7 entries · Page 1 of 1
Swapped in the Eheim Jager heater today since I wanted something I trust more than what I started with. Genuinely didn't expect it to be this quiet, I keep checking if it's even on. Small change but nice not to hear anything humming away next to the couch anymore.
The lyretail anthias have really settled in and they're out and swimming in the open water constantly now, not hiding like the early days. Rock's still got some bare patches and the corals are small yet but coralline is spreading nicely. The anthias school together every time I turn the lights on, it's basically the highlight of my morning coffee routine.
Did a water change today and found a tiny hitchhiker crab hanging out on one of the rocks, no idea how long it's been in there. Water level's a bit low mid change with the bucket and hose taking over the living room floor as usual. Coralline is finally starting to show up on the rock which felt like a small win after staring at bare white rock for weeks.
Added the six line wrasse today, first livestock in the tank. That thing shot out of the bag and immediately vanished into the rockwork like it had somewhere to be. Saw a flash of it here and there for the rest of the day, mostly just a streak of color disappearing behind a rock. Bold little guy already.
Tested water today since we're a couple weeks into cycling. Ammonia is dropping, nitrites spiked, nitrates showing up, so the cycle seems to actually be doing something instead of me just imagining progress. Still no fish, still checking the numbers more than a reasonable person should.
Topped the tank off with water and flipped the filter on and the water went hazy almost right away, kind of a light brown haze off the rock. Not gross exactly, just not the crystal clear water I was picturing. No fish in yet, just me watching cloudy water like it's a tv show.
Stacked the rock today with zero water in the tank and my wife walked by and asked if I was building a fireplace. No ma'am, this is a future reef. Stared at it for a solid ten minutes before deciding it looked good enough not to touch again.