Banner image

jlanger's 120gal Arts and Crafts Inspired Reef Build (1 Viewer)

I've kept both Blue Spots and Midas Blennies, and while the blue spots are more unique they've been a challenging fish for me. I know that the midas blenny and lyretail anthias ranges overlap and midas blennies will mimic the female lyretails in the wild in both color and behavior in order to hide out in the shoal, so you may see some cool natural interactions.
 
ChristopherKriens said:
I've kept both Blue Spots and Midas Blennies, and while the blue spots are more unique they've been a challenging fish for me.
Click to expand...

That's because they come from the Sea of Cortez off Mexico which has cooler waters than normal reef temperatures. They need to adjust to warmer waters, faster metabolism, and faster acting parasites and diseases. (Similar to deepwater anthias and wrasses)
 
Last edited:
General0 said:
I recently added two lyretail anthias to my system and within a couple of hours both had been killed by my Starry Blenny..... needless to say next time I will try to remove this blenny before getting any other fish or at least use a acclimation box to get the rest of the fish used to their new tank mates...food for thought.
Click to expand...

A long time ago I had to remove a Starry Blenny because it was an absolute terror towards any other blenny and the gobies. So I am aware of their possible aggressiveness.
And I have an acclimation box, so I'll be prepared this time. Thanks.

ChristopherKriens said:
I've kept both Blue Spots and Midas Blennies, and while the blue spots are more unique they've been a challenging fish for me. I know that the midas blenny and lyretail anthias ranges overlap and midas blennies will mimic the female lyretails in the wild in both color and behavior in order to hide out in the shoal, so you may see some cool natural interactions.
Click to expand...

The Midas Blenny is one of my favorites because of it's mimicry with the anthias; and adds more yellow and orange color to my tank. Can you visualize the Midas Blenny resting amongst my SPS corals!
And I really like the Ecsenius sp. blennies, but I think the smaller species will get lost in my tank.
But after watching Ted's (late) Blue Dot Jawfish, I started to second guess which fish to get.
Then again, something new may just catch my eye and surprise me.
 
.Marshall said:
I hear you make some saweeeeeet fish cookies ;)
Click to expand...

Possibly... Working on some more right now.
And there will be more in April. :yumyum:

Did you recognize the Setosa and Hawkins from earlier posts?
Those were the small frags I got from you this past fall.

And here's the Toxic Green Tort.
This one really glows even though it's on the far end of the tank in "lower" light.

34837790504_3dc51299cb_b.jpg


Ever since I added the small pump to my kalkwasser, the sps frags have kickstarted new growth spurts.
Especially the Hawkins. It has a very dense growth pattern being right on the point of the upper rock in the strongest of currents.
 
Last edited:
jlanger said:
Possibly... Working on some more right now.
And there will be more in April. :yumyum:

Did you recognize the Setosa and Hawkins from earlier posts?
Those were the small frags I got from you this past fall.

And here's the Toxic Green Tort.
This one really glows even though it's on the far end of the tank in "lower" light.



Ever since I added the small pump to my kalkwasser, the sps frags have kickstarted new growth spurts.
Especially the Hawkins. It has a very dense growth pattern being right on the point of the upper rock in the strongest of currents.
Click to expand...

All the pieces in your tank look perfect! How can i notice just one or two! Lol, they look great and I'm really happy that Toxic Green Tort is doing well, it was the brightest green in my tank, loved that piece. Keep up the great work, because i'm going to want a piece of that when I get my tank rolling ;)

I am trying to make it to your meeting in April, hopefully it wont be filled up by the time I make up my mind!
 
jlanger said:
Now I can enjoy my trip over to Rhinelander and hopefully bring home some nice pieces to fill in some of the gaps. And maybe that one last fish that will be added... Blue Dot Jawfish or African Midas Blenny???
Click to expand...

Enjoyed another great trip over to Rhinelander.
I picked up a couple of coral frags, another goniopora, some sun polyps and a very nice T. crocea clam.
So which fish did I end up with? The jawfish or the blenny?
Why not both! Very quick (bad) pics in their new home.

35678592105_d34078c2dc_b.jpg


The jawfish decided to burrow underneath the new goniopora; which I need to move. Hopefully, he doesn't get mad. But, they always have that angry look about them.

34869499013_10efc150d6_b.jpg


The blenny stayed amongst the corals all morning; not wanting to venture out. But after a couple of feedings, it has decided it was safe enough to come out and swim with the rest of the group. When he needs to rest, he lays on top of the setosa. A perfect way to add a bright yellow color into the coral color palette.
 
Last edited:
ReeferNate said:
Amazing tank! what do you dose?
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I dose saturated kalkwasser in my ATO.
The levels have stayed very consistent. Occasionally, I will need to bump the Alk up a bit and I add an ounce or so of mixed up Soda Ash.
I have dabbled with the Red Sea Colors program, but haven't been very diligent about it.
I picked up a small bottle of TLF AcroPower just to see if adding the amino acids brings better results. I don't think the colors of my corals are lacking, but they may as I try to reduce the nutrients (nitrate,phosphate) in my tank.
 
Thanks for the info. The coral colors definitely aren't lacking!

Im looking to upgrade and am thinking about a 120 how do you like your?
 
ReeferNate said:
Thanks for the info. The coral colors definitely aren't lacking!

Im looking to upgrade and am thinking about a 120 how do you like your?
Click to expand...

I love the 120gal tanks!
The four foot length make it fit just about anywhere and the two foot width allows for great aquascaping. A big tank in a small footprint.
Just about any light source has many options available at four feet.
 
Yeah I have always been into the cubes but this has the depth and gives you more length . Most likely will be going with a 120.

How big of sump are you running?
 
ReeferNate said:
Yeah I have always been into the cubes but this has the depth and gives you more length . Most likely will be going with a 120.

How big of sump are you running?
Click to expand...

40gal Breeder.
Somewhere back in this thread, I explain how I have it divided into the separate chambers.
 
Found it thanks for all the info I am fairly new to the hobby and am always looking to learn. One last question do you run GFO and carbon?
 
Not a problem. Always willing to talk about reef tanks and help those that are new.

I stopped using GFO, but still run carbon in a reactor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top