Mike's Red Sea Reefer 525 XL build

[SPR1968]

Well, to sum it all up, all 5 of the chromis got from Petco died within 24 hours.

I will stop by after work as they are close to my house. I know the guy there and he treats me well.

They get their fish in on Thursdays so I will see if I can get 5 more.

I know that sometimes if you add Chromis to an existing shoal with an established hierarchy, you can be asking for trouble because they pick on the weakest members which could be why they are disappearing maybe?

I had 7 originally and have 5 left and they are all slightly different sizes from large to small.

Same thing happened to me with Anthias, I had 8, have 3 left and tried to add another 5 small ones. All the new ones disappeared. Very costly!

 

[mta_morrow]

I know that sometimes if you add Chromis to an existing shoal with an established hierarchy, you can be asking for trouble because they pick on the weakest members which could be why they are disappearing maybe?

I had 7 originally and have 5 left and they are all slightly different sizes from large to small.

Same thing happened to me with Anthias, I had 8, have 3 left and tried to add another 5 small ones. All the new ones disappeared. Very costly!

I agree about adding to an existing group that there will be trouble. But I don’t think this was the case as I added the 2 groups hours apart.

The good news is Petco refunded all the money for the 5 chromis. They are ordering in more and they will be here next Thursday.

I will add 7-9 to the existing 4 and expect a few losses.

Also these chromis are very small, less than an inch.

Even with only 4 in the tank now, it’s pretty amazing how all my other fish are extremely active now. They were active before, but now it’s like they are having a blast!

 

[mta_morrow]

Hate to say it's almost expected for chromis. Hope u have better luck with the next batch.

Besides that the intro of BamBam went beautifully it appears. Peace. Thumbs up bub.

Tank is looking clean as always. That orange diamond goby will make sure of the sandbed at least

Great news on the goby, he’s busy! Got home from work and had a nice clean pile of sand in the back corner where he was and he has his own new cave now.

Bad pics

 

[Katrina71]

Maybe a blessing?

 

[PanchoG]

I agree about adding to an existing group that there will be trouble. But I don’t think this was the case as I added the 2 groups hours apart.

The good news is Petco refunded all the money for the 5 chromis. They are ordering in more and they will be here next Thursday.

I will add 7-9 to the existing 4 and expect a few losses.

Also these chromis are very small, less than an inch.

Even with only 4 in the tank now, it’s pretty amazing how all my other fish are extremely active now. They were active before, but now it’s like they are having a blast!

As a friend here told me, chromis go Highlander... at the end there shall be only one.

 

[mta_morrow]

As a friend here told me, chromis go Highlander... at the end there shall be only one.

Ya know, I’m doing this because people say you can’t

I just have to get healthy ones to start which may be difficult

 

[mta_morrow]

And my wife sent me this pic from home during lunch. The diamond spot is out and about and apparently moving sand. She named him “ Bob the Builder”

 

[mta_morrow]

And now I have 3!!!!

I need someone to come get some!

 

[PanchoG]

Nice! it is a good problem to have.

 

[mta_morrow]

Testing today.

77 degrees
1.026
NO3 16. Rock steady
PO4 - .19 this has been rising steadily week over week. I’m gonna put a little bag of rowaphos in the sump to try and bring it down a bit.

The reactor is starting to show a good bit of GHA. I’m hoping once it’s growing well it can manage PO4.

I’m happy with where nutrients are at. No algae in the display and everything is happy.

Maybe I shouldn’t do anything?

I’ve added quite a few fish and feed well every day.

Alk is steady so I’m dosing the right amount.

Calcium is now at 450 after a month of raising from 410.

I ordered a CoralBox 4 head doser as I’m tired of daily dosing by hand. Got the package from @reefbreeders

Doser, triple container, tubing holder and also 4 check valves.

I’ll set that up next weekend.

Have 3 chromis left. Gonna pick up 8-10 more Thursday, the day they arrive at Petco.

Whew......gotta go take a break.

 

[Crabby48]

Enjoyed the videos releasing the triggers. Such a perfect tank you have

 

[Flippers4pups]

Man, I've never had luck with chromis. Never make it long, so I feel your pain. Next fish for me will be a group of chalk bass.

Tanks looking good, Mike!

 

[mta_morrow]

Enjoyed the videos releasing the triggers. Such a perfect tank you have

Thanks so much for the compliment

It means a lot to me!

And I totally love the trigger pair. My favorites by far!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Mike ur no quitter.

BRING ON THE CHROMIS TRAIN.

 

[mta_morrow]

Mike ur no quitter.

BRING ON THE CHROMIS TRAIN.

Petco is bringing in 12 on Thursday!

STAY TUNED!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Petco is bringing in 12 on Thursday!

STAY TUNED!

 

[mta_morrow]

Had to do a bit of rescaping last night. The latest nem spit is walking under the cave to the front.

Don’t want it stinging corals so had to move my finger leather.

Pics tonight

I really don’t want to dedicate half the tank to these nems. Not sure what I’m gonna do?

 

[NY_Caveman]

Had to do a bit of rescaling last night. The latest nem spit is walking under the cave to the front.

Don’t want it stinging corals so had to move my finger leather.

Pics tonight

I really don’t want to dedicate half the tank to these nems. Not sure what I’m gonna do?

New tank!

 

[mta_morrow]

New tank!

Somehow, deep down inside, I knew someone would recommend this

 

[NY_Caveman]

40 breeder with a couple of black boxes and an HOB filter.