Invert tank 20gal

[Paulie 069]

So I guess I officially have a 20gal invert tank going on,, it all started because I wanted to cycle some live rock. I ghost fed it for 2 months and my numbers finally kicked in and soon as ammonia and nitrite and nitrate were all in synch I got 1 hermit crab that I found on boat,, week later I found 2 more and threw them in also. Then found perfect size conch shell and threw it in there and only 3hrs later the biggest crab took it for new home,, then other big one took that guys shell and little guy took his old one. So in a day they all found new home
Then I got a yellow n black striped blenny, just to have a fish, week later the fish looked like it might have eggs in her belly so I went and got another one, now her belly is definitely bigger (be awesome if they have babies
Then a friend gave me a Blood Clam.
it’s a combo of a clam and a bay scallop looks cool but don’t know if you can eat it
And today I found another sea cucumber and pulled some eel grass by the root and planted it in tank (looks sweet) hope it makes it. Plus at least dozen snails
So there you have it
My invert tank

 

[Humblefish]

Sometimes a tank just "happens".

 

[deepblue68]

Lol looks very cool paulie

 

[Paulie 069]

 

[Paul B]

I never seen one of those scallop things before.

 

[Paulie 069]

I never seen one of those scallop things before.

Called a Blood Clam from what I was told

 

[Paul B]

Still never heard of them. But cool.

 

[Paulie 069]

Still never heard of them. But cool.

Ok reef peeps it gets even more weirder in my invert tank. Wait till you see the pic of this wild plant I found in the bay. It’s a huge soft kelp looking thing with fuzzy branches which are basically a tube and it’s filled with this yellowish stuff kinda like a glow stick ,, it has 4 different base layers. On very bottom is a clam shell then on that a large flat snail type thing ( reminds me of a suction cup )and it’s alive,, Everything on this is alive,, on that is three more then the plant grows out of one on top
There is sooo much going on it’s too much for one post
Here’s a couple of pictures of it and I will get video up soon
But check this out

 

[Paul B]

Paulie graciously sent me one of those things. It's codium seaweed attached to Limpet shells. Very cool. This is it in my tank.

 

[myrjon]

Way to go Paulie

 

[Paulie 069]

Way to go Paulie

I just knew if anybody would appreciate it and take a deep look into it it would be that gentleman Paul B,, The best part is now that I know what it is just because I sent it to him it wasn’t something I had time to look up so just having that information alone is worth it plus put a smile on the old bastard face

 

[Paul B]

You can't see me smiling because I have my mask on.

I love putting this stuff in my tank and always have.

 

[Paulie 069]

You can't see me smiling because I have my mask on.

I love putting this stuff in my tank and always have.

So today both hermit crabs were in the same shell (smaller shell at that) and shell was shaking violently against the glass of tank it sounded like old school telegraph sending. I don’t know if they were uking or fighting but then all sudden one jumps out and gets back in his shell(hit and run) I guess
Then this evening I was woken up by the glass telegraph thing again (that’s y I’m up writing this) I ignored it for about 5 minutes and then got up to see what’s going on. The noise had stopped by the time I put light on ,, but when I did the one hermit crab was out of its shell and on other side of tank far away from its shell,, I watched it go across the sand bed and back into its shell then flipped it over and hid
Awesome creatures these things are. Just something else to get addicted to LOL

 

[Paulie 069]

So today both hermit crabs were in the same shell (smaller shell at that) and shell was shaking violently against the glass of tank it sounded like old school telegraph sending. I don’t know if they were uking or fighting but then all sudden one jumps out and gets back in his shell(hit and run) I guess
Then this evening I was woken up by the glass telegraph thing again (that’s y I’m up writing this) I ignored it for about 5 minutes and then got up to see what’s going on. The noise had stopped by the time I put light on ,, but when I did the one hermit crab was out of its shell and on other side of tank far away from its shell,, I watched it go across the sand bed and back into its shell then flipped it over and hid
Awesome creatures these things are. Just something else to get addicted to LOL

Ok so after last night I decided to get my lil buddies a bigger home for them,, they both have molted twice each so far and thier growing like weeds
I got 2 ,,, moon snail shells and a small conch shell (figure I’d give em a choice).
Here’s a pic of the new houses

 

[Paul B]

Paulie, this pair lived and spawned like that for 12 years and then died with in a week of each other. Probably from a broken heart.
Sometimes you can see the baby crabs early in the morning because they keep the eggs in their shell and push them out in the morning. They are tiny and stay near the surface.

The female is the one with the sexy, over the knee shell and blue eyestalks.

 

[Paulie 069]

Paulie, this pair lived and spawned like that for 12 years and then died with in a week of each other. Probably from a broken heart.
Sometimes you can see the baby crabs early in the morning because they keep the eggs in their shell and push them out in the morning. They are tiny and stay near the surface.

The female is the one with the sexy, over the knee shell and blue eyestalks.

Wow those are some great colors on them hermits

 

[Paul B]

Yeah, I think she gets that blue from Christian Dior.

 

[Paulie 069]

Yeah, I think she gets that blue from Christian Dior.

So today I found some more cool things for invert tank,, 2 bay scallops and another sea cucumber I bought them home and put right into my tank, the hermits are obsessed with the scallops

 

[Paulie 069]

So today I found some more cool things for invert tank,, 2 bay scallops and another sea cucumber I bought them home and put right into my tank, the hermits are obsessed with the scallops

Another new addition to my invert tank,, toda I got a Arrow crab from Madreefer (thanks mark) he’s cool looking and fits right in the theme of the tank

 

[Paul B]

Paulie, this is a needlefish. Different from what you collected, but they are cute when small.