Mr. Bubbles the 1 Gallon Pico Jar (NOW 2 GALLON!!!) [[now 10 g!!]]

[revhtree]

Not many of us get the opportunity to double our current tank size like you!

 

[Blitz7737]

Not many of us get the opportunity to double our current tank size like you!

Haha, yeaaaaa. We are lucky but it still has many other challenges that a bigger ocean doesn't. Doubling down has definitely helped with stability, made it much easier to clean and handle, as well as made a bit more room for some more life.

It has been so lovely to watch it grow and we will continue to post updates on Mr. Bubbles adventures! ;Cat

 

[Blitz7737]

Update on livestock, sad days. ;Drowning

Unfortunately, we lost two members of the happy hermit family. Cyborg bit the bullet early last week and a few days later we lost Raven. A few aspects might have caused this, but we are still unsure. We tried to link in Mr. Moss Ball, but a small leak in the fuge proved the link to be unsuccessful. There is potential that some yuckies got into the main tank and stressed out Cyborg. Also went a few days past our normal for a water change, so that could be a factor too. As soon as we noticed Cyborg didn't make it, he was removed from the tank. A few days later, Raven molted and while climbing back into her shell the stress got to her. Pulled her out right away too.

It was definitely a sad week, as we also decided to cut the cord on Mr. Mossball who was only hanging on by a thread, so we could re-purpose his bubbler to help further oxygenate the main tank.

RIP Cyborg, Raven, and Mr. Mossball. We won't forget you.

Since then we have been dosing Biospira, Seachem Pristine, and Seachem Stability. We also have run 2 water changes in the past 2 weeks, just to help buffer things. Mr. Bubbles seems to be in good conditions and the remaining two hermits, Starphire and Beastboy, appear alright.

In good news, Beastboy had a successful molt last week. Ran around nakey for a while, and then decided his old tiny shell is still his favorite (even though we added a bunch of spare shells). Starphire also did a shell change for a while, ran around in the og Hellspawn shell (fond memories), and then switched back to old red shell yesterday as well. These two seem to be strong survivors and are hanging in there.

The next few weeks we will try a couple of other things. We are gonna get a sample of water tested at the LFS this Friday and if all looks well, hopefully bring home a tiny starfish to help keep the glass clean.

The following week we are thinking about trying to start a culture of pods in the main tank; to help with stability, cleanliness, and also provide more biodiversity. Thinking about getting a combo from Algaebarn of OceanMagik and Poseidon's Feast (Tiger and Tisbe). Considering that our tank is itty bitty, might try to put a small clean test tube from the API test kit into the Feast container, let some of the microfauna swim in, cap it, acclimate it into Mr. Bubbles, and open it up into the tank. Figure that and like 1 drop of phyto. Will probably run that right after the next water changes, with an accompanying Biospira booster to help buffer the change. The hope is that a population can establish in the tank to help support the overall system.

^^ If anyone has thoughts on this, the feedback is always appreciated!

If all looks good after next week, we will be planning the first coral.

Will post more updates as our little ocean grows. ;Cat

 

[Blitz7737]

Been a bit since the latest update on Mr. Bubbles. It has been a rough and tumble few weeks, but we are learning a lot. We ended up losing Beastboy as well. It seems like our hermit fallout was due to not enough food or nutrition in the minimal brown algae in the tank. Got a bunch of great advice on another thread (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/keep-losing-blue-legged-hermit-crabs-in-tiny-pico-jar.760398/), since then a light feeding seems to really help with keeping the remaining hermit happy.

Along the way we got some new tank mates from the LFS. We picked up two asterina starfish, both of whom we named Sharkie. Even though they are considered by most as a pest, it has been nice to have some hardy glass cleaners in the tank. We have not seen any issues with their happiness and they always pop up in the randomest of spaces. The LFS was real silly when I asked for them, they were like sure, but we are gonna charge you $1 for the bag.

