Update on Angels:
All are doing well. I've noticed the flagfin likes to pick at one of my LPS quite a bit. It's a new fragged coral and I have been trying to hide it from the Flagfin as much as possible but he kept finding it. I finally found a spot way up high close to the water surface and its been ok since. He's also found my pink chalice which is the coral he was nipping on when I first introduced it. He hasnt touched it since. If these guys start getting hungry, they start getting curious. I feed twice a day minimum. The Flagfin is the only one who like Formula 2 flakes. All others like the Spectrum pellets. I feed live brine, mysis, zooplankton, pellets, Angelfood mix, etc. A good variety daily. I crank the skimmer to the highest possible setting because of this. The Bellus is the quickest and swims by quick before the other Angels can get to the food... he swims by so quick that the other Angel has its mouth open ready to eat and zoooooomm.. the Bellus grabs it by fast. LOL. Im also trying my hardest to stay away from purchasing a Tang. I want this to be a true all Angel tank. Something different and a bit more challenging. What I have learned through this process is to pick out your Angels first before your corals. Most people will introduce all corals first and then decide to add Angels taking a huge risk on many corals and not just one when doing in the reverse order. Having test corals has helped me feel more confident in my next coral purchase on what I can and cant buy. OH and suprisingly, no quarreling of any Angels to this day.
Update on Corals:
All corals have shown great signs of growth and coloring. My favorite are those SPS that are getting shined on by the spotlight which is getting that color I was hoping for from the side. It's still very soon and I dotn want to make any concrete conclusions just yet, but it seems to make a difference. If the coral is being penetrated by light at any angle, then this is where the SPS will color and grow towards. I've already had some frags that fishcraze gave me for testing that he had as brownouts that are showing its true color now. Im excited because he asked me to try and get it to color because he couldnt. I also like going to the LFS and buying the hidden treasures that people do not see.. the brown outs! Those are my challenges. To get them to color up.
Update on Lighting:
I have not changed the lighting intensity and have stayed with keeping 2x250 on instead of all 3. It is the perfect combination in my eyes. The Giesemann Spectra only comes on for 4 hrs of the day. My main source of light comes from the T5's and Spotlight at 9 hrs a day. This will be changed a bit later though as I want the spotlight to only come on before the main core lights (Spectra) and after. I honeslty love the look without the main core lights on and just the spotlight and T5's. You would have to see it in person to understand.
mcrist and hat... I understand 100%. Like the both of you, its hard going to an LFS and not leaving with something to feed your addiction. In my last tank, I purchased a lot very fast.. I always had a coral to add and the tank filled up quick. After 3 yrs.. I felt I had all the corals I ever wanted. There was not much to conquer after that. With this tank, im trying to take it very slow and enjoy it as long as possible. As we all know, the more we add now.. the more we have to get rid of in 3-4 yrs because they will grow into each other and you end up keeping a couple big corals.
jnb, let me get a pic for you today!
Josh, mine hasnt either. He likes to hide a lot though.
speclked, I definitely understand where you are coming from. I plan to at least do some freshwater dips soon. It's scary, but I dont want to infect the entire tank if something is out there that I cant see and may destroy the angel population.
sfsu, im not sure hows its setup. You can contact Jaime at AE. Im sure they can help you.
Aimforever, I really appreciate the positive comments. Maybe I will have to reread it myself.
Tanya, thanks for looking out for me and your support.