Just ordered 90 pounds of Kaelini

[R33f3r]

It will get here Thursday, I will have pics!

[AcroSteve]

Did you make any request for certain sizes?

[R33f3r]

Yes, I ask for mainly big pieces and medium sized.

[R33f3r]

Just got them 3 hours ago. Pics and thread here ->

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=213497

[reefsrus]

if you dont mind, would you be able to repost the pics. I would like to see how they look, because im thinking about ordering from the site. They are no longer avaliable on the link.

Thanks sean

[R33f3r]

Here are the pics when I first got the rock:

http://ossr.phpwebhosting.com/reef/new1.jpg

http://ossr.phpwebhosting.com/reef/new2.jpg


Here are the pics after 1 month. Coralline is growing well.

http://ossr.phpwebhosting.com/reef/new3.jpg
http://ossr.phpwebhosting.com/reef/new4.jpg

[reefsrus]

that is some awesome rock!

[eianson]

Hey R33f3r,

Since you are about a month ahead of me using basically the same setup and close to the same amout of Dr. Mac's rock (I think you did the partially cured too), I was wondering how long it took your tank to cycle. I'm on day 12. I've got tons of diatom algae. My ammonia levels have been at <0.5 for about a week (except for the small spike I got last night after adding a few lbs of LS). My nitrites are around 1.0-1.5 (hasn't really changed in the past few days). What kind of progress did you see? I'm dying to get my clean up crew, but I just keep reminding myself that patience will pay off.

Any insight on your experience is appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

[R33f3r]

It took mine about 3.5 weeks to cycle. I had the brown diatoms for about the first week then they went away. My ammonia was never really that high, since I didn't get alot of dieoff, however my nitrites were spiked @ 5 for 2 weeks. The third week nitrites and ammo were 0. Now after 7 weeks or so, my nitrates are at 0.

I put in a decent sized cleanup crew after 4 weeks (trochus, hermits, ceriths, fighting conch, emerald). I have hair algae and some bryopsis.

I would hold off until everything is 0 and nitrates are < 20.

[eianson]

R33f3r,

Thanks for the reply. So as your diatoms went away, your nitrites started to rise? I haven't really seen any nitrite increase at all (although I was using an inferior test kit for my first week). Everything has pretty much stayed constant. I would just like to see my nitrites either spike or go away. This hanging around at 1.0-1.5 stinks.

Thanks again,
Eric

[eianson]

Oh yeah, one more thing. Have you seen much in the way of life (other than corraline) on your rocks? I've seen 2 or 3 small worms. A ton of copepods (at least I think that's what those white things on my glass are). I also had some coral that appeared to be dead or dying on the rock that I am hoping will come back. I've also seen a small coral shaped white growth on the underside of one of my rocks. Appears to be doing fine so far, but I have no idea what it is.

[R33f3r]

Originally posted by eianson
Oh yeah, one more thing. Have you seen much in the way of life (other than corraline) on your rocks? I've seen 2 or 3 small worms. A ton of copepods (at least I think that's what those white things on my glass are). I also had some coral that appeared to be dead or dying on the rock that I am hoping will come back. I've also seen a small coral shaped white growth on the underside of one of my rocks. Appears to be doing fine so far, but I have no idea what it is.

I have a few featherdusters, some worms, lots of coral polyps, 3 or 4 sponges, and 1 brittle star that came out of a rock. I don't think Kaelini is noted for hitchickers, maybe I am wrong.

As for the trites, once they hit 0 then do a water change and add your cleanup crew. Be patient :bum:

[eianson]

When did the dusters, polyps, and star show themselves? I look everyday for something, but all I see are pods and diatoms.

[eianson]

Not more than 10 minutes after my last post, I did a flashlight check of my tank and I found a tenticle recoiling into my live rock! :D I'm pretty sure it is a some kind of Serpent Star...the tenticle was banded, so maybe a Tiger-Striped? Whatever it is, it doesn't like the light. Still interested in when the dusters and polyps started popping out.

[R33f3r]

Mine all showed up after it cycled.