My Very Shallow Reef Tank Re Do

[kevlow]

I think of this as Dragon Town.<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4817.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4817.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4817.jpg"/></a>
Possibly a Chips. I bought this as a unknown brown acro with brown polyps
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4819.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4819.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4819.jpg"/></a>
Lime green smooth skin acro. This piece is growing quite well.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4858.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4858.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4858.jpg"/></a>
I like this pic. A variety of colors which seem to be doing ok. I wish the general growth would increase
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4852.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4852.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4852.jpg"/></a>

 

[kevlow]

Was sold to me brown but was told this would be a tri color.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4851.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4851.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4851.jpg"/></a>
Love this piece from Perry. Rommels Watermelon. I actually did not have to start small and brown.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/6077e980-629a-4f65-a319-1711d7668fc1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/6077e980-629a-4f65-a319-1711d7668fc1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6077e980-629a-4f65-a319-1711d7668fc1.jpg"/></a>
I traded a large colored up red planet frag/mini colony for this unknown piece. It looked like a tenuis to me, so I took a chance. It is turning blue after three weeks. I hope the polyps color up.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4829.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4829.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4829.jpg"/></a>
Blue stag looking good with some growth.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4827.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4827.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4827.jpg"/></a>
Red Planet got lighter when 'trates dropped from 25 to 10 to 5. Also growth seems to keep the new branches light.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4826.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4826.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4826.jpg"/></a>

 

[kevlow]

I do not share a lot of pics of this piece. It is some form of a Green Bird's Nest. It is a good looking piece with very nicely defined polyps. It has done well in both low and medium light and has proven quite durable. I just do not need any more green in the display.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_4855.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_4855.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4855.jpg"/></a>

 

[kevlow]

A top shot and side shot of the same piece. The LED lighting makes it very difficult to get a proper looking pic. The top down seems to reflect a lot of RB and darkens the picture. I tried to lighten the pic on Photobucket but I am still not able to get accurate photographs. The side shots tend to get blurry so I adjusted the sharpness up to bring it into clarity.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/5b772fac-ce27-4d12-b852-268e0628fb4a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/5b772fac-ce27-4d12-b852-268e0628fb4a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5b772fac-ce27-4d12-b852-268e0628fb4a.jpg"/></a>

This Digi sat for several months and did nothing. It finally decided to come alive, though I am not quite sure why. I did increase par but it did not respond right away. It went through both high and low nutrients without changing. Still a good looking piece with nice polyps. Many people do not care for Digi's being that they are not true acros. It surprised me when it has gotten compliments while nice , harder to keep acros were over looked.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/1f65fcbe-cec7-48ff-afa8-c119ee8944a8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/1f65fcbe-cec7-48ff-afa8-c119ee8944a8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1f65fcbe-cec7-48ff-afa8-c119ee8944a8.jpg"/></a>

 

[reefmutt]

Kevin, very cool tank! As per usual, I'm late to noticing this thread..
Your growth is very good and really nice pe.
I couldn't see the video.. There was just a plank space on the post where the video is.. Maybe it's just a glitch on my phone. I'll reload the thread and see if it comes back..
Anyways, things are looking really good in there!
What's your dose for koralcolor/tank volume?

 

[kevlow]

Kevin, very cool tank! As per usual, I'm late to noticing this thread..
Your growth is very good and really nice pe.
I couldn't see the video.. There was just a plank space on the post where the video is.. Maybe it's just a glitch on my phone. I'll reload the thread and see if it comes back..
Anyways, things are looking really good in there!
What's your dose for koralcolor/tank volume?

Thank you for looking and taking time to respond.

Hopefully the video comes up. That piece is from Perry's frag rack. It is the first piece I have acquired that was not brown/tan and less then 1". It feels like I am cheating. It has already brought out more color since that video was taken.

My tank has about 65 gallons in it's system, maybe 70. 35 in the display and 30/35 in the sump. I am dosing 1ml of KC per day, split .5ml in morning and .5 in the afternoon.

I have been also using the Pro Bio S and NP Pro. 2 drops and 5ml, respectively.

Other then that, I have only added my daily 50ml alk and 30ml calcium daily.

I do 15G water changes weekly. I figure this helps with minor trace elements. I used to use the Trace Hard on the full Biggles juice program but discontinued this when my greens became to dominate.

