Active Carbon helped in balancing the system

Two weeks ago, my Bubble Coral started showing stress. A week ago it started deflating. I could see the skeleton coming out of the coral mouth. I thought it will die for sure, It did look terrible. I used Active Carbon by Rowa, and already after 4 days the coral looked regenerated (as you can see in this photo above). It is very good running Active Carbon 3-4 times a year, to prevent organic build-up.
This recently introduced Clavularia coral started showing off lots of green color. Soon enough it will become totally green. Can't wait ;-)

Just a quick video update

Peppermint shrimp, great Aiptasia eater

I added one Peppermint shrimp to this set-up, just to test it's capability in eradicating Aiptasia Anemones. I had two new (and 2 old) Aiptasias growing on the rock. I wasn't sure why this sort of anemone started growing in my tank, since the 2 old Aiptasias weren't thriving at all. Something did change in this Nano-reef lately and I wasn't sure what.
I did some water testing and all except KH (6.3KH) was good. Since my Ca levels are Hi, at 450ppm, it is impossible to raise the KH, so I am stuck for a while, until I lower my Calcium levels.
In any way, I got this lovely looking shrimp to see for my self how effective it is in eating Aiptasias. 24 hours after introducing it to the set-up, the Aiptasias were gone !!! Is it possible, that this shrimp alone eradicated all 4 Aiptasias alone? I bet it did, since they were gone.
I have read many stories on the net about the Peppermint shrimp. Many say it is good and many that it is bad at eating Aiptasias. Is it possible that people are talking about two different species of similar shrimps?? I am not sure, but I sure can state that this shrimp of mine is very effective in removing the Aiptasia Anemone. My Aiptasias were no longer than 4cm, so still very small. I am not sure would this shrimp be able to eat a big Aiptasia though.

Acalycigorgia Blue Sea Fan

I have added one more coral to this Nano-Reef; Acalycigorgia sp. Blue Sea Fan
This coral is not photosynthetic and therefore should not be exposed to strong lights. It is a filter feeding coral which should be fed 4-5 times a week with Phytoplankton, frozen Cyclops, Marine Snow, Zoo-plankton. The best is to mix all these types of food together and feed the Blue Sea Fan coral. This coral requires medium to strong water current. Also, I was observing the Sea Fan while feeding. One can actually see how its tiny polyps capture food particles and move them into the mouth that is in a middle of each polyp. That is the best proof that this coral is getting the right type of food. This coral should be supplied with Iodine, Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium and other trace elements.
I like the blue adition to the left. I will introduce one more Clavularia viridis Green to the bottom left to create a "grassy" look.

Box or Sundial snails - Polyp eaters

These snails can be found on different types of polyps like Zoanthus, Palythoa and Protopalythoa. They feed on polyps, by sucking out polyp's fluids. If left in the tank they can ruin polyp colonies. I advise to take them out as soon you spot them. It is easy to remove Sundial snails manually. Inspect newly purchased coral colonies before introducing them to the tank.

Video update

Everything is in order. The only problem was my Trochus snail had died. This aquarium never had any algae and I speculate the snail couldn't find enough food.

Asteriniid star

Asteriniid stars are harmless and very common in reef aquariums. They usually come with living rocks.

Bubble algae (Valonia) and Coral Wars

I have discovered a few Valonia Bubble algae growing in my Nano-Reef. This one was the biggest one. I have removed it manually (fingers) which was very easy really. This algae has a very strange "skin", like a rubber balloon. One should take care not to press it to hard while removing it, otherwise it could pop ;-) and release all the spores around the tank.


The next photo represents the Coral War! The Green Bubble coral (Plerogyra sinousa) is burning the much weaker Turbinaria coral (on the left-down). Corals fight for space in aquariums as well as in nature. The best thing to do is to move the weaker coral away a bit.
My Zoanthid colony is coloring very nicely (shot from above)
These green Trachyphyllia corals are showing off a very nice fluorescent color (photo from above).
Photos by Dusko Bojic.