Weeds - Page 60

vlangel · 08/27/2020, 11:45 AM

I am sorry Michael for being MIA. We went on a little vacation and then life claimed my attention when I got home. Then I dropped my phone on its face and cracked the screen so yeah...

Anyway in answer to your question , my dragon's breath thrived in a tank that no doubt had high light and moderately high nutrients, ( I am guessing). I never checked parameters in that tank but I fed well but also did monthly 25% water changes. That tank had 3 VHO bulbs and the dragon's breath was pretty high in the tank. That tank had fairly low flow. I hope yours establishes and I wish you good luck.

Michael Hoaster · 08/27/2020, 12:22 PM

No worries Dawn, I hope you had a nice vacation. Thanks for your reply. There's almost nothing left of my Halimeda floresia, but you never know. As I said before, this plant is kind of a long shot for me. I've tried it before without success. But it's only available once or twice a year, so I gave it another try.

Maybe the solution would be to set up a grow out tank. If I could give it ideal conditions with no predation (snails), that might give me better chances. Maybe next year!

vlangel · 08/27/2020, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

No worries Dawn, I hope you had a nice vacation. Thanks for your reply. There's almost nothing left of my Halimeda floresia, but you never know. As I said before, this plant is kind of a long shot for me. I've tried it before without success. But it's only available once or twice a year, so I gave it another try.

Maybe the solution would be to set up a grow out tank. If I could give it ideal conditions with no predation (snails), that might give me better chances. Maybe next year!

My tanks never have many snails except nassarius and they eat the excess mysis and leave the plants alone. So that may be what is going on.

Michael Hoaster · 09/17/2020, 10:22 AM

Ok, it's been awhile since I've posted an update. With fall colors hitting the mountains, I've been camping the last two weekends. That, along with very little attention to the tank has led to a bit of overgrowth. I've even got coralline algae on the viewing panels. With no plans to camp this weekend, I hope to get in there and tidy up my underwater garden. If I can get things under control (ha!), I'll try to get some pics.

Vinny Kreyling · 09/17/2020, 10:32 AM

CONTROL!!!
You must know by now we only tend to things, Mother Nature has control.
It does look nice though.

Michael Hoaster · 09/17/2020, 04:12 PM

True that Vinny! Control is a relative term. Mother Nature IS in control. I just try to work with her. I should post a 'before' pic to show just how wild things have gotten!

ThePurple12 · 09/17/2020, 05:58 PM

Do it!

Michael Hoaster · 09/17/2020, 10:37 PM

By popular demand, I give you BEFORE.

The grasses and macros are flourishing. They just need a little sprucing up. I've got a glass scraping workout ahead of me as well.

Next up, AFTER.

ThePurple12 · 09/18/2020, 10:35 AM

This is gonna be good

Michael Hoaster · 09/19/2020, 11:08 PM

Well, I made a dent in it today. I got the glass scraped. I pulled out algae by the handful. It was a big disturbance to the tank, and I've got more to do tomorrow. So far it looks pretty good. I look forward to finishing tomorrow. And posting pics!

Michael Hoaster · 09/20/2020, 10:04 PM

AFTER:

The tank cleaned up pretty well. I pulled a lot of seagrass blades that were covered in epiphytes and calcium, so they're not quite as thick as they were. Some blades are getting long - like 3-4 feet long. The splash of red area got a big haircut. I removed 3-4 large Grasilaria plants that were getting too big and shading everything else. I also clipped all the red grapes plants. They'd gotten leggy and covered in some ugly algae. Hopefully, some will grow back. The rocks got shuffled a little as well.

Papillon posing for me.

Looks a bit scalped now, but it'll grow back.

Pretty good focus on one of the Allen's damsels. Thin shoal grass at center, thicker manatee grass to the left.

From the end.

The grasses look great. I managed to rip out some of the caulerpa on the sand bed.

It was a fair amount of work but I'm glad I tidied up.

McPuff · 09/21/2020, 07:03 AM

Wow, it's really amazing how far this has progressed! Looks like a mature system!

ThePurple12 · 09/21/2020, 07:50 AM

It looks great, the damsels really take it up a notch.

ThePurple12 · 09/21/2020, 07:50 AM

Have the damsels been spawning?

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2020, 07:55 AM

Hey, thanks McPuff! Nice to hear from you again.

