Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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jnarowe
New member
ROTFLMFAO! I spent 3 days trying to catch my PBT like that...I laughed all the way through your vid because the same exact thing happened to me, only the PBT never went inside. I can't tell you how many head fakes I got, and all the while the other fish were going in there snacking away. Even my cleaner shrimp knew enough to hop up in there and scavenge.
Great vid guys!
melev
Well-known member
Thanks Jamie. I'm having a little issue with two SPS that I put on my favorite list a long time ago. It seems like any coral that I really like is the one that is absolutely going to go first, if something is off.
The Tyree frag looks much much much too light for the past few days, and the A. Secale is faded as well. The tyree was that bright purple coral a few months ago, and at this point only the tips look right, while the coral's core and branches look brown and mottled. The A. secale (that I jokingly referred to as Melev's Purple Monster is also quite faded, though still somewhat lavendar.
I tested the alkalinity because I had a feeling that was the culprit, and the test results read 14.8 dKH. Since the range is 8 to 11 typically, that is quite a climb. I turned off the CO2 going into the calcium reactor a couple of days ago, and did a little 15g water change as that is what I had on hand. In the meantime, I have 85g of newly mixed saltwater ready to use now.
Today, alkalinity tested 11.2 dKH, so the CO2 is staying off for another 24 hours. The reason I turned off the CO2 is so the calcium reactor wouldn't release any further alk into the system. I'll test the calcium levels in a little bit, and buffer that if necessary. 390 to 450 ppm is the recommended range, and hopefully my tank is right there.
The Tyree frag looks better today than it did 48 hours ago, but only if it can hold on will it heal up. I had an offer to frag a portion or to move the entire coral out of the system, but I was concerned that the move would be just enough to push that coral over the edge.
All the rest of the corals look very happy and healthy. The fish look good. A little cyano plagues me as usual, and my procrastinating regarding Chemi Clean is the problem. I should have ordered it two weeks ago, but haven't. I wish I could buy it by the barrel. :lol:
Carbon was replaced today. The prop section is full of happy corals currently.
The Tyree frag looks much much much too light for the past few days, and the A. Secale is faded as well. The tyree was that bright purple coral a few months ago, and at this point only the tips look right, while the coral's core and branches look brown and mottled. The A. secale (that I jokingly referred to as Melev's Purple Monster is also quite faded, though still somewhat lavendar.
I tested the alkalinity because I had a feeling that was the culprit, and the test results read 14.8 dKH. Since the range is 8 to 11 typically, that is quite a climb. I turned off the CO2 going into the calcium reactor a couple of days ago, and did a little 15g water change as that is what I had on hand. In the meantime, I have 85g of newly mixed saltwater ready to use now.
Today, alkalinity tested 11.2 dKH, so the CO2 is staying off for another 24 hours. The reason I turned off the CO2 is so the calcium reactor wouldn't release any further alk into the system. I'll test the calcium levels in a little bit, and buffer that if necessary. 390 to 450 ppm is the recommended range, and hopefully my tank is right there.
The Tyree frag looks better today than it did 48 hours ago, but only if it can hold on will it heal up. I had an offer to frag a portion or to move the entire coral out of the system, but I was concerned that the move would be just enough to push that coral over the edge.
All the rest of the corals look very happy and healthy. The fish look good. A little cyano plagues me as usual, and my procrastinating regarding Chemi Clean is the problem. I should have ordered it two weeks ago, but haven't. I wish I could buy it by the barrel. :lol:
Carbon was replaced today. The prop section is full of happy corals currently.
melev
Well-known member
Tonight, I was looking at the tank after the nightly feeding, with a single MH bulb burning at one end.
This one coral looks stunning, and I did my best to capture what I saw with my eyes. My camera didn't want to cooperate, but this is pretty close. Each tip of this coral is vivid blue, while the core is green. In the background to the right is an RTNing frag that Tucker was chewing on a few days ago.
And backing up a bit so you can see it in the reef:
How about a suncoral shot? I thought this was interesting:
And a few more...
This one coral looks stunning, and I did my best to capture what I saw with my eyes. My camera didn't want to cooperate, but this is pretty close. Each tip of this coral is vivid blue, while the core is green. In the background to the right is an RTNing frag that Tucker was chewing on a few days ago.
And backing up a bit so you can see it in the reef:
How about a suncoral shot? I thought this was interesting:
And a few more...
Lordhelmet
Active member
pics look good marc. I will send you a link to my tank when i scrape all the corline off the acrylic.
melev
Well-known member
What a great way to start the month:
My grandmother, who turns 94 this month, is improving healthwise after falling out of bed and suffering from a major concussion. She wasn't going to survive the night, and for the past week I've been very concerned about her.
My tank is doing very well, with parameters about as perfect as they can be, as it approaches its two year anniversary.
Salinity - 1.026
pH - 8.2
Alk - 9.6 dKH
Ca - 470
Mag - 1380
Nitrate - 5
Phosphate - .03
Temp 79.8F
ORP - 402
I guess that 85g water change last night was worth it. I had a kitchen full of barrels. Nice to see Alkalinity is down again. I turned on the CO2 today.
Last night, I made a new batch of fish food. No Golden Pearls this time.
My grandmother, who turns 94 this month, is improving healthwise after falling out of bed and suffering from a major concussion. She wasn't going to survive the night, and for the past week I've been very concerned about her.
My tank is doing very well, with parameters about as perfect as they can be, as it approaches its two year anniversary.
Salinity - 1.026
pH - 8.2
Alk - 9.6 dKH
Ca - 470
Mag - 1380
Nitrate - 5
Phosphate - .03
Temp 79.8F
ORP - 402
I guess that 85g water change last night was worth it. I had a kitchen full of barrels. Nice to see Alkalinity is down again. I turned on the CO2 today.
Last night, I made a new batch of fish food. No Golden Pearls this time.
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
I am very happy to hear about your Grandmother Melev, I am glad she is doing better as it is usualy not the case with an accident like that.
That is a HUGE water change.. even for your system! I am not surprised it did a good bit for your system but I am a little surprised that your calcium level didn't take a little hit from it. What salt are you using now?
That is a HUGE water change.. even for your system! I am not surprised it did a good bit for your system but I am a little surprised that your calcium level didn't take a little hit from it. What salt are you using now?
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