James’s 29g Nano Build

[James_O]

It's not a huge shop, and Charlie will talk as much as you let him (likely more than you want, and recently a lot about a failed partnership where he got the short end...), but he seems very knowledgeable and helpful with information as well. Just ask questions to keep the conversation directed. Prices are not cheap but reasonable compared to online stores.

If you wanted to visit the shop this Saturday, maybe we could meet there... no obligations, just suggestions! I'll catch up in our PM.


I may be fortunate to have two good ones within 50 miles, though I have not had the chance to visit my LFS to the west yet (about 1.2 hours drive from home), only heard really good things from a friend.

That would be cool if you guys meet up and BOTH got torches!

 

[Soren]

That would be cool if you guys meet up and BOTH got torches!

Ha, I am nowhere near ready for corals yet, though they were absolutely stunning! I just made progress on my not-yet-finished stand this past Saturday, so I still have a while until I will be stocking corals. To pass the time enjoyably, I just started stocking a few fish in my 40B quarantine a few weeks ago.

My reward from the meet-up would be a foxface, though this would mean I would not meet at @Mibu 's house, so could not see her reef in-person.

 

[James_O]

Ha, I am nowhere near ready for corals yet, though they were absolutely stunning! I just made progress on my not-yet-finished stand this past Saturday, so I still have a while until I will be stocking corals. To pass the time enjoyably, I just started stocking a few fish in my 40B quarantine a few weeks ago.

My reward from the meet-up would be a foxface, though this would mean I would not meet at @Mibu 's house, so could not see her reef in-person.

I’ll check out your build thread!

 

[Goaway]

I’ll check out your build thread!

It's very detailed.

My reward from the meet-up would be a foxface, though this would mean I would not meet at @Mibu 's house, so could not see her reef in-person.

My reef is very humble

 

[Goaway]

I am not very familiar yet with coral prices and do not remember coral prices at Aquarium Obsessions since I was not shopping for corals yet, but I think most compare to reasonable online prices. I think the torches were around $100-$150 for those at 8-10", but I don't remember for sure.
I could call (or you could, of course) to verify prices and availability if you wanted to know for sure.

I am trying to talk the husband into going. But payday is next week. I would rather visit as the guy looks to have things well set up. There are 2 lfs here is running on fumes. 1 can only grow aiptasia, the other needs to sell his corals in a month or they start to recess. Tis sad in springfield.

 

[Goaway]

Definitely, lol. I was stupid and screwed the mounting plate at the very bottom of the bracket - at the full extent.

Measure for 9-10 inches. Should be good!

Messages were popping up at random... oh well.

 

[Soren]

It's very detailed.

My reef is very humble

It's funny, I've very rarely been told that I don't give enough details in my explanations! I am a true introvert: quiet and reserved until you ask about my passion, then I'll never be able to fit enough communication in!

Your reef is still much more than mine right now, since my 75-gallon only contains one toadstool Sarcophyton (though it is doing okay). I am also down to only 3 fish (4" purple tang, 3" chromis, 17" snowflake eel) in the FOWLR after my triggerfish escapade... and I am being very lax in maintenance while working on my new setup, so brown hair algae and cyanobacteria are a constant battle (though I don't mind them much and they are not much harm in my setup.

I am trying to talk the husband into going. But payday is next week. I would rather visit as the guy looks to have things well set up. There are 2 lfs here is running on fumes. 1 can only grow aiptasia, the other needs to sell his corals in a month or they start to recess. Tis sad in springfield.

That would be great! I don't know if you noticed in my notes on the pictures from AO, but I thought I found 1 aiptasia only to discover that it was most likely an errant palythoa head. Charlie's tanks are well-maintained and established over years. I could not find a negative note on the condition and occupants of the tanks.
He has several purple tangs right now in hospital tanks that came in with HLLE. He mentioned that he has healed some of this condition, and I will be attempting to verify this in future visits. This would be a good testament to his skills!

P.S. That foxface is definitely worth something in exchange from me, so maybe it's not all bad that your payday is not until next week...

 

[Goaway]

He has several purple tangs right now in hospital tanks that came in with HLLE.

