My Very Shallow Reef Tank Re Do

[kevlow]

I was told that this coral's comic book/commercial trading name is Beast Mode. Two arms ar growing but it is mostly encrusting. Has turned dark purple and polyps are turning a yellowy color.

<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170422_183333.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170422_183333.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170422_183333.jpg"/></a>

A lot of potential here. Green Dragon, an orangy acro, Palmers Milli, and something called Purple Passion or Purple Plasma. The arm of a rose milli is reaching in from the left. I hope they all mature into something beautiful.

<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170422_183531.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170422_183531.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170422_183531.jpg"/></a>

 

[kevlow]

This milli started off orange but morphed into a rosey/pink. Cool! If it had been that color in the lfs then they probably would have wanted more money. There is also the arm of a Blue tort reaching in from the right.

<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170422_183445.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170422_183445.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170422_183445.jpg"/></a>

Last [pic of the day. This was a numb when purchased but was completely stress bleached pastel light blue. I knew it could not stay this color. I am happy that it is more or less Teal with orangish tiny polyps. It is encrusting very fast Paid $10.

<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170422_183140.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170422_183140.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170422_183140.jpg"/></a>

 

[reefmutt]

Looking good , Kev.. what's the pale one with purple polyps behind Beast mode?

 

[kevlow]

Looking good , Kev.. what's the pale one with purple polyps behind Beast mode?

I don't know. It was not sold to me by name. Depending on my nutrients, the skin is a light beige to light lime; and the polyps are a bright purple.

Mine has encrusted and grown a little branch at the bottom but not done a whole lot. It is a beautiful piece. I am hoping it is getting ready to take off.

 

[kevlow]

Thank you to Andrew and all the others discussing the value of vitamins to the quality of acro colors.

I tried two nights of dosing AF Vitality and can see a near immediate result. I hope I am not too excited and too quickly declaring success. In all fairness, I did make a second change as well. I did raise my white channel by 5% to help with blues.

But daytime PE is improved and the color of the skin between polyps has richened. Also, the ridges in the skin on my millis are standing out in sharper contrast.
Very happy.

<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/Collage%202017-04-28%2018_46_14.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/Collage%202017-04-28%2018_46_14.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Collage 2017-04-28 18_46_14.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/Collage%202017-04-28%2018_36_57.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/Collage%202017-04-28%2018_36_57.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Collage 2017-04-28 18_36_57.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/Collage%202017-04-28%2018_40_52.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/Collage%202017-04-28%2018_40_52.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Collage 2017-04-28 18_40_52.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/Collage%202017-04-28%2018_58_10.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/Collage%202017-04-28%2018_58_10.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Collage 2017-04-28 18_58_10.jpg"/></a>

I love this close-up. Bring out color and growth.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170428_180944.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170428_180944.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170428_180944.jpg"/></a>

 

[markalot]

Hi Kev,

I didn't know you had a thread, glad to find it. Next time DEMAND I subscribe if you don't see me around. Latest pics look fantastic, will try and catch up over the weekend.

 

[kevlow]

Hi Kev,

I didn't know you had a thread, glad to find it. Next time DEMAND I subscribe if you don't see me around. Latest pics look fantastic, will try and catch up over the weekend.

Thank you for the visit and most of all for taking the time to comment.

It has been a joy and a learning experience following your thread. You have set the bar very high! After seeing your latest pics, the bar moved up a little more.

Thank you again!

 

[reefmutt]

Honestly, Kev, I don't see a huge colour change but the growth is very evident.
Regardless, I love that coral in the final few shots.

 

[kevlow]

Honestly, Kev, I don't see a huge colour change but the growth is very evident.
Regardless, I love that coral in the final few shots.

The last piece is probably not a good example of change from the Vitality. But it is doing so good that it is on my A list at the moment. Therefore it gets photoed for that reason.

The intensity of color in the first fuzzy milli was a definite improvement. The blue saturation on the top of the tenuis is darker and more complete to the eye and somewhat in the photos.

After this new tank is up, I need to get a better camera!

 

[biggles]

Exciting times with the new display Kevin, love the dimensions mate :thumbsup:

It's very hard to show the kind of changes you're seeing without a macro and DSLR tbh Kevin. From your description it sure sounds like the vitality is helping with acros colors though so hopefully in a couple of weeks you'll find it easier to show any positive changes.

