390G Zoanthid & SPS Reef System

[Zoaelite]

With the semester almost over and my roomies moving out my brother and I decided to start up a 250g Reef system together. It will be a combination of both of our original tanks (165g & 125g) and is currently being built by Kevin @ Red Coral.

Tank Specifics:
250g 6'L X 3'W X 22"H Black silicone with external right overflow
Black Steel Tubular Stand

4'LX 2'W X 16"H Sump with 4 baffles

Mangrove system to be decided on.
I'm getting auto misters though :razz:.

Lighting:
Aquamedic 3X 150W Metal Halide,4 80W T5's and moon lights (internal ballast)
Corallife 3X 150W Metal Halide, 4 96W PC's & moon lights (External ballast)

Flow:
4 MP40W ES Vortech Ecotech Marine

Calcium Reactor:
Vertex Duo RX6 with 10lb CO2 cylinder

Return pump:
Reeflo Snapper external

[Zoaelite]

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/669/mg4186.jpg (http://img718.imageshack.us/i/mg4186.jpg/)
+
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3488/mg9396w.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/i/mg9396w.jpg/)

[fishytime]

.......this ought to be ok:razz::wink:......j/k man..........saweeeeeeeeeeet!......plenty o floor space for zoa growin!:wink:

[lastlight]

Now that's how to roll out a new tank. It already looks great!

[Zoaelite]

I'm really not stoked on the current flow in my 165g, its nice at the one end but the zoas on the other get much slower flow so I want to fix that with this tank. Plus Flash Gorden grew a little faster than I expected :neutral:.

My bro is moving into my house so instead of 2 tanks we decided on one big one, still working out the kinks with Kevin but would like to see this installed within the month.

[lastlight]

Oh wait we're looking at the 165 still. I get confused easily.

[es355lucille]

Hey we need a picture of the mango house....what was that again? Your system is very cool looking. Nice touch.

[Lance]

72" X 36"D X 22H" with sump and mangrove grow house.
The beast beggins :neutral:.
More to come.


Those dims are excellent. Lots of depth and dry arm pits.

[Zoaelite]

Oh wait we're looking at the 165 still. I get confused easily.

Don't worry Brett it's easy to get confused when I type, some times I don't realize other people actually read my comments :lol:.

Hey we need a picture of the mango house....what was that again? Your system is very cool looking. Nice touch.
Still finalizing plans on it but I'm going to take my 150 mangroves and plant them in my brothers 150 mangrove tub, should make for one amazing filtration patch.


Those dims are excellent. Lots of depth and dry arm pits.
The days of polluting my tank with deodorant are almost over!! We debated on the dimensions for a while but in the end we both wanted to see a shallower deeper tank.
Can't wait to see the final product!!

[lastlight]

The days of polluting my tank with deodorant are almost over!!

That's funny because that's something I'm conscious of every time I'm forced to go into the tank. I always fear that.

[Delphinus]

That's 150 mangroves to the left of the 165 now? Or do you have others in a different spot?

Man 300 mangroves in that tub. Epic! :lol: How much substrate/sand/mud/etc. in there for that? Hope it doesn't have to be moved soon.

[fishoholic]

Those dims are excellent. Lots of depth and dry arm pits.

I have to agree. I definately want more depth and less hight if I ever do another tank.

[Zoaelite]

That's 150 mangroves to the left of the 165 now? Or do you have others in a different spot?

Man 300 mangroves in that tub. Epic! :lol: How much substrate/sand/mud/etc. in there for that? Hope it doesn't have to be moved soon.

When I say "150" I should say "150 persay", I added 150 to start and those are the toughest one that out grew everything else.

Either we will be purchasing an additional tank to make into the mangrove house or I will be placing the tank directly inside of this.
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/6346/p1130989.jpg (http://img580.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1130989.jpg)
Then we will add a few new pods and should be set :razz:.

[Zoaelite]

I have to agree. I definately want more depth and less hight if I ever do another tank.

The few inches on 2' really makes a difference IMO, it makes for great for top downs.

[Zoaelite]

The beast has arrived!

Plan of attack:
-Tuesday- Electrician
-Wed- Plumbing
-Thursday- Fill & Salt Mix, plumb calcium reactor, install mangrove tank, install auto misters for mangroves.
-Friday- Transfer the established 110g to the main.
-Some time shortly after- Transfer my 165g to this tank.

