reef-rc WB 190.5 SPS

[reef-rc]

This is the top right side view and some corals from there. Many of these have exploded now that they have taken roots. Great to see all the polyps extensions and swaying in the water when they come out.

Right top view:​

Corals:​

 

[reef-rc]

New update - new baby silver mollie...

I have a pair of silver mollies for some time and have always known the female carry a number of baby mollies through the year but I have yet been able to find them the babies when she does bear them. With so much water movement in the tank and other fish, I did not give it much hope that I would.

Well the other I found one that managed to survived the trip from the tank to the rollermat and was living inside the rollermat for who knows how long before I saw something there. It took me two days to try and see if I could get the baby silver mollie out of the rollermat without removing the rollermat itself and causing harm to the little fish.

This is not the first time I have baby silver mollies but the first one I have been able to find in this tank.

After I suck the little fish out using a large turkey baster, I moved it to my evo where water movement there is slower and no other fish there. Hopefully it will make it through and mature.

 

[ReefLaw]

Where did you get your teal with gold stem wall hammer from page 8?

 

[reef-rc]

Where did you get your teal with gold stem wall hammer from page 8?

I can't recalled. It might have been from my lfs.

Unfortunately I do not have that piece anymore. Had a hard run in with something a while back that wiped out some of my frogspawn and a couple hammers. A couple of those I had for years unfortunately.

 

[reef-rc]

I thought the following is interesting and seems like a very aggressive growth approach associated with ORA miami orchid (I believe that is what is called). This is not a fancy coral but it's subtle purple coloration is very nice.

This coral has only been in the tank for 7 months from an 1"ish frag and has since exploded. It has literally taken the back corner side of the tank and I have noticed how it not only kill what it touches (normal for an acro), but also uses the touch point as a base to start new growth .

The two corals it's currently doing that to is montipora spongodes and ORA turquoise staghorn.

 

[reef-rc]

I am adding the IM EXT 150 lagoon tank to this system and doubling the tank's total water volume. Both tanks will share one sump.

The new IM EXT 150 lagoon tank build is here if you're interested in checking out the progress.

• reef-rc IM EXT 150 Shallow Reef

This what the front of the tank looks like now. Plumbing has been rerouted to a new sump. All equipment except for lights and pumps controllers were relocated. I am happy so far been able to keep the tank relatively stable and the tank has not missed a beat.

The only reason there's water in the sump is because I have a few rocks still in there that I plan to use for the new tank. I plan to drain the sump once the rocks are removed.

Behind this tank is currently a mess in progress.

The intent is the leave this tank as an sps dominate and double down on sps. I plan to move all LPS to the IM EXT 150. I also plan to move the right island to the other tank and spread the remaining two islands farther apart to allow growth. I also plan to add lower light sps to the bottom of the tank.

 

[reef-rc]

The bottom of the tank has not been this clean since the initial setup

I plan to move all those power bricks for this tank into the area on the left for heat displacement. When everything is on full strength, these power bricks generate a large amount of heat and a number of these bricks are hot to the touch. The controller will like be placed on the right since there is now ample space under the tank.

Going to give the sump a citrus acid bath.

 

[reef-rc]

Equipment update...

Overall the tank is going very well and did not miss a beat given the sump was replaced and rerouted. The most recent change made relate to wave pumps.

Current Lighting:

• 5 Radion XR-15 G5 PRO
• 1 Radion XR-30 G5 PRO
• 4 Kessil A306X Tuna Blue

Wave pumps:

• 6 Vortech MP40wQD (previously)
• 4 Vortech MP40wQD
• 2 ReefWave 45

I replaced two MP40wQD pumps that were providing back/bottom flow in the tank and replaced them with two ReefWave 45. The two pumps MP40 had the Limpet Wide Flow Pump Guard and the space in the back and side of the tank is getting really tight to the point due to coral growth to point where every time I removed the pump for cleaning, I would break pieces of an acro. The reefwave at least are thinner.

This is has been running a few weeks. I seem have been spoiled by vortech pumps as these pumps seems more limited in their controllability. Ten percent increment is not what I would prefer but I knew the gyer's limitations including higher number of parts and higher frequency of cleaning needed for gyer versus MP40. I am willing to sacrifice those for a slimmer profile and different water flow for the back of the tank. Will see if the bet pays off .

Under the cabinet:

• All the controllers are now moved
• All power bricks now in one place for heat displacement by fan. It's amazing how HOT these light bricks become. I can't imagine putting 10 light bricks in a closed container running full power without concerns.

 

[reef-rc]

Bernardpora...it's a swaying and sweeping encrusting beauty

If you view this coral before it opens, you would not have thought it would extend out this far based on it's base. Seems to like life so far where it's at

 

[reef-rc]

Simple replenishment for your reef...

Yesterday was my regular routine where I make around 2 gallons of all for reef to ensure the tank has the necessary minerals it need. I try to maintain the tank around these ranges

A little 2.5+ years in and the one simple solution versus a calcium reactor has worked out so far. Current usage is 126 ml per day. I do also dose minor amount of ALK and run my kalkwasser reactor in the evening and early morning to help keep ALK and PH as relative stable as possible.

Using powder is much cheaper than liquid solutions and so much simpler than having to deal with more equipment than a dosing pump. Having said that, I can see how cost can add up with larger system.

 

[reef-rc]

ClariSea SK-3000 swap for Red Sea ReefMat 500...

I have had the ClariSea SK-300 running within the tank since Oct. 10, 2020. Just the other day I swapped it out for the ReefMat 500. It's hard plumed into the drain line as was the ClariSea. Now I had tried for the ReefMat 1200 but the size of the unit just does not work for my setup. Overall so far so good.

 

[reef-rc]

Boo...it's Friday
ready for upcoming Halloween...

 

[reef-rc]

During yesterday water change, I had a chance to quickly take some pics of a few corals while the water was drained.

These mini colonies are growing out very well. Just wished I had more room .

These pics are directly from pixel 7 pro. I tried to ensure what I see is what the phone took w/ just white balance. No image touch-up other than cropping.

Mythos

Strawberry shortcake #1

Strawberry shortcake #2

Walt Disney

Can't recalled acro

 

[reef-rc]

GROWTH COMPARISON
Out of curiosity, I looked up a relative older pic of Mythos acro I shared earlier and this was the comparison photo I was looking at. Growth on this was shocking to me after I looked at both photos.

Mythos Jan. 2022

Mythos Feb. 2023

CLOSE UP PHOTOS OPPORTUNITY
Another water change a few days back and another opportunity for close up photos.

These pics are directly from pixel 7 pro. I tried to ensure what I see is what the phone took w/ just white balance. No image touch-up or cropping.