Little Piece of Reef Version II

[westreef]

Love the pink one. So far I am missing a true pink milli. One is more of an orangish and another seems purplish.

I love red and orange corals. I think, so far, I have enough of red but still wish to have some more of orange ones. When the corals are starting to show their colors, I try to re-position them to make better contrast. But sometimes they are encrusted so much that I have a hard time to move them.

 

[westreef]

Oh man you have quite a nice set up. I've been curious to see what results people are having with AF long term. Glad to see it's doing well for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for stopping by. I have been using ProBio S and -NP Pro since February and AF Component 1+2+3+ since August this year. And I switched to AF reef salt since November. So far so good.

 

[markalot]

Hey Bernie,

what do you run your LED's channels at? I've been very careful to run my white channel low, never exceeding 30%.

 

[westreef]

Hey Bernie,

what do you run your LED's channels at? I've been very careful to run my white channel low, never exceeding 30%.

Hi Mark,

At peak hours, Royal Blue 60%, Blue 47%, White 30% and Red 3%.

I have been fooling around with different numbers. Finally I settled down with these since July this year.This is just for my personal taste. For the T5s, I use 2 C+ and 2 B+.

The light fixture is hung 10" above water.
The mid level of the tank receives about 380 PAR and the bottom is about 250 PAR.

 

[markalot]

Hi Mark,

At peak hours, Royal Blue 60%, Blue 47%, White 30% and Red 3%.

I have been fooling around with different numbers. Finally I settled down with these since July this year.This is just for my personal taste. For the T5s, I use 2 C+ and 2 B+.

The light fixture is hung 10" above water.
The mid level of the tank receives about 380 PAR and the bottom is about 250 PAR.

Thanks,

that is similar to mine except I run blue and royal blue at the same level. I have Lime channel that consists of just one Lime LED per cluster (white without the blue, peaks in the green range) that I run at 60%. T5's are the same as yours.

 

[westreef]

Thanks,

that is similar to mine except I run blue and royal blue at the same level. I have Lime channel that consists of just one Lime LED per cluster (white without the blue, peaks in the green range) that I run at 60%. T5's are the same as yours.

Your corals are much more saturated in color than mine. You must have better water chemistry.

After all these years of reef keeping, my priority is (as if I can control these, haha) or my wish list :

1. Minimal RTN/STN
2. Color
3. Growth

 

[westreef]

This is from BC called Teen Wolf

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678561230/in/dateposted-public/" title="11-23-16-9_zpsxff70lrz"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4330/35678561230_b957182ed0_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="11-23-16-9_zpsxff70lrz"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Since Christmas is approaching, I am showing you this acro called
BC Christmas. I wish the color was a little bit richer, a little more red on the tips and more green on the body.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35228343384/in/dateposted-public/" title="11-23-16-21_zpsxuix9rad"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/35228343384_971c8c98da_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="11-23-16-21_zpsxuix9rad"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is Yellow tort from BC. It was a test frag in August last year to see if my tank was ready for SPS. It turns out to be more green than yellow.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35228345774/in/dateposted-public/" title="11-23-16-24_zpsuw1hvxvh"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4321/35228345774_a54814a31f_z.jpg" width="640" height="619" alt="11-23-16-24_zpsuw1hvxvh"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Happy Holidays everyone!!!

 

[westreef]

Purple and Orange Milli fuse together.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35935186441/in/dateposted-public/" title="Purple and Orange fused 1_zpspzhu7380"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4299/35935186441_3880b56089_z.jpg" width="640" height="616" alt="Purple and Orange fused 1_zpspzhu7380"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Another fused together closeup.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35259934753/in/dateposted-public/" title="Purple and Orange fused 2_zpscmrbiyfw"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4328/35259934753_a1fd47b87c_z.jpg" width="640" height="504" alt="Purple and Orange fused 2_zpscmrbiyfw"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Bonsai

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/36027813136/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai_zpsl4pgvcly"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4304/36027813136_b63be04f29_z.jpg" width="640" height="448" alt="Bonsai_zpsl4pgvcly"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[reefmutt]

Hey Bernie, I love those two macros of the millies. Again beautiful color contrast!
Where are your n and p these days?
Man, if I could get corals from battle corals, I'd be more broke than I already am from buying corals!

 

[westreef]

Hey Bernie, I love those two macros of the millies. Again beautiful color contrast!
Where are your n and p these days?
Man, if I could get corals from battle corals, I'd be more broke than I already am from buying corals!

Hi Matt,

Thanks for stopping by and the kind words.

Four days ago I have N and P measured:

N 2 (Salifert)
P undetectable (Elos Professional PO4 kit)

N has gone up from 0.2 since last month. This maybe due to massive removal of nuisance algae -- Bubble, Bryopsis, Hair and brown turf algae. They are not 100% gone yet but under control.
I don't mind to have N stayed at 2, it may enrich the color a bit.

Adam from BC is very reasonable and always love to give the customer a good deal.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!

 

[westreef]

Just came back from 18-day vacation. All corals were doing ok except the colors were a bit pale and dull. Sand and rocks were covered with brown algae with a little bit of green hair algae. The alkalinity went from 7.5 to 5.7 dKH. I gradually increased it back to 7.3 in 3 days. Hopefully it is not too fast in ramp up. I guess if I did any damages it would show up in a few weeks. The brown algae is gradually receding after some bacteria dosing and the GHA are gone.

