The Garden -- Rakies shallow SPS cube

[RichtheReefer21]

They're at my friends house still haha

How are his systems in conjunction with your levels at home? U both have similar criteria you maintain I imagine? And lighting similar?

I have a friend who has the means to professionally frag and a bandsaw to match. Hes got my latest acanlord and micromusa colonies to chop up.

 

[Rakie]

Yes we both keep high nutrients, and alk/cal/mag are all in the same range -- 8.5-9dkh, 450 cal, 1450 mag. That's all you really need to have in common. The big 3 and nutrients.

My friend with the SPS has a different system completely, including Metal Halides (radium 20k).

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Yes we both keep high nutrients, and alk/cal/mag are all in the same range -- 8.5-9dkh, 450 cal, 1450 mag. That's all you really need to have in common. The big 3 and nutrients.

My friend with the SPS has a different system completely, including Metal Halides (radium 20k).

I took some zoas from his frag system, in trade for some dendro heads. Which is why I sparked the question about zoas with u. Cause your tastes are exquisite.

His po4 is rock solid hannah checked x2 ar .07. I just recently hung a canister and hob skimmer up on the wall and drilled my 125g. Big boy now. Ha. So my po4 is at .248, down from .29 2 months ago. Havent gotten a gfo reactor yet but it's in the plans.

My point is, I dipped and dripped for 30 mins and in the zoas went, and they were open 16hrs after fragging in a po4 rich environment after starving in sps-dominant-like levels. But then I hear people speak of high nutrient systems that thrive. It's so tough to figure out the nuances. It seems a balanced nutrient pyramid is more important than the bare minimum.

Still learning every day

 

[Rakie]

WWC keeps their systems high. My nutrients are no3 25+ po4 0.30+, FarmerTy has nitrates above 50.

SPS love nutrients.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

WWC keeps their systems high. My nutrients are no3 25+ po4 0.30+, FarmerTy has nitrates above 50.

SPS love nutrients.

I think as I learn more and more and come into contact with more and more reefers, I am coming to the unavoidable truth, that there is really no guidelines to being successful. It is accomplished on so many different levels in a multitude of strategies and paramater keeping. So amazing.

 

[Rakie]

I think as I learn more and more and come into contact with more and more reefers, I am coming to the unavoidable truth, that there is really no guidelines to being successful. It is accomplished on so many different levels in a multitude of strategies and paramater keeping. So amazing.

Yep. Everything works. I only recommend what I'm familiar with like the back of my hand.

 

[lbacha]

WWC keeps their systems high. My nutrients are no3 25+ po4 0.30+, FarmerTy has nitrates above 50.

SPS love nutrients.

I really only have issues when my nutrients drop too far. My clean up crew takes care of any algae that may form with higher nutrients (typically it is just more coralline anyways). If nutrients get low coralline starts to die back, Dino’s show up and my coral are unhappy.

When this happens I dump some potassium nitrate and mono potassium phosphate in the tank and increase the feeding schedule for a few days

I will say that I don’t think high nutrients and a new tank will go well together though

 

[Rakie]

High nutrients with new tanks let you put in SPS immediately in my experience. So many people complain that new tanks can't sustain SPS, but I've never had a problem.

Nutrients are a buffer. Nutrients make it so corals can accept alk spikes, high light, and other various problems.

 

[bubbaque]

High nutrients with new tanks let you put in SPS immediately in my experience. So many people complain that new tanks can't sustain SPS, but I've never had a problem.

Nutrients are a buffer. Nutrients make it so corals can accept alk spikes, high light, and other various problems.

I agree with this.

 

[Rakie]

Help me choose my new bonsai reef structure..

Structure 1 -- 18 x 18 x 9

Structure 2 -- 18 x 14 x 9

Structure 3 -- 19 x 12 x 9.5

(All shelves will be replaced with the large ones like the ones on the left and right sides)

- First one uses a lot more depth (front to back space) and could provide more space and a busier scape.

- Second one is also really good and leaves some space in the front.

Let me know what you guys think. I'm torn on these three, I'm leaning towards the first one the most, the second one is a close second. Third is least favorite for now.

 

[Janci]

Help me choose my new bonsai reef structure..

Structure 1 -- 18 x 18 x 9

Structure 2 -- 18 x 14 x 9

Structure 3 -- 19 x 12 x 9.5

(All shelves will be replaced with the large ones like the ones on the left and right sides)

- First one uses a lot more depth (front to back space) and could provide more space and a busier scape.

- Second one is also really good and leaves some space in the front.

Let me know what you guys think. I'm torn on these three, I'm leaning towards the first one the most, the second one is a close second. Third is least favorite for now.

Definitely No.2
But No.1 will be able to host more corals...
Still, No.2 is my favourite.

I cannot believe we are back at the bonsai. Lol

 

[Rakie]

Definitely No.2
But No.1 will be able to host more corals...
Still, No.2 is my favourite.

I cannot believe we are back at the bonsai. Lol

I never stopped wanting one, I just didn't want to pay for one, LOL! BUT... Trying to rid the bubble algae has left me almost nuking my whole tank twice, the rock has to go if I want the bubble to go.

 

[SneakyTortuga]

My votes for #1

 

[najer]

Number 1 here.

 

[bubbaque]

I’ve always been curious about those. I see they have a bunch of holes right next to each other for frags but once the coral bases out and grows you will only be able to have a couple corals on each on of them. Why do they make it with so many holes?

 

[Rakie]

I’ve always been curious about those. I see they have a bunch of holes right next to each other for frags but once the coral bases out and grows you will only be able to have a couple corals on each on of them. Why do they make it with so many holes?

For placement options. You might not use all 100 frag plug spots, but as they grow out you will probably want to space them out a bit more by moving one a hole or two over.

 

[Fudsey]

#1 gets my vote

 

[Janci]

For placement options. You might not use all 100 frag plug spots, but as they grow out you will probably want to space them out a bit more by moving one a hole or two over.

You will have to make sure the frag plugs will fit the hole.
We have here a LFS that makes his own plugs but they do not fit in any of the common racks.... #notsopopular

 

[Rakie]

You will have to make sure the frag plugs will fit the hole.
We have here a LFS that makes his own plugs but they do not fit in any of the common racks.... #notsopopular

They're standardized here!

 

[drawman]

My vote is make one without the pedestals and attach acros with epoxy!