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Unread 10/03/2017, 09:09 PM   #651
Wally.B
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Water Change (Frag Tank) Reuse as it Matured

So things are coming together.

That' Frag Tank was totally neglected during the DT fixes.

But it matured.

Since it Grew some Green Algae, I threw in that Nasty SPS Polyp Eating Tiger Cowrie in there.



He is cleaning in better than I could.

And today I used the DT Water change (5 Gallons) for the FRAG Tank, since it's pretty good water.

So with TWICE a week 5% DT changes, it will be perfect to keep the 35 Gallon FRag Tank refreshed and close to DT.



Not sure if it's my shift in Attention, but I just noticed that it's matured to the point where Coraline is started nicely.

Cowrie can't stay there forever, but I'm in no rush to throw in Frags yet. That will be cut off from the Colonies in DT when they Grow UP (Someday).


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Unread 10/04/2017, 07:30 AM   #652
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That cowrie is a machine.. I could use one in my sump..


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Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer
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Unread 10/04/2017, 09:43 AM   #653
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reefmutt View Post
That cowrie is a machine.. I could use one in my sump..
Sump may be ok, and that is where he will probably retire to.
I'll move him between the Refuge/WC chamber and the Skimmer compartment.

Not much to eat there after he polishes things quickly.

But you did mention that Nori poo is good for Coral Nutrients, and he can polish off a sheet of Nori overnight. NO WASTE.
So that may be a good idea for the long run.


But he can't be a DT resident (Since he like SPS polyp more than anything else). I have video of him going nuts on a SPS frag.

There are other choices for DT, and if you recall I did that Hunger Games Experiment (For best Natural Algae Scrubber)



The Cowrie came in First Place after first round or Time Lapse Observation.
But the Nija Star Astrea's came in 2nd Place.

In Round two the Sea Hare won by a mile. (But he died eventually). Cowrie lives on.

I still have one Turbo Snail in my DT. I get worried. He did knock over a Frag a few weeks ago. I make extra efforts to Glue Frags down better, and space so he has room to pass by.


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Unread 10/04/2017, 06:46 PM   #654
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DIY (Viewer Box) For Overhead (Under Water) Photo's

I got this Photo Tip from you Matt.
Your photo's are amazing.
I don't have the beautiful subject you have,

but my photo's were blury, so not the best way to monitor coral progress.

I used that Clear Ferror Rocher Chocolate Box.
Did the job but was Scratched, Blury and almost got my lense wet twice since not deep enough.

I looked around to buy one......Eshopps makes a nice once, but it's designed more for Personal viewing.

With some spare acrylic kicking around, hacked this together.
Custome sized for my SLR, so I can reach in and manually focus.



Haven't tried it yet, letting it Cure properly....Clear front, and dark sides should be much better.


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Unread 10/04/2017, 08:30 PM   #655
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Nice Wally. Much better than the ferrer rocher cover. That’s for sure.
Fyi, that idea actually came from Bulent (discusheckel) he thought of it first and I have just been spreading the idea around..


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Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer
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Unread 10/05/2017, 01:03 PM   #656
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FRAG TANK (TRIAL) Restart Low Risk

I removed the Beaten up Pollicipora from DT since it's the only bad looking Frag. (Eye sore/distraction, in new Refreshed tank)

Was going to place in Frag tank since the other Small piece did well there.

But the Cowrie is in there, so I got an idea.



I put the Cowrie in the Baffle Box section of the Frag Tank.
He can't get out.

And I put a Nori Feeder in there (which he polished off last night in main section).

He'll be happy with endless food, and as he eats and breaks the Nori Down, it will feed good nutrients to the Frag Tank Corals.

I don't want to risk any of the NEW 777 Frags in Frag Tank.
-> Not touching them yet
-> Frag Tank is still not maintained properly

ALSO: I haven't put on the BLACK Acrlyic Cover plates on the Baffle box yet. I want coralline to grow on the inside, and then Cover will go on.


AND: I'm going to try the Soda Lime (CDX CO2 Scrubber) Product on the Frag Tank Skimmer. See how we'll it does for raising PH (just like my DT Fresh Air Line)

So basically (IF/WHEN) the Pollicipora Frag Fully recovers, the Frag Tank will be proven and ready for some more frags.



Last edited by Wally.B; 10/05/2017 at 01:25 PM.
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Unread 10/05/2017, 08:37 PM   #657
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Tank Clarification (POM/DOM Filter) Maxi-Jet and Some Floss

I keep siphoning the Sandbed and due to the Flow, the Left-over Sand keeps creeping out from under the rocks.

