My 500 + gallon system. Last 13 years to now. Build, Aquascaping & more. Lots of pics

Time for some growth shots..

This was taken Jan 16th.

image_zps1ogf2wlk.jpeg


These were taken March 5th. It's grown about an inch in that time with several new tips.

image_zpsnt2e5691.jpeg


Taken today (4/11)
image_zpsiandec9f.jpeg


Taken Jan 16th

image_zpsnv4w25q5.jpeg


March 5th
The birdsnest in the background has grown like crazy and the coral in the foreground has grown well too.

image_zpszme1bvrr.jpeg


Taken today (4/11)
image_zpsmaylysxw.jpeg
 
This was taken Jan 6th. I had to move this coral last week because it's grown so much and was growing into the other birds nest.
image_zpsnlgct7uj.jpeg


March 5th
image_zpshqcs35tp.jpeg



Taken today (4/11) in it's new location. Not a great shot because I have to take the picture from an angle due to where it is.
image_zpsvaqtdlfx.jpeg



Jan 6th.
image_zpsj8j1nvv4.jpeg
[/QUOTE]

March 5th
image_zps9xowgqvc.jpeg


Today (4/11). I accidentally fragged a bit off this one a couple weeks back. That piece that was broken off was located some place else in the tank. You can see where the piece is missing from the middle of it.
image_zpsvd7nrtoc.jpeg


This one is a bit slower growing due to it's location and living in the shadow of a giant hammer coral.
Jan 6th.
image_zpsiphj3dyn.jpeg



March 5th
image_zpsess7qecg.jpeg


Today (4/11). The lighting here makes it tough to get a good shot showing the green color.
image_zpsw9m8yqi6.jpeg
 
Tank looks great Scott!

I've also watched the Neptune Vids! Can't believe that Jim is finally getting with the times and using a Apex!!!

I think that is a testament to how far aquarium controllers and Apex Fusion in particular have come, it is so user friendly and easy to use and makes life so much easier!

Now with all these fancy SPS in the tank, time for a better camera so you can show them off!
 
Tank looks great Scott!

I've also watched the Neptune Vids! Can't believe that Jim is finally getting with the times and using a Apex!!!

I think that is a testament to how far aquarium controllers and Apex Fusion in particular have come, it is so user friendly and easy to use and makes life so much easier!

Now with all these fancy SPS in the tank, time for a better camera so you can show them off!

It's been a challenge getting him to embrace technology but he's finally getting it and learning to appreciate it. This weekend I installed a Genesis Renew AWC on his system and that too was filmed for a Tech Talk Episdone discussing the benefits of automatic water change systems and covering the install and ease of use of the Renew. Since he is horrible when it comes to mainenance on his own tanks, he's going to absolutely love the Renew and especially appreciate how his tank responds to the AWC.

As for a new camera... Yea, it would be nice but I'm not much of a camera person. Maybe some day I will get a real camera. Heck, I could borrow my brothers. He has a really nice high end Nikon digital. At least I think it's a Nikon.
 
I can't wait to watch the video on the Genesis install. I also have one and love it, I also tried out the DOS for AWC but for me the Genesis is the way to go. Up to 99g in one day with the click of the button and no need to periodically calibrate. If you have time you should do a Tech Talk on your Calcium Reactor setup with your Peri Pump, would be good to see!

I sent my deposit for my dream box btw so hopefully we get the ball rolling soon!
 
I can't wait to watch the video on the Genesis install. I also have one and love it, I also tried out the DOS for AWC but for me the Genesis is the way to go. Up to 99g in one day with the click of the button and no need to periodically calibrate. If you have time you should do a Tech Talk on your Calcium Reactor setup with your Peri Pump, would be good to see!

I sent my deposit for my dream box btw so hopefully we get the ball rolling soon!

The calcium reactor setup video with Cole Parmer feed pump is being edited now. Believe it or not, that was one of the first Tech Talk episodes we filmed. Jim and I were just discussing that video tonight as he was going through it. It was shot several months ago but Jim was busy editing other videos and then newer tech talk videos became a priority over the release of the CA Reactor one. That should be released in the next few weeks.
 
A new addition arrived on Friday..

A nice little Garf Bonsai frag..It's a couple inches tall and has a good dozen or more tips. It's in a decent spot acclimating to the lighting since that frag came from a colony grown under T5's. It will be interesting to see how this does. Now the trouble will be fining it a good permanent home which I think I have a good spot for. Will need to remove it from the frag plug when I place it in it's final position.


This was taken today. Not a great picture due to where I have it temporarily place for acclimation.
image_zpsefilf348.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Some new additions going into the tank today. A couple large Squareback Anthias, an African Cleaner Wrasse and a Solon Fairy Wrasse. Some coral growth shots to come this weekend...
image_zpsyrt1j5vr.jpeg
 
Thanks for the videos, setting up mine in coming weeks those will make it easier.
Nice growth you're getting!
Love that Solon fairy wrass hope it does well for you they keep coloring up and looking better as they grow.
 
Love that Solon fairy wrass hope it does well for you they keep coloring up and looking better as they grow.

I agree. I have always been a fan of these and have had one for about 2 years now. It has developed those barely visible (i.e., just barely in visible spectrum) stripes along its back. If you look closely you'll notice it. Apparently these appear much more pronounced to the wrasses' vision. Under the proper lens, these will flouresce and are quite striking. Anyway, just another reason to love this fish.
 
