My 40 gallon recife build

[kingranch2003]

I always wanted to eventually have some sps. I don't plan on collecting high-end acros or growing every sps out there, but I feel that a mixed reef is what I want to achieve in the end. I'm trying to figure a good balance between too dirty and too clean in regards to my water parameters. I typically run between 8 and 12 N03 and .02 to .04 in nitrates. Hopefully, that's good enough for the hard corals. I do spot feed a lot of my corals because I keep a lot of corals that will take food directly. I feel like I have my lighting dialed in where I want it as far as par.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I always wanted to eventually have some sps. I don't plan on collecting high-end acros or growing every sps out there, but I feel that a mixed reef is what I want to achieve in the end. I'm trying to figure a good balance between too dirty and too clean in regards to my water parameters. I typically run between 8 and 12 N03 and .02 to .04 in nitrates. Hopefully, that's good enough for the hard corals. I do spot feed a lot of my corals because I keep a lot of corals that will take food directly. I feel like I have my lighting dialed in where I want it as far as par.

Do you have a stylophora/birdsnest yet? I have a purple stylo and I love mine. In fact, they're so resilient that mine survived when my return pump failed while on vacation, causing my tank to drop to 62°f for 3 days. For SPS, I'm very happy with my stylo, and I also hope to get more, easy SPS corals.

 

[kingranch2003]

Cali tort anacropora, Bubblegum montipora, Goldenrod anacropora, tubbs stellata digitata, and acans.

 

[kingranch2003]

Do you have a stylophora/birdsnest yet? I have a purple stylo and I love mine. In fact, they're so resilient that mine survived when my return pump failed while on vacation, causing my tank to drop to 62°f for 3 days. For SPS, I'm very happy with my stylo, and I also hope to get more, easy SPS corals.

Not YET Walker!, I need a blue or purple sps for color contrast. You recommend this one obviously? I love the color and I love shape, I really do. That could definitely be my next sps purchase.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Not YET Walker!, I need a blue or purple sps for color contrast. You recommend this one obviously? I love the color and I love shape, I really do. That could definitely be my next sps purchase.

Yes, I highly reccomend it! Super fast grower too!

 

[kingranch2003]

Just a thought if anyone wants to chime in on N03 and P04. My N03 is always below 12 and usually around 6ppm.

As long as algae is under control, I'm finding that my tank looks better and happier with a bit higher P04. around .04 gives me the happiest lps, and as I've brached out (no pun intended) into sps, they seem to thrive in it as well. I did go for the easier options for sps, however.

 

[pgr7]

Love this tank, your zoa garden is tops!

 

[kingranch2003]

Love this tank, your zoa garden is tops!

Man, I really appreciate that! The zoas are some of my favorite pops of color in the tank for sure. They've really taken to my tank well.

 

[pgr7]

I agree,super under rated coral.

 

[kingranch2003]

I agree,super under rated coral.

I noticed one by your setosa. I was trying to.remember the name. Is it Yoda? Either way, I need about 50 of em lol

 

[kingranch2003]

Just some recent shots. I can't help it. The tank eats nitrates. I can't keep em. Luckily, however, It'll keep corals.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Just some recent shots. I can't help it. The tank eats nitrates. I can't keep em. Luckily, however, It'll keep corals.

Your corals still look great!

 

[kingranch2003]

Your corals still look great!

Thank you so much! I always appreciate you dropping by, friends.

 

[kingranch2003]

Thanks to @luis angel, I have my build thread badge back! It reminded me to update this thread. I've just got a few update pics tonight, but I want to add some science stuff soon that I've been tinkering with. I have a tendency to make changes and sometimes, forget to inform everyone about what is and isn't working for me. Work tomorrow play tonight I guess.

 

[kingranch2003]

I've started culturing white worms. My good friend @Imrahilwjz sent me a very healthy white worm culture and I split it up into two bigger cultures. These are colonizing very well. I'm going to be sending an experimental culture of my mix to @Rocks reef to see what he can do with it. Inspection of the worm media shows an abundance of cocoons and larvae along with countless healthy adults. It would be cool if we could keep Wes's culture going across the Smorgasbord by sharing them with all interested.

 

[Rocks reef]

Just a thought if anyone wants to chime in on N03 and P04. My N03 is always below 12 and usually around 6ppm.

As long as algae is under control, I'm finding that my tank looks better and happier with a bit higher P04. around .04 gives me the happiest lps, and as I've brached out (no pun intended) into sps, they seem to thrive in it as well. I did go for the easier options for sps, however.

Brother, I'd keep running those nutrients! Corals look fat and healthy!! Good job!

 

[Rocks reef]

I've started culturing white worms. My good friend @Imrahilwjz sent me a very healthy white worm culture and I split it up into two bigger cultures. These are colonizing very well. I'm going to be sending an experimental culture of my mix to @Rocks reef to see what he can do with it. Inspection of the worm media shows an abundance of cocoons and larvae along with countless healthy adults. It would be cool if we could keep Wes's culture going across the Smorgasbord by sharing them with all interested.

I appreciate that! They look like chow mein noodles! LOL! Definitely won't be placing them on the kitchen counter. It would bring a whole new meaning to...."what's for dinner?"

 

[kingranch2003]

I appreciate that! They look like chow mein noodles! LOL! Definitely won't be placing them on the kitchen counter. It would bring a whole new meaning to...."what's for dinner?"

They look and feel so much like chopped, overcooked angel hair. Definitely keep separate from all of you snacks lol

 

[kingranch2003]

Brother, I'd keep running those nutrients! Corals look fat and healthy!! Good job!

Yessir! Thank you very much. The biggest lesson in this hobby for me so far is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

 

[Imrahilwjz]

Thanks to @luis angel, I have my build thread badge back! It reminded me to update this thread. I've just got a few update pics tonight, but I want to add some science stuff soon that I've been tinkering with. I have a tendency to make changes and sometimes, forget to inform everyone about what is and isn't working for me. Work tomorrow play tonight I guess.

All look amazing, but for some reason I love that plate coral!