A Living Room Reef: 90 Gallon Mixed Reef Build

[Bello]

Definitely lucky! I thought I would be out the money as well. But fortunately for me this LFS sells A LOT in the online world shipping all over the US. So they have a 15 day guarantee for all live-stock for on-line orders and a 7 day guarantee for in-store pick ups.

Surprisingly enough it's for anything "living." Shrimps, corals, fish, snails! So that's a nice deal. Even though it's a 35 minute drive each way (without Los Angeles traffic).

They also said they are more then willing to buy frags (usually of anything) for in-store credit once the reef is far enough along. They prefer and encourage local reefers to bring frags in for them to distribute to help minimize environmental impact.

Once again, you're a really lucky lucky bastard!!! . I've struggling to sell off excess frags (and some are actually a bit rare), all I get are a couple low ballers....So my frag tank is essentially full of crap....and consuming cal and alk, and growing....

So I've got these stupid huge frag plugs in there right now. Any tips for removing the mushroom rocks or zoa frags off the plugs? Just take them out in a little dish of tank water and use an old screw driver or something to pop the rocks off the plug?

What about with Zoa's? They look a little more delicately attached. I also noticed a couple of the bases of the zoa polyps are a little loose on 1 side and look like the float around in the current. I slightly worry about them breaking off... should I grab some super glue gel and put a small dab on the base of the polyps to help hold them onto the plug? Then just try to cut the stem and base of the plug off so it's more of a disk that I can glue down?

IMO, frag plugs = ugly...that's just me..

For zoas, I'd use a small razor blade...you know the old school ones? Also wear gloves and make sure you wear glasses so none of that crap gets in your eyes. Yeah, you're right, basically scrape 'em off, and reattach with a dab of superglue to small rock...you can then place that small rock anywhere on your scape

And how worried should I be over bad hitchhikers and things on their bases? I soaked the shroom rocks and zoa's in a Revive bath for about 15 minutes, then rinsed them in some tank water before introducing them. Should I give them a second bath if I take them out to remove the plug and glue them down?

Doubt a second bath is required. Ironically, it seems you get more pests when dealing with sps. Typically, I'd remove the bases of most corals when received, just to reduce the odds of pests, and also dip.

I feel I wasn't quite fully prepared to introduce the corals. But based off the recommendations here that this lighting could keep these choices alive. It was about impossible to tell my wife "no" for a birthday gift. LOL :headwally: And let's not kid ourselves... it probably would have been just as impossible to tell myself no anyway :headwalls:

And when handling these pieces, is there anything I should/shouldn't do? Avoid touching any tissue with my fingers at all cost, or if I brush them will it hurt them at all? You know... stuff like that. Just pretend I'm a noob' and I'm spraying a whole bunch of rapid fire machine gun questions at you about them

Oh... and I'll save biggles the heartache and not even mention what these 2 cleaners ran me. I need to figure out a way to breed them plated in gold and sell them over there!!! :dance:

:lol:...If I know biggles, he'll scoop up some mad rare aussie coral and throw it in our faces ....Yeah, as long as you wear them gloves and eyeglasses, you'll be fine....you'll look a bit stupid, but you'll be fine ....It's amazing how many cuts and bruises you can get if you don't, especially once the tank has matured, and all the weird spiky stuff start growing.... Quick idiot tip, if you get a brittle calcareous tube stuck in your finger, pour superglue on it, and once hardened....remove out... :lol:...yes, I've done this before

 

[biggles]

You cheap shrimp murdering bastard Troub..............

Don't stress about the filth and algae all over the tank mate, it's normal and will clear itself up once you remove all the excess nutrients over the coming months and get the water into a stable and clean state. I can't stress enough how important it is to control your alk and now is the time to get yourself into a good routine, i have always used Salifert because it's a very simple procedure and the results are accurate - you get a solution to check the accuracy with so you can rely on the Salifert results unlike some of the other kits out there.
Mg and calcium will affect growth if they swing, alk will kill stuff so it is far and away the most important parameter for you to control mate.

I have a ric hidden under a rock ledge that has been burning the underside of an acro and stylo - it's getting knifed today as that crap aint flying in my tank. How are those rubbery flubbery crud buttons you bought going so far mate. You know they're not real corals don't ya Troub............. :wave:

 

[Rbs07fxstc]

Like Bello mentioned, wear gloves & glasses when handling zoas. They put off a poison called palytoxin. The toxin is known to be deadly to dogs & can blind humans. Careful with the LEDs & zoas too. Most zoas like very low led light. But they glow brilliantly under LEDs.

