some pictures - new corals, new 'scape...

[jacksonpt]

Here we go... most of the new corals are pictured, but I'm still waiting for the tubs blue zoas to open, which are REALLY nice. Also waiting for my elegance to open so I can get a pic of that and a FTS (the elegance is my centerpiece).

All pictures are taken under less that optimal conditions - full spectrum lights, middle of the day. The white balance on my camera stinks, so getting pics under just actinics doesn't work. Pics were touched up in photoshop and are pretty close to what my eye actually sees.

Armor of God zoas from Vivid Aquarium... Nice, but a little disappointing.

Joker Zoas from Vivid Aquarium... Nice, hopefully they'll grow out pretty quickly.

Acans, from ABC... love them.

Blastos, from Jerry many moons ago... one of my favorites, just wish they would spread a bit.

Maze Brain from Vivid Aquarium... nice under full spectrum, VERY nice under actinics.

Chalice from Vivid Aquarium... kind of uninteresting at this point, but could be very nice one it grows out a bit

Clam from ABC... really nice against the black sand

Cyphastrea from Vivid Aquarium... a really neat coral

Duncans from ABC over the winter... nice, fast grower, but very similar to my elegance. May trade/sell it at some point.

 

[jacksonpt]

Favia from Vivid Aquarium... this is supposedly the prism favia, but coloration is not even close. I like it and am happy with the purchase... it was the only thing I got from vivid that wasn't close to "as pictured" on their site.

Favia from Vivid... nice, but kind of uninteresting

Branching Hammer from Jerry a long time ago... one of my favorites. I have a frag now that is growing out, will be ready to be fragged again soon... fast grower.

Green Palys from ABC... SUPER fast growers, good color especially under actinics

 

[reefscape15]

Looks like Vivid hooked you up with some nice bubble algae too! Are the frags glued in the tank yet? If not you could probably take em out with the next water change and scrape the algae off in the bucket. Just be sure to give them a good rinse with some more tank water before you place them back in. Other than that, everything looks nice. I like the last favia that's pictured alot!

 

[Dave VG]

Nice Jackson! I always like to browse there and wondered how good there stuff is. They have some really cool stuff and most of it is always in stock.

 

[jacksonpt]

Yea, and they didn't even charge me for the bubble algae either! I'm going to pick up an emerald crab to take care of the bubble algae and a little other algae I have, so I'm not too worried about it at this point.

 

[drbronx]

Thanks for taking the time to post those. Very sweet. I'd say you did well with the Vivid order. How about a new FTS?

 

[jacksonpt]

I'm working on it. Stay tuned...

 

[Dave VG]

Do they give a discount to RC members Jackson?

 

[jacksonpt]

I'm not sure, I didn't think to ask.

 

[jacksonpt]

A couple more pics...

Tubs Blues from Vivid Aquarium - LOVE THEM. They pop a bit more in real life, even under full spectrums the blue centers are a bit more "electric".

And the long awaited, FTS... man I wish I had a camera with half way decent W/B controls.

 

[Dave VG]

Very nice thanks Jackson. Love the rock work and coral layout. Maybe a vivid order in my future.

 

[reefscape15]

Just keep an eye on the bubble algae. I tried 2 emeralds in my old 20h for that, and they didn't do a thing. I just resorted to manual removal which took a while, but worked great. Just don't pop them in the tank or it'll spread! You can take a siphon hose when you do a water change, and break them off the rock with the syphon. This will eliminate (almost completely) any possibility that the cell will spread if accidentally popped. Good luck with it!

stupid slow internet connection..................this many pics on one page doesn't let them all download. Cant see your FTS!!!!

 

[reefscape15]

Just keep an eye on the bubble algae. I tried 2 emeralds in my old 20h for that, and they didn't do a thing. I just resorted to manual removal which took a while, but worked great. Just don't pop them in the tank or it'll spread! You can take a siphon hose when you do a water change, and break them off the rock with the syphon. This will eliminate (almost completely) any possibility that the cell will spread if accidentally popped. Good luck with it!

stupid slow internet connection..................this many pics on one page doesn't let them all download. Cant see your FTS!!!!

 

[reefscape15]

stupid double post!

 

[jacksonpt]

stupid slow internet connection..................this many pics on one page doesn't let them all download. Cant see your FTS!!!!

Try this:
Clicky clicky

 

[reefscape15]

HAHA thanks jackson! The pic ended up coming up on the 3rd time that I waited for the page to load. Looking very good! I love the open rock work. What's the coral in the center top of the tank?

 

[jacksonpt]

That's my elegance that won't open.

 

[drbronx]

Thanks for the FTS. Very nice Jackson. Looking good!

 

[Dave VG]

Looking back at your other post it looks like they did send the wrong Favia. As you said not even close. Cuuld this have been a substitute in its place?

 

[jacksonpt]

I'm not sure. When I've ordered online based on photos in the past, I have frequently ended up with corals whose coloration differed greatly from what was pictured. Heck, it even happens when I buy corals locally... their coloration changes when they move into my tank. My order with Vivid is the first time I've had "good luck" getting what I ordered based on pictures. The fact that this one frag is different from the picture isn't a huge deal to me. I may email them just out of curiosity, but it's not worth raising a big fuss (IMO).

That said, if you are thinking about ordering from them, you may want to ask about availability and substitutions ahead of time, just so you don't end up with half your order being substitutes that you aren't interested in.