Some photos:
This is the "mother is going to beat my arse face", good thing she doesn't get back from Jamaica until Saturday :lol:.
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1156/img9938y.jpg (http://img64.imageshack.us/i/img9938y.jpg/)

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/429/img9936o.jpg (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/img9936o.jpg/)

Vertex 280g Insump and Duo Calcium Reactor
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5853/img9926l.jpg (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/img9926l.jpg/)

[lorenz0]

holy crap dude. I'm going to have to swing by and grab some zoa's off of you just to see this thing

[phi delt reefer]

The beast has arrived!

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1156/img9938y.jpg (http://img64.imageshack.us/i/img9938y.jpg/)



woah - wrong forum bro....wrong forum. :mrgreen:













Put a real beer in your hand - this pic belongs on an American forum.:biggrin:

[Leah]

[QUOTE=zoaElite;611074]The beast has arrived!

Plan of attack:
-Tuesday- Electrician
-Wed- Plumbing
-Thursday- Fill & Salt Mix, plumb calcium reactor, install mangrove tank, install auto misters for mangroves.
-Friday- Transfer the established 110g to the main.
-Some time shortly after- Transfer my 165g to this tank.

Some photos:
This is the "mother is going to beat my arse face", good thing she doesn't get back from Jamaica until Saturday :lol:.
[URL=http://img64.imageshack.us/i/img9938y.jpg/][

Maybe she won't notice if you get it all done before Saturday. :wink:

Nice tank Levi. By the way very :mrgreen:

[fishytime]

Looking saweet man!..... The tank I mean

[Lance]

Wow! Very nice! Appliance sales must be good eh? :wink:

[Zoaelite]

woah - wrong forum bro....wrong forum. :mrgreen:













Put a real beer in your hand - this pic belongs on an American forum.:biggrin:
Haha this forum always seems catches me with Cider and watered down **** in my hands, I swear I'm a real beer drinker I promise:lol:!!!

holy crap dude. I'm going to have to swing by and grab some zoa's off of you just to see this thing
You can stop by for some fake beer if you would like :lol:.

Maybe she won't notice if you get it all done before Saturday.

Nice tank Levi. By the way very

Thanks Leah, she knows it's happening but I don't think she realizes how large "250g" actually is. This way if I smash anything doing the install I have time to fix it :razz:.

Looking saweet man!..... The tank I mean
Buahha you forgot the winkie Doug :wink:.

Wow! Very nice! Appliance sales must be good eh?
Tax returns from being a full time student are even better :lol:, Thanks for the comment Lance!

[Delphinus]

I miss being a student myself. Some of the best purchases I ever made were when I had no income. I've never understood this.

Nice looking setup!

[Devonious]

Photos


http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/9774/mg0016n.jpg (http://img855.imageshack.us/i/mg0016n.jpg/)

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8460/img0488ao.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/i/img0488ao.jpg/)

http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/7048/mg0042.jpg (http://img808.imageshack.us/i/mg0042.jpg/)

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1014/mg0195r.jpg (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/mg0195r.jpg/)

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/5200/mg0058.jpg (http://img864.imageshack.us/i/mg0058.jpg/)

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7999/mg0053v.jpg (http://img824.imageshack.us/i/mg0053v.jpg/)

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/47/mg0171.jpg (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/mg0171.jpg/)

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1959/mg0192o.jpg (http://img839.imageshack.us/i/mg0192o.jpg/)

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4651/mg0049.jpg (http://img135.imageshack.us/i/mg0049.jpg/)

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/6868/mg0170z.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/mg0170z.jpg/)

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/2280/mg0196i.jpg (http://img828.imageshack.us/i/mg0196i.jpg/)

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5181/mg0054b.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/mg0054b.jpg/)

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/43/mg0043h.jpg (http://img593.imageshack.us/i/mg0043h.jpg/)

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/3162/mg0040.jpg (http://img827.imageshack.us/i/mg0040.jpg/)

[Delphinus]

Purdy!