 

[troubadour11]

Nice looking 90...

Thanks for the complement Mussin! Still a long way to go to get to a mixed reef. But we're definitely making progress now!

IMO, frag plugs = ugly...that's just me..

For zoas, I'd use a small razor blade...you know the old school ones? Also wear gloves and make sure you wear glasses so none of that crap gets in your eyes. Yeah, you're right, basically scrape 'em off, and reattach with a dab of superglue to small rock...you can then place that small rock anywhere on your scape

- Yeah. I'm pretty sure I don't want frag plugs littering the tank. If they were instantly grown over... MAYBE... but not when you can see them. So I'm going to have to get a bio-suit (glasses and gloves) and work up the nerve to attach these zoas to get them off the plug. My wife will not be happy if I murder them in the process. :furious:

Doubt a second bath is required. Ironically, it seems you get more pests when dealing with sps. Typically, I'd remove the bases of most corals when received, just to reduce the odds of pests, and also dip.

Well... I got paranoid and nervous and went ahead with a 2nd bath on the Zoas. I just took the Rics out and popped their rocks off the frag plugs and put them back. But I was concerned about the Zoas... so into a 2nd round of Revive they go. This time I only did it for about 20 minutes and pretty heavily blasted them with a turkey baster. I also used a toothpick (which I promptly discarded) to pick off some of the black specks I couldn't dislodge with the baster.

- Here are some photos of that session -

- notice the group of black specks at the center of the base of the zoas. That's what I was paranoid about. -

- I'm not sure what they are or if they are anything. But I'm pretty sure they moved and clustered together after the first bath. Either that or I just didn't see it since it was my first time.

- Another shot of them -

- Post Bath - Bottom of the "bath container" sitting on a paper towel for a white background -

- Rinsed and back in the tank -

- Starting to open back up -

---break for a few more photos ---

 

[troubadour11]

Don't stress about the filth and algae all over the tank mate, it's normal and will clear itself up once you remove all the excess nutrients over the coming months and get the water into a stable and clean state. I can't stress enough how important it is to control your alk and now is the time to get yourself into a good routine, i have always used Salifert because it's a very simple procedure and the results are accurate - you get a solution to check the accuracy with so you can rely on the Salifert results unlike some of the other kits out there.
Mg and calcium will affect growth if they swing, alk will kill stuff so it is far and away the most important parameter for you to control mate.

- Hmmmmm... well, I wasn't stressing or worrying about the diatoms/algae. But now that I know it looks filthy and ugly... AAAAAAHHHHHH :worried: LOL. I was hoping and assuming that would settle out eventually. Right now, the rust color just gives it a bit more life then plain bare rocks.

We did another water change this weekend. Only a small 10 gallons though to transfer some to the QT. I need to get back to checking my levels again afterwards now. For now I'll be sticking with the Red Sea Foundations kit for Ca, Mg, and Alk. At least until it runs out. Then maybe I'll try the Salifert kit to see which is easier and gives me more accurate results. So far, as you've seen... I feel like my Alk is always low, but I'm not sure why... or how to get it up into the proper range for that matter.

I'm wasn't expecting to need to dose or anything yet with pretty much nothing in the tank. I got a few parts in to finish setting up a gravity fed ATO. So that's one of the next things on the list to knock out. Once that's done, I was thinking it would be a useful way to use some limewater to help control Alk and Ca. But I'm not fully up to speed on that or have the system built ready to implement it yet.

I have a ric hidden under a rock ledge that has been burning the underside of an acro and stylo - it's getting knifed today as that crap aint flying in my tank. How are those rubbery flubbery crud buttons you bought going so far mate. You know they're not real corals don't ya Troub............. :wave:

- When you say getting knifed... do you just slice off a section of the ric that is to close and burning it? Kind of trim the shroom back so to speak. Or do you try to slice off the whole shroom and remove it?

As for how my flubbery buttons are doing... I think it's all going ok. Here's a couple more current shots. And don't burst my bubble, they are to corals! LOL. Just the only ones I can probably keep alive with the current set up.

- After popping them off the frag plugs -

-

- The yellow/green rock with it's babies at night -

- Orange guy at night -

- Zoas at night -

- And these are not under the new LED light rig... just under my old LED strip light.

