NoahLikesFish
2500 Club Member
why is this tank so gooooooooooood, i want to just get a ton of macro and filterfeeders when im in florida. its gonna be a crazy experiment but once i get it all going it will be insane
WheatToast's Anti-Reef (Aqueon 40-gallon Breeder)
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Tankkeepers
Valuable Member
It is so rare to fond a dedicated macro tank I love your soooooo much makes me miss my old one to bad the wife won't let me have more then 1 tank
Following
Also I love reefcleaners that's where I got all my macro at John is great people
Any plans for seahorses ?
Following
Also I love reefcleaners that's where I got all my macro at John is great people
Any plans for seahorses ?
minorhero
Active Member
Nice tank! I just started my own seagrass tank. How much light is on the one in the display tank that's growing? I keep hearing really high numbers for par but I've been suspicious of them for a while now.
There is a baby brittle in that shot...No! Not the high flow! NOOO!!! (eh, I expected it)
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WheatToast
2500 Club Member
At that point, the only inhabitants were leftover micro brittle stars and bristleworms from the previous temperate system. High cycling temperatures definitely stressed them out, but they survived and are thriving today.
I have got to update this thread!
The LEDs on the display have a pretty low output (probably under 100 micromoles/m2/second PPFD according to my phone) but the manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) still barely manages to survive. The refugium manatee grass is doing much better and has spread countless new shoots under approximately 500-600 micromoles/m2/second PPFD.
Sadly, no plans for seahorses. I don't know much about their care (they're pretty difficult to feed I hear?) and I doubt they could fight the strong current in the tank well. I always thought ringed pipefish (Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus) looked cool, though.
"Oh, seaweed is cool, seaweed is fun!"
"It makes its food from the rays of the sun!"
- Mr. Ray
Thanks! Biodiversity rocks!
I don't know about White Point anymore. I noticed in the fall it has some white fungus like stuff along the rocks and there is not a good smell now. Either side of it seems fine... But yes there are some great macros that wash up on that beach.11/17: Collected native macroalgae at White Point Beach, California (outside my state’s MPAs)
Species included, but were not limited to:
Brown
- Sargassum muticum
- Stephanocystis osmundacea
Green
- Codium fragile
Red
- Bossiella
- Calliarthron
- Corallina
- Gelidium
- Microcladia coulteri
- Rhodymenia pacifica
FTS on December 26
Codium fragile (I later split the individual in two, sending one piece to the refugium)
Ultimately, since these are predominantly coldwater macroalgae, several might perish, though I am curious to see what will survive (P.S. some coldwater Gelidium from the previous temperate build has hitchhiked and was already growing in the Anti-Reef prior to 12/26)
1/3
I decided to change the aquascape to incorporate more variation; now there is a large cave on the left side of the build and a sandy expanse in the center:
FTS on January 1
The cave
I still do not know where this flat piece should go, though. What do you guys think?
would love to do a temperate seagrass tank! I have had no luck. I mean I do know why, but that does not stop me from seeing a chunk of it that has washed up on the beach and going "yes, this time it will be different"
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WheatToast
2500 Club Member
I might be wrong, but from what I remember on government websites, all seagrass, even when floating, is illegal to collect. Macroalgae (with a weight limit) with hitchhikers is fine. The only permanent source of coldwater seagrass I know (in the states) is this:
https://gulfofme.com/all-sea-life/eelgrass-clumps-aquarium-substrate-zostera
Outside the U.S.:
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/uonomichi/amamo.html
Still, I agree that would be an awesome biotope concept with some of this:
https://gulfofme.com/all-sea-life?category=Substrates
Those are some great sources!
Recreational harvesters are prohibited from harvesting or disturbing eelgrass (Zostera species), surfgrass (Phyllospadix species), and sea palm (Postelsia palmaeformis).
Open to interpretation. Doesn’t say anything about sampling, studying, replanting, or rescuing already disturbed, going to die anyway washed up on the beach...
But don't get me started on the frustration with the ambiguity and nonsensical laws of CF&G...
