Step-by-step account of my first reef (with lots of pics)
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Dudester
Premium Member
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me. My tank is now officially 1 year old! To celebrate, I thought I’d live up to the thread’s title and post some pictures. It’s been a long time coming, I know. We finally fixed our technology disorder at home and I was able to snap a few pics. You’ve been waiting long enough so, without further adieu, here we go. All new in-tank photos are under a 250W 14K Phoenix DE MH bulb.
I mentioned that a while back I replaced my obnoxiously loud fan with a quieter one. This model doesn’t cool quite as well, and my tank now peaks at around 82 degrees on hot days, but the noise reduction is well-worth the extra degree of heat. So now the workings above my tank look like this from the side
and from the front.
These photos reveal some shoddy craftsmanship on my part, as this was the first time I ever used a jigsaw. I haven’t had an opportunity to clean it up, as this is low on my priority list, but I’ll get to it eventually.
I also installed this moonlight from Current USA. Best 15 bucks I've spent in the hobby thus far.
Here’s what the tank looks like with it on.
This is why I’ll never have a tank without a moonlight again. It kinda looks like the pics that are shown with actinics only, and since I don’t have actinics, this is the closest I’ll get with my current system.
This is a fox coral that I introduced into the tank on 7/29/06.
Here are the green star polyps I attached to the overflow back in December ’05.
Check out how much they’ve grown.
They’ve lost a lot of their green coloration, they’re browner now. I think they dislike being so close to the MH light, as I still have some on a rock at the bottom of the tank and they remain bright green down there. You can also see the MaxiJet 1200 that I put in the tank, along with the Hydor Flo Rotating Water Deflector attached to the end. This was an effort to increase flow in response to the increased amount of SPS I put in the tank. At the beginning of this thread I mentioned that I didn't want any powerheads in the tank, but this was unavoidable and, surprisingly, not too ugly in the grand scheme of things.
I'm probably running out of space for this one post, so I'll continue in another.
I mentioned that a while back I replaced my obnoxiously loud fan with a quieter one. This model doesn’t cool quite as well, and my tank now peaks at around 82 degrees on hot days, but the noise reduction is well-worth the extra degree of heat. So now the workings above my tank look like this from the side
and from the front.
These photos reveal some shoddy craftsmanship on my part, as this was the first time I ever used a jigsaw. I haven’t had an opportunity to clean it up, as this is low on my priority list, but I’ll get to it eventually.
I also installed this moonlight from Current USA. Best 15 bucks I've spent in the hobby thus far.
Here’s what the tank looks like with it on.
This is why I’ll never have a tank without a moonlight again. It kinda looks like the pics that are shown with actinics only, and since I don’t have actinics, this is the closest I’ll get with my current system.
This is a fox coral that I introduced into the tank on 7/29/06.
Here are the green star polyps I attached to the overflow back in December ’05.
Check out how much they’ve grown.
They’ve lost a lot of their green coloration, they’re browner now. I think they dislike being so close to the MH light, as I still have some on a rock at the bottom of the tank and they remain bright green down there. You can also see the MaxiJet 1200 that I put in the tank, along with the Hydor Flo Rotating Water Deflector attached to the end. This was an effort to increase flow in response to the increased amount of SPS I put in the tank. At the beginning of this thread I mentioned that I didn't want any powerheads in the tank, but this was unavoidable and, surprisingly, not too ugly in the grand scheme of things.
I'm probably running out of space for this one post, so I'll continue in another.
Dudester
Premium Member
Fishypets beware, the following photo may make you vomit.
This is supposed to be a blue acropora tortuosa that I got on 7/12/06. It was a rich, intense blue, and now it has faded to this pathetic color. I'll show it (and many others) with and without flash to give you a better idea of coral coloration and polyp morphology.
It’s growing and has good PE, just not real pretty to look at now. After I post all of my photos I’ll discuss my plans to improve the coloration of my SPS. But for now, more and more pics.
