Puget Sound Biotope

[eatyourpeas]

I used to have a big pacific coast aquariums chiller. Lol.
Looks like a snail. Lol
D

That is what I think, but I do not know which kind. The tentacles look quite long to be a Periwinkle, no?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

No its a periwinkle snail im pretty sure.
Ill throw a google img up
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

? Maybe
Lol
D

 

[dhnguyen]

You should get these guys.

Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker

 

[eatyourpeas]

You should get these guys.

Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker

Indeed! I love those guys! Have you seen this?

 

[eatyourpeas]

Added a skimmer to the little tank to provide much needed oxygenation. We had two very hot days that brought the tank temperature higher than I would've liked. I am still working on the big tank, with lots of sanding to do before welding the bottom. ;Blackeye

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Coldwater! Keep at.it.
Sounds good.
D

 

[steveweast]

@steveweast are you the previous owner of the orchard near Sherwood that had the Leafy Sea dragons back in the 90's? Was it Pacific Aquarium Supply? Memory is a little challenged these days.

Nope....not me. That was a guy named Steve Weeks...close but no cigar. I met him a few times. He actually helped me a bunch back in the day as to where to collect certain coldwater specimens.

 

[steveweast]

Spiny Lumpsuckers can be found in the shallows at a dive site called Three Tree in the mid Seattle region.

 

[eatyourpeas]

Finished the tank and the V-Sump. Will install a chiller in the next few days and it shall be all up and running then. Woot! ;Woot

 

[eatyourpeas]

The morning after...
All parameters good, getting the initial livestock to acclimatize.
Lorenzo the Grainyhand crab already rearranging the furniture.
Fermat the clam enjoying the expanse.
The Collective (barnacles) doing their thing...

 

[eatyourpeas]

And there goes the neighborhood!

The crabs are very, very, very messy. Thanks to @steveweast for warning me about the filtration requirements. Phew! It is a happy tank nonetheless. The chiller and V-Sump are performing beautifully and everyone seems happy.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Nice venture, always fun to check out the unusual. I did a cool water So. Cal. tank years ago.
Regarding post #58, most likely either a Spionidae or Chaetopteridae worm embedded in the shell.

 

[eatyourpeas]

Nice venture, always fun to check out the unusual. I did a cool water So. Cal. tank years ago.
Regarding post #58, most likely either a Spionidae or Chaetopteridae worm embedded in the shell.

Ah, thanks! That explains the long tentacles. Never a dull moment! ;Woot

 

[steveweast]

Unless you are married to the idea of this solely being a biotope....you might want to put in some catalina gobies. They are bright and interesting little fish...thrive in your temperatures....and cheap.

 

[eatyourpeas]

Unless you are married to the idea of this solely being a biotope....you might want to put in some catalina gobies. They are bright and interesting little fish...thrive in your temperatures....and cheap.

Well, married for now, but things can change. They are beautiful fish! Thank you for the suggestion, and I will keep them in mind should I deviate (unfaithful!!!) a bit.

 

[eatyourpeas]

Following @steveweast 's suggestion, after reading about the Catalina gobies I am fascinated by how they choose their gender. I am now seriously considering this wonderful creature!

 

[eatyourpeas]

Mendel, my new clam, is, well, restless to say the least!

 

[Karen00]

Mendel, my new clam, is, well, restless to say the least!

I'm so envious of people who can do biotopes and especially those that can do their own collecting (legally of course). I live right on Lake Ontario so could do a fw version but would love to do a coldwater sw biotope! I love what you have created!

 

[eatyourpeas]

I'm so envious of people who can do biotopes and especially those that can do their own collecting (legally of course). I live right on Lake Ontario so could do a fw version but would love to do a coldwater sw biotope! I love what you have created!

Thank you! It is a great way to learn about the world just outside where you live.