My 40 gallon recife build

[kingranch2003]

The gonis are doing good. They've seemed to have benefited from a little higher light (150-200 par) and a more constant up sweeping flow.

 

[kingranch2003]

Since this tank began, Ive done biweekly 25% water changes. My goal was to do weekly 10% WC's to keep a more steady parameter. Well that is a bit more time-consuming and my tank has always worked at the current rate.

As I've added more corals, and now my tank finally requires dosing. Im manually adding a half capful of fusion2 alk and calcium a day right now until I can reach a steady number, and then I'll probably transition over to all for reef.

Nutrients remain about where I want them. N03 at 8 or less and P04 at .1-.2. I also dose magnesium, fuel aminos, and phyto.

I realize the P04 may be considered a bit high for the sps im keeping, but I see better colors and fatter polyps at this level. My tank is LPS dominant and these corals just haven't been as happy for me at a lower level of Phosphates.

Who knows? Cheers!

 

[kingranch2003]

Recently I was blessed with this gorgeous fathead dendro colony. As my first NPS coral it presented its own set of new challenges as you must feed each head often, and keep all heads free of detritus. Well this colony has 11 heads, so no pressure.....

The beautiful orange/hot pink polyps and contrasting baby pink skeletal structure is so unique and stunning. However, since it's non photosynthetic, the dendros lost their color as my lighting schedule ramped down and became more blue. So I decided to add just a bit of red (10% per channel) to my light schedule, to try and make these gorgeous creatures pop.

Tell me what you think. I want to assist others in keeping this amazing coral. I spot feed it about twice a week and feed my fish right over it.

Whiter light pics.
View attachment 4241349

Mostly blue (colors die off)

A touch of red added to the light schedule in the late evening really brings this colony out.

 

[Imrahilwjz]

I thought your plate was bigger at first, bit I still think it's amazing

 

[Goonsack Steve]

Tank is going amazing man. If you keep this up, i may eventually give Goni's a go.

Am also interested in some NPS for my overhang / cave area of my tank. So this is cool to see someone else do it.

 

[kingranch2003]

I thought your plate was bigger at first, bit I still think it's amazing

It's very closed up in that picture Wes, because it's almost lights out. It's a little bit more rounded than most plates because I mounted it to a rock dome. It's about the size of a golf ball.

 

[kingranch2003]

Tank is going amazing man. If you keep this up, i may eventually give Goni's a go.

Am also interested in some NPS for my overhang / cave area of my tank. So this is cool to see someone else do it.

I appreciate the kind words man.

Your tank is rising quickly. I say go for it man. You know what you're doing. Id almost recommend an NPS over gonis lol, but this latest batch is doing pretty well.

 

[kingranch2003]

Latest parameters:
Alk 8.7
Calcium 447
Magnesium: 1420
N03 6
P04 .2
PH 7.9 :(

 

[kevgib67]

It's very closed up in that picture Wes, because it's almost lights out. It's a little bit more rounded than most plates because I mounted it to a rock dome. It's about the size of a golf ball.

Dang John, mind blowing stunning!

 

[kingranch2003]

Dang John, mind blowing stunning!

Thanks Mr Kev! I appreciate you stopping by.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Well, well, well, John. You didn't really think I wouldn't find your build thread, did you? I did and now you're stuck with me!

I read through all the 12 pages. Ok, full transparency, I read through some of the pages and mostly did a lot of oooohhhhh'ing and aaahhhhhh'ing at the pics. Tank is looking great and has come a long way in the comparatively short time for a reef. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Even though I skimmed many of the posts, I did glean some good info.

I noticed that after your post regarding the starfish that not a whole lot more was shared. I also didn't see it in any pics. You still have it? If so, ever considered doing a time-lapse video of it?

In closing, I must add that it's been 25 days since an update. How about more pics to oohhh and aahhhh at?

 

[kingranch2003]

@crusso1993 I'm glad you made it!
And I really appreciate the kind words, my friend. Sadly my buddy (the drunk frat boy starfish) has died. As much as I loved that dude, Im reluctant to add another one, but the time lapse video is a great idea, It could still happen in the future.

