FishWife

We have been thru the ringer here: read Camaroonian buyers meet national bank emergency, and we're not out of the woods yet. However, IF we move to the house we're hoping to in the next month, I'm seriously considering remounting our 175. Maybe not right away, but put it this way: I've not sold it yet for a reason. I'm lovin' the little nano, but, well... it's a nano! (And it's full... ) So! I can dream, can't I? Thing is, where I'd put my 175 bowfront up is right in the new living room. The black plastic-like stand and canopy aren't so swish, so I was thinking about asking around to see if anyone could build me a custom one OR reface the one I have somehow. I know some of us are diy cabinet makers, and others of us know where to go for cheaper goods. So, fess up. I sure can't afford a new bowfront oak cabinet, and there aren't any for sale used that I can find. Where should I look?

Just an update for future blastomussa fans... No pic, but we moved it to our 12g AP, which has PCs and low flow and they've perked up significantly over the weekend. Also target feeding baby brine each evening! Crossing our fingers! We'll see how it goes.

Good info, Jon. The above pictures *are* the "before" shots a month ago. I'll take a good long look at the areas receding today and see if I can grab a quick photo. It seemed that the ones will less light were happiest at first. You may be right; it would be an easy experiment to bring them more into the light for sure.

Thanks, all! Will try target feeding. I think that under the ledge is the right place from all I've read: they grow under ledges in the wild, right? And no, the frogspawn doesn't get to it. I've watched at all times of the day on that one. At night, no tentacles from this variety; it closes up tight and sleeps. I'm thinking of moving it to the AP12 I have for TLC. Lower flow and only actinic lights. Only other idea: could flow be too strong or too laminar? In this small tank, the flow bounces off the front glass and doesn't "mix" as we could get it to do in the big tank. What kind of flow do those of you who have one use?

I have a blastomussa that I love. I got it about a month ago, and it's slowly fading away. Center bottom, in this full tank shot. As you can see: I have it on the sand down low, and near a ledge. Flow is pretty low... For awhile he was doing well, but I'm really worried about it. It's definitely receding. Pretty soon, I'm going to need to find a good home for it so it doesn't die unless I can figure out its problem. Assume all my levels are good, since I do good maintenance and everyone else in the tank is dandy. Does anyone have blastos that can give me any advice?

Come on in, the water's fine! We *think* our house is sold (know how that is?) and are making moving plans. (yuck) In the busyness of work deadlines and real estate, I've neglected my sun corals; they practically lost the ability to extend for feeding due to underfeeding. But, with TLC, they are coming back again. We think we'll move the tanks around the weekend of the 3-4th of Oct. So, will be more active after that. Since my 175 hasn't sold, we're putting it into storage. Who knows? We have a 1.6 year gauntlet to cross with our biz, but after that, this beauty may be revived. Crossing fingers that it's so!

Not that I'm aware of. We've got our house under contract now, so we'll need to be moving soon if we pass the home inspection hurtle this coming weekend. Fingers crossed... and lots to do. Sorry to not be around more! The AP 12 is still maturing. Sparkey's doing fine, as are my new sun corals. Here are some shots of them: Full tank shot Sparky and sun corals: Beautiful ricordia and striped green 'shrooms:

NanoNana (since I'm a new grandma, and FishWife was taken). Thanks for the compliment. C ya over there!

There are a variety of lighting options available on these tanks. What does yours have? That's the single most important feature to determining what can go in.

Thanks, Jason. Right now, I have a McCosker's wrasse in my 12g nano QT. He's been there about two weeks now... and is doin' fine. So, I'm also looking at the Helfrichi firefish being offered by Kengar. I was not going to do many more fish before we moved, but Honey stays in her rock a lot while alone in the tank, so I got Sparky (the wrasse). I guess if I got the Helfrichi they would complete a 30 g... don't want too many fish. We'll see. I may not get them. Hi to Christina!!!

No; thanks for asking. I'm arranging corals carefully; mostly buying ones that don't need to be fixed, hence the colonies of zoas still on the sand, blasto on small rock, same with birdsnest. Most glued frags are on the big rock in which Honey lives, so it will go where she goes. It's a down selling market for sure. We've been talking about how to move this tank and think we have it figured. It will be a disruption, but I'm hoping not much of one. 'Course, this is why we went to nano: more portable.

In the last week, I've been to a club member's house and to Marine Scene. After fiddling with new corals, here are some shots I'm enjoying: Full tank views: Close ups: New open brain Beautiful blastomussa Honey in the rock with new zoas nearby Neon green birdsnest Old friend acro doing far better in this tank than under halides (go figure) New acro frag (left of center of pic; blue and green--parent colony is great; from a club member) New ricordias from Marine Scene Enjoy! PS So far, Sparky hasn't gone carpet surfing yet, and I'll get some pics of my new sun coral in the AP12 up asap.

