Bek's BTA Tank (The Nim-Nam-Nem! LOL)
Introduction:
I've always had a soft (sucker!!) spot for BTAs over the years; their colour, movement, and basic (yet so clever!) physiology really fascinates me. It's only been in the last year or so though that I've become more interested in learning more about them, and in doing so I learned about their plight: so many dying a) before they make it to the aquarium, and b) once IN an aquarium.
It made me want to do something to help.
My first attempt was a rehab tank. It failed miserably, but I learned a lot and that inspired me to learn more. It also inspired me to turn my attention to growing and propagating them to help relieve the demand for wild-caught. So here I am :)
Reefing Since: Really "hands on" for about a year. Prior to that I was just tinkering.
System Objectives: To have a tank a tank full of happy nems to propagate
Type of reef: Bare bottom and no LR. Any ornaments I may add in the future will have to have smooth surfaces for easy nem removal
Display System: AquaOne 620 all-in-one (I might upgrade this in the future, but for now I'm trying to make it work)
Initial Fill Date: I don't remember!! May maybe? June? Either way, I primed all the filter media in the other tanks before it got going
Display Tank Dimensions: 620 x 520H x 390W
Display Lighting: Stock T5s at the mo. We bought white and blues. (Was a year ago when we bought them so I couldn't tell you their specs off the top of my head)
Stand: Stock stand that's around 13yo apparently!! The whole setup is holding up well, considering!!
Hood or Rimless: Stock black hood
Sump Design: None, though I've considered converting the built-in somehow ...
Filtration: Ceramic noodles (LOTS!) in the overhead built-in and I've also got some macro contained in a laundry bag LOL
Support systems: ME!! :P
NSW or ASW: NSW
Display Water circulation: A 4yo semi-broken powerhead. It used to rotate, but now it only stays in one position. I'd like to upgrade it but it's all about the $$ with this project. I'm *trying* to be sensible. That's probably a mistake.
Return Pump: The little stock pump that came with it all those moons ago. I should probably look towards replacing it, but I don't know what I'd be buying!
Skimmer: None at this stage. I have an airlift that I'm yet to install (would require me to cut away sections of the hood and I'm terrified!). At this stage I just plan to do regular water changes.
Evaporation Top Up: Manual
Chemical additions: N/A
Calcium Addition: N/A
Alkilinity Addition: N/A
Magnesium Addition: N/A
Prodibiotics Addition: N/A
Coral Food Addition: N/A
Inhabitants: As at 16th July 2013
Nam-Nam - green with orange tips purchased from @chimaera (14/7/13) [approx 4cm across]
Nim-Nim - plain green with brown foot purchased from CSIRO (username only) off RTAW (15/7/13) [approx 7cm across]
Nom-Nom - green with baby blue-ish bulbs and purple tips purchased from Reef Secrets (arrived 16/7/13) [they told me it was around 15cm, but I'll confirm that in a few days]
2x yet-to-be-named B&W clowns from @Synodontis (added to the tank approx 1/7/13)
Pics to come :)
** Any and all suggestions for improvements are welcomed!! **
I've always had a soft (sucker!!) spot for BTAs over the years; their colour, movement, and basic (yet so clever!) physiology really fascinates me. It's only been in the last year or so though that I've become more interested in learning more about them, and in doing so I learned about their plight: so many dying a) before they make it to the aquarium, and b) once IN an aquarium.
It made me want to do something to help.
My first attempt was a rehab tank. It failed miserably, but I learned a lot and that inspired me to learn more. It also inspired me to turn my attention to growing and propagating them to help relieve the demand for wild-caught. So here I am :)
Reefing Since: Really "hands on" for about a year. Prior to that I was just tinkering.
System Objectives: To have a tank a tank full of happy nems to propagate
Type of reef: Bare bottom and no LR. Any ornaments I may add in the future will have to have smooth surfaces for easy nem removal
Display System: AquaOne 620 all-in-one (I might upgrade this in the future, but for now I'm trying to make it work)
Initial Fill Date: I don't remember!! May maybe? June? Either way, I primed all the filter media in the other tanks before it got going
Display Tank Dimensions: 620 x 520H x 390W
Display Lighting: Stock T5s at the mo. We bought white and blues. (Was a year ago when we bought them so I couldn't tell you their specs off the top of my head)
Stand: Stock stand that's around 13yo apparently!! The whole setup is holding up well, considering!!
Hood or Rimless: Stock black hood
Sump Design: None, though I've considered converting the built-in somehow ...
Filtration: Ceramic noodles (LOTS!) in the overhead built-in and I've also got some macro contained in a laundry bag LOL
Support systems: ME!! :P
NSW or ASW: NSW
Display Water circulation: A 4yo semi-broken powerhead. It used to rotate, but now it only stays in one position. I'd like to upgrade it but it's all about the $$ with this project. I'm *trying* to be sensible. That's probably a mistake.
Return Pump: The little stock pump that came with it all those moons ago. I should probably look towards replacing it, but I don't know what I'd be buying!
Skimmer: None at this stage. I have an airlift that I'm yet to install (would require me to cut away sections of the hood and I'm terrified!). At this stage I just plan to do regular water changes.
Evaporation Top Up: Manual
Chemical additions: N/A
Calcium Addition: N/A
Alkilinity Addition: N/A
Magnesium Addition: N/A
Prodibiotics Addition: N/A
Coral Food Addition: N/A
Inhabitants: As at 16th July 2013
Nam-Nam - green with orange tips purchased from @chimaera (14/7/13) [approx 4cm across]
Nim-Nim - plain green with brown foot purchased from CSIRO (username only) off RTAW (15/7/13) [approx 7cm across]
Nom-Nom - green with baby blue-ish bulbs and purple tips purchased from Reef Secrets (arrived 16/7/13) [they told me it was around 15cm, but I'll confirm that in a few days]
2x yet-to-be-named B&W clowns from @Synodontis (added to the tank approx 1/7/13)
Pics to come :)
** Any and all suggestions for improvements are welcomed!! **