[fishytime]

That looks good with the zoos up front close to the glass and then a void before you get to the main rock stucture ..... It's gonna look cool having fish swimming behind the zoos in the trench.... Nice work guys:biggrin:

[lastlight]

That looks good with the zoos up front close to the glass and then a void before you get to the main rock stucture ..... It's gonna look cool having fish sailing behind the zoos in the trench.... Nice work guys:biggrin:

That's a good idea. I like having some things right up at the glass because viewing is always so much nicer. Beings zoas they're not going to branch into your glass or mess with your glass cleaning.

You guys worked fast looks really nice.

[Lance]

Very nice!

[Zoaelite]

Thanks for all the kind words guys, It was a ton of work but now that everything is done we can sit back and watch it grow!

New FTS:
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4994/img0384af.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/img0384af.jpg/)

Some randoms:
http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/8043/img0404uk.jpg (http://img811.imageshack.us/i/img0404uk.jpg/)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6470/img0406iu.jpg (http://img146.imageshack.us/i/img0406iu.jpg/)

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/4017/img0412c.jpg (http://img853.imageshack.us/i/img0412c.jpg/)

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/1144/img0467ba.jpg (http://img837.imageshack.us/i/img0467ba.jpg/)

New Colony:
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/269/img0398pe.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/img0398pe.jpg/)

Our mangrove system set up is delayed until tomorrow, our stand is in and just needs to be picked up. More photos to come.

[spawn]

Nice work indeed.

[The Grizz]

WOW very nice indeed Levi, you have some really nice color in that bad boy.

[Oxymoron]

Awesome tank, I can't believe I have never seen this thread!
Going along for the ride

[zum14]

:clap2: Epic.

[Skimmerking]

Already set up and Already to be TOTM


WELL DONE

[Zoaelite]

WOW very nice indeed Levi, you have some really nice color in that bad boy.

Thanks Greg! Buahah we were contemplating arranging the zoas by color but shortly threw that idea out.

spawn Nice work indeed.

Oxymoron Awesome tank, I can't believe I have never seen this thread!
Going along for the ride

zum14 Epic.

asmodeus Already set up and Already to be TOTM


WELL DONE


Appriciated guys! I just added 3 male lyre tail anthias and 3 bartletts, eating and looking very healthy.
Went a little photo crazy :\

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/3614/img0545i.jpg (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/img0545i.jpg/)

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/200/img0577mz.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/img0577mz.jpg/)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/1339/img0573sq.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/img0573sq.jpg/)

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4951/img0563ab.jpg (http://img35.imageshack.us/i/img0563ab.jpg/)

http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/1931/img0560i.jpg (http://img852.imageshack.us/i/img0560i.jpg/)

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/1636/img0558b.jpg (http://img560.imageshack.us/i/img0558b.jpg/)

http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/1433/img0557eq.jpg (http://img861.imageshack.us/i/img0557eq.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3505/img0638s.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/img0638s.jpg/)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/7523/img0633w.jpg (http://img151.imageshack.us/i/img0633w.jpg/)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/119/img0625wb.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/img0625wb.jpg/)

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1584/img0616kv.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/img0616kv.jpg/)

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9360/img0600ns.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/img0600ns.jpg/)

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6136/img0591dz.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/img0591dz.jpg/)

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/5915/img0583i.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/img0583i.jpg/)

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1894/img0582wl.jpg (http://img827.imageshack.us/i/img0582wl.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Mangroves:
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3756/img0745qq.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/img0745qq.jpg/)

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/2475/img0744fu.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/img0744fu.jpg/)

http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/3982/img0775u.jpg (http://img861.imageshack.us/i/img0775u.jpg/)

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/594/img0746y.jpg (http://img545.imageshack.us/i/img0746y.jpg/)

[Triggz]

This tank is BANGIN!

I'm diggin the 3 island aquascape..... Job well done guys!

[The Grizz]

Are you going to do any zoa frags in the near future Levi :biggrin:

[Zoaelite]

This tank is BANGIN!

I'm diggin the 3 island aquascape..... Job well done guys!

Thanks Ryan, knowing me I'm sure it will change shortly but I'm enjoying it for now :lol:.

The Grizz Are you going to do any zoa frags in the near future Levi
It's certainly a possibility but Devo and I are looking for some growth over profit at the moment. If I do decide to snip they will be sold through Kevin @ Red Coral, his new shop has some wicked aquaculture potential!
The frags will be a bit larger than RC usually sells with some added variety so keep an eye out.

