The tank is sad right now. So lonely are Buster and Nod. But hold on little friends. help is on the way. I have some corals coming any day now!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Katharine Hepburn's last words: 'They're all dead - it's amazing'
So, all of the fish in my tank have died except two. No Butterfinger, no Scarlet, no Sally, no Winken or Blinken, and no bruiser.
Not sure what it was. Maybe new tank syndrome, maybe a bad fungus, maybe trying to use herbal remedies. Poor water quality is the biggest thing. So, I’ve upgraded it to a ProClear 150 with Prefilter.
Lets see what happens next!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Heavy Metal
So, over the weekend Annie, our Sebae Anemone #2 died. Frustrated about it, I had my water tested. We have metal in water that is killing the anemones and may have been the cause of Copper's untimely demise.
To remedy the metal situation, the local fish store sells water that has passed through a reverse osmosis machine. This process renders the water free of everything! Its 63 cents a gallon and I have to bring my own buckets.
Needless to say, I will be doing my water change with their water this weekend. Sorry Annie and Minnie.
To remedy the metal situation, the local fish store sells water that has passed through a reverse osmosis machine. This process renders the water free of everything! Its 63 cents a gallon and I have to bring my own buckets.
Needless to say, I will be doing my water change with their water this weekend. Sorry Annie and Minnie.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sad Day
Forgive me if this turns into a pitty party but it's been a tough day.
I received an email from my cousin who I have recently reconnected with notifying me that my Aunt Vickie passed away last night around 8:45 p.m. Even though I haven't seen her or spoken to her since roughly 1993, this really saddened me. One of my earliest memories after being adopted was of her and my Uncle Bud. When ever I was in trouble, and man did I get into trouble, they always tried to talk to me and understand why I acted the way I did.
My Uncle Bud was a commercial fisherman in south Florida and he would smoke massive amounts of fish on any given weekend. We would sit around the smoker and play games and eat fish all day long. My Aunt Vickie was a very good artist. She was such a kind soul and hosted all of the neighborhood kids each summer in their home for art lessons. My brother Joe, Adam Noble, John and Adam Moran, maybe Heather Horne, Scott Syring I believe one year, would all attend. We worked with pastels, charcoal, and water based paints. The last year she hosted we worked with oils. It was a lot of fun. My favorite thing I ever painted was a large portrait of Emmett Kelly, the clown. She had three wonderful grandchildren that were very close in age to my brother, sister, and me. Tina and Jackie, Joe and Troy, and Me and Jenny. Jackie lives near me now in Woodbridge and has a great family.
So, why am I writing all of this, well Copper our Copperband Butterflyfish passed away today as well. I noticed he wasn't eating well this morning but just thought to myself to monitor him. I was expecting a new lighting system today and was thrilled about getting it hooked up. While I was at the fish store I also got Nicole's fish of choice, a Flame Dwarf Angelfish (Scarlett).
I was excited about the corals I will soon be adding. When I got home I started my feeding process. Flakes first, then thawing some Mysis Shrimp for Copper. I realized I hadn't seen him yet so I looked around the back of the rock formations and there he was. He was pointed straight down and non-responsive. I attempted to rouse him with my fingers and he leaped at my slightest touch. He drifted to the other side of the tank, ignoring all of the shrimp floating around, and landed on the other side of the tank. The Serpent Starfish touched him and he leaped again but all the while floating and swimming erratically.
He eventually stopped breathing and I removed him from the tank.
With that said, the Angelfish looks amazing and seems to be adapting well. The lighting looks amazing and really shows off the fish and anemone.
So, today has been a sad day, I lost the person responsible for some of my oldest memories and lost a new friend. Rest in piece both of you.
I received an email from my cousin who I have recently reconnected with notifying me that my Aunt Vickie passed away last night around 8:45 p.m. Even though I haven't seen her or spoken to her since roughly 1993, this really saddened me. One of my earliest memories after being adopted was of her and my Uncle Bud. When ever I was in trouble, and man did I get into trouble, they always tried to talk to me and understand why I acted the way I did.
My Uncle Bud was a commercial fisherman in south Florida and he would smoke massive amounts of fish on any given weekend. We would sit around the smoker and play games and eat fish all day long. My Aunt Vickie was a very good artist. She was such a kind soul and hosted all of the neighborhood kids each summer in their home for art lessons. My brother Joe, Adam Noble, John and Adam Moran, maybe Heather Horne, Scott Syring I believe one year, would all attend. We worked with pastels, charcoal, and water based paints. The last year she hosted we worked with oils. It was a lot of fun. My favorite thing I ever painted was a large portrait of Emmett Kelly, the clown. She had three wonderful grandchildren that were very close in age to my brother, sister, and me. Tina and Jackie, Joe and Troy, and Me and Jenny. Jackie lives near me now in Woodbridge and has a great family.
So, why am I writing all of this, well Copper our Copperband Butterflyfish passed away today as well. I noticed he wasn't eating well this morning but just thought to myself to monitor him. I was expecting a new lighting system today and was thrilled about getting it hooked up. While I was at the fish store I also got Nicole's fish of choice, a Flame Dwarf Angelfish (Scarlett).
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| Scarlett the Flame Dwarf Angelfish |
I was excited about the corals I will soon be adding. When I got home I started my feeding process. Flakes first, then thawing some Mysis Shrimp for Copper. I realized I hadn't seen him yet so I looked around the back of the rock formations and there he was. He was pointed straight down and non-responsive. I attempted to rouse him with my fingers and he leaped at my slightest touch. He drifted to the other side of the tank, ignoring all of the shrimp floating around, and landed on the other side of the tank. The Serpent Starfish touched him and he leaped again but all the while floating and swimming erratically.