I have been subscribed to your thread for quite a while and have read the entire thing , beginning to end. Thanks for all the posts and explanations. Your's is one of what I think of as a teaching thread.

 

[reefmutt]

A quick little video of the Rommels Watermelon with the return pump off. Usually when I get frags they are very small and very brown. It is always a surprise to see what they end up being. This is the best condition coral that I have ever started with. I do not believe that it will disappoint.
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1212.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc458%2Fkevlow1%2FVID_20160801_171836.mp4&title=">

I'm trying to quote it.. See if that brings up the link.
I'm only using 2 ml of koralcolor in my 300 gallon- along with some micro E.. But I haven't really noticed a major difference in colors.. But maybe I'm just using enough..
Kevin, thanks for the kind words! And for actually wading brought the whole thread. It's a bit of a beast now..
How many fish are in your system?

 

[reefmutt]

Nope. That didn't work. Very odd. I can see the link in the post preview but when it's posted, I can't see it anymore.
Can anybody else see the link in my last post? It's just a big empty box for me..
Weird..

 

[kevlow]

I'm trying to quote it.. See if that brings up the link.
I'm only using 2 ml of koralcolor in my 300 gallon- along with some micro E.. But I haven't really noticed a major difference in colors.. But maybe I'm just using enough..
Kevin, thanks for the kind words! And for actually wading brought the whole thread. It's a bit of a beast now..
How many fish are in your system?

Only seven at the moment. I would like to up that. 4 chromies, 2 clowns, and a Foxface.
Creating a bigger bio load seems to be working better then when I tried to keep a zero nutrient tank. I thought that only keeping one or two fish helped by having no waste. This year I began reading all the threads in the sps forum and have changed my thinking. Apparently fish are good for more then just for eating. [Who knew?]

 

[kevlow]

I will try again on the video.

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1212.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc458%2Fkevlow1%2FVID_20160801_171836.mp4&title=">

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Awesome tank. Looks great.

 

[kevlow]

Awesome tank. Looks great.

Thank you for stopping by and looking, fellow Floridian.

 

[glaukos]

Cool tank and your corals look healthy,with great PE:beer:
Thanks for sharing the pics

 

[reefmutt]

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1212.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc458%2Fkevlow1%2FVID_20160801_171836.mp4&title=">[/QUOTE]

Ugg.. Sorry still trying to see the link..
Tried to copy and paste from a quote.
Bizarre.. Still got nothing.

 

[kevlow]

Cool tank and your corals look healthy,with great PE:beer:
Thanks for sharing the pics

Thank you, Mike. I not only enjoy you pics and comments, but I really like your signature line on enjoying the hobby but not needing the drama. Well stated, Sir.

 

[kevlow]

Feeding time with Larry's Reef Frenzy Nano. Fish and coral are happy.

<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/01fc48e0-2dfb-4a53-82ff-e96e02ba937c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/01fc48e0-2dfb-4a53-82ff-e96e02ba937c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 01fc48e0-2dfb-4a53-82ff-e96e02ba937c.jpg"/></a>

 

[glaukos]

That's one happy coral man
Is it a red planet?

 

[kevlow]

That's one happy coral man
Is it a red planet?

That is one of Perry's corals, Rommels Watermelon. I got it in healthy shape and it has just taken off and begun coloring up nicely.

 

[glaukos]

So it's a perry's planet huh
I envy you so much bud!Really glad to see that in such a good shape.
Bet it won't take long for it to grow big

 

[kevlow]

So it's a perry's planet huh
I envy you so much bud!Really glad to see that in such a good shape.
Bet it won't take long for it to grow big

Mike, That name is very appropriate.
At an Orlando trade show a vendor wanted to sell a 1" frag of Red Planet for $120.00. He gave me an exotic name and said that this was there own house morph of Red Planet so it was very expensive. I said then that everyone's coral is their own morph as soon as they put it under their own lights.
I met Perry at that show and commented about the made up names and pricing. It was a good lesson and a good laugh. As soon as your new frag adapts to your own system it becomes your own "house morph" therefore much more valuable.

I think that this piece is now known as Perry's Planet. My own house morph of Rommels Watermelon. [With his permission, of course].

Yes, I do consider myself quite fortunate because I usually start with small brown or tan frags. This Perry's Planet and the Green Slimer are the best condition frags I have started off with. Look forward to seeing them growing into nice colonies.