Time to start working on the new LEDS!!! I'll be back in a moment with some more pictures.

 

[troubadour11]

- Setting up my temp. work station on a big folding table in the front hall. -

-

- A quick wipe down of the heat sinks with some rubbing alcohol before getting started. -

- Tinning the new soldering iron... lets hope I can learn on the fly and do this well enough to make it all work! -

- All tinned up -

- Pre-tinning of my first EVERY soldering attempt on my 1st LED star -

- Post-tinning of my first soldering attempt -

- Left side light all tinned and screwed onto heat sink with thermal grease, nylon washer, and screws -

- Working on finishing up attaching all the LEDs to the right side light now -

- Hmmmm.... I don't think they sent me enough screws and washers!!!! -

Well, that will have to be all for now... I called and have some extra screws and washers on their way. So we'll break here to be picked back up later. But progress was made!

 

[Bello]

Hmmm Troub, you're OCD

So waiting on the screws now?...Pretty neat job so far, you should see how I do my led's.... Ghetto !!!

 

[troubadour11]

Hmmm Troub, you're OCD

So waiting on the screws now?...Pretty neat job so far, you should see how I do my led's.... Ghetto !!!

HA!!!! My wife would probably agree with you :handslap: But why do you say that? Because of my little work station? LOL

That was it at the start when I was organizing everything and nervous about soldering for my 1st time on all this expensive stuff. You should see it now after sitting and waiting for the new screws and washers to get in. Now my work station is currently more of a front hall table instead. At least until I get back to work on the lights some more :spin2:

It seemed quite odd that I came up 18 nylon washers short and 13 screws short when it was in a vacuum sealed baggie. Their counting machine needs some more practice or maintenance I guess. But at least they were SUPER prompt and got a bag out to me right away. I tried to find the correct screw size locally but failed. It wouldn't have been a big deal to spend $2.50 and grab a few screws and washers. But since I couldn't find them on the local market, I called them up and they sent out some more ASAP! :beer:

And it is now official!!! We have 1 new little :fish1: visiting our 10 gallon QT under the stand :thumbsup: Here's hoping I can manage to keep both the QT and full system in line during our first go round on the adding fish to the reef campaign! :celeb1:

... it made it through night #1 and was still swimming when I left for work today at least ... I'll snap a few pictures and get them up soon ...

 

[markalot]

Howdy,

I'll be following along. Can't wait to see everything once it grows in.

 

[Bello]

Yep, OCD about the workstation... the counting screws... the neat arrangement... lol... I could go on

I see your point...I usually just order tiny items off eBay...saves me the headache of going shop to shop and asking for silly items....

So!!!!....WHAT'D YOU GET?? Fishy pic please

 

[troubadour11]

Yep, OCD about the workstation... the counting screws... the neat arrangement... lol... I could go on

I see your point...I usually just order tiny items off eBay...saves me the headache of going shop to shop and asking for silly items....

So!!!!....WHAT'D YOU GET?? Fishy pic please

Ha I could see how it looks OCD. Hyper-organization like that gets carried over into my life from my work. Since I work on huge projects with multiple people needing access to my work as I go, organization is a HUGE issue. Especially because we share shot files, pick up shot files from other artists, etc. If I took a picture of my life outside of anything I'm "working on," you might change your OCD diagnosis. LOL :fun2:

In short... I try to be organized... but it seems to always end in chaos. Haha. I guess that's part of the fun :jester:

I could have ordered more screws/washers. But why order, ship, and wait for them when I should have gotten enough with my order to begin with (that I had already paid for as well.) But the new package is here. I just need some time to get back to work on it now. And I only knew how many I was short because I counted in case they asked how many they had to send. They didn't and just sent me a new package. I guess I'll have some extras in case I ever decide to expand the system :bounce3:

Now for our first fishy pick... We originally went looking for a Yellow Watchman Goby. However they didn't have any at the time

So we browsed around for a bit. My wife tried to convince me to add more corals instead of finding a fish. LOL :rolleye1:

But since there were no YWG's there, we skipped over that choice on our stocking list for now and went to our planned #2 addition.

- Which was this Purple Firefish - added to QT on (10/23/13) -

- It wasn't what we had planned to start out with. But this will be a cool 1st addition since it should hang out in the water column during the day and give some life and movement to a fairly empty looking tank.

