My Tank Thread (Take3) ★Total AUTOMATION★ DIY Doser, Sump, AlgaeScrubber, WaterChnges

[Wally.B]

SPS TANK (Shocking Improvement) 2nd Monti

I trashed that Monti a week ago, but I left the other Fragment From Same Colony alone.

Here was the 2nd Monti one month ago. Starting some recovery (But I expected it to Rot like the other).



I never paid attention to it since it was behind the FRONT FRAG RACK.
But I noticed the Bursting Colors shining thru, so I raised the Rack (To have a peek). I was shocked!!



The original piece never looked like this ever, over last 3 years.
It would get color, but NEVER ANY PE that I noticed.



Honestly, I never knew a Plating Monti's get PE, I thought they were all skeletal (I only had one).

And STRANGE, that it doesn't have a WHITE Growth EDGE, that I always expected in Past, and looked for.

I GUESS THIS TANK IS Doing Pretty good.

[Wally.B]

I know. I KNOW!!

Before EVERYONE starts yelling DON'T TOUCH or CHANGE ANYTHING!

Trust me. I WON'T. [[[ Not a thing, not a single thing ]]

This is the most Encouraging Progress that I have experienced in the Last 3 years of this tank.

[sensei]

Things look good Wally

[Fredfish]

Originally Posted by sensei

Things look good Wally

This ++

Good job on curbing your instincts to tinker.

[reefmutt]

Originally Posted by Wally.B

Quick UPDATE (All Good in DT)

-> Things look good for All FRAGS in DT
-> ALK creping close to 7.1
-> Algae Scrubber Working Well
-> Have Quantum Meter (New Bulbs arrive Monday)
-> That Millie of moved out of DT Bright Light has Darkend up a bit.

--->The Algae Cover FRAG that I moved into Frag Tank (BLEACHED) over two days.
Was it doomed or is FRAG tank not yet ready.

---> The other Split FRAG I moved into FT is doing fine (TOP right Photo Below).


I put in some Cheap but Healthy FRAGS into FRAG TANK (To test properly)

I think that frag with the slime growing on it was indeed a goner.
That sermantosa looks really nice and happy- the bottom pair of pics.. you can’t go by the vendor ‘s photos for health evaluations, however, because like any good salesperson, they are trying to make their product look as good as possible... and sometimes maybe a tiny bit too good..

Originally Posted by Wally.B

FRAG TANK (CDX - Soda Lime) PH Stabilized [ After 4 Days ]

Took 4 days running the CO2 Scrubber on Frag Tank.

PH has stabilized at 8.1, which is Ideal. (No Risky Additives/Chemicals, just Oxygen thru Skimmer)



I also learned how that Color Indicator works on the CDX media.
It may turn purple/Violet right away, but that doesn't indicate FULLY Expired.
If you stop running CO2 Scrubber it goes back to white (as the inner pellet recovers to the Surface)

So when Expired, it will stay Violet (I'll find out).

That’s quite an amazing ph improvement. I’m very impressed by that product. Just wonder what the long term running costs would be.. I gues in some cases of really air tight homes, there is no alternative..

Wally, like has been mentioned, I’m really liking the results you are getting right now. Nice job so far!

[Wally.B]

Originally Posted by reefmutt

I think that frag with the slime growing on it was indeed a goner.

Yup, it never showed any PE from the Start, while all others did.
1 bad out 13 for $7 Each Deal, is acceptable. GLAD it's gone, since I only like looking at the healthy ones.

Originally Posted by reefmutt

That sermantosa looks really nice and happy- the bottom pair of pics.. you can’t go by the vendor ‘s photos for health evaluations, however, because like any good salesperson, they are trying to make their product look as good as possible... and sometimes maybe a tiny bit too good..

The right Side Bottom Picture is in my Frag Tank (Brought) home.
But it' looks so nice, I decided it will go into DT (Safer there)

Originally Posted by reefmutt

That’s quite an amazing ph improvement. I’m very impressed by that product. Just wonder what the long term running costs would be.. I gues in some cases of really air tight homes, there is no alternative..

