Time for an update.. First off, awhile back I traded one of my anemones for some CUC and a Kenya tree coral, and the guy pointed out to me that the live rock had a single Aptasia in it and I needed to look out for it so it doesn't spread. I took the rock into the bathroom and let scalding hot water run into the hole where the little Aptasia lurked and then placed it in the tank. My shrimp and hermit attacked the remains of the anemone and I thought I'd seen the last of it. After some weeks of moving it around and it had ended up buried in the gravel, I saw the little sucker peeking up through the gravel! I started looking into other ways to kill it and most, including Aptasia-X seemed hit or miss.. Not being in the mood to be outdone by an resilient anemone, I went and got my little propane torch...
I submerged the kenya tree in a bucket with tank water, covering it's base, and flame-broiled the hole where the Aptasia was. I really should have taped it as it was comically overkill, but in short, it worked
Haven't seen it since and the Kenya tree is fine. Here's a picture of ground zero:
Also, I sold another anemone, so now I only have the three little ones that split. The guy I sold it too had a huge tank with big fish and I suggested to him that perhaps he would take my cleaner wrasse since he really had no business being in my little tank even though he was eating. He was looking a little weak and I know they are hard to keep and only live 4 years or so (don't know how old this one was) but the day before I was going to relocate him, he disappeared and I have not seen him since. I presume he's dead but I've not seen any remains or anything.
In other news, my first InTank shipment came:
I quickly drip-acclimated the little swedish fish in my mouth (InTank U Stevie) and went to work on changing out the bulbs. What a difference ! Colors are popping now and the tank is even brighter. Candy cane actually has a neon green thing going on.
I was also anxious to compare the nitrate readings of the API test to the Tetra ones that I'd been relying on and was constantly giving me high readings. Here's two pics of the results:
Same water, instructions followed to the letter, shaking the snot out of API bottle #2 before, and the result? My water is as low in nitrates as it should be considering all the unnecessary water changes I've done following the Tetra test results..
That's cost me a pretty penny in Instant Ocean.. 10 gallons every weekend in a 35 gallon tank.. didn't make sense and now I know why. Anyone else have similar experience with Tetra's kits? I mean the API one is right, right?
Other tests told me that I had 0 phosphates, 7dKH alkalinity ( a bit low), and too much calcium.. I stopped at 30 drops and the vial was dark blue, not purple. Probably all that fresh Instant Ocean and few corals to use it.
Then yesterday I stopped by my LFS and found he'd just received a shipment, so I picked up some critters and a purple Gorgonia:
I also got a feather duster, they fascinate me:
Close up of it's mouth.. how alien is this thing?
I also got a Cowrie snail.. There was a large Cowrie shell in my parents bathroom growing up, and I never knew what it was from, now I have a small live one
I had to get another hermit crab too.. Electric blue I think it was called, cool purple fringe on it's legs.
I also got a little green Emerald Crab, but haven't got a picture of it since it's gone into hiding
Finally since my Wrasse died, I got two fish as well.
Foxface rabbit fish
I love these guys, and I know they will outgrow the tank, but I will move them into the 75G once that is set up.. I hope I have some time before that becomes a pressing issue
Years?
Anyway, the Clowns have to show them who's tank this is and the Foxfaces turn their backs to them, as if to say.. "What-ev-urrr.. Talk to my venomous spines.."
I'm not worried, the Clowns will grow tired of it and the new fish will venture into the rest of the tank giving the Clowns their space.
Anyway, some news, some pics, hope you liked them
Later.
, but I already new that 