This monti cap actually has nice purple edges that didn’t photograph well with my lack of skills. It was this size on 2/6/06. Check it out, in the center and to the left of the blastos.
Here it is now. All of the horizontal and much of the vertical tissue is new growth. I’d like to get rid of the vertical portion but I’m afraid there’s no way I can scrape all of it off without taking the rock out of the tank, and I’m not about to do that.
Here are the blastos that have rallied and made many small babies. I’m looking forward to the day when this LPS looks as good as the day I bought it … I’m getting there!
This is a nice purple montipora digitata frag that I bought from a fellow reefer at an Austin Reef Club meeting on 8/12. This frag has taken off in the last 6 weeks and has the deepest color of all of my SPS currently.
This is supposed to be a blue acropora tortuosa that I got on 7/12/06. It was a rich, intense blue, and now it has faded to this pathetic color. I'll show it (and many others) with and without flash to give you a better idea of coral coloration and polyp morphology.
It’s growing and has good PE, just not real pretty to look at now. After I post all of my photos I’ll discuss my plans to improve the coloration of my SPS. But for now, more and more pics.
This monti cap actually has nice purple edges that didn’t photograph well with my lack of skills. It was this size on 2/6/06. Check it out, in the center and to the left of the blastos.
Here it is now. All of the horizontal and much of the vertical tissue is new growth. I’d like to get rid of the vertical portion but I’m afraid there’s no way I can scrape all of it off without taking the rock out of the tank, and I’m not about to do that.
Here are the blastos that have rallied and made many small babies. I’m looking forward to the day when this LPS looks as good as the day I bought it … I’m getting there!
This is a nice purple montipora digitata frag that I bought from a fellow reefer at an Austin Reef Club meeting on 8/12. This frag has taken off in the last 6 weeks and has the deepest color of all of my SPS currently.
Dudester
Premium Member
Check out the growth on this acropora tenuis. Here it was back on 4/24/06 …
... 5/20/06
… and here it is now. The color’s still a little dull, but it sure has developed a lot of gnarly branches.
This is acropora cerealis, I think. It’s got a great dark green color â€"œ I really like this one. What's not to like?
... 5/20/06
… and here it is now. The color’s still a little dull, but it sure has developed a lot of gnarly branches.
This is acropora cerealis, I think. It’s got a great dark green color â€"œ I really like this one. What's not to like?
Dudester
Premium Member
I put this acro nana in my tank on 3/4/06 and photographed it on 4/24/06, seen here.
Here’s what it has become 6 months later. Again, not great coloration, but the PE is outstanding.
I love these neon green star polyps. Talk about bright! This is the rock I got them on. I cut some off and mounted them to the bottom of the aquascape on the left of the tank. You’ll see this in subsequent photos. I’m considering removing the GSP that are presently on the overflow and replacing them with these. See why?
This is the acropora tenuis I got back on 7/3/06. Here’s what it looked like then …
… and here it is now. The color has faded (this is a recurrent theme) but the coral remains healthy otherwise and is growing.
Here’s what it has become 6 months later. Again, not great coloration, but the PE is outstanding.
I love these neon green star polyps. Talk about bright! This is the rock I got them on. I cut some off and mounted them to the bottom of the aquascape on the left of the tank. You’ll see this in subsequent photos. I’m considering removing the GSP that are presently on the overflow and replacing them with these. See why?
This is the acropora tenuis I got back on 7/3/06. Here’s what it looked like then …
… and here it is now. The color has faded (this is a recurrent theme) but the coral remains healthy otherwise and is growing.
Dudester
Premium Member
Someone mentioned that they wanted some updated pictures of ricordea. Well, here they are. Check out my avatar, that’s how they looked when I first got them. Then, they faded and I thought I was going to lose them. I relocated them to an area that I would consider of poorer water quality in my tank, and they've become revitalized and have perked up to this. I love ricordea, once again.
