This is a topic where it is difficult for me to ask for advice, as there are broad variables already covered extensively on the forums along with opinions and experiences to be considered... Coral placement.
Went to order a few coral frags yesterday and got carried away, this is what I ordered:
Background and basic parameters:
Tank has been running about 20 months, but I've been hesitant to stock up corals. Partially due to high nutrients and regular gha growth, but also due to feeling great uncertainty about coral placement and my husbandry readiness. I finally got serious about bringing nutrients down recently (currently around 0.1 phosphate, 30 nitrate, I plan on loosely maintaining around .07 phosphate, 20 nitrate).
PH and Alkalinity usually in the 8.1-8.3 range (sometimes Alk a little higher). I auto-dosed Tropic Marin Balling for a long time, but recently switched to ESV B-Ionic 2 Part so that DIY Nopox could have a dedicated reservoir and pump instead of mixing with Balling Part C that limited my ability to make changes without calculations and re-mixing.
I run a single Kessil A360X on a 12-ish hour cycle with a long ramp up/down. Usually don't like to peak higher than 21% intensity, but if others with this light tell me I need to go higher for SPS, will certainly do that.
Flow is from 2 gyre units (2Ks) mounted vertically at back pointed straight forward currently, and of course the return nozzle which hits the top rock fairly directly.
Aquascape notes: I used superglue and sand/crushed rock to cement the entire main structure (dry Marco Shelf + STAX) solidly together and to a large acrylic base plate under the sand, so no major changes will be done. Liverock (KP and Aussie) was added in 2021 but just rests on top of the solid aquascape, so those pieces can be moved or kicked down to sump (where much already resides).
On to the map (there are more photos in my build thread for some slightly different viewing angles):
This is what I am currently thinking per spot:
Vendor recommended flow-light requirement in parenthesis
#1) Icy Vein Favia frag (med-med) / This platform is an island separated by 4-6" of sand and water from the nearest point on the main structure. I read that favia are aggressive with their feeders and I'm hoping its growth can cut a large swath from the GSP that I somewhat regret giving that much space to. The GSP has grown over a couple ~3" rocks on the platform that I can cut off and expose bare rock, and hopefully provide me with a lifted edge to peel/scrape off more. See also spot #9, where I was thinking about putting the torch coral I've had for over a year, but maybe I should reverse those placements?
#2) Blueberry Stylo frag (med-med) / There is a lower platform that is hidden in the photo behind the GSP island. I can mount low (3-4" from sandbed) or a bit higher (5-7") by removing or keeping a piece of liverock there. This area could potentially get the most flow by turning the gyre more directly toward it. Light wouldn't be as intense as the highest rock (#4), but would give it room to grow vertically.
#3) Purple Stylo frag (high-high) / This is a cantilevered shelf that has a piece of liverock on it currently that can be removed to gain more headroom.
#4) ORA Bird of Paradise frag (high-high) / These seem to grow wide and low like a birdsnest, so seemed like it could work in that highest area of the tank without getting to the waterline too quickly. I also considered putting one of the monti frags here for potentially even less vertical growth, but worry about shading and using up the piece of real estate with the highest light and good flow from return nozzle.
#5) Red Dragon Acro frag (high-high) / Small platform that buys it a little extra headroom and distance from the bird on the larger top section
#6) Green Hammer frag (med-med) / The torch coral is in this spot currently and seems to be doing ok (it lost one of it's heads after a year of being on the sand, so I tried that relocation to see if remaining head would be happier)
#7) Rainbow Yuma frag (low-low) / Seems like they would be ok with this fairly vertical and partially shaded section?
#8) Firefly Zoa frag (low-low) / This is a piece of liverock that has a better angle for getting the light down low, can also be moved if they start spreading too close to corals above
#9) Torch coral (med-med) / Still thinking on this one, as it may be partially shaded in this spot, but I'm hoping it would get aggressive towards the GSP and stop the spread down the front side of the island
#10) Death Spiral Monti (med-med) and Red Monti cap frag (low-low) / May be too tight of an area for the species, but it's one of the only places I don't need to worry too much about shading (don't have plans to put coral on sand there). I considered putting one at the point in front of #4-#5, but worried trimming would become too much (for me and the coral) to keep it growing in suitable directions without interfering with others.
