SlukBunWalla
New member
(Cross posted in Reef Discussion)
Well it's been a year now since I set up my 65 Gallon mixed reef. Added an Octopus Xtreme skimmer to replace the dud of a skimmer Coralife made. Upgraded to 2 250w halides (Used) and eventually even got new bulbs for them! Just recently added 2x39w HOT5 actinics (a great decision!).
I've had some MAJOR battles with hair algae. It was sometimes bad enough I considering tearing it down. Just in the last month or two I feel I've gotten a foothold, and I have the algae at bay...for now. BUT I never turn my back completely, and I won't be early to celebrate. Anyone who's had hair algae can attest to the fact that it'll always come back in a BIG way just when you think you've beat it.
And like everyone elses tank it ebbs and flows. Sometimes she looks gorgeous, other times you're ashamed of her. This week is a good week, and all the corals are doing well, and I gathered the motivation to really clean the glass...so this seemed a good time to get a few good pictures.
Here she is Last April just after being set up...
And here are some pictures from last night...
The requisite FTS
It's been a journey, and it's always a financial strain. Being a poor college kid I don't have the money to throw at my tank that some do. And managing the fish department at Petland gives me endless temptations that keep my credit card tingling. haha but I feel like it's going in a good direction and the pleasure is worth the torment when it comes to this hobby.
Well it's been a year now since I set up my 65 Gallon mixed reef. Added an Octopus Xtreme skimmer to replace the dud of a skimmer Coralife made. Upgraded to 2 250w halides (Used) and eventually even got new bulbs for them! Just recently added 2x39w HOT5 actinics (a great decision!).
I've had some MAJOR battles with hair algae. It was sometimes bad enough I considering tearing it down. Just in the last month or two I feel I've gotten a foothold, and I have the algae at bay...for now. BUT I never turn my back completely, and I won't be early to celebrate. Anyone who's had hair algae can attest to the fact that it'll always come back in a BIG way just when you think you've beat it.
And like everyone elses tank it ebbs and flows. Sometimes she looks gorgeous, other times you're ashamed of her. This week is a good week, and all the corals are doing well, and I gathered the motivation to really clean the glass...so this seemed a good time to get a few good pictures.
Here she is Last April just after being set up...
And here are some pictures from last night...
The requisite FTS
It's been a journey, and it's always a financial strain. Being a poor college kid I don't have the money to throw at my tank that some do. And managing the fish department at Petland gives me endless temptations that keep my credit card tingling. haha but I feel like it's going in a good direction and the pleasure is worth the torment when it comes to this hobby.
If you do try a carbon source be sure and add a bio additive like microbacter7 and ameno acids are good to add to.
