New here and my way of helping with BP Spill

[guitarest]

First let me say thank you to the staff at Justfish; Gerwin and your son have been so very helpful with this new system and I am so very happy my daughter boyfriend told me about your location. I drove past it so many times in the past going to the VA Hospital and little did I know how great the service and knowledge base would be. Thank you

OK a little about what I am trying to do etc.....

I have never been one to follow the beaten path or do whats considered normal. I have had fish tanks since I can remember and all have been very productive tanks with loads of happy fish. Prior to Katrina I lived very close to the beach and had a 55gal tank with native fish and that tanks was a great tank and the fish not only survived but actually thrived and got so very fat and never did I have any issues with the water. Katrina came and while it did not totally destroy the house I was without electricity for almost 1.5 months due to parts being back ordered and finally moved out and into my current place. For those that lived through that fun time period might remember how hot it was after that storm; and with no electricity and the border patrol not letting people on the beach (just to let the fish go to survive) my tank became a death sentence. When we moved that tank was ruff handled and the glass broke so I was without any tanks for a few years. fast forward to 2010...

In my new place I have this little stream going by it and I noticed that it had some live fish in it so I decided to try again, first I brought one of my old 40gal tanks back on line and cleaned it really nicely. Walked to the creek and caught a few minnows and also loads of live fresh water plants. I was cooking crawfish one day and threw 2 of the smaller crawfish in the tank and this was a very nice tank with zero problems. Fast forward to the time of the actual BP Spill, during this time period I was longing to have "more native fish in my tank and this is where I got out of control". I slowly brought the water to a more brackish level by estimating and using only half of the required amount. I caught a few blue crabs, ghost shrimp and other neat things but I quickly out grew that tank.

I was in the market for a larger tank and loved what I saw at Just fish and purchased a 100gal and a few other things (OBTW Gerwin has a killer deal on 100 gal tanks and stands guys). Being impatient I introduced the fish too soon into the larger tank and its been a battle and some have died due to having too high nitrate levels (thanks for testing the water). Well this tank has been online for a few weeks now and I hope that I finally have control of the situation. I know I have too many fish in the tank although the purpose of the tank is hopefully to safe a few fish from the oil thats coming to our area. I have never worried about the stuff most of you know like nitrates or ammonia and have always been a backyard type with my tanks; its a steep learning curve but I am trying and really love watching the fish.

As of right now I am no longer catching fish on the beach due to the oil and I am considering letting a few go near the bayou near my place due to over crowding in the tank. Right now in the tanks I have one saltwater catfish, 2 different types of needle fish, croakers, sucker fish, native gobies (a few different types of skin coloration), shrimp, blue crab, crawfish, saltwater angel fish, hermit crabs, mullet, 2 fish I have no idea what they are and remaining fish from the other tank. The other fish would include 3 dot Grommie, native short fin molly, native guppies, I think this covers it all.

Videos can be located at my youtube ( http://www.youtube.com/user/guitarest )










This yellow striped fish is unknown to me; any guesses? Not the Angels but the other one.

This yellow striped fish is unknown to me; any guesses?

[phisher]

I love that idea. I have thought about doing a "local species" tank for a long time. Its amazing the diversity of life even just in the back bay, particularly at night. I have seen triggers, puffers, shrimp and even squid. I think a tank with local fauna and some marsh grass would be amazing.

Keep us posted and up date pics when you can.

P.S. I can't believe that blue crab hasn't eaten everything in there!

[Gerwin]

I see your water still is a little cloudy. Be patient , whether local stuff or bought its the same biology and a little time to "cycle" will do you wonders before the heavy load hits. Are these pics before or after I gave you the old sponge insert?

[guitarest]

Before, I am currently putting new pics on the net. I bought some of those sticks that yall used to test my water and after changing out a few 5gal buckets and retreating the tap water my results are in the good zone. Thank you again with all your advice Gerwin; I never thought a fish tank would be so difficult but after doing loads of research and talking with yall part of my problem was also me and over feeding. I resist the begging now from the fish at the glass and only feed two times a day and the food is totally gone in less than a minute. I have also slowly got the tank away from the frozen food and I suspect thats where another issue was with too much organics. We have been three days without clouding in the tank and the puffer (store bought) loves the new tank as his colors are unbelievable.

Phisher: I have had Blue Crab and Crawfish in my tanks for as long as I can remember; and they will eat anything they can once in those claws. Take a good look at those claws; I have trimmed the upper claw back about half way to prevent their ability to be a effective hunter and have restored their ability to be a super effective scavenger. Although I am very guilty of throwing in a 1/2 to 1/4 of a shrimp daily and it does not last long in the tank. I have one blue currently who is approx 5in from point to point and he just shedded to achieve that size. I have approx 10 or so Blues in the tank and most are very small and I know for sure there is no organic matter anywhere near that sand. From the mullets to the cat to the blues that sand is clean; lets not forget the hermit crabs either; lol. If your serious about doing a native the oil is not in Back Bay and I have loads of different nets and a decent seine net and headlamp led lights so its hands free when getting the fish. I would love to get at least one native puffer. I had a real small one and he is no longer in the tank; he was real small and was living in the 40 gal and just disappeared so someone ate him. Its also a great source of ghost shrimp; I know loads of places for ghost shrimp although those are on front beach (Biloxi or Ocean Springs) and with the oil there now I would be real concerned about bringing something into my tank. Or worse yet have to dump my 5gal bucket out due to the no fishing rules now on the beach. I was lucky two weeks ago I caught the cat and a few croakers and the Marine Resources guy didn't make me dump the bucket (due to the rules changed that night) but he did make me leave the beach. Let me know if you want to hook up.

[rebecca]

I think this is super cool! The angels are my fave.

I actually saved a couple that were stuck in someone elses crab trap placed under a pier once and released them :p
Too bad they will probably die anyways.

[guitarest]

I have 3 large Blues and they are consuming loads of food and if they do not get their food they go after the fish. I set up a additional tank although I am considering letting them go of just keep 2 total a male and female. These things are eating way too much and since the 3 grew and did shed they are throwing off the tank eco system with as large as they are, food eaten and waste produced.

Ideas other than letting them go?

[Gerwin]

cook them?

[guitarest]

kinda goes against the whole "Save the Gulf fish theme" I got going here; don't ya think.............