Ghurlag's Tanks - Part 2

[ghurlag]

I seem to have broken the last page of my original tank profile....    At any rate, I have added some life to the tank, and relocated Chubby (the yellow damsel) to a 10g where he honestly seems to be happier.

Along with the blue-legged hermit crabs and nerite snails (thanks Joel) and eagle eye zoanthids (thanks Reef'd Up), I have added some coral frags: kenya tree (thanks hamiltro), brown button polyps, green star polyps, silver-tipped xenias, and pink montipora (thanks cyberwollf).

Today I visited Justin at Aquarium Specialists and picked up a McCosker's Flasher Wrasse, a Yellow Watchman Goby, and a Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp.

The corals look good, the wrasse is hiding, the goby is parked in the front of the tank, and the shrimp burrowed under the biggest rock in the tank.  I'll get some new pics eventually.

[Rayman]

looking forward to seeing the pics.

[Kenn]

Today I visited Justin at Aquarium Specialists and picked up a McCosker's Flasher Wrasse, a Yellow Watchman Goby, and a Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp.

I was there yesterday and saw the items you picked up. AWESOME Wrasse ! Brilliant color.

As for the Watchman and shrimp...   I guess I will give up the title of being the only person I know that has this pairing on the board   (I think...I know however I will be corrected if I am wrong). Our tank wouldn't be the same without the pair. Hours of entertainment

[ghurlag]

Yeah, the pair was something I kind of fell in love with a while back, and just decided to go for it.  I got some clicks out of the shrimp - WOW!

Hopefully the goby and shrimp find each other again soon...  I think the goby found his spot but I spooked the shrimp.

[Kenn]

You did remember to make sure your base rock was touching the glass of the tank didnt ya? If not you would understand soon 

[ghurlag]

Yeah, I shouldn't have too many problems with them digging underneath.  Even if they do, nothing is unstable enough to really shift around

[hamiltro]

What happened about the banggai cardinalfish 

[ghurlag]

When I got there, AS only had 2, and Justin recommended I have at least 3, so I went with plan B

[HUNGER]

Yeah, I shouldn't have too many problems with them digging underneath.  Even if they do, nothing is unstable enough to really shift around

thats good

[Reefd Up]

Aww, sounds like it's really coming along!  How are all the corals doing?  Hope you have a lid on the tank for that wrasse...I lost a few that way (through eggcrate...so I'd get something better than that for a lid.)  Love the goby-pistol shrimp combo!  I've got a mated pair of the hi-fin gobies and pistol shrimp group at my work tank...they're so amazing to watch!  Make sure to give the pistol shrimp plenty of tiny pieces of rubble so he can build his new apartment. 

[ghurlag]

All the corals seem to be doing well (no one has died yet anyway )  The pulsing xenias aren't pulsing, but from what I've been reading, I think my tank water is TOO clean.  That's a problem I can deal with.

I was just telling my wife today that I need to get a glass cover for the tank, so that I don't lose anyone...

The watchman goby/pistol shrimp combo have opted to hide out for what I hope is only the next few days, under the biggest rock in the tank.  Do they tend to move around?  And what sort of rubble should I provide?

[Reefd Up]

Oh, they'll move alright!  They'll tunnel pretty much everywhere...changing their living room location quite frequently.  I give them broken coral bits, broken frag plugs, tiny tiny pieces of crushed rubble, etc.  If you give them a few pretty pieces, sometimes they'll decorate the outside with it too...pretty hilarious.  Mine take small coral frags I give them and stick them around the base of the rock like flowers.  My coworkers really get a kick out of it. 

My rule is I try to avoid giving the pistol shrimp pieces bigger than it.  Don't know if it matters though.

[ghurlag]

That's good to know.  I have a few pieces of not-so-live rock that I could pulverize (as well as some homemade base rock, but it ain't all that pretty)

[Kenn]

OK so now I HAVE  to get the camera out and see if I can get a new pic of my Duo ( this means you have to post yours  ) when they come out

[ghurlag]

Oh, I see...  Kick a man when he's down

I got some major clicking action out of the shrimp at one point because I couldn't leave well enough alone

My McCosker's Flasher Wrasse is out and about, treading in a limited part of the water column, not far from where he found a nice place to hide out.

