mini carpet

[tilton.s11]

This is what my carpet looked like 2 years ago when I first got it.



It shriveled up, I thought it was dying, but it just came back a darker color.



This is how it looked a few weeks ago...



Now it's all small and shriveled up again.



Is it changing colors again? Is this normal?

 

[czwicky]

Looks like its irritated. What are you parameters?
Here's a picture of mine in my BC29

It's in the bottom left on the FTS
The other picture is from when it ate my lawnmower blennie-.-

I personally don't see a lot of maxi mini nems with good color unless they are in pretty dang good water. Every store I've seen them at they're Brown and shrivled up. :-/

 

[tilton.s11]

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Calcium 430
Salitity 1.028
Temperature (F) 78
pH 8.2

 

[tilton.s11]

55g AI sol lights. Did a 10 g water change last week...

 

[czwicky]

Hmm. How long has it been since you've fed it and what do you feed it?

 

[tilton.s11]

I have a fresh food mix from my local club. Gave it a few chucks tues.

 

[tilton.s11]

There was a crab around it...would that make it close up?

 

[czwicky]

Possibly but it all around doesn't look too healthy. I would feed it pieces of cleaned silverside or table shrimp about the size of the mouth. Pretty much a sugar cube size is good. I feed mine once a week and he's always been colourful and happy

 

[tilton.s11]

Will do!

 

[tilton.s11]

Here's what it looks like today. First pic has flash on, 2nd doesn't. Haven't fed it yet, but I plan on doing that today as well as a water change, new carbon, and a poly-filter. Last pic is what I was told was blasto's & today is the best they have looked since I got them almost a month ago...found it's happy spot!!

 

[czwicky]

Your nem is looking a little better. Something may have just pissed it off. I would try the weekly feedings and see if you get results, I sure have. Also a white picture would be better but those blastos look pretty healthy too. Don't forget to feed them at night if u want a lot of growth from them. Awesome coral in my opinion

 

[tilton.s11]

Your nem is looking a little better. Something may have just pissed it off. I would try the weekly feedings and see if you get results, I sure have. Also a white picture would be better but those blastos look pretty healthy too. Don't forget to feed them at night if u want a lot of growth from them. Awesome coral in my opinion

Thanks. I've been doing weekly feedings for the mini carpet for the better part of the 2 years I've have it. Maybe slacked some here and there. But I will stay on it for a couple moths & see how it does.
Didn't know I was suppose to feed blastos at night but I can do that. I will get another pic w/just white light later on today.

 

[tilton.s11]

Blasto w/o so much blue lights. One is white which makes make tank look yellow...?? The other is just the reg blue...I think looks better

 

[mr_X]

You could lower your salinity a bit also. .026 would be better IME.

 

[tilton.s11]

You could lower your salinity a bit also. .026 would be better IME.

Forgot to explain that part...I have a hydrometer it's not real accurate. I do need to do my water change & top off the tank. I will take some water to the lfs for their more accurate numbers. Could the salinity make the carpet shrink up like that? If so why is he open today?

 

[mr_X]

It's higher than natural sea water, so I imagine it could be stressful just like any other parameters being out of whack. I am not saying that's your problem here, but without knowing, I would eliminate the obvious things first.

 

[tilton.s11]

Oh & what's a better test kit? I know you've said api isn't great but I don't think I've seen anyone suggest better. I was looking on liveaquaria and api is the only one that bunches everything you need together in a kit.

 

[mr_X]

I like Salifert and Elos. You need to invest in a refractometer.

 

[tilton.s11]

I like Salifert and Elos. You need to invest in a refractometer.

Knew that one was coming. LOL

So...what I've been looking at...

The cheap portable on is about $50, the next one is $113, but is the pinpoint thing any good?? What kind do you use. I'll get something next week when I get paid.

 

[mr_X]

Here you go-
Refractometer for reading salinity w/ Free Calibration fluid - Bulk Reef Supply

Here's a whole bunch-
salinity refractometer | eBay