I have cleaned my sump out once in eight years. I used biopellets for about 6 months and got so tired of all the mulm I took it outside and dumped it
FISH UPDATE:
The puppy, AKA, “Rainbow Fish” continues to delight. As mentioned, he loves the Diamond Goby, AKA, “Lawerence of Arabia”, and visits him throughout the day. This weekend I saw him causally inching his way towards Lawerence’s den hole. Trying to quietly scooch past him. No luck, so he grabbed a “snack” from the entrance and went to play in the yard.
He continues to show an interest in the snails and very small hermits. He will attack, take a chunk or two, then the goby rushes over, brings to one of his various lairs and adds to foundation. The puppy goes back periodically and pecks at the now rolled up snack! I’d call that a symbiotic relationship!
Of course this is not ideal for various reasons. I’m not paying escargot and shrimp scampi prices to feed him. He was conditioned all along to eat Mysis , pellets, etc.; however when I feed the tank he isn’t voracious - he goes for very small pieces, and runs and hides and repeats this process. He has no competition as the clowns eat in their area and he doesn’t care if they get close to him. He doesn’t realize it, but he is the big fish in the pond right now. However, come this Thursday all will change when the two tangs I purchased, come home. He is going to have to go back to eating what I intend, or he’s gonna be a hunger boy. Glad I’m replenishing my copepod population this week. I’ve also ordered some RN R.O.E. and PacPods to expand his and the other fishes dietary choices.
Even though I just today added 5 more blue hermit crabs, I will hold off on replenishing along with snails so his preferred snack is not readily available.
KIDS!!!
All these pictures are fantastic I wouldn't worry too much about the camera thing.FISH UPDATE:
The puppy, AKA, “Rainbow Fish” continues to delight. As mentioned, he loves the Diamond Goby, AKA, “Lawerence of Arabia”, and visits him throughout the day. This weekend I saw him causally inching his way towards Lawerence’s den hole. Trying to quietly scooch past him. No luck, so he grabbed a “snack” from the entrance and went to play in the yard.
He continues to show an interest in the snails and very small hermits. He will attack, take a chunk or two, then the goby rushes over, brings to one of his various lairs and adds to foundation. The puppy goes back periodically and pecks at the now rolled up snack! I’d call that a symbiotic relationship!
Of course this is not ideal for various reasons. I’m not paying escargot and shrimp scampi prices to feed him. He was conditioned all along to eat Mysis , pellets, etc.; however when I feed the tank he isn’t voracious - he goes for very small pieces, and runs and hides and repeats this process. He has no competition as the clowns eat in their area and he doesn’t care if they get close to him. He doesn’t realize it, but he is the big fish in the pond right now. However, come this Thursday all will change when the two tangs I purchased, come home. He is going to have to go back to eating what I intend, or he’s gonna be a hunger boy. Glad I’m replenishing my copepod population this week. I’ve also ordered some RN R.O.E. and PacPods to expand his and the other fishes dietary choices.
Even though I just today added 5 more blue hermit crabs, I will hold off on replenishing along with snails so his preferred snack is not readily available.
KIDS!!!
Yes! The Red Sea sump came with a baffle cutout right in front of the return chamber. It came with one of those black wirey sponges that I actually hate. It’s almost 2” thick and sooo hard to clean deep inside it.
Places like petco/premium aquatics sell different/replacement ones that are easier to clean and made of different materials.
Ahhh, good to know! I will research and switch out to something that has more benefits but can easily be cleaned. Glad your making recommendations as i Didn’t know I could do that!
Just make sure you keep up on it because the easier to clean ones are easier to clog too.
We're so glad to hear you're looking forward to the Orange Shoulder & Chocolate Tang! They'll be in their new home soon and we will keep an eye out for those pictures
We're so glad to hear you're looking forward to the Orange Shoulder & Chocolate Tang! They'll be in their new home soon and we will keep an eye out for those pictures
Thank you Frank! Did you like his name - lol!Beautiful fish !!...
Absolutely gorgeous and the tank looks great, well done.New Fish Update:
I’m excited to introduce the latest member of my lil reef. Meet Frank Lloyd Wright, AKA. Frankie; an Orange Shoulder Tang. Why the famous name you ask?
Well, a year ago when I started to plan setting-up a fish tank again, I happened to see a full-grown one in an LFS and was mesmerized by his distinct block markings. I immediately thought of my favorite architect FLW and one of my favorite houses, Hollyhock, here in Los Angeles. I have visited it often. Nature continues to amaze and defy logic.
Because I have a small tank (when it comes to stocking Tangs), I knew I needed to get a juvenile, knowing that someday he would go to the LFS and find a new home in a bigger tank. The problem was, I wanted one that had already transitioned or had at least clearly started his block markings as I don’t have years to wait. And as we know, fish can take years past the norm to transition fully and some just don’t.
That’s why I went to Elliott at @Marine Collectors for this difficult sourcing task. And of course, he came through as usual and not only is Frankie showing off his block colors, he is still quite small and fits perfectly in the 75 gal.
We picked him up yesterday at MC and he arrived home just as the lights were going out in the DT, 7pm. Just in time for moon cycle. This worked out well as the Wrasse and Goby had already gone to bed in the sand for the night. Of course, when they awoke this morning they were in for quite a surprise. LOL
Frankie has a very gentle energy about him. He doesn’t seem bothered by anyone and gladly ate the breakfast provided and is now diligently pecking at the rockscape and back panel for delicious treats. The Wrasse can’t figure out if he should play and cuddle or pretend to be dominant. A couple stand-offs, but so far, I’m not concerned. Frankie seems to take it in stride and while he goes to the cave area, he spends most of the time out in the main water column gliding through all the swim-throughs and pecking away at scape.
Here are the best pics I was able to get – they really don’t show the wonderful block color line across the middle of his body, and the wonderful orange on dorsal fine. Even his purple/orange rectangle is bright! The photo with the wrasse shows size comparison. I also included the FLW house (Hollyhock) and illustration since it inspired his name.
I continue to be amazed daily by this little ocean reef in my house that I am the steward of. I am truly blessed.