The Mangrove system has finally been plumbed and is fully attached to our main system. I have a feeling we might loose a few but all in all the transfer went very smoothly.

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5040/img0910pz.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/img0910pz.jpg/)

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/3189/img0911x.jpg (http://img854.imageshack.us/i/img0911x.jpg/)

Filthy Vertex 280IN is working wonders:
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3714/img0918vd.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/i/img0918vd.jpg/)

[fishoholic]

Looks great, love all the pic.'s and the mangrove graden is awesome!

[Zoaelite]

Looks great, love all the pic.'s and the mangrove graden is awesome!

Thanks Laurie! We ended up loosing about half of them during the transport, they grow like crazy but after they root they shouldn't be moved.

Stopped by the hydroponics store a few days ago and picked up a 400W sodium grow light set up, this thing lights up my whole freaking basement so I'm hoping for some growth (Haha the store owner brought me "Grow" magazines, I don't think he believed my Red Mangrove story :lol:).

[Zoaelite]

And I think we have our final stock list:

Chevron Tang
Orange Socket Tang
Purple Tang
Hawaiian Naso Tang

3M Lyretail Anthias
2M 1F Bartletts Anthias
3M Purple Queen Anthias
1M 1F Square Back Anthia

Starry Blenny
Tail Spot Blenny

1M 1F Golden Dwarf Angelfish (Hoping for mated)
Copperband Butterfly Fish
2F 1M Psychedelic Mandarins
1M 1F Bangii Cardinals

1 Leopard Wrasse
1M Long Fin Fairy Wrasse
1 Yellow Corris Wrasse
1M Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse
Possibly a Hawaiian flame wrasse pair

1M C-Quest False Perc
1F Onxy False Perc

[xblade]

All I can say is "AWSOME!" Love the aquascape!

[Zoaelite]

Thanks Doug!

The Purple Queens are out swimming, its wicked to see such a large group of diverse fish go into feeding frenzy. I'm going to try for a video of everyone feeding tomorrow anyone know if I can upload it via imageshack?

[Zoaelite]

Feeding time
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IklFQJE59Sc)

[fishytime]

Love the mix of fish you've got going there....was like a school of piranha:mrgreen:

[Zoaelite]

Love the mix of fish you've got going there....was like a school of piranha:mrgreen:

Makes me want to go scuba diving :razz:.

[Devonious]

Cool Shot
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/2181/img1033o.jpg (http://img29.imageshack.us/i/img1033o.jpg/)

[Leah]

Fantastic shot of one of my favorite fish. :mrgreen:

[fishytime]

now theres an incredible shot of a beautiful fish!

[lastlight]

Very nice shot! I actually just picked a nice one up tonight. Always been one of my favorites.

[Zoaelite]

Just to one up the bro :lol::
http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/2641/img0035bj.jpg (http://img542.imageshack.us/i/img0035bj.jpg/)

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/9548/img9993.jpg (http://img818.imageshack.us/i/img9993.jpg/)

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/284/img9996r.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/img9996r.jpg/)

I get the feeling this fish thinks its a clown, its always hanging around my Onxy female. Next on the addition list will be a healthy little female for him.

New Zoa colony, WOW this thing is stunning is person! Reminds me of the space paly inside but lacks the green frillies.

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9236/img0028nx.jpg (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/img0028nx.jpg/)

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/6864/img9947o.jpg (http://img860.imageshack.us/i/img9947o.jpg/)

And a few of the camera hog Flash G:
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8128/img0032xw.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/i/img0032xw.jpg/)

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2236/img9955a.jpg (http://img715.imageshack.us/i/img9955a.jpg/)

Newest addition (Cough Impulse Buy Cough) is a 1.5" Magestic angelfish which is just starting to get its adult colors. Hes gone into hiding now but is eating, will try and snap a photo of him when he gets some confidence to come out front.

[Coleus]

nice shots, if you have not get them (pair of golden angels), I suggest you should get pair of Flames angels instead because

1) easier to find
2) more active and see them more.

[lorenz0]

Yo dude what camera are you shooting with again?

[lastlight]

Love the sunset backdrop you've got in those pics. Something a little different and still beautiful. Sweet!

[nlreefguy]

Hey I can't help but notice the great colors on your fairy wrasses. I have some from the same species you have but aren't nearly as colorful - I have a feeling they're turning into females. What do you do to keep the colors up on yours?

