My 29 gallon tank.

[wm23oh]

I've had a 10 gallon nano setup for a few years (4 or so) and after giving it to my parents they decided to get rid of it and gave it all away.

It's been a year or so and I've decided it was the worst thing I could have done. I really like my 2 freshwater aquariums 125 and 29 bow front but they just don't push me anymore.

I just setup an old tank (was freshwater) of mine 29 gallon in my middle bedroom (computer room). I have 45 pounds of LR and 40 pounds of LS from liveaquaria.com and 2 10 pound Texas holy rocks (only 1 went into the tank I knew the Goby would love it). It's been up and running for a couple weeks now and everything seams to be doing just fine 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 20 ppm nitrates, so I ordered my fish on-line which saved me over $100 from buying from my lfs.

So I went to Saltwaterfish.com and I ordered 3 False Percula Clownfish - Aquacultured, 1 Yellow Watchman Gobie, 20 hermit crabs, 10 Cerith Snails, 1 Cleaner Shrimp, and 1 Zoo with 10 Polyps. I was surprised to see this white thing in one of the bags in the box. After taking a closer look I realized I had accidentally ordered the Sebae Anemone I was looking at to buy in the future. As you can imagine I was horrified.

I realize that this is more than likely a lethal mistake for the Anemone and a waste of money but the S/H back would be too costly. My local lfs said due to disease and other issues they were not willing to take the Anemone.

I purchased a Hang On Refugium with Protein Skimmer (about 4 gallons) from aquatraders.com and have it up and running now (3 days). I placed broken peaces of Texas holly rock and about an inch of crushed coral in it for a substraight. Lots of yellow goo and other crap is ending up in the collection cup of the skimmer so it must be working.

My coralline algae that had turned white is coming back and have had 0 loss of life so far.

I'm not sure if my light is good enough for the Anemone. It is a 94 watt PC at 10,000K with no actinic. If it's not I was thinking about the following.

Budget wise I'm kinda strained so I was hopping that an Odyssea 36" 156W (4x 39W) T5 HO Light Fixture Advance would be enough. It would contain:

2x Odyssea 39W T5 High Output Daylight 12000K
2x Odyssea 39W T5 High OutputActinic Blue
3x Dual Bluemoon LED

Any and all suggestions are welcome and yes I know that's a lot to add to a tank at once but have been watching my parameters. I use liquid tester's so I feel a little more confident on the results.

On a side note the Anemone has found a place close to where I placed him and even came a little down away from the light on the rock he was on. He is well footed and their is lots of current moving the tentalces around. I did feed him a freshwater cherry red shrimp yesterday since it was the only thing I had.

I'll be buying some feeder shrimp at the lfs tomorrow.

The Gobie pops in and out of his holly rock. It's funny to see his head stick out one hole one minute then another the next. I chose a rock that the tunnels all came together in the back.

The cleaner shrimp only comes out as soon as the lights on the tank goes off.

The Zoo Polyps have all opened and are brown with an orange dot (mouth) in the middle. I did feed them invert food and they closed up and re-opened. I plan to only feed every 2 to 3 days unless someone tells me that's not good enough or it's too much.

The clowns will only eat live food for now. They will not even eat dried blood worms. I have tigerpods in a bottle that I'm feeding them for now.

The clowns are getting along just fine so far. They each have their own space but huddle together at night. None of them will venture near the scary anemone.


Just after adding sand.

1 week before adding fish.

Just got fish and getting the temps in the bags up to par before aclimating.

Just released the anemone (the last one in the pot) after 3 hours.

The clowns tend to act like they are looking at the Anemone but stay away.

It's been about 3 or so days and the anemone has moved down a little away from the light.

Watchmen Gobie watching.

Clowns were eating Tiger barbs and the watchman was watching from a little hole.

James

[wm23oh]

I have my Aqueon 150 watt submersible heater in my refugium/skimmer so the tank looks a lot better IMO.



refugium/skimmer no hood NOTE: you can see the X next to the skimmer if you look closely.

refugium/skimmer right side NOTE: you can see the X next to where the power cord comes out of the aquarium and that is where I can add water up to.

refugium/skimmer left side

refugium/skimmer front with light

All in all it doesn't seam to stick out or even draw your attention to it. It is a bit noisy though but its designed for a larger tank than mine so If the waterline was up any higher the noise would be just the skimmer and you wouldn't hear the return.

Due to the amount of water that may back-flow into the tank if a power outage occurs I must leave the main aquarium waterline down a little. I took tape and put an X on the spot where each should be when running correctly that way I will know if their is a problem.

