~ Todd's 125g ~ Part IV~ Building of the Reef~

[TJL]

Took a few pics during a Nori Feeding Frenzy today

even the Bangaii's joining in and has a huge mouthfull

hard to get pic of my lil Fisher Angel

Cheers, Todd

 

[DolphinLVR]

Took a few pics during a Nori Feeding Frenzy today

even the Bangaii's joining in and has a huge mouthfull

hard to get pic of my lil Fisher Angel

Cheers, Todd

Is that the frogspawn frag I gave You?

 

[iroll253]

Thats clean man. Great job.

 

[TJL]

Well... I have not posted any updates for awhile, and for good reason.... been fighting a loosing battle with ICH in the DT. I had parasites (in dormancy) in the 75g and knew about it since every now and then would have very small short duration outbreaks like when I went away for few days or more and left feeding up to my teenager ( apperantly they don't appreciate Breakfast at 3-pm) So anyway, tried my best at building everyones imunity levels up with vitamins etc. before introducing Hawaiian livestock with existing into the new 125g system. Unfortunately the ICH manifested itself onto both B-flys and Powder Blue in short order leaving me with a majorly frustating decision to either break back down the just setup system or try some type of Reef-Safe snake-oil. (1st BIG MISTAKE) I ASSUMED... since historically the Powder Blue and Kole Tangs had recovered quickly from past outbreaks that indeed they would again. After spending much time reading up on so-called Reef-Safe herbal meds decided to give Stop-Parasite a go... NOT A CURE!... but do give some credit to probably keeping from having a complete Ich crash. Though put into a much larger cleaner system the added stressers and introduction of Hawaiian fishes was more than most of the fish could handle and over past week+ ended up losing my Longnose & Kleinii B-fly's and Bicolor Blenny I've had for many years :rip: The Powder Blue is a beast :boxing: as has looked like HELL for about 10 days but acts like nothing much is wrong. Fisher Angel, Naso, Blochi and Kole Tangs just started showing signs a couple days ago and all but the Kole seem otherwise healthy. Bangaii's, Anthias and Gobies all seem to be completely unafected.

On Friday had to make the call (THE RIGHT CALL AND ONE I SHOULD OF MADE FIRST OFF) in setting up enough QT space to handle 18 fish. The 50g was already running and holding some new Wrasses so just needed a big WC but had to completely reset the old 75g system back up by re-plumbing the 40g sump and all back into running condition. I busted my hump to get things ready for water and had my GREAT friend Jeff drive all the way down from LaConnor to help me into the wee hours in getting water made, water in, salt added then I started disassembling aquascape while Jeff ran multiple trips back and forth to microwave to get water in tank heated up to 76* and continueing to cycle buckets through ro/di unit. THANKS MAN ! It was down to just one super structure of the LR left in tank to be able to finally catch last fish... phewww... 12:30 am, time to send Jeff on his hour plus trip home. I tried to quickly redo aquascape and place corals back into system which IS NOT A EASY THING TO DO... AT ALL! Annnnnd, at 4:19 had had enough for one day and will finish re-aquascaping another day. Just finished adding 2nd/final dose of copper to both QT's and everyone looks good except for the Kole Tang this morning.

What reef looked like on 2/9/12

and what it looks like now... and for at least a few more days

Cheers, Todd

 

[DolphinLVR]

Todd you made the right call bud! You would have been thoroughly disgusted had you made any other decision! and anytime you ever need help with anything you know I will be there!

Thats what is so great about our reefing community, meet great people and in some cases you get the opportunity to build a great friendship!

 

[mojoreef]

Wow sorry to hear about this Todd, its amazing the things we put our selves through for this hobby.

Mike

 

[Peppie]

Todd,
What a bummer. If there is anything I can help with shoot me a pm.
So are you letting the DT go fallow for 8-10 weeks?
Hope you dont lose any more fish.

 

[TJL]

Thanks Guys, and yes Dave the clock starts today on 8 weeks of a Fallow System. I'll run the 15 day copper treatment then 15 at half strength before pulling it out with carbon for final 4 weeks on both QT's. All the while doing 15/30% WC's every 3-days. THEN AS I SHOULD HAVE DONE SO FROM THE GET GO WILL HAVE A 99.9% PARASITE FREE SYSTEM. I feel that all fish but the Kole are/will be just fine and have hopes that he'll make it as well. Hind-sight is such an annoying friend....

Cheers, Todd

 

[user 2204]

Sorry to hear about this frustrating time Todd. I can just inmagine how it can be to have to deal with parasites and setting up a QT tank on the fly. Hope that everything goes well and that all fish in QT do well.

If you ever need any help, you have my number and can give me a call if help is needed.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[rainydave]

Let me know if you need anything.
If you need some extra water made, I can crank up my RO/DI station.

 

[TJL]

Well.... tomorrow will be 8 weeks going fallow... a lonnnnng lonnnnnnnnng lonnnnnnnnnng 8 weeks and now time to start adding fish back to where they belong. I will start with the four Bicolor Anthias, new Ornate Leopard Wrasse and replacement lil Kole Tang from Les that are/have been in my 50g QT followed a few days later with Fisher Angel, Tailspot Blenny and Halfspotted Goby in sump of 75g system QT. Another week and a full water test before adding Powder Blue, Blochii and Naso Tangs along with Bangaii Cardinal pair and lone Azure Damselle.
The main/DT has done fair with only a few partial coral losses from huge Hair Algae outbreak after removing the Landscape Maintenance Crew (Tangs) a few Sea Hares (also from Les) and 60 snails from the Group Buy at Red C have done a fine job ridding display of all but a bit of Bubble Algae now. Pics below of last day (today) to a Fallow System... really l.ike my Corals but, really really miss having my fish in the Display. Pics are all raw with no editing so not quite what I see.

FTS

Left side

Right side

Down the shoot

Updates with FISH to follow
Cheers, Todd

 

[Peppie]

Cough, cough, sneeze, choke,sneeze, sneeze... Excuse ME.
I guess I inhaled a bunch of dust and cobwebs when I opened this page.. LOL
Good to have you back in the fish game Todd.
Did you lose any fish while they were in QT? Hope not
Keep the pics coming.

 

[DolphinLVR]

It's been a long wait Bud, But well worth it!

 

[tamarindthai]

Tank's looking great ..Todd

 

[N1Husker]

Nice looking reef, Todd.

 

[TJL]

Thanks Guys, definitely has been quite a test of patience for me and now very excited to have something finally swimming around in there besides pods. Plus I know Gina will be estatic about having only 1 Aquarium setup in my room and none in her kitchen...lol

Cheers, Todd

 

[eww]

Great will power buddy. I'm glad you made it all the way through. I hope all your work and patience pays off ten fold and you can return to reefing with an overfull tank again.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Chichas01]

looks good! You got livestock from Les recently? Where has he been? I was trying to get some fish from him but never heard back.

 

[fall0n]

Awesome, man i hated the 8-9 week fallow i did. Felt like FOREVER! Corals are lookin good.

 

[TJL]

Thanks much again Guys, so now for one last minor coral placement changes this morning and then start acclimating the Bicolor Anthias for re-introduction :high5: to the DT followed by the new lil Kole Tang and Ornate Leopard Wrasse so I can break down one QT ,then take a short rest :couch2: before heading down to SoDo for the Counting Crows concert :drum::rockon:


Cheers, Todd