A Splash of Color

[reefmutt]

Hi Andrew,

I have just seen the photos of these wild collected corals in my dealers web site. Do you think they are promising? The pink one is the one I was talking about in my tank thread. If it is the same coral, then it looks slightly bleached since I saw it in the flesh just before last Christmas.

Thanks

Bulent

I would be tripping over myself to get those beauties into my tank!
Maybe tripping over the price as well...

 

[biggles]

No, we are not. I am not sure about Matt's suggestion. Can we a soundtrack from Kyle Minogue? Yes?

Thanks

Bulent

Kylie, really Bulent........ not a chance buddy.

Well, if we are going that route, then I'd accept some vintage Men At Work.

That's more like it Matt

Biggles Acro Theme Song~ I come from the land down under I hear this jingle every time I see a funny Biggles post, this is officially your theme song Andrew... I am seriously about to spit out my coffee, not good considering I am typing on the computer, lol... Side note, can you please stop putting up so many beautiful coral pics, I am about to hang up my hat in my embarrassment of an acro collection

Your acros are bloody beautiful Perry, you have nothing to be embarrassed about mate.

Corals look great. Not much else to say mate. :beer: Now where is the promised "Biggles Reefing History"? Its nearing Tuesday mate...I know for Aussies weekend means most of Monday as well...but this is a world wide forum mate. Can I have the assignment finished tonight (UK time) so I got something nice to read tomorrow at work. :lol:

I'm off tomorrow so i'll do it then, you'll have to do some work instead today buddy :thumbsup:

your tank makes me feel insecure about mine :hmm2:

Well pull your finger out and get busy doing what is needed to make your reef awesome in YOUR eyes Gavin - if you look at your display and feel good about what you've achieved then screw what anyone else thinks about it mate.

Hi Andrew,

I have just seen the photos of these wild collected corals in my dealers web site. Do you think they are promising? The pink one is the one I was talking about in my tank thread. If it is the same coral, then it looks slightly bleached since I saw it in the flesh just before last Christmas.

Thanks

Bulent

The microclados is either a part bleached SSC or a pink and cream variety i reckon. The echi looks just like the numerous pieces i regularly see and is in good condition. If you can you should buy both pieces as both will be easy to keep for you and more to the point both have easy to keep pigments.
If you are really lucky you might end up with a pink all over microclados but i can't see the color detail to really make a call in that blurry pic.
Keep the echi on the sand until you have some amount of full lighting PE otherwise you might fry it. It's washed out because wild echi isn't white and blue in the ocean, it's tan and blue 99% of the time when collected. We are responsible for the creation of 'icefire' colors, icefire white skin does not always occur but if you have the nice blue tips and the branch skin is a dirty browny blueish fugly color it is purely down to too little light - if the blue is lacking also it's your water. The blue pigment appears in low light but the white usually only happens with higher PAR. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, one of my pieces turned completely blue when i raised it so what i said is a guide, not a dead set rule.

I would be tripping over myself to get those beauties into my tank!
Maybe tripping over the price as well...

Both of those pieces look sweet don't they Matt

Bottom left is what a 24 hour old wild echi colony looks like that has shipped well. There is nothing icefirey about it but a month in the right conditions and it would look ridiculously pretty as a white skinned blue tipped acro. That was an actual colony about 8"x8" - big. I already have enough echi so i ignored it but at $45- i think you'd agree it was a bloody bargain.

Top right is one of the two yellow tangs that will slice you if you dare put your hand in the water.........

 

[cFloor]

Little late to the party, but just saw your last video and everything is looking great bud! I miss having low lying rock work.

That's quite the selection of acros! Crazy prices too. That echinata would probably be 5 times that price here in California.
I think that brownish acro is going to color up real nice. That'd be cool if it went pink with yellow tips.

 

[biggles]

Hey Conor, thanks mate. I have my fingers crossed that it will color up to look nice, if not - it's Dave's fault.

Some quick T5 only porn before i go to bed........

When you have a crevasse that is suffering from too many blue things lining the walls it only takes one little frag to brighten the whole area. As long as you choose a pigment that will hold in the spot you need to place the frag and it's of the right color for the job you can't really stuff it up. In this case i wanted something light and bright that would pop against a lot of blue - fluoro was the only way to go.