I agree, it's pricey and for folks in No Airline Option.
-> But If I draw OUTSIDE air thru it (Polishing Stage), it will;
----> (1) Last Longer since less CO2
----> (2) May boost PH (on fresh Air in DT) which my Fresh Air Appears to be limit PH=8.05
-----------> (Will run airline to Frag Tank[EASY: Just add a T-Connector] for this test (First Fresh Air only, then ADD Polish stage with CO2 Scrubber), NOT TOUCHING DT)
----> (3) A 1 Litre Can of Soda Lime cost $20, but you can get the Exact same stuff at much less costs (by the Gallon) since it's used by Scuba Divers for Extending Dive Time (Re-breathers).

Originally Posted by reefmutt

Wally, like has been mentioned, I’m really liking the results you are getting right now. Nice job so far!

All in the right direction (BETTER). Absolute pleasure for me.

[Wally.B]

Originally Posted by sensei

Things look good Wally

Originally Posted by Fredfish

This ++

Good job on curbing your instincts to tinker.

Thanks.
Yes, I chewed off my nails holding back on Tinkering (especially dosing potions)
But honestly. I needed to tinker since things were not good.
When things are good, I let things be (like 15 year old Kitchen Tank).
Things are GOOD in SPS tank now. Whew!!

[reefmutt]

I have a diver friend. I’m going to ask him about it.

[Wally.B]

Originally Posted by reefmutt

I have a diver friend. I’m going to ask him about it.

Sure, if you can Find a Canadian Supplier that would be great
I looked around and called around a bit.
Here is one place that sells the stuff for Divers in UK.
http://www.divelime.com/dl_order.html

[Wally.B]

Pre-Mature (New Frags), brought Home.

So I had to pick up my pre-purchased Frags, which I bought over a month ago.
Seller doesn't want to hold them anymore.

At least I feel a bit more confident with the DT.

Bags are Warming up in Sump.

Got some real show stoppers to add to rack.
Bit nervous.

All (4) going into DT on the Rack. Alk is around 7.2 so not too bad acclimatization from 7.5 Tank.

Will take photo's afterwards. Don't want to place into Tank while MH light on.

(( TOMORROW new MH Bulbs arrived. Wondering if I should install them or wait. Quantum meter will help make that decision ))

[Wally.B]

A Better (FRAG TANK vs DT ) Test [Matching Pair of Healthy Acros]

I originally planned to move some of the DT Frags into Frag Tank.
Don't want to touch them for a Long Time. Best they show what that DT can do to the variety (BASE SETTING)

Instead I got a MATCHING PAIR of (Deep Blue Spa Acros). Made up that name since no real name.



They are nice. I had one not so long ago, and I killed it during the instability.



There will be no doubts about which (hoping both) TANK is better.

But if once does better than other, I'll know which is better and Can Move the Special Frags to the Saver Haven.

** The real Nice Frags are coming out next **

[Wally.B]

The Next frag is Another Replacement for the one I destroyed during the Instability.

A Ice Fire Echinata

[Wally.B]

The LAST THREE FRAGS, are one's I always wanted (Never Had)


The are on the Rack and I'll get better picture later.

Can you find them?



CLUES:

One is has Green Tips, but the Photo Show's Yellow.

One kids of Blends into Rock behind so Hard to See.

The Last Frag is hard to give a Clue, but to me it's Darn Spectacular considering the small size.
(Photo doesn't give it Justice, but Sensei knows exactly what it looks like, since he got one too)

[Wally.B]

YUP, I'm taking a big risk here.

Putting all my Eggs in One Basket DT.

But I have 29 good reasons now to motivated me to NOT TOUCH or change anything.

30 if you count the Red Planet at the back that is healing/recovering very nicely.

ONWARD!!

[Wally.B]

All Good. Arrows show change from Last Test.