This is the poor, pathetic frogspawn frag that looked like this when I got it about a year ago.
It experienced a lot of die-off but never completely retreated, so I’ve kept it. Here it was on 5/10/06 after just over half had died off.
I recently mounted it to the aquascape, as I thought that perhaps it was annoyed with constantly being knocked over by turbos and astreas. I really hope this little coral makes it, and I’ll continue to care for it with high hopes. So here it is now.
These are xenia. Nothing more to say except that they truly do grow like weeds and I have been diligent placing LR rubble around them so that they auto-frag and don’t attach to the aquascape. Pretty though, don’t you think? Plus, they’re pretty good for nutrient export.
You can also see the zoanthids that have just gone crazy along the left side of the aquascape.
This is the poor, pathetic frogspawn frag that looked like this when I got it about a year ago.
It experienced a lot of die-off but never completely retreated, so I’ve kept it. Here it was on 5/10/06 after just over half had died off.
I recently mounted it to the aquascape, as I thought that perhaps it was annoyed with constantly being knocked over by turbos and astreas. I really hope this little coral makes it, and I’ll continue to care for it with high hopes. So here it is now.
These are xenia. Nothing more to say except that they truly do grow like weeds and I have been diligent placing LR rubble around them so that they auto-frag and don’t attach to the aquascape. Pretty though, don’t you think? Plus, they’re pretty good for nutrient export.
You can also see the zoanthids that have just gone crazy along the left side of the aquascape.
Dudester
Premium Member
I got this green blue tip staghorn from fishypets, as well. True to the theme, it has lost color but is growing. I concur with a statement that Marc (melev) made on ReefCast 2 (or was it 3?), when he stated, and I’ll paraphrase “I’m not concerned with coral growth, I just want healthy coralsâ€Â). I feel the same way, which is why I’m under-enthused with the growth and remain concerned about the lack of color, which I feel is a good indicator of coral health. Anyway, here’s the staghorn.
Now that I’ve shown you all of the corals on the left side of the tank, here’s how the whole left side looks.
Now that I’ve shown you all of the corals on the left side of the tank, here’s how the whole left side looks.
Dudester
Premium Member
The first is a pink jade, also a fishypets acquisition. At least it looks like a pink jade in Clint’s tank. It’s not well-focused, sorry, but it’s the best I could do. Eventually I’ll ask my wife, the real photographer, to take some photos but this is the best I could do in a pinch, after all, the pressure was on me to get some pics.
The ORA millepora I got from fishypets did not photograph well-enough to post. This is the coral that was being slimed by a worm, and after “eliminating†that worm, the coral still hasn’t based out or recovered. It’s not dying, so I’m just going to leave it alone and see what happens. Maybe it doesn’t like its location, or maybe it just needs more time to recover, but it’s been in the tank for almost 3 months and, although it’s clearly not dying, it’s also not making ANY progress. Ideas, anyone?
OK, here are some pink zoanthids that were some of the first corals I ever had. John (thedude) gave them to me when he was all hopped-up on SPS and that’s all he wanted in his tank. At the time I was happy just to have water in my tank, and any corals were regarded like gold and I gladly accepted them. They were given to me on a small rock and looked like this.
I courageously broke the rock, can’t remember what I used, and attached some to my aquascape, shown here.
The small rock has somehow grown to the size of a tangerine, completely covered with pink zoas, and here’s what the aquascape looks like.
I’m going to have to control them with Joe’s Juice soon, as they’re beginning to grow into the small acro tenuis frag that I showed above.
The ORA millepora I got from fishypets did not photograph well-enough to post. This is the coral that was being slimed by a worm, and after “eliminating†that worm, the coral still hasn’t based out or recovered. It’s not dying, so I’m just going to leave it alone and see what happens. Maybe it doesn’t like its location, or maybe it just needs more time to recover, but it’s been in the tank for almost 3 months and, although it’s clearly not dying, it’s also not making ANY progress. Ideas, anyone?