None of these are new pieces btw, just a piece that didn't fall within the new acro purchase disclosure policy we all abide by (except Sahin), and i quote:

rule 8a - acros bought in order to rectify a color placement goof need not be mentioned or hereto otherwise blah blah blah......... i'm in the clear is what it means. :thumbsup:

Remember forgotten child syndrome :fun4:, well apparently doctors in London have just diagnosed the first documented case of forgotten acro syndrome. I don't suppose you'd have any idea who the filthy sneak is they're talking about do you Sahin, since you live in London and have an SPS tank i wondered if you knew of such a shocking liar secreted deep within the world wide SPS keeping community........... :twitch:

 

[sahin]

Andrew how many drops of Lugols do you dose per week? What effect does it have on the acros? How do you determine when you are dosing too much or not enough? Does it have an effect on different coloured acros or just selcted ones?

 

[DiscusHeckel]

The microclados is either a part bleached SSC or a pink and cream variety i reckon. The echi looks just like the numerous pieces i regularly see and is in good condition. If you can you should buy both pieces as both will be easy to keep for you and more to the point both have easy to keep pigments.

If you are really lucky you might end up with a pink all over microclados but i can't see the color detail to really make a call in that blurry pic.
Keep the echi on the sand until you have some amount of full lighting PE otherwise you might fry it. It's washed out because wild echi isn't white and blue in the ocean, it's tan and blue 99% of the time when collected. We are responsible for the creation of 'icefire' colors, icefire white skin does not always occur but if you have the nice blue tips and the branch skin is a dirty browny blueish fugly color it is purely down to too little light - if the blue is lacking also it's your water. The blue pigment appears in low light but the white usually only happens with higher PAR. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, one of my pieces turned completely blue when i raised it so what i said is a guide, not a dead set rule.

Andrew, thank you very much for your advice. This is invaluable for me. I appreciate it. I hope you did not mind my unsolicited post, which caused from diversion from your thread.

I would be tripping over myself to get those beauties into my tank!
Maybe tripping over the price as well...

The coral prices are quite expensive (£160 for A. microclados and £140 for A. echinata) as you guessed Matt. However, my dealer offered to give me large frags from each. We never discussed the prices, but they are going to be much cheaper. I cannot wait to collect them later this week.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Andrew how many drops of Lugols do you dose per week? What effect does it have on the acros? How do you determine when you are dosing too much or not enough? Does it have an effect on different coloured acros or just selcted ones?

Hi Sahin, I asked Andrew similar questions last week. Please find his answers while waiting for Andrew's reply:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24244268&postcount=516

I believe he doses 1 drop per 75 gallon per day (or three drops every morning):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24244183&postcount=511

 

[biggles]

Andrew how many drops of Lugols do you dose per week? What effect does it have on the acros? How do you determine when you are dosing too much or not enough? Does it have an effect on different coloured acros or just selcted ones?

I dose 3 drops every morning in 600L mate and that's all you need to bloody know. Just look at the pic and then go buy a bottle instead of asking me silly questions.

Andrew, thank you very much for your advice. This is invaluable for me. I appreciate it. I hope you did not mind my unsolicited post, which caused from diversion from your thread.

The coral prices are quite expensive (£160 for A. microclados and £140 for A. echinata) as you guessed Matt. However, my dealer offered to give me large frags from each. We never discussed the prices, but they are going to be much cheaper. I cannot wait to collect them later this week.

You can always ask about anything here Bulent so don't ever hesitate buddy.

I knew those pieces would be expensive but both are well worth paying out for a decent frag buddy. Looking forward to seeing them after you pick the frags up mate

Hi Sahin, I asked Andrew similar questions last week. Please find his answers while waiting for Andrew's reply:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24244268&postcount=516

I believe he doses 1 drop per 75 gallon per day (or three drops every morning):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24244183&postcount=511

Thanks Bulent :thumbsup:

 

[biggles]

Last time i was at Deer Park aquarium i wanted a Salifert nitrate kit but Dave had none :hammer:
Anyway he had a new Nyos nitrate test kit in stock so i thought something is better than nothing at all.

I wanted to show you guys that aren't confident with color matching your results how easy this type of comparison tests is and how you will feel more confident in the results if you don't like the Salifert type color chart comparison.
The Elos high res phos kit works exactly like this so i'd urge anyone that hasn't yet bought a Hanna to try the Elos that a lot of us now rely on for ease of use and clear results.

You put 5ml of tank water in 2 vials and then add 5 drops and a spoon of powder to one and mix. After 5 mins you compare the vials to the supplied reading chart

You put the clear plain tank water vial over the colored dots and the test vial slides over white dots.

