The brine shrimp hatchery has arrived and I'm looking for the best place to set up. The grow light for the smaller set up seems to be working, but I don't have anything for the hatchery right now. We have no temperature control in the basement, and I think it's a little bit too cold for the shrimp. I have learned through trial and error that temperature is easily as important as light. So I'll need to find a warmer spot or find some way of heating the water.

The tunicates died back about two weeks ago. We thought we had perhaps poisoned them with the algae concentrate we had been using, but now it looks like they are growing back. Perhaps a natural life cycle? We'll see what happens this time. We discovered at least two other species of tunicate in the tank that apparently hitched in on the live rock. No idea on the identifications, but we'll see what we can find. It seems like every time I look into the tunicate tank, there is something new popping up. Very exciting!

After a false start with the first batch of Cassiopeia, we finally have a set of three gulf specimens relatively settled and happy. We're dealing with a golden algae bloom, probably hitchhikers from the jelly transport bags.

The algae cultures are snug in their new foil-lined lair. There are four cultures of distinct algae types and all seem to be growing nicely. Pictures and species names to follow soon!