Leonardo. Do you measure Alk, Mag and calc when you mix up a batch of reefers best salt ? If so what do they normally measure. I ask because I'm thinking of trying some in the hope that I don't have to adjust the above. It's getting a bit tiring buying so called 'Reef' salts only to find that I then have to supplement calcium and mag before I can use it
Leonardo's Formosa Forest
- Thread starter Leonardo_
- Start date
:eek2: :eek1: W............O..............W
Leonardo, you are my new hero!
What an amazing piece of art, life, colour and health in a defined space. Incredible. You are truly an inspiration to all those with modest sized reefs. If I could achieve half that result I would be so proud.
Infact it really puts many of those 'large' reefs to shame with its simplicity and style. Great job!
As for the "wheres the sand" comments, don't people realize that coral actually can grow on rocks that are well above the level of sand. While diving off the Great Barrier reef last year it was really noticeable how little of the coral actually grows near the sand. Your tank looks exactly like you have captured a small chunk of an outgrowth of reef and placed it in your house.
No disrespect Leonardo, but I find the tank totally unnatural looking. I've never seen corals growing directly on glass before except in a prop tank. 
As the corals grow how are you going to handle that? I mean the rock base they are sitting on? I'm curious, because normally someone will have more rock in the tank and you can wedge the frag/colony base rock into crevices for support.
While I don't care for the look, I do like the simplicity of the system and will watch as time goes on to see how you make out. I myself wouldn't do it because I'm big in developing the natural fauna in the tank so it feeds itself to a large extent.
With that said I do wish you the best and will follow your progress. You definitely have something unique!
Carlo
As the corals grow how are you going to handle that? I mean the rock base they are sitting on? I'm curious, because normally someone will have more rock in the tank and you can wedge the frag/colony base rock into crevices for support.
While I don't care for the look, I do like the simplicity of the system and will watch as time goes on to see how you make out. I myself wouldn't do it because I'm big in developing the natural fauna in the tank so it feeds itself to a large extent.
With that said I do wish you the best and will follow your progress. You definitely have something unique!
Carlo
SUMMERS
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10910357#post10910357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cayars
No disrespect Leonardo, but I find the tank totally unnatural looking. I've never seen corals growing directly on glass before except in a prop tank.
As the corals grow how are you going to handle that? I mean the rock base they are sitting on? I'm curious, because normally someone will have more rock in the tank and you can wedge the frag/colony base rock into crevices for support.
While I don't care for the look, I do like the simplicity of the system and will watch as time goes on to see how you make out. I myself wouldn't do it because I'm big in developing the natural fauna in the tank so it feeds itself to a large extent.
With that said I do wish you the best and will follow your progress. You definitely have something unique!
Carlo
Nearly all the systems kept in this hobby are un-natural looking. In the wild corals of varying spec. do not grow as close together as most hobbyist tend to keep them. As well, in the wild corals are not being fragged down to 4-5" pieces to keep from killing each other either or to make room for the "new hot" purchase.
I think that Leo's tank is more natural looking than many of the tanks that are praised so highly on the board. The corals are allowed to grow free and openly. Not to mention flow is not inhibited by 1-2lbs per gallon of rock.
Many successful fauna can be grown in a tank and remotely without having a tank full of rock.
All in all this is a very nice looking tank and probably my #2 -#3 tank every posted. Only behind Cward's tank.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-10/totm/index.php
Not knocking your opp. just stating mine.
dvanacker
DID I SOUNDS SMRT??
Ya..this tank reminds me of CWARDS tank.
I really respect an aquarist who can grow such large colonies. When we see a tank with smaller colonies you have to wonder if how long they have been in the tank and healthy. When you see a tank with nice big peices you know this guy has been keeping his corals happy for a long time.
