Okay... Gonna try an "accepted" set up.

[Rob in Puyallup]

Thanks for that, Jill!

I'll be working on the tank tomorrow, will look into changing things around a bit. The rock is mostly in the tank for the opae ula, is large enough for hiding places if that's what they want. I wedged the lace rock in the tank so they have a flatter surface to congregate on if they want, and it's at an angle where I can see them on both sides.

In regards to the BBQ lava rock. Many folks at other forums I frequent use them in their tanks with no problem.

Thanks again!

[Rob in Puyallup]

It's now official... This tank is home to 6 Opae Ula. If they're still swimming in several days I'll add some more.

[Mustafa]

Looks great! I like the piles of rock they way they are. Looks like the Supershrimp macroalga I sent you went nuts with growth in your other "nutrient rich" tank and you have tons of it to distribute to other tanks. I assume that darker green stuff is the "normal" Chaetomorpha you get from the saltwater section of some pet stores. It does not grow much, if at all, does it?

[Rob in Puyallup]

Actually it grows pretty quickly. It's been divided between tanks as well.

Good to have you back, Mustafa!

[Mustafa]

Actually it grows pretty quickly. It's been divided between tanks as well.

Hmm...interesting. If so, that may mean that the pet store variety needs more nutrients than what I am selling. My tanks are all nutrient poor, but special Chaetomorpha I have grows just fine with every two to three weeks feedings, whereas the pet store stuff always just sat there and did nothing.

Good to have you back, Mustafa!

Thanks! I try to participate more often, but there is just so much to do and so little time! And I always have quite a bit to say, too, so that doesn't help....

[Rob in Puyallup]

I do prefer the chaeto that I purchased from you, Mustafa. It's finer growth habits look much nicer in these small tanks.

[Rob in Puyallup]

Eleven days in. The tank is doing well, the six opae are hiding much of the time. Algae is starting to grow on tank surfaces, on some of the rocks, and on the gravel, most obviously where the light is hitting.

Could be diatoms, too, I guess:

[Mustafa]

Hmmm..I wonder why you have such heavy algae growth already. Are those bubbles in the first picture? That's usually a sign of cyanobacteria. I wonder there the nutrients come from....

[Rob in Puyallup]

LOL!

Remember the first picture of this tank in this thread, Mustafa? The one with the "HOT" filter?

The filter came from the other 10 gallon where I had had an issue with cyanobacteria.

I had similar bubbles in my first opae tank, the "Bookshelf" tank that I've posted elsewhere. Had it on the gravel. It turned out to be diatoms which hung out for a couple weeks or so, then gave way to algae. The MTS and opae loved it.

[Rob in Puyallup]

Added about 20 more Opae Ula to the tank earlier tonight...

How it appeared a few minutes ago:

[Mustafa]

I had similar bubbles in my first opae tank, the "Bookshelf" tank that I've posted elsewhere. Had it on the gravel. It turned out to be diatoms which hung out for a couple weeks or so, then gave way to algae. The MTS and opae loved it.

Yes, the shrimp will eventually eat it. All I was saying is that there must have been some source of nutrients and "organics" for the cyanobacteria to even spread. If you put a lump of cyanobacteria in a tank with absolutely no nutrients and organic pollution, it will just shrivel up and die...tried it.

[Rob in Puyallup]

Found this morning in the old 10 gallon tank. The first berried opae ula!

[Rob in Puyallup]

[KenCotigirl]

Great news Rob that two of your tanks are reproducing. In your bookshelf tank have the larvae transformed into little shrimp. Like to see pictures.
Ken

[Rob in Puyallup]

Will get some pics when I can, Ken.

Thinking of trying to catch this lady and throw her in the new un-everything tank. There's about 25 opae ula in it and I only see the shrimp if I use a mirror aimed behind the rocks, and that's like 2 or 3 shrimp. At least if I put her in it I'd see the drifting larvae when they hatch!