OP
OP
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
There was a lot going on here tonight and none of it was great. Nothing serious, mind you, just some normal setbacks (In reefing? No way! ;Jawdrop).
I
First and foremost, our fish did not ship, but is being monitored. That is okay. I want them to deliver a strong specimen. I am requesting any details. This is my first shipped fish ever, so of course I am already nervous. I understand this is not the hardiest of species either (Pseudocheilinops ataenia).
II
Second thing is, after adding a simple Phosphate remover bag and doing a couple of water changes, PO4 has returned to around 0.68. I am setup to create a small Chaetomorpha refugium in one of the filter compartments, I just need to get some Chaeto. That may help some, but it will only be 3% of the system volume (my experience is there are also benefits to plants and Macroalgae beyond pure nutrient removal as well).
I really want to keep this tank simple and natural based partly on how I kept saltwater aquariums years ago (choice live rock, skimmer, activated carbon, strong lighting and flow). I will utilize some newer ideas of course (love my gyre). I decided early though I am not interested in reactors or anything that adds pumps or flow outside of the system. Then I toyed with the idea for a while and now I am back where I started. I guess I feel if I wanted to run external pumps I would have gone with a sump. That is how I feel for my tank and I say that knowing reactors work well for many people’s nano systems (I note I do have a Tunze Osmolator, so I have one external pump).
III
The third thing I am a bit down about I was not sure I would share, but I am. It is part of my system and I want to document everything here. I removed the Xanthid crab tonight. He was right there in the perimeter where he patrols every night. It was easy to get him. Too easy. I debated a long time in my head because I love invertebrates. That is why I have a reef. Keeping the Xanthid crab was a risk. I am pretty sure he killed a hermit (could have been another hermit perhaps) and I did not feel comfortable having him when I added fish. Regardless, the deed is done. Unlike the simple and crude Aiptasia and Mojanos that I eradicate without thought, the crab was different. I euthanized him in a manner I have used before for dying fish that I consider quite humane. As humane as possible.
This is a new setup and these things are all part of it. Honestly, I portray them above as negatives, but they are not. They all make me feel great because after many years away from the hobby, I am a reefer again.
I
First and foremost, our fish did not ship, but is being monitored. That is okay. I want them to deliver a strong specimen. I am requesting any details. This is my first shipped fish ever, so of course I am already nervous. I understand this is not the hardiest of species either (Pseudocheilinops ataenia).
II
Second thing is, after adding a simple Phosphate remover bag and doing a couple of water changes, PO4 has returned to around 0.68. I am setup to create a small Chaetomorpha refugium in one of the filter compartments, I just need to get some Chaeto. That may help some, but it will only be 3% of the system volume (my experience is there are also benefits to plants and Macroalgae beyond pure nutrient removal as well).
I really want to keep this tank simple and natural based partly on how I kept saltwater aquariums years ago (choice live rock, skimmer, activated carbon, strong lighting and flow). I will utilize some newer ideas of course (love my gyre). I decided early though I am not interested in reactors or anything that adds pumps or flow outside of the system. Then I toyed with the idea for a while and now I am back where I started. I guess I feel if I wanted to run external pumps I would have gone with a sump. That is how I feel for my tank and I say that knowing reactors work well for many people’s nano systems (I note I do have a Tunze Osmolator, so I have one external pump).
III
The third thing I am a bit down about I was not sure I would share, but I am. It is part of my system and I want to document everything here. I removed the Xanthid crab tonight. He was right there in the perimeter where he patrols every night. It was easy to get him. Too easy. I debated a long time in my head because I love invertebrates. That is why I have a reef. Keeping the Xanthid crab was a risk. I am pretty sure he killed a hermit (could have been another hermit perhaps) and I did not feel comfortable having him when I added fish. Regardless, the deed is done. Unlike the simple and crude Aiptasia and Mojanos that I eradicate without thought, the crab was different. I euthanized him in a manner I have used before for dying fish that I consider quite humane. As humane as possible.
This is a new setup and these things are all part of it. Honestly, I portray them above as negatives, but they are not. They all make me feel great because after many years away from the hobby, I am a reefer again.
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