My Lil Pico Project

[wuvmybetta]

I've been in the process of setting up a 100g reef, all is well but I don't have lights yet, so no corals= no fun. I can't decide on whether I want a canopy or not, long story. So now it sits with live rock and a few damsels.

In the meantime I took one of my old 5g betta breeding tanks and turned it into a nano to grow some mushrooms and small polyps. No fish.
Here it is after set up tonight. I've since added the heater but tomorrow I'm going to look for one of those flat Hydor undergravel heaters. In a months time I won't need one at all around here though, more like a chiller! I'm going to pick up more live rock rubble tomorrow as well and use that as my source of filtration.

Anyway, I wanted a little diary for it's progress, so here we go.

It's 5 g with 36 watt 10000K bulbs that came with the tanks (I have two tanks like this, using both light strips on one tank). We'll see how it does. I hope to have the back wall covered with mushrooms and possibly leathers someday!

Already found two hitch hikers, a lil serpent star and an orange bubble anemone. Cute,cute!

 

[wuvmybetta]

I'm such a newbie, they both startled me at first, well not the star, but the little anemone came out of nowhere! I thought it was aptasia

 

[blitztidus]

Looking good so far wuvmybetta

 

[AMS]

So uhhmm...do you trim the anemone when they get too long? lookaround.gif

 

[Synirr]

Well, look on the bright side --- better aptasia than mantis shrimp!!!!

Hey now, that's what I WANT for my future 5g nano
Speaking of which.... if you happen to find one hitchhiking in Wuv, you know who to call!

 

[Animation]

Ghostbusters?
Looking good wuv,
James

 

[steelhealr]

Welcome aboard Wuv. SH

 

[Synirr]

Ghostbusters?

 

[AMS]

LOL synirr, mantis for your 5 gallon nano! Actually, I shouldnt laugh I used to want one before I realized that they could punch through glass or acrylic over 1.5 inches thick!

 

[Fella]

Heh, I've also been looking into doing a mantis nano. Acrylic tanks all the way!


Be sure to update this thread wuv!

 

[wuvmybetta]

Synirr, you know it, baby. If I see one, it's all yours! Speaking of which I saw some photos of a peacock mantis, quite a stunning lil critter. No pun intended.

I haven't done too much, I did go pick up some coral skeletons my lfs had lying around with the live rock yesterday, I can't decide whether or not I like them though. And I did buy a new mushroom but I stupidly placed it into the wall behind the powerhead so it's not exactly a picture perfect spot I've been watching it though and I can't wait to have shrooms all over the back wall.

Last night was good times, I was watching the lil serpent stars rummage around (I've counted 3 so far) so I dropped in some bbs and the anemone went bonkers for the brine. It was awesome watching the largest swat and catch the shrimp (counted 3 of them so far,too. At this rate I may never have to buy stock )

Anyway, here's my last update until I actually get something cool in there (no stab at the shroom,stars or anemones of course)

 

[Synirr]

LOL synirr, mantis for your 5 gallon nano! Actually, I shouldnt laugh I used to want one before I realized that they could punch through glass or acrylic over 1.5 inches thick!

There are actually many different species of mantis shrimp, most of which can't do that much damage. You're probably thinking of the peacock mantis, Odontodactylus scyllarus, which get too large for a 5 gallon anyway. Some species, like Haptosquilla hamifera, only get a few cms in size, so obviously lack the power to crack glass that's thicker than they are long!
This site is a good little mantis species guide.

Synirr, you know it, baby. If I see one, it's all yours! Speaking of which I saw some photos of a peacock mantis, quite a stunning lil critter. No pun intended.

There was a peacock mantis at Aquarium Trading Company in Dallas when I visited the weekend before last, what a stunning animal

 

[Navarre]

Loking good so far Wuv
Im sure that the members in the nano section would love to see a post or two in there about it

 

[lljdma06]

Loking good so far Wuv
Im sure that the members in the nano section would love to see a post or two in there about it

I agree with Navarre, this little tank SHOULD be posted in the nano section. Nice LR formations, I like the coral skeletons. Your hitchikers, Wuv, sound very cute and active. I hope that when I setup my nano, I get as many exciting little guys.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Thanks guys, I'll post about it soon enough, for now I'm still on pins and needles regarding my choice for a background. My lfs challenged me by saying "Keep us informed about what lives and dies with that" so, I'm still sort of nervous but so far so good. I'm sorry that I bought the mushroom and encrusting gorgonian so soon, but again....I'd like to see what lives and dies so I needed something somewhat hardy yet somewhat fragile. So far both are doing good and my gorgonian opened up almost all the way yesterday. But....my heater stuck on overnight It's really hot right now but I'm cooling it down. I'm sort of pissed at myself because I should have known better, I really hate heaters. So, it's outta there!

Otherwise I'm letting it sit and fester with a small water change every two days or so. *fingers crossed*