"Sounds like Rhetoric" 20gal Two-sided (1yr!)

[Rhetoric]

6 hours ago, Leea said:

I just started 3 days ago with an innovation AIO 15 gal nano cube.  I started collecting stuff back in January. Saw my sons  reef tank and fell in love.  Using AI. 16 led light. Started with live Carib sea sand and live rock. Got the water from Franks tanks who has the ro/di setup and sells the water.  Had them test water and got a clown and fritter eye? Blue damsel and a torch, hammer and cotton candy soft corals.  Wish I could find frags for $5. I spent $200 on the 3 little frags I got. So far water is good and sf is good.  Do I need a wave maker ?  The mini Hygaar one I have is too strong for the tank I think. Blows coral off their rock and fish o to other side of tank. 

I can only speak for myself, but I've never once seen a post about to much flow killing fish or corals. (It can knock something off into the sand)  I'm a firm believer in lots of flow.  I'd hook that hygaar up!

 

 

[Murphs_Reef]

11 hours ago, Rhetoric said:

I can only speak for myself, but I've never once seen a post about to much flow killing fish or corals. (It can knock something off into the sand)  I'm a firm believer in lots of flow.  I'd hook that hygaar up!

 

 

Correct on that .. both fish and coral will get used to the flow... well unless we are talking torches... they are just divas.. 

But I have my flow ramped up to 100% on 2 jebao sow16 and a TMC 4000 return pump.. some areas I would even consider another pump to move even more water 

[Rhetoric]

On 9/10/2023 at 6:15 PM, boscoT said:

I spoke with the creator of the pennywise script.  He made the following suggestions for me

 

Run the Pennywise 61% for 2 prime 16HD

Run the Pennywise 71% for 1 prime 16HD

 

I really like it, but do seem to like a little more white light (I'm old school).  I have been playing with the Eddie Putra as it is about the perfect mix of blue and white for me.  I may adjust the blue intro and exit times as the lights are on for a lot longer than I would want.  I just adjusted the start time as this one went on way too early in the morning.  

 

 

Thanks for checking in and sharing Darren's thoughts. I originally had a plan to move to the 61% after the 51%.  

 

I can say most of my coral losses have come from too much light, too fast.  I like the idea of going to 71 after 61. 

 

Will have to see how everything is doing after 30-40 days of max 51.  I still have 16 days of acclimation timing before max 51. 

 

[Rhetoric]

Well, 2 weeks ago I lost my yashi goby.

 

RIP Sir Hide.

 

This tank has been rough on the fish (I blame the tank but feel very much responsible)

 

hen pondering the replacement I've felt this nano was missing something from a fish perspective that you see in bigger tanks.  After almost 9 months I think I've identified it.

 

A fish that patrols.  (Miss my tangs)

 

No I didn't get a tang (call off the police)

 

I picked something worse.... a 6 line wrasse.

 

I know all about wrasse-holes, especially a 6 line.  However the color, constant movement and "patrolling" nature is what sold me. 

 

We haven't named him yet so... I introduce:

 

The 6 line (tough to get a good photo!)

 

 

 

 

 

[Rhetoric]

9 months:

 

It's tough having only 1 nano tank and it being the "display"  

 

With such a small tank I'm limited on coral placement.  If the coral doesn't like it's home I don't really have an alternative home.

 

 I've been in coral acquisition mode for awhile. The other day I almost purchased a magnet frag rack to hold my homeless corals, most of which are cluttering up the sand bed.

 

I always invisioned  a clean and uncluttered aquairum, full of mature and grown out corals.

 

So instead of a frag rack I got rid of the homeless corals.  Packed them up and traded off at the LFS.

 

I have another round of declutter ahead as I finish figuring out how to display a few on the sand.

 

Full and mature is still a while out, but that doesn't mean I want a fruit stand appearance while I wait.

 

September FTS

Dining side

Entry side

 I took out a purple Stylopora (that I had cut in half, other piece was reset on top) and added a neon green Stylopora in its place.

The new light schedule feels good, seeing a lot of white growth tips on the branching coral.

[Rhetoric]

 

Nitrates are running at 14-15 after water changes, and creep up to the 20-21 with my 2 week W/C schedule.

 

I feed a rotation of flake, pellets and frozen in no particular order.

 

I'm going to take flake out of the rotation for 30 days and see what it does to the variance.

 

About to lose the last torch from Marches Reef stock.  Not sure if it wasn't enough light or flow #sigh.

 

I'll move the duncan onto the rock once it's final.  (I'm hopeful for a turn around, never know)

 

Duncan has 2 new baby polyps., bring the total to 5

 

 

[Rhetoric]

I feel very greatful to have picked up a coral that once belonged to the Late Jake Adams.  Jake talked about the "star mint" candy cane on a few occasions (Reef builders and Reef therapy)  I picked this one polyp up from Jack whom is now helping manage the Reef builder Studio.

