A 55G link in the Golden Chain

[Melanie]

I love the serpent star. He's gorgeous!

[hma]

Originally Posted by hma

Well, I show you this evening the picture of a Eunicea (frame and close-up). I have a very beautiful In my “Mandarin tank” .

Few minutes ago I could do the promised pictures .... and here they are.


EUNICEA sp.







I had to annoy the Gorgonia a little, her polyps are always opened, actually.

[goldenmean]

I really like the pink color of your Eunicea sp. Hienz.
I guess I will have to wait till the polyps start coming out to see what I have.
So far I have not seen them open but it has only been 3 days.

My ammonia is still very low. <.05.
I think the fact that I have Part one of my TBS Package with 45# LR and 85# LS in the tank for 5 weeks before part 2 was added has helped. The bacteria in the tank has had some extra time to build up. Usually you get part 2 about two weeks after part 1.
I havent been testing for nitrites and nitrates as I was expecting a bit of an ammonia spike first. I guess I will start testing for trites and trates this eve.

[hma]

Originally Posted by goldenmean

I really like the pink color of your Eunicea sp. Hienz.
I guess I will have to wait till the polyps start coming out to see what I have.
So far I have not seen them open but it has only been 3 days.

My ammonia is still very low. <.05.
I think the fact that I have Part one of my TBS Package with 45# LR and 85# LS in the tank for 5 weeks before part 2 was added has helped. The bacteria in the tank has had some extra time to build up. Usually you get part 2 about two weeks after part 1.
I havent been testing for nitrites and nitrates as I was expecting a bit of an ammonia spike first. I guess I will start testing for trites and trates this eve.

Yepp… the Eunicea sp. again with open polyps for the direct comparison.

[Dentoid]

Here are some pictures of the Gorgonians I received from TBS which I believe are the same as yours. One thing you have to keep in mind on the ID is where they are indiginous and collected from.

[goldenmean]

I ran out of both my elos and FasTest Ammonia tests this morning so I went to a more distant LFS that i knew carries Salifert test. So tonights Ammonia Salifert test results are ZERO.

NitrIte (NO2) 1ppm
NitrAte (NO3) 50ppm

[ScubaDrew]

You have any room for cheato in your sump?

[burning2nd]

how long has this bin setup....

[bluespotjawfish]

Ammonia Salifert test results are ZERO

I don't think the salifert ammonia test even reads zero, it is only measured as less than .25.

I'd do a hefty water change and be ready for another one shortly as well.

Here is my gorgonian from TBS. Like Scott's it seems to have a much thicker stock than HMAs.

[goldenmean]

You have any room for cheato in your sump?

I probably could find room for some but I would need a light too.
Either Part 2 has had little or no die off AND/OR my tank has developed enough bacteria to convert the Ammonia to Nitrite. The bacteria that converts trites to trates is not as developed so I have high NO2 and NO3.
I am planning on doing a water change this eve after I get home from work.

how long has this bin setup....

I know what you are thinking. . . .
Burning2nd I am using Tamp Bay Salt Water aqua-cultured LR/LS so the process of cycling the tank is much quicker than most other LR.
The rock is fresh out of the Gulf of Mexico, shipped in water via air cargo and picked up same day at the airport.
Check out their site if you are interested in more info.
Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock
The first half of the LR and all LS was added over 5 weeks ago.
The 2nd part of the TBS package including the CUC was added this past Monday.

This could not have happed so fast had I used LR from half way around the world using middlemen/wholesellers.
TBS tanks have been very successful.
Dentoid, ScubaDrew, and Octoman have tanks using TBS.

[goldenmean]

I don't think the salifert ammonia test even reads zero, it is only measured as less than .25.

My salifert NH3 test reads 0, .05, .5, 1.0, and 2.0

CORRECTION: I am home now and my test reads: <0.5, .5, 1, 1.5, >2. I stand corrected. The elos test did read as low as 0.05

I'd do a hefty water change and be ready for another one shortly as well.

Will do 20% when I get home from work this eve.
I have ample SW ready for multiple WC!

Thanks Lorraine,
The pic of or link to your gorgonian did not post.

Ahhh there it is! Very cool.

[goldenmean]

Saturday night I did a 25% Water change. This morning
NO2 was at .5
NO3 wat at .25
so this afternoon I did another 25% WC.


One of my tree sponges is not doing so well.
He has a lot of white on him and the little hermits are eating on the white stuff. A couple of the tips seem to be disentigrating. I pulled this bad stuff off but dont know what else, if anything, I can do. Or is it a goner and I should remove him before he affect swater quality (more)?
All the other sponges are fine.
Here is a couple of pics.

[goldenmean]

Here is a couple of pics I took today.

I have been happy that the Serpent star is usually out and about.
One of the sea cucumbers is just below.


Here is the Condylactis anemone, Dr. Rice, under actinic lights. She has a great purple glow.

[Melanie]

I'm so sorry. The sponge looks bad. I'm interested to see if anyone has suggestions on how to "fix" it. I've read that they are difficult to maintain.

That pic of the condy is eye-popping!

[ScubaDrew]

My purple tree sponges 'shed' some white coat in the first week they were in the tank. I kept it under med-high flow and it worked its way off - now they appear very happy!