Full Tank Progression Shots

[007Bond]

Thanks! Definitely had to do some much needed pruning.



I like to keep my tank a bit "dirty" so my nitrates and phosphates are not at zero. I don't want to starve the corals so I practice high import and export, with large water changes, a lot of feedings to the fish and heavy skimming

Keith, Your higher NO3 and NO4 are very interesting. I followed your thread were you have posted this before. I been having a conversation with JC on his 2 year progression thread, regarding his increased coral growth over a six month period. At the time his NO3 went higher than what he usually keeps them at. I linked him to your thread also. I'm now starting to let my NO3 rise. Do you think higher NO4 also contributes to coral health, and does it not contribute to nuisance algae?
Here is JC's thread and pics. Thanks---Rick
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2123673

 

[dvanacker]

In interested in Keiths response. In his TOTM he has NO3 listed at 1ppm and PO4 as undetectable. I have a feeling that your idea of high nitrate is different than his.....

 

[007Bond]

Ya, Here is one of Keith's earlier posts. The same on JC's thread on the link I posted. I was always under the impression that fellow reefers shot for undetectable readings? Keith's post.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17549030#post17549030

 

[ReefBum]

Reefbum,

That's beautiful !!
What brand and kelvin MH bulbs are you running?, and how often do you change them?

Thanks Jim! I use 400w Radiums on HQI ballasts and I change them out every 6 months since the bulbs are over-driven on those ballasts.

 

[ryanrid]

amazing as ever i hate you so much haha

 

[Mike de Leon]

how do you deal with heat from the light? Just curious...Thanks

 

[ReefBum]

amazing as ever i hate you so much haha

Thanks!

 

[ReefBum]

how do you deal with heat from the light? Just curious...Thanks

The tank has an open top and I also have a 1/2 hp chiller, which doesn't go on too often since it is my cool basement along with all the other equipment.

 

[cdamiano]

Keith - I think the new aquascaping looks great.

 

[sahin]

Simply an amazing reef.

 

[cthedaytrader]

still one of my favorite tanks, fantastic !

 

[ange062]

Beautiful tank! I subbed for updates!

 

[myzislow]

Amazing reef! Thanks for sharing with us, truly awesome.

 

[syedjilani]

Amazing reef, Beautiful.

Thanks for sharing with us, truly awesome :thumbsup:

 

[Chelseyandco]

Just ran through the thread, and I must say......WOW! You really have the touch on growing corals, and your filtration system in the basement is unbelievable. College is almost complete, and then I'm off to pick a house of choice where I hope to have something similar to this caliber. Class A stuff bro! Love it.

 

[Haksar]

Simply amazing...

 

[shih87]

!@#$%^

I just want to tear down mine after seein' yours:headwallblue:

 

[mattsilvester]

Thanks again everybody!

My apologies for the lack of updates. Skiing has dominated most of my free time this winter so I haven't spent a lot of time snapping pictures.

The tank is still doing well as it nears it's 5 year anniversary. I had to remove some large colonies and do some re-aquascaping to create more space for flow and I did lose a few colonies due to some Alk swings. I am on the fence at this point about removing all of my colonies and starting again with frags.....that's the really fun part....starting new and watching everything grow. We shall see. Below are shots of the tank from last August and yesterday.

That is a fantastic tank - well done.

Whilst I cannot relate to the "coral grow out" excitement (just starting reefing, after years of FOWLR) I know what you mean - same applies to fish growing them from little dots into monsters

I've one question for you: Did you get a great "cleaning out my closet" sense of satisfaction thinning out your tank; or was it more cringe and despair? Just curious - must be nice to be so sucessful with corals that you've got to "throw the stuff away" (not literally). LOL.

 

[ReefBum]

Thanks again everybody!

That is a fantastic tank - well done.

Whilst I cannot relate to the "coral grow out" excitement (just starting reefing, after years of FOWLR) I know what you mean - same applies to fish growing them from little dots into monsters

I've one question for you: Did you get a great "cleaning out my closet" sense of satisfaction thinning out your tank; or was it more cringe and despair? Just curious - must be nice to be so sucessful with corals that you've got to "throw the stuff away" (not literally). LOL.

And thank you!

The pruning was necessary since I needed to create more flow and room for corals to continue to grow. I believe my reluctance to not touch a thing led to the demise of a few pieces so I am probably going to have to do another round. It could be minimal or I might get rid of all of my colonies and start again with frags...or something in between. It is a lot of fun to start from scratch and see things grow out but I hesitate to mess with what I have now.

 

[Veosk]

START OVER??!! Your tank looks....No words..Awesome. Tell you what bring the tank and everything over to my house..lol wouldnt be fun to start totally all over