Blog Comments

Melev, that sucks. Its weird when you go on vacation and things go to crap. I recently went on vacation, and I am currently paying the price. Something strange happened and lost most of my sps. Maybe ALK dip or something but it baffles me.

Lesson learned, don't go on vacation.

That stinks. I am not sure I buy the photo period thing BTW. I think if the lamp is too "hot", a filter is a better idea. A layer or two of screen door material to dampen the new lamp. And burning lamps for a few days elsewhere seems to work as well. I had an old ballast in my shop I would "burn in" new lamps prior to installing them over the reef. Just a thought!

There's another app out there for the iPhone, but I don't remember the name off hand. It's something like Tank Trakrr or some other clever variation. Just ask again or do a search for "reef" in the apps section of iTunes.

Shawn - you should be testing stuff frequently, to keep things stable. When I do the full gamut of tests, that's when I update the spreadsheet and post it here and on melevsreef.

whenever you post your parameters i realize how long its been since ive tested then i feel guilty and go do it

Do you know of an app that helps you remember and track tank maintenance? The only one I know of is from Current USA called the Nano Planner http://www.current-usa.com/support/nano-planner

I can see where something like this would be really useful in maintaining and tracking your tank parameters.

I also found this one: http://www.aquariogest.net/ads/?gclid=CNLhvpzu2asCFZFV7Aod8HHhSQ

Looks awesome. I like the exposed equipment, being the tech junkie that I am.......

I've heard that using snail shells can release phosphates, I've always just taken dead colonies and bleached them in a bucket for an hour then let them dry out. Then I give em a rinse in RODI with a splash of Prime and broken them up into 1" branches. I run an ULNS and at my last test (10/1) I tested 5 ppb phoshphor = .013 P04. Recycle away!

The clownfish in the refugium are defendants from Black Onyx parents, but mine aren't dark at all. The other clowns in the reef were bullying these, which is why they were moved into a safer spot.

Yes, I'm still running the Vortechs in reef crest mode. I need to take the time to try out Nutrient Export mode.

Spock seems to like sleeping in the spot between the two Mp60s on the far left end of the reef. I've seen her there several times, and I think the Purple Tang sleeps in the same area.

I don't plan to keep soaking corals in the future; this is only a test for my own personal curiosity. I'd not heard about snail shells being used. That's interesting. I've thrown away a lot of those in the past.

I have also read that all those snail and crab shells should go in there. My understanding is that these will also melt better as far as needed materials like magnesium. strontium, and of course calcium and alk.

Thank you Marc for always making me covet when I open your posts about your tank! It is inspiring. You always have your vortechs on reef crest mode? I'm a fan of your Naso. In that more open set up, does he "sleep" in that cave on the left or what? Maybe I'm taking on the sentiments of my mother, and the clownfish probably wouldn't move around much from the Rose BTA anyway, but it seems a little sad that the clowns in the refugium don't get to enjoy the 400g . Your corals look sick! and that's in a good way

Great idea. Very sad picture.

A friend of mine does this all the time and doesn't soak them in RODI just lets them air dry until he needs media changed in CA reactor and just breaks them up into smaller pieces and tosses them into CA reactor. He calls it recycling!

Thats pretty cool, reusing all the calcium that has been dosed into a reef tank. Eco-friendly in a way. I'm assuming you would chop up the coral branches somehow into smaller pieces?

Your tank looks great.
Your clownfish looks like a hybrid, ocellaris with a maroon ?

Amazing setup Marc

Thanks Heath. I wish I could do better. Video seems like it might.

Marc, you have some great photography skills, but they dont do your tank justice. The one time I saw it in person, my eyes couldnt stop finding something to stare at and enjoy.

Jonathan - thanks for the experience you encountered. This coral grew over the smooth surfaces, not the openings.

Kitch - I have them down low so they have room to grow upwards. Creating swimming space allows for the fish to dart around or glide peacefully the length of the tank. Over time I know that area will fill in with corals.

Another reason for them to be down low is so I can enjoy looking down (at an angle) when standing in front of the tank. And when taking pictures from above, the macro lens has to be a specific distance from the subject. If they are up high, it's much harder to take the picture... sometimes it's impossible.

Awesome tank Marc.thanks for The detailed write up
I noticed your acophoras seem to be low in the tank
Do they tend to do better down ther? All our corals seem
To be doing well except the acophoras but min are fairly
Close to the light. Thanks Marc(Kitch40)