How much has your reef grown in 2019? What about you as a reefer?

[gcrawford]

Sold mine, couldn't be happier lol!

 

[Scott (Mack) McIntosh]

I started my first salt tank in 1975 and this year has been very exciting as I started adding coral. It's like having a major renewal of excitement all over again in this incredible hobby. In Montana it's a different game as almost everything has to come by shipment one, shipment two....which is difficult and there's a new box at the door. I lost so many fish, inverts etc. Now there are shippers that you can trust and want you succeed. Endless information and help just a laptop away. Nice....thanks!!!!!

 

[H3rm1tCr@b]

Oh Boy!!!! This was meant for me! No percentages, but I just started reefing February of 2019...... so here is my 2019 growth:

Wow that escalated quickly. Got bit by the reef bug?

 

[H3rm1tCr@b]

I think my nano reef has grown considerably this year, at least 50% (although a lot of it is pulsing xenia.) As a reefer, I would say a larger percentage. I managed to beat dinos, and I have a bit more understanding when it comes to feeding and water changes. I've noticed that if I just wait as long as possible between water changes and feed more frozen food, my corals do so much better. I guess it is a lack of a method or something, but I've decided that my nitrates and phosphates need to stay at a reasonable amount to keep my soft coral happy and the nasties away. I'm betting that one of the only reasons why I can go so long without maintenance is because of the xenia. It probably acts as a fantastic source of nitrate reduction.

 

[El_Guapo13]

Really wish I had all my pics on my new phone. But basically, I barely started my first saltwater tank 1 year ago (more specifically in mid November 2018). As someone who only kept freshwater tanks previously, this has been a big learning experience, but is well worth the hard work in my opinion.

I have had several corals that started from anywhere between 1 to 3 polyps, and now they are all around 10 polyps, or in the case of SPS they have grown in size from fingernail size to larher than a silver dollar. This mostly applies to my duncan, my Blastomussa Merletti, my three Aussie Lords, Sunburst Monti, and the monster of the tank - a Blue Effloutanaria (the original frag was given as a replacement from WWC for a softie frag pack that came with an accidental Favia onstead of a softie, and the BE frag was smaller than my pinky fingernail) that is now a large colony.

My GSP is finally growing (went up from 4 polyps to 8, and then stopped growing again lol), my 2 brand new Acros and my Bowerbanki (only in tank for 2 months) have shown some growth as has my free frag from the WWC Fragtoberfest sale, which looks like a Seasons Greetings Monti. My Tequila Sunrise has been in the tank since the summer, and is slowly growing (after having to heal and recover first after I accidentally broke off a piece. Both the original frag and the small piece are fine and growing at differentplacements, btw). My Indigo Mushroom recently had a baby that is about pinky finger nail size atm. My Burning Iguana Shroom just moved from where it originally was over the past week, so I got to witness Pedal Laceration occur and that finished on Monday, so the remainig chunk of the foot just rounded out yesterday and is starting to form a mouth. So new baby there. Not sure whatvmy Aquaman Rhodactis or my Interstellar Shroom are doing, but they are soing something lol.

And finally my two hammers and my Frogspawn....well....they are fat and happy. Just not growing new heads. Oh, and my Favia and Chalice are both growing very slowly, with the Favia more or less shaping itself to the rock before trying to grow new heads.

So all in all pretty happy, except for the whole stubborn Euphyllia growth thing...

Front:

Left:

Right:

 

[Quietman]

Started mine this year...things are alive, no fish losses and my tank isn't covered in something brown or red or green...sadly not pink or purple either. But mostly a very satisfied reefer.

 

[Auquanut]

1. Percentage wise how much do you think your reef has grown in size? 10% 30% 50% -10% -30%
Over 30 %

2. What do you attribute the success or lack of success in your reef growing this year?
Stability, responsible dosing and an aggressive nutrient export system which allows for fewer water changes. I just started an AWC system and I'm monitoring closely.

3. How have YOU grown as a reef hobbyist?
I think I have grown considerably as a reefer just within the last 12 months. I've acquired a critical eye (It's in the middle of my forehead. AWKWARD!). I've learned to slow down and take things one step at a time. I've learned to seek and weigh the advice of others, and that there is rarely one right way of doing things.

And what would you say to help others from what you've learned?
The best advice I could give (and I've said this before) is don't freak out! Most reef issues can be solved eventually with a slow, well researched, methodical approach. I've seen so many threads where someone said "I got this problem, so I did this, this and this. Then things really went sideways, so I did this, this and this." Knee-jerk reactions to common reef issues often cause more problems than they solve. Slow and steady wins the reef.

