The Life of Blue Spots Tank 1800L - Page 10

Blue spot · 02/14/2016, 12:51 PM

Cheers Dave. I'm trying not to go to fast as I don't want the coral searching to end. Lol . But I think it is starting to look better now to. I'm trying to do a video , but everything glows blue or if I turn the whites on it looks washed out . I hate cameras !

dave.m · 02/14/2016, 02:09 PM

You may have to adjust the camera's white balance to get realistic colours under the lamps.

Dave.M

lashoskin · 02/15/2016, 11:09 AM

Your tank looks great!

Blue spot · 02/20/2016, 02:07 PM

Thanks lash, and I agree Dave , I am playing with the white balance but can't seam to get it right. The first and second half of the pictures are with me changing the lights in the tank, as soon as I add any of the blue on the tank the pictures start glowing , if I take all the blues off the tank everything looks insipid. I think I'm getting better but I can't nail what everyone else seams to get even though my tank is realy colourful in real life.

dave.m · 02/21/2016, 11:57 AM

There's a whole forum here on RC dedicated to taking pictures of your tank.

Dave.M

Blue spot · 02/22/2016, 05:42 PM

So co2 scrubbing. I have been continuing to try using this method and I can only say I have had nothing but posative results. I don't recommend many things but if you have a well sealed house and your ph keeps dipping , it is definitely worth a try. I have also managed to find some cheep media used in diving rebreathers. 8 month supply £65. So as I am no longer dosing any ph buffer this seams like a good trade in to me. My ph swing is now 8.2 to 8.18 . Before the scrubber it was dipping down to 7.85.

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 10:19 AM

This week I'm starting off with sad news. Gert , the first fish I ever got has sadly died. she the fish who enjoyed watching the Simpsons. I'm not entirely sure how long Gert could live for in the wild , but I had her for 2.5 years and she was pretty big when I got her so I am thinking it may be a natural death ? lovely fish with lots of character.

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 10:21 AM

Thats the sad , now the good. I have finally got somewhere on the mission to try and master my camera. normally I have to take about 300 pics to get 10 , but after playing around a lesson from lee @ my LFS , I think I am getting some better results . see what you think though.

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 10:23 AM

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 10:24 AM

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 10:25 AM

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 10:26 AM

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 10:27 AM

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 10:28 AM

dave.m · 02/28/2016, 10:32 AM

By Jove, I think he's got it! Great images!

Dave.M

Blue spot · 02/28/2016, 11:56 AM

Lol. Cheers Dave, next I'm doing video then I'm going to finish with interpretive dance

dave.m · 02/28/2016, 12:05 PM

Feathers, bells and fish skins?

Dave.M

Blue spot · 02/29/2016, 04:18 PM

Lol exactly Dave. Today I have found something eigther new .... Or puzzling . I mentioned that I had baught a tasseled file fish. I had read on live aquaria that they are not reef safe ( OK) and that they grow to 2 inches. Yesterday one of the guys in my lfs said it will get to 10 inches . After searching I have found mixed results 2 , 6 , 8 etc. Does anyone know the answer ?

dave.m · 02/29/2016, 04:36 PM

I suggest you use a tool like Google Images to identify your fish and get the real name for it, e.g. Chaetoderma pencilligera. Then go to a more science-based web site like fishbase to get the real poop on the fish you're interested in. Note that fishbase can be really slow at times.

Dave.M

Blue spot · 03/07/2016, 04:10 PM

The experiment continues ! Co2 scrubbing is still doing realy well, told a couple of people about it and they are having similar results, so not a fluke . The only thing that I am finding strange is the increase in algae growth. I would have thought less co2 would be worse for algae ? But maybe I am confused on this. The one thing that has also took off again is byropsis . I had stripped out all the branching rock in the hope of removing the stuff. It has taken hold again. I am resigned to the fact that I have byropsis and that is that. The one thing I do notice is that it clings to the edges of the rock where it is easier to take hold , I am hoping that in time the calcious algae will grow in place of this so it won't get a hold so easy. One trick I have found is that if the byropsis gets on a coral, if I then put that coral in the sump for 2 days ... Something eats the byropsis. Maybe it's pods or something , but it shreds it.
On the tasseled file fish , it is going to be a monster . But I have already grown attached to her, I hand feed her and she follows me round the tank,I know it's only an ego thing , but I'm going to see what happens.
Blue spot (Bert) is in fine health at the moment , eating , settled and happy. We are know through the 1 year barrier so I'll keep everyone posted on progress.
Additions , I've had a couple of lovely corals , I think I pictured a couple above, and fish wise I've added three catalina gobies and to pictus blennies. On the health of the other fish I think I have seen a small amount of white spot on my powder blue tang . I've added lots more garlic to his food and some garlic seaweed to sea if that helps.
Lastly my pipe fish are eating flake ! I didn't know pipe fish would eat flake food ? But I 100% saw 2 of them hunting and eating it. They are not thin or anything, so not starving. The snakey pipefish I have had for around 2 years and the jans for around a year and a half. I have never seen them eat flake until this week. Is this normal ?

dave.m · 03/08/2016, 01:44 AM

Fish in our tanks often learn to eat artificial foods through imitation of the behaviours of other fish in the system. It's sort of like adding a dither fish. The dither fish swims out into the open, survives and seems to thrive, so the other fish watching it come out of hiding and adapt their behaviour to match the dither fish.