[reefmutt]

Pacman beside ice fire, ssc, Pink Floyd?

[Wally.B]

Originally Posted by reefmutt

Pacman beside ice fire, ssc, Pink Floyd?

Pacman correct.
Strawberry Shortcake, 3 over Correct.

The 3rd Frag is a Real Sunset (The Little Yellow/Orange 3 Stem Frag).
Much different from the Sunset I got from Fragbox. Way nicer.
I saw the larger colony this Frag Came from and it Amazing.
Right Sensei. You have a piece?

I actually am stuck with one more Frag since I didn't expect to bring these 3 home so soon.
Got a Ultra Bubble Gum Milli from FB.

I'm maxed out. Hoping FRAG tank is good, so eventually some go over there.

[reefmutt]

Close! what’s the yellow one 7 over from the ice fire?

[Wally.B]

Originally Posted by reefmutt

Close! what’s the yellow one 7 over from the ice fire?

Left or Right of Ice Fire?

Two Left from Ice Fire is the one you call a Sermantosa. It came from FragBox as an Aussie Acro.

Two Right from Ice Fire the Sunset from FragBox.

The Ultra Sunset from GTAreef deserves a better picture.



I haven't looked overhead, but from Side it has Color. I will take picture overhead eventually.

New MH Phoenix 14K Bulbs arrive today.
Plan is I will install one bulb. Test with Quantum Meter Difference between NEW and OLD.
I figure new MH bulbs need some burn in time as well, but I have to return Meter this week.

[reefmutt]

7th to right of ice fire. Or, the one directly to the right of the stylophora

[Wally.B]

Originally Posted by reefmutt

7th to right of ice fire. Or, the one directly to the right of the stylophora

That is FRAG #007. It's more Green than Yellow.

Learning more about Taking Proper-Color Photos. It's so different between MH, LED, T5 and mixes.

Easy to do one Coral at a time (which I do adjust by Eyesight Color Match). Getting many colored properly is tough. THE LAST SUNSET IS proper Color (Orangy Yellow/Greeny)

I better start learning SPS Names (which I'm terrible at) since when it comes time to do placement, I'll need to know about each one (Lighting/Flow).

I tried to learn names, but since most died, and went Bleached White, (My Tank was a Conveyor Belt) memory faded quickly, possibly Depression Selective memory loss.

[Wally.B]

MH BULB (Pheonix 14K) OLD vs NEW (PAR TEST)

I tried one bulb replacement for the test.

Looks like the OLD 18 month Bulb is weaker.
Must also mean Spectrum is aged.



I guess it should be safe to install BOTH. Possibly Better.

I will raise light 1" for a week, but Matt, you mentioned not to change Fixture Height but Reduce Photo Period.

Will test again with two bulbs installed.

[reefmutt]

No, I think raising the fixture is probably a good idea.
Only 1inch?
The way I look at it is that having too little light for a while won’t hurt and you will increase it back over time but too much light can do pretty instant damage and sometimes they won’t recover..
I think raising the light is the way to go.

[Wally.B]

OMG (2nd Bulb in) TANK looks totally Different!!!!

I'll do the PAR details later.

I better raise lights 2 Inches to be safe. (Also Dropping Photo Period 1 hour, NO 2 Hours for Today)

I can't believe my eyes. The whole Tank Looks White/Full Spectrum Again.

The Corals are showing True Colors, like I never saw.

Those OLD bulbs really shifted to the BLUE Spectrum.

I BETTER BE CAREFUL!!! (This Visually appears Drastic, Even though Exact Same Bulbs).

Gorgeous!!!

[Wally.B]

Even my Camera is having a easier time (With Less Blue Light)

Didn't have to fool around with White Balance, or anything to get this Quick Shot of the Ice Fire and PacMan.



and the SSC, kind of looks Like an UGLY Tree Close up.



I assume it needs more time to acclimatize in my Tank.
Looked really Pretty in the Sellers Tank.