That's a good thing (Good Flow everywhere), but the Detritus and fine sand is always suspended in the Water Column. (The sump drain isn't taking enough out of the system).

Tank should be clearer.

It got this idea from SIGH87.
Just use a power-head and put some filter floss on the input.



Working great, since I can see the floss getting Dirty after a couple of hours.
Tank clear up so I booster the GYRE to stir up some more.


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Unread 10/05/2017, 08:51 PM   #658
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as you know acros feed from particles in water column, mechanical filters are not a good idea in sps tank.

when your acros get big you will not mind the particles.
Things are doing good so I would not run this filter more than 1 hour.


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Unread 10/05/2017, 09:00 PM   #659
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First Sign of Bleaching FRAG ( Past Damage Probable) * NO Panic (All other Frags OK ) *

I never paid attention to this Frag since not my favourite. It was cheap.

I noticed today some bleaching.

Then after review of Past Photo's, it appears it ORIGINALLY came with some damage.



No worries at this point with anything.
But watching very closely.


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Unread 10/05/2017, 09:15 PM   #660
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sensei View Post
as you know acros feed from particles in water column, mechanical filters are not a good idea in sps tank.

when your acros get big you will not mind the particles.
Things are doing good so I would not run this filter more than 1 hour.
hmm. Good to know that.

Are you saying that an Acro Tank doesn't have to look crystal Clear?

It's not so noticeable with T5 and LED, but when MH lights come on, there is lots of particulate.

But you are right!! I have mostly empty space. If there were large colonies, they would distract me from the stuff floating around.
Now it's the other way around.


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Unread 10/05/2017, 09:29 PM   #661
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I have five 400W halides in sps tank and you can see the particles in water, in the same system I have a 2ndo tank with leds and you can not see any particle in water and it is the same water runing in both tanks. IMO halides favor the tindal effect were light is reflected in particles much more than any other light.

I have also seen photos of others that run halides in sps tanks and you can see the particles. Be carefull, if you clean the water of particles you will also starve your acroporas to death.


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Unread 10/06/2017, 06:33 AM   #662
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My tank has gone through periods of high particulates and times of better clarity.. I wouldn’t worry about it, Wally. I agree with sensei.
That type of thing is variable and shouldn’t be too closely controlled.. one, it’ll make you crazy and two.. it’ll make you crazy..
An sps tank does not HAVE to look crystal clear but like sensie said, as the colonies mature, it often ends up that way..
As for that monti frag, have you ever had a good hard look at it for nudis?


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Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer
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Unread 10/06/2017, 08:20 AM   #663
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reefmutt View Post
As for that monti frag, have you ever had a good hard look at it for nudis?
I better look. And look fast.
The RED plating Monti just below it hasn't changed for 3 years.

All of a sudden it developed a spot, and that spot is rapidly increasing.

This is the spot where I saw that Tentacle, and we decided it an Bristle Star.

These two Photo's are 1 Week apart (Big WHITE Spot is yesterday)



I think I'm moving both Monti's to Frag Tank.
I never really liked either.
That Rock I planed to scrape off the Monti and mount the Tubinaria on it anyway.

Plus a dip.

Time to Read up on Nudis......


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Unread 10/06/2017, 11:20 AM   #664
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Possible Nudis (QT & Treatment)

So I can't take any chance with the recent good progress.

I don't even want to contaminate Frag Tank.

So Rock and Monti Frag in Bucket.

I'll deal with this later.



Tank is a bit safer now.
The 2nd Monti same Plating in SPS Tank is doing great.


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Unread 10/06/2017, 08:46 PM   #665
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NUDIS or NOT. ( Good Riddance to the Monti. )

Hello to the Tubinaria on a nice Perch Spot. (Same Rock).
Much better then sitting on Glass bottom. It was always the plan to move it up.

Higher up means higher flow, Bit more light, and less particulates settling on it.



I broke off the Monti. There were no Nudis or Nudis Eggs.
To be safe I soaked the Rock in Revive for 20 minutes in strong bucket circulation.
Then soaked in Fresh Salt water with Circulation Pump on for 1 hour to flush it.

Lot's of Critters came out.

Onward....


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Unread 10/07/2017, 01:12 AM   #666
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RESET COMPLETE ( Trial Begins ) Frag Reference CATALOG [2017-10-09]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** THIS IS THE LONGEST I've Gone without Any SPS CORAL DAMAGE or DECLINE **
And surprisingly some significant recovery as well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been Semi-Manually chasing ALK/Dosing for last couple of days to keep ALK=7.0 (Will Raise to 7.5 eventually)

I finally feed confident enough to Stop Hand-Dosing, and I've put tubes into SUMP, dosing 10ml of ESV-Two-Part/Daily. (Will adjust as needed).

