Picasso Clown Babies - 1/2/12 Updated Video

[justahobby]

They are really getting their colors in! When they get the rest of their stripes in we will have to put the pics all together to show their transformation.

[BSJF]

When you come by on Saturday come early enough to get a peek! Might even have new babies by then.

[alton]

So Lorraine are you going to set up another tank to raise the new hatch? Have you thought about getting a website? Maybe like Lorraines Custom Clownfish?

[BSJF]

I have the 10 g set up again for the new hatch.



Lorraines Custom Clownfish
that names pretty original alton

[BSJF]

Today, in addition to multiple WC's, I installed a sponge filter that I always have as a spare in the sump of the main display. Nitrites scare me! Not sure why I didn't do this from the start. And, very little food today.

On babywatch tonight for the new hatch. I'm afraid the cleaner shrimp are also staking out a watch.

[BSJF]

8:54 - mysid has hatched, one cleaner has hatched...slower than usual. Get's darker way later than usual too.

[BSJF]

While I am waiting patiently, I lined up all my 3-1/2 wk old clowns and counted 55. I know I have killed 2 (one smashed during the move to the large tank, the other smashed behind the feeding ring). Ace counted 61 in the pic he took, so I guess I have about 4 that are playing hide and seek.

[Texreefer]

thats a lot of clowns!!!

[BSJF]

thats a lot of clowns!!!

And they take up about 3 square inches of the tank. It looks funny to see them all huddle together in the corners.

[alton]

Typically when we post on this site it is to fix something or I have a problem with this or that. Stories like this one are just awesome, keep up the great work Lorraine and continued success.

[Texreefer]

I didn't have as many but mine did the same thing,,, I had a fake anemone in there and they would all hide right under it

[BSJF]

I got a really stupid glow in the dark one. Even they think it is stupid.

Obviously no hatch last night, so it has to be tonight.

[BSJF]

182 new little babies!

And there are more eggs left. Maybe another split hatch. or, just bad eggs, don't know.

[hobogato]

awesome!

[BSJF]

Good morning! Grab your coffee...

Day 26

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS6JvsQpXMU

For comparison Day 20
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/4_23_2011%20Day%2020/Sample11.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/4_23_2011%20Day%2020/Sample09.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/4_23_2011%20Day%2020/Sample03.jpg

[Texreefer]

I like them a LOT!:bigsmile: they would go good with one of these
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/itili/newrbta.jpg

[neogenix]

Mine look like they're about to start laying eggs... would you guys want to try help me raise some semi snowflake bebies?

[BSJF]

I can show you what I do and get you some rotifers. If they are just starting I would wait a while and take the time to learn . Feed them well and often to increase the size of the clutch.

[ErikH]

Very cool!

[neogenix]

I can show you what I do and get you some rotifers. If they are just starting I would wait a while and take the time to learn . Feed them well and often to increase the size of the clutch.

yup, that's something the fish in my are pretty much sorted on. They're fed often, and well :) That'd be great though!!!

[justahobby]

How many snow flakes do you have??!

[BSJF]

Hard to say (they wiggle around so much), but I think I count 6 of them and several others with nice Grade A markings. You were right much higher than 10%.

[TaknByD]

I kind of skipped a few pages... But this seems like a REALLY COOL experiment that you guys have going. I would love and try to breed clowns. Is there a list or did that die off? If there is a list I would love to try a pair if possible... :D

[BSJF]

I guess I really should start compiling a list. These babies are 1 month old! Hard to believe I have 230 baby clowns in this house!

You should come see them in person sometime and take us all some pics!

I'm looking at the fry tank and sure can't see hardly any of them. I don't see any dead ones though so I'm assuming they are still in there someplace. It's much harder to monitor/feed with the tanks stacked (fry tank on the bottom). Looking from the top down is easier to see than from the side.

[Texreefer]

I would really like to stop by and visit sometime

[BSJF]

Any time! This week is heck week for me at work, and I am still recovering from rocky ride to/from Corpus yesterday (I will never ever sit in the back of a Jeep Cherokee ever again in my life). Next Friday-Sunday is probably the best time for a visit. Maybe I can just schedule an open house one of these days for everyone to stop by and visit the babies. Would anyone like that?

[TaknByD]

You should come see them in person sometime and take us all some pics!


Sounds like fun.. Let me know if you'd like me to swing by to take some... Would love to see your setup and also be able to show it off for you as well... :D

[Kristy]

I will never ever sit in the back of a Jeep Cherokee ever again in my life
I TOLD you to trade places with me!!!


Maybe I can just schedule an open house one of these days for everyone to stop by and visit the babies. Would anyone like that?

Now THAT is a brilliant idea!!! :D

[BSJF]

K, this post is going to document a bit about the parents of the babies.