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WheatToast
2500 Club Member
Many Nassarius snails (note the big, black one on the bottom right, I actually think it is Ilyanassa obsoleta, so it is currently on time out in the holding tank; the others appear to be true Nassarius snails with either smooth, ivory shells or darker, wrinkled shells)
Looking over the Charm website, I found the snail Telasco velatus (now accepted as Nassarius velatus) which looks awfully similar to the "Ilyanassa obsoleta" I supposedly have. It appears to be a beneficial scavenger, so I returned the snail to the refugium of my main tank a few months ago.Here is my Eastern mudsnail (Ilyanassa obsoleta) which I received mixed up with Nassarius snails and removed from my main tank before it did any harm:
Nowadays, it hangs out in my 10 gallon holding tank at room temperature water (it naturally thrives in temperate regions) and I sporadically feed it bits of Hikari Tropical Algae Wafers.
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WheatToast
2500 Club Member
Mini update 1:
After moving all residents of the holding tank into the Anti-Reef, I converted the former into a 10-gallon quarantine tank on 6/8/2022.
Equipment:
- Aqueon 10-gallon Standard (purchased way back in 2011; the thermometer sticker is dead)
- Artificial turf (cushion)
- Old furniture
- MarinePure Ceramic Biomedia 1 1/2” Spheres (pre-seeded)
- AquaClear 50 Biomax (pre-seeded)
- AquaClear 50 Foam
- AquaClear 50
- Eheim Jager 50 Watts
- AQUANEAT 1 Pack Aquarium Thermometer
- H2Pro 20" Glass Canopy
- Instant Ocean Full Range Hydrometer
- Seachem Prime 50mL
- Blue PVC elbow
- Weco Marine Pro Green Giant Kelp 6"
- Weco Marine Pro Red Giant Kelp 6"
No equipment is being shared between the Anti-Reef and the Quarantine.
Fish were later introduced on 6/15/2022, the first fish I have purchased since 2014! These fish were from Aquatic Collection in Hayward, California, a great store in my opinion!
PraziPro treatment lasted for the recommended 12 days. Copper Power (around 2.4 ppm)/Metroplex treatment is ongoing and should end at the beginning of August.
On 7/3/2022, two PVC crosses were purchased.
Inhabitants:
"Feo" the tail-spot blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) generally hangs out near and sleeps within the blue PVC and is very camera shy, though ventures out to scrape algae off the glass when no one is looking. Probably is a male as he has streamers on his caudal fin:
"Queen Uronema" the blue-green chromis (Chromis viridis), who does not appear to have Uronema, is the boss of the tank and the most aggressive eater. At night, she rests in the branches of the Weco Marine Pro Red Giant Kelp. She is probably a female, since she was the largest in her school at the aquarium store.
This blue reef chromis (Chromis cyanea) used to get chased around by "Queen Uronema," though this now occurs less frequently. When initially introduced, "Queen Uronema" and the blue reef chromis swam together, though this no longer occurs unless they are spooked by my camera or a flashlight. This chromis sleeps within the white PVC. Does anyone have any name suggestions for this fish?
After moving all residents of the holding tank into the Anti-Reef, I converted the former into a 10-gallon quarantine tank on 6/8/2022.
Equipment:
- Aqueon 10-gallon Standard (purchased way back in 2011; the thermometer sticker is dead)
- Artificial turf (cushion)
- Old furniture
- MarinePure Ceramic Biomedia 1 1/2” Spheres (pre-seeded)
- AquaClear 50 Biomax (pre-seeded)
- AquaClear 50 Foam
- AquaClear 50
- Eheim Jager 50 Watts
- AQUANEAT 1 Pack Aquarium Thermometer
- H2Pro 20" Glass Canopy
- Instant Ocean Full Range Hydrometer
- Seachem Prime 50mL
- Blue PVC elbow
- Weco Marine Pro Green Giant Kelp 6"
- Weco Marine Pro Red Giant Kelp 6"
No equipment is being shared between the Anti-Reef and the Quarantine.
Fish were later introduced on 6/15/2022, the first fish I have purchased since 2014! These fish were from Aquatic Collection in Hayward, California, a great store in my opinion!
PraziPro treatment lasted for the recommended 12 days. Copper Power (around 2.4 ppm)/Metroplex treatment is ongoing and should end at the beginning of August.
On 7/3/2022, two PVC crosses were purchased.