[HUNGER]

My McCosker's Flasher Wrasse is out and about, treading in a limited part of the water column, not far from where he found a nice place to hide out.

thats good they are sharp fish

[ghurlag]

He's eating really well, too!

[HUNGER]

thats great glad to hear  hes doing good

[ghurlag]

I am seeing some tunneling from underneath the tank, so the goby and shrimp must be hard at work.  I need to get them some more rubble so they can go crazy, though   The wrasse is looking better today, and spending a lot of time out and swimming. 

While I am thinking about my tank...  My GSP is losing its green.  Any ideas on what would cause this?  Too much light?  Flow?  I'll look it up on them internets to see what others have to say, too, but I'm interested in some local insight.

[cyberwollf]

Got a picture of it? GSP is pretty hardy. That kind has long polyps so I wouldn't go crazy flow 

[ghurlag]

I've never had success loading off-site pics, but I'll see what I can work up here in a few

[~reefchik~]

I am seeing some tunneling from underneath the tank, so the goby and shrimp must be hard at work.  I need to get them some more rubble so they can go crazy, though   The wrasse is looking better today, and spending a lot of time out and swimming. 

While I am thinking about my tank...  My GSP is losing its green.  Any ideas on what would cause this?  Too much light?  Flow?  I'll look it up on them internets to see what others have to say, too, but I'm interested in some local insight.

I've got some GSP that is in a high flow area and is doing well.  Then some in the low flow area is also doing well, and spreading fairly quickly.  I don't think they are very fussy, really.  Are you running actinic lighting?

[Reefd Up]

My GSP is losing its green.  Any ideas on what would cause this?  Too much light?  Flow? 

First off, just wanted to say...my first coral was GSP...and it took it FOREVER to turn green again.  One trick I've learned in this hobby is that GSP is the canary in the mineshaft.  GSP is hardy...but it's also the first thing to start looking weird when tank parameters get off.  So, start looking now!  It won't die...but it'll quit coming out or turn brown or get slimey or whatever.  As much as I hate it, I keep a tiny piece in my two reef tanks just to warn me.

If the GSP is turning brown, you're likely at an excess-nutrient problem or a low-light problem.  Most corals go brown in those two cases.  Corals turn white (zooxanthallae leave the coral) with an excess of light (and other reasons.)  If they aren't coming out at all...it's probably a flow or a really really bad nutrient problem.

I'm going to guess it's a nutrient problem since your tank is new...and GSP can pretty much grow under moonlight (not really, but you get my drift.)  What are your nitrates and phosphates testing at?  If they're zero, macroalgae may be consuming it before you can test for it (insert here a whole long discusion on organic/inorganic phosphates).  You can try cutting back on feeding if you think you're feeding too much, running GFO (granular ferric oxide), or do more water changes.  I'd avoid more water changes since your tank is new and the bacteria is trying to sort itself out. 

In short, I'd probably just wait it out.  At this stage, you're just trying to keep coral alive.  Color will come later.    Let the tank do its thing and the rest will come.

[ghurlag]

Hurry up and wait.  I actually like that approach right now

[Reefd Up]

LOL, sorry...corals just take some time adjusting...and new tanks too.  Some SPS can take up to 6 months to recover from shipping/acclimation before they turn beautiful.  A lot of experts recommend a tank to be 1 year old before adding SPS.  (Don't personally agree, but I can see the point.) 

Just relax.  If the polyps are coming out, don't worry about color (unless they're bleaching.)  Color will come with stability and tank health.

[Kenn]

OK so now I HAVE  to get the camera out and see if I can get a new pic of my Duo ( this means you have to post yours  ) when they come out

Ok heres the throw down 

[HUNGER]

thats cool with the psital shrimp comeing out that much

[ghurlag]

I can take a pic from underneath the tank of one of the tunnels, but I can't see them yet

[Kenn]

thats cool with the psital shrimp comeing out that much

Maybe I am lucky then, because this guy is always out and about. Moving rocks, shooting sand across the tank 

[ghurlag]

the goby hung out on the sand the first day, but the shrimp got spooked and took off and hid.  I suppose the goby is just letting his little buddy get settled in before they venture out again.

