That Random Nano!

[i cant think]

Second acro looks like PC Rainbow

I would’ve said it’s too green to be a PC Rainbow, but hey maybe it’s that species.

 

[rmorris_14]

Also today will be the long awaited Invert Update
yes I’ve included the clam as in reality it is an invert and I also had the chance to get a photo of its more accurate colouring under just the room lighting.
This brings me to my next point, this isn’t a full update as I have one invert which I cannot get a photo of today since he is in hiding. This invert is my Peppermint shrimp and honestly, there isn’t much at all to update him about.

First up, the Strawberry Conch, Conomurex luhuanus.
This guy has been thriving, a bit of algae has grown on the back of his shell and I’m just keeping an eye on it as it’s not doing too much damage as of yet.
This photo is him under the sand but hey, it shows some what a bit of their personality and behaviour. This guy does enjoy rock climbing every so often and he will use my hammer to get up onto the rock round the back (I’ve had to move my hammer further from the rock due to this).

Next up is my Fire Shrimp, Lysmata debelius.
This guy has put on some size and if much more explorative. His red colour really shines in the blue lighting. I’d love a third shrimp but I doubt this guy would allow a third.

Up next is my beautiful Harlequin Serpent Starfish, Ophioderma appressum.
This guy has seemed to thrive and appears to be healthy. Not showing signs of stress or worrying me at all. Although I don’t always see him, it’s nice when I do see him as it’s not that bad having an invert or fish that you may not always see. But I prefer that as it makes the tank have its own secrets much like a reef does.

And finall, my beautiful Deresa Clam, Tridacna deresa.
I’m sure you’re all sick of hearing about this guy however I just wanted to share a beautiful photo I got tonight showing colours that you don’t see as well in other photos. I’ll definitely see if the new filters can pick up some of these colours.

LOVE THIS!!!!

 

[i cant think]

Well, I went to the LFS earlier and they had a shrimp that I love. I couldn’t not buy it, unfortunately they couldn’t get him out of the tank as he went into the rock and wouldn’t come out. However he is now reserved for me and when they get him out of the tank they’ll put him into a tank where he’ll be easier to grab. This shrimp is another Alpheus species (I say another as if you don’t know I have 3 shrimp in my 4’ tank and 1 of them is Alpheus bellulus). I do plan to try and get as many shrimp as I can in this tank so I’m sure this guy won’t be my last shrimp. Even is he is, I’m certain he won’t be the last invert as I may pick up a second clam at some point in the future.

 

[i cant think]

For now, some FTS. And since I like to keep things real for those getting into the hobby, I am currently facing the ugly phase. It’s official, the battle has begun! Let’s hope we don’t see any red stuff shall we. P.S. the colours aren’t as natural as there isn’t as much blue to filter compared to when I normally take photos.

 

[i cant think]

As it seems I had forgotten to do this, here’s what I’m running this tank on;
- ReefFactory’s ReefFlare
This light was pushing out 600+ PAR originally so I now run it at I believe 53%. This is my light setting and it’s now pushing 300-400 PAR.

- ReefFactory’s KH Keeper
This gave me a couple issues at first but now I’m getting better readings from it. The sand didn’t help with KH stability though. Here’s my current KH and what I keep it between if you’re curious.

- ReefFactory’s Dosing Pump
On my 4’ tank I run GHL and this Dosing Pump is so much nicer to use. Definitely easier to control. I dose my RO water and All For Reef through this and it’s not gone wrong (so far).

- ReefFactory’s Thermo Control
This is one of the best things I did for my tank. As you know I hit the heat wave last summer. These have been reoccurring issues and would houses over here being built to keep heat in and the cold air out, my tank tends to suffer. Now I can get an instant reading when the temperature gets too high.

- ReefFactory’s Salinity Guardian
This is another good one for me. As my salinity likes to creep up every so often and I used to only be able to check manually every few hours. This now helps me to see my salinity constantly. And yes it’s high currently (Going to get that under control today through a mini WC).

- Tunzee Skimmer (9001)
this skimmer does it’s job extremely well. Definitely a good choice for a nano tank. Although I did have the issue of trying to keep it at the right level for gas exchange.
- MaxSpect Gyre (XF350)
This definitely does its job well. In fact maybe too well, I had an issue of sand being pushed up at first but I believe I’ve now fixed that and run it at 30% mixed flow.

 

[i cant think]

And just to share some of the day time love… not all my corals love the sunlight though (Will be keeping an eye on the Tenuis throughout the day just in case he isn’t doing well). But look at that milli! He really did come back from the dead.