Inhabitants:
"Feo" the tail-spot blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) generally hangs out near and sleeps within the blue PVC and is very camera shy, though ventures out to scrape algae off the glass when no one is looking. Probably is a male as he has streamers on his caudal fin:
"Queen Uronema" the blue-green chromis (Chromis viridis), who does not appear to have Uronema, is the boss of the tank and the most aggressive eater. At night, she rests in the branches of the Weco Marine Pro Red Giant Kelp. She is probably a female, since she was the largest in her school at the aquarium store.
This blue reef chromis (Chromis cyanea) used to get chased around by "Queen Uronema," though this now occurs less frequently. When initially introduced, "Queen Uronema" and the blue reef chromis swam together, though this no longer occurs unless they are spooked by my camera or a flashlight. This chromis sleeps within the white PVC. Does anyone have any name suggestions for this fish?
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I would go with Francois or Pepe...Mini update:
After moving all residents of the holding tank into the Anti-Reef, I converted the former into a 10-gallon quarantine tank on 6/8/2022.
Equipment:
- Aqueon 10-gallon Standard (purchased way back in 2011; the thermometer sticker is dead)
- Artificial turf (cushion)
- Old furniture
- MarinePure Ceramic Biomedia 1 1/2” Spheres (pre-seeded)
- AquaClear 50 Biomax (pre-seeded)
- AquaClear 50 Foam
- AquaClear 50
- Eheim Jager 50 Watts
- AQUANEAT 1 Pack Aquarium Thermometer
- H2Pro 20" Glass Canopy
- Instant Ocean Full Range Hydrometer
- Seachem Prime 50mL
- Blue PVC elbow
- Weco Marine Pro Green Giant Kelp 6"
- Weco Marine Pro Red Giant Kelp 6"
No equipment is being shared between the Anti-Reef and the Quarantine.
Fish were later introduced on 6/15/2022, the first fish I have purchased since 2014! These fish were from Aquatic Collection in Hayward, California, a great store in my opinion!
PraziPro treatment lasted for the recommended 12 days. Copper Power (around 2.4 ppm)/Metroplex treatment is ongoing and should end at the beginning of August.
On 7/3/2022, two PVC crosses were purchased.
Inhabitants:
"Feo" the tail-spot blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) generally hangs out near the blue PVC and is very camera shy, though ventures out to scrape algae off the glass when no one is looking. Probably is a male as he has streamers on his caudal fin:
"Queen Uronema" the blue-green chromis (Chromis viridis), who does not appear to have Uronema, is the boss of the tank and the most aggressive eater. At night, she rests in the branches of the artificial macroalgae. Probably a female, since she was the largest in her school at the aquarium store.
This blue reef chromis (Chromis cyanea) used to get chased around by "Queen Uronema," though this now occurs less frequently. When initially introduced, "Queen Uronema" and the blue reef chromis swam together, though this no longer occurs unless they are spooked by my camera or a flashlight. Does anyone have any name suggestions for this fish?
I completely change out my qt tanks every 3 days with another tank. Petco still has 10g for $10 makes life easier.
Sean Clark
7500 Club Member
I would suggest Jeff II after the murder.Mini update:
After moving all residents of the holding tank into the Anti-Reef, I converted the former into a 10-gallon quarantine tank on 6/8/2022.
Equipment:
- Aqueon 10-gallon Standard (purchased way back in 2011; the thermometer sticker is dead)
- Artificial turf (cushion)
- Old furniture
- MarinePure Ceramic Biomedia 1 1/2” Spheres (pre-seeded)
- AquaClear 50 Biomax (pre-seeded)
- AquaClear 50 Foam
- AquaClear 50
- Eheim Jager 50 Watts
- AQUANEAT 1 Pack Aquarium Thermometer
- H2Pro 20" Glass Canopy
- Instant Ocean Full Range Hydrometer
- Seachem Prime 50mL
- Blue PVC elbow
- Weco Marine Pro Green Giant Kelp 6"
- Weco Marine Pro Red Giant Kelp 6"
No equipment is being shared between the Anti-Reef and the Quarantine.
Fish were later introduced on 6/15/2022, the first fish I have purchased since 2014! These fish were from Aquatic Collection in Hayward, California, a great store in my opinion!
