(HD720p)S.MAC 600g SPS System/Full MH + Solaris/Surge/Prop/Fuge/Pond Chiller
- Thread starter Kraylen
- Start date
REEF SMAC
New member
Thank you aandfsoccr04,
I'm still having a hard time believing I actually got TOTM myself.
I think you are talking about these-
Got them on a wild piece of tonga branch that I bought many years ago. One of the first corals I ever bought actually. I have no idea if they have a trendy name yet, although I'm sure they do. They have almost sentimental value to me today as I've had them so long. They have been one of the few surviving zoas in my tank today as so many have faded out over the years. I think mostly from being shaded out from the SPS above. For some reason as I have gotten better at SPS my zoas have struggled.
Thanks for checking in Acronic,
I really thought about breaking out the hammer but I was afraid the mess would be even worse. The sawblade was a workout for sure but I think it was alot less destructive.
Thank you aFs.
Thank you Chris Lakies,
That Erick's Strawberry Lemonade really has grown massive over the years. Hard to believe it was a 1" frag in '09. The more light and flow I give it, the happier it is. I was pretty scared to hack it off at the base and move it but it just got so huge that I couldn't clean the glass and nothing was growing to well in the shade below it. It seems to like the new spot so far.
Thanks dvanacker for checking in on me.
Hacking up and moving my corals around was a tough decision to make and I probably put it off way to long, but I knew I had to do it. It definitely was a huge change.
REEF SMAC
New member
This hobby is definitely hard to quit. Just way too much to tinker with out there.
Besides, what would you do with all that extra time and money anyway?
I would be afraid of the damage I would make just trying to swing a hammer inside my tank.
Thank for checking on me veloboy.
For the most, stuff seems to be doing just fine these days. Besides the ones that didn't like their new placement and RTNed right away. The rest continued on just fine.
I don't go as hard core rebuild as Dan but from the look of his tank it is obviously working well for him.
I do go in and do some major hacking of my corals. Once they get to the point where they shade themselves out and the lower branches start dying off from lack of light and flow, I will go in and cut out the dead underbrush. Does seem to help the overall health of my entire tank when I do that. I think all that dying underbrush adds to the nutrient levels also.
I've siphoned out and replaced sand in some portions of my tank over the years but not much. My Engineer Goby moves so much sand around constantly it seems to stay pretty well mixed up. That fish is a digging machine.
You'll see those pics in a moment BTW.
Thank you cFloor,
Funny how those frags can get around. Lol.
Fish do seem to like the newest swimming places. Funny how they will constantly swarm around me whenever I'm in my tank moving stuff around or hacking stuff out. Trying to be the first one in there to get that first exposed bristle worm, copepod, algae morsel or whatever. It is almost anoying, making it hard to see what you're doing cause the fish are swarming around your hands so much.
Thank you oscarslr for the kind words.
REEF SMAC
New member
Yah I know this is the SPS forum but here are some fish pics anyway-
I put this guy in my tank several months ago. Was in QT for a long time. Swam around just fine when I added him to my DT, didn't just hide out.
Disappeared without a trace after about three weeks. Bummer.
That's all for now.
Merry Christmas everyone.
I put this guy in my tank several months ago. Was in QT for a long time. Swam around just fine when I added him to my DT, didn't just hide out.
Disappeared without a trace after about three weeks. Bummer.
That's all for now.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Reef_Noob
New member
Steve, those corals look amazing they are in the prime of health. Wow!!
(pause) WOW!!
Now seeing those fishes....I think iv never seen more healthy,plump and well fed fishes ever in a reef tank. They look just amazing in prime of health and colour. I know how hard it is to strike a balance between feeding fishes and maintenance of an SPS tank. It's a thin line to balance considering the nutrient factor. And you are going it perfectly. Speaks volumes of the dedicated care and husbandry you are giving to your reef.
Such great inspiration and a role model tank you have. Your tank is the epitome of a thriving SPS reef tank. You have the majic touch my man...don't deny it
The one and only true "Coral Gardener"
Thank you Steve for the New Year inspiration for me and my tank.
Guys....Steve needs a standing ovation!!!
(pause) WOW!!
Now seeing those fishes....I think iv never seen more healthy,plump and well fed fishes ever in a reef tank. They look just amazing in prime of health and colour. I know how hard it is to strike a balance between feeding fishes and maintenance of an SPS tank. It's a thin line to balance considering the nutrient factor. And you are going it perfectly. Speaks volumes of the dedicated care and husbandry you are giving to your reef.