I have stuck a small filter pad over the outlet of the refugium but won't leave it their overnight or without me being in the room worring about it overflowing onto the floor.. If their is a drawback it's not knowing where else to put it.

I cleaned the yellow goo out for the photos and it smelled like the brine shrimp did when they died (my fault).

James

[SHMStrack]

i really like that fuge, and for the price i think its well worth a try. your tank is looking great! what kinda light you got on it?

[wm23oh]

It is 1 94 watt PC at 10,000K with no actinic. That is why I was thinking about upgrading. But not sure if the Odyssea 36" 156W (4x 39W) T5 HO Light Fixture Advance would be enough.

It can be found at the same link I sent you for the HOB filter.

James

[wm23oh]

It's been several days since my last post. I'm seeing diatoms algae and consider it a good sign.

The Coraline algae that all turned white on the LR is starting to come back in large areas. Deep reds, Purples, Pea green, Green, and Teal?. Lots of colors coming from many different places but all in all purple seams to be the majority.

The Anemone is still moving around a little on the top of the rock (moving down a little) so I guess their must be enough light. I did decide to add additional lighting by purchasing a Odyssea 36" 192W Power Compact Light Fixture Advance with 1x Odyssea 96W Straight Pin Type Power Compact Bulb Daylight 12000K, 1x Odyssea 96W Straight Pin Type Power Compact Bulb Actinic, and Blue 3x Dual Bluemoon LED. I'm hoping this will work out best for my little guys. This is coming from the same place I got my HOB refugium/skimmer at an unbeatable price. If anyone is interested it's http://shop.aquatraders.com/. I'm expecting the lights about the 16th so I'll have to get some photos then.

I've fed the Anemone 2 cherry red shrimp so far and decided since they sell for $3+ that .28¢ feeder guppies would be a better choice. The Anemone seams to really like the guppies better as it gobbles them up as soon as it touches it.

I did have one thing go wrong and that is FexEx damaged a package that was in route to me. It contained some dry foods and 2 Nano Koralia pumps and Prime. Chris from Phytotopia, Your source for live phytoplankton and all aquatic accessories! was so kind and informed me of the damage and sent out another package ASAP. I received the new package just 2 days later than I would have the original. He must have shipped it out the next day after he discovered this problem even without receiving the damaged package back. Even though I did run out of food and had to buy some locally I'll defiantly deal with them again. I know I'm new but this seller is highly recommended as their customer service skills are the best I've seen.

The Cleaner shrimp has molted 2 times so far and the fish seam to like him being around other than the Goby. He tends to go to the other holes or even leave the cave if the shrimp goes in. I guess after being cleaned 3 or more times a day I would get a little aggravated too. Which reminds me that the shrimp is now staying out during the daytime since his new shell has hardened.

2 of the 3 Clownfish seam to be buddies and the 3rd guy is staying up near the Anemone but even though he touches it if food lands next to it he doesn't seam to want to enter it or play within it.

I haven't added a light to the sump and honestly am not sure if it's needed. Suggestions are welcome.

James

[wm23oh]

After searching around again no takers for the mistakenly bought anemone. It is still eating and although I know my tank is too new I'm just stuck with him I guess. I hope I am able to keep the tank stable enough.

As for 3 clown fish I figured I would loose one in transit and that didn't happen but 2 paired up and started beating up on the 3rd. So I moved him to the sump and will search for a new home for him.

i'm sure someone will be more than happy to take him.

No losses as of now and hope to not have any.

James

[brikeibur]

Good job James, I love the look of three clowns swimming around together, but I'm always afraid of the fighting.

Props to you for removing the other before he got beat to death, good move!

Keep up the good work!!

[wm23oh]

Thanks brikeibur, I agree 100%.

So far everything seams to be chugging right along. I'm seeing little grayish bugs (like shrimp) on the live rock and white triangle type bugs on the glass moving around.

I have been able to keep my water stable at 0 NitrAte, 0 NitrIte (was 20ppm before fish/Anem/HOB+filter), 0 Ammonia, 8.5 PH. I actually have 2 filters on the Aquarium a HOB sump and a Aquaclear 30 hanging on the HOB filter. So far this is working to keep the water in good condition. I have to clean the crud out of the skimmer cup every 4 days but I empty the nasty smelling yellow liquid/chunks it builds up every 2 days.

I have been using a feeder syringe (long one) to blow off the Live rock and keep any collection of crap suspended in the water so it can get taken out.