My pair came from donisreef (before there was a donisreef.com). They are from her original pair that are two ORA picasso's purchased from different lfs in her area -- the male as a juvenile and female as an adult. My pair are a brother/sister pair from Spawn#7, hatched on 8-18-2008. My birthday! It was meant to be. Looking back through the colorings of her spawns, it appears I have a substantially greater % of whitebecause of the close relationship of this pair. They moved with me from Utah, and I was very happy to open that shipment and see them swimming in their bags. I also shipped my pair of Bluespots. The entire tank got sick when I introduced new fish, and so the entire tank went fallow while they were treated. My male bluespot BJ didn't make it - I still miss him! They have lived in Texas since July 2009 in my 150 gallon display. They host mostly in my duncans and are currently spawning on an adjacent rock. Enough for the trip down memory lane, just thought you might want to know more about them...

[BSJF]

I TOLD you to trade places with me!!!


I'm just glad you didn't own the car so I could whine outloud! BTW, I left my purchase in the car.

[BSJF]

I knew something didn't feel right. I decided to move the 10g where I could see it better. I had put a small piece of poly filter in the tank to help with WQ, but it collected little babies, who perished. So sad.

[Kristy]

Oh no! Sorry Lorraine. Every move you make is such a gamble. I am glad you have such great instincts with this stuff. Any idea what percentage was lost?

[BSJF]

I think I have cleaned out about 20 bodies, but I don't think I have more than about the same amount that I had last time at this stage.

The new setup seems more functional. The Rotis are with the new fry and the nhbbs are with the grow out. Eventually, I will probably reverse the location of these tanks so that I can hook up the growout to the display tank to improve WQ. Right now the WQ is good, but I'm sure as everyone grows up, it will get worse again. Right now the thought of moving the 29g with my aching back was just too much to handle.

[aquadude]

I didn't realize your birthday is the same day as mine Lorraine. Maybe your pair will have a spawn on our birthdays. :-)

[BSJF]

:)

[BSJF]

The new babies are strong today. WQ isn't as good as I would like to see, but thank goodness for PRIME. My roti culture is much more dense than previously. I am going through Rotigrow Plus like there is no tomorrow. Off to make some more BBS, then calling it an early night.

[Goofball310]

sorry for the loses, but congrats on the big hatch.

[CoryDude]

Sorry, I haven't read all 287 posts, so this may have been already answered. What do you plan to do with the babies once they grow up? The parents are beautiful and have a top shelf lineage, so I'm assuming there's a market for them.

Sorry Lorraine, am I getting the cart ahead of the horse?

[BSJF]

lol Cory. I think in this case it is the fish before the egg. If they make it, I will be selling them. Still figuring out the process for that. I'm going to miss these guys again today. It's going to be a very long day that will last until 10 pm, followed by a 5:30 am trip to Roundrock. Sigh. (Note WC's will occur tonight and in the morning, along with feedings.)

Have a great day!

[BSJF]

Long, but great day today. WC's done, feedings done.

New batch of eggs laid today. Another nice large batch.

[justahobby]

The heck w/ selling baby clowns....We need to bottle your tank water and sell it to fertility clinics! How many batches do you have now? Anymore cleaner shrimp babies? When is open house?

[TaknByD]

Wow.... You have some producing clowns there... You're extremely lucky to be able to produce them the way that you are... Is it a lot of work? From your posts it sure seems like a lot of effort is being made to make sure as many as possible are able to make it. I really envy that. What size tank are you using? I'm in the same boat as Cory on this one, I didn't read all 280+ posts, so I am sorry if you've answered this multiple times. But I am curious... :D

[BSJF]

There were cleaners in the last hatch as well, but the shrimp put me over the top, so after a few days I dumped what I had into the fuge.

I have two clutches of babies here -- 4 days and 1 month old.

How about Saturday like 2-4ish for a clown fish baby open house?

[Europhyllia]

How fun! I'll see if I can get 'leave' ;)

[BSJF]

Dustin - Yes, work, work, awe, awe...work, work, awe, awe. You guys need to come see the setups this weekend and you will see the work that goes behind this. It's a lot like having a newborn baby to tend to. Enjoyable, but definitely work. I'm really glad I got to see a setup in action before I did this to bring the reality of what goes into if before I had them. Raising 2 kinds of live food to feed, including a back up of each just in case. WC twice a day being careful not to suck up the babies. Buying stock in IO (and thank goodness that AD has a great buy on it right now)! I think at one time I was feeding 6 times a day. I'm just glad my display tank isn't complaining about being ignored. Buster (our spoiled doggy) isn't either, since he has decided that it is his job to tend the babies, so cute!

Karin - Hope so! You are welcome to bring the kids (if you want).

[aquadude]

I've seen Lorraine's setup first hand. All the work I've seen you doing reminds me of having a baby all over again. Keep up the great work. Hope to see the babies real soon.

[BSJF]

Fed nhbbs today to the young ones for the first time - so nice to see their big fat bellies after enjoying the meal! Some kinked tails today too.