 

[Lostreefin]

1) 10%
2) New tank syndrome, and lack of.
stability.

 

[Auquanut]

1. Percentage wise how much do you think your reef has grown in size? 10% 30% 50% -10% -30%
Over 30 %

I just went through some photos, and I think I need to change my reply to over 50%. It really is surprising when you look at older photos how much things have changed. When you look at it every day you just don't see the changes.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Wow that escalated quickly. Got bit by the reef bug?

It’s alright I guess.....

 

[Dragon52]

Here's Mine. You can see on the right side Flat the green hairy Mushrooms, in the center the Zenia & on the far right another rock that started with a few plain green mushrooms is now covered. The green Frogspawn has grown from 1 hd to 4 in the middle sand level. Bad is I've lost some of the fish in that time. 2yrs

 

[DesertReefT4r]

2018 went great for me reefing wise, 2019 set me back a full year. Amphidinium dinoflagellates killed off all my sps, most of my acans and all my snails aside from the large tubros with have become very inactive. Went from this at the begining of 2019

To this mid 2019

To this end of 2019

 

[mucky1957]

My 240lt is mainly softies and I was told earlier this year to reduce the white/red/green lighting that was on during the day. So the percentage went from 80% at the peak to 30% at its peak and the growth has been immense. I can honestly say there is no bare rock any more.

 

[WVNed]

Big year. New house and a new tank and a new old tank.
A piece of advise. Never move at Christmas. Unless you have to.

Now

Merry Christmas. Hope your new reefing year shines with all the colors you want.

 

[jeffchapok]

This I my first tank, started last Jan, so most growth is due to acquisition. But some things have grown quite a bit since I got them. That big cabbage coral up front is at least 5 or 6 times bigger than when I got it, and my first single paly polyp is now 11. And of course, the Kenya tree has done what Kenya trees do.

3/30/19

12/19/19

Random before and afters

 

[tgionet]

Mine tripled in volume in 2019!

 

[RJ F.]

It has been an amazing year! I'm new to reefing and my tank has officially turned 1 year old. I cant believe the success I have had tbh. Everyone here has played a vital role in helping me keep my reef alive. I just started acros and just in a couple months I have noticed great growth on my WD and Sonic Flare. It's so humbling.

 

[Nick Steele]

Tank isn’t even a month old but I believe I got the hang of the beginning part of reefing. Have one coral frag (Xenia) so far and first fish are coming on Monday/Tuesday. So far I’m excited to enter this hobby and I can’t wait to show off next year hopefully!

Full tank shot

Xenia frag (still playing with my flow although it’s out and seems to be happy all the time)

 

[clm65]

Well, I closed out 2018 with my nitrates in the 100's and my phosphate well above 2.0. I was fish only for pretty much the last 22 years, but decided I wanted to try some coral. I added some GSP and it didn't really do anything (didn't grow but didn't die either). Joined R2R in early 2019 and learned how to take better care of my tank. Gradually improved water quality, and was able to get some zoas and shrooms to survive and grow. And xenia (hey, we all make mistakes). Water quality is still not perfect, but getting there. Recently added some LPS corals, but honestly they are not looking too good, so I may have jumped the gun there. We will see. That is why I voted "somewhat happy". It has definitely grown, but still having trouble with some corals that are supposedly "easy".

1. Percentage wise how much do you think your reef has grown in size? 10% 30% 50% -10% -30% Compared to the beginning of the year, I'd say 500%. But I only had a little bit of GSP back then. Now I've got 5 or 6 patches of zoas, several shrooms, a kenya tree, and more xenia than I care to admit. I'm not counting the LPS corals yet.

2. What do you attribute the success or lack of success in your reef growing this year? I credit R2R for the success I've had. I've been learning a lot here.

3. How have YOU grown as a reef hobbyist and what would you say to help others from what you've learned? My husbandry skills have definitely improved. And my use of the search tool. Best advice - patience and ask questions.

BONUS FOR SHARING BEFORE AND AFTER PICS! I really need to start taking pictures.

 

[Retro Reefer]

my tank has done very well in 2019

1. Percentage wise how much do you think your reef has grown in size? 10% 30% 50% -10% -30%

I’m guessing about 50% growth

2. What do you attribute the success or lack of success in your reef growing this year?

Im more in tune with my chemistry these days

3. How have YOU grown as a reef hobbyist and what would you say to help others from what you've learned?

after decades of refusing to test for anything I have now resolved myself to keep up with water chemistry.

My Advice for others.. Go slowly! When you think your going slow enough, slow down some more

February 2019

November 2019