I'm still here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XDI...xt=C3a45a25ADOEgsToPDskKm8AdUh_tzf7VGSN20fn5o
Well... I must apologize for my lack of attention to this thread. Glad to report that I survived two long power outages in 2011 and just crossed four years on this tank.
Overall, the tank is doing well and I am at a point where the tank is well stocked with stuff that grows "“ although I have limited myself to easier to keep species. Various montipora species have gone crazy and filled up my tank. I have seen good growth from some of my acropora species and a "one eye" dragon soul favia frag is now up to a 30 eye colony. Neighbors and guests (who don't know any better), comment that it is the finest tank they have ever seen. Maybe in a few more years"¦ it might be TRULY worthy of such comments.
Losses: Some of my older tangs up and died as did my sargassum trigger and one blotched anthia. Also, my oldest fish (a six year old Randalls Goby) disappeared as did three lyretail anthias. One gigantic serpent star is considered "œan invertebrate of interest" by local authorities. The remaining of fish in my tank are at least three years old, with one exception "“ a small hogfish. I even have a harlequin shrimp that has been in there for about two years.
I had placed some acans up in the rocks (when I was having problems keeping any SPS alive in 2009 "“ 2010), and these became overgrown by the montiporas. I have pulled about 8 colonies out and put them in my sump for target feeding and fattening up. I plan to leave them there all year.
I have three nice fat Larmarck's angels in quarantine and added a "œred planet" mili and a "œplum crazy" acro frag.
There is an ongoing struggle against some hair algae that keeps popping up here and there"¦ but slowly I am winning that battle with two tuxedo urchins and more diligent husbandry.
Upgrades and new toys in 2011
1. Generac automatic standby generator
2. Mojano zapper. I had about 50 of these annoying little pests in my tank and was managing them with Kalk paste - with lots of collateral damage to my corals. The zapper works much better for the mojanos anenomeas.
Removed from system
1. Kalk Reactor - now that I really understand my calcium reactor, the Kalk reactor is unecessary
2. Media Reactor - I hate refilling media. Over and over, I would neglect this thing and it would turn into a nitrate factory. In 2012 - ill just try to keep up with water changes and filter sock replacement. Vodka dosing too.
3. Two Tunzes - I am from four small ones to two large ones. Each in a corner pushing water around like a "toilet bowl". This keeps flow good at the top of the tank for montis and some acros.
Plans:
1. I plan to try again with a raw water gravity feed for my skimmer
2. Re-arrange sump room for increased ergonomic efficiency and room to add a 55 gallon frag tank and 55 gallon QT. Also, I need to build a more space efficient and easier to use water change system.
3. Trade out some of my green and red montis for some other colors and varieties
4. Dream about a bigger tank.
