SuncrestReef's Red Sea Reefer XL 425 build

[SuncrestReef]

I've enjoyed your build! Can I ask, if you remember, what you paid that plumber to drill the drain into foundation?

I can’t remember exactly how much, but it was spendy. It took 2 guys about 6 hours to do the whole project which also involved running about 60 feet of drain line in the crawl space to link into the existing plumbing. I think it was about $1400.

 

[Brom]

Hehe guess I’m sticking with the slop sink and home sump for emergencies. Thanks.

 

[SuncrestReef]

My new torch seems to be doing well:

 

[SuncrestReef]

My duncan, which was one of the first corals I added to the tank 1.5 years ago, started out with 3 heads. Now I can't even count how many heads it has! I'm going to have to frag it soon since it's taking over.

June 2018:

Feb 2020:

 

[SuncrestReef]

I haven't posted about my Trident for quite a while. It's still chugging along nicely and helping to keep my tank stable. Here are my targets for Trident Controlled Dosing:

Alk: 8.20 dKH
Cal: 420 ppm
Mag: 1350 ppm

And here's my current Trident report:



The graphs represent the past 7 days, and while they look like there's a lot of up and down swings, what's not apparent is the narrow range of the Y axis. Here are the actual ranges over 7 days:

Alk: 8.13 - 8.35 dKH
Cal: 402 - 427 ppm
Mag: 1345 - 1359 ppm

That's pretty darn stable!

 

[User1]

My new torch seems to be doing well:

Very pretty. What is the coral next to it with the sweepers out?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Very pretty. What is the coral next to it with the sweepers out?

That's a Pavona (cactus coral).

 

[User1]

That's a Pavona (cactus coral).

Thank you. Very well done tank.

 

[SuncrestReef]

It's been a while since I've taken any macro shots in my tank. Here are a few quick photos taken while the powerheads were off to feed the fish:

 

[SuncrestReef]

My blue/green/purple stag is still growing like crazy, and now within 3/4” from the water surface. What happens when a SPS colony breaches the surface? I assume it will stop growing upward and start branching out horizontally.

This thing was only 1” tall about 18 months ago! I love this coral.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

When it hits the water you gift a frag to someone. When they finally make it over to pick up there bio-rubble.

 

[User1]

My blue/green/purple stag is still growing like crazy, and now within 3/4” from the water surface. What happens when a SPS colony breaches the surface? I assume it will stop growing upward and start branching out horizontally.

This thing was only 1” tall about 18 months ago! I love this coral.

That is really a pretty coral. Has good, no, great coloration. Striking actually. A great coral for some fish to refuge in during a heated chase. Or I could see a clown goby hanging out int here along with a bi-color blenny.

What happens when it breaches the surface? I really don't know. I seem to recall a few pictures that they then start to grow flat. Not sure if it was this coral and my misunderstanding what happens. I'm guessing a few searches will provide you better information than what I did. I do not have any corals growing that high. I believe @ca1ore has a tall Green Slimer - maybe he could answer.

And of course there is the option to frag, add in another spot to your tank if you want, or share however you see fit. This is sort of the bonus round of our hobby. You get to provide a coral to someone that is propagated from home without coming from the environment. Pretty cool regardless of how you go about it.

Again, really great job and I hope to have a coral like that grow. I just showed my wife how loves purple and she said wow! Then punched me in the shoulder and said why can't I grow something like that It takes time and a tank - then just need to find the right specimen like you did and give it time to grow.

Really super awesome sauce coral. Thanks for sharing!

 

[ca1ore]

Stops growing and flattens out/plateaus. You can cut it off a few inches below the surface and the cut will sprout new branches .... or you can just leave it,

 

[User1]

Stops growing and flattens out/plateaus. You can cut it off a few inches below the surface and the cut will sprout new branches .... or you can just leave it,

Thank you @ca1ore for the help.

 

[SuncrestReef]

This morning the sun was shining into my tank for about 5 minutes, and it allowed me to capture this macro photo in natural light. The structure of this pineapple sponge is very cool! All of those tiny hairs have captured a lot of detritus. The actual size of this specimen is about 1/4" diameter.

 

[SuncrestReef]

My cleaner shrimp are always trying to coax my clowns to come close for a cleaning, but the clowns seem to hate it. Today I found my two cleaner shrimp had surrounded them, but the clowns did their best to avoid them:

 

[SuncrestReef]

I love the rainbow of colors on my Funhouse Goniopora:

 

[DS204]

Do you have any secrets for success with getting your clowns to host the anemone? I know it's hit or miss, and highly dependent on the type of anemone, but I wouldn't mind knowing your experience if you're willing to share!

I introduced my 2 clowns to my tank a week ago and they aren't even remotely interested in my anemone. Granted, it's a long tentacle purple anemone which I'm aware could be my problem. Worst case scenario, I'll consider a RBTA.

Hope you don't mind the question!

 

[SuncrestReef]

Do you have any secrets for success with getting your clowns to host the anemone? I know it's hit or miss, and highly dependent on the type of anemone, but I wouldn't mind knowing your experience if you're willing to share!

I introduced my 2 clowns to my tank a week ago and they aren't even remotely interested in my anemone. Granted, it's a long tentacle purple anemone which I'm aware could be my problem. Worst case scenario, I'll consider a RBTA.

Hope you don't mind the question!

It took my clowns 10 months to figure out that they would like the anemone! I had just about given up hope, then for some unknown reason they moved in. Now they won’t leave it!

I guess the only advice I can give is just be patient.

 

[DS204]

I guess the only advice I can give is just be patient.

That's very sound advice, actually. Thank-you for that.

I've really been enjoying reading about your experience with the Trident, by the way. I appreciate that you are sharing your experience and showing how it's benefited your tank. Once my tank reaches the stage where it's more beneficial, I will most likely be investing in one based on your findings. So thanks again!