Restarting the Passion, Coming back to the Hobby!

[Dartolution]

Plana Table that needs to shape up

Weird Top Down

Green Slimer Stag

Rainbow Yuma

Female Red Mandarin

Wild Acro - This is the acro that is finally doing something, you can see the new branches and color beginning to emerge finally! Below it is a Acro abrotanoides frag that has encrusted pink/red and is branching out.

 

[Dartolution]

Aussie Green Acro (unknown species)

My "What-tha-h*ll-eva" Montipora - this montipora seems to transition between looking like a rainbow monti and superman at will... its very odd.

Rose Milli again

Acropora abrotanoides

Acropora efflorescens

Aussie Red/Pink Acropora hyacinthus

Deepwater Acro / ORA Marshall Island Bottlebrush frag

 

[Dartolution]

Duncanopsamia

Firecracker Zoa / Acan

Aussie hyacinthus frag thats encrusting bright green...

 

[markalot]

Great update, I got caught in the middle of it. Nice to see everything is doing well. I really appreciate names on everything.

 

[Dartolution]

Thank you!

 

[sahin]

Wow, looking very nice! :beer: I've been following the tank from the start and can see you've done an excellent job getting it where it is.

What are you feeding for the corals and fish lately? You mentioned the switch from Fuel to Acropower, how do the two compare? One better than the other? Both useless?

Thanks. And keep the photos coming. [Maybe get a better camera with decent white balance ig possible ]

 

[Dartolution]

Thanks Sahin!
I am feeding the fish an alternating mixture of PE mysis, Artemia, Flakes, Spectrum pellets, and ROE.

I feed the corals, Coral Frenzy, Artemia, ROE mixed together about twice a week.
I try and spot feed. Usually turning off all circulation and feeding this viscus mix to the corals for an hour or so, then I turn on the Vortech on its lowest constant setting for a while, then crank the sump back up.

I used fuel, then acropower yes. I did notice more PE with acropower but those results are highly anecdotal. I ran out of Aminos about two weeks ago, not seen any issue yet but I have a bottle of KZ's Aminos arriving today I am going to try.

I need a much better camera! All these shots so far are done off my iPhone.

Any camera suggestions?

 

[sahin]

Canon cameras seem to be popular these days and more bits available. I'd get a decent model from the rebel series and spend the bigger bucks on the lens.

 

[Dartolution]

what lens?

 

[sahin]

what lens?

For coral photography the 100mm macro is a great lens. Though you will need a wide lens for FTS shots etc, but most bodies come packaged with a decent kit lens for that purpose.

 

[Dartolution]

Thanks for the info, Im checking out a few online now.
Do you have one? What model?

Does anyone recommend a specific camera or do they pretty much all have better white balance than a phone camera?
haha

 

[sahin]

Have a look at the T5i and T6i. Or the 70D is you really want to splash out.

shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/eos-cameras#facet:&productBeginIndex:18&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&

Do a search on google and YT after you've chosen a model to learn more about it.

 

[Dartolution]

Took a quick video of the tank tonight with my iPhone and edited in iMovie.
Colors are of course a little off but here it is.

Still having an issue with bubble algae despite an emerald crab who refuses to eat it.
I recently got a baby gold spot rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus) and he's nipping at the bubble algae bit by bit.
YES I am aware of their adult size, and plan to upgrade when moving so this won't be an issue later on.

I am switching back to reef crystals salt due to low magnesium with RED SEA coral pro.

Any suggestions are welcome.
:wave:

WATCH IN 1080P

https://youtu.be/RaU43IoGy44

 

[M007]

Very nice, outstanding PE :thumbsup:

 

[westreef]

Very nice video of your tank. Music is so soothing and relaxing!:thumbsup:

 

[Dartolution]

Thanks.
PE is very good these days. Im using KZ's AA concentrate 2 drops daily.
Coral Vitalizer twice a week on Tuesday and Friday.
Sponge power on wednesday and saturday.

I feed Coral Frenzy, ROE, and Artemia randomly, try to at least once a week or twice. no scheduled feedings.

Still gotta get something to get this bubble algae under control.

Music is from Finding Nemo lol!

 

[Dartolution]

Update 7-30-15

Update 7-30-15

So I went through and checked all the parameters I could tonight and found the following:

Alk = 8.2 dKH
Ca - 380 ppm
PO4 = 0.00 (Hanna)
NO3 = Undetectable (API)
Mg = ~1500ppm
pH = 8.1

The only issue I am having is getting rid of this bubble algae! Its becoming a nightmare unfortunately.

Anyway, Here are some top downs from tonight I took with my iPhone still.

 

[Dartolution]

Two things I am not happy with currently are the Acropora gemmifera coloration... it swings wildly for some reason (wild acro), and the almost total loss of my Clauvaria corals... No idea why (and no the flame angel isn't nipping). I think it may be due to the low nutrient in the tank... ideas?

 

[agcneves]

Beautiful corals. It is very sad to lose a Coral, but unfortunately this often happens without our having guilt.

I liked shots by iphone.:thumbsup:

This Flame Angel is gorgeous!

Keep up the good work!

 

[Dartolution]

Thanks!
I really hate the loss of the clauvaria, I do think it's partially due to the low nutrients and perhaps the growth of some cotton candy algae at its base.

The flame angel just came in Monday, got it right off the plane and acclimated for 7 hours.
He's healthy and eating very well.

The small gold spot rabbit is my favorite though, his colors are pretty cool, very bright but it's hard to capture it with the phone.
I'm hoping he starts decimating the bubble algae.