OK, here are some pink zoanthids that were some of the first corals I ever had. John (thedude) gave them to me when he was all hopped-up on SPS and that’s all he wanted in his tank. At the time I was happy just to have water in my tank, and any corals were regarded like gold and I gladly accepted them. They were given to me on a small rock and looked like this.
I courageously broke the rock, can’t remember what I used, and attached some to my aquascape, shown here.
The small rock has somehow grown to the size of a tangerine, completely covered with pink zoas, and here’s what the aquascape looks like.
I’m going to have to control them with Joe’s Juice soon, as they’re beginning to grow into the small acro tenuis frag that I showed above.
Dudester
Premium Member
Here’s a green plate coral that I just love. The polyps extend nearly an inch at feeding time, and all of the mouths protrude to get a meal. This thing looks awesome under the moonlight â€"œ I can only imagine how cool it would be with actinics.
Here’s a tridacna gigas clam that I got on 7/29/06. At that time I incorrectly posted that I had a derasa in this thread, but it’s actually a gigas. It’s grown probably ¾†since that time. I can see how this won’t last long in my tank, but don’t worry, my 450g office tank will make a nice home for it.
Unfortunately I could not get a good photo of my blue-spot squamosa clam, but it’s visible in the full tank shots above and the right tank shots below. Once again, I’ll tell, I mean ask, my wife to get some shots of this for me eventually. Our reef club is going to have an acrylic workshop at our next meeting, and I plan to build a camera box so that I can get some good top-down shots of the clams.
Here’s the frogspawn I put in my tank on 10/19/05. It is home to my clownfish, which tend to conservatively wander around the tank by day, but never leave the frogspawn at night. This coral has grown several new large branches since introducing it into my tank. In the foreground, you can also see a small frogspawn frag that I just got at our last club meeting. This new one has darker polyps, and the tips are both green and pink, very nice I think.
This is a green slimer that has exceptional color, and also looks incredible under the moonlight. When I got it, it was already mounted and basing out, so I just placed it onto the substrate and it’s done quite well there. The xenia beside it tend to reduce PE on the branches that are contacted, so I’ll probably move the xenia (maybe to the refugium).
This toadstool (leather) coral is from ORA. It took nearly a week before it shed it’s skin and developed any polyp extension, and now the polyps only retract when the crocea mantle rubs against it. As you can see, the polyps are green (as opposed to the more common yellow). This coral is the reason I run carbon 24/7. I haven’t moved it, as I’m sure it will grow to the point where it resides above the clam. As long as it looks good, I’ll just leave it alone. My only concern is that, if it gets too large, it might shade the clam, which may suffer from decreased light, but I’ll keep a close eye on it.
Here’s a tridacna gigas clam that I got on 7/29/06. At that time I incorrectly posted that I had a derasa in this thread, but it’s actually a gigas. It’s grown probably ¾†since that time. I can see how this won’t last long in my tank, but don’t worry, my 450g office tank will make a nice home for it.
Unfortunately I could not get a good photo of my blue-spot squamosa clam, but it’s visible in the full tank shots above and the right tank shots below. Once again, I’ll tell, I mean ask, my wife to get some shots of this for me eventually. Our reef club is going to have an acrylic workshop at our next meeting, and I plan to build a camera box so that I can get some good top-down shots of the clams.
Here’s the frogspawn I put in my tank on 10/19/05. It is home to my clownfish, which tend to conservatively wander around the tank by day, but never leave the frogspawn at night. This coral has grown several new large branches since introducing it into my tank. In the foreground, you can also see a small frogspawn frag that I just got at our last club meeting. This new one has darker polyps, and the tips are both green and pink, very nice I think.
This is a green slimer that has exceptional color, and also looks incredible under the moonlight. When I got it, it was already mounted and basing out, so I just placed it onto the substrate and it’s done quite well there. The xenia beside it tend to reduce PE on the branches that are contacted, so I’ll probably move the xenia (maybe to the refugium).