Right now the tank is on autopilot. I have zero algae, I mean none... I'm a bit concerned about some of the cuc to be honest. I removed everything from behind the AIO wall except for live rock rubble and a little filter floss. I also hang bags of gfo and GAC.

Latest parameters:

Alk 8.7
calc 440
Mg 1450
P04 .1
N03 6
Ph 7.9

You're right, I definitely do need to catch up on some of the adjustments I've made. I tend to get stuck on the pics lol. But that's what was requested, so here we go!

Reefing and records.

I can't believe the hot pink color on these dendros. These guys are some amazing creatures. They eat more than I do.

Joker torch

Somehow my gonis are still alive.

Day time scoly feeding

New small holy grail torch. This guy was just the color pop I needed.

Still loving the plates.

Fts

 

[kevgib67]

@crusso1993 I'm glad you made it!
And I really appreciate the kind words, my friend. Sadly my buddy (the drunk frat boy starfish) has died. As much as I loved that dude, Im reluctant to add another one, but the time lapse video is a great idea, It could still happen in the future.

Right now the tank is on autopilot. I have zero algae, I mean none... I'm a bit concerned about some of the cuc to be honest. I removed everything from behind the AIO wall except for live rock rubble and a little filter floss. I also hang bags of gfo and GAC.

Latest parameters:

Alk 8.7
calc 440
Mg 1450
P04 .1
N03 6
Ph 7.9

You're right, I definitely do need to catch up on some of the adjustments I've made. I tend to get stuck on the pics lol. But that's what was requested, so here we go!

Reefing and records.

I can't believe the hot pink color on these dendros. These guys are some amazing creatures. They eat more than I do.

Joker torch

Somehow my gonis are still alive.

Day time scoly feeding

New small holy grail torch. This guy was just the color pop I needed.

Still loving the plates.

Fts

Gorgeous John!

 

[kingranch2003]

Gorgeous John!

Thank you sir!!

 

[Imrahilwjz]

It's very closed up in that picture Wes, because it's almost lights out. It's a little bit more rounded than most plates because I mounted it to a rock dome. It's about the size of a golf ball.

The weso.....whatever, the big bowl behind it is super cool as well

 

[That Crusso Kid]

@crusso1993 I'm glad you made it!
And I really appreciate the kind words, my friend. Sadly my buddy (the drunk frat boy starfish) has died. As much as I loved that dude, Im reluctant to add another one, but the time lapse video is a great idea, It could still happen in the future.

Right now the tank is on autopilot. I have zero algae, I mean none... I'm a bit concerned about some of the cuc to be honest. I removed everything from behind the AIO wall except for live rock rubble and a little filter floss. I also hang bags of gfo and GAC.

Latest parameters:

Alk 8.7
calc 440
Mg 1450
P04 .1
N03 6
Ph 7.9

You're right, I definitely do need to catch up on some of the adjustments I've made. I tend to get stuck on the pics lol. But that's what was requested, so here we go!

Reefing and records.

I can't believe the hot pink color on these dendros. These guys are some amazing creatures. They eat more than I do.

Joker torch

Somehow my gonis are still alive.

Day time scoly feeding

New small holy grail torch. This guy was just the color pop I needed.

Still loving the plates.

Fts

Everything is looking great, John! Really an aspirational system.

 

[kingranch2003]

The weso.....whatever, the big bowl behind it is super cool as well

Lol thanks man (wellsophyllia) . It has been pinching up in places lately, I guess fitting itself to the flow and space it likes. ...has more of the traditional trachy shape today.

 

[kingranch2003]

Everything is looking great, John! Really an aspirational system.

I really, really appreciate that Chris. It's been an up and down ride, but worth every second of it. This community is awesome too, you guys make me want to be as successful as I can.

 

[Goonsack Steve]

Always enjoy these updates, espicially watching the Goni's. You will most likely be the push i need to try them out once my tank matures.

 

[trellemania]

Absolutely stunning as always man! That Welsophyllia is truly a showpiece in that tank!