This porridge is too hot!

This porridge is too cold !

Ahhh, this porridge is just right....

Goldilocks' nitrates are 5.

How easy is that :beer:

The Salifert kit is much better if you want to see readings between 0.0 and 1 by using the side view thingy method.

 

[rodneyri]

Saw them at the LFS today, might have to pick one up next time im there looks like a good kit

 

[bobssecrtsn]

Great write up Andrew. Now your making me want to test N + :facepalm:


What are your thoughts of salifert amino acid? do you think they should stick to test kits? I may try the lugol's solution. but definitely removing one of my additives.. B-balance, pohls extra, salifert amino acid, coral virtilizer, reef frenzy,

 

[biggles]

Andrew, what do you mean here, do you have a secret for wild Acros? I just put one in my tank, and I'm crossing my fingers because that's the only special treatment I know of. :facepalm:

I just mean i match my water to the water the acros have been living in as best i can. I have tested the water of at least three collectors and the alk was 7.0-7.2. The salinity was 1.0260-1.0265. The less changes they face when dropped in your tank the less time and energy spent adjusting to unnatural water conditions.

Most collectors over here that I know of (really, all of them for the purposes of discussion) use NSW in their facilities so those parameters make sense.

Do you ever sell or swap frags, Andrew?

I've never charged for acro frags Benjamin but i've only ever given them to people in person and haven't ever posted a frag anywhere.

Oops I missed this reply! I do the same...I keep NSW levels. The 3 wild Aussie Acros I have are doing well.

Glad to hear they're doing well Mindy, matching the hatch in regards to non aquacultured acros is the best way to go imo

 

[Volcano1]

Stuff looks great. I may try dosing some Lugol's.

Looks like the Nyos is the way to go.Lot easier to tell color than the Salifert.
Thanks, Andrew

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Glad to hear they're doing well Mindy, matching the hatch in regards to non aquacultured acros is the best way to go imo

The term "matching the hatch" is also used in flyfishing. Do you happen to be interested in this sport Andrew? (Look at my avatar)

 

[biggles]

Saw them at the LFS today, might have to pick one up next time im there looks like a good kit

They're worth checking out Rodney, if you can get hold of a 3D printed magnetic stirrer like Sahin you really can't fail mate........

Great write up Andrew. Now your making me want to test N + :facepalm:

What are your thoughts of salifert amino acid? do you think they should stick to test kits? I may try the lugol's solution. but definitely removing one of my additives.. B-balance, pohls extra, salifert amino acid, coral virtilizer, reef frenzy,

Thanks Bob, never tried Salifert AA and don't dose any other brands. Rather than dosing any AA based stuff you could try feeding meaty proteins like mysis daily and the fish and acros will love you for it. Aminos are only useful if you are lacking them and unless you have probs maintaining nutrient levels at detectable levels i wouldn't recommend the use of any tbh.
I changed the Salifert trace hard dosing from weekly to 10ml every second day since the mini disaster seven weeks ago and haven't done a water change since.
Five weeks ago i started dosing 2ml of Brightwell Koralcolor every other second day and a couple of weeks ago i ordered another bottle of the Koralcolor because i believe based on observing my colors, especially pinks/reds that there is an element in it that i was lacking. It's not some wonder additive btw but i maintain potassium etc and certain pinks have always been lacking for me no matter what i have tried. I would never have tried the peachy pink thing i showed you as that pigment has always turned drab tan peach yuck for me over the years.
I might even try a pink seri.............. as if :blown:

Stuff looks great. I may try dosing some Lugol's.

Looks like the Nyos is the way to go.Lot easier to tell color than the Salifert.
Thanks, Andrew

No probs buddy

The term "matching the hatch" is also used in flyfishing. Do you happen to be interested in this sport Andrew? (Look at my avatar)

I fished with a fly for trout for many years Bulent but haven't for over ten years now. There is something quite magical about being alone on a crisp cold winter morning as the sun rises and you watch the fish rise to gently slurp at a dawn hatch.......... knowing my wife was twenty miles away so almost out of shouting range made it a very peaceful and enjoyable past time Bulent.........

Things happen fast with colors when you have the water red hot for acros, this is also the time that something terrible happens as most of you longer term SPS guys will know for sure. Simply writing my water is red hot has probably doomed me already..........