Here are some updated photos:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678680360/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai_zpstmg06hgw"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4329/35678680360_4a014d3623_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Bonsai_zpstmg06hgw"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678681290/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-2_zpsjhf2hsot"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/35678681290_a25d31668b_z.jpg" width="513" height="640" alt="Bonsai-2_zpsjhf2hsot"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678682870/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-4_zpslsztfip3"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/35678682870_7621b062cc_z.jpg" width="640" height="634" alt="Bonsai-4_zpslsztfip3"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678683790/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-5_zps5x45o0bo"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4304/35678683790_8633d100d9_z.jpg" width="640" height="539" alt="Bonsai-5_zps5x45o0bo"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[westreef]

A few more

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678684530/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-6_zpsuzfvkhck"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4291/35678684530_44ef8d7c2f_z.jpg" width="640" height="551" alt="Bonsai-6_zpsuzfvkhck"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678685390/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-7_zps4gava25m"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4316/35678685390_d1e39a3277_z.jpg" width="496" height="640" alt="Bonsai-7_zps4gava25m"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678686460/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-8_zpsd1mpby1d"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4326/35678686460_9700bb1a32_z.jpg" width="605" height="640" alt="Bonsai-8_zpsd1mpby1d"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678688880/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-11_zpsiqsdryhg"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4297/35678688880_36d34fa665_z.jpg" width="640" height="581" alt="Bonsai-11_zpsiqsdryhg"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[westreef]

My coralline algae has been bleaching from pink to white for a few weeks already. Some reefer said it was because of lower Alk. I definitely have no idea. This is the first time I experience this. I plan to raise the alk to 8.

A few more pictures for update:

Oregon Tort
<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678687210/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-9_zpsrrncc5bj"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4296/35678687210_d1aa78eff6_z.jpg" width="524" height="640" alt="Bonsai-9_zpsrrncc5bj"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This BC Xmas is the palest in the tank. It lost most of its red tips.
[<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35678687940/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bonsai-10_zpskcxemtm4"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4322/35678687940_55d9c0609c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Bonsai-10_zpskcxemtm4"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



Unknown but it has peach color so I gave it a name Peach Milli

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35437980723/in/datetaken-public/" title="Bonsai-13_zpsmmma7lm2"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4298/35437980723_84907cd210_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Bonsai-13_zpsmmma7lm2"></a>******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[westreef]

This is an update on FTS.
The sand was totally covered with brown algae after my vacation. Now it is almost clear. The alk is now at 7.5 dkH and holding steady. Dosing bacteria helps a lot. The pic has a slight bluish tint.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/35898620252/in/datetaken-public/" title="Bonsai_zpsysr1skjx"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4308/35898620252_6eb59550c9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="628" alt="Bonsai_zpsysr1skjx"></a>

 

[codydemmel4]

very nice tank! you definitely have some great growth on some of those corals. I really like the macros of the milles together too.

following along.

ever think of glueing a coral to the back of your tank so you have some more height to it? Could look really good but would have to do some trimming to make sure it didnt shade everything else.

 

[westreef]

Cody, thanks for stopping by and kind words.

Some corals start to grow, like the Fire Polyp Table. However, some of them do not grow as much. Something is going on with the tank that I don't understand -- the coralline algae bleached. However, all corals seems to be okay.

The last tank had the rocks too high and the Green Slimer almost grew out of the water. So I have decided for this tank that the rock work should be only half of the water depth. This way, there is more room for the corals to grow and fish to roam. I like to keep the back wall clean. With corals glued to the wall then it is harder to clean the wall. I only have the left side of the rock work touching the wall. I already have difficulty to clean the left side wall. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[westreef]

Update

Update

It is time to update.
After another 2.5 weeks of vacation, the tank still survived the unattended care. Before vacation, the colors were pale. They are now a bit richer, maybe due to more nutrient in the water. During vacation, no carbon dosing was administered.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/24450509678/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4517/24450509678_f8a8b5de1a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="581" alt="untitled"></a>


Left side of the tank
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/24450282028/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled-3"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4558/24450282028_5cd098af24_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="untitled-3"></a>

Right side of the tank
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/26546906549/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled-2"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4585/26546906549_6277673f7a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="untitled-2"></a>

Middle shot

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/26546892899/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled-4"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4554/26546892899_994c285bd0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="untitled-4"></a>

By the way, this is the third vacation this year. I am truly lucky that there were no stn/rtn of the corals. My tank sitter only dumped the skimmates every 4 days. The alk went from 7.8 to 6.4 with no apparent issues. I now slowly raise it back up to 7 ish.

 

[westreef]

Some close ups

Some close ups

Red Dragon

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/37604565404/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled-17"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/37604565404_b498b40dda_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="untitled-17"></a>

Frog Skin

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/38320159981/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled-16"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4544/38320159981_d80b514146_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="untitled-16"></a>

Teen Wolf

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/26546519269/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled-12"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4527/26546519269_630fb513ce_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="untitled-12"></a>

Unknown Acro

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/24449951858/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled-11"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4534/24449951858_c489e38c6b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="untitled-11"></a>

Marshal Island Purple and Green Acro (very similar to Bonsai)

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/51744953@N02/38288576872/in/datetaken-public/" title="untitled-15"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4528/38288576872_9ab951a83f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="untitled-15"></a>

 

[westreef]

My vacation ended about a week ago.

Guess what I did during this vacation.

Hints: Outside of United States. Something to do with reef. In my bucket list.

 

[tripdad]

Did you dive the GBR? If so, congrats! Your corals look very good and you have some special pieces. The tank is looking great overall, well done.