 

[i cant think]

Well, I went to the LFS earlier and they had a shrimp that I love. I couldn’t not buy it, unfortunately they couldn’t get him out of the tank as he went into the rock and wouldn’t come out. However he is now reserved for me and when they get him out of the tank they’ll put him into a tank where he’ll be easier to grab. This shrimp is another Alpheus species (I say another as if you don’t know I have 3 shrimp in my 4’ tank and 1 of them is Alpheus bellulus). I do plan to try and get as many shrimp as I can in this tank so I’m sure this guy won’t be my last shrimp. Even is he is, I’m certain he won’t be the last invert as I may pick up a second clam at some point in the future.

Going to the LFS as I forgot to pick up some food yesterday so let’s hope I come home with an Alpheus randalli today. This guy is the smallest pistol shrimp I’ve ever seen, he’s got to be about the size of my finger nail.

 

[i cant think]

Going to the LFS as I forgot to pick up some food yesterday so let’s hope I come home with an Alpheus randalli today. This guy is the smallest pistol shrimp I’ve ever seen, he’s got to be about the size of my finger nail.

Unfortunately he still wasn’t out so no Pistol yet, hopefully I’ll come home with one at some point this week.

 

[rmorris_14]

For now, some FTS. And since I like to keep things real for those getting into the hobby, I am currently facing the ugly phase. It’s official, the battle has begun! Let’s hope we don’t see any red stuff shall we. P.S. the colours aren’t as natural as there isn’t as much blue to filter compared to when I normally take photos.

For what it is worth, that doesn't look "ugly" to me.

 

[i cant think]

For what it is worth, that doesn't look "ugly" to me.

Thankyou, i hate my tanks in the “ugly phases” because when people want photos you usually don’t expect to see the uglies of a young tank.

 

[rmorris_14]

Thank you, i hate my tanks in the “ugly phases” because when people want photos you usually don’t expect to see the uglies of a young tank.

I think since my main PIA isa GHA problem, I consider anything else quite beautiful. The different colors on the rock, looks cool to me.

 

[SaltyT]

No pinkie pic yet, but my tiny guy came out last night and started eating frozen. Yay! I'd say he's about 3-4 centimeters and adorable as can be.

 

[i cant think]

No pinkie pic yet, but my tiny guy came out last night and started eating frozen. Yay! I'd say he's about 3-4 centimeters and adorable as can be.

That’s great to hear, mine are around about 1-2cm. They feed on everything from chopped Muscle to pellets. They look large in photos but actually they’re still rather small.

 

[SaltyT]

That’s great to hear, mine are around about 1-2cm. They feed on everything from chopped Muscle to pellets. They look large in photos but actually they’re still rather small.

Wow I had no idea yours were so tiny! They do look larger in your photos.

 

[i cant think]

For everyone curious. Here’s the Stocking Plan for the long term. There is one I plan to start hunting in March/February (January at the earliest). I’m sure you can guess which that is. I have yet to tick them off as it’s not 100% appart from the wrasses. I’m sure you can guess the one I’m hunting next just by looking at the list. This tank is going to be a “true” community as I mentioned previously so I’m going for less species and more so the amounts of each species. The reason I’m not going heavy on stocking is I do also want room for the coral and inverts. At the same time I want the patterns of the fish I 100% want to show. The reason I’m doing the choati is because I have the Bipartitus in this tank and I know the tank will suffice for a leopard (Maybe not a Fairy as the guys in the 4’ are much more active).

 

[i cant think]

A couple of photos from the reef
The clam is really pushing growth now, so let’s see some of your clams and what species they are!
The good ol’ hammer made it into the tank as well. Hopefully I can find an Orange Hammer for my 4’ tank.

 

[i cant think]

A couple of photos of the unknown Acropora (I class it as a mini colony but others say it’s a frag) whilst my family is laughing over our prime-minister being outlasted by a Lettuce…

 

[i cant think]

Going to the LFS and we’re picking up a new buddy for the tank!!

 

[i cant think]

Going to the LFS and we’re picking up a new buddy for the tank!!

He’s home and safe!! A beautiful new Alpheus randalli to pair with the Yasha. Unfortunately the photo quality isn’t great as it’s in a dark container (for drip acclimation) as well as the room being rather dark.

 

[i cant think]

Things are changing with the Yasha! I think they’ve paired, the yasha is guarding the entrance to his cave more than he used to already. There has also been more sand moving and now a small mound is under where the yasha is.