[Kenn]

the goby hung out on the sand the first day, but the shrimp got spooked and took off and hid.  I suppose the goby is just letting his little buddy get settled in before they venture out again.

I agree ... just takes a little time ... lets face it, If you could see it all day it would lose its "specialness" 

[HUNGER]

ya you are mine just stays in my over flow 

[ghurlag]

Well, here's an update.  The first yellow watchman goby went MIA on day 2, and is no more.  After 2 weeks of waiting, as well as continual confirmation the candy pistol shrimp was alive and well, I hooked back up with Justin at AS, and got another yellow watchman goby yesterday.  Last night, he burrowed in on the opposite side of the tank from the pistol shrimp...  I thought all hope was lost for months, but when the lights came on today, I found the goby in the burrow with the pistol shrimp    The shrimp is a lot more confident now, and I actually get to see it for longer than a passing second.  The goby and my McCosker's flasher wrasse have had a few face offs, but nothing violent.  The goby puffs his jaw and turns sideways, and the wrasse spreads all his fins out.  Very beautiful show of the two.

I have more zoanthid frags, some blue-green/purple mushrooms and an SPS frag (some sort of green Acropora?) - Thanks Justin (Aquatic Specialists)!

I know that kennv431 is ready for me to throw down my hand with some pics.  All in good time.  I want to see what these two can do after the shrimp finishes the room additions

[Kenn]

Sad about the first goby R.I.P.

But great about the new developments ! 

My goby and shrimp did the same thing on day 1 and the next morning were shacked up together 

Dont you just HATE going to AS  I always leave smiling and with less money ( that sounds bad  )

that reminds me I have to go up to AS to pick up my sons Yasha Goby \ candy pistol shrimp combo and a Citron Clown Goby

Aquatic Specialist ( Justin ), Simply Awesome !

[ghurlag]

Dont you just HATE going to AS  I always leave smiling and with less money ( that sounds bad  )

well, I didn't ask for ask for a "Happy Ending"... - wasn't aware that was an option

Justin has always taken care of me.  So well, in fact, that he caused my wife to WANT to buy a $32 frag for our tank.  He's a tricksy one, that Justin

[HUNGER]

yes he is

[Aquatic Specialists]

lol

[ghurlag]

I got my ocellaris clowns from Joel this afternoon.  They have now been released into the tank and are swimming in the current, appearing to be enjoying themselves.  My flasher wrasse is a little poutty about the whole thing, but hopefully he'll come around. 

I'm going to start playing with some LED moonlighting soon.  I'll let you all know how that goes.  New pics coming soon, for those of you who won't make it to the meeting this weekend.

[HUNGER]

thats good that they are doing well

[ghurlag]

I think the goby and shrimp are pissed now, too...  Reef controversy

[Joel]

Did that reef epoxy work for you?

[ghurlag]

Didn't get to it last night because of class.  Hope to after class tonight

[ghurlag]

Everyone has calmed down now and looks good.  No fights and everyone is still eating.  The super green zoa frag (rescue of sorts) I got from Justin as AS is down to only one polyp...  That one looks strong, though so I'm rooting for it

Can't wait for the meeting to show it off and get some ideas from you guys.

[HUNGER]

thats good ill root for it to lol

[ghurlag]

The lone polyp came loose from it's "mount" overnight.  I was able to retrieve everything and remount it, but I'm not so sure...  If anyone has any awesome green zoanthid frags that they would be willing to part with (and you are coming to the meeting tomorrow), please feel free to contribute.

[~reefchik~]

Are you interested in some pinkish tan Kenya tree or some GSP?  Waving Hand Anthelia?  I could bring any or all. 

