Finally on my way to reef keeping... wahooo

[shcuck]

Ok so I finally got my lights and I think I am set to start growing my reef. Here is what we have so far, any help in identifying my inhabitants would be really appreciated:

 

[shcuck]

few more pics...

 

[shcuck]

ok last set.

 

[Len]

Sweet Congrats.

For DSC01587, those are Valonia bubble algae and generally considered pests. I'd remove them carefully (try to not pop the bubbles) before they spread out of control. They aren't dangerous or harmful, but they can take over the tank and be unslightly.

As for DSC01588, I can't really say for sure, but it looks like a mushrom coral splitting into two.

DSC01644 is an amphipod. Good guys, great algae munchers and you'll likely see hundreds more of them.

 

[Anonymous]

Len, the sailor's eyeballs in DSC01587...I was always under the impression that these were a different type of valonia that the more oblong ones that I see overrunning people's tanks. These don't seem to reproduce like the oblong ones, either...at least ime.

Maybe I'm all wet here...please tell me if I am.

 

[Anonymous]

Btw, the tank looks wonderful, shcuck!! Well done!!

 

[shcuck]

thanx u guys. I have really tried to do it the "right" way this time, with patience being the key ingredient :wink:

 

[Len]

Chris, unless my tank was a fluke, this species of Valonia also reproduces like crazy. The oblong, slender ones tend to congregate and reproduce like colonies, but the spherical ones pop up everywhere in the tank.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Len.

 

[Anonymous]

but the spherical ones pop up everywhere in the tank.

that they do..i get them from time to time..ive seen no reason as of yet to rid them..they usually die off or disappear..come back weeks later...but i do keep an eye on them as they can become a nuissance from what ive read