40g SPS
- Thread starter Arkayology
- Start date
Rare Angels
New member
Do you QT your new corals? What protocol do you have for dipping/acclimating/QTing?
The tank is simply amazing and continues to get better! Keep up the great work!
The tank is simply amazing and continues to get better! Keep up the great work!
Arkayology
Active member
Update on the pest situation-
I still don't know what they were. I do know they were not red bugs but probably some kind of parasitic copepod. I took all my smooth skinned corals out and dipped them in bayer. I have to say that PE has increased on many of these pieces ten-fold. Some are coloring up when before they were a green/brown mess. I have not used the interceptor yet but have been diligently inspecting the corals at night with a flashlight for any signs of these little buggers. So far they have no come back. If they do I am ready though...
I don't think they were truly coral eaters but just bugs that were irritating my corals.
As for the zeovit, I really cannot recommend it. I tried it and didn't like it so I stopped about a year ago. It didn't work for me really.
I get my frags mostly from locals. I take them off the plugs, give them a quick brush with a sensitive gums toothbrush, and bayer dip @ 2ml/1cup SW for 10min. I then grab my loupe and inspect the tissue of the coral and what has fallen off. If it looks OK I put it in the tank. If it looks bad it goes in the trash. I live in a small apt. right now and I simply don't have the space for a QT system. I know I am playing with fire with it but it is the reality of my situation.
I still don't know what they were. I do know they were not red bugs but probably some kind of parasitic copepod. I took all my smooth skinned corals out and dipped them in bayer. I have to say that PE has increased on many of these pieces ten-fold. Some are coloring up when before they were a green/brown mess. I have not used the interceptor yet but have been diligently inspecting the corals at night with a flashlight for any signs of these little buggers. So far they have no come back. If they do I am ready though...
I don't think they were truly coral eaters but just bugs that were irritating my corals. NP! I really like them for clams I plan on keeping on the sand. Very useful and cheap enough where I don't mind buying them vs. making my own.
I'll try to post some pics soon.Matt,
We need more eye candy! Pixies! I love your tank.
Im starting zeovit on my 45G and was wondering if you could help me find the ideal starting dosing regimen for the basic 4. Up to now I was running GFO, with 0.01 phosphates(hanna) undetectable nitrates(salifert). My tank is well stocked with fish, but lightly stocked with corals (mostly sps frags with exception of my big Frogspawn colony)
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks again. Dont forget the eye candy
-Tony
As for the zeovit, I really cannot recommend it. I tried it and didn't like it so I stopped about a year ago. It didn't work for me really.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks man! I appreciate it. Things are getting better and better. Some of my acros are adjusting quickly to the switch to T5-only lighting and are starting to show some great colors and growth. I am still waiting for the rest to follow... but I have had the sunpower for only a month so I am not expecting much yet.
I get my frags mostly from locals. I take them off the plugs, give them a quick brush with a sensitive gums toothbrush, and bayer dip @ 2ml/1cup SW for 10min. I then grab my loupe and inspect the tissue of the coral and what has fallen off. If it looks OK I put it in the tank. If it looks bad it goes in the trash. I live in a small apt. right now and I simply don't have the space for a QT system. I know I am playing with fire with it but it is the reality of my situation.
Arkayology
Active member
I know it's not SPS eye candy, but I received my Apex DOS a few days ago and finally had the time to set it up. The DOS is replacing 2 BRS dosers for adding 2-part. I'm really hoping this helps with the stability of my tank.
Arkayology
Active member
Some updated shots of the tank-
Joe the Coral
The pearlberry looking better and better every day
purple valida
red planet is getting more green body with the T5s
this nasuta is start to do something... finally! You can see a few branches forming on the sides
this is what is left of my SSC after the alk swings. I saved about half of the colony. The plus side is it is encrusting quickly and is coloring up so it should be smooth sailing for now
red dragon had some issues with the alk swings too, lost a bit of tissue at the base of some branches
the miyagi is hitting its stride and starting to grow now after i lost the colony last year
I couldn't get a decent pic of the steve elias blue stag without zooming way out. It is growing quickly
and the front tank shot for February
Joe the Coral
The pearlberry looking better and better every day
purple valida
red planet is getting more green body with the T5s
this nasuta is start to do something... finally! You can see a few branches forming on the sides
this is what is left of my SSC after the alk swings. I saved about half of the colony. The plus side is it is encrusting quickly and is coloring up so it should be smooth sailing for now
red dragon had some issues with the alk swings too, lost a bit of tissue at the base of some branches
the miyagi is hitting its stride and starting to grow now after i lost the colony last year
I couldn't get a decent pic of the steve elias blue stag without zooming way out. It is growing quickly
and the front tank shot for February
Lilmatty5dimes
New member
Wow epic tank. I'm hoping to start a sps collection and praying it turns out half as good.