[ghurlag]

bring a frag of each.  I have plenty of room right now.  I figure I have a year or so before I have to worry about fragging things out too much.  The GSP I got from Wes is currently BSP, but I think I burnt it by having it too close to the light.  It's still alive, but ugly at the moment.  Fresh GSP would be cool.  I just fed everyone cyclops, too

[cyberwollf]

Mini frag swap at the meeting anyone? I have some Pink monti, GSP, button polyps, and 3 types of pulseing xenia (regular, silver viened, and purplish) already fragged.  Anyone got anything to trade?

[~reefchik~]

Hey why not?  I really need to get rid of some large colonies of this cladiella or Kenya tree or whatever it is.  I will bring several large pieces and a few small frags attached to rubble rock.  I'll also bring some GSP.  At least this stuff is easy to pull off in small sheets.

I'm really looking forward to the meeting! 

I should make a batch of Crack to bring, but not sure if I'll have time.  OMG.... it's sooooooo good.

[ghurlag]

I should make a batch of Crack to bring, but not sure if I'll have time.  OMG....  it's sooooooo good.

Mmmm, narcotics...  oh, wait, wrong club

[ohioreef]

I should make a batch of Crack to bring, but not sure if I'll have time.  OMG.... it's sooooooo good.

Hey hey!! The popo just saw that........we'll be planning a raid....now where exactly is this "meeting" being held"

[ghurlag]

lol - I was very stealthy and posted address and directions in the February Meeting thread so all the rapists could find me

[HUNGER]

lol - I was very stealthy and posted address and directions in the February Meeting thread so all the rapists could find me

sure u were ill be seeing the meeting on the new lol

[ghurlag]

I would love to have an excuse to take someone apart with my bare hands   I would never be that fortunate 

Actually, after the meeting, I'll probably go back and try to remove some of that info.

[HUNGER]

one of the mods could take it off and next just have every one who is comeing pm u  and you can pm them ur adress

[jd]

I would love to have an excuse to take someone apart with my bare hands   I would never be that fortunate 

Actually, after the meeting, I'll probably go back and try to remove some of that info.

I'll remove your info after today, don't worry.

[ghurlag]

I knew what I was doing when I put it out there.  I thought it was just easier than me answering a million and a half PMs.  Either way, if I get an internet stalker, I know how to dispatch them

[HUNGER]

i under stand

[ghurlag]

Due to the paltry PAR reading we got on my 70 W MH, I have rigged up the 2 24" T5's I have to shed a little more light on the tank.  I'll get some new bulbs for the T5's this week, and am working on upgrading my MH ASAP.  I need to post some new pics soon.  The tank looks drastically different from my original pics

[ghurlag]

OKay, going to try to add some new pics:





More details can be seen at http://ghurlag.wordpress.com/reef where you can also see a bit of a timeline from its inception until now

You can also see my new blog post as http://ghurlag.wordpress.com

[cyberwollf]

What were those PAR ratings right under the bulb?

[ghurlag]

Something like 11 or 12 on the meter, whatever that converts to.  All I know is that the end translation was "sucks."

This pics I took were about an hour ago, and after I added the T5's I had hiding out.  I'll be interested to see if anything changes between now and when I get the new MH fixture installed.

[ghurlag]

Thanks to Stephanie (~reefchik~) I was able to measure my salinity with a refractometer instead of my hydrometer.  According to the refractometer, my salinity is at 1.030.  Hydrometer says 1.025-1.026.  Any thoughts on if I should panic?  Anyone know anywhere I can get a fairly inexpensive refractometer?

[cyberwollf]

Thanks to Stephanie (~reefchik~) I was able to measure my salinity with a refractometer instead of my hydrometer.  According to the refractometer, my salinity is at 1.030.  Hydrometer says 1.025-1.026.  Any thoughts on if I should panic?  Anyone know anywhere I can get a fairly inexpensive refractometer?

I think mine was about $35 on ebay.

Something like 11 or 12 on the meter, whatever that converts to.  All I know is that the end translation was "sucks."

This pics I took were about an hour ago, and after I added the T5's I had hiding out.  I'll be interested to see if anything changes between now and when I get the new MH fixture installed.