Now I'm off to :reading: a little more on it. I've done some... but it wouldn't hurt to brush up a bit more on their diet and things to look for and such during QT. I do know they were running Copper in the store tanks that we bought it from. So it has at least had a week of copper at the LFS at this point. Right now, it's just relaxing in the QT under the display. Seems to be ready to eat... Frozen mysis = no problem (that's what the LFS uses for them), cheap flake food = no problem (in fact LOVES it), spectrum small sinking pellets = has nibbled 1 or 2 but not as good as the others, freeze dried blood worms = sometimes nibbles but not excited.

That's all for now... I just spent the weekend out camping and firing guns in the desert So no more progress on the lights other then the screw/washers getting to me so I'm ready to start back up on the LED build.

 

[markalot]

I really like my purple firefish. They can be incredibly shy, and you've probably already seen why they are called dart fish. Some kind of lid or screen or it will easily end up on the floor, IMO. My purple firefish seems to be a bit braver than most under some circumstances, but his occasional freakout and darting literally scares all the other fish into hiding until they can figure out what the heck happened.

 

[troubadour11]

I really like my purple firefish. They can be incredibly shy, and you've probably already seen why they are called dart fish. Some kind of lid or screen or it will easily end up on the floor, IMO. My purple firefish seems to be a bit braver than most under some circumstances, but his occasional freakout and darting literally scares all the other fish into hiding until they can figure out what the heck happened.

I've definitely seen why they're called dartfish. Even in the little 10 gallon QT, it's incredible how quickly it can snap across the tank to a new spot if it gets spooked!

Currently, the QT has a plastic cover on it. So that should keep it confined for it's stay in there. The 90 DT has a canopy with an open back. Before I move the new purple firefish out of QT, I am planning on building a screen top for each 1/2 of the DT tank. So I'm with you on that one. I'd hate to spend all the time and effort QT'ing and moving a fish over only to have it end up on the carpet!

I can't wait to see it in the DT. It should be cool as the only fish for a little while. It completely hides behind the hang-on filter at night and doesn't come out at all. But once the lights have been on for 15 minutes or so, it becomes a lot more active and hangs out all over the QT in the open water. Their shyness is also one of the reasons it was at the top of our stocking lists. So now, this shy little purple dude will have the run of the entire 90 DT to it's self once it finishes baking in the QT.

Are there any tips to look for during the QT stay? Currently it's sitting at SG - 1.023/24 and about 77 degrees (F). I have not treated for anything yet. I'm wondering and trying to decide if I should be treating anything? Prazipro? As mentioned, it was in a holding tank with copper for around a week at the LFS.

I have not noticed anything I would call out of the ordinary with it. It does flick it's purple spike fin a lot. Like a karate chop or a twitch... From observation over the end of last week and this weekend, it appears to be accepting and eating well enough. I haven't noticed any odd specks or growths with my naked eye at least... I can get a few more pictures of it up close I guess in case anyone can see something I might be missing...

 

[markalot]

I don't QT anything, something made obvious by the flatworms, AEFW, and monti nudibranchs that have made it into my tank. QT is a good thing, eespecially if you have the room and spare tanks.

 

[Bello]

Excellent pickup Troub :thumbsup:

I'd have one in my tank....if my other fish weren't such bullys! I did have one years ago, that hid around for ages.... Took a long time to get feeding and happy....So it seems that you have a good LFS for sure. Fish looks healthy :thumbsup:

Though I should, I don't QT my fish much...but it usually depends on the type of fish. Any angelfish, butterfly or tang, goes into a separate tank that I observe for a week, and then it usually ends up in the display. Certainly not the ideal method, and I've paid the price for not QTing fish already. Still, I don't really plan to add more fish anyways, but will probably keep 'em in the observation tanks longer this time around. I believe that certain fish, as listed above, are far more prone to disease than others.... my 2 cents

 

[troubadour11]

Excellent pickup Troub :thumbsup:

I'd have one in my tank....if my other fish weren't such bullys! I did have one years ago, that hid around for ages.... Took a long time to get feeding and happy....So it seems that you have a good LFS for sure. Fish looks healthy :thumbsup:

Though I should, I don't QT my fish much...but it usually depends on the type of fish. Any angelfish, butterfly or tang, goes into a separate tank that I observe for a week, and then it usually ends up in the display. Certainly not the ideal method, and I've paid the price for not QTing fish already. Still, I don't really plan to add more fish anyways, but will probably keep 'em in the observation tanks longer this time around. I believe that certain fish, as listed above, are far more prone to disease than others.... my 2 cents

Yeah. We are hoping that adding this purple dude (or dudette) first will help with it's shyness. It definitely is NOT a fan of being in the open if the lights are off in the QT. It tucks up tight behind the in-tank hang-on filter and only leaves a tip of it's tail sticking out. But once the lights are on, it usually ventures out. And if you toss some scrumptious morsels of food in after the lights are on he pops right out.

