Viewpoints – A Photographic Journal of my Reef Tank
- Thread starter urbaneks
- Start date
aandfsoccr04
Active member
Enjoyed reading through this thread for the past hour or so. Your attention to detail and wiring job is the most impressive to me. I love the color coordinating and the towel racks. Beautiful tank and beautiful corals and would love to see an update of how things are going. Glad to see you stuck with it even after the misfortune of the tank cracking :thumbsup:
urbaneks
New member
sahin - Thanks for the encouragement. It is a slow process but that's what makes it great. Patience. I'll be posting an update tonight, first once since February, I believe you will notice a difference.
nice tank
k4ndyk1ng - Thanks!
synrgy - Thanks for the post. I dose Randy's Two Part along with Kalk. I have the Kalk setup to dispense every other hour in small amounts and the two part dispenses on the hours opposite again in small amounts. Aside from Cal/Alk, I've been dosing some KZ products including Coral Vitalizer and Phol's Xtra.
m.hudzinski - Tonight!
Ty1e - Thanks so much for the kind words.
Jachael - Let me know if you have any questions along the way, I'd love to offer my opinion.
Whitelight - Thanks for the compliment. I would not describe it as having trouble, but it is work. I've found that a little time every other week keeps everything looking brand new.
6Speed - Great question. For the pump, skimmer and other equipment in the sump, I ran extention cords that plug into the controller and are then installed next to the sump. This allows me to simply unplug the components and remove them.
Rebel Reef - Definately enough par and spread from the Infinity. I have not found a spot in the tank where I can't grow SPS yet.
LStorm - I have actually reworked my equipment panel since the last photos were taken. Shortly after getting the first one installed I did not like the access to the panel. In addition, I was having some heat issues with my MH ballasts, not heat into the tank but where the ballast were overheating. I now have my panel on the outside of the stand but hinged it so the cords are hidden. I will have to snap a couple pics and post for you.
reefingsocal - Thanks! It is a journey!
reefman86 - Thanks!
G x 2 - Thanks for your very kind words. I hope that your build is underway and things are going well for you. Don't hesitate to send a PM over if you have questions. Thanks for subscribing.
EVERYTHING looks great!!! Look forward to seeing more photos
yifan917 - Thanks, update will be posted very shortly.
Whitelight and LStorm - It had been a while since I'd been on here and apparently I no longer get emails when I get new PMs. I emailed it over to you tonight. After 3 years of using that excel sheet, I have switched over to www.aquaticlog.com, it's a maintenance tracker that I helped another reefer create. I use this exclusively now. You can find my tank on there and see exactly how I maintain my tank.
bobkill - Thanks!
aandfsoccr04 - Thanks for the kind words and views.
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - Tank at 1 Year and 2 Months
Viewpoints - Tank at 1 Year and 2 Months
Viewpoints - Tank at 1 Year and 2 Months
It's been quite sometime since I've posted any photos of the tank. While the journal has not been taken care of the tank has. I've spent the last few months battling Cyano which is finally gone. While water changes and bacteria helped it was KZ's Coral Snow that really seemed to finish it off.
In addition to the Cyano battle, I've also been experimenting with different KZ products including Coral Vitalizer, Phol's Xtra and their Amino Acid. Over the past few months, I've tried to find a good balance between color/growth and nutrient control. It's a never ending battle but I'm pretty pleased with the current color and growth that I'm getting.
My frags are slowly but surely becoming colonies while the tank is filling in. I just recently added a few LPS such as Clove Polyp and an Acan Frag. These have been added to the Torch, Blastos and Duncan that I already had. These were added to give the tank some additional movement and something for those that come over to really look at. While I still love the SPS, most people that visit the tank are drawn to the easier to keep LPS. The new LPS additions have also helped to make the tank seem fuller.
Here is a FTS taken from the left side. This is the best angle to view the center trench that runs through the tank.
Here is another shot of the center trench. Photos really don't do the trench justice,it adds a lot more depth to the tank than the photos show.
