Ocean Live Rock 25 Gallon IM Lagoon

[jabberwock]

We are caught up to real time now. After a long fallow period, I dropped in my first fish in almost 70 days. I got a yellow watchman goby pal for my Tiger Pistol Shrimp. The shrimp is quite large, hopefully he does not eat it. The fish ate some pellets almost immediately, and then dashed under a rock on the other side of the tank from the Shrimp.

Then I was clearing out a patch of macro algae that looked like it was not doing well. It appeared "burned" and had lost its green color. I put the cuttings in a small bucket to comb through them to make sure I did not inadvertently evict a snail or crab and I heard popping. Sounded like a pistol shrimp. I was confused, then I saw this guy. About 1 cm long. I have no idea how it got there. Posed for the photo op and then I put it back in the tank.

Found a couple other hitchhikers I had never seen until today. A small feather duster, and some sort of bivalve.

 

[jabberwock]

So far so good! The new YWG is hanging out in the Shrimp's cave. Keeping my fins crossed...

 

[LeannaBanana]

So exciting! Congrats on having fish again. Fingers (and fins) crossed for a happy pairing!

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Glad you are moving again! I started mine with TBS sand. Not as many hitchhikers but some still.

 

[jabberwock]

Shrimp and YWG paired up immediately. It is funny because the shrimp is soooo much bigger. I see if i can get some good pics.

I also added the Kingsguard Basselet (Pico) to the IM. Will get pics of him after he gets used to the tank and comes out of his cave more.

 

[DDenny]

That is awesome congrats can’t wait to see pictures.

 

[jabberwock]

Duncan has started a new head. That's pretty cool.

Here is Pico with his pet porcelain crab. Still a little shy in the 25, but eating well.

Here are a couple more Porcelains taken through my new flipper magnifier. Highly recommend!

 

[jabberwock]

Last but not least, fire worm or normal bristle?

 

[toadstool_paradise]

Love to see Pico doing fantastic! I’m sure he will become more confident soon

 

[jabberwock]

Love to see Pico doing fantastic! I’m sure he will become more confident soon

Yes, he is out and about more and more each day!

 

[jabberwock]

I am really happy to have fish again!

70 days was a long time staring at macro algae, corals and porcelain crabs.

I wanted to show the size disparity of the pistol shrimp (Tom Petty) and the YWG (Senior Pantalones Gruñones), and then Pico landed a photo bomb.

Had to take the picture from pretty far back, they all still run for cover when I get close to the tank.

 

[jabberwock]

We took a weeks vacation, and then home for two weeks, then another weeks vacation so I was a little concerned about the tanks. My sister came by the first time and dropped in some food. Auto pellet feeder on the second tank. Everyone faired well including the algae on the glass.

Neighbor kid pinch hit for the second week and everything is in good order. Pretty relieved and out of PTO, so shouldn't have to worry about tank sitters for the rest of the year.

Couple of shots after I got the algae all scraped of the glass. Tons of pods BTW.

The Duncan's new head is growing nicely.

 

[jabberwock]

Next challenge will be a tank break down and reassemble to accommodate new flooring later on this month. Please chime in with thoughts, advice. Thanks!!!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-floors-how-should-i-deal-with-moving-a-25-gallon.988005/

 

[jabberwock]

I could not resist the most expensive fish on the planet (pound for pound). At $30 and maybe 3 or four grams, I estimate him to cost about $14,000 per pound!

It's good to be back.

 

[MikeCRK]

what a great thread! - a tactical post to see the updates

 

[Sump Crab]

Nice

 

[jabberwock]

I must sadly report that Pico jumped through the mesh lid and perished as a result.

I am really sorry Toadstool... I did my best, and he was happy until the last.

I am going to hang back for a minute before adding anything new. I need to deal with this flooring change, and I got a new skimmer that I will install in the next few days.

Just kind of bummed for now. The YWG, pistol shrimp and blue neon are all doing well.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I must sadly report that Pico jumped through the mesh lid and perished as a result.

I am really sorry Toadstool... I did my best, and he was happy until the last.

I am going to hang back for a minute before adding anything new. I need to deal with this flooring change, and I got a new skimmer that I will install in the next few days.

Just kind of bummed for now. The YWG, pistol shrimp and blue neon are all doing well.

I just had to have a goby. He made it a week before he made it through a 3/8 inch screen lid.

RIP Gobediah

 

[toadstool_paradise]

I must sadly report that Pico jumped through the mesh lid and perished as a result.

I am really sorry Toadstool... I did my best, and he was happy until the last.

I am going to hang back for a minute before adding anything new. I need to deal with this flooring change, and I got a new skimmer that I will install in the next few days.

Just kind of bummed for now. The YWG, pistol shrimp and blue neon are all doing well.

Oh no! I’m really sorry to hear about Pico
Please don’t beat yourself up, unfortunately these things can happen and fish find the smallest cracks to squeeze through. He seemed really happy, you did your best.

Don’t give up!

 

[jabberwock]

I will miss him.