So many rookie mistakes and funny things....

[Jenyphur]

So it's literally only been about a month since I am back in the hobby. There are moments when I think I'm doing ok but mostly I feel like a new parent, pretty unsure of every thing I am doing. I have made lots of rookie mistakes (and some funny stories to go along) and I will list them down below just for your reading pleasure. The good news is ....I'm learning. Every mistake is a chance for me to figure out the right way.

RM #1: Bought an all in one because it seemed 'so much easier'. I bought the Biocube 32 LED and although I like it alright, I have already changed out a few things to make it better and realizing that I want more control over my lights, etc. Plus I am having tank envy on the rimless really modern looking styles. Oh well, this will be my training wheels tank and maybe I will move I will eventually move it to my office or something and upgrade in a year or so.

RM #2: Bought a few corals that I was excited about at the store (after getting a lot of advice) and not really too sure what I even bought. One in particular was a rock 'colony' and although it looked good in the store and gave me instant life, I don't really like it that much. I want more color and there is a lot of brown/rust. I think eventually when I have more knowledge I can remove the parts I don't like and replace with the pretty little zoas and things that I do like.

RM #3: Today I did a water change and to be honest, I"m not exactly sure what really went wrong, I was pumping my new salt water back into the tank and somehow I ended up draining water back into the bucket and water went everywhere. In reality it was only a gallon maybe but it seemed like a lot and I was panicking. Good thing I have tile floors and all was fine. Been researching water changes now and the next time will be better.

Funny story #1: The night I got my first 2 fish (2 occ clowns), I woke up having a nightmare that when I went to look at the tank, there was somehow a a yellow tang and a coral beauty that had somehow gotten in my tank. My clowns were missing. I was at my boyfriends house (only a few min away) so at 5am I ran home to check on my little guys. All was fine.

Funny story #2: The next morning I woke up again at 5am to go workout and one of my clowns was laying down on his side in the corner. I thought for sure he was dead and/or dying! I went to my boot camp class but the instructor asked why I was upset (she could tell). Before I left home I researched why he was doing this and I eventually saw a few posts that say that it's normal and that some do this and of course one that said theirs died very shortly after. I got home and was so afraid of what I was going to find. That little turd was swimming around like nothing happened...almost taunting me. It's been 3 days since then and they are both doing well.

I'm sure there is more to come....just wanted to share some of my stories so far.

 

[wkscott]

Do you have a picture of the rock colony? Just from the description, it sounds like you may have gotten some brown polyps. Not to scare you but if you got what I think you got, this would be your biggest rookie mistake so far...

 

[Jenyphur]

Oh boy..it figures. Let me get a pic and attach it. Stand by. (and thanks!)

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yes, if you can, post some pictures.

On the picture topic, just me, but I like using tapatalk to up load pictures.

 

[Jenyphur]

 

[Jenyphur]

Also found out today that the piece has bubble algae on it. I am currently trying to find out the best way to get rid of it. I know hermit crabs will eat it but could also pop it and spread it. Can I take the rock out and just razor blade it off? Would that be the best...? Again, being very careful not to burst the bubbles.

 

[wkscott]

Hermits are not known to eat bubble algae. The only invert that I am aware of to eat it are emerald crabs. They don't poop it out and spread it either.
Those brown polyps in the center of the picture are what I was afraid of. They are invasive and may contain (maybe not) palytoxin. They can take over the tank and can be difficult to eradicate . They will shade out the beautiful, smaller zoas on the rock.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Brown is palys mixed with some zoas.

Be careful with them because of the palytoxin:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blo...-poisoning-almost-killed-myself-wife-and-dogs

Don't freak out, just be careful with them. So many reefers have them in their tanks, including me.


Bubble algae can be physically removed without removing the rock. Take a some tubing, while syphoning some water and pop it with the tubing. Make sure your pumps are off so that you can syphon as much of the algae out.

 

[Jisko]

When I was getting my dad into the hobby I let him setup my tank when I upgraded so he would be very familiar with the system and how everything was put together in case a problem occurred... The return line came undone and shot water almost to my ceiling in my bedroom... now I go remember don't flood my room when trying to feed the fish haha

 

[Jisko]

Hermits are not known to eat bubble algae. The only invert that I am aware of to eat it are emerald crabs. They don't poop it out and spread it either.
Those brown polyps in the center of the picture are what I was afraid of. They are invasive and may contain (maybe not) palytoxin. They can take over the tank and can be difficult to eradicate . They will shade out the beautiful, smaller zoas on the rock.