I know I've learned a lot from my last SW tank and my FW tanks but I didn't expect to have the tank in such good condition already. I have NEVER had my NitrItes at 0 before. I was worried I messed up the test and did it again. I am going to also take a sample of water to my LFS to have them test it as well. My FW tanks have always been at about 10 NitrItes.

Everyone seams to have their own space. The 2 Clown fish behind the Anem in the large cavern, the Goby in his Holy rock normally watching me, and the Shrimp.... well he tends to go anywhere and pesters the fish. I mean how many times should one fish get cleaned?

I'm still looking for a home for the 3rd clown fish and hope someone will give him a home soon. He is in the HOB sump so the others don't beat him up. I've posted I am willing to drive up to 100 miles and give him away for free if anyone wants him. I'm in Delaware, Ohio.

I will be adding pic's again soon. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

James

[wm23oh]

Left Side


Right Side


Cleaner shrimp


Peek-a-boo


Tank shot

So far soo good. Isn't that what they thought too?

[wm23oh]

I found someone on my local CAFE (Columbus Area Fish Enthusiasts) forum to take the 3rd Clown fish. I delivered him today between noon and 1.

I know it's for the best so I'm sure he will be ok.

I'll be doing a W/C tomorrow so everything seams to be fine. The more I think about it if the Anemone keeps doing fine and continues to get brown spots (coloring up) I may keep it. Ultimately trying to pull it loose where it is more than likely will result in it's death.

James

[wm23oh]

Everything is doing OK. 2 more apastas appeared in my tank this week so I'm going to have to get extreme. I have had a few suggestions so far and now it's research time........

James

[wm23oh]

LOTS and LOTS of pods are starting to come out. I've seen something that looked like a snail but after going through the snail images on the Reef Hitchhiker ID thread here I'm not sure what I've got. It looks like a Stomatella Varia the flat shell kind but it had what looked like hairs on it's shell. My wife thinks it looks like a stunted slug the Thuridilla gracilis I disagree but who knows. All I know is it's green and moves slow. It hides during the day and is as big as my thumbnail. Anyhow it will be fun as other new things appear. Like some kind of Snail that looks like a Bumble Bee but is solid black. I don't have any photos and if I could they would be just too small for me to zoom into.

I also have some kind of Serpulidae worms appearing on the glass, I think a Pileolaria is the best match. Again too small to show but really cool.


It's hard to tell but the bleaching of the Anem is going away. The left side is coloring up first as it gets most of the light but the right is slowly getting covered by the dark tan dots that are now starting to connect and make dirty looking tentacles.

Another photo of the Anem.


Everyone seams to be doing just fine so far. I hope everything keeps on going on.


Notice the color in this shot. Although I can't get any close-ups in this mode this is what the tank colors do look like. Even the Texas Holy rock is coloring up well. It's no longer a bright white rock. Yay!


The whole tank shot. Although it is kinda dark it's the best I could get. Sadly it doesn't pick up on all the many different colors of the algae. Which reminds me we have counted 8 different colors and possibly 9. Still debating if the bright red color will change to another color.

James

[wm23oh]

We lost the shrimp on 8-14 after one of the clowns got tired of him cleaning the other one. The female rammed him and he started acting funny cowering down on the sand. She did tear off an antenna in this attack and the very next morning the shrimp was almost gone the crabs had almost eaten him completely.

I guess I won't have to threaten him to feed him to the Anem since he won't be steeling fish anymore. I am sad to see him go but honestly expected the anem to get him instead of the fish who seamed to get over it quickly.

[wm23oh]

I've been trying and trying to figure out how to make the photos not so dark when I use macro settings but just haven't found a way as of yet. I was able to get these photos though.

Spirorbis with calcareous tube and some other type of pod.


Some kind of Amphipod


Their seam to be quite a few Munnid Isopods on the filter intake.


Not 100% sure but think it's a peanut worm and a pod on the right.


Blue leg Hermits are harry huh?


One of 10 Green leg Hermits in the tank.


Green leg Hermit attacks!


Some kind of pod.


A few photos of the same kind of pod.
/

[wm23oh]

I keep finding new things in this tank. I now have several whitish looking sponges growing on a few of the rocks in the tank mostly in the dark areas.

This is the sponge I originally added but didn't expect to make it. It has slowly been getting smaller and smaller over time. I was thinking it was dying and it may be.

Here is a picture of the area.


Medium zoom picture of the area.


close up of the area with arrows pointing to the hitchhiker sponge.


It's hard to tell but apparently it's been their for a while and I've just missed it. It is growing on several small rocks as well as with larger rocks and even on the sand. All in all another cool find IMO.

James