[Br14n55reef]

hi, did you really get a Chrysurus Angel, they cost lots and very hard to care for. I hope every thing goes good with the fish for you, can you please try to get some pics of your new stuff?
your tank is really looking nice btw.
Brian

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Thanks Brian- and everyone else! I will post some pics- and yes, it is a chrysurus. But I really didn't pay 'that much' for him, because he is so small. I looked at a book, and not crazy of his change pattern he will take on, but hey- a momma's gotta love her babies! (I really like the juvenile emperor, but not as an adult so much)
Ok, here is what is the latest at Michelle's Ocean:
Came home to find my condy moved over to other side of tank(thanks to hubby /tongs) condy seems to like to get as 'close' as he can to new saddleback carpet.
Maroon, who lives with the BTA, has now began taking food from the saddleback carpet and shoving it into the BTA.
The condy likes to play 'I'm not touching you!' as it gets closer and closer to the saddleback.
My purple urchin-huge!- showed us today how he 'relieves' himself. funny. Looked like he was a pez dispenser full of those NERDS candies!
And sad to say- something or someone got ahold of my sandsifter today.
I cannot figure out what/who- as he has been around for awhile without any problems. <?> Any guesses- please advise. I have googled and went on 'that site' but do not see where the urchin would have killed the star, and that is my first thought.
** UV sterilizer (40w pentair lifegard) is hooked up and doing well
** everything is good.
I miss my star!
**Also- the 3 nemos are not going to the anenome, they dont even go near it, was wondering if I should get a tomato? Or will that be 'too may' clowns (have 1 maroon/white + 3 nemos)
Be back soon.......

[WhatReef]

Just i word of advice, i would definitly toss the UV sterilizer as it kills all the microrganisms that are essential for all the lil plankton running around and any other lil "bugs" you may see if you use the UV Sterilizer you will notice a decrease and possibly kil them off totally. Fish love to snack on these lil guys and im sure they play an im portant roll in the food change on a reef. I made this same mistake to once, hope i have helped, good luck with the reef.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Sorry I have been away for a bit--- life just doesn't seem to give me the time I need to get everything done, including hitting you guys up on this site!
For now I am closing my website business, I am just running ragged trying to get that up and running, maintaining the home, a FT job, being a fulltime mom to my son who just started highschool and the wrestling team- not to mention my ocean needs me!!
I have taken pics, and will get them posted tomorrow after my sons tournament.
FYI/update: Chrysurus is doing awesome. Blonde naso is phenomenal. The 'only' problem I do have: can't get my xenia or grass (florida pink) to grow/multiply.
I thinkg it is a toss between the chrysurus and the flame angel- someone is nipping at my xenia!
I bought a 14 gal oceanic biocube - and plan on using that to start my frags into a big enough piece that I can transfer them to my big tank, also the cube will be used for a 'quarantine' tank for newbies. So far in the cube: 2 nassarius snails, 1 nemo, 1 neon green hammer frag -getting ready to split, and the rare frag from the Gainesville store- that I still can't remember the name- will have to check back on that!
Any way- I just wanted to say I am back, I will be on more often, and pics will be sunday. (after wrestling tournament!)
*by the by: my UV is doing really great, I have heard a few comments from people here and there- generally mixed. Some like it, some do not- but that goes with everything in life. I am happy with it- and I thank you for your comments, as I am always open to them. ** and as far as the bugs go- they are multiplying in the rocks so fast, that my LFS in Ocala asked to buy some from me, so they can reproduce them and sell them ! ** ( told him yeah, sure, for a frag trade!) We'll see what happens............. luv you guys! Glad I'm back- nite!

[WhatReef]

try adding a i lil iodine that will make them grow quickly and they will multiply i suggest just a few drops no more than 8 and i would suggest a iodine test kit cause some corals might not react well to over dose of iodine so be sure to be careful an di know shrimp and inverts can be affected but the iodine so maybe read up on it a lil, i use iodine and my xenia grew twice the size in just one week and split off a lil xenia which just starting growing

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Thanks Garrett! I will get some today after work- anything to help them! And yes, I will watch the level, don't want to hurt my inverts walking around.....they are definitely part of the community at this point, seeming to 'run' the ground level as it is! Too funny- thanks for the tip!

