Mixed Reef Fluval Evo 13.5 with Natural Sea Water

[jfoahs04]

Thanks!

No, I'm pretty sure they're spirorbid worms. I have some copepods (I see a lot at night with a flash light), but not that many. I do have some coralline growing on the back wall which I'm happy about. And when that GSP grows a little bit more, I'm going to peel off a strip and glue it to the back wall.

 

[Johnb65]

Thanks!

No, I'm pretty sure they're spirorbid worms. I have some copepods (I see a lot at night with a flash light), but not that many. I do have some coralline growing on the back wall which I'm happy about. And when that GSP grows a little bit more, I'm going to peel off a strip and glue it to the back wall.

I’ve been told that these are copepods in my tank but because it’s only been 5 weeks that it’s highly unlikely so going back and forth but there’s thousands everywhere Now I’m wondering what I can get that will benefit from them?!

 

[jfoahs04]

I’ve been told that these are copepods in my tank but because it’s only been 5 weeks that it’s highly unlikely so going back and forth but there’s thousands everywhere Now I’m wondering what I can get that will benefit from them?!

They definitely might be - if you used any live rock they can come in on that. The only reason I know mine aren't is because they're stationary/stuck to the wall. If yours are moving around, they are likely copepods. In a big tank they're great for a mandarin or dragonet. But in a small one, they're a snack for a lot of fish (my clown eats them). Awesome that you've got them already.

 

[Johnb65]

They definitely might be - if you used any live rock they can come in on that. The only reason I know mine aren't is because they're stationary/stuck to the wall. If yours are moving around, they are likely copepods. In a big tank they're great for a mandarin or dragonet. But in a small one, they're a snack for a lot of fish (my clown eats them). Awesome that you've got them already.

Thanks for clearing that up and makes sense. I’ve since been watching a load of videos on them. They’re definitely moving around

 

[jfoahs04]

Well, The tank is officially a mixed reef!

I grabbed my first SPS frags (monti stellata and monti digitatas) off of a local reefer whose tank is absolutely incredible (400g, 15 years old and full of old growth and great fish). I can’t wait to get this fully acclimated, remove them from the plugs, and attach them to the rock. I also grabbed a gorgeous photosynthetic gorgonian from another reefer who has had the mother for 10 years.

 

[Johnb65]

Well, The tank is officially a mixed reef!

I grabbed my first SPS frags (monti stellata and monti digitatas) off of a local reefer whose tank is absolutely incredible (400g, 15 years old and full of old growth and great fish). I can’t wait to get this fully acclimated, remove them from the plugs, and attach them to the rock. I also grabbed a gorgeous photosynthetic gorgonian from another reefer who has had the mother for 10 years.

I’m a fan of that pink coloured coral in the last pic. The branching one!!

 

[Reef Jockey]

i also have a Fluval Evo and started with the Current Orbit LED with Loops controller. great as it was, it does not compare to the AI. You'll do just fine with the AI and the controllability it offers.
Nice corals and keep up the good work

 

[jfoahs04]

I’m a fan of that pink coloured coral in the last pic. The branching one!!

Thanks, that's a Grube's photosynthetic gorgonian and they're relatively easy soft corals. I can't wait until it adjusts and fully extends. This is the mother colony it came from. I'm also probably going to add a rock underneath to elevate it a bit.

i also have a Fluval Evo and started with the Current Orbit LED with Loops controller. great as it was, it does not compare to the AI. You'll do just fine with the AI and the controllability it offers.
Nice corals and keep up the good work

Yeah, it was a great starter light. I love the AI though, it's perfect for this setup. Thank you!

 

[jfoahs04]

Anyone else have a Duncan? I’ve got 9 heads growing on this thing. Started a month ago with 3 total. Do they slow down?

 

[jfoahs04]

I’ve seen this with other people’s tank so I know it’s not really unusual, but this is a first for any of my reefs. Aptasia in the sand bed:

 

[Reef Jockey]

I’ve seen this with other people’s tank so I know it’s not really unusual, but this is a first for any of my reefs. Aptasia in the sand bed:

perfect place for a kalk bomb

 

[jfoahs04]

perfect place for a kalk bomb

I just used a turkey baster to suck it up and the sand around it. I have some Aiptasia X and I’ll use it if I need to, but if I can just get it out of the water, I prefer that.

 

[jfoahs04]

I call this one: A blenny, a gorgonian, and a little digi:

 

[najer]

I call this one: A blenny, a gorgonian, and a little digi:

Skills, great pic, I have one waiting at my lfs for my Evo, I have one in my big tank also, great fish.

 

[jfoahs04]

Skills, great pic, I have one waiting at my lfs for my Evo, I have one in my big tank also, great fish.

Thanks! Definitely one I’ll always keep in my tanks.

 

[jfoahs04]

A bit of a down note: I gave away my gorgonian. It was not thriving. This is a bummer because I intended for it to be the focal point of that side of the tank.

While some things in this hobby just seem to happen (for better or worse), this one was my fault. The rock it came on had several aiptasia, so I decided to remove it and attach it to a different rock and then “cook” the aiptasia rock. I used a small chisel and hammer to remove the piece that was glued on. Unfortunately, I slipped and the rock split, breaking the base of the Gorg. This shouldn’t have been a deal breaker as they frag easily and I could trim some more of the flesh and reattach the newly exposed skeleton. Well, I’m clumsy and dropped the remaining gorgonian on the dirty basement floor. I picked it up, rinsed in tank water, glued to the new rock, and placed back in the tank. It was out of the water for a total of about 15 minutes (which is 10 more than I intended).

The polyps never extended again and it’s been “shedding” heavily for nearly 2 weeks. While that’s not alarming by itself (gorgonians do shed), I noticed some receding flesh on a few branches as of Friday. So I called a nearby reefer friend who has a 180g tank and he took it and is working to rehab it. It may work, but I don’t have time to wait anymore. I’m probably working with about 10g of total water volume, and I don’t think my system can handle the nutrient increase of a gorgonian shedding (or worse, decaying/dying) for an extended chunk of time. So hopefully the larger tank extends the timeline a bit. But I’m left to look at other options. I’m thinking of adding some rock to make room for a birds nest or some other hardy sticks.

On a more positive note, my montis are doing well. I’m even seeing a bit of growth on the stag horn. Good polyp extension and I love the colors:

 

[jfoahs04]

I used Life Rock rubble to create a second peak in my tank where the Gorgonian was. It gets good light/flow and I’m thinking of a birdsnest for the top. I’ll have to give some thought for corals for the mid section. Maybe a monti cap, or something similar (though if it takes off, that’s a lot of trimming). Open to suggestions.

 

[jfoahs04]

One of the reasons that I chose to go with NSW is that it’s a great excuse to get over to the beach. Now I have to go. This is what my lunch break looked like today:

 

[jfoahs04]

Full tank shot from this week:

 

[Johnb65]

Full tank shot from this week:

Looks great and I’m loving all the shapes coming to form. Your water also looks pretty clear. I’m struggling with it a little as my sand seems to hold so much detritus and all sorts even with good flow it seems it’s all not going through the filter. I’ve changed a few things today so hopefully see it clearer.
I’ve still only got 2 clowns and a pulsing Xenia which I love even with the potential take over