Creepy Blue Tank

Full act 21oct,
originally uploaded by Hongyee.

Utterly boring morning, so I figured I'd post some more pics. BTW, found out that Yahoo allows unlimited pic uploading - if I exceed my Flickr monthly allowance I'll have to use that then. Their uploading tool is wonky though. Not unlike blogger when sometimes it just fails to upload.

This is the whole tank under actinic lighting, 420nm wavelength. It comes on 1 hour before and after the metal halides to simulate dawn and dusk. The left front portion of the tank is not lit, since I could only install the actinic lighting in the posterior part of the lighting hood, else I won't be able to put my hand into the tank from the front.

Erm. Went to the fish shop yesterday, and saw the skimmer I was going to buy in late Nov. Macro AS-350P needlewheel skimmer. However, I'm going to have to change my mind. Shall settle for a smaller (and cheaper) model - this one is a monster! I reckon it's about chest-height. Won't be able to fit into the cabinet under my tank, and I will not allow any unsightly equipment outside the tank. Thinking vaguely of getting an LED moonlight soon too. And a red LED light to view the tank at night for nocturnal activities.

The glass shrimp are really getting amusing - I ended up not regretting buying them! Didn't realise they were commensal with anemones (and other corals, for that matter), and best of all - they are parasite pickers of fish. I was watching the tank, when I saw the male glass shrimp on the Frogspawn coral. The male flame angel swam past, and the shrimp starting "clapping" its claws. I think it's some sort of invitation, since the angel went close and the shrimp alighted on it and started picking stuff (parasites, I suppose) off the angel's body! OK, the tank's starting to get really amazing to watch. I love the interaction between the tiny animals!

Which is why I can't figure why some people keep only fish, without invertebrates, in their tanks. Copepods, tunicates, sponges, bristleworms, crab and shrimp .. now that's an interesting tank!