[BSJF]

The new eggs. Any volunteers to count how many?
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/Fry%20Setup/P5030820.jpg

[alton]

That would be like guessing how many marbles in a gallon jar. Looks awesome Lorraine

[justahobby]

When the babies hatch you are able to trap some of them in that contraption I saw, right? But you only get 50 or so, so what happens to the rest?

[BSJF]

Clutches are getting larger each time. I catch about 70% using the cup/flashlight and 30% in the catcher. The cup method is gentler on them and survival rate is better using that method. This hatch I did a few stupid things, so I think I only have about 60 left of the 182 I caught. There were also a lot left unhatched, but what I'm not able to catch become food for the tank. I'm not sure why they are left unhatched, but I am assuming it is because I turn off the pumps for 3 evenings in case of a hatch and/or the light from the flashlight disrupts them during hatching. I also read someplace that partially hatched eggs (like the tail sticking out of the egg sack) is because of too much shrimp in the diet. I haven't inspected the eggs close enough to tell if that is the case.

[justahobby]

Did it mention why it would cause the bad hatching? Too much iodine?

[BSJF]

I don't think it did, other than it made the egg sack too strong.

[BSJF]

Day 6 - ~60 little guys/gals. There are probably about 10 that aren't shown in this pic.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/Fry%20Setup/P5050869Day6.jpg

[hobogato]

nice, funny how quickly you forget how small they once were. it really is fun raising these little buggers, thanks again for letting me raise a batch.

[BSJF]

I'm enjoying this stage, because I missed it the last go round.

[Europhyllia]

Is the open house still on?
I am trying to make it but it will be more like 3:30 (last day of spring soccer)

[Kristy]

And do you want us to let you know / RSVP that we are planning to show up?

[BSJF]

Kristy, it would be good to know whoto expect, but not required. Looking forward to company!

Karin, I will still be here!

We bought some snacks and stuff today! Even the babies are getting into this. The large group moved into their brand new ceramic pot. They look high class now (instead of hovering in that stupid corner like they are dumb).

[BSJF]

Got my new ReefKeeper Lite :) I think the babies will love it.

[Europhyllia]

Got my request for leave approved. I am coming! Around 3 :)

[BSJF]

Yeah!

[BSJF]

Almost time for some fun. 70 minutes countdown.

[CoryDude]

Sounds like fun. I wish I hadn't been bitten by the lazy bug today or else I'd be up there.

[BSJF]

Bring the lazy bug with you! LOL It's a good excuse to not have to do anything else.

[BSJF]

Thanks to all who stopped in! Hope you enjoyed the babies as much as i enjoy showing them off.

[BSJF]

Just did a WC on the youngest tank. I saw my first stripe! Day 8

[Europhyllia]

They are even more wonderful in person than in pictures Lorraine! Thanks for having us over. I am glad I got to see them. :)
Wish I had the room for clowns and I'd get on your non-existent waiting list for little Tex ;)

[Texreefer]

Wish I could have made it.. had to work today then had to drive to NB to pick up my kiddo from grandmas... just got home... cant wait to get a good look at them

[Kristy]

Never get tired of watching those little guys. They are so much bigger, fatter, and more beautiful than a week ago! thanks for having us, Lorraine.

(Lol at Karin and "little Tex!") ;)

[BSJF]

Little Tex is roommates with one of my Frosty's.

[TaknByD]

Just wanted to say Thank You So Much for opening your home to us so that we could see your setup. You have an amazing talent in this hobby and it shows through your tanks. Here are some of the shots I took. It's kind of my first time shooting a tank so they're not all that great... I'll have to get some more practice in. Having a corner bowfront tank isn't the greatest tank for photography. Thanks so much for everything!

The Babies...
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8005.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8003.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8000.jpg

The Mother and Father...
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8050.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8038.jpg

And Some Other Shots...
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8024.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8012.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8029.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8049.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ditzieg13/IMG_8066.jpg

[Europhyllia]

Great shots!!!

(baby pic #3 shows little Tex!)

[BSJF]

Those are great Dustin. Thanks for taking them. Any time you want to "practice" come on over!

[hobogato]

Great pics dustin! Can't believe how much they have grown since I last saw them

[BSJF]

The little ones got transferred over to the 20g breeder today. Guess what that means ? :)

I don't know what to do with this empty 10g. I hid it in the stand of the display tank. Do you think anyone will notice if I fill it up and feed it?

[TaknByD]

Thanks everyone for the awesome comments on the photos... It's really easy to take awesome shots when you have a tanks like Lorraine's to shoot. You're doing an awesome job with the babies Lorraine, keep up the great work! :D

[Texreefer]

so,,, what is a little TEX.? are they all named?

[alton]

Great pics dustin! Can't believe how much they have grown since I last saw them

X2

[ShAgMaN]

Wish I wasn't so busy and could swing by...but thanks for the pics. The picasso's look great! Also, some other great shots - That orange fungia is sic!!! I remember that sticking out last time I was over.

[BSJF]

so,,, what is a little TEX.? are they all named?