I really respect an aquarist who can grow such large colonies. When we see a tank with smaller colonies you have to wonder if how long they have been in the tank and healthy. When you see a tank with nice big peices you know this guy has been keeping his corals happy for a long time.
adddo
“Goodnight, tiny humans.â€
Come to think of it Leonardo, the skimmer you use looks exactly like my Fauna Marine 2 "Ultra Skim 2"
http://www.tritonakvarium.se/product.asp?product=584&sub=0&page=1
I know you said some other name for it.. But cant help but think they are the same.
http://www.tritonakvarium.se/product.asp?product=584&sub=0&page=1
I know you said some other name for it.. But cant help but think they are the same.
I totally agree on the open look no question about that. While I prefer a thin sand bed I'm also not bothered by BB or DSB but what I find "odd" is the no rock look.
Odd is probably a better word then saying I don't like it. I surely love the look of the corals. I'd prefer to see a "bit" more rock base for them to be on however and I'd think that would look more natural. It doesn't need to be a rock wall by any stretch but a couple more rocks here and there with the corals up on them like they would grow in nature.
Does that make sense?
Carlo
Odd is probably a better word then saying I don't like it. I surely love the look of the corals. I'd prefer to see a "bit" more rock base for them to be on however and I'd think that would look more natural. It doesn't need to be a rock wall by any stretch but a couple more rocks here and there with the corals up on them like they would grow in nature.
Does that make sense?
Carlo
JPMagyar
New member
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Leonardo,
Outstanding work and reef husbandry! I just wanted to say thanks for sharing as I have found your philosophy and photos are proving to further inspire my latest project.
One quick question though, do you have any references on Magnesium and coral coloration. I had not previously heard Magnesium mentioned as a direct means of improving blue coloration in acropora and would love to learn more?
Thanks again,
Joe
Thanks for sharing.
Leonardo,
Outstanding work and reef husbandry! I just wanted to say thanks for sharing as I have found your philosophy and photos are proving to further inspire my latest project.
One quick question though, do you have any references on Magnesium and coral coloration. I had not previously heard Magnesium mentioned as a direct means of improving blue coloration in acropora and would love to learn more?
Thanks again,
Joe
LesMartin, at 35 ppt I tested the following paramaters (with Salifert) with Reefers Best Premium:
Ca 420
Mg 1250
Kh 6.5-6.8
K+ 380
mxett, thank you. It was the concept to create a little piece of the reef while setting up the tank. Singe rocks on the reef are called a "bommie" That inspired me:
cayars, I respect your opinion. All the corals are growing on rocks. Like you can see on the picture above, you can't see any rock anymore. The corals that are on the bottom are for my second project. I collect them there untill that tank is ready.
I control the growth of the staghorns by fragging some branches. When the whole structure become too big (within a year) I will transfer the whole rock+corals to a bigger cube. After that it will have more room for growth.
SUMMERS, Thanks for the compliment.
You're right, the sump is covered in sponges, tunicates and featherdusters. It's far from sterile.
Cwards tank was a huge inspiration. I stared at his FTS's for many hours, admiring his large colonies.
dvanacker, adddo, thank you
JPMagyar, you're welcome. I hope you will enjoy your new project. About the Mag/blue colour. I had a problem once with my blue tipped Staghorn; it was losing some of the blue colour. A reefer over here -don't know who it was anymore
- suggested to test for Magnesium, and higher the level of it. After I did that the colour came back within a few weeks. After that experience I kep my Magnesium at that level (1400-1500)
Leonardo
Ca 420
Mg 1250
Kh 6.5-6.8
K+ 380
mxett, thank you. It was the concept to create a little piece of the reef while setting up the tank. Singe rocks on the reef are called a "bommie" That inspired me:
cayars, I respect your opinion. All the corals are growing on rocks. Like you can see on the picture above, you can't see any rock anymore. The corals that are on the bottom are for my second project. I collect them there untill that tank is ready.
I control the growth of the staghorns by fragging some branches. When the whole structure become too big (within a year) I will transfer the whole rock+corals to a bigger cube. After that it will have more room for growth.
SUMMERS, Thanks for the compliment.
You're right, the sump is covered in sponges, tunicates and featherdusters. It's far from sterile.
