[rlcline76]

It amazed me after taking a few of these pics how so much changes in a short period of time.

My husband's tank...well, I pretty much took over it because only I know what I am doing. So I will be sharing his tank more this time around. I am a little miffed today because I bought him some social feather dusters and the peppermint shrimp attacked them...so they are in my son's tank (and one is in my husband's sump). But he was able to keep the new protopalys.

His tank first:

[rlcline76]

That gravel looking crap is the GARF Grunge.
The orange and green zoas are bouncing back...

[rlcline76]

And more...

[rlcline76]

Now for my son's tank...
Right now I have a temp frag tray in there, so a good full shot is not possible...but you will be able to see my husband's new dusters (secretly, I really just wanted them for me!).

[rlcline76]

I wish I could get a better of these orange zoas, for some reason they are my favorite!

[rlcline76]

What will probably happen, since I have all of those dusters in my son's tank, I'm betting I will be tossing the brain into my husband's tank for extra breathing room.

[emccullough1]

Looking good Becky. I have been doing a lot of off site reading lately. Glad to see Life is going on here. I like the new dusters. I'm thinking of building custom tank for Dwarf Seahorses. Just a lot of research at this point I did draw up a tank plan today. Now I need to make a cut list. But it will be a while I'm going to let it cycle for a month or two and build a big pod population. I will give you more detail later.

[plecosword]

I like your tank Becky! It has a nice personal touch to it, i cant explain but it looks very grea!, Now that I think about it, Many people on Rb have not shared their tanks at all! Im going to start a "Share tank here" threat lol

[Bamaguy]

Very nice!
My four year old has been asking for 3 weeks when we are going to get fish. Today he drew a picture of a fish tank and was explaining to my Dad how the water goes in and out from below.
I'm getting very excitied to think that one day he may want a fish tank and that we can share a hobby. I already got goosebumps the other day when he saw Star Wars for the first time on TV. I was six when my dad took me to see that movie and still remember it. Unfortunately my Dad doesnt get my Saltwater hobby at all. He told me to just get a dog.

[plecosword]

hahaha thats so nice! Im sure we all have people all around us that dont really support this hoby, (well at least I do, but It will never turn me down.

[dfurbee]

Very nice Becky!! Will post pics of mine whenever I pick up a cord for the camera.

[rlcline76]

Originally Posted by Bamaguy

Very nice!
My four year old has been asking for 3 weeks when we are going to get fish. Today he drew a picture of a fish tank and was explaining to my Dad how the water goes in and out from below.
I'm getting very excitied to think that one day he may want a fish tank and that we can share a hobby. I already got goosebumps the other day when he saw Star Wars for the first time on TV. I was six when my dad took me to see that movie and still remember it. Unfortunately my Dad doesnt get my Saltwater hobby at all. He told me to just get a dog.

Sounds like my parents, but when they come to fish they do like to look at the tanks.
You gotta watch out for that Star Wars phase. My 4 yr old has a thing about those movies and then he has a thing about Legos...combined together it's quite lethal. Chases me around with catalogs all day. I ought to take a picture of his room.

Check this crap out. These promo flicks crack me up.

LEGO.com Star Wars Movie

[rlcline76]

Originally Posted by emccullough1

Looking good Becky. I have been doing a lot of off site reading lately. Glad to see Life is going on here. I like the new dusters. I'm thinking of building custom tank for Dwarf Seahorses. Just a lot of research at this point I did draw up a tank plan today. Now I need to make a cut list. But it will be a while I'm going to let it cycle for a month or two and build a big pod population. I will give you more detail later.

Crap, Ed, your 10 gallon looks better than my 20s! Combined!

Becoming the ultimate nano hobbyist!

[emccullough1]

Becky Its been a while now so I will ask you what you think of garf's grung? I told you ahead of time it is ugly. I'm sure you agree with that. But have you seen a lot of new life? I know I did. And I suspect you have some new colors of coralline starting to show up.