With the sad loss of Beastboy, we let things ride for a while with just the remaining hermit Starphire and the starfish Sharkies. Feeding a tiny pinch of ground up sinking pellets every few days, our tank continues to be stable. Even got our water tested when we got the Sharkies and the LFS said the water looked great.

As our stability to Mr. Bubbles has returned, we purchased our next livestock improvement yesterday. Picked up another blue legged hermit to keep our remaining hermit from being lonely. Named him Robin and he is a bully. After acclimating he ran around the tank, when he first met Starphire he pulled her out of her shell, stole it, and took off with it. He is slightly bigger than her, so will be keeping a close watch on the two of them. After that, there didn't seem to be any major territorial action thankfully.

Big news too, WE GOT OUR FIRST CORAL! Picked up a nice little puck of Clove Polyps! Believed to be a daisy variety by the guy at the LFS. We named the little forest Violet Evergarden. It was placed into the tank yesterday afternoon. Thankfully this morning they were already opening up and feeling more comfy! It is really exciting to see that our first coral had no problems acclimating. ;Cat

Next up is to wait a few weeks and keep things stable. Then we are going to maybe look into getting a more robust canister that seals well, an aqualifter, and try to link in a chaeto/pod fuge canister. One day, Mr. Moss Ball will return... In the meantime, Mr. Bubbles be bubbling. We love this little ocean.

 

[brandon429]

Hey I thought this was a nice job and very rare to have a pico as a first time tank, I tell you in 2001 that was impossible nobody does picos as first go they want you in a reef the size of a couch first round $$ lol nice one!

 

[Blitz7737]

Hey I thought this was a nice job and very rare to have a pico as a first time tank, I tell you in 2001 that was impossible nobody does picos as first go they want you in a reef the size of a couch first round $$ lol nice one!

Thank youuuu! It's been a heck of a journey. Tank is actually going through a stage of yuckies finally, fighting a bit of algae months later after getting it rolling, but that means this water is getting rich and happy.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

Unfortunately, we lost two members of the happy hermit family. Cyborg bit the bullet early last week and a few days later we lost Raven. A few aspects might have caused this, but we are still unsure. We tried to link in Mr. Moss Ball, but a small leak in the fuge proved the link to be unsuccessful. There is potential that some yuckies got into the main tank and stressed out Cyborg. Also went a few days past our normal for a water change, so that could be a factor too. As soon as we noticed Cyborg didn't make it, he was removed from the tank. A few days later, Raven molted and while climbing back into her shell the stress got to her. Pulled her out right away too.

I notice that in the photos you posted of your small fuge, you appear to be using brass hose barb connectors. Those will leach copper into the water when exposed to tank water. If those are indeed brass, you are going to want to remove them. Even small amounts of copper will be deadly to inverts.

Looking forward to seeing your tank progress in the future.

Dennis

 

[Blitz7737]

I notice that in the photos you posted of your small fuge, you appear to be using brass hose barb connectors. Those will leach copper into the water when exposed to tank water. If those are indeed brass, you are going to want to remove them. Even small amounts of copper will be deadly to inverts.

Looking forward to seeing your tank progress in the future.

Dennis

Thanks Dennis! We changed those out already and are running plastic. It might have been a factor of us having such a hard startup too.

We got some new goodies today too, ve expecting an update this weekend!

 

[Blitz7737]

Been quite a while since the latest update! New changes, new wave of life in Mr. Bubbles!

Since the last update, we entered into an algae bloom and our livestock has shifted.

We got a GSP frag from the local shop a few weeks back, shortly after the last update. Beautiful little piece, we named him Shishigama, a lovely little forest spirit. A week or so after that, the algae began...

With the onset of algae, we have been doing more vacuums and netting to try to keep it clean. We have also been more focused on effective water changes and good cleanliness. The Sharkies are still roaming around, they disappear for a week or so and then pop up in random spots. Unfortunately, with the onset of the algae, Violet Evergarden has been a bit angry. We have been trying to puff her off with a jet from a turkey baster, but it is definitely an ongoing battle.