The pale delicate table is the one i showed you weeks ago and hasn't really done anything. There is a very very faint hint of blue to the last 1/4" of many tips but it's so pale i might be seeing things - 'acro fever' which is a documented medical condition. :reading:

The little blue echi frag bottom center is happy as but looks weird as hell, since it's Dom's i'm not at all concerned

The valida is coloring back up still as it looked pretty turdy for a few weeks after the 'event'.

The little piece Dave had to talk me into buying is going to be very pretty i think - thanks Dave. :thumbsup:

 

[reefwiser]

Jinx yourself saying "water red hot for acro" Jump around in a circle and make a couple of screams to ward off the SPS god's for offending them.

 

[sahin]

Jinx yourself saying "water red hot for acro" Jump around in a circle and make a couple of screams to ward off the SPS god's for offending them.

Andrew offers acro dances...thats why his acros are brilliantly coloured up.

 

[Harrison2210]

Sorry to hijack your thread Biggles (stunning tank by the way)

Hi Andrew,

I have just seen the photos of these wild collected corals in my dealers web site. Do you think they are promising? The pink one is the one I was talking about in my tank thread. If it is the same coral, then it looks slightly bleached since I saw it in the flesh just before last Christmas.

Thanks

Bulent

Bulent I think I may have purchased a frag of that exact A.Echinata from Mark a couple of weeks ago (it was £25 for a 2" frag, makes you sick that the Aussies are paying less than that for colonies:spin3.

Really interesting reading Andrew's thoughts on the health and placement. Mine is already showing a bit of colour in the body and polyp extension is good, in fact, really good for my tank (bloody flame angel) and the tips are a stunning blue.

I'll be very interest to see how yours develops as it will be the benchmark for me

The "œfrag" of A.Aspera I got from you has settled in really well (thanks again for that:beer

 

[biggles]

Jinx yourself saying "water red hot for acro" Jump around in a circle and make a couple of screams to ward off the SPS god's for offending them.

On it mate :thumbsup:

Andrew offers acro dances...thats why his acros are brilliantly coloured up.

It's because they know they're loved, that's why they smile for me.

Sorry to hijack your thread Biggles (stunning tank by the way)

Bulent I think I may have purchased a frag of that exact A.Echinata from Mark a couple of weeks ago (it was £25 for a 2" frag, makes you sick that the Aussies are paying less than that for colonies.

Really interesting reading Andrew's thoughts on the health and placement. Mine is already showing a bit of colour in the body and polyp extension is good, in fact, really good for my tank (bloody flame angel) and the tips are a stunning blue.

I'll be very interest to see how yours develops as it will be the benchmark for me

The "œfrag" of A.Aspera I got from you has settled in really well (thanks again for that:beer

Thanks mate, as long as it's acro related it's never a prob to talk here. I'm glad you're pieces are settling in well
Can i ask where you keep you parameters since the echi has good PE already and is doing all the right things with color from the sounds of things.


Young dingo's do not like to be left behind.............

' No Manny you can't come up mate ! '

' We'll bloody see about that. '

' And away we go....... '

As i was taking the last pic i was also yelling ' Stop him, he's going to try ! '

Unfortunately as my mate went down Manny took off and to his credit he got both back legs planted on the first rung. One front leg grabbed the fourth rung but the other paw went between rungs and i will never forget the look on his face just as everything went to hell in a scrabbling blur of flailing paws - OMG HELP ME GUYS :sad2:................

 

[Harrison2210]

Thanks mate, as long as it's acro related it's never a prob to talk here. I'm glad you're pieces are settling in well
Can i ask where you keep you parameters since the echi has good PE already and is doing all the right things with color from the sounds of things.

Good polyp being subjective of course, thanks to a flame angel few of my acros show during the day (fortunately he's not bothered recent additions), I consider any extension as good

Tank : 30"x 30" x 20" deep

Ca : 400
Mg : 1300
Alk : 7
Po4 : 0.01
No3 : 1 - 2
Salinity : 1.025
Temp : 24c

Feeding is heavy (four times daily) as is skimming.

I also dose Aquaforest Coral A, B (Half Dose), E (Half Dose), V & Coral Food (3 Times Per week). I started using Aquaforest before my fish stocks were up and PO4/No3 were undetectable and was sufficiently convinced to continue.

I run quite a short photo period 9 hours of 4 25w T5 & 3 hours 250w 14k MH

Matthew