Looking at my start date, I'm getting close to two years, so it is pretty getting mature.

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2020, 08:16 AM

Thanks The Purple12! I appreciate your encouragement for the big cleanup!

I'm a big fan of the Allen's damsels. They're gorgeous, without the blue devilishness. It's tough to capture their color because they're skittish. As for spawning, I've seen a lot of spawning behaviors, but it's tough to say if they've spawned for sure. My guess is yes they have, but I couldn't pinpoint a moment that it's happened.

That's the main reason I like to have multiples of fish. It brings out their natural social behaviors. They're getting pretty big. Some are in the four inch range.

Vinny Kreyling · 09/21/2020, 12:03 PM

Lookin Good Boss!

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2020, 12:17 PM

Woohoo! Thanks Vinny!

I really appreciate hearing from a reefer like yourself. Especially since this tank is so different from reefs. Out of curiosity, what interests you about my tank?

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2020, 12:23 PM

Any lurkers about? I'd love to hear from you!

Vinny Kreyling · 09/21/2020, 12:39 PM

I like the way it looks Michael, very natural with the grasses. I was always told "There is more than 1 way to skin a cat". I can appreciate a different approach.

Michael Hoaster · 09/21/2020, 01:13 PM

Thanks Vinny. Good to know. I appreciate your open-mindedness!

McPuff · 09/22/2020, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Any lurkers about? I'd love to hear from you!

I have been lurking... just awaiting the proper time for the ambush. Shoot! I just gave it away. :0)

Michael Hoaster · 09/22/2020, 08:01 AM

Whatcha been up to McPuff? Corona funk? I have found it very difficult to motivate myself to do much with my tank. Last I heard, you were getting your stand/cabinet moving in the right direction.

McPuff · 09/23/2020, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Whatcha been up to McPuff? Corona funk? I have found it very difficult to motivate myself to do much with my tank. Last I heard, you were getting your stand/cabinet moving in the right direction.

Oh man, we've been doing all sorts of projects in and outside of the house. I had finished the stand and canopy back in the early spring (it only took me a year!). I'm really happy with the way it turned out but it's not perfect by any means. I worked with what I was given and made the best of it. Another change was upgrading my lights to Orphek Atlantiks which has been pretty awesome too. So much cleaner, only 3 fixtures (vs 9) and the coverage, intensity, and spectrum are much nicer. Finally... I built a plywood sump which is going to FINALLY be installed in the next few days. There is limited space for a sump so I made the decision to make the sump and maximize the space and get exactly what I wanted. I'll have to post some pics in my thread! But you are right, motivation to work on the reef has been tough as the weather has been so great. I'm outside whenever I can be outside!! And i know you are too!

Michael Hoaster · 09/23/2020, 07:41 AM

That sounds awesome. Can't wait to see pics!

08/27/2020, 11:45 AM	#1476
vlangel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,409	I am sorry Michael for being MIA. We went on a little vacation and then life claimed my attention when I got home. Then I dropped my phone on its face and cracked the screen so yeah... Anyway in answer to your question , my dragon's breath thrived in a tank that no doubt had high light and moderately high nutrients, ( I am guessing). I never checked parameters in that tank but I fed well but also did monthly 25% water changes. That tank had 3 VHO bulbs and the dragon's breath was pretty high in the tank. That tank had fairly low flow. I hope yours establishes and I wish you good luck. __________________ Genesis 1:20 - Current Tank Info: A 56 gallon naural nutrient macro reef that flows into a 30 gallon fuge with macros/seagrass that flows into a 20 gallon sump.

08/27/2020, 12:22 PM	#1477
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	No worries Dawn, I hope you had a nice vacation. Thanks for your reply. There's almost nothing left of my Halimeda floresia, but you never know. As I said before, this plant is kind of a long shot for me. I've tried it before without success. But it's only available once or twice a year, so I gave it another try. Maybe the solution would be to set up a grow out tank. If I could give it ideal conditions with no predation (snails), that might give me better chances. Maybe next year! __________________ 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

09/17/2020, 10:22 AM	#1479
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Ok, it's been awhile since I've posted an update. With fall colors hitting the mountains, I've been camping the last two weekends. That, along with very little attention to the tank has led to a bit of overgrowth. I've even got coralline algae on the viewing panels. With no plans to camp this weekend, I hope to get in there and tidy up my underwater garden. If I can get things under control (ha!), I'll try to get some pics. __________________ 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

09/17/2020, 10:32 AM	#1480
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	CONTROL!!! You must know by now we only tend to things, Mother Nature has control. It does look nice though. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

09/17/2020, 04:12 PM	#1481
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	True that Vinny! Control is a relative term. Mother Nature IS in control. I just try to work with her. I should post a 'before' pic to show just how wild things have gotten! __________________ 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

09/17/2020, 05:58 PM	#1482
ThePurple12 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia Posts: 506	Do it!

