Marshall's 125 - Wrasses and Corals

You really know how to kill the mood in here huh? Ironic story though...

 

Getting back onto happy thoughts, I just put a deposit on this guy during my lunch break:



The only issue with him is that he eats tiny yellow tangs for breakfast...

I was going to get the wrasses next, but I just bought some new lights last night, so they can wait until next month Need to stay within some kind of a monthly budget here!

 

Blame accepted.

Looking nice. Hard to beat a Vanuatu as far as Hoodeds go, IMO. And that lubbocki sure turned into a nice male.

When I scaped my tank, I had some very large pieces I put on the bottom as well. Then, for each piece I stacked on top, I didn't try to find a way the whole rock would lock into place, but rather how I could get three points of the rock to lock into place. Triangulating each piece if you will, while leaving gaps/holes/caves in-between them.

 

Glad you own up to your wrong doings LOL. And I agree on the Vanuatu Hooded; couldn't be happier with him!

Good pointers on the scape. When I did it, I was trying to accomplish three things: keep lots of swimming room (check), consider future coral placements (mostly check), and provide plenty of hiding spaces (check). What I didn't do is make sure the darn thing looked like more than a pile of rocks. Oh well, this weekend it should be changed for the better!

 

Still haven't re-scaped yet; hope to do that tonight! I was busy yesterday making hangers for my new lighting.

Anyways, I took this guy home last Monday:



Currently in my 46BF QT. A little on the small side for this size fish, but it should do for the 4 weeks (now 3) he will hopefully be in there for.

The story with him is I brought him home last Monday as mentioned. Normally I wait a week or two after putting a fish on deposit, but he has been there for a couple months and has always looked very healthy. I made sure he ate of course, which he did. They tried to put him in a bag, which he immediately put a hole in. So instead I brought him home in a 5 gallon bucket. Drip acclimated him (which took a while since they keep their salinity quite low), and then once that was done, I wanted to get him temp acclimated as well. So I managed to get him into my Acclimate box, and floated that in the tank until the temp matched. Now the box has an inner box with holes, so I usually pull this out so no shipping/LFS water enters my tank. I did this, and during the transfer with no water in it, he jumped right out and on top of my tank/light fixture! Now I have a rather large fish with crazy sharp and venomous spines on top of my tank! Luckily my wife was right there and grabbed a towel for me. I finally got a hold of him, and into the tank he went.

Now a week later, he is finally getting use to the tank. Everything I have read has said they can be quite shy for weeks, or even months, so I was not surprised (especially given how getting him into the tank went!). He still goes into his home in the rockwork whenever anyone walks by the tank, but will come right out for feeding, especially OSI Spirulina flakes. He LOVES those. I also keep a clip of Ocean Nutrition green algae for him that he munches on all day. Plus I feed him some of whatever I feed the other guys in the 125.

One of his eyes seems a little cloudy, he seems to see just fine, so as of right now I am not too concerned. I plan to treat with Prazi-pro next week as I do all of my fish. Otherwise, just monitor and keep him well fed.

 

Marshall, I'm a little late to the party here.....tank looks awesome! So glad you made the switch over successfully and all of your live stock choices ROCK! Of course, I'm am the last person to comment on the scape. I think a little tweaking and you'll find something that you like. Congratulations again on the successful upgrade!

 

Nice add! Beautiful fish. QTing is smart.

I really need to get a QT tank going before I start stocking my new tank, but I am so don't want another tank to keep/maintain. Don't even know where I'd put it.

 

Everytime I've been snorkeling, or diving- was Many, many times in tropical warters, etc.....

I never remember saying to myself, Wow, look at those rock formations. Well, actually I did once or twice, but my pont is, it's what ends up covering the rocks, and a natural looking scape is more ideal IMHO.

A scape might not be 'pride rock', from the Lion King fame, but rocks serve a purpose, to put corals on and give fish hinding places, tunnels, caves, hideaways, etc.

I don't ever remember looking at someones scape, in person, or pics, or my own, and thinking anything critical of it, at all; not that anyones being critical, but to me, and again, this is a rant of mine, to me, a scape doesn't have to be 'balanced' etc.

Discalimer- not intended to poke ANY criticism at ANYBODY- just MHO.
Which is not really worth that much- but I'm good with that- just my rant about scapes, etc.

 

Thank you so much OFK! The move was quite easy for me since I had the 125 setup and running for a couple weeks before the transfer. Plus the 55 did not have any fish since they were all in the HT. You and Todd have your work cutout for you though

Thanks! The 46BF is in our bedroom. After the 125 is fully stocked, it will likely be a small predator tank (thinking dwarf lionfish and dwarf golden moray). Then I also have a 10 gallon QT/HT that is just in one of our bedrooms. That one is for the little guys, or obviously to treat when needed. Highly recommend a QT if there is any way you can.

Todd, I think I understand your rant I appreciate it bud. I am still going to tweak it soon either way, but nothing major. It will be overgrown with corals soon enough anyways right

 

Pshhh I'm critical of everything Marshal does.