Tank Progression: 60 gallon

[*GSP*Fan*]

I tested the water from the rock thats curing, it has been in the bucket since January 10th.

Ammonia- 4
Nitrite- 5
Nitrate- 40

Seems I've still got a while. Should I bother with a water change or just leave it?

Leathers grow quite large & make for a great centerpiece coral. Rics/shrooms don't need a ton of light, so you can place them lower. Don't put your LPS in direct flow--they don't like that.

What about lighting flow for leathers? I've done some searching but keep coming up with conflicting advice.

I knew rics/shrooms don't need much light. In terms of their placement, could I place them on the rock vertically in a sense and they receive enough light that way?

I'll remember that about the LPS. I don't have any LPS and haven't ordered any yet.

I actually have some zoas, sun coral, and more ricordias coming.

I had some extra money and found a good deal on all, at least what I believe is a good deal compared to prices I have been seeing and catching them on sale. The zoas are labeled at candy apple and were only $10 for 5 polyps, I really liked the look of these and from what I've read they are easy to care for as well. The sun coral was on sale for $10,from $25 (seems to be the average price, $30 or so, and labeled as having 5-8 heads. It does seem that more heads/polyps are usually sent. I know this coral needs to be fed, I've have done research here once I first stumbled upon this coral and it caught my interest. After seeing the first ricordia in person I really like the look of them and figured I would want to get more. I hadn't planned to just yet but came across a pretty good deal yesterday while browsing. I got 5 polyps for $50 and free shipping on the order for getting this package, so I could order whatever else with no shipping charge. Which knocks off about $35.

The weather is quite nasty here today so I haven't made it out to the store yet to get the glue. If it doesn't get too bad I plan to head out later once my boyfriend gets off work so I don't have to take my daughter out in this mess.

Could you mount them on smaller pieces of rock so you could move them until you are happy and/or they are happy?

All of the corals I have at the moment, except the leather, are mounted on a small rock or similar already. It should make it easier when it comes to placing them. I also have quite a few pieces of rock rubble I've held onto to use for mounting corals at some point.

Corals are pretty easy to move off rock, until they start encrusting on the rock.

Thats good to know. I expected it to be more difficult. I'm afraid of doing too much moving/handling and disturb/harm the corals in any way. Though I'm sure it'll take a couple tries to get them in the right place.

[Pufferpunk]

I use the old water from my established tank, to do WC on curing rock.

Leathers aren't particular about light. They do need a decent amount of flow, because they shed their skin as they grow & the flow will blow it off, keeping it "fresh".

Don't be fooled by "named" corals Candy Apple Reds are quite $$$ & usually come with a lineage:http://www.chicagoreefs.com/forums/show ... andy+apple

I'll remember that about the LPS. I don't have any LPS and haven't ordered any yet.

I thought you had a 3 head frag of torch coral?

[*GSP*Fan*]

I use the old water from my established tank, to do WC on curing rock.

Leathers aren't particular about light. They do need a decent amount of flow, because they shed their skin as they grow & the flow will blow it off, keeping it "fresh".

Don't be fooled by "named" corals Candy Apple Reds are quite $$$ & usually come with a lineage:http://www.chicagoreefs.com/forums/show ... andy+apple

I'll remember that about the LPS. I don't have any LPS and haven't ordered any yet.

I thought you had a 3 head frag of torch coral?

I don't know why I didn't think about that, and here I just did a waterchange on my tank tonight.

I did read about skin shedding so knew flow was pretty important I just wasn't sure about the lighting.

I've moved all of the corals up onto rock, them being in the sand was kind of worrying me. Both because of light and flow but also sand occasionally being kicked up. They're not in a permanent location yet as I'm still unsure. I also wasn't able to go out and get any glue today. We got at least 8 inches of snow, if not more, so I decided to stay in.

Skimming through that thread it seems like they can be quite pricy but there wasn't a color labeled to these. Just candy apple. I chose them because of their coloring and price. I really want some pink zoas but haven't found any I like yet that have been in stock so I'll be waiting.

