My reef at 16 months:

Optionman · 08/19/2017, 02:06 PM

2B056248-E468-4B5F-9051-D0898A8BA36E.jpg 5EC100C8-1F89-400C-BBFF-A5994A076F01.jpg 5FD48A70-F4FE-4281-8DF5-94D5382FDF28.jpg

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mcgyvr · 08/19/2017, 02:27 PM

Very nice colonies..

any rock work on the back or have they all just grown straight on the glass like that..

someone did something right..

Blu3s94 · 08/19/2017, 02:39 PM

do you have a pic when you first started?

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WatDatThing · 08/19/2017, 02:43 PM

Great job.

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Optionman · 08/19/2017, 03:20 PM

Here's a photo from April 2016. Tank is actually 17 months from cycle initiation.

Notice the growth of pipe organ (center front), colt (left), and finger leather (center on rock).

IMG_1471.jpg

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Optionman · 08/19/2017, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Very nice colonies..

any rock work on the back or have they all just grown straight on the glass like that..

someone did something right..

The Xenia started on a plug on the back rock work and grew onto the back wall.

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BigT75 · 08/19/2017, 03:22 PM

Wow impressive

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Blu3s94 · 08/19/2017, 03:37 PM

Man I must be doing it wrong lol. My growth is nowhere near that

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Optionman · 08/19/2017, 04:14 PM

I've run a CA reactor since month 3, I run my Hydra LEDs without any red and green spectrum, and I use bagged carbon and a skimmer in my sump.

Now for the controversial info. My tank's parameters are stable, but at levels that I'm sure will start a lively discussion. Alk 9.0, Phosphate .8 (not .08), Nitrate 25-50 last time I bothered to test. I don't have a heavy fish load but I do give my tangs a sheet of seaweed daily as well as frozen blood worms for everyone. I do 20% water changes every other week using Red Sea coral pro.

I've never really had algae issues though I do see some small bubble algae from time to time. Xenia and Kenya tree growth have been beyond ridiculous, but I also am getting nice growth in SPS corals I started adding 6 months ago.

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HidingReefer · 08/19/2017, 04:31 PM

Beautiful, nice to see a softie tank! Your red coris wrasse doesn't give you any trouble?

Optionman · 08/19/2017, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HidingReefer

Beautiful, nice to see a softie tank! Your red coris wrasse doesn't give you any trouble?

He's my favorite (I had a large one 20+ years ago) though I curse him daily for his redecorating efforts. I have been forced to use epoxy on EVERYTHING to secure them. My fluorescent candy cane was disturbed daily by him until I finally secured it.

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HidingReefer · 08/19/2017, 05:06 PM

Interesting, I am looking to get one for my 120, they are gorgeous fish, is he aggressive?

Optionman · 08/19/2017, 05:31 PM

Not aggressive at all, just extremely destructive. Flips over anything and everything not firmly attached. If u want pristine bottom, don't get one.

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Reefpuck · 08/19/2017, 09:13 PM

Beautiful tank. Having any issues with the xenia overgrowing everything?

Optionman · 08/20/2017, 03:21 AM

Xenia went a little crazy and I probably should have been more aggressive removing it, but I like the natural look and let it go for the most part. More issues with Kenya tree taking over and bothering other corals.

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bowhunterj · 08/20/2017, 10:28 AM

wow ! nice tank I'm Jealous as hell! I cant seem to get any growth on coral. Again nice tank!

Optionman · 08/20/2017, 11:08 AM

Not sure why I'm doing well. I 2 part dosed for about a month before realizing CA rx was the way to go. I run my UV and all Hydra blue spectrums at 100%. I really noticed growth after CA rx got going. My Alk was consistently running near 11 and I really don't test other parameters as long as Alk is stable and everything looks good. I recently discovered how stupid high my phosphate and nitrates are but I'm not addressing it as long as Alk is stable. Regular water changes with RSC pro.

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Rene Obergfell · 08/20/2017, 02:59 PM

Love the wrasse!!!

08/19/2017, 02:06 PM	#1
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	My reef at 16 months: 2B056248-E468-4B5F-9051-D0898A8BA36E.jpg 5EC100C8-1F89-400C-BBFF-A5994A076F01.jpg 5FD48A70-F4FE-4281-8DF5-94D5382FDF28.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/19/2017, 02:27 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Very nice colonies.. any rock work on the back or have they all just grown straight on the glass like that.. someone did something right.. __________________ Who me?

08/19/2017, 04:14 PM	#9
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	My reef at 16 months: I've run a CA reactor since month 3, I run my Hydra LEDs without any red and green spectrum, and I use bagged carbon and a skimmer in my sump. Now for the controversial info. My tank's parameters are stable, but at levels that I'm sure will start a lively discussion. Alk 9.0, Phosphate .8 (not .08), Nitrate 25-50 last time I bothered to test. I don't have a heavy fish load but I do give my tangs a sheet of seaweed daily as well as frozen blood worms for everyone. I do 20% water changes every other week using Red Sea coral pro. I've never really had algae issues though I do see some small bubble algae from time to time. Xenia and Kenya tree growth have been beyond ridiculous, but I also am getting nice growth in SPS corals I started adding 6 months ago. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by Optionman; 08/19/2017 at 04:24 PM.

08/19/2017, 09:13 PM	#14
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	Beautiful tank. Having any issues with the xenia overgrowing everything? __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

08/19/2017, 02:39 PM	#3
Blu3s94 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 269	do you have a pic when you first started? Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

08/19/2017, 02:43 PM	#4
WatDatThing Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 830	Great job. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

08/19/2017, 03:20 PM	#5
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	Here's a photo from April 2016. Tank is actually 17 months from cycle initiation. Notice the growth of pipe organ (center front), colt (left), and finger leather (center on rock). IMG_1471.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/19/2017, 03:22 PM	#7
BigT75 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 235	Wow impressive Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/19/2017, 03:37 PM	#8
Blu3s94 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 269	Man I must be doing it wrong lol. My growth is nowhere near that Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

08/19/2017, 04:31 PM	#10
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	Beautiful, nice to see a softie tank! Your red coris wrasse doesn't give you any trouble?

08/19/2017, 05:06 PM	#12
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	Interesting, I am looking to get one for my 120, they are gorgeous fish, is he aggressive?

08/19/2017, 05:31 PM	#13
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	Not aggressive at all, just extremely destructive. Flips over anything and everything not firmly attached. If u want pristine bottom, don't get one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/20/2017, 03:21 AM	#15
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	Xenia went a little crazy and I probably should have been more aggressive removing it, but I like the natural look and let it go for the most part. More issues with Kenya tree taking over and bothering other corals. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/20/2017, 10:28 AM	#16
bowhunterj Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 76	wow ! nice tank I'm Jealous as hell! I cant seem to get any growth on coral. Again nice tank!

08/20/2017, 11:08 AM	#17
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	Not sure why I'm doing well. I 2 part dosed for about a month before realizing CA rx was the way to go. I run my UV and all Hydra blue spectrums at 100%. I really noticed growth after CA rx got going. My Alk was consistently running near 11 and I really don't test other parameters as long as Alk is stable and everything looks good. I recently discovered how stupid high my phosphate and nitrates are but I'm not addressing it as long as Alk is stable. Regular water changes with RSC pro. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/20/2017, 02:59 PM	#18
Rene Obergfell Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 71	Love the wrasse!!!