ChrisQ's SCA 150G

[ChrisQ0904]

Chaeto has been added to the sump. I also removed the calcium reactor for now as I was struggling to keep my parameters in check due to lack of corals.
I was also able to pick up the neptune systems GRO refugium light, just installed it today but time will tell with how it does, keeping fingers crossed for good results. It is significantly dimmer than my previous lights, but also more less and a different spectrum (at least visually it looks different)

Happy Monday everyone.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Got an extension for the lifereef skimmer and really like how it's performing now, combined with the c02scrubber I am now able to keep my pH above 7.9 all day!
Also, had a fair amount of aluminum in my last icp test so have decided to pull out and remove my marine pure plate and will send out another icp test in a few weeks and see how they differ.
Chaeto has been noticibly growing, so will probably have to check my nutrients to be sure that I am now running too clean right now. My glass has to be cleaned less frequently so I imagine it has dropped just hope not too much.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Tank has been stable so far and corals have been looking pretty decent. My losses have slowed down and things seem to be turning around. Still running the moonshine method and really am liking the results from it, haven't gotten the crazy growth results yet but I see improvement which is fine by me.

Picked up a few new pieces since the last update...

Eclectus that ended up coming off the plug so not in mushroom time out.

Space invader pectina, been wanting this since I lost it in a crash and super excited to finally have it back.

Green goni. I have never had great luck with these but wanted to give it another shot since I feel confident about the tank now. If it does well and shows good growth I would like to get a nice sized red one.

Not new but wanted to share the current status of my rescued green gig. These are possibly my favorite animals in the hobby and really happy how this one turned around.

 

[chizerbunoi]

Outstanding tank build and lovely giganteas. I am very impressed at the young age of this tank. Also never heard of this moonshine method until I read your journal.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Outstanding tank build and lovely giganteas. I am very impressed at the young age of this tank. Also never heard of this moonshine method until I read your journal.

Thank you! It's still too early for me to see the results of the moonshine but I believe it's helping out the tank. My nutrients have been in check and icp results show that I am replenishing all the minor/trace elements so far. Feels weird not doing my weekly water changes but the results are there so far, so I can't complain as of yet. What I have seen the most improvement on so far are the carpets and my clams. The clams seem fuller... if that's a way to describe how a clam looks. Also have this one yuma that looked like garbage and is actually starting to look normal again. Either way, I'm happy with how the tank is doing and plan on keeping up with the method.

Side note... Went to the store today to pick up.some reef roids and ended up leaving with a new beautiful mini colony of a bright green frogspawn.... Pics to come after dip

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Just some pictures I took the other day

Mandarin

Momma JB

24k Gold torch

Pantera Rosa

Sunkist bouncea

WD
Wish I took pictures of this from before, but I almost lost this and since make the changes mentioned in previous posts it has really made a comeback. Still needs to color up but really happy where it currently is.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[ChrisQ0904]

No major changes this week, but my clowns laid eggs and I picked up a pretty nice looking acan. Will try to get some better pictures of it soon. I have also been wanting a new dosing pump with multiple heads and am considering picking up the red sea doser when it comes out.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Chaeto keeps growing like crazy with the GRO light. I can't believe the explosion in growth actually.

Other than that just picked up a scoly the other day. Caught some coral warfare between my octo and torch. Starting to see some significant growth with the sps as well. Here is a small photo dump of some random pictures I took with my phone.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

 

[Zach B]

Wow! Looking good

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Wow! Looking good

Thank you! In my many tanks throughout the years I think this has been my best so far. Most likely from keeping things simple (at least to me) and continuously fighting the urger to tinker.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

The XR15s got kicked out and were replaced with something new....

Really like the new lights. I think they pack enough punch to keep the corals happy and the look can't be beat imo. Getting the benefits of LEDs with the looks of T5s. I have been impressed with these new Sky's so far. Hopefully they last long term!

 

[Zach B]

Looks great!

 

[LBReefer]

Just got the email from Avast Marine that my plank has shipped!!! Hopefully it arrives this week, can't wait to start using this feeder.

How'd you like it? Worth the investment?

 

[ChrisQ0904]

How'd you like it? Worth the investment?

100% currently doing 4 feedings with it and all the fish are fat and happy. Is it needed? Definitely not but I think it was worth it for the anthias and not having to rely on frozen only. I am currently using the avast food and my nitrates and phosphates are still too low.