blenny is a jerk.  He steals food from everyone.  So feeding Ursula the Serpent Star is a PITA.  Minor complaint, but a challenge none the less.  He guards the stupid star now waiting to steal food from it.  I love my clingfish couple.  They have really taken to feeding from your hand or tongs and will readily sit on your fingers.  I keep meaning to take pictures.

 

Gorgonians have been a mixed bag.  The red fingers with algae issues have been interesting.  I didn't realize until last week while reading a thread @GregEmmitte commented on that I could brush the algae off of them. lol  They've been much happier since.  Despite that oversight, there has been new growth as well as recovery.  My Corky Fingers I haven't gotten happy yet and they are supposedly easy.  No idea whats going on there.  The Purple Seawhip and Candelabrums though have noticeable new growth for all three pieces.

 

Equipment Feedback:

Not really much to say except I really hate nuvo pumps.  They are cheap and break easily and are loud.  Really not a fan.  The Orbit light is not as intuitive as I would like but I left it on a preprogrammed cycle, so I'm not UNhappy with it.  Just not spectacularly impressed with it.

 

Summary of Livestock:

 

Octocorals:

·         Candelabrum Gorgonian (Eunicea succinea)

·         Purple Sea Whip

·         Red Finger Gorgonian

Corals:

·         Cup Coral (Phyllangia americana)

·         Tube Coral  (Eusmilia fastigiata)

·         Oculina robusta 

 

Inverts:

·         Gorilla Crab x1 ( Xanthidae pilumnus)

·         Red Porcelain Crab x8 (Petrolisthes galthinus)

·         Long wristed hermit crabs (Pagurus longicarpus, lots)

·         Red hermit crabs

·         Blue Legged Hermit Crabs

·         Nassarius vibex

·         Cerith Snails

·         Striped Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus formosus)

·         Common Atlantic Marginella Snail (Purnum apicinum)

·         Blue Legged Hermit Crabs

·         Whelks

·         Spaghetti worms 

·         Feather dusters (Anamobaea oerstedi, et all)

·         Curley Cue Anemone (Bartholomea annulata)

·         Serpent Star x2 (Ophiolepsis superba)

·         Barnacles

·         various unknown bivalves

·         longspine urchin x2

·         peppermint shrimp

 

Fish:

·         Stippled Clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus, “Mr Cling” & “Mrs Cling”)

·         Seaweed Blenny (Parablennius marmoreus)

Sponges:

·      Chicken Liver Sponge (Chondrilla nucula)

·      Orange encrusting sponge (Spirastrella coccinea)

·      Red Tree Sponge (Amphimedon compressa)

·      Orange lumpy encrusting sponge (Scopalina ruetzleri)

·      Dysidea etheria

·      Callyspongia fallax

·      Mycale laevis

·      Yellow ball sponge (Cinachyrella alloclada)

 

Macros:

·         Caulerpa Mexicana

·         Grape Caulerpa

 

Livestock total: $10

 

We bought "The Package" from TBS which is rock, sand, and "extras" (stuff they send you at their discretion because they can).  Separately ordering from TBS, rock and sand are $204, "The Package" is $214 meaning the "extras" (aka livestock) are $10.

 

 

Concluding thoughts:

This contest has been a lot of fun.  I've really enjoyed it.  It's been challenging with what I kept/am keeping but it's good to be stretched.  A lot of these animals I would never have.  They either aren't readily available or I just wouldn't have thought of them.  Most of them came hitchiking on the rock and sand.  Believe me you, seeing Mr. Cling wriggling in the sand bag nearly gave me a heart attack.  I loved using TBS to do this tank.  Shipping is expensive, but totally worth it.  I have a Florida predator tank in mind for a future build and will totally be getting another package.  Hands down best deal out there.  But I must admit, I am excited to finally be able to add to the tank when the contest is over.  Thank you @metrokat and @jedimasterben for putting this on and all the cooperating sponsors ( @Marine Depot , @InnovativeMarine ) !

 

More Photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GregEmmitte]

This thing is awesome!!!!

[lkoechle]

5 minutes ago, GregEmmitte said:

This thing is awesome!!!!

Thanks! It's a really fun little tank.  Lots to watch.  And TBH *whispers* I like it a little better than my SPS tank.  But shhhh, don't let the coral hear that, I don't want them deciding to RTN on me out of revenge! 

[Lula_Mae]

13 minutes ago, lkoechle said:

Final Contest Post

 

We're finally here!  