I also picked up a Milli Spy Monti frag

After my last post I mentioned moving the Duncan in place of the dieing torch.  I decided to move it now before the torch dies.  (Duncan in above photo)  put the torch on the bed, maybe a change in location will help it.

 

[Rhetoric]

10 month update.

 

We're having a Halloween party next weekend so the house is all dressed up.

Dining side

entry 

Thought I'd keep with the scary theme this month and show off my bubble alge, and gross sand bed problem!

 

I have the perfect plan to deal with the alge... Im going to do Nothing!  Hah.  That cyphastrea with out compete and cover that rock (I hope)

 

I aggressively vacuum the sand bed every 2 weeks on WC day.  The brighter lights are causing a bloom, it too shall pass on its own.

[Rhetoric]

Been on the look out for a couple pieces of Jack-o-lanter leptoseris    The old torch rock had a few spots left to fill.

 

I've said "I'm done" adding coral about a 100 times.  I think these might be my last few pieces unless something dies off.

 

[Rhetoric]

Today was maintenance day for the AIO area and return pump scrub down.  Definitely a lot of build up back there.  

 

With the increased light intensity this mixed reef is presenting challenges keeping all the corals in the right spots and happy.

 

Lots of sandbed algae with the higher lights intensity so I picked up a little conch and can't believe how good it is at keeping the sand clean!

This birds nest doesn't like high light and is bleaching, I've moved it into a corner to see if it bounces back.  I've moved this thing about 10 times trying to find a permanent home.

My cyphastrea doesn't like the higher light either, so I moved it under a shaded area, see how it responds.

3 of the 5 LPS (acans) are doing amazing and have several new polyps.  2 are struggling a little I think.

The rainbow acan has 2 new heads and is always hungry

All and all I'm okay with the current status, I knew I might lose a coral or 2 with the light adjustments.  The SPS are loving it though... I'll save that for another post.  

 

#cheers

 

P.s.  I have a full on Bubble algea outbreak.  Still thinking about possible solutions.  I have no plan to use chemicals.  Might have to rethink the crab ban /sigh.

[Rhetoric]

Mortisha (Female clown) jumped today.

 

R.I.P.

 

 

 

[Rhetoric]

11 month update:

 

Small business Saturday meant 20% fish discount.  I've never had to entruduce a new clown to an existing.  We will see how this goes.

 

The new Mocha Clown.

 

 

[Rhetoric]

I didn't realize bubble algae grew so thick.  Bubbles on top of bubbles!  I just assumed it covered the rocks kind of encrusting style.  It started choking out a smaller polyp zoa so It's was time for some good old fashion manual removal.

 

What a huge mess it made, floating crap everywhere, put the filter sock on and netted out a ton of floating bubble debris.  Still a ton left.  But I feel better, I guess.  A lot more to do forsure.  Will take another swing at it next week during the bi-weekly water change.

 

On to some good stuff.

 

I picked up 5 SPS sticks this summer from a local for 50 bucks , this is the loan survivor.  It had bleached completey white before the come back.  With the lights peaking at 71% this guy has really shifted to happy mode.  It's starting to encrust.

Moved the fox Stylopora off the top shelf and down to where the green slimmer was (RIP green slimmer) opening up another high and bright spot.  The Stylopora hasnt grown at all.  Maybe a slight change in flow/light will help it out.  

One of my cyphastrea frags didn't care for the increased light and was bleaching, when I popped it off the rock to move it split into 2 pieces.  Let's see if they survive (twice the chances??)

The Lord's I picked up from reef stock in march have really done well.  They started as 2-3 polyp frags.  I didn't mess with the bubble algae on Lord Island. Yet.

Last a clown update:  The old male Gomez has taken the dominant roll and picks on new fish a lot.  Over all I think things are looking okay, new fish doesn't fight back but also hasn't submitted just runs.

[braaap]

Looking good. Good growth and polyp extension. The new clown looks good too. I'm trying to decide on which pair of clowns I want. So many choices now.

[Rhetoric]

The 20 gallon 2 sided has officially hit ONE YEAR!.

 

I run a sponge in the first chamber that I replace monthly.  No other filtration I periodically run a little carbon to polish water.

 

Still running All for Reef and started dosing mag and some nitrates lately.

 

Over all I'm very please with how it's looking.  I'm done stocking corals and will mostly be thinning down as the year 2 growth happens.

 

Future goals year 2:

Definitely having a huge bubble alge issue.  I've left it alone far to long, will be doing a ton of manual removal after my Xmas trip.

 

I have no plans on upgrading the tank size, lights, or filtration.

 

Year 2: let it grow

 

Some fun early and current shots.

 

Before

Current

 Before

Current

Before

Current 

Before

Current

[Fishy Guy]

Just read through your journal and it was cool seeing the progression over the year! Tank is looking really good.

 

Two questions. How is the six-line getting along and what app are you using to track the water parameters?

[ml86743]

Congrats on the 1 yr!!!  