The zoas I purchased, and will be here tomorrow, are colored (starting from outer-->inner, was green,red, then blue I believe). They looked really nice in the picture and most that reviewed their purchase stated they received more than the 5 advertised polyps.


No, I don't have any LPS yet. I do want a few pieces of LPS. Something like a torch or similar is top on my list. I just haven't seen torch/hammer/frogspawn in stock with what I want each time I've ordered yet. I may try and check with my LFS tomorrow and see what they can get me.

[Pufferpunk]

Do your CAs look like those in that thread?

I sell/ship corals. Lots of different zoas here.

[*GSP*Fan*]

Well both of my orders have been delayed but are in my immediate area. It would seem that because of the snow last night they aren't attempting delivery in my area. Which I'm not quite sure why as I went out briefly earlier this morning without any issues, roads were pretty clear. So I've been contacting both UPS and Fedex regarding the delay and trying to arrange to have the package picked up myself since it is live. UPS has contacted me back stating I can pick that package up later tonight but I have not heard from Fedex yet. So I'm a little anxious/frustrated to say the least.

On the bright side, I got my skimmer back up and running last night and no leaks! I was worried since I assembled it this time around

Setup.


Running.

Do your CAs look like those in that thread?

I sell/ship corals. Lots of different zoas here.

No I don't believe they are quite the same.

This is picture from my order...can't take any in person yet.

[Pufferpunk]

That's called, Whammin Watermelon.

www.zoaid.com

[*GSP*Fan*]

I've picked up one of my packages so far the one with the ricordias. The other I should be picking up soon, with the sun coral and zoas.

I went to my LFS today to pick up some snails, see what they had in terms of frozen food, and browse around a bit. I wish they carried more in terms of coral. They only get a few pieces in at a time and only had zoas and trumpet corals there today. I did however, pick up a fish. I had mentioned before about trying a wrasse of sorts. Just to have more of a variation and I wanted another fish (other than the future puffer) that will stay out swimming, since the clowns stick to one area and the blenny sticks to the rockwork. I also thought it would be beneficial if I would have a wrasse that would eat/pick up after the puffer in a sense. I had looked at the sixline but I read about a lot of people having problems with them out of aggression so I was still deciding. Anyway, the wrasse I picked up is a Melanurus ((Halichoeres melanurus). I did not know much of anything about this specific fish until I started researching while I was in the LFS. I wanted to check its size, temperment towards fish/corals, diet, etc. before I just picked him up. Seems he may eat some inverts but that is not concerning as the puffer will as well. I drip acclimated him and he's been in the tank for a while now with no issues. He's not the least bit shy, I read a bit about them hiding in the sand right off the bat for a day or so, but he's out swimming around investigating everything. He's a
beautiful fish. I'm calling it a 'he' but I'm actually not certain yet rather it is male or female. The one I picked up was the most colorful of the two at the pet store and a little larger than the other. Which is leading me to believe that it is indeed male, but we'll see, still researching.

Heres the best photo I've been able to get of him, he won't sit still so its a little blurry. The photo really doesn't do his coloring justice but you get the idea



If anything does not work out with any of of the fish or even corals that I have in the 60 with the puffer for any reason I'll have a spare 29 gallon I can move them to.

That's called, Whammin Watermelon.
http://www.zoaid.com

I have to say that name is fitting for their coloration, makes sense. I was just going by what I saw and the price when I picked them out. I browse around in every section before ordering since I'm already paying for shipping.

I meant to replay to your post earlier, where you said you sale corals. Do you have like an online store or something? I'll definitely be getting more.

[Pufferpunk]

That wrasse became very aggressive in my tank, I had to return it. Also, make sure you have a good, tight-fitting top on that tank. Wrasses are excellent carpet-surfers.

[*GSP*Fan*]

That wrasse became very aggressive in my tank, I had to return it. Also, make sure you have a good, tight-fitting top on that tank. Wrasses are excellent carpet-surfers.

