420 redo of TO's Tank.

[Volcano1]

I guess I had to go back wards to go forwards. I know you had issues ,but the Volcano seems to be a better fit. I'd still like to redesign the sump, and give the ATB's another shot. Externals are the way to go for me now.
All the stuff but the wild colonies have been going great. I gradually move from new lps to sps. Started with tank raised, then maricultered wild. They all did fine. Waited a few months then tried some trans shipped wild. First time getting them. Either my system is still a little off or the wild are pretty touchy. Maybe a little of both. No more wild colonies, unless they have spent some time in a captive enviroment. It's hard to be paitient and grow everything from frags. Tank looks too empty too long.

Tom,
Did you get your new system up yet?

 

[Volcano1]

Some shots of the wild colonies I got in May.

 

[Volcano1]

New additions

 

[Volcano1]

 

[Volcano1]

 

[johnike]

Ooooo, Todd went shopping.

 

[Volcano1]

Just a few, added another 9 or so since you were here. Others are just better pics.Started using cheap underwater camera with no flash. At least it's better than the old pics through the glass with a flash.

 

[tom obrecht]

You've got some nice pieces there and it appears the tank is doing well. Glad to see the tank is up and living again. Glad to see you on the boards with an update! Here's to continued success!

 

[johnike]

You folks should see Todds tank in person, it's quite nice.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Those are some nice colonies. What do you think is the key to success to keeping wild colonies compared to aquaculture or maricultured colonies?

 

[tom obrecht]

You folks should see Todds tank in person, it's quite nice.

That's not a bad idea...may have to schedule myself an appointment!:spin3:

 

[Volcano1]

Thanks Tom,
The tank has looked the best it has in some time. Did a lot of work the last 6 months.Had a lot more time to devote to the tank, as I should.Mainly ridding the sumps of the deep sand bed, and cleaning out the accumulated gunk.Testing and fixing water conditions, added a little more flow. With the Euro bracing I wasn't able to get the right level of the waveboxes to get a good wave. I put in the external overflow and my water level wasn't really too ajustable.Had to add an additional wavebox, makes 3, too get better flow.When i didn't have as many sps flow wasn't as big an issue, now it is.

Those are some nice colonies. What do you think is the key to success to keeping wild colonies compared to aquaculture or maricultured colonies?


Well I dipped everything wild in the Bayer dip. Kept them low for a few days gradually moved them up. They seem to like to be moved to higher light sooner. Guess most had a lot higher light than we give. I also brought my phospathes way down, from .71 to .10.
Along wth good circulation and keeping water param's. stable, nothing else. Prob. good practice for sps in general. I know my maricultured and other pieces I got from captive enviroments, colored up better when phosphates were lower.My mag. was also a little low, 900, raised it to 1600.When changing any levels, go slow.I did this over weeks to months.I'm still trying to get my nitrates down, but they seem to have a lot less impact then phosphates.

I'll try and get some other pics up. Had decent luck using cheap underwater camera , in the water, with flash off. Killed the battery figuring it out.

Tom,
Welcome to stop anytime!!

 

[Volcano1]

Messed aroud and took some more photos today some in the water some out. Not the best, but better than past results.

 

[Volcano1]

 

[Volcano1]

 

[Volcano1]

 

[Volcano1]

 

[Volcano1]

Got a few more last night locally.

 

[johnike]

Nice sticks, define locally.

 

[Volcano1]

Near Chi-Town.