Samanthabea

Also if it hadn't have been the eel and picasso this would have been a goby themed tank they are just as awesome to me but it was a one or the other type deal

That's awesome eventually this tank(plus upgrades the current tank will be a hospital tank for both of them when they get big if need be) will be a reef something like that I hope but I loved the snowflake and trigger and wanted their tank 1st and knew the limitations and yes we have a basement and the tank in on the main floor which comes the issues of how large can it be from everything I read 125 is usually the top number on a tank on anything but the true ground floor without stress/risk (not including the sump either witch I want it would make water perimeters easier I think but I also refuse to put the tank in the basement) mine is in the kitchen and again from what I read is one of the sturdiest places and looking at the beam structure in the basement is ok for the upgrade but I don't trust myself to decide especially with kids many have kept triggers in 120s but with a light tank stock and I would be happy with even just these 2 I want them both to have the best though but can't do anything over a 180 finance wise or I'd go even bigger

He is awesome very curious too and I'm kinda glad he is picky so he's getting what he needs I wanted to post pictures of my snowflake eel to but he prefers the rocks and he'd just ate so he was hiding don't recommend getting a trigger(especially a picasso like mine) for a reef tank though the mermaids fan (the last plant in the pictures) is getting the brunt of of the picasso they need to chew to keep their beak trimmed and need some algea(the lfs fed lrs premium seaweed sometimes but he prefers the actual plants) not to mention agressive behavior and size(about 10 inches long as an adult) I'm planning 1 or 2 more fish and a 180 gallon 6 ft long if the contractor says the house can hold it otherwise just these 2 and a 125 6 foot long

Sadly I do have a bit of a snail graveyard going but a a hunter will hunt at least I know he's keeping up nutrition

Trigger wouldn't stop uprooting these so I gave up and let him keep them there

Snail hide and seek center whenever the trigger won't leave one alone he goes in here to recover

This and the thermometer on the other side of the power head turned into the snail hangout the trigger doesn't mess with them there one place he won't go

Fat and happy but getting really picky about what he wants to eat started out he ate everything I think he know I'll spoil him if he refuses what I first offer him and keeps going down the line until he gets what he wants

Iodine (iodide? can't remember which one my test kits at home) helps molting they can turn whiteish when stressed or when molting or when they are old iodine is usually consumed in it's diet (very small amounts are needed I read) but it's also in the water some people say to keep levels good in the water and some don't it's a relatively new concept I never dosed mine and the shrimp were fine although some died from age I belive my ph was 7.8 and I added aquarium salt for my mollies shrimp usually hide when they molt for a few days after

All's well now it worked but my ph took a dip kh is good just the chemicals dropped it simple fix for that one thankfully

Honestly it was a huge choice keep to what I know(even though a lot of problems I never had) or start a journey and do the legwork and try something new and equally as beautiful as freshwater tanks

I've mainly done freshwater to I've been doing tons of research before I actually did anything I actually have a pretty good 6.5 gallon freshwater going on the table now ich took a lot of them from me there are hiccups but that's why I joined forums to make sure those hiccups aren't deadly if I'm ever is doubt I ask

Another note just got my protein skimmer working properly today

Amonia(.5) and nitrate(almost 40) started to rise yesterday and did a 5 gallon water change today I finished the water change with 15 gallons added prime and added amonia and nitrate removers to the canister filter it's a saltwater carnivore tank I had more snails hermits and some macro algae coming tomorrow the levels were going back down nitrate is down to 20 amonia is .25 but not anywhere near what I want what else can I do

I could ever wonder what one is the dry rock hmmm new rock day the eel is very happy with it

Ya must not have rinsed them good enough

The white stuff is powdery I've never had a sw or canister before so I'm not sure I was rinsing my filters for the 1st time(new tank) it's also in the job is that normal honestly never had an issue with white powdery accumulation in filters beside hard water in fw tanks

Yes this tank hàs a upgrade in the future maybe I'm kinda getting obsessed

I'm on a seafood diet I see food and I eat it

Garlic guard got my husband's fish eating and then he weened him off it to regular nonsoaked food

Yes they are more sensitive to changes in water parameters for my freshwater I just temp acclimate

I have a canister and top filter, protein skimmer and a power head any suggestions on the power head placement (planning on more live rock I had a mystery snail and a couple mystery creatures 1 worm in the sand and 1 red thing with 3 branchs/tubes on the rock come with mine also used live sand)

Eel proofing

It cycled quickly and the hermits and cirith are doing well just got my first fish a snowflake eel

There are a lot of tank cabinets that would match the style of your house compromise would be easy I just saw one last week that had hidden all the "ugly" of keeping a tank although I have no idea what the price is me and my husband agree on the tanks we have without coverups