Honestly I never technically left as I have had livestock and a tank running on autopilot the entire time but for about two or three years now I have been pretty checked out of the hobby. My mental health was in a decline around that time and the tank I had been diligently caring for at the time suffered for it. I took it down last year and have had my tiger pistol shrimp Diego hanging out in a 15 gallon in the meantime. I had also planned on doing a 40gallon tank that never worked out…
I recently moved in July and had my passion reignited and am in a much better headspace now. I set up this AI Nuvo 14 gallon when I moved in and used some of the media from the placeholder tank in this one and plopped Diego in and he has been having a great time the past few months. I have just been waiting for the tank to mature a little more and give a chance for the bacteria from my previous systems to duplicate in this before finally purchasing new livestock. I tested my water have been doing water changes to get the levels at a better place (nitrates were through the roof, though my phosphates were fine). I only had a diatom flare and got some copepods and a tuxedo urchin to clean it up (I prefer a more conservative approach to CUC’s than what a lot of folks tend to recommend though if I need more I will totally get another urchin. They are my favorite CUC members) and everything is looking great!
I don’t have a glass scraper which is why it’s not super clear but that’s coming in the mail soon along with my new clownfish which are arriving on Wednesday.
I also got my hands on a Chicago Sunburst Anemone for only 200$ from Top Shelf Aquatics. It was on sale for 300$ but I had a 100$ gift card which came with my tank. Still buzzing over the deal I managed to score; especially since earlier in the week they had one on sale for 400$ and I had been considering getting that one but someone else bought it before me. It will be arriving December 1st
This tank is going to be anemone only. The Chicago Sunburst will be the only BTA I put in it but I am considering getting some rock flower anemones. I also am going to be putting gsp on the back wall because I’ve always loved they way it looks in other peoples tanks.
Anyways here’s to falling in love again.
I recently moved in July and had my passion reignited and am in a much better headspace now. I set up this AI Nuvo 14 gallon when I moved in and used some of the media from the placeholder tank in this one and plopped Diego in and he has been having a great time the past few months. I have just been waiting for the tank to mature a little more and give a chance for the bacteria from my previous systems to duplicate in this before finally purchasing new livestock. I tested my water have been doing water changes to get the levels at a better place (nitrates were through the roof, though my phosphates were fine). I only had a diatom flare and got some copepods and a tuxedo urchin to clean it up (I prefer a more conservative approach to CUC’s than what a lot of folks tend to recommend though if I need more I will totally get another urchin. They are my favorite CUC members) and everything is looking great!
I don’t have a glass scraper which is why it’s not super clear but that’s coming in the mail soon along with my new clownfish which are arriving on Wednesday.
I also got my hands on a Chicago Sunburst Anemone for only 200$ from Top Shelf Aquatics. It was on sale for 300$ but I had a 100$ gift card which came with my tank. Still buzzing over the deal I managed to score; especially since earlier in the week they had one on sale for 400$ and I had been considering getting that one but someone else bought it before me. It will be arriving December 1st
This tank is going to be anemone only. The Chicago Sunburst will be the only BTA I put in it but I am considering getting some rock flower anemones. I also am going to be putting gsp on the back wall because I’ve always loved they way it looks in other peoples tanks.
Anyways here’s to falling in love again.
