##### Picture Entry: BC RAINDROP ON ROSES GROW-OUT CONTEST #####

[prcardinal91]

Any chance you can give us the details of your photography setup? These photos are just stunning. I never can get anything that represents my coral colors this well.

I use a Samsung S21 Ultra at the moment for my photos. Any modern cell phone can usually provide a pretty good picture. I attach a lens kit and use both the yellow and orange filters at the same time. 3x zoom typically for top-down photos.

Link to lens kit:


There are some other settings that can be played around with to really get pictures dialed in, but usually, I just use the auto-focus settings. I also take my pictures through a coral viewer and try to avoid any glare from my lights. Light settings - usually turn them up to 100 percent output at times of photos.

Link to viewer:

 

[Nburg's Reef]

Looks like I have very minimal growth this month. And I broke off a 3/4” branch (got a back up frag now)

 

[BranchingHammer]

@lynn.reef.nerd @Reefing102 here’s my September entry:

 

[SamMule]

September entry. At least it's starting to encrust now.
@Reefing102
@BranchingHammer
@lynn.reef.nerd

Oops! I just realized it's OCT 1st... guess that means I'm late. Well, it's not like I was gonna win anyway!

 

[Reefing102]

Alright everyone! It’s time for final photos. I’m not home and haven’t verified this list but I believe everyone is still in but here’s due dates for the remaining contestants copied from my last post:

@Enchanted Reefs 10/12/23
@mackdave 10/12/23
@am3gross 10/12/23
@prcardinal91 10/12/23
@SamMule 10/13/23
@Nburg 10/14/23
@Ancient Mariner 10/18/23
@BranchingHammer 10/29/23

Please note I will be out of the country from the 7th-16th so I apologize in advance for no updates from me during that time

 

[Reefing102]

Just a quick bump for everyone. Just so everyone is aware, I will not be available from late tomorrow until the 16th

 

[mackdave]

@Reefing102
@BranchingHammer
@lynn.reef.nerd
Final entry. It’s been fun logging the progress. My setup is XXL750 with 4 Neptune Sky’s and 2 AI Blades. My tank parameters are:
Alk 9.2
Cal 450
Mag 1420
Nitrate 20.5
Phos .17
PH 7.9-8.35
I tried to average these for the year, but they stay pretty stable.I’m going to list the first month and final. Along with a full tank shot.

 

[prcardinal91]

@lynn.reef.nerd
@Reefing102
@BranchingHammer

Final entry and full tank shot from last October and current

 

[Battlecorals]

Looks like I have very minimal growth this month. And I broke off a 3/4” branch (got a back up frag now)

As someone who know little to nothing about Zoa’s. Those are cool!

 

[Battlecorals]

@lynn.reef.nerd
@Reefing102
@BranchingHammer

Final entry and full tank shot from last October and current

Omg!!! Dude All I gotta say

 

[Battlecorals]

@Reefing102
@BranchingHammer
@lynn.reef.nerd
Final entry. It’s been fun logging the progress. My setup is XXL750 with 4 Neptune Sky’s and 2 AI Blades. My tank parameters are:
Alk 9.2
Cal 450
Mag 1420
Nitrate 20.5
Phos .17
PH 7.9-8.35
I tried to average these for the year, but they stay pretty stable.I’m going to list the first month and final. Along with a full tank shot.

Excellent specimen my man !

 

[Battlecorals]

September entry. At least it's starting to encrust now.
@Reefing102
@BranchingHammer
@lynn.reef.nerd

Oops! I just realized it's OCT 1st... guess that means I'm late. Well, it's not like I was gonna win anyway!

Hey you made it to the end man. No shame whatsoever. Nice work.

 

[am3gross]

@Reefing102
@BranchingHammer
@lynn.reef.nerd

Final picture!! Glad I made it to the end of this awesome contest! I do not have near the growth and color that some of you have so it gives me something still to strive for! Congrats to who ever takes the trophy! It was a pleasure!

375 gallon display
300 gallon sump
2-75 gallon frag tanks
50 gallon skimmer tank


My parameters, which have been very consistent thru out the last year.
Cal-400
Alk- 8
Mag- 1300
NO4- 10-20
PO4- .1-.15
PH-8

I will include a full tank picture as well.

 

[Enchanted Reefs]

02 Oct 2023 (Final Entry Photo)

The contest has been great but it has finally come to an end! Thanks EVERYONE!

Here are the final measurements photos...

A side **** and a rear view shot...

comparison of actual size from when I first received the frag to how it currently is...

full tank shot...

tank specs

Red Sea S-1000 - 265 gallons

Age - ~1 year 8 months

Established - Febuary 2021

Hybrid Lighting - (4) kessil a360x, (2) radion xr15 gen 4, 65 in t5 hybrid with (4) bulbs, 48" ali express led bar

Skimmer - Red sea RSK 900

Flow - jebao & tunze

Maintenance - bi weekly water change

Additives - calcium (amazon), magnesium (amazon), baking soda for alkalinity (amazon), acropower

Cal - 1450
Alk - 8.2
Mag - 1150


Corals - sps dominant, some nice collector mushrooms, a gold hammer

@BranchingHammer @Reefing102 @lynn.reef.nerd

 

[Nburg's Reef]

Hard to get a good pic in the middle of the tank and hold a ruler… so entry pic to show size!


Better pic without ruler to show better coloration (R2R compresses iphone pics weird)


FTS


This thing was growing like crazy before the tank upgrade so I wonder what it would have grown into if I didn’t mess with a new tank….

Here’s the pic from when I got it:

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Oct 2023 pic (Final):

@BranchingHammer
@Reefing102
@lynn.reef.nerd

At the beginning:

Its surroundings:

 

[Reefing102]

Alright, just a quick bump to this one, it appears we have all of the eligible final entries except for @BranchingHammer but he still has a few days to go. I'll start compiling the photos to send to Adam.

 

[BranchingHammer]

Here is my final entry @Reefing102
Of course I would be the last to send in my entry as one of the people running this contest haha! I technically have until the 27th, but I don't think there will be much more growth in that time period. I will be working with @Reefing102 to send in final pictures to Adam and get the awards process moving as fast as possible. Thank you to everyone for participating, I've had a lot of fun per usual!

Here are my initial picture:

Here are the final pictures as promised. Lots of encrusting, and some attempts at branching. I like how it looks like a little crown on a pedestal lol.

 

[Reefing102]

Alright everyone. Just a quick update. Adam has all of the photos and the winners should be announced on or around Friday.

 

[Battlecorals]

Hey guys, yeah I just wanted to pop in here real quick. I am absolutely on this and we will have a winner announced hopefully by the end of the weekend guys incredible contest thi sone you guys are rule!


Stay tuned for the official announcement coming soon I promise