Multiply by 5 so around 60 PAR.  I stopped by Reefchiks house on the way home and the meter was working normal there, so I trust results we got at your house.  Let me know when you get the 150W on there and we'll check it again.  Make sure you are target feeding the corals to make up for the lack of light.  Although they say that coral get 95% of all nutrition through light, that is ONLY if you are above the Photosaturation level, Which im sure you are not for that acro frag.  I got one from Justin and it its already looseing color in a spot that I am getting about 125 PAR

[ghurlag]

Really?  That's not bad at all.  Somewhere along the way, I had heard they were over $100

[jd]

I think AS had them for $40, but its been a while since I saw them.

[Riderc82]

What brand MH bulb are you using?

[ghurlag]

Josh, thanks.  I'll check with Justin and see what he has.  It's been over a week since I've been up there, so I'm jonesing .

As far as bulb brand, I have no idea, since it's carry over from buying the setup.  Now I'm noty sure if I want 150 or 250 W, but I clearly need to do something ASAP

[cyberwollf]

Josh, thanks.  I'll check with Justin and see what he has.  It's been over a week since I've been up there, so I'm jonesing .

As far as bulb brand, I have no idea, since it's carry over from buying the setup.  Now I'm noty sure if I want 150 or 250 W, but I clearly need to do something ASAP

I think 250W would be a little overkill.  you bought the bulb using the fixture right? Do you know for sure that it is only 6 months and not >2yrs old?

[ghurlag]

Dunno.  So you think 150 Watts would be fine then?  What should I target feed to the acropora and montipora until I get the light situation remedied?

[Kenn]

I am loving my 150 watt. More over my 26g would most definitely be over kill IMO. I am looking for another 150 for a future build so I will keep an eye out for ya as well.

[cyberwollf]

Im just getting into MH so dont buy on my advice   250w just seems like alot for that tank.

Im not sure what to target feed? didnt you say you have cycopese or something? Your monti had tremendous PE, it is probably looking for food.  I think i read most corals eat mostly right before and right after daylight.  Try a turkey baster and see if they eat it

[ghurlag]

I should definitely read up on that.  Got into SPS haphazardly.  Hopefully the used T5 bulbs I put on as a supplement last night buy me some time.  I'm going to start yet another lighting thread...

[lilleigh]

I think mine was about $35 on ebay.

Multiply by 5 so around 60 PAR.  I stopped by Reefchiks house on the way home and the meter was working normal there, so I trust results we got at your house.  Let me know when you get the 150W on there and we'll check it again.  Make sure you are target feeding the corals to make up for the lack of light.  Although they say that coral get 95% of all nutrition through light, that is ONLY if you are above the Photosaturation level, Which im sure you are not for that acro frag.  I got one from Justin and it its already looseing color in a spot that I am getting about 125 PAR

What Acro did you get?

Losing color can be a few things, but most likely too much light. Like you said, photo saturation! Try moving it down a bit. I tend to start all my Acros lower than I think they should be and watch their color. Slowly move them up if they turn brown.

I need to check my par. Something I noticed, I have an acro that is growing down. I wonder if it is growing away from the light. Likes its too much. Its not as green as it once was. But its still a super fast grower.

[ghurlag]

It's something like a lime green acropora.  After discussion and PAR readings yesterday, I really think I have a problem with lack of light.  We'll see, though

[cyberwollf]

What Acro did you get?

Losing color can be a few things, but most likely too much light. Like you said, photo saturation! Try moving it down a bit. I tend to start all my Acros lower than I think they should be and watch their color. Slowly move them up if they turn brown.

I need to check my par. Something I noticed, I have an acro that is growing down. I wonder if it is growing away from the light. Likes its too much. Its not as green as it once was. But its still a super fast grower.

The PAR was <100 on the acro  definitely not too much light.  No disrespect to Brian's lights 

[lilleigh]

It's something like a lime green acropora.  After discussion and PAR readings yesterday, I really think I have a problem with lack of light.  We'll see, though

Got a picture? And yeah 250W would be too much on a 29 lol. Atleast my very humble opinion.

