My Reefer Madness Nano Tank Diary

[skipm]

Where they harvest these corals the natives make almost nothing to go out and get them. Most of the costs in the corals we buy comes from shipping and middle men. A good example of cost would be to look at captive bred fish, CB fish actually cost more than their wild caught cousins due to the amount of time and energy it takes to grow them out. You get a healthier fish that is already acclimated to aquarium life but they do cost more. You might be suprised at how many people would not buy a CB item whether it be a fish , coral, or invert. due to the added price. I personally buy CB when I have the option because I feel it is better for our hobby in the long run and I know thats one less of our natural resources that has been removed from the ocean.

 

[aromano]

To the best of my knoledge the elegance coral, among with the majority of marine spcecies can’t be propagated or successfully bred in captivity.

Some species of corals can be fragmented from larger colonies and are an alternative to wild harvested corals.

Here is some interesting facts about Aquacultured Corals and Marine Fishes:

" As a conscientious alternative, the captive breeding of fishes and asexual fragmenting of hard and soft corals reduces environmental destruction and is by definition a more easily controlled resource. Captive-produced animals relieve pressure on wild populations and their environment, they lack infectious and parasitic disease, they're much more likely to adapt to captive conditions, and are notably less aggressive than ones collected in the wild."

http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/gene ... agesid=260

 

[mshollenberger]

Quick Friday Update -

The nano stand came in from Dr. Fosters and the tank should be there when I get home. I will try to post some pics later.

Exciting!!!

 

[Jordan8008]

cant wait to see it, i like seeing these picture diaries, i guess "a picture's worth 1000 words" kinda thing... :wlift

 

[mshollenberger]

If you have a second, could you comment on the selected cleanup crew.

Thanks

Cleaner Crew

Crabs
- Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab 2
- Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab 2
- Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab 2

Total 6

Snails
- Margarita Snails 2
- Banded Trochus Snail 2
- Nassarius Snail 2
- Cerith Snail 2
- Empty Shells 15

Total 23

Shrimp
- Pistol Shrimp 1
- Peppermint Shrimp 1

Total 2

 

[reefman23]

just get six of the blue legs...ive had a couple problems (and have read in some invert books) with agression coming from the scarlets. if you are going to get the larger nassarius sp., then go with maybe 3 or 4. if you are getting the small ones..~ 1/4" ones...get a dozen or so. And keep in mind that the pistol makes a loud noise at that can be heard at night and also i have read that they usually dont do well without having a symbiotic fish.

jesse

 

[EDGRAY]

well IMO i think you should stick with just Nerite,cerite and nassarius snails cause the other ones get big.... and hermits like jesse affirmed mixing will lead to a war wold V until a specie will rule in my case the blue legs killed all my scarlet.... and also a good mix between small & big nassarius will be perfect.

About the pistol is true you can hear the shot in the mornings and at night but not that bad at least he lets you know if he is alive :lol: :lol: i know that some pistols might be really pretty thats why everyone get one but have in mind that they will hide and you "might" see him once in a week or some time really often and then not at all but the good part is that you will know when is dead when the sound of click stops

 

[reefman23]

if you get a goby/pistol pair, you will see them more often.

 

[EDGRAY]

it might be true cause you can see when wife pistol is cleaning the house is really a nice thing to look at and also during feeding comes out a little but still insist that you wont see him as much as having a sexy or cleaner shrimp. IMO but pistol/goby is a great adition i cant deny it cause when they show them selfs is amazing :shock: :shock: super cute :shock:

 

[skipm]

I think that I would also skip the red legs and stick with either the blue legs or the zebra hermits. The snails sound fine, the trochus and margaritas do get a bit bigger than the ceriths but not so big that I have had problems with them. I also vote for a goby to go with the pistol.

 

[mshollenberger]

just get six of the blue legs...ive had a couple problems (and have read in some invert books) with agression coming from the scarlets. if you are going to get the larger nassarius sp., then go with maybe 3 or 4. if you are getting the small ones..~ 1/4" ones...get a dozen or so. And keep in mind that the pistol makes a loud noise at that can be heard at night and also i have read that they usually dont do well without having a symbiotic fish.

jesse

Thanks jesse

 

[mshollenberger]

well IMO i think you should stick with just Nerite,cerite and nassarius snails cause the other ones get big.... and hermits like jesse affirmed mixing will lead to a war wold V until a specie will rule in my case the blue legs killed all my scarlet.... and also a good mix between small & big nassarius will be perfect.

About the pistol is true you can hear the shot in the mornings and at night but not that bad at least he lets you know if he is alive :lol: :lol: i know that some pistols might be really pretty thats why everyone get one but have in mind that they will hide and you "might" see him once in a week or some time really often and then not at all but the good part is that you will know when is dead when the sound of click stops

I think, on the snail deal, that's what Im going to do. I think i will go with two scarlet reef hermits, that is all.

Pistol should be interesting.

 

[mshollenberger]

Pistol and Goby should be fun

 

[mshollenberger]

Updated

Here she is in all her glory. Comments are welcome.

So far I have everything setup and the cycling has begun.

Chamber 1 - Sponge and Live Rock
Chamber 2 - Live Rock
Chamber 3 - Heater and Pump

I am very happy with the substrate choice as I spent a lot of time going back and forth. I hope you like the rock work.

Now if I can just figure out this friggin timer

 

[skipm]

You'll probably change the rockwork as you add corals, we all do. Some of the timers can be a pain to try and set, if it has a battery back-up make sure to put a battery in it so you don't have to keep setting it.

 

[mshollenberger]

And a few more

 

[henry hill]

very nice!! Makes me want to my rock all over!!

 

[skipm]

Nice variety of different shapes in there.

 

[EDGRAY]

Thats alot of LR it reminds me when i first started lot of LR then alot were place on the chambers and some out of the tank.

 

[mshollenberger]

Cycle Update -

Week 1
- Diatoms
- Copepods
- Nuked an Aptasia