We also unfortunately lost Robin. We don't believe he starved, we have been doing mini feedings and got our water tested at the LFS just before we lost him. They said our water was perfect, would just want to get it tested again in a month to see if we need to dose a little to beef up the water for the corals. Seems like Robin might have just had a hard time with a molt or stress. RIP little hermit.

Parameters as tested by LFS on 10/30:
SG 1.025
Alk 7.7
pH - 8.0
Phos - 0.3
Calc - 594
Mag - 1194
NH4NH3 - 0
N02 - 0
NO3 - 13

Continuing on the good cleanings and loving the little ocean. We gave it a bit of time with continued cleanings and then just yesterday we picked up a new hermit to try to help fight the algae. Her name is Winry and she lives in a beautiful white shell, even though she has already switched out of it and back to it. ;Cat

We also got our first zoa yesterday, he has an orange center and light pink frills. So tiny. It is hard to tell, but maybe even a spec of green in some of the frills. His name is Calcifer, a little fire in the ocean. Would love if anyone could help us ID what type of zoa he is!

Next up, linking in the new and upgraded fuge to bring back Mr. Moss Ball. We purchased a aquamax reactor that we will convert and an aqualifter to pump through it. Patiently awaiting the moment when he rises again.

Now for the fun part, latest pics:

 

[Blitz7737]

Been a bit, had an outbreak of what seems to have been small amphid dinos. Thankfully to the wonderful feedback of the community (especially @ScottB, @taricha, and @brandon429), we were able to curb the chaos.

We did lots of major cleanings and siphons. We added some tigriopus pods to the tank (we call them Swim Swims). Performed a three day blackout. And then linked in a media reactor as a new mini fuge. Bringing the reactor online, we cast a great spell and revived an old friend... Zombie Mr. Moss Ball is back!

Since the blackout last weekend, Mr. Bubbles seems to be thriving again. It was gorgeous today and I got a few pics of it this morning before heading to work, unfortunately didn't get one with the lights on though. Calcifer the orange zoa shows a tiny bit of growth too, can actually see the second polyp opening up and showing some orange finally! Also, it looks like our dino outbreak, or mixture of brown algae is finally converting to green.

Also also, Winry the hermit molted successfully yesterday! All the inhabitants seem happy overall. The only ones we haven't seen in a while is the Sharkies (Asterina starfish). But with the tank in a bit of ickies growth, I assume they are just nestled in the rocks or sand somewhere.

Gonna let the tank ride for a bit and settle some more since we added a bit the last few weeks. Then hoping to pickup a blue mushroom from a local reefer that a friend introduced me to.

The journey continues, and Mr. Bubbles be bubbling!

 

[Reeffire]

hey great tank, I have a question is that light working well. also I'll be following this build

 

[Blitz7737]

@Reeffire, thank you! We loves Mr. Bubbles! Which light are you talking about? The abi tuna blue on the DT or the custom LED ring light on Zombie Mr. Moss Ball?

The abi tuna blue has been pretty great. It is just in a standard lamp housing and is probably about 15 inches from one side of the tank. A lot of the pico jars run this bulb. It can be a bit intense during acclimation, but placement in the tank helps with that. There is no variability though, just run it on an on/off schedule.

As for the custom LED, bit early to tell, Zombie has only been back a bit and I might get a new print made to focus the LEDs more on the chamber. But definitely check back for future posts and we shall all see how this little Zombie does!

 

[Blitz7737]

Wow, last post a year to date!! We have learned a ton, upgraded various parts, expanded, learned more, been challenged, learned more, but Mr. Bubbles is still alive!

To start with, first big kicker. At the start of this year, we decided to upgrade again. We lost the other hermits and our corals to a bad spike. It was a cascading event where one hermit disappeared and the tank dunked. Sadness, frustration, a need to do better... After that, it was time to shop for a little more stability. We were going to go for a 5 gallon display, but when we saw that 10 gallon sitting next to it for $10 more, it was an easy choice. Hello 10 gallons of beautiful little ocean.