The thing is though. Reflectors, ballasts, bulbs, all that matters SO much. You will get incredible different readings with different equipment as I think you will see with use of your meter over time.

[lilleigh]

The PAR was <100 on the acro  definitely not too much light.  No disrespect to Brian's lights 

If its loosing color Zooanthlia are leaving, and its too much light I would think. Move it down. Remember though, as Brian said it can take weeks before you notice a change.

[ghurlag]

Although, it it's not enough light, there isn't enough photosynthesis taking place to sustain color...  I would have to say that it really is one of the dimmer tanks I've seen.  I thought that even though I was at the low end of intensity that it would at least be a sustainable intensity until I got the lighting all upgraded.  Now I'm not so sure.  Given that I have pulsing xenias that don't pulse, green star polyps that aren't green and very little coraline algae growth ( I got kudos on how "clean" the tank is), combined with otherwise excellent water parameters and happy, healthy fishies, I'm leaning toward light being the problem.

Oh, and Wes, after 24 hours with the T5s added, the xenias are pulsing again   Could we be moving in the right direction?  Only time will tell.

[ghurlag]

Here are some updated pics.  jd can be happy now - since I increased the light, my tank looks "dirtier"







~cyberwollf, this is the GSP you gave me.  It's colored back up but the polyps are still fully extended

~GSP from ~reefchik~


~Reef'd Up, these are the Eagle Eyes you gave me.  There are 3 new polyps that haven't opened just yet

[ghurlag]

FTS (a couple weeks old now):



My clowns:

[jd]

I am pleased Brian. But I have to say, ever since I moved my tank to the floor, its never looked better Have a shot of your new light setup?

[Reefinmike]

what kind of fairy wrasse is that? Are its fins really that big, or is it just the picture?

nice looking tank so far

[HUNGER]

looken better and better

[ghurlag]

jd - my new lights are "rigged" at the moment.  Not sure I can get a good shot. What do you mean about moving yours to the floor

The wrasse is a McCosker's flasher wrasse, and when he is "flashing", his fins ARE that big

[Aquatic Specialists]

tank is looking really good man!

[~reefchik~]

Wow, you've been busy!  It's really looking nice.

[ghurlag]

Hey, it's been a really loooooooong time since I've been on.  In case anyone has been wondering what I've been up to, here's a pic to show you what I HAVEN'T been up to:



I haven't done much with the tank since the middle of August, except for top it off.  I have some vegetation choking out all the light, and my corals are all suffering.  Not to mention all the bulbs are really old now, too.

Don't fret!  All hope is not lost!  Here is my immediate action plan:

1.  Remove as much of the vegetation as I can (today)
2.  Scrape the front and sides with razor blade (today)
3.  Clean entire protein skimmer system (today)
4.  Massive water change (today)
5.  Replace T-5 bulbs (have a 10,000K and an Actinic on order - should be here first week of December)
      5b.  Replace remaining 2 bulbs in next month or 2 (works out for the wallet, and for the coral)
6.  Begin rehabing ailing corals (I have a green acro that is completely brown now  )

I also have some sort of weird white "stuff" overtaking my GSP island, and a zoa colony.  I'm going to post a pic in a more appropriate thread for assistance.

Anyway, I haven't been intentionally avoiding anyone.  I've just been extremely busy and extremely broke.  Since I am cracking open the reef to save the ecosystem, I thought I would stop by and chronicle what I'm doing.

[cyberwollf]

looks about like my tank since i started gradschool lol

all i do is topoff and feed.  My last water change was like 4 months ago.  I made up 30 gallons of NSW and its evaporated down to about 15 now   ... Hopefully winter comes and we can renew.  Winter seems keep folks indoors and we see a rise in forum participation and increased tank maintenance. good luck

[ghurlag]

And here's the "Immediately After":



The following steps have been completed:

1.  Remove as much of the vegetation as I can (today)
2.  Scrape the front and sides with razor blade (today)
3.  Clean entire protein skimmer system (today)
4.  Massive water change (today)

And here are the steps coming up:

5.  Replace T-5 bulbs (have a 10,000K and an Actinic on order - should be here first week of December)
      5b.  Replace remaining 2 bulbs in next month or 2 (works out for the wallet, and for the coral)
6.  Begin rehabing ailing corals (I have a green acro that is completely brown now  )


As you can see, I have some serious bleaching to contend with.  I don't think I have completely lost anything, but "surgery" may be in the near future.  I'm sitting here staring at what is once again a nice tank to look at.  I can't believe I let it go like that... 

