Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank - Page 40

sam.basye · 09/20/2015, 10:47 PM

I think it looks great!
The only thing better would be a close up of one of the barnacle blennies face. Just the eyes and lips in the little circle. Lol

Michael Hoaster · 09/20/2015, 10:51 PM

Thanks, Sam! I'm pretty happy with it, until I take a better one. A blenny closeup would be awesome. Let me take a look at that…

Michael Hoaster · 09/20/2015, 11:08 PM

Not bad, but not quite there…

Michael Hoaster · 09/20/2015, 11:24 PM

karimwassef · 09/20/2015, 11:30 PM

Is that really a closeup? Man! Funky faces.

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2015, 09:01 AM

Yep, that's what they look like. Aren't they hilarious?

Look what I found this morning! Better pics to follow.

karimwassef · 09/21/2015, 09:10 AM

Woot!

They look like a caricature or cartoon fish... Wild!

sam.basye · 09/21/2015, 09:28 AM

Lol, looks like Angelina Jolie.. Haha Get out your wife's camera and take one.

Congrats on the shrimp! I remember the first time I saw one at the lfs I thought it was a molt sitting on a maxi mini. Crazy how clear/translucent they are.

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2015, 10:15 AM

Angelina Jolie…that's some imagination you've got there, Sam!

Since the silicate dosing, I've noticed most of the little traces of cyanobacteria have gone. Though I did find a new spot, up on the fake root. Weird. I decided to remove the bio pellets (bacteria factory) from the canister filter, and replace them with bio balls (nitrate factory).

I dosed potassium nitrate today, no iron. I want to see if this alone takes care of the leaf yellowing. If not, I'll try magnesium.

Got a few more pics of Spot. I will give the wife's camera another try, but for now these are the best I got with the iPhone 6+.

sam.basye · 09/21/2015, 10:31 AM

Lol, it's those lips! I recently watched a movie with her in it and the connection was made when you posted that close up.

The iPhone pics look great! Way better than the previous phone.
I meant the wife's camera for the blenny pics. Might get better close up clarity with it that you iPhone can't capture.

Are you able to sex the blennies? Not sure if there's a difference. But it would be interesting to see who is more dominant and the gender personalities.

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2015, 10:50 AM

Oh yeah, it's the lips. I see the resemblance now. Maybe I should change the name to Angelina! Junior has moved a little further away from the anemone. I'll try the food-lure thing again.

As far as I know these blennies are not sexable. Given their encounter yesterday, I'd bet those two are males. I had hoped they'd all live in the barnacle shells together, but I guess they need more space. Since the other one came over and challenged him there, I suspect this is the prime spot, where only one alpha male can reside. Funny, having nano tank-like scenarios in my 180!

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2015, 12:41 PM

Took a few pics with my wife's Nikon D90. Tried two different lenses. No better than my iPhone pics. I'll try again. I think I could get better pics with it, if I do some studying. I think I need to turn off all auto features and manually adjust everything. I'd love to get some really pro-like pics! It doesn't help that the anemone is moving in the current and the shrimp is in constant motion as well. It's like trying to get a good shot of a flower on a windy day. I'll try turning off the pumps next time…

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2015, 01:23 PM

OK, now we're getting there…

sam.basye · 09/21/2015, 03:31 PM

Everyone wants their own turf.

Those are some good pics! Glad to see you figured it out. Lol

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2015, 03:37 PM

Thanks Sam. I'm getting there. Those last ones have weird color, from the flash I think. I took some more without flash and got more natural color, but I didn't get a really tight focus. I did get a good blenny close up. Here it is:

I don't know if he's avatar material, but it's pretty good.

karimwassef · 09/21/2015, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

OK, now we're getting there…

Need a video now. Are the light and dark areas on the tentacles shadows from surface ripples or actual coloration?

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2015, 03:56 PM

Yes a video would be cool. I'll look into it. I shot some video of the blenny encounter. The shrimp is constantly moving around the anemone, like he's still getting acclimated to it. Those light and dark areas are the coloration, however the flash kind of took it overboard. It's much more subtle than that. I took some more without flash and it's much better. Still working towards that money shot, with accurate coloring and really tight focus.

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2015, 07:27 PM

karimwassef · 09/21/2015, 11:43 PM

nice...

Michael Hoaster · 09/22/2015, 08:21 AM

I'm getting there. Out of 58 pics, those two were the best, and they still could be better focused. I pulled out D90 user manual this morning. Stay tuned…

Michael Hoaster · 09/22/2015, 08:41 AM

Here's another from the batch of 58:

These little guys really do typify the expression "living jewel". It would be nice to get Junior
on the anemone as well. On the sand bed he's all but invisible. It takes a while to find him,
even with a magnifying glass. I tried to lure him over yesterday, with a piece of shrimp I
was feeding the anemone. No luck-he was spooked and moved away. I'll try scallop next time…

ReefWreak · 09/22/2015, 12:14 PM

I haven't posted yet in your thread, but I've been lurking, and just had to chime in to say that I love your setup. I grew up in FL swimming in seagrass beds and mangrove forests around Miami and the keys, and your tank is the closest thing I've seen yet to my memories.