[Zoaelite]

nice shots, if you have not get them (pair of golden angels), I suggest you should get pair of Flames angels instead because

1) easier to find
2) more active and see them more.

Agreed on both points, a golden pair would be amazing to see though as timid as they are. I'm sure I will be looking for a while but they should be well worth the wait.

lastlight Love the sunset backdrop you've got in those pics. Something a little different and still beautiful. Sweet!

Someone on reef central thought my house was burning down :lol:, just my 400W "Burn your retinas out" grow bulb in action.

lorenz0 Yo dude what camera are you shooting with again?
Cannon Rebel xsi, F5.0, SS 1/100, ISO 400.

Hey I can't help but notice the great colors on your fairy wrasses. I have some from the same species you have but aren't nearly as colorful - I have a feeling they're turning into females. What do you do to keep the colors up on yours?

This new crazy food I feed called Photo Shop works wonders :lol:.

Aside from that I found my wrasses to look much better under halides compared to my old T5's. Feeding a varied diet soaked in selcon also works wonders to bring out those colors.

What lighting are you running, what species and how many? They all shouldn't be morphing, males are dominant in wrasses which exhibit sequential hermaphroditism so something funny is happening.
Have any photos of the little heshes?

[steve fedyk]

What kind of substrate do you use for your mangroves, how much flow do you have for them too?

[Zoaelite]

What kind of substrate do you use for your mangroves, how much flow do you have for them too?

It's pretty much a mix of all the sand and mud ever used in my reef systems (24g, 54g, 65g, 165g, 110g) so there is a pretty large range in particle size. We ended up loosing half of the mangroves from the transplant, once these things root you should never move them.

Flow through the manrgrove system is pretty slow, don't know the exact amount as my return plumbing is split between that and the sump but I would estimate between 2-5X turn over for the 60g tank per hour.

I will be ordering a bunch of pods again from my guy, anyone in need of some?

[Zoaelite]

Best part about sharing a tank with a relative is the random surprises you come home to, for example a new Achilles Tang:razz::razz:!

Happy to say he is parasite free, eating and getting along with the rest of the group. This brings me us to a total of 5 tangs so a chevron is no longer in the mix.

I will snap some photos tonight.

[Zoaelite]

My quest for the Candy Apple Red is finally over! I should be receiving a frag of it along with a Sunny Delight and a Captain America Paly via Paul at Oceanic.

Gahh took long enough, I have only been searching for 3 years now.

[fishytime]

Hey that's cool mang..... There's a few that I've been hunting for, for a while..... It's sweet when you can cross one off your list...........dibs on the first available frags???:wink:

[Oxymoron]

Best part about sharing a tank with a relative is the random surprises you come home to, for example a new Achilles Tang:razz::razz:!

Reading this reminded me of Bob Barker Announcing A BRAND NEW CAR!!

Grats man,
Can you get any pics of him?

[Devonious]

New Achilles Tang Photos!!!

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5654/img1177m.jpg (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/img1177m.jpg/)

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/593/img1144obl.jpg (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/img1144obl.jpg/)

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1766/img1168lo.jpg (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/img1168lo.jpg/)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3469/img1167dw.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/i/img1167dw.jpg/)

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/9576/img1259q.jpg (http://img855.imageshack.us/i/img1259q.jpg/)

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8097/img1234r.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/img1234r.jpg/)

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/6852/img1233m.jpg (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/img1233m.jpg/)

Majestic Angelfish
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2072/img1258g.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/img1258g.jpg/)

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/93/img1264k.jpg (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/img1264k.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Hey that's cool mang..... There's a few that I've been hunting for, for a while..... It's sweet when you can cross one off your list...........dibs on the first available frags???:wink:

Dun and dun, I will be requiring a perty trade though :biggrin:!

Reading this reminded me of Bob Barker Announcing A BRAND NEW CAR!!

Grats man,
Can you get any pics of him?

Thanks buddy! Devo snapped some shots below but I will try and grab some good day ones later.

Zoa frags from Oceanic to arrive Thursday, photos to come.

Reef art anyone :biggrin:?
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2692/img1303d.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/i/img1303d.jpg/)

[lorenz0]

Aww my favorite tang! tank is looking awesome as always guys

nice tat levi

[Delphinus]

Why does the octopus look so angry? If he's not careful his face is going to freeze like that.

