Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Magnifica

I am very pleased with how the whole introduction has gone. Here’s a video of it after 2 h in the tank. It has clearly grabbed on and is holding in place, spreading out its foot.

 

[Miami Reef]

So pretty! Is the clicking sound in the background the pistol shrimp?

 

[The new fish on the block]

Mag looks great, Randy!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So pretty! Is the clicking sound in the background the pistol shrimp?

I think most of those sounds are the overflow. I do periodically hear clicks of a
mantis or pistol or who knows what, but I’m not sure there were any during the video I just relistened to.

I had turned the return pump up higher than usual so that there was some flow when I turned off the powerheads during the anemone addition, and it’s not turned back to normal quiet mode.

 

[VintageReefer]

Magnifica

I am very pleased with how the whole introduction has gone. Here’s a video of it after 2 h in the tank. It has clearly grabbed on and is holding in place, spreading out its foot.

Looking happy! Love the color!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Chemistry

I could not figure out why my Tunze osmolator kept saying there was too much water in the final sump. Now I know.

The tubing for the AWC water removal pump was above the water line. So water was going in but not out.

Salinity measurement showed almost exactly 35 ppt, demonstrating that at 1% salt water added daily and with low evaporation due to the very high humidity, salinity movement is very slow.

Nitrate 6.6 ppm
Phosphate 0.24 ppm
pH 8.18 late in the light cycle
Alk 9.5 dKH

I added 0.06 ppm iodide as KI.
I harvested ulva from the main refugium since it was full again.

I will likely add more sodium nitrate (5 ppm) and iron and manganese gluconate solution tomorrow.

All seems to be going well chemistry wise.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Halimeda

In the process of moving one of the rocks for the magnifica island, I exposed two segments of halimeda (a calcerous macroalgae) that were not apparent when the rock first went in. I’ll monitor to see what happens to those going forward.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Clownfish

Assuming this anemone makes it, then sometime in the coming weeks I’ll want to add clownfish. My current plan is to get three juveniles from a single clutch in the hope of them developing into a trio. Dr Reef says he can get such a set.

To that end, I need to decide what kind and I’m leaning toward some type of ocellaris. They are typically well behaved and I’ve seen a few trios of them, including the one I had in the past. I like some of the designer types (gladiator, daVinci, black ice) but pictures vary a lot even within a supposed single type. That’s a significant frustration. :)

 

[Miami Reef]

I remember I asked you about the clownfish dilemma. They vary, and you were hesitant to get a designer without seeing them prior.

Fortunately, Mike seems to have very good customer service. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could get some pictures for you to handpick.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I remember I asked you about the clownfish dilemma. They vary, and you were hesitant to get a designer without seeing them prior.

Fortunately, Mike seems to have very good customer service. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could get some pictures for you to handpick.

Here’s an example of the dilemma.

Black ice from Dr Reef. Looks good.

Black ice from liveaquaria, which is a definite no go.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Magnifica is less inflated/droopy as we near the end of the light cycle. Hopefully this not the start of the typical inflation deflation cycle which will necessitate removal and antibiotic treatment.

 

[Miami Reef]

That’s insane.

I’m sure you can find a pic and ask Dr. Reef to find one similar to it. He really does go above and beyond.

 

[Miami Reef]

Magnifica is less inflated/droopy as we near the end of the light cycle. Hopefully this not the start of the typical inflation deflation cycle which will necessitate removal and antibiotic treatment.

Keep us updated. It’s the first day, so I’m hoping it’s just the acclimation process.

Off topic, but I decided on a whim to take my bird to the grocery store. Very common. Nothing unusual, weird, or out of the ordinary.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Keep us updated. It’s the first day, so I’m hoping it’s just the acclimation process.

Off topic, but I decided on a whim to take my bird to the grocery store. Very common. Nothing unusual, weird, or out of the ordinary.

Lol

Does it like outings?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Copepods

As I mentioned earlier, I also got Apo copepods from pacific east since they were cheaper than free (due to moving above the free shipping cutoff). I’ll be adding them to the display after lights out, when the chromis are less likely to eat them all. lol

 

[Miami Reef]

Lol

Does it like outings?

He just likes to be anywhere I am. He’s down for anything.

Ooh. What’s your opinion on Achilles Tangs? Do you like their look?

 

[jonelder68]

Here’s an example of the dilemma.

Black ice from Dr Reef. Looks good.

Black ice from liveaquaria, which is a definite no go.

If your looking for another vendor https://theclownfishshop.com/
He’s local to me. Brett the owners is awesome! I’m sure he could wysiwyg. Or even FaceTime while you pick. Or I could for you. He has literally thousands of clowns! It’s pretty amazing.

 

[rishma]

I really like clownfish/anemone, but I’ve taken a break because they can be so aggressive in a small tank. I prefer natural strains vs designer but that just me. I also like to pair the clowns with an anemone they find in nature. Here is a list of grabbed from the anemone/clown forum.

Heteractis magnifica Ritteri Anemone
A. akallapisos - Skunk Clownfish
A. clarkii - Clark's Clownfish
A. melanopus - Red and Black Clownfish
A. ocellaris - Ocellaris Clownfish
A. percula - Percula Clownfish
A. perideraion - Pink Skunk Clownfish


I am fond of Pink Skunk clowns. They are a little drab, but really seems to be mild mannered compared to the others. I’ve always thought a group with a big anemone would be cool.

 

[rishma]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I really like clownfish/anemone, but I’ve taken a break because they can be so aggressive in a small tank. I prefer natural strains vs designer but that just me. I also like to pair the clowns with an anemone they find in nature. Here is a list of grabbed from the anemone/clown forum.

Heteractis magnifica Ritteri Anemone
A. akallapisos - Skunk Clownfish
A. clarkii - Clark's Clownfish
A. melanopus - Red and Black Clownfish
A. ocellaris - Ocellaris Clownfish
A. percula - Percula Clownfish
A. perideraion - Pink Skunk Clownfish


I am fond of Pink Skunk clowns. They are a little drab, but really seems to be mild mannered compared to the others. I’ve always thought a group with a big anemone would be cool.

My wife really likes pink skunks. Once the LTA gets big enough that might be the plan for it.