 

Final FTS:

 

 

 

Challenges and observations:

Most of the animals in this tank were new to me.  I've never done a LR tank and have always started from sterile, so starting this tank how I did, was a lot different.  I've never cared for: porcelain crabs, sponges, gorgonians, macroalgae, starfish, etc I've never even had a blenny. It had hermit crabs and snails, and those I have had before   

 

Sponges I still don't understand and have been frustrating.  My biggest disappointment was losing my red sponge out of nowhere.  I plan on trying this species again in this tank in the future.  But that was a major upset for me.  It was fine and then it wasn't.  There was no in between.  The only thing I had added was Xport to reduce NO3.  I guess sponges are super sensitive to parameter swings despite the fact I still have very high nitrates.  So who knows.  Good news though is there is noticeable growth in the remaining sponges.  So, win there.  And Chicken Liver sponges are indestructible.  It's been living quite happily on the tank floor and I frequently forget it's there because Maru likes to bury it. Oh, and mounting sponges is a PITA, can't tell you how many times I've had to reglue the frilly yellow ones.

 

Macroalgae  I have a GHA farm in the rear chambers and my macros up front have all but melted away.  I have no idea why.  I'm thinking about removing the Xport bricks and see if they come back despite my nutrients being high.  This was the last change I had made.  The disappeared slowly and coincided with my daughter's medical issues.  By the time I had noticed, they were gone.  I wish I had been more attentive.  But c'est la vie.  

 

Feeding is a challenge because Maru the Seaweed Blenny is a jerk.  He steals food from everyone.  So feeding Ursula the Serpent Star is a PITA.  Minor complaint, but a challenge none the less.  He guards the stupid star now waiting to steal food from it.  I love my clingfish couple.  They have really taken to feeding from your hand or tongs and will readily sit on your fingers.  I keep meaning to take pictures.

 

Gorgonians have been a mixed bag.  The red fingers with algae issues have been interesting.  I didn't realize until last week while reading a thread @GregEmmitte commented on that I could brush the algae off of them. lol  They've been much happier since.  Despite that oversight, there has been new growth as well as recovery.  My Corky Fingers I haven't gotten happy yet and they are supposedly easy.  No idea whats going on there.  The Purple Seawhip and Candelabrums though have noticeable new growth for all three pieces.

 

Equipment Feedback:

Not really much to say except I really hate nuvo pumps.  They are cheap and break easily and are loud.  Really not a fan.  The Orbit light is not as intuitive as I would like but I left it on a preprogrammed cycle, so I'm not UNhappy with it.  Just not spectacularly impressed with it.

 

Summary of Livestock:

 

Octocorals:

·         Candelabrum Gorgonian (Eunicea succinea)

·         Purple Sea Whip

·         Red Finger Gorgonian

Corals:

·         Cup Coral (Phyllangia americana)

·         Tube Coral  (Eusmilia fastigiata)

·         Oculina robusta 

 

Inverts:

·         Gorilla Crab x1 ( Xanthidae pilumnus)

·         Red Porcelain Crab x8 (Petrolisthes galthinus)

·         Long wristed hermit crabs (Pagurus longicarpus, lots)

·         Red hermit crabs

·         Blue Legged Hermit Crabs

·         Nassarius vibex

·         Cerith Snails

·         Striped Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus formosus)

·         Common Atlantic Marginella Snail (Purnum apicinum)

·         Blue Legged Hermit Crabs

·         Whelks

·         Spaghetti worms 

·         Feather dusters (Anamobaea oerstedi, et all)

·         Curley Cue Anemone (Bartholomea annulata)

·         Serpent Star x2 (Ophiolepsis superba)

·         Barnacles

·         various unknown bivalves

·         longspine urchin x2

·         peppermint shrimp

 

Fish:

·         Stippled Clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus, “Mr Cling” & “Mrs Cling”)

·         Seaweed Blenny (Parablennius marmoreus)

Sponges:

·      Chicken Liver Sponge (Chondrilla nucula)

·      Orange encrusting sponge (Spirastrella coccinea)

·      Red Tree Sponge (Amphimedon compressa)

·      Orange lumpy encrusting sponge (Scopalina ruetzleri)

·      Dysidea etheria

·      Callyspongia fallax

·      Mycale laevis

·      Yellow ball sponge (Cinachyrella alloclada)

 

Macros:

·         Caulerpa Mexicana

·         Grape Caulerpa

 

Livestock total: $10

 

We bought "The Package" from TBS which is rock, sand, and "extras" (stuff they send you at their discretion because they can).  Separately ordering from TBS, rock and sand are $204, "The Package" is $214 meaning the "extras" (aka livestock) are $10.