[fishytime]

Dun and dun, I will be requiring a perty trade though :biggrin:!



That could be arranged!:biggrin:......
+1 on the tat man.......who did it?

[Zoaelite]

Aww my favorite tang! tank is looking awesome as always guys

nice tat levi

Thanks Buddy!

Delphinus Why does the octopus look so angry? If he's not careful his face is going to freeze like that.

I asked for a mix between ferocious, antagonized and raging and this is what came out :razz:. Would you prefer a happy octopus? Everything on google was a little cheesy.
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6686/octor.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/octor.jpg/)

That could be arranged!......
+1 on the tat man.......who did it?

Scott Ford down @ Smiling Budda, 11 hours in and I think I'm addicted.

[Zoaelite]

New photos:

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7710/img1601un.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/i/img1601un.jpg/)

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/1231/img1614c.jpg (http://img842.imageshack.us/i/img1614c.jpg/)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/3034/img1626f.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/img1626f.jpg/)

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3533/img1631c.jpg (http://img40.imageshack.us/i/img1631c.jpg/)

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/3831/img1632z.jpg (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/img1632z.jpg/)

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/240/img1650ak.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/img1650ak.jpg/)

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7455/img1657bk.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/img1657bk.jpg/)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/6549/img1658y.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/img1658y.jpg/)

[Bblinks]

Very nice buddy. I am gonna get myself one of those.

[Zoaelite]

New shots with the underwater camera:
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5594/p1200810.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/p1200810.jpg/)

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8268/p1200792.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/i/p1200792.jpg/)

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/9017/p1200781.jpg (http://img580.imageshack.us/i/p1200781.jpg/)

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/6194/p1200778.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/p1200778.jpg/)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6255/p1200835.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/i/p1200835.jpg/)

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/8820/p1200827.jpg (http://img860.imageshack.us/i/p1200827.jpg/)

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1610/p1200826.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/p1200826.jpg/)

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8993/p1200822.jpg (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/p1200822.jpg/)

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/567/p1200821.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/p1200821.jpg/)

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/5809/p1200820.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/p1200820.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Mangrove tank:
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/4452/img1124yk.jpg (http://img827.imageshack.us/i/img1124yk.jpg/)

Cleaner Wrasse:
http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/8136/img1736b.jpg (http://img864.imageshack.us/i/img1736b.jpg/)

Sunny D Paly:
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9989/p1200824u.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/p1200824u.jpg/)

Red Planets:
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/6189/p1200784.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/p1200784.jpg/)

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/6435/p1200783.jpg (http://img840.imageshack.us/i/p1200783.jpg/)

[Wanderer]

Mangrove tank:
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/4452/img1124yk.jpg (http://img827.imageshack.us/i/img1124yk.jpg/)





that HPS is a beacon!

[Zoaelite]

that HPS is a beacon!

It's a tad bit bright but the corals in direct spread are exploding in growth! My Mohawk palys have gone from 3 polyps to well over 200 in the span of 6 months.

Well its been a while since I've updated sooo

The last couple months have been a little choppy, unfortunately we lost the Achilles at around the month point to a really intense case of ich. None of the other fish were affected but we ended up purchasing a cleaner wrasse, luckily he loves to eat brine. On top of that MY FREAKING CANDY APPLE FRAG MELTED :mad2:... gah, I don't think I will be purchasing single polyp frags in the future.

Oddly all 4 of our mandarins have disappeared, I'm not sure what to attribute this too as there is an abundance of microfauna around the tank. I hope there isn't something evil lurking in the liverock.

After snagging a few new zoa rocks we decided to reaquascape, took a few quick shots afterwords so I will grab some nicer ones tomorrow.

Full tank shot:
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/8141/img1970x.jpg (http://img856.imageshack.us/i/img1970x.jpg/)

New actinics:
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5899/p1210002d.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/p1210002d.jpg/)

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/8954/p1200978.jpg (http://img11.imageshack.us/i/p1200978.jpg/)

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/9808/img1966s.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/img1966s.jpg/)

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/3432/img1945z.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/img1945z.jpg/)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/3583/img1941k.jpg

Mangroves are loving the 400W HPS just as much as the coral is!
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/3894/img1880ij.jpg (http://img593.imageshack.us/i/img1880ij.jpg/)

[Bblinks]

Sorry to hear about the Achilles. There's one sitting in my lfs that I am contemplating on wether or not to bring him home, but chances of it surviving is less than 10 percent. 275 is a lot of money to spend on on fish who's out come is most likely in the toilet. But they sure are wicked looking.