Tiger Conch - This guy along with one other was added to aid with the Cyano battle. Very, very cool creatures! These guys add additional character to the tank and never stop cleaning the sand bed. Very good additions.
Clove Polyp - This was one of the soft corals I recently added to give the tank some additional movement and something for the non SPS lovers to look at. I'm not big on Clove Polyps but these struck my eye with the orange and green colors.
Viewpoints - Tank at 1 Year and 2 Months
Viewpoints - Tank at 1 Year and 2 Months
It's been quite sometime since I've posted any photos of the tank. While the journal has not been taken care of the tank has. I've spent the last few months battling Cyano which is finally gone. While water changes and bacteria helped it was KZ's Coral Snow that really seemed to finish it off.
In addition to the Cyano battle, I've also been experimenting with different KZ products including Coral Vitalizer, Phol's Xtra and their Amino Acid. Over the past few months, I've tried to find a good balance between color/growth and nutrient control. It's a never ending battle but I'm pretty pleased with the current color and growth that I'm getting.
My frags are slowly but surely becoming colonies while the tank is filling in. I just recently added a few LPS such as Clove Polyp and an Acan Frag. These have been added to the Torch, Blastos and Duncan that I already had. These were added to give the tank some additional movement and something for those that come over to really look at. While I still love the SPS, most people that visit the tank are drawn to the easier to keep LPS. The new LPS additions have also helped to make the tank seem fuller.
Here is a FTS taken from the left side. This is the best angle to view the center trench that runs through the tank.
Here is another shot of the center trench. Photos really don't do the trench justice,it adds a lot more depth to the tank than the photos show.
Tiger Conch - This guy along with one other was added to aid with the Cyano battle. Very, very cool creatures! These guys add additional character to the tank and never stop cleaning the sand bed. Very good additions.
Clove Polyp - This was one of the soft corals I recently added to give the tank some additional movement and something for the non SPS lovers to look at. I'm not big on Clove Polyps but these struck my eye with the orange and green colors.
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - Additional Photos taken at 1 year 4 months
Viewpoints - Additional Photos taken at 1 year 4 months
Viewpoints - Additional Photos taken at 1 year 4 months
Here are a few more photos that were taken last night
FTS shot taken from the left
Not sure of the name on this coral but one that I like a lot.
Viewpoints - Additional Photos taken at 1 year 4 months
Viewpoints - Additional Photos taken at 1 year 4 months
Here are a few more photos that were taken last night
FTS shot taken from the left
Not sure of the name on this coral but one that I like a lot.
One more shot of the same coral. This has been a good grower for me
This is a Maricultured piece I purchased from my LFS. I really love the blue tips on this one
coralreefdoc
New member
Looking good, Brad ! Im glad that KZ Coral Snow recommendation has worked out well for your reef. Cyano can be overwhelming at times, especially for us perfectionist type reefers.
Excellent work/idea on that aquaticlog, looks very promising ... Ive been trying to nail down an all in one, pre-programmed log for the new system but most Ive experienced fall short in one aspect or another. Yours looks well designed.
We need to catch up sometime soon, you wont believe what I have planned for the near future ... Lets just say Ill finally be joining the Large Reef ranks here on RC, comfortably ! :dance:
Look forward to hearing from you soon !
Best Regards,
Excellent work/idea on that aquaticlog, looks very promising ... Ive been trying to nail down an all in one, pre-programmed log for the new system but most Ive experienced fall short in one aspect or another. Yours looks well designed.
We need to catch up sometime soon, you wont believe what I have planned for the near future ... Lets just say Ill finally be joining the Large Reef ranks here on RC, comfortably ! :dance:
Look forward to hearing from you soon !
Best Regards,
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - 7/3/12 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/3/12 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/3/12 Responses to Feedback
Reef_Noob - Thanks for the comments. I think the KZ products are great, I think the biggest bang for the buck is with Phol's Xtra and Coral Vitalizer. The Coral Snow worked wonders on the cyano.
sahin - The Y is a Gorgonian, unfortanely when I took the photo, the polyps were retracted. The Gorg is far from pretty (dull brown) but I like the texture it provides and has a classic reef look.