PraziPro treatment lasted for the recommended 12 days. Copper Power (around 2.4 ppm)/Metroplex treatment is ongoing and should end at the beginning of August.
On 7/3/2022, two PVC crosses were purchased.
Inhabitants:
"Feo" the tail-spot blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) generally hangs out near the blue PVC and is very camera shy, though ventures out to scrape algae off the glass when no one is looking. Probably is a male as he has streamers on his caudal fin:
"Queen Uronema" the blue-green chromis (Chromis viridis), who does not appear to have Uronema, is the boss of the tank and the most aggressive eater. At night, she rests in the branches of the artificial macroalgae. Probably a female, since she was the largest in her school at the aquarium store.
This blue reef chromis (Chromis cyanea) used to get chased around by "Queen Uronema," though this now occurs less frequently. When initially introduced, "Queen Uronema" and the blue reef chromis swam together, though this no longer occurs unless they are spooked by my camera or a flashlight. Does anyone have any name suggestions for this fish?
OP
OP
WheatToast
2500 Club Member
Mini update 2:
Darker, smaller growth on the right was cultivated under the full-spectrum LEDs in the display. The larger, lighter growth was cultivated under the refugium light
What's nice about this species is that it doesn't fall apart under higher flow (unlike the thinner Chaetomorpha linum) so I can keep it in the display.
Remember that inconsequentially small piece of Chaetomorpha (which I assume is Chaetomorpha spiralis)? Well, it got knocked into more direct light at some point and turned into a beast... which I sold to Aquatic Collection on 6/7/2022:Hitchhiker Chaetomorpha on the roll!
Darker, smaller growth on the right was cultivated under the full-spectrum LEDs in the display. The larger, lighter growth was cultivated under the refugium light
What's nice about this species is that it doesn't fall apart under higher flow (unlike the thinner Chaetomorpha linum) so I can keep it in the display.
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WheatToast
2500 Club Member
Mini update 3:
On 6/7/2022, I tried experimenting with the salt-tolerant species Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish) in the Anti-Reef, though this ended in failure. The 10 fish did not seem too particularly affected by the change in salinity (3 hour acclimation from freshwater to saltwater), though they could barely fight the current in the tank, even on the lowest settings (as they live in stagnant water). By the next day, all had passed from exhaustion or had been captured by micro brittle stars.
On 6/7/2022, I tried experimenting with the salt-tolerant species Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish) in the Anti-Reef, though this ended in failure. The 10 fish did not seem too particularly affected by the change in salinity (3 hour acclimation from freshwater to saltwater), though they could barely fight the current in the tank, even on the lowest settings (as they live in stagnant water). By the next day, all had passed from exhaustion or had been captured by micro brittle stars
.
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OP
WheatToast
2500 Club Member
Mini update 4: Failures
In the later months of spring, I got pretty busy, so some of the macroalgae ended up dying out, though most of the struggles came from new additions:
2/10: Ordered from Gulf Coast Ecosystems
- Sargassum x2
- Purple photosynthetic sponge
Packaging
Sargassum in a bowl
Image posted on Wikimedia Commons
The sponges look more red in-person than they do on the website
Lighting in the tank was likely inadequate for the Sargassum, and the sponges got pretty beat up when I did not attach them correctly:
4/15: Ordered from LA Reefs on eBay
- Red branching macroalgae
Packaging
Note the light-colored, worn patches under the branches... and say hi to the Aiptasia
This individual was a little beat up when I received it. Some pieces may still be lingering in the tank, but I have not found any.
In the later months of spring, I got pretty busy, so some of the macroalgae ended up dying out, though most of the struggles came from new additions:
2/10: Ordered from Gulf Coast Ecosystems
- Sargassum x2
- Purple photosynthetic sponge
Packaging
Sargassum in a bowl
Image posted on Wikimedia Commons
The sponges look more red in-person than they do on the website
Lighting in the tank was likely inadequate for the Sargassum, and the sponges got pretty beat up when I did not attach them correctly:
4/15: Ordered from LA Reefs on eBay
- Red branching macroalgae
Packaging
Note the light-colored, worn patches under the branches... and say hi to the Aiptasia
This individual was a little beat up when I received it. Some pieces may still be lingering in the tank, but I have not found any.
