WheatToast's Anti-Reef (Aqueon 40-gallon Breeder)

[WheatToast]

Here is my new mechanical filtration, Lifegard Aquatics Extra Coarse Black Aquamesh. The reviews on Bulf Reef Supply don’t lie; you need a saw to cut this stuff.

 

[WheatToast]

Gulf Live Sand presents Honey Nut Cheerios… shaped rubble fragments.

Oh, and Tropic Eden DeepSea AragaSnow contains a few, tiny, brown snail shells as seen in this old image:

 

[WheatToast]

A Sunday FTS…

… a Collonista snail riding another Collonista snail…

… and some Munnid isopods.

Oh! The wonders of live rock!

 

[WheatToast]

Oh, and here are bonus pictures of large and small Stomatella snails.

 

[WheatToast]

Hello Collonista!

 

[WheatToast]

Yesterday evening, I fed half of a Hikari Algae Wafer to my hitchhikers. The results were incredible to watch!

Within a few seconds of (the wafer) settling, this Bristle worm came out to take a bite

Munnid isopod (not a Copepod) reaching over for a nibble

This Amphipod took hold and…

… success!

The wafer did expand underwater, and there was quite a bit of leftover food to remove. I am still satisfied with the experience, however.

Edit:
I also saw my Mysis shrimp swimming into the wafer and two bristle worms finish off one hunk simultaneously, causing them to “kiss.” I wish I could have gotten footage.

 

[ccole]

It’s looking great! How are you liking the macro? I have a display fuge and would love to get a few more types in there.

Hitchhikers are the best. I love all the creepy crawlers that came in on my gulf live rock. My sump is crawling with mysid shrimp and a few even survive the wrasse, mandarin, and pipefish in the display.

What fish are you planning for the build? You’re doing macro algae only, right?

 

[WheatToast]

It’s looking great! How are you liking the macro? I have a display fuge and would love to get a few more types in there.

They are looking absolutely lovely! One of the Caulerpa chemnitzia specimens went sexual and got sucked into my Nero 5 (See here) but otherwise the other macroalgae (including my other C. chemnitzia specimen) are healthy and growing. I plan to obtain some more soon!

Hitchhikers are the best. I love all the creepy crawlers that came in on my gulf live rock. My sump is crawling with mysid shrimp and a few even survive the wrasse, mandarin, and pipefish in the display.

Agreed! Sorry for the confusion with the Gulf Live Sand earlier (post #22 on this thread). My Mysids have become so bold! Now, they don’t mind venturing into the light and the water column!

What fish are you planning for the build? You’re doing macro algae only, right?

Yup, macroalgae only (otherwise, I might add some other odd organisms, but no coral).
Current planned fish stocking list:
Chromis cyanea (x1)
Chromis viridis (x1)
Ecsenius stigmatura (x1)
Elactinus oceanops (x2)
Gobiesox punctulatus (x1)

 

[ccole]

That sounds like a great stocking list! I’ve never seen that last one. If you decide you want one more fish, I think one of the Pygmy wrasses would fit right in. I have both a Pygmy wrasse and a pink streaked wrasse and the pink streak is a little friendlier, but they’re both great fish.

I’ll have to check out the eBay seller for the macro. I’m glad things are going so well.

 

[ccole]

I apologize. I have a pink-streaked and a possum wrasse. Both are Pygmy wrasses.

 

[WheatToast]

That sounds like a great stocking list! I’ve never seen that last one.

The Stippled clingfish or Caribbean black clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus) makes its way onto LiveAquaria's Diver's Den occasionally. It is misidentified as Arcos rubiginosus on the site.

 

[WheatToast]

I apologize. I have a pink-streaked and a possum wrasse. Both are Pygmy wrasses.

I always thought those two fish looked insane! I have heard they might decimate my micro-crustacean population, however. What is your experience?

 

[ccole]

I always thought those two fish looked insane! I have heard they might decimate my micro-crustacean population, however. What is your experience?

With a 40 gallon, I wouldn’t think so, especially if you’re dosing phyto. I’m looking at my 35 gallon that has a possum wrasse and the glass is covered with pods and amphipods. Here’s a picture of the pink-streaked. The possum is impossible to photograph haha.

 

[WheatToast]

An FTS on a Thursday.

 

[WheatToast]

Sea lettuce (Ulva sp.) growth between:

September 16th…

… and September 24th

 

[reddevilant]

I HIGHLY recommend clown gobies, especially Citrinis clown gobies. I have one in my 90 gal macro tank and it absolutely loves to perch on the macros. It is the coolest thing to see! I have a couple pics of mine perching on my String of Pearls in my build thread.

 

[Goaway]

Something about macro algae builds is so relaxing to look at.

 

[WheatToast]

I HIGHLY recommend clown gobies, especially Citrinis clown gobies. I have one in my 90 gal macro tank and it absolutely loves to perch on the macros. It is the coolest thing to see! I have a couple pics of mine perching on my String of Pearls in my build thread.

A while back, I was considering a Yellow clown goby (Gobiodon okinawa), though they are so small, and a clingfish (on my stocking list) might be able to consume one. The Citrin clown goby sounds like a better choice.

Something about macro algae builds is so relaxing to look at.

Agreed! Maybe it’s the lack of intense actinic lights.

 

[Goaway]

A while back, I was considering a Yellow clown goby (Gobiodon okinawa), though they are so small, and a clingfish (on my stocking list) might be able to consume one. The Citrin clown goby sounds like a better choice.

Agreed! Maybe it’s the lack of intense actinic lights.

That could be it. Looking at blue lights mostly, just to see some color pop gets old quick.

 

[reddevilant]

A while back, I was considering a Yellow clown goby (Gobiodon okinawa), though they are so small, and a clingfish (on my stocking list) might be able to consume one. The Citrin clown goby sounds like a better choice.

Agreed! Maybe it’s the lack of intense actinic lights.

Oh wow, I didn't know the black clingfish could be a potential issue. I thought they were supposed to be pretty peaceful and timid, I was considering getting one as well.