Check out the pics!

[MrMikeB]

Any of you fellow enthusiasts care to give me some constructive feedback on my Zoa/Ricordia tank, I would appreciate it. I want to maximize growth and colorization and can use any pointers you have for making this system even better.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1119452

Thank you in advance!

 

[edwing206]

Awesome pics!! Is it an underwater camera?
Looks like they are doing great, can't really give any pointers.

 

[MrMikeB]

Yep, new Olympus 770... great camera! Absolutely blows away my EOS 5d and assorted lenses for these types of shots... although I am not putting the 5D into the water anytime soon.

 

[MTB]

Looks great! Just keep on truckin.

What lights are on the tank? You got some awesome colors.

 

[MrMikeB]

Those are dual 175w 14k (Hamilton Tech magnetic ballast with simple spider reflector). The tank itself is 75 gallons with a lot of flow (twin Seio 820s and a Mag 7 return). Any thoughts on that much flow for zoa growth patterns, etc.?

I really like the fact that I do not worry about corals touching, getting knocked over into something with this system My other reef systems require a lot more babysitting and seemingly endless frustration. Losing a couple prized SPS frags to a mean 'ol clownfish who thought the anemone wanted to eat it for breakfast can be rather aggravating. This is my 'fun' tank.

 

[Idlemind]

Amazing pictures, very nice indeed

 

[Idlemind]

How long did it take you from the before & after shots ?

 

[MTB]

Flow seems just about right. I am also doing a Zoanthid and mushroom tank. It isn't quite as filled in as yours though. Given time, it may. I am in a position to start adding loads more Zoos and Rics. Just have to find the right pieces.

 

[MrMikeB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9942176#post9942176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Idlemind
How long did it take you from the before & after shots ?

A week! No, seriously... a week. I cheated and ordered many of the larger colonies, but the smaller ones are all home grown - many from one or two polyps. I switched out the lighting to new bulbs and moved all my rics/zoas/shrooms from my main system to this one then added approx 8 new colonies to give a good jump start. So I have had many of the corals for awhile now, just not in this system.

(hence the Q+A regarding the flow and lighting - really want this system to continue to thrive)

 

[Idlemind]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9943866#post9943866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrMikeB
A week! No, seriously... a week. I cheated and ordered many of the larger colonies, but the smaller ones are all home grown - many from one or two polyps. I switched out the lighting to new bulbs and moved all my rics/zoas/shrooms from my main system to this one then added approx 8 new colonies to give a good jump start. So I have had many of the corals for awhile now, just not in this system.

(hence the Q+A regarding the flow and lighting - really want this system to continue to thrive)

Haha, must have cost a fair bit :lol:

 

[MTB]

I like watching zoas grow. I buy frags and wait for them to grow out. I get more variety buying frags for the buck. Can't wait to see future pics of it growing out.