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- Thread starter ca1ore
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Re-Built Light Hood
Re-Built Light Hood
My 'experiment' with the new Kessil lights being deemed by moi as a success, I used the removal of my old MH fixtures this past weekend as an opportunity to redo the rails in my light hood. The old rails were simply plywood strips that had started to bend somewhat alarmingly (used 3/8" ply to try to save on weight). So, I bought a bunch of 80/20 T-Slot rails and replaced the saggy plywood. Hood is now slightly lighter, there is no sagging, and it's much neater.
Four 24" rails proved sufficient for both photo lights and my five Kessils.
Re-Built Light Hood
My 'experiment' with the new Kessil lights being deemed by moi as a success, I used the removal of my old MH fixtures this past weekend as an opportunity to redo the rails in my light hood. The old rails were simply plywood strips that had started to bend somewhat alarmingly (used 3/8" ply to try to save on weight). So, I bought a bunch of 80/20 T-Slot rails and replaced the saggy plywood. Hood is now slightly lighter, there is no sagging, and it's much neater.
Four 24" rails proved sufficient for both photo lights and my five Kessils.
Almost 18 Months ....
Almost 18 Months ....
After a bout of STN, things appear to have rebounded nicely. Not sure if its the new lights (MH have now been completely removed) or the more stable calcium reactor, but SPS growth has been spectacular and color is better than ever. You don't really get a perfect sense from these pictures, but close enough.
Crowding is now becoming a problem, particularly since my frag tank is already almost full of cuttings. The final picture, though not a particularly good one, is of the colony that was most affected by STN. I had to remove it completely and aggressively frag it. What you see there is the biggest chunk - and its re-encrusting at the base. Next step is to introduce a group or resplendent anthias that have been in QT for a while; which will pretty much complete the fish population.
Almost 18 Months ....
After a bout of STN, things appear to have rebounded nicely. Not sure if its the new lights (MH have now been completely removed) or the more stable calcium reactor, but SPS growth has been spectacular and color is better than ever. You don't really get a perfect sense from these pictures, but close enough.
Crowding is now becoming a problem, particularly since my frag tank is already almost full of cuttings. The final picture, though not a particularly good one, is of the colony that was most affected by STN. I had to remove it completely and aggressively frag it. What you see there is the biggest chunk - and its re-encrusting at the base. Next step is to introduce a group or resplendent anthias that have been in QT for a while; which will pretty much complete the fish population.
SpikeDangles
New member
looks amazing! nice to see someone in my neck of the woods killing it with a reef like this!
Final Fish ...... Definately, Well Probably ... Sort of ...
Final Fish ...... Definately, Well Probably ... Sort of ...
Last weekend I added 9 anthias that a had been plumping-up in QT. They are all quite small; immediately the smallest fish in my display. And I believe I'm done with fish now .....
Of the 9 added, 6 resplendents are congregating around and in the large red plating monti where the marauding Bartlett's cannot really get them, and 2 princess are paired up and are periodically venturing out on the other end of the tank. The ninth, a female resplendent, has not reappeared. Although I fed these fish a lot over almost 8 weeks of QT, given their size (most sub 2 inches) I'll be very happy if there is only the single casualty - and she may yet appear.
At this point I'm at 43-45 fish:
16 anthias (across four species; 17 if the last one shows)
6 Tangs (one is in the connected frag tank)
3 Wrasses
3 PJ Cardinals
3 Pyramid Butteflyfish
3 Chalk Bassletts
2 Clowns
2 Dwarf Angels (added a post QT, eating Venusta a month ago, but haven't seen it since; so maybe 3)
2 Green Chromis
Watchman Goby
Mandarin
Yellow-Tail Damsel
I think I'd better be done ......
Final Fish ...... Definately, Well Probably ... Sort of ...
Last weekend I added 9 anthias that a had been plumping-up in QT. They are all quite small; immediately the smallest fish in my display. And I believe I'm done with fish now .....
Of the 9 added, 6 resplendents are congregating around and in the large red plating monti where the marauding Bartlett's cannot really get them, and 2 princess are paired up and are periodically venturing out on the other end of the tank. The ninth, a female resplendent, has not reappeared. Although I fed these fish a lot over almost 8 weeks of QT, given their size (most sub 2 inches) I'll be very happy if there is only the single casualty - and she may yet appear.
At this point I'm at 43-45 fish:
16 anthias (across four species; 17 if the last one shows)
6 Tangs (one is in the connected frag tank)
3 Wrasses
3 PJ Cardinals
3 Pyramid Butteflyfish
3 Chalk Bassletts
2 Clowns
2 Dwarf Angels (added a post QT, eating Venusta a month ago, but haven't seen it since; so maybe 3)
2 Green Chromis
Watchman Goby
Mandarin
Yellow-Tail Damsel
I think I'd better be done ......
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Looks great Simon! I love a tank with a lot of fish. I see some of these tanks and they're so concerned with keeping nutrients undetectable they forget that a reef doesn't look right without a good amount of fish. My 90 is stocked on the high side and I've yet to have any nuisance anything pop up. Knock knock. I plan on stocking the 300 heavy too.
I see you got a mag rock in there. Man those things take freaking forever for coralline to grow on them. Mine is just now starting to look more natural after almost 8 months.
Keep up the good work.
I see you got a mag rock in there. Man those things take freaking forever for coralline to grow on them. Mine is just now starting to look more natural after almost 8 months.
Keep up the good work.
prop-frags
SPS Slave
Great pics of your beautiful mixed reef, Simon! Love those pyramid butterflyfish and congrats on the new anthias!
nanoreefer1000
Active member
Stunning!!! :inlove:
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