OP
OP
WheatToast
2500 Club Member
Mini update 5: Successes and intriguing occurrences
3/19: This pink coralline algae started to plate outwards on the overflow...
3/30: Purchased from Cali Kid Corals (@calikidcorals)
- Trochus x5 for the refugium
- Dove snails (Columbellidae sp.) x2 for genetic diversity in my existing stock... I guess
- Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata boggessi)
Judging by the coloration of its tail, the peppermint shrimp is likely Lysmata boggessi; others on Reef2Reef seem to prefer Lysmata wurdemanni for Aiptasia control and mine has not touched any Aiptasia... so I have decided to name it the "Sussy Amogus Imposter."
The snails
"Sussy Amogus Imposter"
4/2: Purchased from Aquatic Collection
- Harlequin serpent star "Sam" (Ophioderma sp.)
Sam is Patrick Star's sister, and the brittle star, already in the Anti-Reef, is named "Patrick," so this felt like the logical next step
I also photographed this kelp isopod (Idoteidae sp.) on this day. These seem to enjoy nibbling on the seagrass, though they do not damage it too heavily. While the isopod in the photograph disappeared after a while, I spotted a younger individual about a month later:
4/6: Ordered from macro_algae on eBay
- Red spaghetti (Gracilaria pacifica)
- Red bush ogo (Gracilaria curtissiae)
- Umbrella algae (Caulerpa chemnitzia)
- Purple fauchea (Gloiocladia sp.)
This Gracilaria pacifica seems to actually be some type of red turf algae, though it does not grow very quickly
Gracilaria curtissiae
Unfortunately, this Caulerpa looked rough upon arrival. I thought it could recover in the refugium, but in a single day's time, it disappeared without a trace (likely the work of some hungry Amphipods).
Fauchea is now accepted as Gloiocladia
4/2: Purchased from Aquatic Collection
- Trochus x5 for the refugium
I do not have any pictures of these snails... so enjoy this image of Gracilaria parvispora I captured at the store:
And some shameless advertising:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/made-a-wikipedia-page.921778/
3/19: This pink coralline algae started to plate outwards on the overflow
...3/30: Purchased from Cali Kid Corals (@calikidcorals)
- Trochus x5 for the refugium
- Dove snails (Columbellidae sp.) x2 for genetic diversity in my existing stock... I guess
- Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata boggessi)
Judging by the coloration of its tail, the peppermint shrimp is likely Lysmata boggessi; others on Reef2Reef seem to prefer Lysmata wurdemanni for Aiptasia control and mine has not touched any Aiptasia... so I have decided to name it the "Sussy Amogus Imposter."
The snails
"Sussy Amogus Imposter"
4/2: Purchased from Aquatic Collection
- Harlequin serpent star "Sam" (Ophioderma sp.)
Sam is Patrick Star's sister, and the brittle star, already in the Anti-Reef, is named "Patrick," so this felt like the logical next step
I also photographed this kelp isopod (Idoteidae sp.) on this day. These seem to enjoy nibbling on the seagrass, though they do not damage it too heavily. While the isopod in the photograph disappeared after a while, I spotted a younger individual about a month later:
4/6: Ordered from macro_algae on eBay
- Red spaghetti (Gracilaria pacifica)
- Red bush ogo (Gracilaria curtissiae)
- Umbrella algae (Caulerpa chemnitzia)
- Purple fauchea (Gloiocladia sp.)
This Gracilaria pacifica seems to actually be some type of red turf algae, though it does not grow very quickly
Gracilaria curtissiae
Unfortunately, this Caulerpa looked rough upon arrival. I thought it could recover in the refugium, but in a single day's time, it disappeared without a trace (likely the work of some hungry Amphipods).
Fauchea is now accepted as Gloiocladia
4/2: Purchased from Aquatic Collection
- Trochus x5 for the refugium
I do not have any pictures of these snails... so enjoy this image of Gracilaria parvispora I captured at the store:
And some shameless advertising:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/made-a-wikipedia-page.921778/
The Gloiocladia is similar to what I grow in my 6 Nano... A double fisted size that I have to cull once a month.
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