Octoman's 55 gallons of euphoria

[panmanmatt]

Nassarius don't eat hair algae. nassarius are detrius eaters not algae eaters.

[Octoman]

I also discovered that my Purple Plate has grown legs!

[Octoman]

Originally Posted by panmanmatt

Nassarius don't eat hair algae. nassarius are detrius eaters not algae eaters.

I figured as much, but at least let me hope...

Plenty of detritus to go around too!

[Octoman]

Against my own advice, there are some new fish in the tank...

I was at the LFS, (not really L, but worth the extra drive) and they had a very cute and already mated up pair of tiny ocellaris clowns. They are about 3/4 - 1" long and they are insane! Both are tank raised, and I think this is the first time they've been in a tank this big because they've been in hyperspace since day one... No pictures yet because they won't stop for two seconds. They are both eating very well, although they haven't quite figured out the pellets yet, but they try - one grabs it and holds it in its mouth for a second then spits it out and the other one grabs it, they go back and forth until it hits the bottom...

Water parameters all still checking out just fine, doing two 10% WC's weekly. The xenia is holding on, still looks like it wants to make a comeback.

I put a Gen-X needlewheel on the skimmer to replace the maxijet with the hose jammed in the intake. Still a bit noisy, but MUCH BETTER foam.

One of the new nassarius just laid about a dozen eggs, I'll try to get a photo tonight.

[goldenmean]

When I first got my ocellaris clowns for my nano they were that small too and they could not eat the pelets. The pellets were to big. I broke them up then they could eat them. My pair much prefer flakes tho

[hma]

just drop in .... you are on a good way to a beautiful reef.

[Octoman]

Thanks Jeff, they love the flakes and they got fat on Cyclopeeze the other day. I tried to grind up my pellets but they were pretty hard so I soaked them for about 10 minutes first, that did the trick!

Thank you Heinz! I can only hope that the corals and fish in my tank will be as happy and prolific as yours one day!!



As promised, snail eggs...

[Octoman]

And the first shot I got of the new clowns, they still race back and forth in the tank, but they've started to hang out a little here and there...

[Octoman]

I put together a DIY moonlight using an old A/C adapter and a couple LEDs (thanks to Corrado007's plans!). I'm modifying the plans to incorporate a photoelectric eye that will automatically turn them on when it gets dark, that way I don't have to mess with syncing two timers...

[Octoman]

Plate in the moonlight...

[Woodstock]

Wow!! Very nice! I love the step by step pictures and your DIY skills are up there with Sasquatch's! LOL~ Beautiful stand, canopy, overflow, reef, corals, and fishes! .... Mr. Turd is okay too.

I have three cucumbers myself. One has gotten VERY large

[Octoman]

Thanks Doni! My DIY skills are still in the stage where I have to build things a few times before they work right...

I'm using your Sump Light idea right now to get my fuge lit up. I'm always scared of something going up in smoke...



Update:
I took some H2O to the LFS and found out I've got phosphate issues. I put some Phosguard in and ordered my own test kit and some Phosban. This is why I'm lighting up the fuge now too. I'm going to put it on a reverse schedule from the display lights to help with nighttime pH also.

[Octoman]

As many of you know, Sherman and his lovebird roommates haven't been getting along to well lately. Sherman got tired of yelling all the time and noone listening to him so today, he moved out.

[Octoman]

After shopping around for a new pad, Sherman decided to try a new roommate with Rudy the serpent star. Plus, Rudy has a nice uptown bachelor pad in prime real estate under the purple plate.

[Octoman]

After getting settled in, it was time for lunch. This new spot next to glass is great for spotting pods when they stray out of the sand...