09/17/2020, 10:37 PM	#1483
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	By popular demand, I give you BEFORE. The grasses and macros are flourishing. They just need a little sprucing up. I've got a glass scraping workout ahead of me as well. Next up, AFTER. __________________ 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

09/18/2020, 10:35 AM	#1484
ThePurple12 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia Posts: 506	This is gonna be good

09/19/2020, 11:08 PM	#1485
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Well, I made a dent in it today. I got the glass scraped. I pulled out algae by the handful. It was a big disturbance to the tank, and I've got more to do tomorrow. So far it looks pretty good. I look forward to finishing tomorrow. And posting pics! __________________ 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

09/20/2020, 10:04 PM	#1486
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	AFTER: The tank cleaned up pretty well. I pulled a lot of seagrass blades that were covered in epiphytes and calcium, so they're not quite as thick as they were. Some blades are getting long - like 3-4 feet long. The splash of red area got a big haircut. I removed 3-4 large Grasilaria plants that were getting too big and shading everything else. I also clipped all the red grapes plants. They'd gotten leggy and covered in some ugly algae. Hopefully, some will grow back. The rocks got shuffled a little as well. Papillon posing for me. Looks a bit scalped now, but it'll grow back. Pretty good focus on one of the Allen's damsels. Thin shoal grass at center, thicker manatee grass to the left. From the end. The grasses look great. I managed to rip out some of the caulerpa on the sand bed. It was a fair amount of work but I'm glad I tidied up. __________________ 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

09/21/2020, 07:03 AM	#1487
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	Wow, it's really amazing how far this has progressed! Looks like a mature system!

09/21/2020, 07:50 AM	#1488
ThePurple12 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia Posts: 506	It looks great, the damsels really take it up a notch.

09/21/2020, 07:50 AM	#1489
ThePurple12 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia Posts: 506	Have the damsels been spawning?

09/21/2020, 07:55 AM	#1490
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Hey, thanks McPuff! Nice to hear from you again. Looking at my start date, I'm getting close to two years, so it is pretty getting mature. __________________ 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

09/21/2020, 08:16 AM	#1491
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Thanks The Purple12! I appreciate your encouragement for the big cleanup! I'm a big fan of the Allen's damsels. They're gorgeous, without the blue devilishness. It's tough to capture their color because they're skittish. As for spawning, I've seen a lot of spawning behaviors, but it's tough to say if they've spawned for sure. My guess is yes they have, but I couldn't pinpoint a moment that it's happened. That's the main reason I like to have multiples of fish. It brings out their natural social behaviors. They're getting pretty big. Some are in the four inch range. __________________ 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

09/21/2020, 12:03 PM	#1492
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Lookin Good Boss! __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

09/21/2020, 12:17 PM	#1493
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Woohoo! Thanks Vinny! I really appreciate hearing from a reefer like yourself. Especially since this tank is so different from reefs. Out of curiosity, what interests you about my tank? __________________ 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

09/21/2020, 12:23 PM	#1494
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Any lurkers about? I'd love to hear from you! __________________ 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

09/21/2020, 12:39 PM	#1495
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I like the way it looks Michael, very natural with the grasses. I was always told "There is more than 1 way to skin a cat". I can appreciate a different approach. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

09/21/2020, 01:13 PM	#1496
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Thanks Vinny. Good to know. I appreciate your open-mindedness! __________________ 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

09/22/2020, 08:01 AM	#1498
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Whatcha been up to McPuff? Corona funk? I have found it very difficult to motivate myself to do much with my tank. Last I heard, you were getting your stand/cabinet moving in the right direction. __________________ 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

09/23/2020, 07:41 AM	#1500
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	That sounds awesome. Can't wait to see pics! __________________ 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