My small collection of NPS

[username in use]

full size

close up

Full size

Close up, super small polyps

Stylaster

Thorny Oyster with purple sponge, I love the structure of the sponge

Chile Coral

Yellow Gorgonian

My favorite photo. Baby Sun Coral, on a background of yellow sponge with a peanut worm with feeders out

Non-photo anemone's

 

[velvetelvis]

Lovely!

(Like your avatar too. )

 

[LeLutinBanni]

awesome pictures

 

[Nam Nguyen]

really nice collection

 

[CuttleKid]

What temperature are you running your tank at? The reason I'm asking is that I am looking into getting a few waratah anemones but I don't wan tot keep the tank temp too low. If you are running it at normal temp have you seen any adverse affects keeping them in warmer water?

Thanks

 

[username in use]

I keep the tank mid 70's, it ranges though from about 72-78 depending on room temp. Usually its right about 75. They seem to be doing fine, I put 3 in originally and was spot feeding them and they became 5 in a hurry so I dropped back to just letting them catch whatever out of the water column and they have remained 5 for a few months now. I got them from a public aquarium and all they did was throw some cyclopeeze in the tank a few times a day.

 

[slapshot]

Very nice! Beautiful pictures also.

 

[harleychic]

I would love to hear more info on your Stylaster, feeding regimen, overall tank specs. Gorgeous pics!!

 

[lljdma06]

Very lovely collection.

Makes me want chilis.

 

[username in use]

I would love to hear more info on your Stylaster, feeding regimen, overall tank specs. Gorgeous pics!!

The stylaster Ive only had for a couple months now I think. I mix up a batch of my food sludge every day and pour a little in throughout the day, probably 12-20 times depending on how much Im around. I do plan on setting up an auto feeder at some point.

I see the feeders out on the stylaster most of the time, so I do believe it is getting something to eat.


For food I take about 1/2 qt of tank water, put a heavy squeeze of Oyster Feast, a heavy squeeze of Phyto feast, a cube of rotifers, a cube of daphnia, a cube of 50/50 blend, and cube of reef caviar, a chunk of cyclopeeze, and I also have a frozen block of all of that stuff blended really fine, I put a chunk of that in as well. When I pour some in the tank, there is a feeding response on every polyp in the tank within seconds, so they seem to like the combo.


As far as equipment, its really simple, just a protein skimmer, return pump, MP40, Koralia Evo 1400, and a pair of par30 bulbs over the top. I do a 50% water change every 2 weeks, using natural ocean water that I collect from a fairly secluded inlet.

 

[Nemo4ev]

Definitely keep us updated on that stylaster, I know a guy who has tried multiple times to keep them alive with multiple feedings per day and still could not keep them past 4 months.

 

[shayna123]

Your corals are amazing. If you can, please post a fts. How old is your tank? Do you do anything to the water you collect before it is added to the tank? I know how tricky these corals can be, you have done a wonderful job!

 

[username in use]

I don't have a full tank shot right now, but Ill post one when I have time to take it. All I do to the water is add Cal/Alk/Mag and in the winter (like now) I heat it up, but in the summer time, it goes in the tank within 1/2hr of collecting it. I don't filter it or anything, its got all sorts of great stuff in it, Id hate to lose it.

 

[shilo_1]

You're obviously doing something right ! Everything looks fantastic !!

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

For food I take about 1/2 qt of tank water, put a heavy squeeze of Oyster Feast, a heavy squeeze of Phyto feast, a cube of rotifers, a cube of daphnia, a cube of 50/50 blend, and cube of reef caviar, a chunk of cyclopeeze, and I also have a frozen block of all of that stuff blended really fine, I put a chunk of that in as well.

So, for the record, you're putting that much food into a 40g every day?

What's your water change frequency? Any livestock besides the NPS stuff you posted here?

 

[Six line]

NSW is the way to go! When I move back to the coast I'm definitely going to start using it again. That close up of the Gorgonian is awesome by the way.

 

[username in use]

So, for the record, you're putting that much food into a 40g every day?

What's your water change frequency? Any livestock besides the NPS stuff you posted here?

Only NPS. I have a good amount of sponge growth. Mostly yellow and beige, but I do have a nice chunk of purple that is growing, as well as a patch of bright pink which is istarting to spread, as well as a couple feather dusters and a coco worm.

Im doing water changes usually every other week, but when the weather permits I'll do them weekly here and there. Always 50% change. I completely vacuum out the sump and stir the sand and blow out all the rocks. The reason I say when the weather permits, is I won't collect the water after a heavy rain for a few days, and I try and catch the tail end of incoming tides, so sometimes I just can't manage to get everything to line up.

I haven't really been able to add fish yet as Ive been catching these little SOB crabs which killed my first fish. I got some sponge covered rocks from a public aquarium out of one of their back room tanks, and it apparently had some nasty crabs in it. But, I just caught the last one last week so Im going to start adding fish again.

 

[mpongrac]

Love NPS, it will be a couple years before I feel comfortable even trying them. Beautiful!

 

[klrreef]

Nice working with keeping all of these NPS happy! I really like the unique look of stylaster coral!

 

[troyman]

the natural ocean water is great they are very nice enjoy them