Li'l Tex was named during the open house. He has a pattern that looks like the state of Texas. I have about 8-9 Frosty's, but haven't named the rest.

[BSJF]

Thinking there is a Texas Longhorn or two as well.

So, when do these babies hatch? isn't it about time?

[alton]

Okay Lorraine you are learning marketing. Find a couple that look like they have an image of a thumb on them and you will become rich.

[BSJF]

What is cool about a thumb?

[Kristy]

Duh Alton, she would only find the thumb on MAROON clown babies!!!:rofl:

[Kristy]

What is cool about a thumb?

Not a thing, actually! (UT class of 1993 here) :D

Lorraine, since you only moved to Texas about a year ago, I will spell it out for you. Most of the state chooses one school or the other to claim allegiance to in a classic rivalry: University of Texas (the Longhorns) or Texas A&M (the Aggies). Aggies like to say "Gig 'em!" and use the thumb's up gesture to symbolize this. Ask some of those engineers you work with and I'm sure they'll tell you all about it.

[BSJF]

Thanks Kristy, I have tried to avoid all those silly conversations! My reference to Aggies is Utah -- a whole different story!

We got plenty of clown fish hollering "gig 'em" We have new babies too! About 80. I have to figure out why the rest aren't hatching.

Everyone is settled in. Night, night.

[alton]

Duh Alton, she would only find the thumb on MAROON clown babies!!!:rofl:

Sorry I forgot aggie colors are maroon. One of my kids was a mountaineer and the other is a cardinal. Lorraine congrats on the new hatch.

[BSJF]

Make up your mind, it takes me a lot of time to tatoo these shapes on them.

Everyone looks happy this morning. These nights are long. It is impossible to sleep after seeing such a remarkable event. Now to clean up the messes I made, then off to work (a paid Friday for a change).

[BSJF]

2 week olds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXJciyNi5Dg

6 week olds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV6TaS_4vos

[BSJF]

Looks like the baby picasso fan club is tired of seeing their pics or they are partying way too much.

[ReefCube]

im guessing your going to sell these for some big $$?

[BSJF]

lol, yest at some point they will be for sale. No need for 150 clownfish in this house. :)

[Texreefer]

Looks like the baby picasso fan club is tired of seeing their pics or they are partying way too much.

Ive been busy trying to figure out which one I want

[hobogato]

definitely growing up lorraine, really some cool patterns in there.

[BSJF]

Ive been busy trying to figure out which one I want

That video doesn't even have them all! It is just a "sample."


definitely growing up lorraine, really some cool patterns in there.

I'm very happy with the diversity of types that I have.

[alton]

lol, yest at some point they will be for sale. No need for 150 clownfish in this house. :)

Lorraine I could sell you my 300 real cheap?

[BSJF]

Both me and the babies would be looking for a new home if I did that!


Lorraine I could sell you my 300 real cheap?

[BSJF]

For your morning coffee, enjoy!

4/3 hatch at 6-1/2 weeks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaeMypHg5S0

4/29 hatch at 2-1/2 weeks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LndqvaFY7Xw

5/12 hatch at 5 days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwvGsU8XSv0

[Mr Cob]

awesome. great looking fish.

[Europhyllia]

So cute! How's my little Tex? ;)

[BSJF]

He is growing so fast. Did you notice that a few of the older ones are getting a lot of black already.

[Europhyllia]

Yes. So cute to see such perfect replicas in such miniature size

[BSJF]

They got an anemone today from AD.

[Texreefer]

Why didn't you take that awesome clam home with you? i'm gonna go back ans steal it if you don't get it soon

[BSJF]

It's paid for. Just need to rearrange my tank before I bring it home.

[Texreefer]

Thanks for letting me stop by,,, good to finally meet you. those are some awesome fish and a very nice reef as well...Hope the Anemone does well for you...BTW you Pm box is full

[BSJF]

Sorry, cleaned out the pm box. It was great to meet you too. Lil'neme is doing great.

[BSJF]

Moved the baby's GBTA to the 150 last night cause it didn't look so good, disappeared for a while today, but reappeared and seems fine. Of course it wants to be where the RBTA is. Both of them seem to be ok with that.

Consolidated the young babies with the ones that are 2 weeks older. They seem to be doing well together.

Thought tonight was 9 day, but guess it wasn't. Eggs are still there.

[BSJF]

New babies last night. Looks like I missed one of the 2 wk olds so they will have a big brother in there with them. Can't believe im only posting this now. Mcuh different then first hatch

[Europhyllia]

wow so one of the babies just survived on what you got in the big tank anyway?

[BSJF]

no, he was left in the fry tank when I moved the 2 week olds into the 1 month odd tank. I added new babies into the same tank as him. I think he picked on them and ate their food. I don't think any of the new batch are going to make it.

Yesterday was a bad day for the babies.

