Virginia Beach 65G Mixed Reef

[Noxsolaris]

Sweeper tentacles from the lepto(?)

 

[Noxsolaris]

Had to move the Kenya tree a little bit. It spread out and started encroaching on the stylocoeniella a little bit. I have been thinking about my current livestock and possible additions. Just want to see if anybody has any advice on whether or not I could/should add more fish.

Current residents: Two clowns, three mollies, two cardinals, one zebra dartfish, sand sifting star, 4 peps, 1 fire shrimp, two turbos, 4 trochus snails, 10 or so hermits.

Corals: 1 kenya tree, jack o lantern lepto, neon green candy cane, red and green blasto, PPE zoa colony, orange stylocoeniella.

Wishlist: another zebra dartfish (read they like to live in groups), diamond goby, mandarin, M&F Lyretail anthias.

I've been thinking about moving the mollies to a desk tank for my daughter. They were cheap test fish to help cycle the tank and they lived. They do a good job keeping things clean around the tank, so I am a little hesitant to get rid of them. Not sure if they are a value added though.

 

[Noxsolaris]

Did some quick testing when I got home from work using an ATI test tube kit (read these aren’t super accurate). Nitrites-zero; nitrates-close to zero; ph-between 8 to 8.2. I have some corals and know they need nitrates; do I need more fish/feed more? I currently feed flake and frozen mysis twice daily and mix in reef roids about once a week. I don’t want to over feed and feel there may be a more natural solution than dosing. Please advise.

 

[Noxsolaris]

Finished a 5 gallon water change yesterday. The ocean is happy and calm. Only issue is I feel like I am scrubbing brownish algae off my glass almost daily. Is this a normal issue/cause for concern?

 

[Noxsolaris]

Got a new anemone and really cool looking blasto yesterday. Both seem to be doing well thus far. The nem almost immediately secured itself in the hole I put him in. Will post pics when I get home today. Happy reefing.

 

[Noxsolaris]

New blue(?) blasto

PPE Zoas and hermit rocking a new

New anemone cozied up in his rock

Candy cane STILL hasn’t split. **** has had two “mouths” for weeks!

Kenya tree looking fluffy

Lepto is growing. Slowly, but the growth is there.

GSP is now a crab bed. I have a hermit that will climb up and chill in the grass for hours.

 

[Noxsolaris]

With the relocation of my aggressive peppermint shrimp, all is well in the reef. Nem has been a little moody since being accosted by said pep, but isn’t looking any worse for the wear. Clowns seem to have finished bonding. Socrates the black no longer displays any aggressive/dominating behavior towards Cheeto Jr.

 

[Bob E]

Sweeper tentacles from the lepto(?)

Wow this looks awesome. great choice

 

[Noxsolaris]

Wow this looks awesome. great choice

Thanks. It’s growing…slowly but surely. It’s starting to bulk up some in the center as well.

 

[Noxsolaris]

Nem decided to move. Blastos are super happy today. Candy cane looks closer to splitting every day. All is well in the reef.

 

[Noxsolaris]

 

[Noxsolaris]

David Bowie the Zebra Dartfish.

 

[Noxsolaris]

My GSP has been acting off. About half of the polyps have been retracted for a day or so now. Is this normal?

 

[Noxsolaris]

 

[Reef370]

Looking good, are you shopping at Aquariums Unlimited.. I like that store really nice set up..

 

[Noxsolaris]

Looking good, are you shopping at Aquariums Unlimited.. I like that store really nice set up..

Aquariums unlimited is awesome and their 900 setup in the back is awesome. I actually got the nem and a couple other fish/corals at Premier aquatics in Chesapeake. Their prices are crazy good. I got that nem in the pic for 60. Same nem, but smaller at AU was about 100-120. Check them out if you get some time.

 

[Reef370]

I’ve heard the name, just haven’t been out there to check it out.. looks like I’ll be going to check it out.. that’s the one thing I don’t really like about AU is the prices.. Thanks.

 

[Noxsolaris]

Clowns finally found a home/bed. They have been sleeping up top near the center of the tank. Recently they have started spending some nights in the bowl rock. Which is right next to my little BTA (balled up to the right of the fish). Clowns are weird. Lol

 

[Reef370]

Nice, can’t wait to see the pictures of them in the BTA.. has the BTA found a spot or is it still on the move?

 

[Noxsolaris]

Nice, can’t wait to see the pictures of them in the BTA.. has the BTA found a spot or is it still on the move?

It’s been nestled in that rock for about a three weeks or so now. Edit: same rock but moved over a little about a week ago. It’s still a pretty small nem so I’m not sure it looks like a suitable home to the clowns. Or they just don’t care because they kind of run the tank at this point. Well the female clown does. The male just wanders around like a puppy. Lol.