Reef Tank DIY - For Dummies

[Dash]

A couple of big events in the big tank.

First, a sad farewell to my YWG and pistol shrimp, from my original four saltwater livestock. RIP Snape and Blondie, you are sorely missed and I'm so sad to lose you after all we've been through. At the end of March, I noticed Snape was acting weird. I thought he was sick but realized I hadn't seen his shrimp all day, later confirmed MIA. After losing his buddy, Snape just went slowly downhill. Abnormal behaviour, wandering aimlessly around the open sand, staying frozen in one spot for several days even after lights out, never really eating. He was removed twice for treatment (eg. weird white welts on his body, likely caused by stress?) and the last one to treat a clouded eye (Furan worked wonders). At least 3 times, I thought he was dead only to be proven wrong. Went through terrible indecision over whether to euthanize or give him a chance to rally as he had done before. Anyway, sorry for the long story. I couldn't buy another shrimp during this shutdown and I never thought or heard that a goby would exhibit this behaviour. I guess I could say he died of a broken heart (he was healthy and I think that's why it took him 6 weeks to slowly starve to death). Others might say he was just in shock over losing a bonded partner. Whatever the case, I know he kinda broke my heart a little.

First photo together Jan04/2016 after getting them from JL's Boxing Day sale. Snape hadn't turned yellow yet. Man, was I ever excited to see them together lol


I took this just a few days before he disappeared. Blondie was quite the builder, sometimes elaborate sometimes simple. Here, a piece of rubble perfectly placed in his doorway. Pefection lol. Snape went back to the burrow for a few days and then left again for good.


The second event might be of interest to anyone having similar issues. The tank went though a Vibrant treatment and I'm happy to say it worked pretty well. I noticed a small patch of bryopsis, forgot about it, and next thing you know, it had grown into a thick forest everywhere. Coral were being smothered. I followed instructions from reading a long thread on R2R, did some manual removal, and went cautiously. After 22 doses (most of them twice weekly, the whole process was about 2.5 months), it's about 99% clean. Just a few tiny wisps of algae in a couple of places. No effects to fish, coral, etc at all although I had to remove macroalgae from fuge. I didn't take photos (couldn't stand how bad the bryopsis looked lol). It was slow at first and you think it's not doing much; then one day you look at the tank and realize your rock is nice and clean. I mean - clean. Slow and steady is definitely the way to go. I might do a maintenance dosage for a bit and then stop it altogether.

[smokinreefer]

Thats too bad about the shrimp and goby. Always sucks.

But glad to hear about your good experience with Vibrant.

Keep on doing what your doing! Except maybe get that ATO up!

[crimper]

Sorry that you lost your shrimp, not a goid timing as there is nothinh on LFS because of the virus.

Goid to hear that Vibrant worked on your battle with bryopsis. It didn't work on mine a couple of years ago, however Fluconazole wiped them out.

Keep doing what works for you. Keep on reefing

[Dash]

It does take a leap of faith to try something like Vibrant & fluconazole. You’ll read so many success stories but also others who experienced coral/livestock loss. Every tank is so different. I’m very hesitant to treat the tank, preferring a more “natural” approach, and I was plenty nervous adding that first dose. But the bryopsis was so bad, I felt I had to take a chance. It does cause an imbalance in the tank. I have some cyano & a few small bits of dino for the first time, but I think I can take care of this more easily and let the tank slowly get back to a better place.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I am so sorry to hear about Snape and Blondie. I remember watching them for a long time when we came to see your tank and they were such a cool (and busy) pair!

I feel bad that you had given me medications that you may have needed for Snape.

Pictures don't do this tank justice, it is really beautiful and meticulously cared for.

[WarDog]

Sorry for your loss, and glad to hear about the Vibrant!

[Dash]

Thanks for understanding you guys - my husband/daughter try to make an effort but I know my hobby is a bit of a mystery to them lol. It was hard to lose this pair. I remember I had to peek around the door the first few weeks as they would hide if I came near. So exciting those early days when everything was a wonder.

Justin, don’t feel bad. The meds weren’t an issue. I really feel the only chance I had would have been to get Snape a new shrimp which sadly was not possible. (Not sure what the life span of this type of shrimp is.) Snape’s symptoms were all borne out of his stress, even the clouded eye (which the Furan easily took care of). He didn’t want to eat. He was young when I got him so basically he had the shrimp most of his life.
Btw how’s your puffer? Hope he’s well.

Warren, the Vibrant treatment reminded me of your tank because I was wondering if it would work on bubble algae. (Sorry to bring that up lol). I saw one big single bubble on a rock & left it there to see what would happen. Different algae disappeared but not the bubble, and finally I manually removed it.