I lost 2 of my 2 month olds. They were stuck to the inlet of the pump. I guess they aren't as big as I thought they were. I'm thinking when I did a water change I either scared them into it, or the force of the water I put in the tank was too much. I'm really mad at myself. The new filter I got, doesn't give me anything to hook the filter bag to like I have on the other tank, but the slots are so narrow I really didn't think I needed anything. They have all done fine for the past week.

My rotifers crashed. I think my new ones starved before I realized this. There are a few left today, but they look very weak.

[Kristy]

Well no one can say that you make it look so easy, now can they?!? Sorry to hear about these heartbreaking struggles. Hope you find some roti's and turn your luck around quickly.

[hobogato]

darnit, check with tiger_eye or thirdcoasttropical to see if they have any rotifer cultures still going.

[BSJF]

will do. thx.

[BSJF]

I screened one of my buckets through the brine shrimp and rotifer collecting screens that I have. What I collected in the rotifer screen was put in 100% new water. I took enough from that for this morning's feeding, and hopefully there is enough still there to get the culture going again. Here's hoping anyway. I guess I should do that to the other bucket too and see what I can get from it.

I didn't clean the new fry tank before I added the last batch and probably should have. Also, I just put all the collection water in the tank with them (so the cleaner shrimp and mysid shrimp are eating what I feed as well).

On the fun side, I took lots of pics and video last night. I also have new software to play with. All I need is time.

[BSJF]

Rotifers appear to be bouncing back finally. Only 8-10 babies left to feed though (clarification, this is the latest hatch #).

[BSJF]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Media/PDF/71732-LarvaeCatcherInstructions.pdf

Interesting twist on the baby catcher concept. In some ways seems like a better design, the light is at the top and the collection area is at the top. Not sure about the filter pad though. They do get pushed gainst the screen in the one I have, and I would think they would get caught in the filter pad.

[BSJF]

Little ones are eating hikari first bites

The 2 month old test group in fuge are doing very good. I replaced the ladel with a small pot.

[hobogato]

i am going to see if i can modify that design to use an air lift. i will build one and we can try it out...


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Media/PDF/71732-LarvaeCatcherInstructions.pdf

Interesting twist on the baby catcher concept. In some ways seems like a better design, the light is at the top and the collection area is at the top. Not sure about the filter pad though. They do get pushed gainst the screen in the one I have, and I would think they would get caught in the filter pad.

[Kristy]

Oh thank goodness they are already accepting the First Bites! I'm relieved for you!! So now you should have a few days to get your roti culture fully recovered. This batch will be El Milagros (the miracles)! Look for some divinely inspired markings on their little heads and sides...:)

[clownfishgems]

nice babies, if you ever need any rotifers to start your cultures let us know, my husband and i also breed picasso's,snowflakes and wyoming whites,,, pm me and ill have him get you a pint or quart ready!!!

[BSJF]

The oldest hatch is now able to eat GP Reef & Larvel Fish Diet (300-500 microns) as well as frozen Cyclopeeze! It's hard to keep them fed and they really seem to appreciate this new big kid food.

[BSJF]

And the big kids in the fuge love it in there. They always stay in their ceramic pot.

[clownfishgems]

have you tried feeding otohimeA B AND B1? they work best and give you a better survival rate!!!

[BSJF]

I have primarily fed A and B1, as well as nhbbs. Also got a sample of their new top dressed line, which I haven't decided if I like yet, seems to have more waste left at the bottom to clean up after. When do you start feeding A? Mine little hatch didn't take A, but take first bites. Since I was very low on rotifers, its been good to have. They still get the nhbbs too, which they start taking at 4-5 days old. They should take A very soon.

I think my temp in the main tank is a bit low and that is why some haven't hatched. I will try and raise it a bit when I get the heater issue resolved.

[clownfishgems]

i start a pinch on day 4 , some eat it some dont... but ive got some good success rates with them.... buy yourself a couple big heaters and you should not have a problem....

[BSJF]

thanks to reeferlover and tiger_eyed1 the babies have more rotifers!

[FireWater]

Good to hear Lorraine.

I really can't say enough about the dedication it takes to do what you do. I absolutely loved getting to see the fish in all different stages when I came over last time. Xander keeps asking when we are going back to check out how much they have grown. One of his last papers at school was written about his experience at your house and the clowns.

Is this something that you plan to keep going forward with?

[clownfishgems]

thanks to reeferlover and tiger_eyed1 the babies have more rotifers!
very cool lorraine, thanks again and the coral you gave me is doing great,,, lmk if you need any help and i will do what i can ...see ya soon!

[BSJF]

Well John, don't really know, you get burned out pretty quick doing this every day all day by yourself. I hope he got an A on his paper!

rudy, glad the coral is doing good for you. its pretty hardy and a fast grower.