Main reasons to upgrade:
- Life getting a bit more busy and wanting a little more stability.
- Reallllly wanted a fishy.
- Opportune timing.

With that, may I present, the beautiful shiny 10 gallon Mr. Bubbles.

Big note, look at all that algae!! One of the big reasons for a post, as we need help, this stuff is aggressive. Before we get to that, let's talk about the upgrades to the system:

- 10 gallon display, standard glass aquarium
- Sand and rocks repurposed from the old setup. Built a new rock formation for the display and all the remaining bits went into the sump
- Still rocking the ABI tuna blue PAR38 bulb for daytime
- 2 gallon jar moved downstairs as the sump
- LED strip light for the sump at night
- Syncra Silent 1.5 running as the return pump (357 gph out of the box, but probably a little lower with plumbing)
- DIY tubing overflow with Tom's Aqualifter as the emergency safety for the siphon
- Dual mini heaters and dual bubblers for temp controlled, governed by an Inkbird ITC-308
- Mesh bags rocking cuprisorb and carbon

Learned so much more about a setup having a true sump and it has been incredibly stable compared to our last setup. No more dying hermits and melting corals. Also, with larger volume, we have finally been able to get a variety of critters and they are doing fantastic.

Latest Livestock:

- Had 3 blue-legged hermits at one point, all named Squirt since they are indistinguishable when they actually grow. Unfortunately, the biggest Squirt became a bully and murdered the other two, so we are just letting him be the king for now.
- Red Firefish who is super cute and sweet. We named him Ifrit and he makes us so happy. Has his own little burrow under the bridge rock and likes to float in the flow right in the center (at least when the algae is groomed).
- Two Nassarius Snails, the elder which we have named Cthulu and the second which we got a few months after is named Kraken. Both are night warriors and pop-up occasionally.
- Candy Pistol Shrimp who lives under the old tower rock on the left. Rarely see him, but here the pops occasionally and also notice he is constantly engineering has his entry holes appear and disappear. That funky little dude is Captain Redbeard.
- Still have Zombie Mr. Moss Ball (chaeto), who floats around in his own little container in the sump.
- Still have Sharkies (asterina starfish) that pop up randomly too.
- Two corals rocking their life too. Believe one is just some clove polyps or tiny GSP, we named her Daisy. The other is a new little zoa colony, which we named Pumpkin Face due to the shades of green and orange.

We have also noticed more little worms and tiny stuff in the sand. Occasionally add a booster of Swim Swims (tigger pods). Also, very recently have gotten signs of spirobid worms in the sump, particularly on Zombie's little float container. There is life everywhere!!

HELP NEEDED THOUGH!! HAIR ALGAE? SOMETHING WORSE?

Okay, now on to the latest challenge, fighting this algae. I believe it to be a form of hair algae, but it is relentless. Been trying to groom it often, might even have to step up to daily pulls of tufts. I will add a bunch of pictures after discussion on this to detail how intensive this stuff is. Also, my buddy brought his microscope over too, so got some snips from that as well of the algal pestilence.

Feeding habits, once a day with a very tiny scoop of dried flake (my buddy printed me a tiny spoon, its a controlled pinch of flake, think like 6mm by 6mm). Rarely supplement with a smidge of LRS Reef Frenzy Nano. Used to do 3 scoops before the other two hermits kicked it, stepped back to 2 scoops, and then the algae started booming, so been stepping back further to 1 scoop a day. Feeding is usually between 5pm and 7pm.

1 gal water change with either sump vacuum or display vacuum every 2 weeks. Probably going to step it up to every week with how quick the algae is hitting. During each of these, physically pull as much algae as I can out of the tank.

Working an upgrade for a DIY protein skimmer as well as getting a filter sock mounted where the plumbing drops into the sump to help with removal.

