[zhenya]

Hi Doug,

I agree, the true test is indeed in realization of their full potential, and I will increase feedings gradually, so that my system can adjust properly.

I bought them with knowledge that I may need to feed a lot more than my system is accustomed to, they were indeed very skinny looking. First month will be very critical and I am trying to mix my feedings with frozen and dry foods alike. Today for example they sampled some flake food and seem to like it, so I will try to mix some of that from now on with the frozen fare as well.

As far as wrasse is concern, it is still a mystery to me. I couldn't find his body anywhere, inside or outside of the tank.

PS> This will be the last fishes that I add to this tank and I'm glad that it will be the butterflyfishes.

[zhenya]

Well, snapped some new shots and hope you'll enjoy them.

First, remember that little frag of superman;s monti? Well, it is finally growing.



And I also have this other encrusting montipora that I kinda suspect maybe the same thing. I got it for free at the store for some trades.


And I really like this deep water acropora.


And some other shots.

[charlie]

Love the monti!!!! How are those butterflies doing Gene, still got the pair?

[Poseidon]

WOW! That Superman is BRIGHT! I need to get mine a little more light I think, but it seems to grow faster under less light... Is that even possible?

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by charlie

Love the monti!!!! How are those butterflies doing Gene, still got the pair?

Thanks, Charlie! I still got the pair, although I was worried there for a spell when my bristletooth tang started to go nuts and bite their fins. It is pretty much over now and the fins are looking great.

Originally Posted by Poseidon

WOW! That Superman is BRIGHT! I need to get mine a little more light I think, but it seems to grow faster under less light... Is that even possible?

Mike, mine turns pretty brown/orange color when my green stag grows large and blocks the light, so I pruned that stag severely last month and the monti is back to normal now.

[charlie]

In your experience, are those encrusting monti's very aggressive towards other corals?

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by charlie

In your experience, are those encrusting monti's very aggressive towards other corals?

Charlie, some are very aggressive in that they tend to overgrow other corals.
If you remember that purple polyped monti that I have it overgrows just about anything in it's path. I think they should be given their space and not allowed contact with other rocks, just like the crazy zoanthids.

Check out this shot and you can see what I mean by overtaking corals.

[charlie]

You know, now that I think about it, Kevin has a monti in his tank that will encrust over anything. It didn't dawn on me until right after I posted that.

[zhenya]

Well, as I said in another thread I am being overrun by Majano anemones at this time. Other than that not much had changed in the tank. Since I don't have any jumping fish at this time I went ahead and removed the eggcrate fence that I made surrounding top of the tank.

Here's a full tank shot for this month.


On a side note, my granddaughter Brianna had four front teeth removed on the 3rd of this month. I almost cried when I saw her...you know the deal.
Anyway, here's a picture of my little girl that don't seem to mind too much and smiling like nothing happen.


The funniest thing is when I asked if grandpa should ask dentist to make a temporary bridge for her she said: "No! I deal with it. I dealt with it before and will deal with it again."
When I asked how did you deal with it she said " I forgot all about it!"
That's my girl!

[charlie]

Hey Gene, if you look at your tank from a distance, you can't see majano number one.
You are right tho, they will overrun you given the time. You ought to see what type of rock Kevin might be able to get you, just cuz. Your tank shots still are beautiful!!!!

How come she had to have the front teeth pulled, that sure puts a crimp on an apple a day!!! She is still a cutie tho.

[zhenya]

Charlie, the little one had those teeth in pretty bad shape and it was a risk for the new teeth that will come in to replace them. So we decided to pull them out (dentist said at this point we had no choice). Partially my fault as I didn't insist with the mother to make dentist visits more often.
Oh, well... I was just impressed by her fighting spirit.

As far as rock goes, I killed a bunch today because I'm doing a water change tomorrow. I will try to take out some of the rock and see if I can kill, burn, blow up more of them...

On a side note, I've been trying to take a shot of my sea hare slug but it blends so well with the rocks I couldn't find it until the MH went off...
I also found couple of peppermint shrimps at night that I thought were dead.

[charlie]

Charlie, the little one had those teeth in pretty bad shape and it was a risk for the new teeth that will come in to replace them. So we decided to pull them out (dentist said at this point we had no choice). Partially my fault as I didn't insist with the mother to make dentist visits more often.
Oh, well... I was just impressed by her fighting spirit.

The new ones will be just fine!!

As far as rock goes, I killed a bunch today because I'm doing a water change tomorrow. I will try to take out some of the rock and see if I can kill, burn, blow up more of them...

I hear dynamite does a good number. Does kalk touch them?

On a side note, I've been trying to take a shot of my sea hare slug but it blends so well with the rocks I couldn't find it until the MH went off...
I also found couple of peppermint shrimps at night that I thought were dead.

Been a while since you had the flashlight out, huh? The joys of nighttime on the reef.

_

[Poseidon]

Good stuff as always Gene. It looks like your little princess is going to be just fine! Logan lost 2 teeth the other day, 1 at school the other at Karate class.

His teeth are a mess right now too, missing here, growing in there, he reminds me of JAWS from James Bond!

[zhenya]

Thanks, Mike!

My little princess is moving out some time this summer, so I'm crushed somewhat...
I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with the fact that she isn't here every day. It may prove to be very difficult for me to overcome as I never felt stronger about anyone than how I feel about this little girl. Time will tell...

[Poseidon]

Aww... That will be tough for sure. I'm sure you will make it through though, take TONS of pictures before the move, then make a DVD slideshow to play on the TV when/if you get particularly down.

How far are they moving?

[charlie]

Mike, that is one great idea!!!! We have one of those things that you can load pics onto and play them back. We use that a bit when we start thinking of where AJ is at. I think it helps her alot.

[zhenya]

Mike, I already made the dvd...

Anyway, here's something new I got to update this thread with...You ready?

Tada.....



Saw it today and it looked so healthy I had to have it. I traded a large zoanthid rock for it, too...

Here's a closer look.


And a macro shot of one of my corals, too...



Enjoy!

[Poseidon]

I'm crossing my fingers for you on that Gene! They are sure pretty, but.... well you know.

Great images as always!

[charlie]

Nice Gene!!!
If there is anyone who can make a go of it with those, it is you, good luck!!!

[Reefland]

That elegance has great color and expansion, good luck with it Gene!