As for it's health... the only thing I have to judge it on is that it is eating well and doesn't appear to be stressed. I've never seen in person or dealt with flukes, worms, brooklynella, or marine velvet. I've dealt with FW Ich, but no Marine Ich... I was considering running a round (or maybe 2) of Prazi-Pro while in QT. But I'm still not sure on all that. I'm not sure if I feel the need to treat for Ich and other things preemptively or not.

We started with such a sterile system by seeding everything. It seems like such a risk and waste to just dump things in. I guess it can't stay sterile for ever (nor do you probably want it to).

Based off all this & what can/can't be seen from the picture... any recommendations on QT procedures? Like I mentioned, it was in copper treated water for at least 3 days to a week at the LFS (not sure what days shipment it came in on). Any experience or feelings on Fresh Water dips for fish?

For now, I'm thinking we will keep it QT'd a bit longer. I might grab some Prazi-Pro liquid over the weekend and do at least a 1 week treatment with that. If that goes well and I don't noticed worms and more flocking from it's body after the treatment, maybe only 1 round and a week of observation afterwards. Then into the DT! So that could be 2 weeks from Saturday to release maybe!?! :bounce1:

Or am I taking this all to far and being overly paranoid? LOL Which is totally possible. I guess, since we have the space and time, I'm just trying to "play it safe" and hopefully make us more successful at keeping our reef stocked.

 

[markalot]

Do you have a PVC pipe piece or something it can hide in? That would help with the stress, IMO.

Woops, it's right there in the picture. Silly fish

 

[troubadour11]

Do you have a PVC pipe piece or something it can hide in? That would help with the stress, IMO.

Woops, it's right there in the picture. Silly fish

Haha-ha! Yeah. We have 1 little section of PVC pipe tube in there and 1-90 elbow piece of pvc.

It just must like the "cave" feel of being behind the hang on filter. There are 2 suctions cups with about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of space between the glass and acrylic back of the filter.

On the other hand. The entire QT system is in the cabinet under the stand. You would think at night it wouldn't need any more of a cave feeling other then that. :facepalm: LOL

But that's the only time it hides... when the lights are out. It doesn't mind me, my wife, or my boxer doggy poking our faces up to the tank to see what it's up to when the lights are on. I think it's starting to expect food when we approach the tank now.

The pvc with the holes in the background is for an air stone. I was attempting to keep the spray from the bubbles from splashing up onto the cheap-o light fixture in the hood and constantly burning it out. I learned that you only need 4-6 holes near the base of the pipe to let water in. If you have to many holes up high, the bubbles spread out as they rise and still get through the pipes and create a spray. So I'll have to cut a new short section of pvc this weekend with less holes up top to solve that. Easy enough!

 

[troubadour11]

- Well, my wife's underwater cuticle cleaning station is in full effect!!!

Fun times :thumbsup:

And here's a few more updates. I didn't quite get everything done. But I still made a little progress on some new things.

- New platform built from scrap wood for the gravity fed ATO system. -

- I'll probably try to get a coat or 2 of paint on this platform sometime when I can. Otherwise, it still holds the container up just fine until then. And I made it a little over-sized as well in case I ever up the size of my ATO container or just need a little shelf space when working in the sump/fuge closet.

Now to build and pipe in the ATO reservoir!

- Attempt #1 - Exterior - (which somewhat failed...) - 1 inch Uniseal with 1 inch pvc pipe, reduced down to 1/2 inch threaded to 1/4 inch flexible press in fitting. -

- I will be using this end piece still in the final version. I have a 1/4 tubing ball valve that will be attached here and then down to the float valve -

- Attempt #1 - Interior - 1 inch pvc pipe into center of ATO reservoir with 90 degree elbow to keep from draining directly from the bottom of tank in case I run limewater in the future. -

Unfortunately the Uniseal was not successful for me. I was quite annoyed and could not get a leak free fit on the flexible brute garbage can. I tried smoothing the hole of imperfections and everything before installing the seal. When the brute can would flex, it would flatten and flex along the seal causing a small but regular drip.

