40b mixed reef build
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Sm51498
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There has been no appreciable cycle yet and there may not be one. This rock is ridiculously fresh and covered in life. I know many people don't experience a cycle at all with it and most cycle inside of a week.
Only things bad I've seen is a gorilla crab that I will need to trap because he absolutely needs to go, Whelks that I'll need to take out if I want snails or clams and the stone crab that left me that molt, which absolutely needs to go if it is still living somewhere.
My experience with crabs is that they are pretty easy to trap because they are pretty dumb. The only thing that worries me a little is the potential for mantis shrimp. Those are harder to catch. I would be torn though, I love mantis shrimp but they don't fit with my ultimate vision for the tank.
Only things bad I've seen is a gorilla crab that I will need to trap because he absolutely needs to go, Whelks that I'll need to take out if I want snails or clams and the stone crab that left me that molt, which absolutely needs to go if it is still living somewhere.
My experience with crabs is that they are pretty easy to trap because they are pretty dumb. The only thing that worries me a little is the potential for mantis shrimp. Those are harder to catch. I would be torn though, I love mantis shrimp but they don't fit with my ultimate vision for the tank.
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Only asking because I'm thinking of buying a couple pounds to seed my tank.Haha maybe put it into the sump? They are pretty cool to watch. And that's awesome. Did you order "the package" from them or just live rock?
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Sm51498
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I was thinking about sticking them in the sump. The "bad" crabs are cool too, really neat creatures just not reef or fish safe. A shallow mangrove system with crabs and other not reef safe inverts would be fun too. Stick some mollies in there to provide food for them in the form of fry would be cool as well.
I thought long and hard about getting the package. It is an insanely good deal, even when you include shipping. Ultimately, I went for "just" some rock. I don't really like most grazing snails, I think I want different hermits, not big on sea cukes, it just didn't make sense to me in the end though I was super tempted.
I *love* this rock. If you aren't scared to deal with a few hitchhikers, go for it, you won't regret it.
I thought long and hard about getting the package. It is an insanely good deal, even when you include shipping. Ultimately, I went for "just" some rock. I don't really like most grazing snails, I think I want different hermits, not big on sea cukes, it just didn't make sense to me in the end though I was super tempted.
I *love* this rock. If you aren't scared to deal with a few hitchhikers, go for it, you won't regret it.
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Oh wow, you just bought live rock and all of that came with it? That's crazy.
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Sm51498
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Seriously, it was like Christmas for a guy like me. I love all the weird little inverts and tiny little creatures and this rock is covered. It reminds me of exploring the tide pools in Cape cod bay as a kid and finding all the fascinating little animals and observing their behavior.
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Sm51498
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Caught this little guy
Super cute little crab but I believe it to be a gorilla crab. I banished him to the fuge where he can likely live in great happiness.
In other news, I got my skimmer dialed in and it's starting to push out waste. I like this thing so far, it's an SC aquariums 301. Quiet and seems to produce nicely.
Super cute little crab but I believe it to be a gorilla crab. I banished him to the fuge where he can likely live in great happiness.
In other news, I got my skimmer dialed in and it's starting to push out waste. I like this thing so far, it's an SC aquariums 301. Quiet and seems to produce nicely.
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Sm51498
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A little crabbing before work 
These gorilla crabs are slow and easy to catch. I have rehomed him to the fuge, aka crab thunder dome. I know of one more gorilla crab in my dt that I'll catch when he gets bold.
These gorilla crabs are slow and easy to catch. I have rehomed him to the fuge, aka crab thunder dome. I know of one more gorilla crab in my dt that I'll catch when he gets bold.
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Sm51498
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Even in the full throws of ugly new tank there are interesting things to see.
Like this interesting slug/nudibranch/planaria something. Probably won't survive unless it is an algae eater as their diet is usually highly specialized. Still a neat critter. It is in the tracks of a big honking keyhole limpet on the overflow.
I've also spotted an urchin too small to photograph and tons of pods on the glass. The ecosystem is developing nicely
. This is the fastest I have had a tank develop. I'm in the full throws of cyanobacteria and diatoms that in my experience accompany a new tank without exception. However, I feel like with the speed with which the tank is maturing, that won't last long.
Like this interesting slug/nudibranch/planaria something. Probably won't survive unless it is an algae eater as their diet is usually highly specialized. Still a neat critter. It is in the tracks of a big honking keyhole limpet on the overflow.
I've also spotted an urchin too small to photograph and tons of pods on the glass. The ecosystem is developing nicely
. This is the fastest I have had a tank develop. I'm in the full throws of cyanobacteria and diatoms that in my experience accompany a new tank without exception. However, I feel like with the speed with which the tank is maturing, that won't last long.
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Steadyreef42
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Whoa ! TBS live rock . Sweet!
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Sm51498
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I have been wanting to do a tank with this for years. It was even better than I thought.
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Haha right!
I need to grab a few rocks. I get more and more jealous watching your development!
Steadyreef42
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I too have been eyeballing the tbs for awhile . The idea of being able to watch a tank for hours and still discover new organisms sounds like it can't be beat.
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Sm51498
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Do it! Just post pics so we can all drool over it.Haha right!
I don't know how jealous you would be if I posted a fts. My sand is a pretty nasty brown right now.