CoralReefDoc - Thanks for the view and comments. I can't claim Aquatic Log as mine, I definitely provided the bulk of the input to it but the gentleman who programmed it put all the work in on it. I've been using it exclusively for several months now and love it. It's also nice if I leave town as the plan for the days I'm gone are laid out for the sitter. Would love to catch up and hear about your plans. Also hope the equipment panel we built is working out for you.
Viewpoints - 7/3/12 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/3/12 Responses to Feedback
Tank's looking very beautiful. Excellent job. How do you like the KZ products? Which you think made a difference?
Thanks for the update and sharing your experience. Great to see you ate back
Reef_Noob - Thanks for the comments. I think the KZ products are great, I think the biggest bang for the buck is with Phol's Xtra and Coral Vitalizer. The Coral Snow worked wonders on the cyano.
sahin - The Y is a Gorgonian, unfortanely when I took the photo, the polyps were retracted. The Gorg is far from pretty (dull brown) but I like the texture it provides and has a classic reef look.
CoralReefDoc - Thanks for the view and comments. I can't claim Aquatic Log as mine, I definitely provided the bulk of the input to it but the gentleman who programmed it put all the work in on it. I've been using it exclusively for several months now and love it. It's also nice if I leave town as the plan for the days I'm gone are laid out for the sitter. Would love to catch up and hear about your plans. Also hope the equipment panel we built is working out for you.
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - July 4th Photo Update
Viewpoints - July 4th Photo Update
Viewpoints - July 4th Photo Update
Happy 4th of July! Here are a few more recent photos of the tank.
This picture really shows the Cali Tort growth over the past year (Blue Coral Top Left). Of course my Blue Tang (The Boss) is front and center.
Here is a shot of my Superman Montipora, not as much growth of this guy as my Poker Star Monti but I do like the colors.
Red Planet - This coral has been encrusting nicely for the last 6-8 months with little branch growth. Just in the last 3-4 weeks, it's been popping up the new white growth. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come!
I really like this photo for the layers of colors that are shown. In the foreground is an ORA Spongodes, in focus is a coral I got from a friend, believe he called it Mint Berry Crunch and in the background you can see the Red Planet and the Cali Tort.
Viewpoints - July 4th Photo Update
Viewpoints - July 4th Photo Update
Happy 4th of July! Here are a few more recent photos of the tank.
This picture really shows the Cali Tort growth over the past year (Blue Coral Top Left). Of course my Blue Tang (The Boss) is front and center.
Here is a shot of my Superman Montipora, not as much growth of this guy as my Poker Star Monti but I do like the colors.
Red Planet - This coral has been encrusting nicely for the last 6-8 months with little branch growth. Just in the last 3-4 weeks, it's been popping up the new white growth. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come!
I really like this photo for the layers of colors that are shown. In the foreground is an ORA Spongodes, in focus is a coral I got from a friend, believe he called it Mint Berry Crunch and in the background you can see the Red Planet and the Cali Tort.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
Great pictures, thanks for the updates.
I have a cali tort that hasn't done much in my tank, grows extremely slow.
I have a cali tort that hasn't done much in my tank, grows extremely slow.
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - July 7th Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - July 7th Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - July 7th Responses to Feedback
Sisterlimonpot - Good to hear from you. Thanks for the compliments and views.
sahin - Agree!
Viewpoints - July 7th Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - July 7th Responses to Feedback
Sisterlimonpot - Good to hear from you. Thanks for the compliments and views.
The Mint Cherry Crunch is a sweet coral.
sahin - Agree!
Awesome build! Where do you find the time to do all this? :lol:
redwingrob40
Member
Wow your tank is absolutely stunning! Your setup is really second to none the amount of thought that you put into this build is incredible. Oh and keep the pics coming too. Glad to hear that you won the battle against cyano, that stuff is a real pain. Awesome tank keep up the great work.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
I would.
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