Just checking in, haven't seen an update from you in a while. How is the tank going?
Thanks for checking in; it has indeed been a very long time, right? Mostly there's not a whole lot to tell, as it's all status quo for the most part.
The past few months
Forgive me reefers, for I have sinned, it has been... more than 3 months since my last update post. There has been a LOT going on in life lately, so I haven't had a chance to really get new things in or change, so haven't had a huge amount to say. That said, I've made a point to not neglect the tank, keeping up with water changes, testing, cleaning, etc., and things have been growing well, plus everything's healthy.
I've had some major life changes in the last couple months, and coupled with COVID quarantine, the tank hasn't gotten anything new, but everyone's doing great!
Maintenance and Livestock
All the fishies (clown, goby, cardinal, chromis, and wrasse) are doing great and getting along fine. I've been wanting to sink more $$ into getting some more new things, but I did pick up a new mushroom and goni over the last couple months from my holiday gift card.
We'll start off with the obligatory FTS:
Good morning, fishies!!
The mushroom was being weird and moving onto the frag rack, so I'm hoping it'll move over to the rocks now. Not certain where I'll put the goni atm, but its very happy on the rack. Basically these fellas are the result of my holiday gift card.
My leathers, zoas, and hammer are all doing GREAT. My pink leather even fragged itself and is now all over the place!
The main "new" leather branch is right by the OG
A couple other leather branches settled right by the hammer, as well.
I always like seeing the leather's "fuzzies"
Hi Leonard!
Eagle Eyes are doing well, but I accidentally killed off some of the colony when I was injecting some aiptasia.
Still haven't been able to get the GSP to expand at all, but it looks good, at least.
Just this past weekend (3/28), I scrubbed out the fuge. Did the overflow, as well.
The stupid vermatids are still out en force, and I can't find bumblebees for the life of me.
The Personal Stuffs
As with most folks, it's been a crazy few months personally, as well. The biggest change has been that I started a new job back in late January. It's been pretty amazing, an industry job with more money, better people, an easier schedule, the works. I'm settled in reasonably well, but still dealing with the transition wasn't exactly easy. Part of why I haven't been focused much on the tank lately.
Part of having the better schedule with work has meant that I've been able to dedicate time to some of my other hobbies, namely gaming. I'm excited to be starting up with a new group this weekend. I hope it goes well.
We're all stuck in quarantine for COVID, as well. It's scary. Thankfully, my work is designed around remote access and functionality, so that still happens, and I'm still able to make good progress on my projects. Having remote schoolwork for a kiddo isn't ideal, though, and that's been driving EVERYONE in the house up the wall. Not to mention we're all in relatively more vulnerable groups (bad lungs, etc.), so my weekly shopping trips are more stressful than usual. Not to mention we have trouble getting basic supplies, as most people have.
Working on gaming mapping. Fun times
Me over here baking bread like I'm some kind of caveman. Stupid stores with no bread. Fresh bread is delicious and easy, though. Highly recommend.
On a fun/happier note, though, I was set to get married this past Friday, the 27th. Just a courthouse ceremony, but I was going to get to see my family and all that good stuff, not to mention being awesome in general. Sadly, COVID stopped those plans, so we had to cancel. We were luckier than most, as we didn't put down any deposits for venues, flowers, etc., but it was still sad to not see my family. As it happens, though, the proprietor of my LFS happens to be a registered minister, so rather than waste the license, he was happy to sign off for us to get our paperwork through, and we'll be able to have a ceremony when this is all over.
At the very least, we'll definitely have a unique story of how we got hitched
I wore my official fishie shirt for the occasion. Because fishie store.
Be safe everyone, and happy reefing!
. Tested the water and saw an ammonia spike, likely due to how long I ended up taking with getting the tank set up. It sat for awhile and I only used old tank water for needed salt, no fresh-made. I did a 50% change and it seems the other one is still doing well, at least. Still VERY frustrating that I lost so much, though 
. I still really want a mandarin.....