Well, it's been one month, one week, and one day since I started my RSM. I've been aquascaping by stages since we've had virtually no action on our house. Here are the phases. When fist aquascaped, this was the thrown-together look: Then, about two weeks ago, we dropped something deep into the tank and getting it out afforded us the opportunity to rescape. Changed to this: In the last week, I've been to a club member's house and to Marine Scene. After fiddling with new corals, here are some shots I'm enjoying: Full tank views: Close ups: New open brain Beautiful blastomussa Honey in the rock with new zoas nearby Neon green birdsnest Old friend acro doing far better in this tank than under halides (go figure) New acro frag (left of center of pic; blue and green--parent colony is great; from a club member) New ricordias from Marine Scene Enjoy!

Thanks. Well, the package said "LPS, SPS, and most softies," so we went ahead. Shouldn't hurt. THANKS for responding... gotta get these into tanks. Wonder why Marine Scene keeps water at .028??? Quote: I dip mine in flatworm exit only. Never seen a reason for iodine. I have only heard of it being used on SPS Maybe it's not iodine based after all... looks it, though... Well, here's hoping!

Just got home from Marine Scene with ricordias, sun corals. blasto, and open brain. Can/should we dip these in regular iodine-based Reef Pure? Package says for "SPS, LPS, and most softies." How about the ricordia? TIA for speedy advice!

So, I have been having FUN with my new nano tanks! I have a Red Seas Max (RSM) 34g and an AP (aquapod) 12g. SO cute! I've been keeping threads on nano-reef.com, and here are some highlights! The RSM, first. It's been up a month today! Initially, I just threw all the live rock I could fit from the 175 in there, along with Honey, my beloved blenny. All was well, but the stock skimmer is awful. Here are early shots of cycling and stocking: After re-aquascaping and replacing (today) the stock skimmer with a Tunze, here's the look: Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I've started an AquaPod 12g as a QT tank. Here are the stages: Last night during a power outage, I went to Congressional and got "Sparky" my Carpenter flasher wrasse. He is GREAT. Eating like a pig, out and about, flashing at himself in the glass. He's on my work desk and I have a REALLY hard time concentrating! See what you think: In four weeks, Sparky will join Honey in the RSM. I am now pondering my next fish... Hmmm!

So, in looking at Dandy's 400 tank as an example, which he had custom built, he chose two external overflows with built in "tooth gates." Was that to maximize the look inside, or are there other reasons for this option, like better surface skimming, filtration, flow, etc. Or, is it purely a matter of taste, asthetics, etc.? Chip: yes! I remember seeing your setup. Very cool use of overflows. I'm more asking why people choose them on many larger tanks.

So, inquiring minds want to know. Why do people put external overflows on larger tanks, and how (physically) do they work? Are they preferable, and if so, why?

That would be great, Chris. I'd love to see it before buying... can you EMAIL me? (I'm trying to stay off this site as a disciplined action with my time... too much time on WAMAS distracts from the main events of my life sometimes! ) TIA for the offer and the email (marcia@tapestryofgrace.com).

Do flasher wrasses need sand to borrow in at night, as does a Melanurus wrass? TIA! Anyone have a carpenter flasher wrasse? I'm looking at one for my nano 34g (functionally, a 30, the min. for this fish...). TIA!

We'd be interested to learn to build these kinds of lights, initially for our new 12g nano and to upgrade our new RSM 34g. I think LEDs are the way to go into the future, and the sooner we DIYers figure it out, the better. Mind my asking how much is the cost per lamp in materials? And, if I'm reading this right, you're saying that the TWO fixtures together give a PAR that approximates a 175 w halide? With what spectrum, I wonder? My frag would be a clam: my ultimate dream critter for any tank I own.

What got me excited was his LACK of equipment. When our lives settle down in a year or two, I want a big system in a small footprint. Am saving now for either T-5s or LED arrays (if they've come of age by then). I'd love to be done with halides for life.

THAT is a cool fish! Wow! Wonder if it would fight a rainford goby? How many gobies can coexist in a smaller tank? Anyone know?

You can see our closed loops from former 80 bowfront and 175 bowfront. Both were HOB (hang over the back) styles: no drilling. They take some planning, but are fairly straightforward to plumb and make all other pumps, oceans motions, etc. obsolete... at least they did for ours. 80 bowfront build 175 bowfront build thread HTH!

Didn't come up for me, James. I'm looking at snuggling one of these between my T-5s in my Red Seas Max hood... thoughts? Ebay provider