Puget Sound Biotope

[eatyourpeas]

This initial post is going to be a bit long, since I am compiling steps that have taken place already.

The beginnings of this tank came from collecting local specimens, and right now we have depth of 0' to 10' for the sake of convenience. I use a dry suit to go in the 50F water, no tank, just snorkel. As I progress and learn about salt water aquarium requirements, the project will evolve towards optimal conditions to house Rhamphocottus richardsonii, as well as other life forms form Puget Sound, Washington State.

Day one:

Parameters:
Ammonia: 0, Nitrites: 0, Nitrates: 0, Salt water pH: 8.0, temperature: 55F GH: higher than 180 ppm, KH: 120ppm

Inhabitants:
Littorina scutulata and several amphipods and copepods.

Algae:
Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii, Cladophora columbiana, Prionitis lanceolata, Fucus gardneri, Alaria marginata.

Day two:


The tank has been insulated in order to maintain a 55F/12.8C environment. I do not currently have a chiller since I am researching both tank size and equipment, so this is a hack but seems to be working. Temperature has been stable.

Today:
Some housekeeping. It looks like an amphipod molted last night, and a happy barnacle to the right of the molt.



On my walk to the beach to collect samples a go through a small patch of forest, and there are early signs of spring! Today was low tide.

 

[eatyourpeas]

These are the fish that I am contemplating as main inhabitants:
Grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus richardsonii)
Pacific spiny lumpsucker (Eumicrotremus orbis)

Some anemones and nudibranch. We'll see.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Keep us posted, super cool.

nudibranch

Definitely try to get one of those little guys.

 

[eatyourpeas]

Also, one of the challenges of having this kind of tank is I will have to collect the marine life myself. Stores do not carry temperate specimens. There will be a lot of going in the ocean in the near future!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Also, one of the challenges of having this kind of tank is I will have to collect the marine life myself. Stores do not carry temperate specimens. There will be a lot of going in the ocean in the near future!

Is that legal where you live?

 

[eatyourpeas]

Yes, you can collect bottom dwelling fish. They probably figure if you are willing to go 100' deep in 46F water, you are crazy enough!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Yes, you can collect bottom dwelling fish. They probably figure if you are willing to go 100' deep in 46F water, you are crazy enough!

Hey, I would do it. I've never actually been scuba diving before.

Do you plan to free dive? Or do you have scuba gear?

 

[eatyourpeas]

I used to own my scuba gear. Did it for many years. Always loved walls, great places for marine life. Loved sharks but you have to go to warm waters for them, and it can get expensive to travel like that.

After the heart attack and strokes I only kept the dry suit, mask, snorkel, fins. I can't risk having an episode in deep water with all that gear. I got about thirty years out of the hobby before having to give it up, so I don't feel cheated. So, I will be free diving it!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Impressive you can hold your breath for that long. I haven’t swam in over 2 years, so my breath holding “skills” are lacking...

 

[OnlyGenusCaps]

Also, one of the challenges of having this kind of tank is I will have to collect the marine life myself. Stores do not carry temperate specimens. There will be a lot of going in the ocean in the near future!

I had to reply because there wasn't a quick "jealous" emoji. But I think this one will work: ?

 

[eatyourpeas]

Impressive you can hold your breath for that long. I haven’t swam in over 2 years, so my breath holding “skills” are lacking...

LOL, not to 100 feet! I can go shallow to 10'-15', but I have diver friends that I could ask to source the deep stuff.

 

[eatyourpeas]

I had to reply because there wasn't a quick "jealous" emoji. But I think this one will work: ?

Ok, adding a little jar of ocean water to the carnivore plant and the kelp!

 

[OnlyGenusCaps]

Ok, adding a little jar of ocean water to the carnivore plant and the kelp!

That'll be quite the soup.

 

[eatyourpeas]

That'll be quite the soup.

Some call it soul food

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I really love this project. Those grunt sculpins are outrageously cool looking! You really have those up there? It makes me happy that there is a fish called a spiny lumpsucker.