I can see how these seals might work great on a more rigid container. But the walls of the Brute can were a little to thin and flexible in my application and would not hold a tight seal. If I pushed the pipe back towards the container, it held perfectly. So I threw my hands up at the failed attempt and almost quit for the day... :uzi: ... THEN I REMEMBERED ...

That I had a threaded bulkhead that came with my tank that I did not use in the set up. I grabbed that bad boy and wouldn't you know; it required the exact same size hole I had just drilled for the Uniseal! I reversed the bulkhead into the container so the seal was on the inside of the Brute container and the threads protruded through to the outside. Screwed the nut on hand tight from the outside, plugged the threaded hole, and it held a 1/4 full can of water over night with no drips!!! The day was saved! :thumbsup:

It was getting dark at this point and I didn't get any more pictures of this set up. But I'll grab some as I go to finish the installation of the ATO system soon.

And of course you know, for me anyway, a weekend of fish tank dabbling is not complete without the celebratory bbq that smoked all day while our hands were wet!!!
- Smoked Turkey Legs and Breast!!!! - Add a little corn on the cob, salad, and some broccoli noodles on the side and it was the perfect treat after a hard day on the reef! -

^^YUM^^
^^^YUM^^^
^^^^YUM^^^^

Oh, and we also did a 5 gallon water change on the QT and started a treatment of Prazi-Pro on our Purple Firefish. Unfortunately, a day later I realized we had accidentally loaded our filter with a carbon pad rendering that treatment more or less useless :facepalm:

We are thinking about dropping the QT to hyposaline levels as well. Is there any concern with running Prazi-Pro and hyposalinity at the same time? I've been trying to find out how quickly it is safe to drop from 1.020-022 down to hyposalinity 1.009? 48 hours to drop it down is what I'm coming up with... Then hold hypo and of course bringing it back up very slowly over a week.

Tested all levels before dabbling with the water changes. Besides the 5 gallons in/out of the QT, we did a total of 15 out of the main systems as well. I don't have the test results for the before with me. I'll drop them in later. Planning to re-test the levels again tonight 48 hours after the 15 gallon change.

I guess that is what is new for me right now :thumbsup:

 

[troubadour11]

Well, I still have not gotten around to finishing the ATO barrel. Or re-testing my parameters after our water change last weekend. Crap! :uhoh3:

But here is what I came up with for the tests last Saturday before a 15 gallon change to the system.

Temp - 80
NH3 - 0
Ph - 7
No2 - 0
No3 - 0

Ca - 300
Mg - 1080
dKH - 6.1

So not exactly HORRIBLE. But not exactly good yet. And of course, this is on our crappy expired kit for NH3/Ph/No2/No3. So I don't really trust the reading of them. I now have a non-expired test kit to check them the next time.

As for Ca/Mg/Alk. Either I'm not doing the tests very accurately and am screwing them up (which is totally possible) or these are pretty accurate numbers. I suppose these lower readings make sense just before a water change. What bothers me is, previously, I haven't seen much of a jump in the positive direction of these levels post water change. Which is why I tend to doubt my chemistry testing ability currently :uhoh2: But this is not rocket science, I can't be missing the end points on my tests by that big of a margin. Especially coming up on the short end. I could see over shooting the end point and getting a high reading.

Maybe tonight I can use the new ph/nitrate/nitrite/ammonia kit and get another round of testing done on Ca/Mg/Alk while I relax. I can't imagine the levels would have dropped to drastically in 3 days. But you never know. I'm thinking I'm going to need to get this ATO done so I can :reading: up on dripping some kalk to maintain Ca and Alk between water changes. That seems to be swinging up and down the most. Even with only 1 little zoa frag and 2 little ric frags in there. That also could explain why my orange ric seems to be getting pale and shrinking a little. But my yellow green rics seem to be in heaven. Even the 2 babies have gotten bigger and fuller. So it can't be to far off.

The orange ric also had a run in with snail-zilla and ended up getting flipped face down for an day/afternoon. (I have since bought superglue gel ) So it could just be a little ****y from that and the light changing back and forth when it happened. I'll see if I can get an updated FTS and some close-ups of the frags with the new round of testing...

And now I'm off to sit in traffic.