My 55 gallon reef project

[dcombs44]

I don't neccessarily blame the LFS, other than their tank conditions may be in question. I can't test their parameters, but most of their fish typically look good. Coral tanks look like crap, but fish look pretty good. I would say I'll give it one more shot.

Thanks for the support guys.

[melev]

The two families of clowns don't really seem to mind being together. I've had an True and a False Perc together for about 5 years, even laying eggs together. I don't think it matters if they have their bars or not, as that is mainly just a look more than physical need.

[dcombs44]

Sounds good. Can you say that about any other species of clown interbreeding. Aren't almost all clowns (but maroons) from the genus Amphiprion? What makes false and true percs not mind mating?

[melev]

You are asking more than I know in that particular subject. What I've learned has been from presentations as well as from observing my own livestock. Daphne Fautin wrote a very good book about Anemone Fish and it might contain those answers.

[dcombs44]

I see. As long as it's common in percs and false percs, I'll attempt to find a true perc to match up with the mut that i have.

[dcombs44]

Originally posted by jnarowe
RBTA looks really nice.

Thanks j...........I missed your message in the barrage of posts last night.

So far, so good!

[dcombs44]

The RBTA looked pretty good when I got home, and it accepted a bit more food.

I've just squirted a bit of mysis it's direction on the first day, and a mixture of krill, plankton, mysis, brine, rotifers, and daphnia today.

I ran an errand and came back, and it's all shriveled. Should I worry about this? I, of course, haven't touched it or tried to move it. I'm just letting it do it's thing.

It's still connected to the rock, just shriveled within itself. I'm hoping that this is just part of the adjustment process.

Any opinions will be much appreciated. I will get a picture up shortly

[dcombs44]

It doesn't look like it's expelled its xooxanthellae or anything like that, but it has obviously been happier.

Day 2


Day 1

[melev]

Don't panic yet. Those anemones can do strange things and drive you crazy in the process.

[dcombs44]

Marc you must have been on call tonight. I got a 2 minute turnaround on that response.

I've struggled in the past with anemones, but this is a new/better system. I'm hoping for the best with fingers crossed

[dcombs44]

On a lighter note, my "Melev-Style" Phyto station seems to be taking off. I used DT's as a starter culture, and I'll be danged if the stuff hasn't gotten darker in the first 2 days!!!

[jnarowe]

Anemones will do that as a reaction to water changes but also when they want to poo. It also looks like yuor lights are not on. My anemones completely fold up at night time and go under the rocks.

[melev]

Originally posted by dcombs44
On a lighter note, my "Melev-Style" Phyto station seems to be taking off. I used DT's as a starter culture, and I'll be danged if the stuff hasn't gotten darker in the first 2 days!!!

Glad it's working for you.

[dcombs44]

Originally posted by jnarowe
Anemones will do that as a reaction to water changes but also when they want to poo. It also looks like yuor lights are not on. My anemones completely fold up at night time and go under the rocks.

My lights are on in the pic. The nem's foot is on the bottom side of a rock. He's been reaching out from below to sun bathe during the day. I had to use the flash to get a good pic.

20 minutes later


5 minutes after that


Another minute later (It scares me that its mouth is open)


And Melev's bucket

[jnarowe]

is it sticky?

[dcombs44]

And....we're back. I believe I've just successfully documented an RBTA pooping. He did have a bit of goo coming out of his mouth in the first pic.

20 minutes later. (Mouth is closed up tight again)

I needed that excitement this evening. Let me tell you.

[jnarowe]

One thing I have found with anemones is that they like shrimp. If you feel that its color is fading or it is shrinking up, you can soak raw shrimp in vitamins and feed it a little bit. You may have to protect it for a while while it puts the food in its mouth, as my fish and shrimp try to steal from them. My PLTA has gotten to an unhealthy state about three times since I have had it, and it always comes back when I do that.

[dcombs44]

Good tip. I keep a bag of frozen tiger shrimp in the freezer, and I use vitachem on a regular basis, so that'll be an easy recipe for me.

[jnarowe]

That's what I do. I wish I had some RBTAs...on my visits to Steve Weast's place, I was amazed at the cubic mass of his RBTA area. He had at least 30 of them living in a massive colony. It was really impressive.

[dcombs44]

If mine grows up and splits, you're welcome to have one.

[jnarowe]

awe, thanks man!

[Tyler.L]

yeah man all i can tell you is that nems are crazy. i once had paniced over my bta shrinking with gaping mouth, now i just dont care basically, it wants to cry wolf with me well fine then he gets no love from me. some times ive seen it gape even after its expelled waste for over 20 minutes, and then started to close up but they will play with your emotions

[dcombs44]

A somewhat non-reef related happening in my life today (yet ultimately it's extremely reef related) I passed the first of 4 parts of the cpa exam!! Yay!

It's supposed to be the hardest part, so that means it's all downhill to making more money to blow on my big glass box!!

[melev]

Congrats on blowing money! Er... I mean... congrats on earning more money to blow! Yeah, that's it.

[jnarowe]

very nice.