Mark's 150 gallon
- Thread starter markalot
- Start date
markalot
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Hi Mindy, i googled animated gif creator and got this site: http://gifmaker.me/
It seems I get a different site every time.
I lucked out and took two pictures in close to the same position so I lined them up visually then made the gif. If I was talented I understand this can be done in photoshop as well, which I use. 
markalot
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In discussing the bulbs I was wondering if they caused the issue or delayed a recovery. I don't think they caused an issue but they might have delayed the recovery. Since the bulb switch I've noticed the easy SPS have all been increasing in color and vigor, plus the slimer is looking better every day.
I won't have any spectacular pictures for a while but this frag rack has noticeably colored up in the last few days, including that "red dragon" in the back that is not red but does glow orange under actinics.
The other thing I noticed was the rapid increase in vigor of this green digitata. I focussed onto a spot in the back where an old piece used to be and is now growing again.
This very well could be water quality improvements and not light, or perhaps a combination of the two finally allowing the tank to get back on track.
I moved a few pieces around so here's another FTS to look back on, hopefully, when things grow in. You can really see colors coming back, though I can't really pick out what colors are making the FTS look better. :lmao: I've nailed the greens.
I will end with my happy, healthy, and brown Red Robin. :clown:
I won't have any spectacular pictures for a while but this frag rack has noticeably colored up in the last few days, including that "red dragon" in the back that is not red but does glow orange under actinics.
The other thing I noticed was the rapid increase in vigor of this green digitata. I focussed onto a spot in the back where an old piece used to be and is now growing again.
This very well could be water quality improvements and not light, or perhaps a combination of the two finally allowing the tank to get back on track.
I moved a few pieces around so here's another FTS to look back on, hopefully, when things grow in. You can really see colors coming back, though I can't really pick out what colors are making the FTS look better. :lmao: I've nailed the greens.
I will end with my happy, healthy, and brown Red Robin. :clown:
markalot
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Yep, should be, but perhaps the particular phosphors chosen degrade quicker? The color difference between the 9 month old actinic blue and 9 month old blue+ is striking, the actinic blue looks white when viewing the bulb. I might also have been something I did in those 9 months, like not cooling the bulbs enough.
biggles
Premium Member
Really good to see some positive things happening for you Mark
It's horrible to go through so good on you for sticking it out mate, we all know what you're capable of so it will be nice to watch you redo the display. The positive is that you can correct all the things you didn't like and go silly with placement this time around. We all wish we could change things once we finally get a grip on keeping acros and you most certainly know how to keep a colorful SPS reef mate. What happened is just sh#t luck and bad water - i still have no idea what i did just before Xmas last year that killed a heap of nice acros.......
What's your gut telling you about the direction things are headed, ignoring all the test results and just using your eyes.
:beer:
It's horrible to go through so good on you for sticking it out mate, we all know what you're capable of so it will be nice to watch you redo the display. The positive is that you can correct all the things you didn't like and go silly with placement this time around. We all wish we could change things once we finally get a grip on keeping acros and you most certainly know how to keep a colorful SPS reef mate. What happened is just sh#t luck and bad water - i still have no idea what i did just before Xmas last year that killed a heap of nice acros.......
What's your gut telling you about the direction things are headed, ignoring all the test results and just using your eyes.
:beer:
markalot
...
Really good to see some positive things happening for you Mark
It's horrible to go through so good on you for sticking it out mate, we all know what you're capable of so it will be nice to watch you redo the display. The positive is that you can correct all the things you didn't like and go silly with placement this time around. We all wish we could change things once we finally get a grip on keeping acros and you most certainly know how to keep a colorful SPS reef mate. What happened is just sh#t luck and bad water - i still have no idea what i did just before Xmas last year that killed a heap of nice acros.......
What's your gut telling you about the direction things are headed, ignoring all the test results and just using your eyes.
:beer:
Hi Andrew, thanks for stopping by. Since you asked ...
Gut says things will not be totally ok until I nuke with interceptor or start all over again.
While the lights are off ...
Lokani looks great but flashlight tour this morning shows a zillion white bugs on one branch.
Very little nighttime polyp extension on any acro, still.
My whelk infestation is getting worse. It appears they are trying to attack my conch, which means these bastards not only eat worms in the sand but also bigger creatures. Six of them are in the garbage right now, slowly dying. If only I could hear them scream. :hammer:
While the lights are on ....
Coral color continues to improve, especially on the frag racks. Polyp extension is decent, no corals are receding, some new growth is evident.
I dread a full restart but it may be the only solution for my long term sanity. The wife has not had to tolerate full blown reefer madness ... yet.
reefmutt
Active member
Mark, without throwing all your sps in the garbage, a restart won't rid you of Acro pests (some pests)..
The interceptor will, without the complete restart..
It seems to me that the hermit, shrimp and crab losses (for interceptor treatment) are less in comparison to a complete restart..
The interceptor will, without the complete restart..
It seems to me that the hermit, shrimp and crab losses (for interceptor treatment) are less in comparison to a complete restart..
glaukos
New member
oh mark,sorry about the troubles buddy
Can't say what would be the best choice but i hope the one you'll make will be the best for you and your tank.
Don't know what's wrong with me but i always thought restarts to be kind of cathartic and liberating
Glad to see RR alive even though not as colorfull as before.It will again soon:beer:
Can't say what would be the best choice but i hope the one you'll make will be the best for you and your tank.
Don't know what's wrong with me but i always thought restarts to be kind of cathartic and liberating
Glad to see RR alive even though not as colorfull as before.It will again soon:beer:
markalot
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oh mark,sorry about the troubles buddy
Can't say what would be the best choice but i hope the one you'll make will be the best for you and your tank.
Don't know what's wrong with me but i always thought restarts to be kind of cathartic and liberating
Glad to see RR alive even though not as colorfull as before.It will again soon:beer:
Thanks all for the comments.
Hi Mike,
I see them as somewhat liberating as well. I have never fully restarted, I keep putting it off. There are a few rocks in this tank that can be traced back to my original 40 breeder in 2012 and have never been dry. It would be a royal pain in the *** to try and keep my favorite SPS alive, which is why I always delay.
I think interceptor is next, probably soon. Will try and rescue my cleaner at least.
markalot
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Tank looks really good, color continuing to improve. Those white bugs all in the same place on the Lokani so I blew them off.
New bulbs arrived, installed, and raised fixture almost 2 inches to keep PAR close to the same.
Whelks got to the poor Conch, tossed it and 15 more of the whelks. Horror movie.
New bulbs arrived, installed, and raised fixture almost 2 inches to keep PAR close to the same.
Whelks got to the poor Conch, tossed it and 15 more of the whelks. Horror movie.
markalot
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White bugs back and thick on the Lokani so I nuked the tank. Used two of the pills for smaller dogs. I hope the bugs are a cause and not a symptom. If they remain the Lokani is mounted so I can easily remove and dip.
I did dip the Lokani back before the tank suffered all the problems.
The Lokani looked good throughout all the tank problems.
Hmmm.
edit: I had to use 3 pills since each is only 6mg. That should be more than enough for 150 gallons. White bugs coming out of a lot of polyps on different corals.
I did dip the Lokani back before the tank suffered all the problems.
The Lokani looked good throughout all the tank problems.
Hmmm.
edit: I had to use 3 pills since each is only 6mg. That should be more than enough for 150 gallons. White bugs coming out of a lot of polyps on different corals.
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