Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[Euphylliaphyle]

I suppose I could tie it on with nylon fishing line. I’m open to ideas!

I use 25 lb. dark olive drab braided fishing line. Can barely see it and it holds up well. Criss-cross it over the rock and macro to help keep it from being pulled out from under the line.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Tank Update

Things are going well. Remarkably, the demented Anthias is still hanging on!

I do need to come up with a better way to attach macroalgae to rocks I sink to the bottom when I’m away. Rubber bands just are not cutting it. Even expensive silicone rubber bands for cooking are half broken after a week. I suppose I could tie it on with nylon fishing line. I’m open to ideas!

Nice! Some great polyp extension!

 

[rayadog]

Another idea might be releasable zip ties? Won’t be as snug depending on surface and width of tie used

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, I’ll think about those possibilities!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Lurking Mantis!

 

[tripdad]

I have already commented a while ago on your coraline growth but wow! I have had tanks since 1983 and never had that kind of rapid growth. Very cool. Hopefully it's not causing too much maintenance. Still like the "extra" critters.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have already commented a while ago on your coraline growth but wow! I have had tanks since 1983 and never had that kind of rapid growth. Very cool. Hopefully it's not causing too much maintenance. Still like the "extra" critters.

Thanks. No coralline maintenance issues. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Fish Update

The demented Anthias finally disappeared this morning, several months after addition. Never visibly ate anything or even moved much. I suspect brain damage in shipping.

One of the anthias looks to be a male now, being more red than the others, more green on his back fin, and is a bit bigger. The one in the middle of this picture:

All other fish are also doing great. The mandarin’s have presumably paired up since they are often seen together. Everyone else gets along well.

The clown trio has stayed as a trio, patiently waiting for a new anemone. :)

 

[dwest]

Fish Update

The demented Anthias finally disappeared this morning, several months after addition. Never visibly ate anything or even moved much. I suspect brain damage in shipping.

One of the anthias looks to be a male now, being more red than the others, more green on his back fin, and is a bit bigger. The one in the middle of this picture:

All other fish are also doing great. The mandarin’s have presumably paired up since they are often seen together. Everyone else gets along well.

The clown trio has stayed as a trio, patiently waiting for a new anemone. :)

I would have bet that the clowns would be in your elegance within days of losing their anemone. Obviously I would be very wrong. Your tank looks great!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would have bet that the clowns would be in your elegance within days of losing their anemone. Obviously I would be very wrong. Your tank looks great!

I guess they are just spoiled by having an anemone for a while. lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Chemistry Update

Nitrate 14.7 ppm. High enough. I turned off the ammonia dosing. The ammonia solution reservoir is in the first picture below.

Alkalinity 8.0 dKH. Perfect. No change to AFR dosing. AFR reservoir is in the second picture, on top of the mini fridge with the BRS 1.1 mL per min doser mounted on the wall near it. Also seen in that picture are two of the INKBIRD heater controllers, with 2 others downstream of them ( electrically) powered off because no heat is needed.

Third picture is the inside of the mini fridge where phyto is stored and dosed on a timed stirrer. Next picture is a new batch of AFR using that stirrer to dissolve,,then it goes up top of the fridge and the phyto returns to the stirrer.

Phosphate: 0.29 ppm. About where it has been for months.

pH about 7.8 in the first sump, which is currently dark. Tank may be higher.

Temp in display: 79.5, controlled 79-80 by my cooling systems, with those inkbirds shown in the last picture.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Why the pitcher in the first pic? Ammonia spill containment system?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why the pitcher in the first pic? Ammonia spill containment system?

Yes, the glass milk jug is heavy, but if it tipped it would dump out. The pitcher essentially gives it more stability.