This is a huge issue with tangs and angelfish coming in to shops. I don't want what the importers are doing. It could be copper, poor water, soft carbon, bad diet or all 4. Fish are starved for shipping reasons.

 

[Soren]

This is a huge issue with tangs and angelfish coming in to shops. I don't want what the importers are doing. It could be copper, poor water, soft carbon, bad diet or all 4. Fish are starved for shipping reasons.

Yes, it really is too bad, but also great for Charlie if he can heal them!

 

[Goaway]

I SOOO have to go over to AO.
MY LORD!! From his facebook page.



And his black widow anemones

 

[Soren]

I SOOO have to go over to AO.
MY LORD!! From his facebook page.



And his black widow anemones

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention the black widow anemones. When I stopped by in February/March this year, he had a section of one tank about the size of a 40-gallon breeder tank full of rocks covered in black widow anemones, anywhere from 2" diameter to 12"+! They came from excessive splits in his friend's tank.
I will definitely be considering these as first choice if/when I am looking for a BTA. Charlie still had quite a few available last time I was there, and several were quite large at 10-12" diameter. I got a few pictures of them, especially large ones hosting clownfish pairs.

Also, those pictures from AO's FaceBook match what I saw there, though my own pictures were without a color filter and not very good representations of reality.

 

[Goaway]

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention the black widow anemones. When I stopped by in February/March this year, he had a section of one tank about the size of a 40-gallon breeder tank full of rocks covered in black widow anemones, anywhere from 2" diameter to 12"+! They came from excessive splits in his friend's tank.
I will definitely be considering these as first choice if/when I am looking for a BTA. Charlie still had quite a few available last time I was there, and several were quite large at 10-12" diameter. I got a few pictures of them, especially large ones hosting clownfish pairs.

Also, those pictures from AO's FaceBook match what I saw there, though my own pictures were without a color filter and not very good representations of reality.

I am really looking forward to going there. I might be in the dog house later :*(

I don't know about mixing bta yet.

 

[James_O]

I SOOO have to go over to AO.
MY LORD!! From his facebook page.



And his black widow anemones

Now how come I can’t have an LFS with LPS such as these beauties?

Get

 

[James_O]

black widow anemones

 

[dvgyfresh]

I am really looking forward to going there. I might be in the dog house later :*(

I don't know about mixing bta yet.

I would say have cipro on hand if mixing BTA it has caused issues for me , but after using cipro broadcast dosing you can see one week difference in my GBTA , was mouth open looking weakish and now it looks better everyday

 

[Soren]

Now how come I can’t have an LFS with LPS such as these beauties?

Get

The owner has had struggles to keep his store open for over 10 years in the "middle of nowhere" central Illinois, though there is not much close-by competition.

I'd get all of the corals (and fish, too), but I don't have an extra $50,000 laying around!

 

[Goaway]

I would say have cipro on hand if mixing BTA it has caused issues for me , but after using cipro broadcast dosing you can see one week difference in my GBTA , was mouth open looking weakish and now it looks better everyday

I am not ready to mix just yet. I am hoping the one I have splits eventually. Or even buds, at that point I worry the cbb will eat all buddings.

I would have to sell the car, the house, the dog, just to afford all of those!

Now how come I can’t have an LFS with LPS such as these beauties?

Get

 

[dvgyfresh]

I am not ready to mix just yet. I am hoping the one I have splits eventually. Or even buds, at that point I worry the cbb will eat all buddings.

I would have to sell the car, the house, the dog, just to afford all of those!

I feel ya , BTAs are my fav if you figure out any tricks let me know! I’m still figuring it out , right now I’m trying daily feedings of mysis shrimp to get them bigger but not noticing anything lol

 

[Goaway]

On a bright note, my yellow hammer has a bud! I wonder if it is receiving enough light. Since still attached to the parent, if that is enough?

I feel ya , BTAs are my fav if you figure out any tricks let me know! I’m still figuring it out , right now I’m trying daily feedings of mysis shrimp to get them bigger but not noticing anything lol

I am about to ask james.... his split in a month or 2? ;Inpain

 

[Goaway]

Also, my bta keeps pooping every night. Color change isn't over either. I am waiting on what the tips will look like. They have a slight yellow tint, but could end up the same color of the main body. it's interesting for me !