At the end of the day it's just good to see things improving for whatever reason

 

[kevlow]

This a supposed to be a top down shot. I used my wife's glass measuring cup as a viewing box. It did not work and I got scolded for raiding her cooking ware for aquarium use. Still an interesting shot, in a Van Gogh/Renoir/Monet, impressionist sort of way.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170428_202912.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170428_202912.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170428_202912.jpg"/></a>

 

[reefmutt]

Kev, I get it! But you forgot to add Jackson Pollack to your list!
Brave of you to use your wife's kitchen stuff for the tank and let her know.
Still looks like some nice loud on that piece.

 

[kevlow]

Kev, I get it! But you forgot to add Jackson Pollack to your list!
Brave of you to use your wife's kitchen stuff for the tank and let her know.
Still looks like some nice loud on that piece.

I did not intend for her to know but the wife's intuition kicked in and caught me in the act.


I had to Google your artist ,but that definitely appears to be a color man.

I have always considered keeping acros as artistry . Since I have no musical or painting talent, reefkeeping may be my only chance to be an artist.

At first I was very dissatisfied with that pic. The more I look at it, the more I like it.
It should be titled "Reefkeeping by Cezanne". I may take more pics like it.

Wisdom would be to buy my own glass measuring cup. But I will probably live dangerously and rob her kitchen again.

 

[reefmutt]

Living dangerously that way can lead to ruin..
I have an idea..
I'll give the credit to Bulent.
Go buy your wife a box of ferrer rocher chocolates as a peace offering for getting fish juice on her measuring cup.
Once they have been eaten, use the clear plastic cover as a viewing box to place your phone in for top downs.
Everybody will win!

 

[kevlow]

Living dangerously that way can lead to ruin..
I have an idea..
I'll give the credit to Bulent.
Go buy your wife a box of ferrer rocher chocolates as a peace offering for getting fish juice on her measuring cup.
Once they have been eaten, use the clear plastic cover as a viewing box to place your phone in for top downs.
Everybody will win!

Excellent idea! Thank you to Bulent as well.

 

[kevlow]

Foreshadow of things to come. I can't wait. Things are going so good I can't resist the urge to tinker and change it up.
New display to sit side by side with the existing display and sump.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170502_180438.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170502_180438.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170502_180438.jpg"/></a>
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[reefmutt]

Nice!
That will be a sweet system!

 

[kevlow]

This Sunday the new tank gets plumbed into the current system! I am very happy but reminding myself to go slow. I am actually pretty nervous because everything is going very good with the tank set up just the way it is. I would like to start the new 80g tank that my larger corals can continue to grow and not be crowded and fragged. But on the other hand, I would kind of like to see just how far I can grow out my corals in the 40-gallon tank

Right now this is the best it has ever looked.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170515_172258.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170515_172258.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170515_172258.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170515_173517.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170515_173517.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170515_173517.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170515_173634.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170515_173634.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170515_173634.jpg"/></a>
The Red Dragon is looking all red and dragoney. Growing very quickly.
<a href="http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/kevlow1/media/IMG_20170515_174135.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc458/kevlow1/IMG_20170515_174135.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20170515_174135.jpg"/></a>

 

[biggles]

Acros are looking awesome Kevin, i wouldn't be changing too much if i was you mate as it looks like you found your systems sweet spot so to speak.

Wish i could get some dragons, yours is looking nice and deeply colored compared to most i see which are pale. Get some other colored dragons for me please mate, so i can at least watch yours grow

 

[kevlow]

Thank you for the kind words, Andrew. Your vitamin advice seems to have been a nice little tweak to the system.

The Dragons are a funny pair. I have a green and a red.
When the green was the only Dragon, it was growing great with electric green color. Then I added the Red Dragon. It appears that the Green Dragon got jealous and shut down growth to spite me. She still looks good, but stopped performing well. But it is OK because the Red Dragon brought her A game and has performance enough for the both of them. Color and growth. Maybe the green will stop pouting and step up her game. Then I can have some health competition to see who can be the most pleasing, beautiful Dragon.

And Yes, I think I should look for some more Dragon colors to add in. They mature into very beautiful colonies.