[BSJF]

Well, just an update. This past week has been a tough one. Thanks to Ace, the babies survived a short getaway for me and the hubby last weekend, even with me dumping the entire auto feeder full of food into the smaller baby tank, a minor cycling in the larger baby tank for an unidentified reason, and two of the three auto feeders not working. Since I got back, been sooo swamped at work. Through this, I fortunately paid enough attention to the babies to notice the sponge filter not working at all on the smaller baby tank, and just a few bubbles on the bigger baby tank. What are the odds of this happening within a day of each other. The tubing had popped off the pump on the smaller tank, and the connection at the top of the sponge filter was clogged on the bigger one (that one took me a while to troubleshoot). Still don't have the RKL figured out on the smaller one to monitor the temp, I get an error code. Will probably need to call tech support to get through that one. And, one of the new rotifer cultures crashed. Probably skipped a meal or something. The other one is going strong and I don't have anything I have to feed these to right now, so not a big deal. A new hatch will be released tonight. It will be fish food.

Took some pics, just need to get them uploaded.

[Europhyllia]

Lots going on. Poor you. YOu do know there are two ways to do the temp right? iTemp and the other thing

[BSJF]

I think it has passed now, and being a consultant the being busy part is MUCH better than not being busy. I really don't know much about the RKL, you should show me :) The one that just has the single DC4 was easy. The other one with 2 DC4's is the one I can't get to work right. It used to work until I hooked up the 2nd DC4. The other thing would be what? itemp is what isn't working for me... you talking about just programming an individual module as a temp program?

[Europhyllia]

got ya. Do you have the temp probe on the SL1 now?
My seahorse set up has 2 PC4, an SL1 and the iTemp probe plus a pH probe. I am assuming you got it similar
I noticed when I click through the display options I get an error on temp but if I get to iTemp then it shows the correct temperature. I am assuiming this means that depending on what probe you have you are either using the temp function of the iTemp function.

If it works without the second PC4 though then it could just be a case of bus cables either being connected out of order or one being corroded, etc.

[BSJF]

It used to work the way you describe first, where it would give me an temp error but show me the temp, but then stopped doing that before the trip. I reset everything and reprogrammed everything again and it still doesn't work. And I think at this point the temp probe is messed up and/or bus cables are stupid. I haven't yet calibrated the pH probe, but I have that hooked up.

[BSJF]

oh, I remember what the problem was, it kept flickering on and off every second. So I reprogrammed it and when I did, the temp wouldn't work afterwards. Rather than risk it when I was out of town, I just have it ON like a regular plug right now. I bought the controller so I wouldn't have to do that.

But for some enjoyment, here are a few pics I took the past few days. I have more to sort through, but either they are getting bigger or my picture taking skills have improved a bit.

The youngest 2 hatches, pic from 6/16:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_06_15_PicassoBabies/P6151517.jpg

The oldest hatch, pic from 6/18
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_06_18/P6181549.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_06_18/P6181548.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_06_18/P6181544.jpg

I think I have an injured baby in this pic (upper left), pic from 6/18.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_06_18/P6181574.jpg

And this one is talking to me!
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_06_18/P6181574-2.jpg

[Europhyllia]

They ARE getting big!!!

[kkiel02]

You have to stop posting pictures of these. You are making me want to set up another tank for a clutch of these. What are you planning to do with them when they get bigger?

[BSJF]

well Kevin, since this isn't a FS thread, I have to say mum's the word. I assume you are following Ace's build on his clutch, right? And if it makes you feel any better, I have envy over your build. My dream tank I will never have.

[kkiel02]

Yeah I wouldnt be able to setup the tank anytime soon but love how different each fish looks. I was just wondering if you were going to keep these in one of your tanks as well I guess.

Its like having platinums, picassos, regular percula, and probably others Im missing all getting along well in one ball of clown fish. Someday I hope to be as successful as you and ace in breeding clowns.
I bought 3 bangaii's in hope of getting babies out of them. The only fish I have bred successful so far is my molly. He's still cruising in the big tank.

And yeah I love Ace's thread as well. :)

[BSJF]

Been a while since I did some video. Here you go - enjoy!

Video of the oldest clutch at 12 weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BINanS7VoLg

Video of the combined clutch at 6-8 weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAX97c-M28k

[hobogato]

great vids :) they are really growing up

[BSJF]

I was comparing my younger ones to the older videos of the older hatch, and I don't think they are as big as the older hatch was at this age. This tank has lower flow, lower light, and is smaller. Wonder what influences them the most.

[moneytank]

tank size has a lot to do with it from what I have noticed.

[BSJF]

what size do you use?

[Third Coast Tropical]

In the second video, I noticed some very small ones compared to the majority. Some of them had very nice markings. I recommend trying to separate those smaller ones and allow them to catch up. In my experience when there is that much size differential those guys will get left behind, either killed or starved. If you need another small tank, I have some you could borrow as I am not currently raising babies.

You have some very nice looking babies. I am jealous. Good job.

[BSJF]

Thanks. If I set up another tank, I will need to find room for it and "me" 'cause we will all be booted out the door.

