Let me just start by saying what you are about to see might be graphic to some and might cause nightmares/ptsd from others. Long neglected, but heavily fed, what was once a flourishing tropical reef in a box has now turned into...well what looks to be a mix between hades' underworld and a science experiment gone wrong. We have all heard of the pulsing xenia takeovers, and have long-feared the aiptasia outbreak stories. I admit I am one of the few who has cowardly run away and never looked back (college)..
But when danger calls there is always a hero there to step up to the plate. This hero was the unfortunate recipient of my 2 clownfish, yw goby, and xenia Island (what I believed would be an island.) Side note: he has never owned saltwater or really any fish without me around(he is a newb) but he was willing to take over all necessary responsibilities and duties; except maintenence, so basically feeding and ensuring equipment functionality. I warned him about the possibilities, though he accepted them and quickly came to welcome the beautiful glass anemone-in his eyes. I offered some advice, target feed with pellets (his regimen included one whole frozen cube dropped in about once a day, with the occasional 2-3 day fast), sell the rock and start new, even advised him to check out peppermint shrimps.. though all the advice seemed to arrive with little time to adjust. Before we know it aips slowly hopped from rock to rock, xenia took over the glass due to lack of real estate, aips indulged in supplements to outgrow the xenia to reach their full potential. Nevertheless, my father refused to back down. Would you discard the entire loaf of bread just because you saw a spot of mold? Exactly, me too. Pops on the other hand was fed leftovers from the trash from Ma half his life, he trained to overcome anything life threw at him. Including sea weeds. He saw potential in the aiptasia. He knew there was a chance to really make this tank flourish. He knew what he was doing and this was his accomplishment.
So without further ado, I present to you about 1 and half years worth of vacation meals, RO top off and the occasional filter floss exchange. (Don't let anyone tell you you need to do water changes, use fancy equipment, change filter media, or even look at the tank so long as you have the undestructable, ever-lasting and always hungry nutrient export xenia, a touch of aiptasia to start, and the motivation of a hard working man who has enough **** to deal with)
Warning: graphic content that may be unsettling to some viewers. Also a potential world record (i believe trochus) snail. View at your own risk.
*seriously though, what would you do? Have you ever seen something like this? Surely nothing could eat all that even if it wanted to?? Start new or accept the new reality and just try to keep it clean-cut? Is it even fish safe now??
I have plenty rock to start new but my dad genuinely enjoys the movement and look of the tank.
Hope you enjoy and appreciate any feedback
Happy weedi-reefing!
But when danger calls there is always a hero there to step up to the plate. This hero was the unfortunate recipient of my 2 clownfish, yw goby, and xenia Island (what I believed would be an island.) Side note: he has never owned saltwater or really any fish without me around(he is a newb) but he was willing to take over all necessary responsibilities and duties; except maintenence, so basically feeding and ensuring equipment functionality. I warned him about the possibilities, though he accepted them and quickly came to welcome the beautiful glass anemone-in his eyes. I offered some advice, target feed with pellets (his regimen included one whole frozen cube dropped in about once a day, with the occasional 2-3 day fast), sell the rock and start new, even advised him to check out peppermint shrimps.. though all the advice seemed to arrive with little time to adjust. Before we know it aips slowly hopped from rock to rock, xenia took over the glass due to lack of real estate, aips indulged in supplements to outgrow the xenia to reach their full potential. Nevertheless, my father refused to back down. Would you discard the entire loaf of bread just because you saw a spot of mold? Exactly, me too. Pops on the other hand was fed leftovers from the trash from Ma half his life, he trained to overcome anything life threw at him. Including sea weeds. He saw potential in the aiptasia. He knew there was a chance to really make this tank flourish. He knew what he was doing and this was his accomplishment.
So without further ado, I present to you about 1 and half years worth of vacation meals, RO top off and the occasional filter floss exchange. (Don't let anyone tell you you need to do water changes, use fancy equipment, change filter media, or even look at the tank so long as you have the undestructable, ever-lasting and always hungry nutrient export xenia, a touch of aiptasia to start, and the motivation of a hard working man who has enough **** to deal with)
Warning: graphic content that may be unsettling to some viewers. Also a potential world record (i believe trochus) snail. View at your own risk.
*seriously though, what would you do? Have you ever seen something like this? Surely nothing could eat all that even if it wanted to?? Start new or accept the new reality and just try to keep it clean-cut? Is it even fish safe now??
I have plenty rock to start new but my dad genuinely enjoys the movement and look of the tank.
Hope you enjoy and appreciate any feedback
Happy weedi-reefing!