Dave.M

Blue spot · 03/10/2016, 12:15 PM

Thanks Dave . Was that a subtle way of telling me that I have not discovered anything new and their fore no one will be making a documentary about my flake feeding pipe fish

I live in hope , I mean in this thread I have already given the perfectly designed fish trap and I have discovered how to grow byropsis at an alarming rate . I thought I was on for a Pulitzer . Lol. But seriously very interesting and thanks for the feedback Dave. Have you got any tips on byropsis ?

dave.m · 03/10/2016, 03:39 PM

Yeah, use dental floss afterwards.

But nothing helpful that you probably haven't tried already. Low algae nutrients, low lights if it is isolated to one location, scrubbing with a tooth brush, chuck it out if it's only one or two persistent rocks.

Dave.M

Blue spot · 03/13/2016, 02:18 PM

I am pleased to announce .... We have a beryl blue spot joining the tank ! Obviously I have no idea if it is a female blue spot but for my purposes I am going to assume it is, sorry ... She is. So my local lfs had about 5 blue spots in I have gone for one with the darkest colour ation, was still fat and healthy ( some looked a bit gaunt) and could hold their own ( not super shy). This was a bit of a risk for the tank as a lot of fish already have established territory , but I've added a new home to try and mix things up a little. So far so good. Beryl has made a huge sand mound and is already eating flake . Obviously early days but so far the signs look good. I'll get so pics.

Blue spot · 03/21/2016, 05:24 PM

Blue spot update , so both fish are doing well. Beryl is much more boisterous hovering above her nest and holding her own. That's the good , now bad. Byropsis is back x10 . No idea why my phosphates and nitrates are good , still running co2 scrubber so maybe this has boosted it. If you've read further back I have tried a lot of the "natural" methods , slugs , pulling, boiling, sea hares all with temporary success , this time it's gone past that and is growing over my corals, I'm going to try raising my magnesium level, realy didn't want to do this but I think I am out of options. Wish me luck.

View Poll Results: if you have kept a blue spot jawfish how long did it survive
3 months or less	21	31.82%
3 to 9 months	15	22.73%
9 months to 2 years	16	24.24%
2 years +	17	25.76%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 66. You may not vote on this poll

02/14/2016, 02:09 PM	#227
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	You may have to adjust the camera's white balance to get realistic colours under the lamps. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/21/2016, 11:57 AM	#230
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	There's a whole forum here on RC dedicated to taking pictures of your tank. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/28/2016, 10:32 AM	#240
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	By Jove, I think he's got it! Great images! Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/28/2016, 12:05 PM	#242
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	Feathers, bells and fish skins? Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/14/2016, 12:51 PM	#226
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	Cheers Dave. I'm trying not to go to fast as I don't want the coral searching to end. Lol . But I think it is starting to look better now to. I'm trying to do a video , but everything glows blue or if I turn the whites on it looks washed out . I hate cameras !

02/15/2016, 11:09 AM	#228
lashoskin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 74	Your tank looks great!

02/20/2016, 02:07 PM	#229
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	Thanks lash, and I agree Dave , I am playing with the white balance but can't seam to get it right. The first and second half of the pictures are with me changing the lights in the tank, as soon as I add any of the blue on the tank the pictures start glowing , if I take all the blues off the tank everything looks insipid. I think I'm getting better but I can't nail what everyone else seams to get even though my tank is realy colourful in real life.

02/22/2016, 05:42 PM	#231
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	So co2 scrubbing. I have been continuing to try using this method and I can only say I have had nothing but posative results. I don't recommend many things but if you have a well sealed house and your ph keeps dipping , it is definitely worth a try. I have also managed to find some cheep media used in diving rebreathers. 8 month supply £65. So as I am no longer dosing any ph buffer this seams like a good trade in to me. My ph swing is now 8.2 to 8.18 . Before the scrubber it was dipping down to 7.85.

02/28/2016, 10:19 AM	#232
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	This week I'm starting off with sad news. Gert , the first fish I ever got has sadly died. she the fish who enjoyed watching the Simpsons. I'm not entirely sure how long Gert could live for in the wild , but I had her for 2.5 years and she was pretty big when I got her so I am thinking it may be a natural death ? lovely fish with lots of character.

02/28/2016, 10:21 AM	#233
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	Thats the sad , now the good. I have finally got somewhere on the mission to try and master my camera. normally I have to take about 300 pics to get 10 , but after playing around a lesson from lee @ my LFS , I think I am getting some better results . see what you think though.

