Mixed Reef Jar—big changes

[Koleswrath]

9 hours ago, NatureGuy said:

There is a work lookin thin on the glass, it appears to be moving 

This little guy is a flatworm of some sort. Might not be a problem but I'd remove them if you see them.

[NatureGuy]

Both the two pumps I’ve used to circulate water that’s heating in preparation for a WC have quit within one to two uses. Am I just unlucky or does the salt break pumps meant for fresh or something? 

[PJPS]

On 1/11/2023 at 12:31 AM, NatureGuy said:

Okay so I just checked the bowl and it was down to 70 F. The heater came on with a lil tap, but I dont really trust it anymore. There's still nothing but liverock in the tank, I dont think the heat was out for more then 24 hours probably less. Will this have harmed the bacteria? I think I'm gonna get a temerature controller now, what brands are good? 

 

Edit: it already bliped out again, I just ordered an inkbird controller  and a secondary heater

What about one of those coffee mug warmers under the jar with an inkbird probe tucked in the back?
 

I think a snail and some macro algae, and I assume a softie or two once it’s seasoned, can probably handle a temp swing like that without fussing, but I can’t say I’ve tried jar reefing

[PJPS]

2 hours ago, NatureGuy said:

Both the two pumps I’ve used to circulate water that’s heating in preparation for a WC have quit within one to two uses. Am I just unlucky or does the salt break pumps meant for fresh or something? 

To an extent, saltwater chews through gear faster in all respects as it’s more caustic water.  But I use plenty of generic utility pumps meant for fresh water from Amazon.  They last from a few years to “that still works?”.  So you’re likely just unlucky 😕

[NatureGuy]

On 2/14/2023 at 12:59 AM, PJPS said:

What about one of those coffee mug warmers under the jar with an inkbird probe tucked in the back?
 

I think a snail and some macro algae, and I assume a softie or two once it’s seasoned, can probably handle a temp swing like that without fussing, but I can’t say I’ve tried jar reefing

There are no longer large temp swings so it’s good. 

Babies have grown 

[NatureGuy]

These little straw cleaners are really good for cleaning salt out of the airline tubing 

Edit: live Rock is so pretty even without the coral 

[NatureGuy]

What’s this tube thing 

[NatureGuy]

And what are these? There’s quite a few of them quite suddenly 

[NatureGuy]

Unsolicited FW pic

[NatureGuy]

I’m about to tackle this crazed cord cluster#### wish me luck 

[Tamberav]

On 2/24/2023 at 12:06 PM, NatureGuy said:

What’s this tube thing 

 

Vermetid snail

On 2/25/2023 at 10:40 AM, NatureGuy said:

And what are these? There’s quite a few of them quite suddenly 

 

Munnid isopod

[NatureGuy]

Annnndd, it looks the same 

[NatureGuy]

[NatureGuy]

New coral! All shrooms 

[NatureGuy]

I’ll post more picture when they settle in, ricordea is vibin though.

[NatureGuy]

[NatureGuy]

I read something from an article saying that hard corals polyps were interconnected and shared resources, but soft corals didn’t. I was wondering if this was consistent throughout all corals in these categories or if it was more general.

[NatureGuy]

Should I be concerned about the way the mouth is sorta hanging open? 

[NatureGuy]

Am I really only supposed to use 1 ml of water or am I missing something? Seems like a weirdly small amount 

edit: either I did this wrong or I’ve got no traceable nitrates

[NatureGuy]

Nitrates in the jar are untraceable, whereas the water change water comes in at 10 ppm. It’s been five days since my last water change, so I guess thats used up pretty quickly. I’ll start feeding more regularly and heavier and see what happens. 

I’d not planed to test the jar ever, but brought NO3 and PO4 tests on a wim. Guess I’ve gotten lucky. 

[NatureGuy]

I might be of my rocker, but I think this guy visibly chubbed up after eating 

 

first pic is before, second is the day after 

[NatureGuy]

Just tried removing the mushrooms from the plugs with a razor blade. They’re all affixed to ruble, which is, in turn, glued to the plugs. It was easy to get the rubble free. Unfortunately, the peace the ricordea is on is too small for me to use super glue without a glueing the foot. If I just leave the coral in the dark, will it find its way to a spot of its liking by itself? 

[NatureGuy]

It’s really difficult to move anything around in the pico. If I were to start form square one, I’d get a shallow container and make a scape consisting of many small disconnected rocks which could be easily removed from the tank for all my glueing needs  

[NatureGuy]

Annnnddddd I put the ricordea to close to Big Daddy, I don’t have time to move them right now, hopefully they don’t kill each other 

[NatureGuy]

Crisis averted. looks like it was just a loving hug. Guess Richard and whatever  Big Daddy is (rhodactis?) don’t sting each other.