Such great inspiration and a role model tank you have. Your tank is the epitome of a thriving SPS reef tank. You have the majic touch my man...don't deny it
The one and only true "Coral Gardener"
Thank you Steve for the New Year inspiration for me and my tank.
Guys....Steve needs a standing ovation!!!
veloboy
New member
Well said Noob!
That black tang is impressive Reef Smack. Is their behavior fairly typical of the Zebrasoma species? More specifically, does yours seem to display the same amount of agressiveness as the yellow or sailfin variety?
Thanks for the pictures! How many efflos do you have? I love their relative hardines (outside of the $500) but they seem to grow quickly and shade everything beneath them.
That black tang is impressive Reef Smack. Is their behavior fairly typical of the Zebrasoma species? More specifically, does yours seem to display the same amount of agressiveness as the yellow or sailfin variety?
Thanks for the pictures! How many efflos do you have? I love their relative hardines (outside of the $500) but they seem to grow quickly and shade everything beneath them.
Maximus
Active member
Jam packed tank!!!
Fricken Massive!!
That is not a pic from his tank. It looks like a pic from the South Pacific!:spin2: Happy New Year, Steve!!
REEF SMAC
New member
Steve, those corals look amazing they are in the prime of health. Wow!!
(pause) WOW!!
Now seeing those fishes....I think iv never seen more healthy,plump and well fed fishes ever in a reef tank. They look just amazing in prime of health and colour. I know how hard it is to strike a balance between feeding fishes and maintenance of an SPS tank. It's a thin line to balance considering the nutrient factor. And you are going it perfectly. Speaks volumes of the dedicated care and husbandry you are giving to your reef.
Such great inspiration and a role model tank you have. Your tank is the epitome of a thriving SPS reef tank. You have the majic touch my man...don't deny it
The one and only true "Coral Gardener"
Thank you Steve for the New Year inspiration for me and my tank.
Guys....Steve needs a standing ovation!!!
Thanks for checking on me Noob and for the kind words. It is all about coral gardening isn't it? That's why we're all right here.
My fish are pretty fat actually. Lol. Seems to keep them from killing each other. (at least they kill each other slower anyway)
It seems like a balance of food and GFO actually.
Thanks dvanacker,
To hear that from someone of your reefing caliber means a lot to me.
Thank you veloboy,
IME the black tang is the most mellow of the Zebrasoma. I had a larger one years ago that was constanly picked on by my Veliferum. The Veliferum was definitely the aggressor. I thought they would eventually work it out but the Veliferum was relentless and eventually won. It was a bummer. I don't really don't know why they constantly went at it. Maybe they were both male (or female)? Maybe because they were the same size? The Rostratum was actually slightly larger. I don't really know what their deal was. I decided to try it again a couple years ago with this Rostratum, buying it really small, (1.5") keeping it in my frag tank for over a year before finally getting brave enough to put it in my DT. This time the Veliferum and the Rostratum could absolutely care less about each other. My Powder Blue was the one that punked on him this time but he did get over it pretty fast. They all seem to get along fine these days. Maybe it's the size difference that helps.
I thought I had two efflos but as they grow out more I'm leaning towards one of them being a solitaryensis. Neither one has grown exceptionally fast for me. They were both ugly brown until the got to around 3'' and then finally started to color up. It is definitely solid shade below them. You are right about that.
Thanks for letting us know you're still lurking out there. Thanks for checking on me. Great to hear from you. Happy New Year to you as well.:celeb3:
Thank you aqua80, I've always tried to make my apprenticeship instructors proud. Thank you for the compliments.
I will echo what most have already said on this thread:
Kraylen, very nice pics, you have serious photo taking skills. What photo processing program do you use?
Reef Smac, damn fine looking tank you have there. Just as good, of not better than what you will find at the local public aquarium. I am wonder if we ever met while I was there. We must have at least once or twice, either through there or PP. Either way, I would love to come check out you set up if possible.
Kraylen, very nice pics, you have serious photo taking skills. What photo processing program do you use?
Reef Smac, damn fine looking tank you have there. Just as good, of not better than what you will find at the local public aquarium. I am wonder if we ever met while I was there. We must have at least once or twice, either through there or PP. Either way, I would love to come check out you set up if possible.
REEF SMAC
New member
Thank you wonrib00,
Actually Kraylen has not posted any pics here but the videos are his handywork.
You and I have already had this discussion a long time ago when you were working at PP actually. I didn't remember seeing you at MBA but it was actually your job to keep an eye on me. Lol.
I still have a coral I bought from you at PP BTW.
You are more than welcome to stop by. Shoot me a PM whenever you're ready.