Cwards tank was a huge inspiration. I stared at his FTS's for many hours, admiring his large colonies.
dvanacker, adddo, thank you
JPMagyar, you're welcome. I hope you will enjoy your new project. About the Mag/blue colour. I had a problem once with my blue tipped Staghorn; it was losing some of the blue colour. A reefer over here -don't know who it was anymore
- suggested to test for Magnesium, and higher the level of it. After I did that the colour came back within a few weeks. After that experience I kep my Magnesium at that level (1400-1500) Leonardo
boxfishpooalot
Active member
I want to offer some advice, but you dont need any 
All I can say is :thumbsup:
Excellent tank and very inspirational. I love the colors, the forest, the fish that swim through it! Awesome!
One thing i can comment on is Saliferts test kits for alkalinity, they are having huge issues right now, and with all the effort you put into this tank i would switch brands when this test kit runs out. Check the Salifert forum to see whats going on.
All I can say is :thumbsup:
Excellent tank and very inspirational. I love the colors, the forest, the fish that swim through it! Awesome!
One thing i can comment on is Saliferts test kits for alkalinity, they are having huge issues right now, and with all the effort you put into this tank i would switch brands when this test kit runs out. Check the Salifert forum to see whats going on.
invincible569
New member
Leonardo, I have to ask you about your custom light fixture.. can you give any tips on how you added those extra T5's?
Fishfreak218
New member
Yeah, I was wondering the same exact thing.
invincible569, Fishfreak218; Of course I can explain this I took the screws out of the Aqua Medic Aquaspacelight and the 2 T5 pendants. Then I took a strip of Aluminium plate, and measured where the screwholes were. After that I placed the strip over the 3 pendants and screwed it together. Alle the pendants were connected to eachother that way. Very simple actually.
Hope this explanation makes sense,
Leonardo
I took the screws out of the Aqua Medic Aquaspacelight and the 2 T5 pendants. Then I took a strip of Aluminium plate, and measured where the screwholes were. After that I placed the strip over the 3 pendants and screwed it together. Alle the pendants were connected to eachother that way. Very simple actually. Hope this explanation makes sense,
Leonardo
boxfishpooalot
Active member
Hey Leonardo, do you believe that the bb approach is keeping your nutrients very low?
What do you think contributes to nutrient reduction in this system the most, if you dont mind me asking
Oh and one more question. Do you use phosphate removal media or carbon?
What do you think contributes to nutrient reduction in this system the most, if you dont mind me asking
Oh and one more question. Do you use phosphate removal media or carbon?
boxfishpooalot
Active member
Hey Leonardo, do you believe that the bb approach is keeping your nutrients very low?
What do you think contributes to nutrient reduction in this system the most, if you dont mind me asking
Oh and one more question. Do you use phosphate removal media or carbon?
What do you think contributes to nutrient reduction in this system the most, if you dont mind me asking
Oh and one more question. Do you use phosphate removal media or carbon?
I think I can keep my nutrients at the level that I want. And that is low, but not to low to pale and starve the corals.
When I first started with the BB system I was pulling nutrients out too fast, starving my SPS. Now I have found the perfect balance.
My skimmer does most of the export. If I skim a bit wetter, a week later you see the result in my corals. Very direct control. So, the skimmer is key to the nutrient reduction in this tank.
As some sort of "backup" I always use a small amount of GFO. Carbon is used to keep the water crystal-clear, which increase the light penetration.
Finally a small amount of Vodka+sugar is added every day to increase bacterioplankton and decrease Phosphate and Nitrate levels (which are unmeasurable btw)
leonardo
When I first started with the BB system I was pulling nutrients out too fast, starving my SPS. Now I have found the perfect balance.
My skimmer does most of the export. If I skim a bit wetter, a week later you see the result in my corals. Very direct control. So, the skimmer is key to the nutrient reduction in this tank.
As some sort of "backup" I always use a small amount of GFO. Carbon is used to keep the water crystal-clear, which increase the light penetration.
Finally a small amount of Vodka+sugar is added every day to increase bacterioplankton and decrease Phosphate and Nitrate levels (which are unmeasurable btw)
leonardo
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