The little ones seem to eat fine and no one is bothering them, but I know what you mean. There is a 2 week difference in that group, but for the most part they are all about the same size. There have been a few in each hatch that lag behind everyone else. Even in the oldest hatch there are a few that are smaller than even the younger group. Maybe when I switch out tanks this weekend I will set up a nursery in my refugium. I have 4 normal stripe babies in there now, but I could move them out. I'm just not as good at feeding them in there. I overfeed the grow out tanks because I can vacuum it out easily.

[BSJF]

The combined hatch 7/6/2011 - 9 and 7 weeks old

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SueDDNTjbr8

[BSJF]

Oldest Clutch - 13-1/2 weeks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vtwZglRgxE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jt5V1GMFf0

And some stills of the combined clutch 9 and 7 weeks (video to follow)
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_07_06_CombinedClutch/P7061792-2.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_07_06_CombinedClutch/P7061783-2.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_07_06_CombinedClutch/P7061777-2.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_07_06_CombinedClutch/P7061765-2.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_07_06_CombinedClutch/P7061763-2.jpg

[Mr Cob]

great vids and pics!

[BSJF]

And finally, the video of the combined clutch at 7 and 9 weeks old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJlFa9lEn9c

[funkyseamonkey]

Are there any for sale? On the search for a new pair of clowns...something I have not had before.

[alton]

You are going to love the cover of the July/August Coral Magazine

[Texreefer]

awesome ... but they wont hold still long enough for me to pick which one I want:bigsmile:

[BSJF]

I will try and get some stills this weekend.

[BSJF]

Changes are in the works.

Couldn't pass up Petco's special on the 40g breeder!

Oldest clutch in 29g upgrade to 40
Combined clutch in 20g upgrade to 29g w/30g sump

Wish me luck on the transfers.

[BSJF]

Well the 40g is up and looking sweet.

The 29g didn't fair so well. It broke. So decision time, what to replace it with. Looks like it will be a 55 or 40g (36 X 18 X whatever). Should I do a sump, no sump, closed loop, or internal circulation... The only spare pump I have right now is a Mag 3. Thoughts? (Remember this is for babies, so no blasting them away)

[kkiel02]

If its just for the babies can you just use some air pumps with a sponge for filtering/flow?

[BSJF]

Yeah I could do that. I'm just wondering if that is the best thing to do. I just set up the 40g with 2 sponge filters (Hydro IV rated for 80 gallons, Hydro II for 20 gallons) and a Aqueon 30 (rated for 30 gallons) in the middle. Same filters I had on the 29g. Plenty of filtration, a bit messy with overspray, and a bit light on the circulation, but adequate. The food does settle on the bottom. The 55 would be a few inches taller.

The 20g currently has a Hydro IV and an Aqueon 10 (rated for 10 gallons).

Any advantage of a sump? I originally was doing it to add volume, but with the 55g I'm thinking I would already have more volume. I don't have a skimmer, so don't need it for that.

Any advantage of a closed loop?

[Third Coast Tropical]

go with the 40 breeder...55 too big. no sump. air pumps and sponge filters.

[moneytank]

Pm sent if you need a tank

[BSJF]

Thanks everyone. Ended up deciding on the 55 (which was already available) and the sump (also already available and a great place for my macro algae too). One end of the 55 is the overflow/return area so the usable area for the babies is about 30 X 18. I plan to tie wrap mesh over the return and I'm only using the mag 3, so very low flow to/from the sump. Will keep the sponge filter and maybe the HOB filter (mostly because it makes a great holder for a feeder). I'm happy with the results so far. I will line the bottom with sand and have some sand critters (nass. snails) arriving on Tuesday. Stand built, tank curing. Guess that's all I can do for now.

Now to finish my assignment from Friday, oh and the laundry.

[BSJF]

And some still pics of some of the older bunch in their new 40g breeder!
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_07_SelectShots/?albumview=slideshow (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_07_SelectShots/?albumview=slideshow)

[FireWater]

Still amazes me the dedication it takes Lorraine. They look awesome and healthy.

[alton]

Thanks for the pictures

[Texreefer]

curious why some of them have names on them.. did you Name certain ones?

[BSJF]

Some have been spoken for and putting the names on the pics just helps me remember that.

[BSJF]

And by no means are those pictures all of them. Just the ones who wanted their pics taken up close and personal.

[BSJF]

The 55 is 1/2 full. I'm exhausted! Ace got the frame for the observation deck done, so hopefully I can get the mesh on it tomorrow.

[Europhyllia]

I see you are doing really well with your 1-tank limit haha

[BSJF]

Just got notice we have an annual inspection soon. Yikes! How do I hide these tanks? I'm trying to hurry and clear out the old ones so at least I only have 3.

I got the 55 full, the sump and return pump going. Flush, fixed; leak, fixed. The screen I planned to use on the overflow blocks too much water. Gotta figure out another solution for that. I will move babies over later. They are going to love their new home (I hope).

