Paddy's Ocean - 70 Gallon Mixed Reef **Phoenix Rebuild**

[paddyob]

So here is the initial rock work. I am going to change a few things as I am not completely happy. I ended up wit more rock than initially thought for the build.

Once I took it out of the other tanks I found I had trouble placing it in the manner I wanted. I really like the left side but the second mass on the right needs some arranging. There are not enough shelves for corals and the way I would like them. I am going to try make a cove of sorts to help shield my LPS.


I also found that by arranging the rocks so they are two masses eats up space quickly. I have swimming space on all sides and plan to put something like GSP on the backside to allow coral growth all around.

So anyways.... here is the recent tank shot (today). Give it some time to evolve! Let me know what you think!

[reefwars]

Very sweet looking buddy that's gonna be a nice set up indeed

haha if I squint or look at the picture quickly it knda looks like two palm trees where the seam hits the powerheads lol

[paddyob]

Fish:
Ocellaris Pair
Tail Spot Blenny
Rainford's Goby
Six Line Wrasse


Coral:
Rose Bubbletip Anemone
Acan Lord
Green Bubble Coral
Red Frogspawn
Red Chalice
Red Favia
Red Monti Cap
Green Monti Cap
Green Sinularia
Pipe Organ
Several Zoan and Paly colonies

CUC:
Margarita Snails (worst snails ever - no wonder they were only .99 cents)
Mexican Turbo ( my favorite - need more )
Blue Leg hermits


More to come!!!

[jphong]

Sweet looking tank! The scape makes it look so big

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by jphong

Sweet looking tank! The scape makes it look so big

Thanks!

[paddyob]

Tests are still good.... KH is low but I have not dosed anything at all since set up September long weekend.


SG - 1.028 ( new salt mixed lower to 1.021 to help drop down. I like 1.024)
Temp - 78F

NH3 - 0
NO3 - 0
NO2 - 0
Ca - 540
Kh - 90

I did a 10% water change and will retest kh and then begin to dose with Seachem Reef Builder.


All said and done.... LOOKS GREAT!!!!

I have been adding corals and hope to get the time soon to add some more pics.

[paddyob]

Today I added a new wrasse to my system.

A Fairy Wrasse.... a Whipfin Fairy Wrasse based on my research.

So far my six-line likes to exert its dominance by swimming circles around it but so far not actual attacks.

Hopefully they get along. Size is comparable but colour is not even close. It is bright red with yellow fins. Very attractive fish and I hope it does well.

So far... after the acclimation... it has been swimming around a small area of the tank. No hiding or huddling in the corners. This appears to be a good sign as it was exhibiting the same behaviour in the store.

I will try get some nice pics up this weekend.

[paddyob]

Ugh.

So I ripped apart my tank to remove either the six line or the fairy wrasse.

I ended up catching the six line so he found a new place in my sump refugium for now. Well fuge in training.... no lights yet.... just some rock. I am pretty sure he will be fine.

NOW the question is.... do I try trade him for a small six line (as I love him) or say good bye to him forever as I cannot put him back in with the fairy wrasse.

I also am stressed out that I cannot find two of my fish since rearranging the rocks....one being the f***in Fairy wrasse I worked to protect or my tailspot blenny. I am really hoping they are hiding and not crushed under rocks.

Man what a shitty day in the reef.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by paddyob

NOW the question is.... do I try trade him for a small six line (as I love him) or say good bye to him forever as I cannot put him back in with the fairy wrasse.

thats gonna be a judgment call on your part......you could try adding the sixline you have in the sump, back after a month or so, to let the fairy settle in...or if your sixline is one of those "bugger" sixlines then a time out in the sump wont likely help......a new sixline that is obviously smaller than the fairy might work out....but like I said, sometimes sixlines can be little buggers

[paddyob]

Well after a few painstaking hours yesterday I managed to "get the tank back together".

Does it look the same? NEVER! Does it look similar to my last aquascape? Yes. I am happy how it looks? I am not sure. Am I ****ed at my six line? HELL YES! HE has been banished to the sump with about 2 pounds of live rock.

He was the one I caught so he was the one to go. I am torn because he has benefits to being in my tank.... control of flat worms (if you get them) and control of pyramid snails (which I do have).

I am on the fence about adding a smaller one because of these reasons.

Can anyone tell me if there are any other options to rid your tank of pyramid snails as I plan to add a clam and know this can be an issue with these littls snails.