I've always dreamed of doing something like this but haven't had the time, resources, or space to ever do it, but I'm glad to see that someone has done it and has such a beautiful example of it.

I like the ideas of the dwarf angel harem (I love paired/grouped fishes), and I wouldn't expect you to see them make much of a dent in the macro algaes. Since you have the DSB you could always look into pearly headed jawfishes as well, a fun Caribbean species.

Such a nice setup for something totally different than most people are going for. Thanks for sharing!

Michael Hoaster · 09/22/2015, 12:38 PM

Thank you, ReefWreak, for posting. I really appreciate your comments! Coming from someone who's actually swam in the areas I'm modeling with this tank, is a huge compliment!

I agree, the cherub angels probably won't help much cropping the macros. After removing so much caulerpa last weekend, I'm again leaning towards getting an atlantic blue tang for that. I'd love to keep jawfish, but I think they're just a little too timid and shy to keep up with the other fish I have planned, at feeding time.

It's nice to be reminded that I am doing something totally different. I forget sometimes!

Please stop by again. I'd love to hear more suggestions of caribbean species. Any great memories/ideas from your swims?

karimwassef · 09/22/2015, 09:18 PM

Jawfish are not timid once established. I've got a dusky and he has the biggest mouth in the tank! When it's feeding time, he'll accelerate from his hole to the top of the tank in one second, eat as much as he can and bolt right back!

After a few more, his belly is literally distended. Makes me wonder how he fits back in his hole.

Michael Hoaster · 09/22/2015, 10:33 PM

I've not kept the dusky. They seem to be the tough guys of the lot. I'm glad to hear yours is doing so well. I have kept the yellow head and the blue spotted jawfish. Both great fish and I enjoyed them a lot, but they eventually starved, due to shyness at feeding time. I imagine if I introduced them first, they might survive, but having kept them once, I'm ready to move on. In my opinion, they're best chance of survival is in a species tank, though it sounds like the dusky is the exception.

09/20/2015, 10:47 PM	#976
sam.basye Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 1,227	I think it looks great! The only thing better would be a close up of one of the barnacle blennies face. Just the eyes and lips in the little circle. Lol __________________ }<`SAM`;{°< Current Tank: 30 Cube build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661418 26g Foam Rockwall build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2457621 Foam Wall

09/20/2015, 10:51 PM	#977
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Thanks, Sam! I'm pretty happy with it, until I take a better one. A blenny closeup would be awesome. Let me take a look at that… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/20/2015, 11:08 PM	#978
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Not bad, but not quite there… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/20/2015, 11:24 PM	#979
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	__________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/20/2015, 11:30 PM	#980
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	Is that really a closeup? Man! Funky faces. __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

09/21/2015, 09:01 AM	#981
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Yep, that's what they look like. Aren't they hilarious? Look what I found this morning! Better pics to follow. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/21/2015, 09:10 AM	#982
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	Woot! They look like a caricature or cartoon fish... Wild! __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

09/21/2015, 09:28 AM	#983
sam.basye Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 1,227	Lol, looks like Angelina Jolie.. Haha Get out your wife's camera and take one. Congrats on the shrimp! I remember the first time I saw one at the lfs I thought it was a molt sitting on a maxi mini. Crazy how clear/translucent they are. __________________ }<`SAM`;{°< Current Tank: 30 Cube build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661418 26g Foam Rockwall build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2457621 Foam Wall

09/21/2015, 10:15 AM	#984
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Angelina Jolie…that's some imagination you've got there, Sam! Since the silicate dosing, I've noticed most of the little traces of cyanobacteria have gone. Though I did find a new spot, up on the fake root. Weird. I decided to remove the bio pellets (bacteria factory) from the canister filter, and replace them with bio balls (nitrate factory). I dosed potassium nitrate today, no iron. I want to see if this alone takes care of the leaf yellowing. If not, I'll try magnesium. Got a few more pics of Spot. I will give the wife's camera another try, but for now these are the best I got with the iPhone 6+. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/21/2015, 10:31 AM	#985
sam.basye Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 1,227	Lol, it's those lips! I recently watched a movie with her in it and the connection was made when you posted that close up. The iPhone pics look great! Way better than the previous phone. I meant the wife's camera for the blenny pics. Might get better close up clarity with it that you iPhone can't capture. Are you able to sex the blennies? Not sure if there's a difference. But it would be interesting to see who is more dominant and the gender personalities. __________________ }<`SAM`;{°< Current Tank: 30 Cube build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661418 26g Foam Rockwall build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2457621 Foam Wall

