My Tank is Alive!!

cuttingras · 09-23-2007, 02:04 PM

If you're reading this, Thank you in advance.
I'm writing this because of an observation I made this morning; "My tank is alive!"
I was sitting in front of the tank when I noticed the colors. They have become more vivid, varying and beautiful, day by day. I see my fish are all thriving, my anemone is happier than I 've ever seen it, and I haven't lost a snail in quite a long time. I have Coralline growing and not just pink. I have a fluorescent green, med olive green, and a lemony yellow green. I have med. pink, dark red, light purple, lilac and dark purple, so dark it's almost black.
I also saw, my 12 hermit crabs, all scurrying around with their feeler's just a twitching'. At feeding time, the 160 plus various snails rise and shine. Literally, through the sand. They surface, like a fleet of submarines, coming home victorious from battle.
All I can say is Thank you to all the 3reef.com inhabitants for all the wonderful advice. As you can see, it has been gratefully, and successfully, heeded.
About two months ago. I made a few changes to my routines, practices and (bad)habits. I first off, stopped feeding them so much. I realized I was over feeding for the size of my fish and the size of my tank. I noticed my fish outgrew my tank and had to make adjustments to their feedings. Less IS more!
My lighting. Figuring out what does best, with what kind of lighting and how long to keep them on. Upgrading or not? That's going to be a never ending battle for me. I can't convince myself, or my hubby, that I need it, yet, for what I have in my tank. 'Nuff said..
This brings me to patience. I've learned quite a bit about it, recently. I stopped running to find a quick fix. I let it grow slow! I went through the cycles and the overflowing of the ro/di. I've been down the road of too hot too cold. And all that algae! I don't have to ask where did it come from. I know where, and, I've defeated it!
I might even get a lower mg for my Blood Pressure medicine. LOL
I do more frequent water changes. I monitor and balance my chemical levels. I take note of changes. I replace my filters monthly(strictly).
It's been a lot more work from my brain, but the results have been so worth it! I have to stop and think before I go and make a change. If I change or add this, what will the consequences be?
OK enough of my babbling, here's the pics! These are from a few minutes ago back to Jan 2006. Latest first.
I hope you enjoy this and thanks again for looking!
Linda aka cuttingras

baugherb · 09-23-2007, 02:13 PM

Awesome tank!!!!!Nice pics. Your right 3reef is a wonderful place to get advice. Only been a member shortly, but I have already been reeping the rewards!!!!

omard · 09-23-2007, 05:12 PM

May be there thousands of hours of enjoyable viewing for you on into future!

Good job.

cuttingras · 09-23-2007, 05:14 PM

Keeping my fingers crossed and reading everything I can find...Thanks ya'll

!

lunatik_69 · 09-23-2007, 05:51 PM

congrats to you cuttingras. Doesnt it feel awesome when all the pieces of the puzzle come together and your finally able to see the masterpiece? I think we all have learned from each other and the ones that benefit from it are the beautiful creatures that are in our tanks( world ). BTW, how do you get your convict to swim all around like that? Mine only comes out half way when feeding time begins.

cuttingras · 09-23-2007, 06:24 PM

Thanks! All of the fish in my tank are ham's when the camera comes out. He's probably 4-5 years old and more than likely used to me and the camera. My foxfaced rabbitfish is my shy one. It's very shy! When I do get a pic it's usually dashing behind one rock to another. But they all come up to the top for food. They will all eat from my fingers. Pretty cool!!

PS I just saw my damsel go to the coral banded shrimp to get a little bath. That was awesome, first time I've seem them do it!

lunatik_69 · 09-23-2007, 06:33 PM

I would love to see my convict to come all out at any time of day, not just at feeding time. but like I said before, he rarely comes all out. I ve had him for about 10-11 months and hes about 10-11 in. in lenth.

cuttingras · 09-23-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunatik_69

hes about 10-11 in. in lenth.

That's HUGE...What size is your tank??????

cuttingras · 09-23-2007, 06:37 PM

are we talking convict damsel or engineer goby?

lunatik_69 · 09-23-2007, 06:53 PM

the convict blenny, the one that looks like a eel