Time for some growth shots..

This was taken Jan 16th.

image_zps1ogf2wlk.jpeg


These were taken March 5th.

image_zpsnt2e5691.jpeg


Taken 4/11
image_zpsiandec9f.jpeg



Taken today.
image_zpsssglhr4b.jpeg


image_zpswrfoqywj.jpeg


Taken Jan 16th

image_zpsnv4w25q5.jpeg


March 5th
The birdsnest in the background has grown like crazy and the coral in the foreground has grown well too.

image_zpszme1bvrr.jpeg


Taken 4/11
image_zpsmaylysxw.jpeg


Taken today.
image_zpsrscbz1p3.jpeg
 
This was taken Jan 6th. I had to move this coral because it has grown so much and was growing into the other birds nest.
image_zpsnlgct7uj.jpeg


March 5th
image_zpshqcs35tp.jpeg



Taken 4/11) in it's new location. Not a great shot because I have to take the picture from an angle due to where it is.
image_zpsvaqtdlfx.jpeg


Taken today.
image_zpsbqhbg6xu.jpeg



Jan 6th.
image_zpsj8j1nvv4.jpeg
[/QUOTE]

March 5th
image_zps9xowgqvc.jpeg


4/11. I accidentally fragged a bit off this one
image_zpsvd7nrtoc.jpeg


Taken today.
image_zpskx3zu1wl.jpeg


Same coral different angle.
image_zps5phlisfa.jpeg
 
My 500 + gallon system. Last 13 years to now. Build, Aquascaping & more. Lots of pics

My 500 + gallon system. Last 13 years to now. Build, Aquascaping & more. Lots of pics

The rest of the corals are also growing great too. I seem to have a knack for bumping into them and making more frags. My big tangs seem to do that too. The end result is that I've got more frags accumulating in different areas of the tank. With all the soft corals and stuff in the tank, I'm running out of room for these things. Especially with their growth.

I will be adding a two more Kessil 360WE's this weekend if I get the time. Since I now have a bunch of SPS growing on my back wall, I figure 2 additional Kessils will give me a bit more density and intensity on both ends of the tank while also increasing intensity down the middle. I will be able to move the pairs on each end a bit further towards the ends of the tank while also decreasing the distance between all the lights. The two additional Kessils will bring me from 8 of the 360WE's to 10 of them. I currently run them at 80% max. I will drop that back to 75% max since the increased density will result in higher par levels across the board.

I got a Garf Bonsai frag a couple weeks ago.. It seems to be doing well. Here is the new Garf. Not a great picture in terms of color but it could be worse.
image_zpsmmvkrwtz.jpeg
 
Last edited:
A little shout out to my friends at Kessil.. A package arrived today.. My tank will be going from 8 of the 360WE's to 10 of the 360WE's. I should be able to get tne additional lights mounted up late tomorrow if not Sunday :beer:

Since I am in the industry I got a special deal from them but had to take 6 instead of just 2. Due to the nature of the deal (NFR), I ended up pulling off four of my originals and replacing those with 4 new ones and will be adding the other two new ones this weekend. The additional two will allow me to move the end lights out a bit further to illuminate the back end of my peninsula a bit better for the SPS while also increasing density and proving a bit more light for the other end as well.

The 4 lights I pulled off are like new, cleaned up and packed in their original boxes and listed for sale in the classified section. I would have just assumed leave all the original lights on my tank and just add two more but the deal was such that I couldn't pass it up and certainly couldn't sell the new ones due to the agreement. Hopefully somebody will benefit greatly from my for sale thread and have the same success with these lights that I've had. These are truly great lights and I think that is pretty obvious from the coral growth! Two more of them will do my tank well! Especially on the ends where I had a bit of shadowing.

More updates to come later this weekend!
image_zpsndyzmpva.jpeg
 
I'm done adding the two additional Kessil 360WE's. It was definitely worth the effort. The two additional lights allowed me to move the end pairs out to the ends of the tank while also increasing the light density as they are all a bit closer together. Best of All is that this eliminated any shaded areas or spots on the ends of the tank that weren't getting as good of light coverage. The ends of the tank are now lit up like a ball park just like the rest of the tank!

Here's a video showing the upgrade & light placement on my light rack.
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8tLw3Hc0FHQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Here is an LA Fish Guys Tech Talk video I helped put together on setting up and using the Genesis Renew. Having been a long time Renew user myself, we set a Genesis Renew up on LA Fish Guy Jim's reef tank and recorded the step by step installation process and also covered how to use it along with all it's benefits. I hope this helps new users as well as those considering this great water change device.

Part 1..
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/erAueBrhO_I?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Part 2..
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ISRonmE2ALY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Part 3..
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6IFwt5ExBUw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Part 4..
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yMNpwcwpgWo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Tons of good info on the Genesis Renew. I prefer a heat gun for soft hoses on barbed fittings (I have a low patience threshold) and I always use stainless steel (marked SS) hose clamps on barbed fittings. Don't leave home without them.

Thx again for all your time and efforts. I don't think anyone will have any excuse for not setting up the Genesis Renew system right the first time.

Dave.M
 
Back
Top