This toadstool (leather) coral is from ORA. It took nearly a week before it shed it’s skin and developed any polyp extension, and now the polyps only retract when the crocea mantle rubs against it. As you can see, the polyps are green (as opposed to the more common yellow). This coral is the reason I run carbon 24/7. I haven’t moved it, as I’m sure it will grow to the point where it resides above the clam. As long as it looks good, I’ll just leave it alone. My only concern is that, if it gets too large, it might shade the clam, which may suffer from decreased light, but I’ll keep a close eye on it.
Dudester
Premium Member
When I got these orange zoanthids, there were 2 or 3 of them on a rock of green zoas. They’ve multiplied quite nicely, and I now have 3 separate pieces of rock that contain them. I think they’re great.
I got this rose-colored montipora digitata on 8/22/06. Look at the nice base that’s already developed. This is another one of the few SPS that has good coloration.
This acropora austera looked like this on 4/24/06.
Man it was pretty back then. It’s laid down just a huge blanket of a base, and has grown several nice branches, but again the coloration leaves a lot to be desired. That being said, this coral puts out the longest mesenterial filaments that I’ve ever seen during feeding time, so it must be healthy. I just wish it weren’t so pale.
To the left of the austera frag is a green millepora frag that I got last weekend at our club meeting. Notice that it's mounted on its side, which was recommended at the recent MACNA meeting. I’ll be interested to see how it grows in this orientation.
On this photo you can see a blue-tipped pink millepora that I got from fishypets in July. This coral has retained much of its color, although it has faded some.
I got this rose-colored montipora digitata on 8/22/06. Look at the nice base that’s already developed. This is another one of the few SPS that has good coloration.
This acropora austera looked like this on 4/24/06.
Man it was pretty back then. It’s laid down just a huge blanket of a base, and has grown several nice branches, but again the coloration leaves a lot to be desired. That being said, this coral puts out the longest mesenterial filaments that I’ve ever seen during feeding time, so it must be healthy. I just wish it weren’t so pale.
To the left of the austera frag is a green millepora frag that I got last weekend at our club meeting. Notice that it's mounted on its side, which was recommended at the recent MACNA meeting. I’ll be interested to see how it grows in this orientation.
On this photo you can see a blue-tipped pink millepora that I got from fishypets in July. This coral has retained much of its color, although it has faded some.
Dudester
Premium Member
This is a Tubbs mystic blue acro, again from fishypets. Not so mystic, not so blue, but I have high hopes.
I received this frag of montipora digitata on 8/29/06. When I got it, it was totally brown and had no polyp extension at all. One branch RTN’d after placing it in my tank, but over the past month it has assumed a purple color that should improve with time. In the past I’ve cut off branches of SPS that RTN’d in my tank due to the risk of it progressing down the main stalk, but I thought I’d leave this one alone to see what happened as it clearly was not progressing. As you can see, the affected branch is becoming grown over by healthy tissue, so it looks like I made the right decision in this case. Sorry the picture’s a little blurry.
I like this cup coral, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be a permanent resident of my reef. It takes up some prime real estate and it occupies a lot of space, but admittedly I like the looks of the polyps. They really extend nicely during lights-out â€"œ it looks like Don King’s hairdo.
This is my pride and joy. This acropora valida (tricolor) is the first SPS that went into my tank, way back on 11/18/05 when it looked like this.
As I mentioned previously, it really didn’t grow or color up very well, but I just sat back and patiently watched it do its thing. Over the past few months it has sprung to life and now looks like this. I’m very pleased with this coral.
I received this frag of montipora digitata on 8/29/06. When I got it, it was totally brown and had no polyp extension at all. One branch RTN’d after placing it in my tank, but over the past month it has assumed a purple color that should improve with time. In the past I’ve cut off branches of SPS that RTN’d in my tank due to the risk of it progressing down the main stalk, but I thought I’d leave this one alone to see what happened as it clearly was not progressing. As you can see, the affected branch is becoming grown over by healthy tissue, so it looks like I made the right decision in this case. Sorry the picture’s a little blurry.
