Biocube and custom 80 gal buildish build, Evo no more. There is some reef related content, sometimes.

[rmorris_14]

GSP coral frags are starting to come around .

Dealing with what I suspect is a bacteria bloom causing cloudy water. Did a 25 % water change. My nitrites are super high. Rinsed out the sponge filter during the water change. Hopefully that wasn’t a mistake and caused me to lose any good bacteria doing so. Just kind of doing things and hoping it doesn’t make the situation worse.

 

[rmorris_14]

Hello out there! Day 2 of a snow day here. Kids are getting restless. I feel like starting my thoughts with “captains log.....” lol... anyways not much going on here I’m nearing day 30 of the invert QT. I’d really like to get them in there to help manage the algae but I’m trying to stay the course.
It appears that my bacteria bloom is on its way out. I ended up doing nothing.. which I’m finding is hard in this hobby. Haha I’m constantly wanting to tinker with things.
I did notice my return flow slowed to a trickle at one point. I opened it up and the sponge was completely clogged with sludge. Must be all the snail poop and nori I feed. Gave it a quick rinse and fixed the issue.
Tested my nitrites this morning and they are around .25 so I think the nitrifying bacteria is catching up.
Still haven’t gotten my hands on that pulsing Xenia. I have been reading about how to frag clippings so I feel prepared when I do
Still loving the SLW-10.

 

[rmorris_14]

Just popping into my build thread to celebrate that I am 30 days out from moving over my quarantined inverts to the DT. So far all turbos and Nassarius snails (except the small one I lost early) are happy and seem to be thriving.

Here is a picture of my blue leg snail surfing one of the turbos just for smiles. I feel like he is trying to get my attention and let me know he is ready to get out of quarantine and go into the big tank.

I think I'm down to 4, MAYBE if I'm lucky, 5 blue leg hermit. I believe I started with 10. I don't really understand. I feed them plenty and they have a plethora of shells to choose from. Just last night, I saw two separate hermits shaking and trying to pirate the shells of others. I separated them and put them next to some unoccupied shells to try to keep the peace. Anyone else run into this? Is it inevitable? And I shouldn't waste the time and money, purchasing more?

 

[rmorris_14]

Its been awhile seen I have updated. Mostly because there hasn’t been much going on while I wait for my first face of quarantine to end. I moved most of the turbos and nassarius over to the DT last week.
right after that. I noticed some odd new things on this tanks glass.

ID came back as flatworms. Although they seem to be harmless, I’m more curious as to how I got them, considering nothing new has gone in the tank since January. I’ll keep and eye on it.
my GSP frags are doing great, no surprise there . I’ll try to add a photo of size comparisons later.
In a couple weeks I’m going to start adding more corals, RFA’s and try to track down a Pom Pom crab. . Stay tuned…..

 

[Sharkbait19]

Can’t believe I missed this till now!
Tank looks great!
Flatworms probably came with coral or inverts and only just now multiplied to visible levels.

 

[Sean Clark]

Same. ::Face palm emoji:: Good work.

 

[rmorris_14]

Can’t believe I missed this till now!
Tank looks great!
Flatworms probably came with coral or inverts and only just now multiplied to visible levels.

the two options are inverts from LFS
or corals from my DT... which mean they are already in my DT... but I haven't noticed them due to maybe lower pod population or fish. no idea

Glad you found my build thread. I love your input

 

[Sharkbait19]

the two options are inverts from LFS
or corals from my DT... which mean they are already in my DT... but I haven't noticed them due to maybe lower pod population or fish. no idea

Glad you found my build thread. I love your input

Probably the the inverts then - they could easily be missed in qt if they don’t show up.

 

[rmorris_14]

Same. ::Faceplate emoji:: Good work.

Hahaha All good Hopefully the next couple months are more exciting with glorious photos of cute cheerleading crabs and stunning rock flowers.

 

[rmorris_14]

Probably the the inverts then - they could easily be missed in qt if they don’t show up.

That stinks. I'm trying to just go with the flow (which is not my personality- HA) and just look at it like the circle of life.

 

[Sharkbait19]

That stinks. I'm trying to just go with the flow (which is not my personality- HA) and just look at it like the circle of life.

That’s what you have to do sometimes. I’d kill my tank faster worrying about everything that enters than letting it be. As long as it isn’t a harmful invert or an avenue for disease I’ll let it be.

 

[rmorris_14]

Did some flatworm maintenance tonight. . Just to try to keep the numbers under control. I used an airline tube and they sucked right out. About 15 big ones and tons itzy bitsy ones.

while I was cleaning I notice the feather duster on my turbo is really starting to come out. It’s turning into a bright red.

It was hard to get a good angle and the pictures don’t really do it any justice.
ignore the glass I know it’s dirty. It’s by design for the moment.

 

[rmorris_14]

I’m interrupting the regularly scheduled build to spam my own thread. Today we went to the science museum and AQUARIUM!!!!

the aquarium part was small but still really fun. They had so many puffer fish my heart was smiling the whole time!!!

this one was HUGE!!!

I love seeing the world through the eyes of my kids

my son couldnt stop laughing at this puffers sweet smile and blue eyes

@Sean Clark check out that planted mangrove!!!!!!

 

[Sean Clark]

It looks like everyone is having lots of fun.

They only look cute like this to lure you in and take one of your fingers

 

[rmorris_14]

It looks like everyone is having lots of fun.

They only look cute like this to lure you in and take one of your fingers

I don’t know I could even be mad at it, if it did.

 

[rmorris_14]

Today I got to go through my moms shell collection to house some future invert friends.

I was pretty excited to say the least! She had two huge totes full.

I’ve been looking for a new shell for my scarlet leg. I had no idea they were so picky and will likely only pick a shell the the same shape of an opening. I spent an hour or more digging through the shells and picking out various shapes and sizes based off what I know my current hermits like. I can’t wait to get some more with my next order.
Here are the ones I decided to take.

she tried to convince me to take both totes but I think my husband would kill me hahahaha. Question: They have been in storage for several years. Should I boil them before use? Or would they be safe at this point?

Also, here he is a picture just because it’s adorable. My son trying to hear the ocean through the shell.

Happy Easter everyone!

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’d think running them under hot water is enough, unless they’ve been in contact with anything particularly dangerous for a reef there should be no need for boiling imo.

 

[Sean Clark]

I love the Cretaceous Park tie in. Full circle.

 

[rmorris_14]

I love the Cretaceous Park tie in. Full circle.

 

[Reef Jockey]

welcome to the reef. Great tank to start your adventure with. I have the same tank that has gone through multiple upgrades.
As for the flatworms, have you tried Flatworm Exit?
here's my tank from 10 months ago to now.