Bringing life back to my Nano Reef: A 2.5 year tale (lots of photos!)

[NonstopSoda]

FULL TANK SHOTS 9/4/2024

Another month another update! I went on a trip for a few days and thankfully nothing bad happened, just a lot of algae on the glass. A few days before I left though my twin spot goby buried my big hairy mushroom while I was at work and he unfortunately didn’t make it : ( I do still have 2 other hairy mushrooms that are going strong and I’ve stabilized the rock so the goby can stop messing with it! I cleaned up the glass and did a big water change and everything is very happy! I made some new purchases such as a bundle of red macro algae and some chaeto for my back chambers, I got a small zoa frag and glued my gsp to the back wall, and I got a feather duster! I love my little piece of the reef and hope for more constant growth in the months to come!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Following! A few months back my 12 y/o's golden retrievers kidneys started failing. We had another golden who was 9, but a week after we found out our 11 y/o golden was dying, he died due to heart failure. Then a month later our 12 y/o golden passed. During that time I definitely neglected my tank. Glad that you're getting back into the hobby and can't wait to see how this tank progresses.

 

[NonstopSoda]

Following! A few months back my 12 y/o's golden retrievers kidneys started failing. We had another golden who was 9, but a week after we found out our 11 y/o golden was dying, he died due to heart failure. Then a month later our 12 y/o golden passed. During that time I definitely neglected my tank. Glad that you're getting back into the hobby and can't wait to see how this tank progresses.

Losing pets is such a hard part of life but they provide so much joy in that small about of time. I’m so thankful to share my time on earth with these furry little rascals. I know those goldens had the best life and can’t wait to see you again on the rainbow bridge!

 

[NonstopSoda]

I got a good clear shot with my moms iPhone 14 camera! And I like this picture better than my poopy phones photo

Some more updates! I had brushed my long tentacles red goniapora to clean some algae off and it was ticked!! For about a week and a half and I fully thought it was a goner! It made a fully comeback and is very happy (no more brushin this little frag)

 

[NonstopSoda]

I got a good clear shot with my moms iPhone 14 camera! And I like this picture better than my poopy phones photo

Some more updates! I had brushed my long tentacles red goniapora to clean some algae off and it was ticked!! For about a week and a half and I fully thought it was a goner! It made a fully comeback and is very happy (no more brushin this little frag)

also may have over done it with the stocking of copepods (like 4 bottles over a month) but i like seeing all the little babies on the glass and my mandarin has never been happier!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

also may have over done it with the stocking of copepods (like 4 bottles over a month) but i like seeing all the little babies on the glass and my mandarin has never been happier!

You can never have too many copepods!

 

[BristleWormHater]

Latest full tank shot 8/19/2024

new corals very happy and fully open! Hoping my torch doesn’t get too aggressive with my stylo : )

Is that a black percula clown? I've been looking at clowns for my tank, but haven't settled on one yet.

 

[NonstopSoda]

You can never have too many copepods!

Very true!!

 

[NonstopSoda]

Is that a black percula clown? I've been looking at clowns for my tank, but haven't settled on one yet.

It is! She's my 2 almost 3 year old black onyx percula!

 

[BristleWormHater]

FULL TANK SHOTS 9/4/2024

Another month another update! I went on a trip for a few days and thankfully nothing bad happened, just a lot of algae on the glass. A few days before I left though my twin spot goby buried my big hairy mushroom while I was at work and he unfortunately didn’t make it : ( I do still have 2 other hairy mushrooms that are going strong and I’ve stabilized the rock so the goby can stop messing with it! I cleaned up the glass and did a big water change and everything is very happy! I made some new purchases such as a bundle of red macro algae and some chaeto for my back chambers, I got a small zoa frag and glued my gsp to the back wall, and I got a feather duster! I love my little piece of the reef and hope for more constant growth in the months to come!

Love that feather duster!

 

[BristleWormHater]

It is! She's my 2 almost 3 year old black onyx percula!

Beautiful!

 

[NonstopSoda]

Love that feather duster!

my newest addition to the tank cause i wanted to fill some empty space in that corner and its an absolute beauty!