[alton]

Just got notice we have an annual inspection soon

Just let us Maastards know what we can do, we are very good at intimidating people.

[Europhyllia]

Ace could probably build a few mock cabinets to put over the tanks lol

[BSJF]

:) Yip, I think Ace can build anything. I did hurry and get the old tank out of the house.

[BSJF]

So, the combined clutch are happy with their anemone wallpaper on the new tank. They are hosting against the glass right in front of one of them. Too funny.

[manimtheman]

:) haha

[manimtheman]

so just got home! lights were off so i turned actinics and leds for aclimation. at first my power head was off. but after i fed them three diffrent options! thanks loriane for the live brine shimp and the oto. during this video my power head was on to stir the food away from the surface, so not to enter my overflow! of and pic of overflow protection pic you asked for
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQx5CC1NyJo
well i send pic tomorrow i didnt get email from wifes phone for some reason.

[BSJF]

Looks like he settled in nicely with your other one. So did he eat?

[BSJF]

This is video of the combined clutch in the 55g tank. They now have a RBTA and love it and the colorful anemone backdrop (that they also host in):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMnxMRzuL3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMnxMRzuL3k

I'm really in love with this tank and all the kids.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL4I9RqSaOc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL4I9RqSaOc



And inca

[BSJF]

The kids in the observation station.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqu7mx5GSjw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqu7mx5GSjw

[BSJF]

And the rest of the oldest clutch.

Most of these guys usually hang out under the fake anemone.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NTG7ovaeqw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NTG7ovaeqw

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NTG7ovaeqw)
And these guys are in the refugium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMVFarFnaQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMVFarFnaQ

[BSJF]

I shipped off my first group of 7 babies last night. Hoping for their safe arrival. They are currently in Vegas - hope they win big!
Two more shipments scheduled this month.

[BSJF]

Pics of the combined clutch in the 55g setup. I love all the colors in this tank. Looking for some more anemones to add.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_08_Combined/P8092175-2.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_08_Combined/P8092175.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_08_Combined/P7292144.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_08_Combined/P8092171.jpg

[Mr Cob]

looks awesome Lorraine...I can't wait to see it all! :)

[Mr Cob]

...and it WAS AWESOME! Great breeding setup and my wife and I loved the 150!

[BSJF]

Thanks Rob!

[clownfishgems]

yup lorraine has some nice babies, her setup is plain and simple yet very effective,,, keep up the hard work!!!

[BSJF]

Video of the younger clowns with their anemones and other friends.

http://youtu.be/GtNy2TenjGw (http://youtu.be/GtNy2TenjGw)

http://youtu.be/GtNy2TenjGw

[Europhyllia]

those anemones are awesome! great pictures, Lorraine

[Europhyllia]

(stupid question: do anemones interact with each other?)

[BSJF]

BTAs do fine by each other. It's really fun to stare at this tank with all the color. The babies love their nems, duncans, frogspawn, scoly, and mushrooms.

[alton]

I can't believe how fast they are growing, great job

[BSJF]

Here are some upclose and personal pics, a few of the remaining 5 month olds, and some of the newbies.
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_09_CombinedSelects/?albumview=slideshow (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/2011_09_CombinedSelects/?albumview=slideshow)

[BSJF]

I have to leave my babies in the morning. I think they are in good hands, even if one of them is broken.

[BSJF]

I put 4 in the 150 with the parents and another 12 will stay in the 55. This is video of the remaining ones in the 40g.


http://youtu.be/kdvyG3UB4rM

[BSJF]

Some of you may have seen this one already. Scarface picked the music, proceed w/caution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHb2GRo8a2U

[BSJF]

Seems that life keeps teaching lessons. I collected a new hatch for Ace's class tonight. I thought it would be easier to store them in a breeder net that sits inside the display tank while I collected them instead of the 5 gallon buckets of water. Worked until it came time to transfer them. The net is really tough on these little guys. I forgot how small and fragile they are.

[hobogato]

well, we have about 20 survivors, so we didnt lose them all. i agree, i dont remember them being so small :)

[BSJF]

Next time, direct to my 10 gallon tank or 5 gallon buckets.

[hobogato]

buckets would work better. i made lots of enemies on the road on the way home and on the way to the school going 15 mph with them in that tank in the front seat.

[BSJF]

Yeah, the 20g tank wasn't the greatest idea either. don't know what we were thinking. you would think we hadn't done this before!

[alton]

I moved a 29g half full one time. It had a pair of clowns and a anenmone with live rock. People get mad when you keep taking turns at 2 miles an hour and then speed up like a snail. (Better safe than sorry)

[BSJF]

http://youtu.be/6iz6N8wRgyQ

Here is a video I took of the 40g baby clownfish tank this morning. Watching this tank goes great with a cup of coffee.

http://youtu.be/6iz6N8wRgyQ (http://youtu.be/6iz6N8wRgyQ)

[hobogato]

yep, nice way to start the day :) glad things are settling in