Leonardo's Lagoon

[Leonardo_]

Thanks Nowell York.

You're right about the trace elements. I do think and observe that corals need some trace elements. It improves coloration and growth.
But the right amount and combination of trace elements are not known right not and are very difficult to measure.
That why I use half of the recommended dosages and dose extra by hand, from what I observe in the tank. This is not very scientific, but it works for me.
Observing and understanding your corals and know how to react to that is crucial in this hobby I think.

I believe in high flow, high light conditions combined with natural SW parameters.
The BB method allow me to feed heavy and diverse. The fish are fed 4-5 times a day with different foods.
Every night I feed the filterfeeders and corals with a "pappone" liquid made of Cyclops, Artemia, Mysis and several Vitamins. This is mixed to a completely liquid substance.

With this regimen I hope to prevent spikes or holes in certain compounds.

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

And the last picture, a updated FTS. All the pieces of the puzzle are here, I just need to combine it to a nice aquascape
I coudn't get the whole tank on the photo becuase my tripod hit my desk... I will soon rebuild my room so that problem will disappear

Much more pictures on the previous page!!

Leonardo

 

[Chrisrush]

Looks great Leonardo. Will you trim the colonies in the front to keep a certain landscape or is it a free for all in terms of growth? How much LR do you have in your sump?

 

[GSMguy]

Dang that digi is huge

Great shots!

Post that last one in the shallow club when you get a chance.

 

[Leonardo_]

Thanks Chris! The aquascape is far from done. I think I will move the large colonies more to the back of the tank.
I also have to work with the LR a bit (is in the sump now) to create an appealing aquascape that represents a reeftop.
I have about 20 pound (lb) in the sump.
An additional 10 pound of LR is in the sump for the cryptic refugium. That rock is covered with several kind of sponges.

Thanks Nick, I posted the FTS in the Shallow Tank thread!

Leonardo

 

[Ginzo]

Hi Leonardo,

How much LR would you say is necessary for a ShallowReef like yours?

What's a cryptic refugium ?

Thanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14146910#post14146910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Leonardo_
Thanks Chris! The aquascape is far from done. I think I will move the large colonies more to the back of the tank.
I also have to work with the LR a bit (is in the sump now) to create an appealing aquascape that represents a reeftop.
I have about 20 pound (lb) in the sump.
An additional 10 pound of LR is in the sump for the cryptic refugium. That rock is covered with several kind of sponges.

Thanks Nick, I posted the FTS in the Shallow Tank thread!

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14147374#post14147374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ginzo
Hi Leonardo,

How much LR would you say is necessary for a ShallowReef like yours?

What's a cryptic refugium ?

Thanks

I have no idea how much liverock is needed. I think everyone will say something else I think some liverock is necessary, but not too much because it can block flow and trap detritus that way.

A cryptic refugium is a dark tank/compartiment connected to the tank ment for sponges, tunicates and featherdusters.
I don´t know if they really 'clean' the water but they add to the biodiversity and that is always a good thing I think.
You can find much more info about this here on RC.

Leonardo

 

[Ginzo]

Love your last FTS shot !

Was wondering, with no LR in your tank, do fishes get stressed because they have a hard time finding "hiding spaces" ?

 

[Leonardo_]

Thanks! Like I wrote before, I will use some LR when I will aquascape the tank.

The fish have enough hiding spaces between the colonies etc.

Leonardo

 

[stunreefer]

Great new FTS Leo! :thumbsup:

I notice you bring in many maricultured and wild colonies... do you dip them or QT them before going into your display?

Great new pieces too!

 

[Leonardo_]

Thanks Austin!

I don't dip any corals. I don't want to stress the coral more then they already are, especially the wildcap corals, who are sensitive to RTN.
When my tank is matured in the future, I don't risk putting in corals immediately. I will set up an QT tank in the near future.

I get the corals right after they arrive in the store (from the airport). Wildcap and Bali Maricultured are almost always free of pests. I do inspect them for bitemarks, eggpackages etc.

I don't buy frags from local hobbyists anymore. They have the higest risk of being infected.

Leonardo

 

[Baros]

Leonardo,
The tank is really developing beautifully even at this early stage, it's going to look magnificent!!

Have you considered attaching 1 or 2 of your stream pumps to something like a 'Osci-motion' that way you could reduce the number of pumps in the display.

 

[Leonardo_]

Thanks Baros, and that without aquascaping... Can only be better when I'm done with that I hope.

No I haven't but it is a really good option. I have also looked at the new generation Tunze Stream pumps, and they are a lot smaller then the old ones... Maybe I will give them I try

Leonardo

 

[longboarder324]

i HATE your tank! Mainly cause it's not mine. Looks amazing!

 

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14146910#post14146910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Leonardo_
Thanks Chris! The aquascape is far from done. I think I will move the large colonies more to the back of the tank.
I also have to work with the LR a bit (is in the sump now) to create an appealing aquascape that represents a reeftop.
I have about 20 pound (lb) in the sump.
An additional 10 pound of LR is in the sump for the cryptic refugium. That rock is covered with several kind of sponges.

Thanks Nick, I posted the FTS in the Shallow Tank thread!

Leonardo

Do you have any picture of a reeftop? I found a couple of images on google, but I'm not sure if it is the look you are going for.

 

[Leonardo_]

longboarder324, haha thank you!

Chris; look at the 4th page of this thread. I have given a few examples in nature+other tanks that inspired me

Leonardo

 

[pookstreet]

Wow, those are some sweet colonies. I need a few of those in my tank

 

[Leonardo_]

You can always pick up a frag, ticketcosts for your account

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

A few pics I haven't posted yet. It's really time for me to buy a good camera (Nikon) with macro

Leonardo

 

[jnarowe]

you are getting great pics Leonardo. It's one of those things; there really is talent involved and some people can make great shots with crappy cameras, and others cannot get a good pic with a 200D. :shock: