RuralReef 2.1

[BlueAbyss]

It currently is sitting on the glass (well, sort of), I'm working on a fix for that... This fixture will be boxed in and hung sooner than later. I'm hoping the glass cover is okay until then... it gets warm, but not so hot that I can't keep my hand right where the MH sits for a while before it becomes too hot. If that makes any sense... but I hear ya, and that's my major concern right now.

I should note that it's not an actual MH fixture either. This fixture is made for a 300W halogen.

karazy, don't worry about the scape... when I find that piece of perfect rock, it will all work out. You'll see

[BlueAbyss]

FTS... Note the dominance of filamentous algae


Metal halide seems to make all the difference. More light is better! I can count at least 7 different kinds of algae on my rock that has kicked into high gear in the last week. I have lots of hair algae, seems to be the dominant species in my young reef. I have yet to secure a piece of live rock to finish the rockwork... the long island on the right is going to be broken into smaller chunks tonight, and I'll be making a phonecall about an 8 lb piece of live rock next week. I also have some further plans for a rock ledge attached to the middle filter intake, which should mask the intake a bit (it's right in the centre so it tends to draw the eye).

[bignose]

ghetto green! algae that is

[BlueAbyss]

I've been considering what to add to eat the algae... it has potential to be a food source! I'd rather not look at it as a problem... it could be in an established system, but we're sort of in flux here. I broke some rock up to make better use of it's pieces, siliconed a couple to the filter intake (a rock ledge of sorts, where I can put something invasive so it won't spread to all the rocks) to help mask it a bit. Looks pretty good I think, I'll let it get some growth on it before I get pics.

As far as something to eat the algae, I'm leaning towards a Rainford's or a Hector's Goby. I understand that filamentous algae makes up a portion of their diet... I've heard this about damsels and demoiselles also, but I don't want anything too aggressive in this tank.

[bignose]

I was just kidding around with the ghetto green comment. looks like most of it is macro. I found I didn't mind it as long as it wasen't GHA. I liked Halimeda in my tank because looked like a tree or bush.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

As far as something to eat the algae, I'm leaning towards a Rainford's or a Hector's Goby. I understand that filamentous algae makes up a portion of their diet... I've heard this about damsels and demoiselles also, but I don't want anything too aggressive in this tank.

I've never heard of those fish as being algae eaters, a couple snails or crabs would be better.

[BlueAbyss]

Originally Posted by bignose

I was just kidding around with the ghetto green comment. looks like most of it is macro. I found I didn't mind it as long as it wasen't GHA. I liked Halimeda in my tank because looked like a tree or bush.

Hmm, now you've got me thinking about this... maybe this long algae isn't GHA. I'll have to do some more research on the subject... I have at least 7 different kinds of growth on this rock, including coralline and some green discs that come and go pretty quickly. It does grow quickly and gets quite long... single, unbranched strands... *EDIT: as it turns out, most of it was Bryopsis which branches like a foxtail. The really long strands were actually GHA...*

When I post some new pics, you may be able to tell me if it's GHA... if so, no big deal, I've been physically removing it (but something will need to be done). I'll have something in there competing for nutrients soon enough anyhow.

Originally Posted by sphelps

I've never heard of those fish as being algae eaters, a couple snails or crabs would be better.

Aww... well, thanks for your input. Back to the drawing board on that one. I'll admit that I've read conflicting information... one website characterized these guys as sand sifters, another had them feeding on pods and filamentous algae. Still, they are nice little fish, and either way they will serve a purpose.

Anyhow, now I have a tentative stocking plan! Rather, a finalized tentative stocking plan...

2 x Pom Pom Crabs
1 x Rainford Goby
1 x Royal Gramma
A shrimp or 3 (single if Bumblebee Shrimp don't hang out together, a pair if they do... or 3 Sexy Shrimp). I may skip these.
A few Snails, haven't decided what kind yet... something that stays small, and will clean the glass (or turn the sand if the Goby isn't a sifter). I'll likely choose 2 kinds and get a pair or so of each.

Green Hair Algae (or whatever the green stuff is
Mermaid's Fan
Mermaid's Wine Glass (if I can find it)
Halimeda
Other macros that I can hopefully get from Canreef members...

Various Zoanthids, Palythoas
Micromussa
Acanthastrea
Echinophyllia
A photosynthetic gorgonian (leaning towards Pseudoterogorgia, but not sure if I have enough light)
A small derasa clam (though this tank will probably get upgraded before it's ready for a clam)

So that's where I'm at right now. I'll not be adding any more rock to this tank, unless I find the perfect piece (or some falls in my lap).

[BlueAbyss]

Acclimated and got some livestock in the tank. Hopefully not going too fast with a fish, a crab, and a Paly frag... Hopefully the poor little fish makes it... he wasn't too happy in the bag (water had cooled significantly... was sitting around 70 degrees). Paly's opened under the lights once they were in the tank (lights off wasn't for another half hour), came with a hitchhiker fanworm wrapped around one of the stalks. Emerald Crab was acclimated slower than the rest (though I did baby the fish a little more than I would normally with a 'hardy' species), and immediately started attacking algae once in the tank. So far so good... we'll see by morning what has happened.

Pics tommorrow.