02/28/2016, 10:23 AM	#234
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590

02/28/2016, 10:24 AM	#235
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590

02/28/2016, 10:25 AM	#236
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590

02/28/2016, 10:26 AM	#237
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590

02/28/2016, 10:27 AM	#238
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590

02/28/2016, 10:28 AM	#239
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590

02/28/2016, 11:56 AM	#241
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	Lol. Cheers Dave, next I'm doing video then I'm going to finish with interpretive dance

02/29/2016, 04:18 PM	#243
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	Lol exactly Dave. Today I have found something eigther new .... Or puzzling . I mentioned that I had baught a tasseled file fish. I had read on live aquaria that they are not reef safe ( OK) and that they grow to 2 inches. Yesterday one of the guys in my lfs said it will get to 10 inches . After searching I have found mixed results 2 , 6 , 8 etc. Does anyone know the answer ?

02/29/2016, 04:36 PM	#244
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	I suggest you use a tool like Google Images to identify your fish and get the real name for it, e.g. Chaetoderma pencilligera. Then go to a more science-based web site like fishbase to get the real poop on the fish you're interested in. Note that fishbase can be really slow at times. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

03/07/2016, 04:10 PM	#245
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	The experiment continues ! Co2 scrubbing is still doing realy well, told a couple of people about it and they are having similar results, so not a fluke . The only thing that I am finding strange is the increase in algae growth. I would have thought less co2 would be worse for algae ? But maybe I am confused on this. The one thing that has also took off again is byropsis . I had stripped out all the branching rock in the hope of removing the stuff. It has taken hold again. I am resigned to the fact that I have byropsis and that is that. The one thing I do notice is that it clings to the edges of the rock where it is easier to take hold , I am hoping that in time the calcious algae will grow in place of this so it won't get a hold so easy. One trick I have found is that if the byropsis gets on a coral, if I then put that coral in the sump for 2 days ... Something eats the byropsis. Maybe it's pods or something , but it shreds it. On the tasseled file fish , it is going to be a monster . But I have already grown attached to her, I hand feed her and she follows me round the tank,I know it's only an ego thing , but I'm going to see what happens. Blue spot (Bert) is in fine health at the moment , eating , settled and happy. We are know through the 1 year barrier so I'll keep everyone posted on progress. Additions , I've had a couple of lovely corals , I think I pictured a couple above, and fish wise I've added three catalina gobies and to pictus blennies. On the health of the other fish I think I have seen a small amount of white spot on my powder blue tang . I've added lots more garlic to his food and some garlic seaweed to sea if that helps. Lastly my pipe fish are eating flake ! I didn't know pipe fish would eat flake food ? But I 100% saw 2 of them hunting and eating it. They are not thin or anything, so not starving. The snakey pipefish I have had for around 2 years and the jans for around a year and a half. I have never seen them eat flake until this week. Is this normal ?

03/08/2016, 01:44 AM	#246
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	Fish in our tanks often learn to eat artificial foods through imitation of the behaviours of other fish in the system. It's sort of like adding a dither fish. The dither fish swims out into the open, survives and seems to thrive, so the other fish watching it come out of hiding and adapt their behaviour to match the dither fish. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

03/10/2016, 12:15 PM	#247
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	Thanks Dave . Was that a subtle way of telling me that I have not discovered anything new and their fore no one will be making a documentary about my flake feeding pipe fish I live in hope , I mean in this thread I have already given the perfectly designed fish trap and I have discovered how to grow byropsis at an alarming rate . I thought I was on for a Pulitzer . Lol. But seriously very interesting and thanks for the feedback Dave. Have you got any tips on byropsis ?

03/10/2016, 03:39 PM	#248
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	Yeah, use dental floss afterwards. But nothing helpful that you probably haven't tried already. Low algae nutrients, low lights if it is isolated to one location, scrubbing with a tooth brush, chuck it out if it's only one or two persistent rocks. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

03/13/2016, 02:18 PM	#249
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	I am pleased to announce .... We have a beryl blue spot joining the tank ! Obviously I have no idea if it is a female blue spot but for my purposes I am going to assume it is, sorry ... She is. So my local lfs had about 5 blue spots in I have gone for one with the darkest colour ation, was still fat and healthy ( some looked a bit gaunt) and could hold their own ( not super shy). This was a bit of a risk for the tank as a lot of fish already have established territory , but I've added a new home to try and mix things up a little. So far so good. Beryl has made a huge sand mound and is already eating flake . Obviously early days but so far the signs look good. I'll get so pics.

03/21/2016, 05:24 PM	#250
Blue spot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: England Posts: 590	Blue spot update , so both fish are doing well. Beryl is much more boisterous hovering above her nest and holding her own. That's the good , now bad. Byropsis is back x10 . No idea why my phosphates and nitrates are good , still running co2 scrubber so maybe this has boosted it. If you've read further back I have tried a lot of the "natural" methods , slugs , pulling, boiling, sea hares all with temporary success , this time it's gone past that and is growing over my corals, I'm going to try raising my magnesium level, realy didn't want to do this but I think I am out of options. Wish me luck.