[Reefinmike]

looks MUCH better, just hope that birdsnest and Pocillipora(?) make it

[ghurlag]

I know...  The white guys were completely covered by vegetation.  A couple of other brown things were on the bottom due to space/"stay put" issues.  I'm hoping a combination of cleaner water, and soon to be improved lighting will help them all recover as well as possible.

[HUNGER]

does look better

[ghurlag]

Okay, so my first 2 new bulbs came today.  Coralife 10,000K and Actinic 36"/39W.  Here's a before (note how much clearer the water is today than a few days ago:



Here's the After:


It was taken with my Blackberry, so all you can really see in the pic is the change in light spectrum on the pink monti at the top, but in person it's a LOT brighter

And I finally got a pic of my clown hosting in a hairy mushroom with just the Actinics on(that's one that I got from you, Hunger!):

[HUNGER]

looks a lot better

[~reefchik~]

I'm confused.  The first photo (before) looks much brighter than the second one.  Did you get the links backwards or ??  Maybe it's the actinics.

[HUNGER]

it could be the lights

[ghurlag]

I'm confused.  The first photo (before) looks much brighter than the second one.  Did you get the links backwards or ??  Maybe it's the actinics.

it could be the lights

It's the Blackberry camera...  the blue text states that possible source of "FAIL".  The actinic spectrum really upped the blue ante.  I think the reason the first pic looks so much "brighter" is that the color spectrum coming off the bulbs was more in the yellow, likely where the camera was best able to catch it.

I assure you the effect was much better in person.  I'll use my good camera from now on

[ghurlag]

I got the ailing birdsnest fragged up yesterday, and back in the tank.  All the dead has been cut away, and I have probably 15-20 pieces that I've put back together to see if they we regrow into a colony.  Hopefully a few months down the road, if not sooner, the poor little guy(s) will have healed and be colored up with full polyp extension

[lazylivin]

Got any updated pictures for us? Curious how things are turning around.........will there be a part 3 

[ghurlag]

Ask and you shall receive

FTS from yesterday


Pink Birdsnest that was badly bleached around Thanksgiving


My ginormous Pink Montipora - this things was half the size of a human ear in February


Oulophyllia I got from Reef Systems Coral Farm back in April


One of the Pocilipora frags I got from ~reefchik~ last week


The troubled birdsnest (the good, the bad, and the ugly)


A close up of my Green Montipora (look at the polyp extension!)


A rock I glued a bunch of zoanthids to awhile back. The orange guy in the middle has a super bright green mouth, but it turned in the flow right as I snapped the photo


I have officially performed 2 water changes with Seachem Reef Salt.  This is a switch over from Red Sea Coral Pro.  The polyp extension I am getting is phenomenal, and this salt dissolves extremely well.  I have the final 2 T5 bulbs on order and will be good on lighting for awhile again.  Next round will be a conversion to LED lighting, keeping in mind that I want to expand to a 40g breeder in the near future.

I am still fighting some nuisance algae due to a 4 month sabbatical from any sort of maintenance on the tank (and I need to do some more work on the troubled birdsnest).  I will be beefing up the clean up crew very soon to help with this.  All in all, I'm glad I didn't drop out of the hobby when I was so close to doing so.  The rebound this tank is seeing is very encouraging.

[HUNGER]

looks alot better

[lazylivin]

Sure does, what a great turn around. Nice work 

[jsuter]

Tank is looking great bud, I am going to hassle you for some frags once I get mine running again. 

[ghurlag]

Hey Jason!  Welcome to the site!

[ghurlag]

My Reef Aquarium is 1-year-old Today!!!!!!!!!!