ICF's Millepora Project Take 2: SPS in my Living Room

Thank you SERVO..glad to have you taggin along.

I had vacillated for quite some time over whether or not to go with a BB, SSB, or true DSB. After thinking about how the tank would be showcased, and the type of inverts I was considering keeping, I decided on a true DSB.

Here's the tint and sand. The tint is Black Magic 35% and was a royal PITA to work with.
The first piece I completely ruined, and the obnoxious crinkling sound woke my wife up in the process. :o With what was left I was able to get the back completely covered. It trimmed perfectly, but I do have some air bubbles. It doesn't look too bad, but I'm certainly kicking myself for not taking my time while the tank was off the stand.

The sand is two bags of Yard Right Playsand from Home Depot. This is the same stuff I used in my 8ft reef. It passes the vinegar test for calcium carbonate. Mixed in between the layers is florida crushed coral. I then added one bag of Carib Sea Hawaiian Black Arag-Alive. The top is Carib SeaBlack Tahitian Moon Sand.

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We have a heartbeat!

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Nice man! How did you make out down there on Sunday? I tried to call you back but you must have been busy with your new stuff. Give me a ring when you have a few minutes.
 
I have to say after seeing that Cowfish in your tank I had to have one. When we were down at Greenwich Aquaria my wife fell in love with the lil bugger. As long as he doesn't pick, and he doesn't get too stressed out by the flow, he'll stay upstairs.

Roman I did, but the only thing I picked up for this tank was the lil Cowfish. The rest of the goodies went in the downstairs reef. Funny thing is, when you did call, I was elbow deep in the tank. :D
 
I'm a little bit disappointed. I lost both the Cowfish and a new Anthias, in the downstairs tank, tonight. I knew the Cowfish was too stressed out from the flow, so I decided to move him into the main reef. Unfortunately, I procrastinated too long and found him dead behind the overflow.

The small Anthias got caught up in the flow and went overboard. :sad2:

I had some time today to work on the main reef, and if it wasn't for the fact it was looking fantastic tonight, I'd be really, really bummed.

Now on to the positive. I had cut a piece of my Tri-Color Acropora SP and put it in the Illuminata the other night. Yes I know, not a Millepora, but I was anxious nonetheless to get an SPS frag in the tank. It's such a pretty, thriving colony, so I wanted some in the tank. I also had a small frag that was donated to me some time ago from a fellow reefer. It is supposed to be yellow Milli, but the more I look at it, I'm not entirely sure.

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Here's the Acropora SP...possibly a Tri-Color Valida, but if anyone has a more positive idea please let me know:

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Here's the Yellow Mille- or is it? :)

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I was so thankful to Roman for dropping off my first A. Millepora frags. I dipped both in an Iodine and Revive solution, and they already show good PE.
Rich Green Milli:

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Red Milli:

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After cleaning the main reef, I performed a 25 gallon water change on the system. I dosed my usual 2 part ESV and Magnesium. I'll also be dosing Seachem Calcium, a fairly rich product, directly to the tank upstairs.

I also talked with Jeff over at Marine Solutions Inc, and the replacement pump for my Mini-S Cone Skimmer should arrive today or Friday.

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