Arkayology
Active member
Thanks man. GL starting out with your SPS. Stability, strong lighting, and strong flow are the key to a good SPS system.
Thanks, it is a beast. I have been fragging large pieces of it as it is shading a lot of the nearby SPS.
I really like the setosa too. If you believe it, I got it as a 1/2inch half-dead frag from the "bargain rack" at Vivid Aquariums in LA. It is taking over now. That reminds me... I have to frag it.
brad65ford
New member
Interesting thread and dedication to changing things all while not loosing site of the goal. Wonderful work for sure! Looking forward to your results with t-5 also your thoughts as if you'd ever go back to the Radion. Personally after running multiple LED fixtures, the Radion Pro's with wide angle lens have the best spread to help add the shadow effect just need to bump up the intensity and lower fixture according for good coral par.
afernandez
Never Quit!!
:eek1: I love it even more now!! (With t5s)
Everything is looking great ! Looking forward to more pictures !
Everything is looking great ! Looking forward to more pictures !
Arkayology
Active member
New ASD rainbow mille. It is a small piece, but it has some nice color.
Nice shot of the growth from the Steve Elias blue stag, but also has a view of the 3rd reboot of the same hawkins I have had (and lost 3 times) for years now. Also, you can see some of the green birdsnest growing. Now sure what I am going to do about that.
Bad pic of the miyagi tort. It is growing well and recovering from the STN from over the summer. I moved it higher because my GBTA was moved and was a little too close to it for my liking. It is higher and is getting more flow now I think. It is a happy coral.
and my beast of a setosa. This coral is really taking over the rock it is on. I fear I may have to do some serious pruning in a couple months.
Nice shot of the growth from the Steve Elias blue stag, but also has a view of the 3rd reboot of the same hawkins I have had (and lost 3 times) for years now. Also, you can see some of the green birdsnest growing. Now sure what I am going to do about that.
Bad pic of the miyagi tort. It is growing well and recovering from the STN from over the summer. I moved it higher because my GBTA was moved and was a little too close to it for my liking. It is higher and is getting more flow now I think. It is a happy coral.
and my beast of a setosa. This coral is really taking over the rock it is on. I fear I may have to do some serious pruning in a couple months.
Arkayology
Active member
Thank you! I appreciate it.
Thanks for your thoughts. It has been my experience that growth has been just as good under the T5s and MH as with LEDs. Colors shift a little, but are great under all forms of lighting. This tank has never had MH over it, but I have used them in the past with some of these corals and the colors under the Radion and T5s are just as good IMO. I'm still trying to pull some better colors out of a couple pieces still but they are slowly coming around.
Thanks!
I will try to post more often. Thanks! Yeah, things are really starting to hit the "sweet spot" and the SPS are loving life atm. I need to find a couple more pieces to round out my collection... though i'm not sure where I will put themCorals are looking great, you are definitely getting good growth by the looks of it
I think that overall the T5s help bring out a more vibrant color in the SPS, but the LEDs also eventuated other colors that my current T5 combo doesn't (mainly violets and reds). Overall, my opinion is that both lighting forms are viable options. I just like the color combos of my T5s better right now. I have the Radion still and will probably put it up over the tank in May when the temps around here make T5s a little hot for my apartment..
I love the DOS. After a month of use my params have never been more stable.
Yeah, it is one of my favorite pieces. It is a fast grower once it gets used to the tank. Nice PE day and night as well.I like Your red dragon!
SneekaPeek
New member
and the front tank shot for February
great idea on the little rocks for the clams to attach too. I might have to steal this idea, that is if you approve?!? im struggling for my clams to stand upright when on the sandbed. over time they tend to fall sideways! besides the clam, the tanks looking great buddy. keep up the good work and diligent routine. system is a rockin!