Closing:
I know it's a big and vague ask, but does anyone see any major mistakes in these ideas? Improvements that can be made?
Went to order a few coral frags yesterday and got carried away, this is what I ordered:
Background and basic parameters:
Tank has been running about 20 months, but I've been hesitant to stock up corals. Partially due to high nutrients and regular gha growth, but also due to feeling great uncertainty about coral placement and my husbandry readiness. I finally got serious about bringing nutrients down recently (currently around 0.1 phosphate, 30 nitrate, I plan on loosely maintaining around .07 phosphate, 20 nitrate).
PH and Alkalinity usually in the 8.1-8.3 range (sometimes Alk a little higher). I auto-dosed Tropic Marin Balling for a long time, but recently switched to ESV B-Ionic 2 Part so that DIY Nopox could have a dedicated reservoir and pump instead of mixing with Balling Part C that limited my ability to make changes without calculations and re-mixing.
I run a single Kessil A360X on a 12-ish hour cycle with a long ramp up/down. Usually don't like to peak higher than 21% intensity, but if others with this light tell me I need to go higher for SPS, will certainly do that.
Flow is from 2 gyre units (2Ks) mounted vertically at back pointed straight forward currently, and of course the return nozzle which hits the top rock fairly directly.
Aquascape notes: I used superglue and sand/crushed rock to cement the entire main structure (dry Marco Shelf + STAX) solidly together and to a large acrylic base plate under the sand, so no major changes will be done. Liverock (KP and Aussie) was added in 2021 but just rests on top of the solid aquascape, so those pieces can be moved or kicked down to sump (where much already resides).
On to the map (there are more photos in my build thread for some slightly different viewing angles):
This is what I am currently thinking per spot:
Vendor recommended flow-light requirement in parenthesis
#1) Icy Vein Favia frag (med-med) / This platform is an island separated by 4-6" of sand and water from the nearest point on the main structure. I read that favia are aggressive with their feeders and I'm hoping its growth can cut a large swath from the GSP that I somewhat regret giving that much space to. The GSP has grown over a couple ~3" rocks on the platform that I can cut off and expose bare rock, and hopefully provide me with a lifted edge to peel/scrape off more. See also spot #9, where I was thinking about putting the torch coral I've had for over a year, but maybe I should reverse those placements?
#2) Blueberry Stylo frag (med-med) / There is a lower platform that is hidden in the photo behind the GSP island. I can mount low (3-4" from sandbed) or a bit higher (5-7") by removing or keeping a piece of liverock there. This area could potentially get the most flow by turning the gyre more directly toward it. Light wouldn't be as intense as the highest rock (#4), but would give it room to grow vertically.
#3) Purple Stylo frag (high-high) / This is a cantilevered shelf that has a piece of liverock on it currently that can be removed to gain more headroom.
#4) ORA Bird of Paradise frag (high-high) / These seem to grow wide and low like a birdsnest, so seemed like it could work in that highest area of the tank without getting to the waterline too quickly. I also considered putting one of the monti frags here for potentially even less vertical growth, but worry about shading and using up the piece of real estate with the highest light and good flow from return nozzle.
#5) Red Dragon Acro frag (high-high) / Small platform that buys it a little extra headroom and distance from the bird on the larger top section
#6) Green Hammer frag (med-med) / The torch coral is in this spot currently and seems to be doing ok (it lost one of it's heads after a year of being on the sand, so I tried that relocation to see if remaining head would be happier)
#7) Rainbow Yuma frag (low-low) / Seems like they would be ok with this fairly vertical and partially shaded section?
#8) Firefly Zoa frag (low-low) / This is a piece of liverock that has a better angle for getting the light down low, can also be moved if they start spreading too close to corals above
#9) Torch coral (med-med) / Still thinking on this one, as it may be partially shaded in this spot, but I'm hoping it would get aggressive towards the GSP and stop the spread down the front side of the island
#10) Death Spiral Monti (med-med) and Red Monti cap frag (low-low) / May be too tight of an area for the species, but it's one of the only places I don't need to worry too much about shading (don't have plans to put coral on sand there). I considered putting one at the point in front of #4-#5, but worried trimming would become too much (for me and the coral) to keep it growing in suitable directions without interfering with others.
Closing:
I know it's a big and vague ask, but does anyone see any major mistakes in these ideas? Improvements that can be made?
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