Also, guarantee someone is going to ask parameters. Haven't been able to get an accurate spin test from the local shop in many weeks due to supply issues. Hoping for chance at one today, will post results if it happens. Otherwise, will run the liquid test kit tonight

My big fear is that every tuft I pull is just spreading it more. Any advice on fighting this stuff or identification to help in the fight is greatly appreciated.

Lastly, on to all the pictures, be sure to check out the detailed comments by each! Thanks for viewing and let me know if any further details are needed!

Pumpkin Face right after we added him to the tank, roughly 11/01/21. Had to adjust lighting as he browned out a little and that seems to be helping. Also, during the algae cleaning, if he gets too gunked he gets a CoralRX dip.

Kraken going for a stroll at night.

Zombie and his spiral friends.

Daisy when she is not coated in algae.

Last major pull of algae where I dug deep and even scrubbed a few of the rocks with a toothbrush that I could easily pull out of the tank. Dated 11/01/21. I did another minor removal of algae last week, but not this intensive. Gives an idea of how quick this stuff grows.

Snap of the tank last night, switched the rocks around last week to give the corals better lighting, 11/20/21! Look at those tufts! They have completely encompassed Daisy again, so will have to pull it today and scrub her, as well as get her a CoralRX dip in.

Sample that I threw on the scope last night. Unfortunately it didn't come with slides, so I had to get creative. Lol.


MICROS FROM LOW, TO MEDIUM, TO HIGH!!

 

[Blitz7737]

Good discussion with the guys at the local shop. Test results look great for corals, but those bottomed out nitrates and phosphates are a concern. We agreed that it's likely due to the algae sapping it away, with how fast it grows.

They recommended continual pruning, layoff on water changes for a few weeks to try to starve it, and go for the blackout if we want an aggressive push.

What's your thoughts world?

 

[Blitz7737]

@brandon429 @taricha @ScottB

You guys helped a ton before, check out my latest updates and let me know your thoughts please! Trying to put in as much good work as possible, leaving for a 2 week vacation this upcoming Thursday and seeking any advice in case I need to leave extra notes for my fish keepers.

 

[brandon429]

Hey you know what Blitz I really enjoyed reading that flow, my own reef / small volume would have got algae like that if I didn’t force in some special ways that slow algae growth

left hands off mine would be a challenge

if you really want to snap it into compliance there’s a way with a cleaning technique ten times harsher than currently underway. This can produce shocking clear reefs, six of the top rip cleans I’ve seen among hundreds:

Algae Identification

Any opinions on what type of algae this is growing on my rocks and sand bed?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Blitz7737]

Awesome thread @brandon429! Lot's of good lessons in that massive scope of awareness. As always, I greatly appreciate your gung ho attitude.

Have been pretty extensive with my cleaning regiment. Keeping up with it seems to be working without having to do a full on rip of the tank. Even with a 2 week vacation away, algal intensity is starting to lessen, which means diligent work is paying off.

Got some nice insight from your thread too, think I need to be more aggressive with my cleaning to include a better scrub of the sand, either pushing for a partial sand rip by pulling some out for deep rinse or real deep vacuum in tank. I hesitate to remove the bigger rocks as the caverns underneath are where Ifrit and Captain Redbeard have made their homes in the sand, but have been actively toothbrush scrubbing these bigger rocks in tank during mass tuft removal events.

Think pacing it with diligent removal will win the battle in time, which I don't mind as it is pretty soothing work. Good zen tending to a little ocean.

Interesting question though, in all the rips you have seen, how have people handled corals that are densely coated? The little zoa only has some strands here and there, so I actively pick those with tweezers, but Daisy gets a thicker mat. I have been dipping with CoralRX, which seems to help loosen it for removal, but to really get the algae off her I need something more aggressive. I have had some success with use of a makeup brush, softer bristles than a toothbrush to not hurt the flesh (with brushing only occurring while the polyps are closed), will keep up with that in hopes of getting her back to a good state. Other options? Other dips that won't outright shock her and send her plummeting?