 

 

Concluding thoughts:

This contest has been a lot of fun.  I've really enjoyed it.  It's been challenging with what I kept/am keeping but it's good to be stretched.  A lot of these animals I would never have.  They either aren't readily available or I just wouldn't have thought of them.  Most of them came hitchiking on the rock and sand.  Believe me you, seeing Mr. Cling wriggling in the sand bag nearly gave me a heart attack.  I loved using TBS to do this tank.  Shipping is expensive, but totally worth it.  I have a Florida predator tank in mind for a future build and will totally be getting another package.  Hands down best deal out there.  But I must admit, I am excited to finally be able to add to the tank when the contest is over.  Thank you @metrokat and @jedimasterben for putting this on and all the cooperating sponsors!

 

More Photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[holy carp]

It's gorgeous.

[fishfreak0114]

  Phenomenal tank and pictures!  I really enjoyed the final write-up!

[Thunder Goose]

I really enjoyed watching this thread and doing a copycat tank. I'm surprised you still have urchins, my longspines got too big and graduated to my "big" tank already.

 

Can't wait to see what changes you have planned!

[metrokat]

You rock! Thank you.

[lkoechle]

34 minutes ago, Thunder Goose said:

I really enjoyed watching this thread and doing a copycat tank. I'm surprised you still have urchins, my longspines got too big and graduated to my "big" tank already.

 

Can't wait to see what changes you have planned!

Its big.  I will have to take it to the LFS soon. But I am a little attached. lol  Probably next week or the week after.

[Pjanssen]

Even your concluding write up is a winner!

Time to get the good camera out

[lkoechle]

So, new chapter begins today. I bought some macros from the lovely  @Weetabix7 and they arrived today.  Let me tell you, she packs like a champ!  I mean not only insulated box: 

 

 

But like weird sealed individual yet glued together baggies.  Like a bulk purchase from CostCo.

 

 

 

Serious skillz here.  Oh and she's dubbed this a "designer" Stomatella.  I named it Stomey.

 

He was a shipping test run   Did really well, he was scooting all over the bag.

 

Mr. Cling loved his "Macro Cloak" while I was floating (aka "I'm-still-doing-a-boat-load-of-maintenance")

 

But I am very happy with the final product!  I did a lot of moving around too if you notice.

 

 

Couch view:

 

It was a great day.  Last night we had family photos done on the beach by one of my mom friends.  We got some sneak peeks today.  I'm in love!

 

 

 

I can't wait to see the rest!  So great day today!

 

 

 

 

[Coral_chef]

I want some sexy clean Marcos like that ?

[Lula_Mae]

12 minutes ago, lkoechle said:

So, new chapter begins today. I bought some macros from the lovely  @Weetabix7 and they arrived today.  Let me tell you, she packs like a champ!  I mean not only insulated box: 

 

 

But like weird sealed individual yet glued together baggies.  Like a bulk purchase from CostCo.

 

 

 

Serious skillz here.  Oh and she's dubbed this a "designer" Stomatella.  I named it Stomey.

 

He was a shipping test run   Did really well, he was scooting all over the bag.

 

Mr. Cling loved his "Macro Cloak" while I was floating (aka "I'm-still-doing-a-boat-load-of-maintenance")

 

But I am very happy with the final product!  I did a lot of moving around too if you notice.

 

 

Couch view:

 

It was a great day.  Last night we had family photos done on the beach by one of my mom friends.  We got some sneak peeks today.  I'm in love!

 

 

 

I can't wait to see the rest!  So great day today!

 

 

 

 

Weetie does do a great job packing!  Those macros look like they've always been there!  And those beach pictures...WOW!  Phenomenal!

[fishfreak0114]

Nice macros, it looks great in there!  And fantastic family photos!

[Pjanssen]

42 minutes ago, lkoechle said:

So, new chapter begins today. I bought some macros from the lovely  @Weetabix7 and they arrived today.  Let me tell you, she packs like a champ!  I mean not only insulated box: 

 

 

But like weird sealed individual yet glued together baggies.  Like a bulk purchase from CostCo.

 

 

 

Serious skillz here.  Oh and she's dubbed this a "designer" Stomatella.  I named it Stomey.

 

He was a shipping test run   Did really well, he was scooting all over the bag.

 

Mr. Cling loved his "Macro Cloak" while I was floating (aka "I'm-still-doing-a-boat-load-of-maintenance")

 

But I am very happy with the final product!  I did a lot of moving around too if you notice.

 

 

Couch view:

 

It was a great day.  Last night we had family photos done on the beach by one of my mom friends.  We got some sneak peeks today.  I'm in love!

 

 

 

I can't wait to see the rest!  So great day today!

 

 

 

 

Just what this tank needs, more color 

Beautiful Family!