Updates!

As you might have guessed from the sporadic updates, Real Life is keeping me busy.  Really, extremely, weeping-in-the-pillow busy.  Still, if I can hold on for just one more week, I’ll be through the worst of it and will have free time again.

So as to not leave this blog covered in a chick dressed as a fish – and let’s all take a moment to reread that and recognize that we certainly do live in Interesting Times – I’m going to take a few moments and do quick status reports.

—In the 14g, nothing lives.  Scorched earth policy has been applied and the tank is all but drained.  I’m going to give the Teabox to my friend in the FBI when she’s reassigned back to the East Coast.

—In the 30g, the peyssonnelia algae has been dominated by the blue anthelia, which in turn has been dominated by a carpet of star polyps, which in turn cannot hope to compete with the SPS coral.  Considering the biological deterrents the SPS is pumping out to stay ahead in this game, it’s only a matter of time before one of them evolves into a James Bond-esque supervillain and buys itself a white cat.  Considering I hate cats, especially drowned cats, I don’t see this ending well.

In the 65g…

McCosker's Flasher Wrasse. Image from Bluezoo Aquatics, as I don't own one yet.

— The red slime algae is on its way out thanks to the new canister filter, routine water changes, and decreasing the light cycle.  In another few weeks, the sand should be sparkling white again (I stir it up regularly so the decomposing bits don’t turn into time bombs of hidden toxic gas).

— I’ve finally found the right combination of lights for the best coloration in the “Otterpop” zoos. They look fabulous – green steel skirts around yellow-and-pink centers.  I have to get a clear picture of these things.

— I have not yet replaced the dead clownfish or the missing member of Slime-atron.  I’m thinking about a reef-safe wrasse for the last fish.  I’m a little wary of this, as wrasses can be jumpers and I have enough problems with fish jumping out of the 65g and I don’t want to enclose every single square inch of the top.  Still, check out the McCosker’s over there.

Back to work for me!

~ by KBSpangler on October 26, 2009.