Recent content by fidojoe

And a bonus pic of my cleaner shrimp manicure.

Hey All, I figured I'd post an update... The tank has had water in it for 2 months and 2 days. I've come to realize that I'm not the most patient when it comes to adding stuff- both equipment and livestock. Livestock updates: I had a mishap a few weeks ago with a BTA that didn't look so hot...

So I am kicking around the idea of getting an RODI unit to save myself the hassle of hauling 5 gallon bottles to get refilled. I'm torn, though. I like the idea of the MaxCap system with all of the bells and whistles, but the price seems a little absurd at $100+ over other options. I also wonder...

My guess would be no... they don't let you carry on any container that's larger than a few ounces. I suppose you might be able to check it as luggage, but I'm not sure.

OK, so I have to rant... This is no one's fault buy my own. I should've known better. I bought a GBTA from a Phoenix LFS yesterday against my better judgement. I basically spent $45 to prove that my bubble magus curve 5 is awesome, and make my house smell like hot trash. The anemone looked OK...

I remember this from my old system. I had 2 huge toadstools (8-10" each), both sitting in close proximity to the sps. I ran carbon constantly, which I think is what helped to make it work. I'm doing the same now. I am in the process of setting up a flow thru system for the carbon, like I used...

These were the frags that I got at the reef club meeting: And these were a couple recent purchases from the LFS: Also, and update on my toadstool leather, it seems to be quite happy:

I still need to buy a couple more test kits, but I've been using a set of Seachem kits to monitor the basics, I stopped testing ammonia last week, since I haven't seen any measurable free or total ammonia since the middle of the first week the tank was set up. pH is holding steady at 8.2, Alk is...

Good news!!! The aqualifter came today (thanks to Amazon & 1-day shipping), and it actually works pumping thru the kalk reactor! At a much more consistent speed, too! I'm pretty happy with this solution, since I was only planning on running the aqualifter as a backup with RO water only if I ran...

Update... Sump is up and running. I bought a couple big zoanthid rocks from my LFS. They were pretty cheap, and added a nice spash of color. When I was at the LFS, they also had two potter's angels. I realize it was probably not the most wise decision I've ever made, but I purchased...

Do you ever hear any unexplained popping noises coming from your tank? It could be a mantis or pistol shrimp hiding in the rock structure, and your wrasse was unlucky enough to try and hide near the shrimp's home. That's only one of numerous hypotheses that could explain a hole in its side, and...

I knew someone years ago who kept a 90 FOWLR with a niger trigger, humu humu, a lion, and a snowflake eel. They seemed to be fine together. Snails and hermits didn't stand a chance in that tank tho. I also vaguely remember seeing an urchin in the tank, too.

This guy came off some zoanthids that I bought today... It's in my sump for safe keeping until proven innocent. The PVC is ¾", for size reference.

I used to have a massive brittle star, it was a reddish colored criss cross pattern. It was pretty cool to watch at night. I rarely saw more than the tip of a leg sticking out when feeding during the day, but at night he was out and about. I think he was more of a scavenger, as I know for a fact...

So I kinda had an 'eff-it' moment today, and ordered a Bubble Magus Curve 5 and the Hydor ATO controller. I'm really excited that I will basically have all of the equipment that I want at the moment, and I should have it ready to set up this weekend. A few new things arrived today, too. I...