PS Thanks for the complement I love my little tank. It has been very therapeutic for me I spend hours staring at it. My little 1/2 gal is still doing good also I added 2 Glass Shrimp. You know the ones people feed there fish. They are a lot of fun to watch. My Peppermint Shrimp in my 10 only comes out to eat sense I added the fish and he used to be out all the time before.

[rlcline76]

I think I have had it for about a weeks and a half. I am noticing a lot more pods. I had a decent amount of coralline before...so I guess it is good that I took pics recently. I'll probably take another batch in a few weeks and see if there is a more noticeable increase. Yesterday I dropped off a clove polyp at a local reefers house, and he sent me away with 4 different zoa polyps. Hopefully, I can keep them happy.

[emccullough1]

Every thing in my tank has been splitting and growing like crazy except my zoas. They just set there not shrinking but not spreading. There has to be some thing missing in my tank that they like. Or just the opposite some thing in my tank they don't like. I often wonder about my toadstool leather it was after adding them that the zoas stopped spreading. I guess in a way it is a good thing as I don't have much room for them to spread anyway

[Gohn]

Becky - Looks like your family has some sweet tanks. I'd try to keep the dusters as I believe they filter the nitrates etc. and they look really cool. My 2 cleaner shrimp and fire shrimp leave my duster alone and I want to get a couple more. Thanks for sharing the pics!

[Lowej82]

ed your water paremeters are probally near if not perfect, I belive some zoos like a little dirty water so to say

[rlcline76]

Could be...they should reproduce in perfect water...maybe not as fast.

What is your lighting, Ed?

[thelastmucci]

You know it's funny you mention "dirty water" which by the way is a great song. Anyway I was reading that SPS corals and Clams need nearly identical water parameters..ok we all knew that. However did you know that Clams like a little particulate matter in their water (I'm assuming to eat) but this would be detremental to SPS corals...just thought I'd share this tidbit.

[Lowej82]

I shouldnt say dirty water more like not perfect water. The zoos I have doubled in poylps in short time. Some spread faster than others also. The more rare expensive Zoos & Palys grow slower which is why they cost more in some cases. I have 2 x 96watt PC's over my 29 gallon. 1 12k & 1 true actinic.

[Gohn]

I just posed this same question in another forum so please excuse me repeating myself but do zoas "like" less light and water flow? (I read this information in some articles) Moving my mushroom corals and zoas around until they seem to like it has been my "scientific" approach so far.

[emccullough1]

I have the T5's 18" Nova Extreme 40w. I just put new bulbs in 2 weeks ago. My LFS said I was crazy He said that they should last 1 to 1 1/2 years. But I just wanted to know if I would see any change. I saved the old bulbs in case I lose one when I don't have any money. I cant say I see any difference yet the LFS may be right on this one. He has had the store 18 years and a 180 in his house for 20 years. He is the only LFS I trust the only people working there is him and his son. And I should add he is probably the only LFS that will try to talk you out of a purchase if he thinks your tank is not right for what you want. He told me in the beginning that it was to his advantage to have people have good luck with there salt water experience. In my opinion there should be more like him in the business.

[rlcline76]

Gohn,
My zoas have always enjoyed more flow and more light.

[rlcline76]

Originally Posted by emccullough1

I have the T5's 18" Nova Extreme 40w. I just put new bulbs in 2 weeks ago. My LFS said I was crazy He said that they should last 1 to 1 1/2 years. But I just wanted to know if I would see any change. I saved the old bulbs in case I lose one when I don't have any money. I cant say I see any difference yet the LFS may be right on this one. He has had the store 18 years and a 180 in his house for 20 years. He is the only LFS I trust the only people working there is him and his son. And I should add he is probably the only LFS that will try to talk you out of a purchase if he thinks your tank is not right for what you want. He told me in the beginning that it was to his advantage to have people have good luck with there salt water experience. In my opinion there should be more like him in the business.

I'm looking at the Current NOVA Extreme lighting for my 55.