I like this cup coral, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be a permanent resident of my reef. It takes up some prime real estate and it occupies a lot of space, but admittedly I like the looks of the polyps. They really extend nicely during lights-out â€"œ it looks like Don King’s hairdo.
This is my pride and joy. This acropora valida (tricolor) is the first SPS that went into my tank, way back on 11/18/05 when it looked like this.
As I mentioned previously, it really didn’t grow or color up very well, but I just sat back and patiently watched it do its thing. Over the past few months it has sprung to life and now looks like this. I’m very pleased with this coral.
Dudester
Premium Member
This acropora selago looks intensely blue in fishypet’s tank, but sadly it looks brown in mine. Hopefully it will come around.
Here’s the acro hemprichii that looked like this on 4/24/06. The clownfish is pointing to it.
Here it is now, basically the same, but maybe it will perform as my tricolor did, so I haven’t made any position changes or anything.
Fishypets, dude, this is what my tank did to the prized Tyree purple acro. Same old story â€"œ decent base and growth, but poor color and this one even looks bleached. Definitely alive, though, so I’m hanging on.
Don’t laugh, but this used to be a green millepora. Here’s how it looked on 7/9/06
and here it is now. If brown corals were in vogue, I’d be the envy of Reef Central.
Here’s the acro hemprichii that looked like this on 4/24/06. The clownfish is pointing to it.
Here it is now, basically the same, but maybe it will perform as my tricolor did, so I haven’t made any position changes or anything.
Fishypets, dude, this is what my tank did to the prized Tyree purple acro. Same old story â€"œ decent base and growth, but poor color and this one even looks bleached. Definitely alive, though, so I’m hanging on.
Don’t laugh, but this used to be a green millepora. Here’s how it looked on 7/9/06
and here it is now. If brown corals were in vogue, I’d be the envy of Reef Central.
Dudester
Premium Member
This candycane fell atop the plate coral, and the sting killed one of the heads. Otherwise it’s OK, but I’ll probably replace it with a more attractive specimen once one comes along.
I’ve never been a big fan of this green montipora capricornis in my tank, and I’m still considering removing it, but right now it’s functioning as a shelf for the candycane to rest upon.
No, you’re eyes are not fooling you. I am actually cultivating macroalgae in my reef. This is valonia, and I think it’s quite beautiful. The tang picks at it regularly, which is why the edges have whitened, but it’s easy to control and doesn’t spread around like other macros that I’ve battled, namely bryopsis.
So here’s the entire right side of the reef as it looks today.
I’ve never been a big fan of this green montipora capricornis in my tank, and I’m still considering removing it, but right now it’s functioning as a shelf for the candycane to rest upon.
No, you’re eyes are not fooling you. I am actually cultivating macroalgae in my reef. This is valonia, and I think it’s quite beautiful. The tang picks at it regularly, which is why the edges have whitened, but it’s easy to control and doesn’t spread around like other macros that I’ve battled, namely bryopsis.
So here’s the entire right side of the reef as it looks today.
Dudester
Premium Member
All coraled out? OK, here are some fish pics. The first is my mimic, or chocolate tang. What a great fish. Once my office tank is built, I’ll transfer it there. That will be a sad day for me, since I really love seeing this fish in my home.
And here’s the adorable couple. Recall that the juvenile percula clownfish, the mimic tang, and the sixline wrasse have been in my tank for about 10 weeks now.
It’s so nice to have fish swimming around the reef. I initially planned on having a total of 4 fish, but I have earned some confidence and feel like I could have more. Maybe I’ll try another pistol shrimp/goby combo, or perhaps a chalk bass? I considered a mandarin, but don’t think my small tank will have the pods to support one. Any suggestions anyone? Of course, suggesting no more fish is also a valid response, but please let me know what you think.