[Rhetoric]

12 hours ago, Fishy Guy said:

Two questions. How is the six-line getting along and what app are you using to track the water parameters?

The sixline has been a model citizen so far.  I joke that he's the referee for the two clowns (he will literally break up nasty fights) They haven't figured out who's boss yet.

 

Six line have a few stages in life.  The last stage is a super male with crazy agro.  I bought this one small, I've got a few years before he roids out and gets replaced.

 

I've been using aquarium assistant to log all my water tests.  Nothing automated just old fashioned manual data entry.

[boscoT]

3 hours ago, Rhetoric said:

The sixline has been a model citizen so far.  I joke that he's the referee for the two clowns (he will literally break up nasty fights) They haven't figured out who's boss yet.

 

Six line have a few stages in life.  The last stage is a super male with crazy agro.  I bought this one small, I've got a few years before he roids out and gets replaced.

 

I've been using aquarium assistant to log all my water tests.  Nothing automated just old fashioned manual data entry.

You got lucky!!!

 

my six line was amazing for three months u til I added a new fish.  Then it went nuts 

[Rhetoric]

I've mentioned a few time that bubble algea has taken over.  With the new year (and 1 yr anniversary) it was time to take action.  Was starting to choke out corals.

 

MAJOR clean up today, didn't take any rocks out of the tank.  Zero conserns of it spreading because it's F'n EVERYWHERE anyways.  Put the filter sock in chamber 1 and I started scraping it off and netting it out.  

 

It plugged everything up bad, the nero and return pump needed complete clean outs afterwards.  

 

These photos do no justice to the amount of bubble algae I removed!

 

  The 2 clowns still haven't sorted out which one is boss.  In the beginning Mort (black clown) was dominant and always chased.  Now his fins are all bit up as Spot (White one) stands its ground and gives chase.

 

It's always a little stressful leaving town for 10 days.  Came back to 2 snail deaths, tank sitter didn't know about flipping them back over.  That's on me, shes 13 and honestly don't want her messing around in the tank.  I've got a buddy with experience on call incase of emergency.

 

Final note we drove back from Austin with my wife's 74 beetle bug.   Will work on getting g it started soon.

 

 

[boscoT]

4 hours ago, Rhetoric said:

Final note we drove back from Austin with my wife's 74 beetle bug.   Will work on getting g it started soon.

 

 

 

Not to hijack this thread.  I have a 68 vert and 69 sedan. Just finished the 68 complete restore.  Looking to maybe do less and focus on patina with the sedan.  Love the bugs!!!

[Rhetoric]

Came back from 10 days in Texas and left for Mexico for a week.  The tank held up well, lost a couple more snails and some algae is showing up.  All and all I'm calling it successful vacation season!

 

A Picture of the SPS I added Dec 4th.  They haven't bleached (like last time) so I'm calling it a mild success... lol.

 

Couple fish I caught in Akmul, they said wouldn't be a good fit for a nano.

 

[Rhetoric]

 

On 8/31/2023 at 10:15 AM, Rhetoric said:

  I'll never own another crab again

From back in August when I was trying to address the bubble algae.  I wish I had started removing it manually then.

 

2024:

 

Rhet vs bubble algae

 

Round 2:

Manually removal and it barely made a dent.  Focused on pulled it away from all the corals today.  Picked up some new tweezers that worked well could get close and pull it.

Tedious and messy (zapped an aiptasia also)

 

I've decided to add an emerald that eats bubble algae.  Ill be adding 1 at a time and watching close, if its not a model citizen back to the shop for a new one.  I'll most likely lose a zoa or two, but I've come to terms with it.  

 

Nano tanks inherently are missing some of the popular utilitarian fish (tangs and fox/rabbit) 

 

I might have no choice but to use a crab to fill this need.

 

I selected one with bigger claws, last one was smaller.  I feel like bigger claws to smash the bubbles!

 

The clowns haven't paired yet, its been almost 2 months.  The black clown is clearly losing as his fins are ripped up bad.  If they don't sort it out by the end of the month, I'll have to pull one amd try again.

 

[Rhetoric]

New crab definitely eats bubble algae, still watching for coral eating behavior.

 

The black clown was beat up bad with torn fins.  I watched the two clowns fighting with the intentions to kill.  So Gomez the black clown got traded into the LFS for an Orange clown.

 

 

My Alk dropped from my 7.5ish into the 6.5ish range.  The Dosing pump line had clogged at the end.  Corals look fine, and I'm bringing alk back up slowly. 

 

Bought a PH checker and esults are in; it's low.  7.8 is the day time high, and down to 7.5 at night.  Pondering ways to bring that up. 

 

Also watching my Nitrate close.  They have dropped to 2-3ppm.  Having a tough time getting them up a little higher would prefer 7-10.  Thinking I need another fish.

 

Maybe a fire fish goby.

 

 

[debbeach13]

Great news about the crab. I hope the new fish is excepted quickly. It looks like it is smaller than the other fish, so that is a good start.