Brown is palys mixed with some zoas.

Be careful with them because of the palytoxin:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blo...-poisoning-almost-killed-myself-wife-and-dogs

Don't freak out, just be careful with them. So many reefers have them in their tanks, including me.


Bubble algae can be physically removed without removing the rock. Take a some tubing, while syphoning some water and pop it with the tubing. Make sure your pumps are off so that you can syphon as much of the algae out.

if I'm correct here she can remove the rock and frag off the ones she doesnt want. Just use eye protection along with nitrile gloves so she doesnt get sick from the toxins... then just pick them off, dip the rock in a bucket of tank water, then add it back to the tank.

 

[Jenyphur]

Hermits are not known to eat bubble algae. The only invert that I am aware of to eat it are emerald crabs. They don't poop it out and spread it either.
Those brown polyps in the center of the picture are what I was afraid of. They are invasive and may contain (maybe not) palytoxin. They can take over the tank and can be difficult to eradicate . They will shade out the beautiful, smaller zoas on the rock.

yes, that's what I meant...emerald crab not hermit. So do you think I should get 1 emerald crab or just try and deal with the bubble algae myself?

For the brown polyps, do you think I will be able to remove them later when I have more experience and knowledge and know what I want to put there? I know about the toxins and would wear appropriate gear if trying to attempt this.

Thanks so much. What I do like about them is that they were the very first thing to come to life when I put them in my tank so I understand how they could be invasive...like weeds lol.

Thanks so very much.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Once your a more experienced reef keeper , you'll be able to tell stories like shot self in face with waterchange pump and hoped no one else was there to witness it.

 

[RyanCSGO]

you can literally just pluck the bubble algae off with your fingers, they are relatively firm, just be gentle when doing it. emerald crabs is a good solution too, but if you decide to keep them just be careful, they wont hesitate to munch on certain corals when hungry. caught my last one eating some xenia

 

[pettoe90]

Also found out today that the piece has bubble algae on it. I am currently trying to find out the best way to get rid of it. I know hermit crabs will eat it but could also pop it and spread it. Can I take the rock out and just razor blade it off? Would that be the best...? Again, being very careful not to burst the bubbles.

Just try to remove as much as you can by hand

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

if I'm correct here she can remove the rock and frag off the ones she doesnt want. Just use eye protection along with nitrile gloves so she doesnt get sick from the toxins... then just pick them off, dip the rock in a bucket of tank water, then add it back to the tank.

Also a bit safer to use a kalk paste or aptasia x.

 

[Jenyphur]

I actually saw one piece of the algae fall off when I was cleaning the water and I siphoned it away. Good idea on the tubing and trying to pick it off with the edge. I will give that a try.

So many things...so many lessons.

On a good note, my frogspawn is doing so good...he really seems to be happy where I have him. I actually fed him today some mysis shrimp..it was soooooo cool. Also same for my trumpet coral (I think that is what it is...it's finally opening up and both heads ate today). Now he's much fuller.

 

[Jisko]

Once your a more experienced reef keeper , you'll be able to tell stories like shot self in face with waterchange pump and hoped no one else was there to witness it.

I havent done this yet but I did begin to take water out of the tank then realized the hose wasn't in the bucket and I was emptying my tank onto my floor, stand and some back into my sump... thank god for wooden floors and a lot of towels...

 

[RyanCSGO]

I havent done this yet but I did begin to take water out of the tank then realized the hose wasn't in the bucket and I was emptying my tank onto my floor, stand and some back into my sump... thank god for wooden floors and a lot of towels...

i accidentally left a seal off a bulkhead in the overflow once. "whats that noise?" *sees water pouring from the bottom of the tank*

 

[Jenyphur]

Once your a more experienced reef keeper , you'll be able to tell stories like shot self in face with waterchange pump and hoped no one else was there to witness it.

I swear this is just like having a new born baby...lol. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

 

[Jenyphur]

I love that others are chiming in with their stories....it is making me laugh and feel better.