And here’s the adorable couple. Recall that the juvenile percula clownfish, the mimic tang, and the sixline wrasse have been in my tank for about 10 weeks now.
It’s so nice to have fish swimming around the reef. I initially planned on having a total of 4 fish, but I have earned some confidence and feel like I could have more. Maybe I’ll try another pistol shrimp/goby combo, or perhaps a chalk bass? I considered a mandarin, but don’t think my small tank will have the pods to support one. Any suggestions anyone? Of course, suggesting no more fish is also a valid response, but please let me know what you think.
Dudester
Premium Member
Well there you have it. I’ve tried to document both my successes and failures, and hopefully the above photos have helped me do so. Next I intend to discuss my plans for improving the coloration of my corals, as well as some plans to improve flow. As expected, larger and more corals equals impede the flow from my current outputs, so an upgrade is imminent. I hope you have enjoyed these photos and please, if you have any suggestions as to how I may be able to improve anything at all, from coral placement to lighting suggestions to supplements to stocking suggestions, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to let me know. You’ve helped me get this far, now let’s take it to the next level. Cheers, everyone!
divecj5
New member
WOW man. Let me be the first to say "WAHT AN UPDATE I guess all the time waiting and following only to see that was well worth it :bounce1:
I don't know where to start since I've been following your tank for a while now. I'm a sucker for LPS and soft corals and your rics are looking awesome again. I love all the color you have in there and I'm sure that it looks incredible in person. I guess the next thing we'll have to do is push you for a video now
JK.
I'll move out of the way and let all the others comment now. INCREDIBLE growth you've had there. I'm sure others will comment on the SPS.
Awesome tank man. Keep it up.
I don't know where to start since I've been following your tank for a while now. I'm a sucker for LPS and soft corals and your rics are looking awesome again. I love all the color you have in there and I'm sure that it looks incredible in person. I guess the next thing we'll have to do is push you for a video now
JK. I'll move out of the way and let all the others comment now. INCREDIBLE growth you've had there. I'm sure others will comment on the SPS.
Awesome tank man. Keep it up.
melev
Well-known member
Lots of good pictures. Thanks! Regarding the SPS situation...
I see red bugs on a number of SPS, and they tend to congregate on smooth skinned acropora. Redbugs bite into the coral, and the coral will fade as a result. I treated a single piece about a month ago, although some opt to treat their entire system. I didn't want to do that, even though I realized it is possible for other red bugs to hike/hop right back onto the cleansed coral. So be it. I wanted to test the meds on a subject, and not risk my entire reef.
Faded colors can also be super low nutrients. It could be excess lighting, but I tend to doubt that one. How often do you feed, and what do you feed specifically, and how much?
How often do you change the carbon?
Do you run a phosphate remover?
Be sure to link us to your 450g office thread if you've not done so already.
I see red bugs on a number of SPS, and they tend to congregate on smooth skinned acropora. Redbugs bite into the coral, and the coral will fade as a result. I treated a single piece about a month ago, although some opt to treat their entire system. I didn't want to do that, even though I realized it is possible for other red bugs to hike/hop right back onto the cleansed coral. So be it. I wanted to test the meds on a subject, and not risk my entire reef.
Faded colors can also be super low nutrients. It could be excess lighting, but I tend to doubt that one. How often do you feed, and what do you feed specifically, and how much?
How often do you change the carbon?
Do you run a phosphate remover?
Be sure to link us to your 450g office thread if you've not done so already.
Holy Dudester :eek2: What a Birthday update! Congrats & everything looks fantastic as always 
Update us on what addatives, supplements, and routine maintenance your doing besides adding Kalk to get that awesome growth.
Thanks for the pics & the update.
Keep on reefin :beachbum:
Update us on what addatives, supplements, and routine maintenance your doing besides adding Kalk to get that awesome growth.
Thanks for the pics & the update.
Keep on reefin :beachbum:
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