At this point, it's only Feeding Fish for nutrients (No Additive or Coral Foods), and 5% twice-A-week Water changes with Tropic Marin Pro.

The Algae Scrubber is active and Algae growing for Nutrient Export.

I am fighting a bit of Red/Green Cyano with Coral Snow/ZeoBak.
(Hope it's Cyano and nothing worse...Mostly appearing Rocks on where coral's have died and left Skelton, OR on Certain Un-Encrusted Plugs)

ALSO, all critters, and expired Frags have been removed from DT, so this is clean FRAGS going forward.

TODAY...I Took Photo's of each Healthy or Recovering SPS Coral:

-> Front Thru Glass (LEFT PHOTO)
-> Top/Back thru Viewer (RIGHT PHOTO)
-> MH Lighting ONLY
-> No Photoshop Color Touch ups (Just Contrast/Exposure)


These are not World Class/Show Stopper Frags, but Ideal for the Final Tank Validation.

I have some Nicer Frags on Hold and if things go Well, some of these will be move to Frag Tank, for more experiments (with Coloration, etc).

I get feeling even if I can keep these Frag Healthy and get them growing...Soon I'll be struggling with Coloration.
-> But you never know, since Nutrients, Stability and Water changes may just be Good Enough.


** NO MORE TANK OR FRAG PHOTO POSTS till there is something warranting Attention **


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Unread 10/07/2017, 01:15 AM   #667
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Unread 10/07/2017, 01:15 AM   #668
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Unread 10/07/2017, 01:17 AM   #669
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Unread 10/07/2017, 01:19 AM   #670
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There are a few FRAG more at the back of DT recovering, but not worthy yet to be shown.

Keeping Finger Cross that things continue to be positive.

HANDS OUT / HAND OFF !! (No Magic Potions, Foods or Additives)


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Unread 10/07/2017, 06:36 AM   #671
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Well, in general, those frags look really good!
Very nice, Wally!


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Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer
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Unread 10/07/2017, 10:34 AM   #672
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reefmutt View Post
Well, in general, those frags look really good!
Very nice, Wally!
I certainly know I'm not out of Danger quite yet.
I expect different challenges if I get past this hurdle.

My Guard is high.
I burned off almost a Whole Salifert ALK kit watching things.
My tinkering is over (I got the point. Took 2 years to sink in)

I have been analyzing things. My feeling is I did start this TAKE 3 on the right foot.
Everything I built into this tank was right.
Sure a few adjustments on Lighting/Flow, but all else is the same (Algae Scrubber, Auto Water Changes, Dosing)
I even think Lighting/Flow was fine, and probably need to restore back "SOME" Flow down the road.

That PH swing thing with Airline messed things up, and I was totally caught off Guard. (Never again. I watch my PH Meter before I look at tank).


But this Survival Phase it is a TINY STEP in the right direction.

Much better than the past.



I made enough Coral Media to stock my my Refuge.



Last edited by Wally.B; 10/07/2017 at 10:42 AM.
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Unread 10/07/2017, 05:29 PM   #673
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24 is a hard number to remember.....I like 24 better!!

This is Frag Number 25. A Blue Acropora Gomezi which is one of my Favourites.




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Unread 10/08/2017, 12:03 AM   #674
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ALL FRAGS PHOTO/TANK (RGB LED's) 2017-10-08

Somehow my Cheapo 5050 RGB LED Strip makes for the best Color Photo.
It must be the 3 Separate (Red,Green,Blue) Color LEDS.

The SLR Camera also likes the Lower Lighting Intensity since MH is overwhelming.

I am getting a Radion LED Loaner for the Frag Tank, so will be interesting to see MH vs Quality Multi-Color-LED Lighting.



Next Tank Photo's Will be in approx. 2+ months. December Christmas Break.

Hoping for some Good Luck this time.
Need Some since Bad Luck got me last attempt.


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Unread 10/08/2017, 05:23 PM   #675
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So I checked my age of MH bulbs....just over 18 months.

Normally I would replace at 12 months at 8 hr daily running time.
But I have been running only 6hrs recently and less before.

Regardless it is time for bulb replacement.

I always use bulb replacement time as a point to consider changing to LED. OR go fully to T5.

I did just replace one ballast so have some sunk costs.

I just ordered two new Pheonix 14000k DE bulbs since too risky too make any changes at this point in time. Plus on sale.

So one more year, till I have to think about changes to lighting.

No harm in staying with the Gold standard in SPS lighting (MH/T5)


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