I added two newcomers to the tank yesterday, a colony that looks to be a tri-colour, and an unknown tang, who I think is Acanthurus sp.
New colony
The tang is really unique, which is why I couldn't pass it up. However This poor tang is getting the beats big time. I've employed the mirror trick, which is working, although, I'm unsure if this new tang should stay long term. It worse comes to worse, I do have somewhere he can go short term, but of course I hope it doesn't come to that.
We are however back to the PVC stick feeding
Kevin is leaving today for at least a month long work term out of town. It was quite unexpected, as in we found out the details on Thursday. This means all the tank maintenance falls to me. I'm okay with all the basics, skimmer cleaning, top-off, WCs, etc. However its things like the Ca. Reactor that worry me. I know how they work etc. but since I never really do hands on stuff with the reactor, I'm feeling uncomfortable about it.
I do know though that I miss my kalk. reactor like crazy. Ca this morning was a pathetic 300ppm. Everything else was more of less in line. PO3 is 0.3, and Nitrates are less then 5ppm. So I know what I'll be doing all this week, bumping my calcium levels!
The tank needs more clean up crew members, and in the least, a pair of shrimp, I'm thinking fire shrimp over the traditional cleaners. When I see them next I'll pick some up. I did however yesterday see a harem of 7 Tuka anthias, and resisted the urge. Even though I know they aren't right for my system, I can't help but be tempted every time.
One of my three clams that were huddled really close together on a single rock jumped ship. I think from now on I'll just place my clams on the substrate. I really hate trying to re-arrange rocks with clams on them, and its frustrating to try and predict how big a clam will grow and if the rock I want it on is right, etc.
I think while Kevin is gone I'm going to start deconstructing the basement. The first step is the walls and ceiling have to come down. In the very least I can pry off all the moulding, and remove all the plug covers. It depends though on what Kevin leaves here for tools.
Updated shot from last week's addition. It fell, and experienced some die off before it got noticed and picked up.
