220 Gallon SPS Reef Build

[JonoH]

Some of my Acro's have clocked over a year in the tank, and its nice to see how much they have grown - I actually have a spreadsheet that i track growth each month (otherwise its like watching paint dry!).

Frankies Kryptinite

Gold Table (This one has been fragged multiple times as the table is pretty delicate)

Bubblegum Digi - another one that has been fragged multiple times by my fish!

This one isnt a Year in, but happy with its growth considering it was a bargain bin dying frag from a LFS here (i think i paid like $5 for it)

Fireworks

 

[DarkReefer]

Wow dude, those look amazing and have come so far!

I'm glad so far my sps colony (whatever it is) seems to still be alive. Hopefully can add a bunch more!
My montipora though... no dice.

 

[JonoH]

Wow dude, those look amazing and have come so far!

I'm glad so far my sps colony (whatever it is) seems to still be alive. Hopefully can add a bunch more!
My montipora though... no dice.

Was that the Red Monti Cap?

When i first added one of these in, it died off, then came back, so you never know.

 

[DarkReefer]

Was that the Red Monti Cap?

When i first added one of these in, it died off, then came back, so you never know.

Yeah there was a red one and a green one, both look very white-ish so idk... I'll leave them in there for now but I'm not expecting much haha.

 

[JonoH]

Yeah there was a red one and a green one, both look very white-ish so idk... I'll leave them in there for now but I'm not expecting much haha.

Mine went from this -

Pretty much completely dead, there was a little colour up the top that started to re-grow.

To this -

Took about a year.
So give it time!

 

[DarkReefer]

Mine went from this -

Pretty much completely dead, there was a little colour up the top that started to re-grow.

To this -

Took about a year.
So give it time!

That's crazy good.
Mine I don't think has any colour but after seeing that, I'll definitely leave it in there and hope for the best LOL.

 

[GoAskAlice]

Some of my Acro's have clocked over a year in the tank, and its nice to see how much they have grown - I actually have a spreadsheet that i track growth each month (otherwise its like watching paint dry!).

Frankies Kryptinite

Gold Table (This one has been fragged multiple times as the table is pretty delicate)

Bubblegum Digi - another one that has been fragged multiple times by my fish!

This one isnt a Year in, but happy with its growth considering it was a bargain bin dying frag from a LFS here (i think i paid like $5 for it)

Fireworks

Beautiful! I find posts that chronicle coral growth rates very helpful. You read that certain acros are "fast, slow, whatever" growers, but you wonder what does that mean exactly. Posts like this help to quantify what you might expect with a certain acro.

And such beautiful color! I'm (finally) getting good growth with my acros, but not as much color as I would like. Guess we're never satisfied. First it's like "please, please don't bleach", then "just grow, please", then "well, I'd like to see a bit more color".

 

[JonoH]

Beautiful! I find posts that chronicle coral growth rates very helpful. You read that certain acros are "fast, slow, whatever" growers, but you wonder what does that mean exactly. Posts like this help to quantify what you might expect with a certain acro.

And such beautiful color! I'm (finally) getting good growth with my acros, but not as much color as I would like. Guess we're never satisfied. First it's like "please, please don't bleach", then "just grow, please", then "well, I'd like to see a bit more color".

I think that Colour just takes time!

Wish i could get more PE on my Acro, but i think i have fish that are nipping them still!

 

[DarkReefer]

Do you dose any amino acids or anything else to feed your corals?

 

[JonoH]

Do you dose any amino acids or anything else to feed your corals?

Not regularly! Since my nutrients are constantly high, I dont feel the coral needs it as there is already enough nutrients in the water.

I have some AB+ in my fridge i might dose once a week or so, more to target feed the Goni and soft corals.
I used to feed reef roids but havent now for a few months.

 

[DarkReefer]

Interesting, thats something I sctually haven't done with this tank is any sort of feeding for corals. I've got a bottle of coral essential amino acids and something else, but never used them.. wonder if that'd help anything, but I've also got the higher nitrate and phos.. so idk if I'll just make it worse lol

 

[JonoH]

Interesting, thats something I sctually haven't done with this tank is any sort of feeding for corals. I've got a bottle of coral essential amino acids and something else, but never used them.. wonder if that'd help anything, but I've also got the higher nitrate and phos.. so idk if I'll just make it worse lol

They tend to bump nitrates up for a day or so - if your still having issues with GHA, then i wouldnt bother as it will probably be consumed by that!
If you did want to give it a shot, dont broadcast feed it, just target feed with a baster.

 

[DarkReefer]

Interesting, thats something I sctually haven't done with this tank is any sort of feeding for corals. I've got a bottle of coral essential amino acids and something else, but never used them.. wonder if that'd help anything, but I've also got the higher nitrate and phos.. so idk if I'll just make it worse lol

They tend to bump nitrates up for a day or so - if your still having issues with GHA, then i wouldnt bother as it will probably be consumed by that!
If you did want to give it a shot, dont broadcast feed it, just target feed with a baster.

Cheers for the tip, not so worried about the soft corals but maybe the acro might like somethin. Idk if the stuff I have should be a direct thing or just broadcast, cause its in a tiny eye dropper.
GHA isn't so bad these days but yeah, maybe some of the AB+ stuff could be worth a shot.

 

[JonoH]

Cheers for the tip, not so worried about the soft corals but maybe the acro might like somethin. Idk if the stuff I have should be a direct thing or just broadcast, cause its in a tiny eye dropper.
GHA isn't so bad these days but yeah, maybe some of the AB+ stuff could be worth a shot.

Better off dosing phyto to be honest!
One thing I do regularly do is a big phyto and copepod dose. (I just pour a whole bottle in)

The Coral Essentials stuff is just as good as the AB+ from what i understand (plus you dont need to put it in the fridge!)

 

[DarkReefer]

Yeah I haven't dosed phyto or pods since losing my mandarin LOL
Probably should work on building that population up! Would likely help!

Yeah but it's not yellow cloudy stuff :P
True though, I've just left mine in the cupboard. so maybe I'll add some drops every couple of weeks and leave it at that and see how things get on

 

[JonoH]

Yeah I haven't dosed phyto or pods since losing my mandarin LOL
Probably should work on building that population up! Would likely help!

Yeah but it's not yellow cloudy stuff :P
True though, I've just left mine in the cupboard. so maybe I'll add some drops every couple of weeks and leave it at that and see how things get on

Gotta admit...the yellow fluorescence makes you feel like a mad scientist

 

[JonoH]

So...no real updates...except my tank was filmed by Sam Parker this morning...

That was fun!

 

[DarkReefer]

So...no real updates...except my tank was filmed by Sam Parker this morning...

That was fun!

Awesome! Can't wait to watch it!

 

[JonoH]

Quick update - have been slowly building up my Hammer Garden again after losing a lot a year or so ago - feeling more comfortable with the flow and light now that they are shielded by the SPS above! (Plus I have some CIES if they look bad now)!



Also took a nice pic of one of my Leathers (Sam called this my Encrusting Leather LOL)



Video of my tank will be out in about a week I think, but you should check out his lates video of Mariah from Only Reef's tank, She's a good friend only just down the road from me, and her tank is absolutely mind blowing!

 

[DarkReefer]

Always awesome seeing your tank updates. You've got such beautiful corals, really am envious!