09/21/2015, 10:50 AM	#986
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Oh yeah, it's the lips. I see the resemblance now. Maybe I should change the name to Angelina! Junior has moved a little further away from the anemone. I'll try the food-lure thing again. As far as I know these blennies are not sexable. Given their encounter yesterday, I'd bet those two are males. I had hoped they'd all live in the barnacle shells together, but I guess they need more space. Since the other one came over and challenged him there, I suspect this is the prime spot, where only one alpha male can reside. Funny, having nano tank-like scenarios in my 180! __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/21/2015, 12:41 PM	#987
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Took a few pics with my wife's Nikon D90. Tried two different lenses. No better than my iPhone pics. I'll try again. I think I could get better pics with it, if I do some studying. I think I need to turn off all auto features and manually adjust everything. I'd love to get some really pro-like pics! It doesn't help that the anemone is moving in the current and the shrimp is in constant motion as well. It's like trying to get a good shot of a flower on a windy day. I'll try turning off the pumps next time… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/21/2015, 01:23 PM	#988
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	OK, now we're getting there… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/21/2015, 03:31 PM	#989
sam.basye Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 1,227	Everyone wants their own turf. Those are some good pics! Glad to see you figured it out. Lol __________________ }<`SAM`;{°< Current Tank: 30 Cube build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661418 26g Foam Rockwall build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2457621 Foam Wall

09/21/2015, 03:37 PM	#990
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Thanks Sam. I'm getting there. Those last ones have weird color, from the flash I think. I took some more without flash and got more natural color, but I didn't get a really tight focus. I did get a good blenny close up. Here it is: I don't know if he's avatar material, but it's pretty good. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/21/2015, 03:56 PM	#992
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Yes a video would be cool. I'll look into it. I shot some video of the blenny encounter. The shrimp is constantly moving around the anemone, like he's still getting acclimated to it. Those light and dark areas are the coloration, however the flash kind of took it overboard. It's much more subtle than that. I took some more without flash and it's much better. Still working towards that money shot, with accurate coloring and really tight focus. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/21/2015, 07:27 PM	#993
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	__________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/21/2015, 11:43 PM	#994
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	nice... __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

09/22/2015, 08:21 AM	#995
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I'm getting there. Out of 58 pics, those two were the best, and they still could be better focused. I pulled out D90 user manual this morning. Stay tuned… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/22/2015, 08:41 AM	#996
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Here's another from the batch of 58: These little guys really do typify the expression "living jewel". It would be nice to get Junior on the anemone as well. On the sand bed he's all but invisible. It takes a while to find him, even with a magnifying glass. I tried to lure him over yesterday, with a piece of shrimp I was feeding the anemone. No luck-he was spooked and moved away. I'll try scallop next time… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/22/2015, 12:14 PM	#997
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	I haven't posted yet in your thread, but I've been lurking, and just had to chime in to say that I love your setup. I grew up in FL swimming in seagrass beds and mangrove forests around Miami and the keys, and your tank is the closest thing I've seen yet to my memories. I've always dreamed of doing something like this but haven't had the time, resources, or space to ever do it, but I'm glad to see that someone has done it and has such a beautiful example of it. I like the ideas of the dwarf angel harem (I love paired/grouped fishes), and I wouldn't expect you to see them make much of a dent in the macro algaes. Since you have the DSB you could always look into pearly headed jawfishes as well, a fun Caribbean species. Such a nice setup for something totally different than most people are going for. Thanks for sharing!

09/22/2015, 12:38 PM	#998
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Thank you, ReefWreak, for posting. I really appreciate your comments! Coming from someone who's actually swam in the areas I'm modeling with this tank, is a huge compliment! I agree, the cherub angels probably won't help much cropping the macros. After removing so much caulerpa last weekend, I'm again leaning towards getting an atlantic blue tang for that. I'd love to keep jawfish, but I think they're just a little too timid and shy to keep up with the other fish I have planned, at feeding time. It's nice to be reminded that I am doing something totally different. I forget sometimes! Please stop by again. I'd love to hear more suggestions of caribbean species. Any great memories/ideas from your swims? __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/22/2015, 09:18 PM	#999
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	Jawfish are not timid once established. I've got a dusky and he has the biggest mouth in the tank! When it's feeding time, he'll accelerate from his hole to the top of the tank in one second, eat as much as he can and bolt right back! After a few more, his belly is literally distended. Makes me wonder how he fits back in his hole. __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

09/22/2015, 10:33 PM	#1000
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I've not kept the dusky. They seem to be the tough guys of the lot. I'm glad to hear yours is doing so well. I have kept the yellow head and the blue spotted jawfish. Both great fish and I enjoyed them a lot, but they eventually starved, due to shyness at feeding time. I imagine if I introduced them first, they might survive, but having kept them once, I'm ready to move on. In my opinion, they're best chance of survival is in a species tank, though it sounds like the dusky is the exception. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018