[dori9941]

can't wait for those pic. good luck with your son on his wrestling tournament.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Sorry guys! BUSY!!! My son placed first- Whoo Hoo!! I am a proud mamma! And we are planning for homecoming- gotta get things in order (he's a freshman, it's his first homecoming)- hubby got a new camera & a video camera for me- so just figured out how to download all my pics to DVD from 'that' camera. I have my others loaded onto the computer, anyone on tomorrow- let me know what you think.... by the way- just found out Goby went A.W.O.L. - apparently 'flew' out of the canopy behind the tank.......everynight I do a 'search' when the lights go out- with a tiny flashlight- you know, to see what comes out of the sand/rocks......found poor Goby. I really like the diamond backs- that was my first over the wall fatality. 'What was he thinking?'
(oh, by the way, am thinking of doing a higher 'cave' on the left side of the tank behind the fan. Any comments on the pics, would love to hear them....good or bad) Thanks! -chelle

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

(check the photo gallery if all the images don't show up here ) thanks!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Here is pic of Blue Hippo, Yellow Tang, Snippet of my Flame Angel on the left, My Florida Pink Grass, My Xenia , bottom right shows my Australian Whisker Coral (yes I know it's not the proper name for it, its like: duncanospammia or something- but don't have the book with me)....and my Chrysurus Angel!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Green Hammer

[plecosword]

Hammer coral! sweet! nice tank you have going.
how many gallons do you change and how often? I am just trying to figure out expenses on a large tank compared to smaller ones.

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by plecosword

Hammer coral! sweet! nice tank you have going.
how many gallons do you change and how often? I am just trying to figure out expenses on a large tank compared to smaller ones.

i would like to know the same,lol

[WhatReef]

Your hammer doesn't look like its doing well what time of day was that pick taken, hammer need lots of light and medium flow, are you using medal halides, cause your tank doesn't seem very bring in that pic. The hammer doesn't seem like its extending enough, my hammer is smaller than that in skeletal size but its extends alot more than yours,i think i have a pic i will check, but if i were you i would move it closer to the top of the tank if your lighting isnt the greatest, what do you have for lighting?

[WhatReef]

I don't mean to be mean but looking at your tank, i think you need alot more live rock, i think your racing a head of yourself, this is just coming from experience, but here's a picture of my tank and my hammer.

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by michelle's ocean fantasy

Here is pic of Blue Hippo, Yellow Tang, Snippet of my Flame Angel on the left, My Florida Pink Grass, My Xenia , bottom right shows my Australian Whisker Coral (yes I know it's not the proper name for it, its like: duncanospammia or something- but don't have the book with me)....and my Chrysurus Angel!

you're tank is pretty
my husband wants dori so bad, it broke his heart when i said he has to get me a 100 gallon 1st

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Thanks- yes I love Dori, and all the others--- (yes I've named them as well)

Ummm, as far as the rock goes-yeah, I had fought my hubby in the beginning about that, he thought I was bringing home too many rocks-now he sees what I was trying to do when he looks at other tanks at the LFS- so I will be 'adding more' to my tank, but not so much in rock, I plan on creating another living cave on the other side of the tank- to add corals to. And I am making a 'ledge' to go across the back wall to add coral to, so it covers and drapes over the ledge. Thanks for the tip- your pictures are nice!

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Went shopping for my son today for homecoming,....
and since we were in the area of a LFS.......
New additions today:
Lettuce coral
Yellow polyps
Green Zoo's (that have a moon coral<?> on the side
2 Scooter blennies

(can someone look at the pics I will be posting and give me 'exact' names for what I have- I like to keep a log, and don't want to use a 'general' name.
What kind of zoo's are these? Is this a moon coral? Or was I told wrong? And what type of lettuce coral do I have?- )
--Thanks!
(gimme a sec on the pictures)

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Ok- never mind- trying to get onto photobucket, but not working, only is appearing on top left screen <?>
Ok, here are some photos:

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

and more: here is the zoo/?moon coral

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Do you know the name of this (lettuce)

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Sorry- will try to get a better pic of the lettuce one

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Ok- sorry- it has taken me a couple of days- but no one really came back so it's not like I 'kept you in waiting' ---I am trying to come up with a different look with the new cave- to where i can hang the hammer up on top- so it will get better light, and flow not as harsh- (right?)
BUT>>>>>> the pvc elbow I picked up is too BIG for my opening of my tank. And I do not even think of attempting lifting the top without my husband--- not that I would be able to anyway!
I will just have to wait for him to get home--- anyway, scooter blennies are doing great, that 'moon' coral I asked you guys about- that is swelling up like crazy today, especially when I fed the tank, what type do you think it is, so I can google/research the best placement for it in the tank?
I went to a different LFS during lunch today- haven't been in there since they opened up. WOW!! I am amazed! I am going back on friday for a colony of blue xenia, mushrooms, and possibly a blueberry. (it is so pretty!)
Gotta go to bed.......can't stay up and play with da fishies all nite!
sweet dreams to you!

[WhatReef]

yes medium flow for your hammer

[dori9941]

thanks for those pics.