Really? I was worried about aggression and thats why I was staying away from the sixline. I read through a good bit of information, a lot of it on forums and such, and it seemed that 95% of the time no one had any issues with the fish. Its online listed as peaceful at online vendors. The most common 'problems' were it eating shrimp,snails, and even clams in a couple cases. Though that sort of aggression I'm not worried about. I actually did see it pick at a snail but for the most part its just been swimming around and picking at the rock. It hasn't paid any attention to the clowns or blenny. I'm not the best at judging measurements but I believe its full grown, or really close to it. I'd say the clowns will be the most susceptible to any aggression from him just because of their smaller size and normally, peaceful nature. I certainly hope thats not the case, he's a lovely looking fish and its nice seeing one actually swimming out all around the tank. If so, I'll do my best to figure out something for him here rather than return.

How long was it before yours became aggressive and could you elaborate more on the situation?

[Pufferpunk]

Is that what's called a Christmas wrasse? Mine got about 6" & started chasing everyone around. Never let any other wrasses live i there. Gorgeous though!

[*GSP*Fan*]

Is that what's called a Christmas wrasse? Mine got about 6" & started chasing everyone around. Never let any other wrasses live i there. Gorgeous though!

No, mines not. I do remember reading some about the Christmas wrasse when I was researching the Melanurus (Hoven's) wrasse. Someone had mentioned the two looked similar or something along those lines.

Christmas wrasse (according to Liveaquaria) is Halichoeres claudia and Hoven's Wrasse (I referred to it as Melanurus wrasse as that what my LFS had it labeled as, not Hovens) is Halichoeres melanurus.

Mine
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod ... catid=2285

Lists 4 1/2 as max size and judging from those pictures and the size of mine I'm pretty sure its male.

And the one I'm assuming you had

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod ... catid=2675

The wrasse family does have some very beautifully fish. ;

[Pufferpunk]

OK, good! Just make sure it can't jump out.

[*GSP*Fan*]

I managed to pick up both packages yesterday, since they wouldn't deliver because of the snow.

The first package just contained ricordias and all of those seem to be doing well. I'll post some pictures later once I get them placed on the rock (getting ready to head out to the store and will pick up some glue).

The second package I wasn't able to pick up until about 8 last night and it had been in the truck all day. The bags holding the zoas and sun coral were quite cold. I acclimated so the temperature was slowly brought up. I'm just not sure if the lower temperature could have had any adverse affects. I've seen a couple of the zoas open but have not seen any activity from the sun coral yet. Any idea on how long they are okay without eating? I know they don't need fed everyday but am not sure how long it has been without food and how the cooler temperatures could have affected it. I'm going to do more research on beginning to get this coral to open to feed. But I do like hearing firsthand as well.

All fish still seem to be doing great. Both clowns spend their time together, usually about mid tank doing their thing, no fighting. My blenny seems to spend more and more time out in the open and has taken well to his tankmates so far. He does seem to have issues with snails/hermits occasionally. Not doing them any harm, but if they are in his way or especially on his seaweed/algae sheet he'll pick them up, swim a bit, and drop them in the sand. Its quite fun to watch The wrasse is still doing well and has not proven to be shy in any way. He's constantly out swimming and picking at the rocks. I'm pretty sure he did bury in the sand last night to sleep but I missed him actually doing so. I just didn't seem him hiding in the rockwork so I'm assuming he did, just wish I would have seen that.

OK, good! Just make sure it can't jump out.

I am hoping to take care of that today. I'm going to head to Lowes and see if I can find eggcrate anywhere around here for now.

If not, and maybe later on, I think I'll get the netting and supplies from BRS to build a top.

[Pufferpunk]

Zoas don't eat food per se but the larger palys do. I don't feed them very often. The sun corals are non-photosynthetic & will need regular feedings of meaty foods. Cool thing about them is you can keep them in shady spots where most corals can't live.

[defool89]

This is a great thread so far! Im learning a lot