Leonardo's Lagoon
- Thread starter Leonardo_
- Start date
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Leonardo - last time I looked at your thread it was still in its very early stages. This has turned out beautifully.
Your attention to detail and dedication definitely shows.
This is equally impressive as your Formosa Forest.
A pleasure to read and great photos.
Hoping my system will look that good some day
Best, Itay.
Your attention to detail and dedication definitely shows.
This is equally impressive as your Formosa Forest.
A pleasure to read and great photos.
Hoping my system will look that good some day
Best, Itay.
FadeToGrey
New member
What a unique and beautiful set-up! I really enjoy your reef Leonardo.
mcliffy2
New member
Leonardo - Have you read the Coral Science article about sponges feeding on dissolved organic carbons and converting them to cell dieoff that serves as food for corals? I read this as sponges essentially serving the same purpose as a protein skimmer, with the added benefit of generating food for corals.
Here is a Dutch version (at least I think, since I don't speak the language): http://www.koraalwetenschap.nl/content/view/225/1/
and an English version: http://www.coralscience.org/home/content/view/202/1/lang,en/
Would love to see an article with your thoughts on this over at GBD
Here is a Dutch version (at least I think, since I don't speak the language): http://www.koraalwetenschap.nl/content/view/225/1/
and an English version: http://www.coralscience.org/home/content/view/202/1/lang,en/
Would love to see an article with your thoughts on this over at GBD
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mcliffy2
New member
btw, for those of you that haven't seen the latest from the Lagoon, Leonardo wrote up an article here: http://glassbox-design.com/2009/hello-from-the-netherlands-leonardos-lagoon/
arctictwist; The sponges grew there by themselves originally. To give them some extra space, I planted fragments on fresh liverock.
Itaysworld; Thank you for the kind words, but I disagree on the part about the Formosa Forest! This tank still has a long way to go!
FadeToGrey; Thank you!
mcliffy2; It is a Dutch site. I've read the article, and the conclusions are very interesting indeed! Keep a close eye on GBD, I will do a write up about it soon. I've alrwady been experimenting with biopolymers and carbon sources.
Thanks for providing the link!
Here's a recent FTS, sorry for the darkness, it is T5 only.
Leonardo
Itaysworld; Thank you for the kind words, but I disagree on the part about the Formosa Forest! This tank still has a long way to go!
FadeToGrey; Thank you!
mcliffy2; It is a Dutch site. I've read the article, and the conclusions are very interesting indeed! Keep a close eye on GBD, I will do a write up about it soon. I've alrwady been experimenting with biopolymers and carbon sources.
Thanks for providing the link!
Here's a recent FTS, sorry for the darkness, it is T5 only.
Leonardo
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paulthomas
Premium Member
I can't get over how nice your horizon of corals looks. You're definitely onto something.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
+1 on that!
Leonardo - you may not agree with my comment on the comparison to the Formosa Forest, but this view is just STUNNING.
That coral horizon is beautiful.
paulthomas
Premium Member
You definitely get the sense that you're diving and looking over the coral heads. Not that I've ever done it. I'm too busy fishing instead.
I hope I can get in online this week!
A few pages back I wrote about the test I started with a relatively new product from Tropic Marin, " Reef Actif". Basically it is a slow working carbon-source additive, based on marine bio-polymers.
After some weeks of testing, I can say I saw some significant changes. The algae film on the bottom of the tank has almost completely disappeared, and the glass also don't need as much cleaning as before. Also the water became more clear.
Skimmate production has almost doubled. Basically I have noticed all the symptoms of carbon dosage. Increased skimmer activity, less nutrients/algae, clear water etc.
The only difference with for example Vodka dosing was the darker and richer colors I noticed in my SPS, instead of increasing pale colors. This can be the result of the increase of bacterioplancton in the water feeding the corals, and/or the carbon source directly feeding the zooxanthellae. The same darkening is noticed when dosing large carbon containing molecules like sucrose. (table sugar)
Smaller molecules like Ethanol seem to have a lightening effect on SPS, and larger molecules like Vinegar, Sucrose and Reef-Actif a darkening effect.
My experiences with this product are positive and I will continue to use it, combined with additional carbon dosing and addition of bacteria by Prodibio (BioDigest).
I'm also looking what the long-term changes for my sponges will be.
Leonardo
A few pages back I wrote about the test I started with a relatively new product from Tropic Marin, " Reef Actif". Basically it is a slow working carbon-source additive, based on marine bio-polymers.
After some weeks of testing, I can say I saw some significant changes. The algae film on the bottom of the tank has almost completely disappeared, and the glass also don't need as much cleaning as before. Also the water became more clear.
Skimmate production has almost doubled. Basically I have noticed all the symptoms of carbon dosage. Increased skimmer activity, less nutrients/algae, clear water etc.
The only difference with for example Vodka dosing was the darker and richer colors I noticed in my SPS, instead of increasing pale colors. This can be the result of the increase of bacterioplancton in the water feeding the corals, and/or the carbon source directly feeding the zooxanthellae. The same darkening is noticed when dosing large carbon containing molecules like sucrose. (table sugar)
Smaller molecules like Ethanol seem to have a lightening effect on SPS, and larger molecules like Vinegar, Sucrose and Reef-Actif a darkening effect.
My experiences with this product are positive and I will continue to use it, combined with additional carbon dosing and addition of bacteria by Prodibio (BioDigest).
I'm also looking what the long-term changes for my sponges will be.
Leonardo
Some new pictures before the weekend. I'm still not happy with how they come out, but it is the best I can achieve with this camera right now.
Maybe I can borrow a Canon or Nikon soon so I can shoot some better (and macro) pictures.
As you can see the colors have deepened a bit since the addition of Reef-Actif and Vinegar.
Some have gained a bit too much zooxanthellae and are a bit dulled in color, still have to find the sweet spot.
Leonardo
Maybe I can borrow a Canon or Nikon soon so I can shoot some better (and macro) pictures.
As you can see the colors have deepened a bit since the addition of Reef-Actif and Vinegar.
Some have gained a bit too much zooxanthellae and are a bit dulled in color, still have to find the sweet spot.
Leonardo
scaryperson27
New member
Everything looks Terrific Leonardo. What do you think is the biggest contribution to your success?
scaryperson27
New member
Great combination of stuff. your previous tank is the main inspiration for my current build thread (click the little red house). I was hoping you could give me some pointers.
The aquascaping will pretty much be what you had going on. I'm going to have one rock in the middle with a ton of stags growing off of it, maybe some clams around it (maxima, deresa, whatever looks the best), and a couple of Millepora.
I'm really interested to know what you think.
The aquascaping will pretty much be what you had going on. I'm going to have one rock in the middle with a ton of stags growing off of it, maybe some clams around it (maxima, deresa, whatever looks the best), and a couple of Millepora.
I'm really interested to know what you think.
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
Tank is looking fantastic Leo :thumbsup:
Thanks for the review of TMs Reef Actif... I'm interetsed to see how you like this product long term.
Also congrats again on joining glassboxdesign!
Thanks for the review of TMs Reef Actif... I'm interetsed to see how you like this product long term.
Also congrats again on joining glassboxdesign!