He eventually stopped breathing and I removed him from the tank.
With that said, the Angelfish looks amazing and seems to be adapting well. The lighting looks amazing and really shows off the fish and anemone.
So, today has been a sad day, I lost the person responsible for some of my oldest memories and lost a new friend. Rest in piece both of you.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Photos!
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| Yellow Tang "Butterfinger" is on the left, while "Copper" the Copperband Butterfly is on the right. |
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| This is "Annie" the Sabae Anemone |
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| Copper, our new addition |
New Addition
No, not the band with Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, and Johnnie! We introduced a Copperband Butterfly fish today. He is beautiful. He's a full 2 inches big right now. He seems to be adapting well but the Yellow Tang is harassing it as we speak.
Death In The Family
I am sad to report that Minnie, the smallest anemone, has perished. She will be missed.
First Water Change
Phew! That was some work. Being my first change, I didn't really have any "systems" down. I muddled through and got it changed but it did take some serious effort. Everyone is happy and healthy and swimming about again!
Batting Cleanup!
The box of fish was the cure for what ailed the tank! Wow, they cleaned up nicely. Everything arrived and in good order. I started the acclimation process and laughed when I got to the Turbo Snails. They were all stuck to one another! So, I dumped in a huge "clump" of snails! Escargot.
The Jade Crabs are clearly the centerpiece to the Cleanup Crew. They are beautiful. They range in size from a 1/2 dollar to a pea. The have been picking at everything they can get their hands on.
The Serpent Starfish immediately slipped in to the closest crevice they could find and disappeared.
On a sad note, Minnie, the smaller of the anemones isn't looking so hot.
The Jade Crabs are clearly the centerpiece to the Cleanup Crew. They are beautiful. They range in size from a 1/2 dollar to a pea. The have been picking at everything they can get their hands on.
The Serpent Starfish immediately slipped in to the closest crevice they could find and disappeared.
On a sad note, Minnie, the smaller of the anemones isn't looking so hot.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Fish in a Box
I received notification that my box of Janitors has arrived!
55-100 Gallon Reef Package w/Jades
55-100 Gallon Reef Package w/Jades
| Yellow Tang 3 Green Chromis Clean tank here I come! |
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Returned from Florida
We had a week long trip to Florida to get out of the way before I could add fish.
I decided to spend the day with Levi since we got in so late. He and I headed to the fishstore with a pocketful of money and big ideas!
We bought a Clarkii (Sebae) Clownfish. No, not Nemo. First, Nemo is probably a Percula Clownfish. Second, he's animated :) We also purchased, 3 Turbo Snails, 1 Peppermint Shrimp, and White Footed Hermit Crab,
Since the Clownfish was a Clarkii, Nicole named "him" "Clark". She named the crab "Coral", the Shrimp "Impy". The Snails? They are just snails. Besides, who can tell them apart?
So, Clark decided "he" wanted to hide behind the centerpiece rock morning, noon, and night. So much for fish watching. So, I decided the next day to head back to my local fish monger to see what I could do to chase "him" out of hiding.
I did what any parent would do...I got more stuff! I bought another Clarkii Clown and a Sebae Anemone!
Nicole named the new Clarkii "Ellen". But because it was bigger, we swapped names. Made Clark the bigger one and Ellen the smaller!
I decided to spend the day with Levi since we got in so late. He and I headed to the fishstore with a pocketful of money and big ideas!
We bought a Clarkii (Sebae) Clownfish. No, not Nemo. First, Nemo is probably a Percula Clownfish. Second, he's animated :) We also purchased, 3 Turbo Snails, 1 Peppermint Shrimp, and White Footed Hermit Crab,
Since the Clownfish was a Clarkii, Nicole named "him" "Clark". She named the crab "Coral", the Shrimp "Impy". The Snails? They are just snails. Besides, who can tell them apart?
So, Clark decided "he" wanted to hide behind the centerpiece rock morning, noon, and night. So much for fish watching. So, I decided the next day to head back to my local fish monger to see what I could do to chase "him" out of hiding.
I did what any parent would do...I got more stuff! I bought another Clarkii Clown and a Sebae Anemone!
Nicole named the new Clarkii "Ellen". But because it was bigger, we swapped names. Made Clark the bigger one and Ellen the smaller!
Live Rock
After a few days and a lot of additives to the tank, I loaded the tank with rock. Live rock!
The centerpiece rock reminds me of a playing card spade shape. Its amazing with flutes and nooks all over it! I have created some caves and tunnels for whatever we decide to load.
The centerpiece rock reminds me of a playing card spade shape. Its amazing with flutes and nooks all over it! I have created some caves and tunnels for whatever we decide to load.
The Start of Something Good
While I have been accused of virtual farming, virtual dining, virtual ruling of a mafia family, and playing jungle jewels, I requested and was granted a Christmas gift of a fish tank. A real fish tank!
While there were a few "discussions" as to what size we would get, 60 gallons is what ended up perched in our living room.
I bought a "ton" of sand and salt. Used a gallon pitcher and walked 54 times from sink to tank. No small task!
While there were a few "discussions" as to what size we would get, 60 gallons is what ended up perched in our living room.
I bought a "ton" of sand and salt. Used a gallon pitcher and walked 54 times from sink to tank. No small task!
My first post
Hi everyone! I am 3 weeks into a new Saltwater Fish tank and I plan on sharing my experiences with you!
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