Help with new 125 gallon build

[SimonSKL]

I don't think the fish have caused what happened to your candy cane coral. I don't think there is much you can do about it. Hopefully it will recover but the dead polyps are gone for good. They won't regenerate

 

[tassod]

Simon, i have an equipment maintenance question. How often do you clean your UV sterilizer?

 

[SimonSKL]

I think it should be cleaned every 6 months. I am embarrassed to admit I haven't cleaned it since May 2012:eek1:

 

[tassod]

I think it should be cleaned every 6 months. I am embarrassed to admit I haven't cleaned it since May 2012:eek1:

Something to do this weekend i guess...:lol2: I've been looking at many LPS pics online on this site and they are just amazing. I'm just dying to add some more to my DT!

 

[Doughball]

Another that i have no clue what it is

That looks like a Ricordea mushroom to me.

 

[flightjunkie]

Tassod, have your checked the intensity of your lights? Could they be too strong and be causing bleaching or killing your corals? I'm a newbie so I take that with a grain of salt but I had accidentally burned (might have killed - yet to be seen) an Acro due to some new LED's.

BTW - I'm upgrading my tank to a 125g so I found this thread very informative. Kudos to RC and SimonSKL for providing you with so much support!

 

[tassod]

Tassod, have your checked the intensity of your lights? Could they be too strong and be causing bleaching or killing your corals? I'm a newbie so I take that with a grain of salt but I had accidentally burned (might have killed - yet to be seen) an Acro due to some new LED's.

BTW - I'm upgrading my tank to a 125g so I found this thread very informative. Kudos to RC and SimonSKL for providing you with so much support!

I'm glad you are finding my build thread helpful and hopefully you can benefit from it. As for the corals, they are all doing well except for that one from my pics that Simon identified as the candy cane. This is not due to my lights but it was this way when I got it from one of my neighbors. Hopefully it gets better but if not, no real loss. I can't actually adjust the intensity of my lights, they only turn on or off unfortunetly. My other corals though seem to be doing well under these lights.

 

[tassod]

Simon, how long did it take for coraline algae to first start appearing in your tank?

 

[SimonSKL]

I can't quite remember exactly when. I would guess at least 6-8 weeks after cycled

 

[tassod]

I can't quite remember exactly when. I would guess at least 6-8 weeks after cycled

Has it pretty much covered all your rock? I'm thinking of replacing some of the pieces in my tank that just are infested with the GHA.

 

[SimonSKL]

Pretty much. How would you know the new rocks won't give you GHA? If you replace too much you tank may go thru another cycle.

 

[tassod]

Pretty much. How would you know the new rocks won't give you GHA? If you replace too much you tank may go thru another cycle.

I don't know, but I'm assuming at this point that the pieces that do have the GHA are leaching phosphates. It's really only 2 pieces that have it bad, the rest have been cleaned and not growing new stuff. I would replace those pieces with established live rock that's already covered in coralline algae. If I replaced just one piece, would that hurt my tank?

 

[SimonSKL]

If you replace with established live rocks that will be fine. I thought you were going with new rocks.

 

[tassod]

I'm going to hold off a bit on replacing the rock, I came across this tool today and just ordered it. I will report on how good it is when i receive it and test it. Supposedly its very good and won product of the year for 2012. Here is the link...

http://www.algaemower.com/

 

[SimonSKL]

That looks like a very useful tool and I can definitely use that in my 92g tank where I am still fighting GHA after 6 yrs. Let me know how you like it. Is this coming from HK or can you order from a US distributor?

 

[tassod]

That looks like a very useful tool and I can definitely use that in my 92g tank where I am still fighting GHA after 6 yrs. Let me know how you like it. Is this coming from HK or can you order from a US distributor?

Its probably coming from HK. i just ordered it directly from the site.

 

[tassod]

New additons

New additons

I got 3 new pieces tonight:

From what my friend tells me, my SPS is thriving

 

[SimonSKL]

Nice additions. You need to give me a full tank shot showing all the corals and fish. Did you get any new fish?

Yes, the polyp extension on your sps is a good sign of healthy corals.

 

[tassod]

Nice additions. You need to give me a full tank shot showing all the corals and fish. Did you get any new fish?

Yes, the polyp extension on your sps is a good sign of healthy corals.

You're right, need to get a FTS, definitely tomorrow. I did not get new fish yet, looking to pick up a royal gramma and the place i was at today did not have it. Maybe tomorrow. My numbers are showing good..Alk 8.9 , CA 440 amd MAG 1450.

 

[tassod]

Ok a lot has happened today but first, here is a FTS. Sorry for the quality, this is the best shot i could get. Not very good at photography...

Now, i'm sure you will notice a difference on the left side of the tank, that is where I had most of my GHA infested rock. Well, its all gone now. I finally did decide to go with replacing it with very nice established live rock from my LFS, especially the piece in the front, really nice purple coraline on that one. Here's some more pics:

Now, ive taken out more than I have put in, but i believe i just need a couple of more pieces to even things out.

Also, I have a new fish addition:

He swims so fast, this is the best i got of him so far:

Now i cant wait to get that algae vac to do the other side of my rocks and the sand bed mostly...