 

[BristleWormHater]

Haven't been following along, but just read through the whole thread and I just wanted to say that losing pets that you love is really hard. I completely stopped my old hobby of keeping reptiles last year after my 8 year old bearded dragon died 1 day after a trip to the vet where she was diagnosed with something I can't even remember now. They offered me urgent care for a price way out of what I can afford $1000+ for 24 hours. I decided to try home treatment with therapeutic heating and calcium supplements, she declined very quickly and suddenly. Wish I caught the symptoms sooner.

 

[NonstopSoda]

Haven't been following along, but just read through the whole thread and I just wanted to say that losing pets that you love is really hard. I completely stopped my old hobby of keeping reptiles last year after my 8 year old bearded dragon died 1 day after a trip to the vet where she was diagnosed with something I can't even remember now. They offered me urgent care for a price way out of what I can afford $1000+ for 24 hours. I decided to try home treatment with therapeutic heating and calcium supplements, she declined very quickly and suddenly. Wish I caught the symptoms sooner.

Same thing happened with my cat, his kidney disease came outta nowhere and even after thousands of dollars of care and medicine it was futile and he slowly declined over a few months. I wish there was cure all for animals and that they could stay with us for our entire lives but unfortunately that isn't real but the memories and time spent with them will never be lost, I keep my old cat so close to my heart and I still grieve to this day. I got 2 silly little kitties that remind me of his silly personality everyday now and they've helped me a lot mentally. I hope you start reptile keeping again someday and continue your love of reptiles. <3

 

[BristleWormHater]

Same thing happened with my cat, his kidney disease came outta nowhere and even after thousands of dollars of care and medicine it was futile and he slowly declined over a few months. I wish there was cure all for animals and that they could stay with us for our entire lives but unfortunately that isn't real but the memories and time spent with them will never be lost, I keep my old cat so close to my heart and I still grieve to this day. I got 2 silly little kitties that remind me of his silly personality everyday now and they've helped me a lot mentally. I hope you start reptile keeping again someday and continue your love of reptiles. <3

Thank you, I might start again in a few years I just need a new tank I don't think I could use her old one.

 

[NonstopSoda]

I got a good clear shot with my moms iPhone 14 camera! And I like this picture better than my poopy phones photo

Some more updates! I had brushed my long tentacles red goniapora to clean some algae off and it was ticked!! For about a week and a half and I fully thought it was a goner! It made a fully comeback and is very happy (no more brushin this little frag)

jesus, looking at this with a big desktop screen makes the aiptasia so clear... I really need to order some berghia soon I HATE AIPTASIA!!!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

jesus, looking at this with a big desktop screen makes the aiptasia so clear... I really need to order some berghia soon I HATE AIPTASIA!!!

@Dinkins Aquatic Gardens was my source for berghia. Their 3-pack will be perfect for your tank. Its currently out of stock. I searched everywhere online and came to Dinkins. 3 for $50 bucks, and $50 for shipping. Overall not too bad. If you sign up for their birthday deal, you could get a $50 dollar giftcard for your birthday.

 

[NonstopSoda]

@Dinkins Aquatic Gardens was my source for berghia. Their 3-pack will be perfect for your tank. Its currently out of stock. I searched everywhere online and came to Dinkins. 3 for $50 bucks, and $50 for shipping. Overall not too bad. If you sign up for their birthday deal, you could get a $50 dollar giftcard for your birthday.

That sounds amazing!!! Ive been looking at reeftown but that price is much better!! I will definitely order from them when i get the chance, thank you so much!!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

That sounds amazing!!! Ive been looking at reeftown but that price is much better!! I will definitely order from them when i get the chance, thank you so much!!

They should come back in stock soon as their sale is ending tonight.

 

[NonstopSoda]

FULL TANK SHOT 9/11/2024

Another week another update! I’ve been battling high phosphates for about 2 weeks as well as a raise in diatoms in my sand bed, I’ve got some phoguard that’s taking my phosphate levels and silicate levels down and as of today the diatoms aren’t slowly dying back. My splatter hammer has fully split into 2 heads with 2 separate flesh bands as well as sprout 2 baby heads on the side of its skeleton. Other than that everything else is growing at a steady rate and I’ve moved my kessils closer to the water to increase light intensity.