Finally! Natalie's 180 Gallon Shallow Reef

[NatD]

That’s my dream tank size right there love it !!

Thanks so much! Sometimes I think I wish I’d had it made 6” taller, but that would just be harder to reach in the back. So I’m happy with it.

 

[Bob Lauson]

Love the overall size and really clean look of the entire set up

 

[NatD]

Love the overall size and really clean look of the entire set up

Thank you so much!

 

[NatD]

A little Saturday morning fishing.

One down, one to go

With a little luck I might only have to build the isopod trap today and not a fish trap.

The coffee and the company are good.

 

[NatD]

How about something more positive?

This video of my clownfish the night I added him makes me smile. He grew up in my 9 gallon nano. When I acclimated him in here, he swam these same laps for two hours. It’s totally anthropomorphic, but I like to think he’s pleased.

 

[Barrett]

I love your aquascape, I’m really considering TBS for my next tank build.

 

[NatD]

I love your aquascape, I’m really considering TBS for my next tank build.

Thank you! If this isopod trap works, maybe you could learn from my mistake and try it before you add your fish.

 

[Barrett]

That would be nice, be very lucky with pests so far, hoping I can continue that streak.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Looking great! I had isopod before 28 years ago, from live rock (I still have the same rock) If you can catch the fish they go away very quickly. I’m following this build.

 

[Victoria M]

Great updates! Fingers crossed for that other fish!

 

[NatD]

Looking great! I had isopod before 28 years ago, from live rock (I still have the same rock) If you can catch the fish they go away very quickly. I’m following this build.

Thank you! It’s comforting to hear a positive personal experience.

 

[NatD]

Ha! The remaining dartfish hadn't appeared since I caught the other. So, I tried luring her out with food. It was risky, because if she got food but I didn’t get her it would render my traps nearly useless.

Sure enough she came out, but I spooked her and she darted. BUT.... she darted into a smallish rock island. So I pulled the whole darn thing. I could see her tail in this hole:

So I lifted the rock just above the water in the critter keeper and a few seconds later out she came. Along with a tiny gorilla crab and a whelk. Heck yes! We are calling this one a win for the good guys.

I can see 5 red open wounds on her but no bugs. So she’s headed to a RRR bath, then to the sump with her friends.

3 cute balloon mollies are nearly done saltwater acclimating and they’re doing great. I would’ve preferred solid colors but these will do fine

 

[NatD]

Byeeeee

 

[NatD]

Okay! Here is the trap:

I read in this article: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/bp/index.php
That the adults can be nearly 1cm long. If there are adults in the system, I definitely want to catch them, so I used a blade to remove some parts of the lid along one side to allow entry of critters that size:

When I placed the trap, I placed that side down by the sand. I added a small rock on top to keep it from floating away.

Fingers crossed!!

 

[Barrett]

I really hope this works for you, it seems like a solid plan.

 

[Hemmdog]

Photo time! The final aquascape (probably). I don't want to make very many rock moves at this point because I don't want to smush a cucumber or blenny. Now it's time to learn how to take photos of all these little guys! My favorite thing in here so far is the decorator crab. I know they're a little destructive but he's so worth it.

Hot dang! That looks amazing!

 

[NatD]

Hot dang! That looks amazing!

Thank you! I appreciate that.

You guys. I caught zero cerolanids last night. Weird. But, I’m staying the course. Everyone is safely tucked into a QT and will stay there for a couple months.

 

[Victoria M]

Looks like a great plan. Are the fish in the sump or are they in a separate QT?

 

[NatD]

They’re in a separate QT now. Initially I dropped them in the sump when I caught them, but just to get the QT set up the rest of the way.

I hope it works!

 

[AJsReef]

Just seeing those isopods makes me itchy, good job spotting them. Hopefully they are irradiated quickly!

The clown swimming in circles around his new tank gave me major Marlin vibes when he’s searching for Nemo