Nice photos. Your tank is very unique and interesting. I was wondering if when you have some time, you can snap some photos of the mangrove set up and your equipment set up for me. I would love to see it.

[Zoaelite]

Sorry to hear about the Achilles. There's one sitting in my lfs that I am contemplating on wether or not to bring him home, but chances of it surviving is less than 10 percent. 275 is a lot of money to spend on on fish who's out come is most likely in the toilet. But they sure are wicked looking.

Nice photos. Your tank is very unique and interesting. I was wondering if when you have some time, you can snap some photos of the mangrove set up and your equipment set up for me. I would love to see it.

Thanks Rich, it was pretty hard to see him die I wont be trying another thats for sure. I will snap some shots shortly of the filtration systems for you.

In the mean time here are some new photos, sorry Canreef I'm kind of a bandawidth piggie :redface:.

Actinics of the zoas:
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5283/img2108sf.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/i/img2108sf.jpg/)

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5449/img2106c.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/img2106c.jpg/)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7320/img2102j.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/i/img2102j.jpg/)

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6651/img2099p.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/img2099p.jpg/)

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6486/img2096r.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/img2096r.jpg/)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3729/img2095a.jpg (http://img96.imageshack.us/i/img2095a.jpg/)

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/8607/img2071ee.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/img2071ee.jpg/)

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/8811/img2067s.jpg (http://img560.imageshack.us/i/img2067s.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/1736/img2044f.jpg (http://img849.imageshack.us/i/img2044f.jpg/)

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9519/img2041c.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/img2041c.jpg/)

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9765/img2018yg.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/img2018yg.jpg/)

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9215/img2014x.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/img2014x.jpg/)

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/1862/img2007b.jpg (http://img854.imageshack.us/i/img2007b.jpg/)

Tiny Captain America Paly :razz:
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4897/img2003t.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/img2003t.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Some shots of the fish:
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4525/img2170ai.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/img2170ai.jpg/)

Juvi Blue Girdled:
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/6397/img2143f.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/img2143f.jpg/)

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/4552/img2202st.jpg (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/img2202st.jpg/)

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/9523/img2198c.jpg (http://img849.imageshack.us/i/img2198c.jpg/)

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/2413/img2196w.jpg (http://img856.imageshack.us/i/img2196w.jpg/)

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9477/img2188b.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/i/img2188b.jpg/)

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/9333/img2158s.jpg (http://img834.imageshack.us/i/img2158s.jpg/)

Red Planet:
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3015/img2155cm.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/img2155cm.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

FTS:
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8853/img2229u.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/i/img2229u.jpg/)

More Zoas:
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1141/img2121l.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/img2121l.jpg/)

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2213/img2116in.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/img2116in.jpg/)

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6379/img2061j.jpg (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/img2061j.jpg/)

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4598/img2057ka.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/img2057ka.jpg/)

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3114/img2055g.jpg (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/img2055g.jpg/)

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3853/img2050v.jpg (http://img853.imageshack.us/i/img2050v.jpg/)

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/9427/img2045f.jpg (http://img839.imageshack.us/i/img2045f.jpg/)

[Bblinks]

WOW. stunning pics. Thanks in advance.

[Zoaelite]

Here is the current sump configuration, the main tank drains into both the sump and mangrovefugium while the fuge only flows back to the sump. We will be plumbing a frag tank some time shortly.

In additon to the fish deaths we lost half our mangroves in the transfer, these things REALLY dont like to be moved.

Fuge:
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/6302/img2256tm.jpg (http://img801.imageshack.us/i/img2256tm.jpg/)

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6288/img2253uz.jpg (http://img845.imageshack.us/i/img2253uz.jpg/)

Sump:
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/6748/img2258p.jpg (http://img708.imageshack.us/i/img2258p.jpg/)

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/7874/img2259p.jpg (http://img600.imageshack.us/i/img2259p.jpg/)

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/746/img2263t.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/img2263t.jpg/)

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/8466/img2260ng.jpg (http://img810.imageshack.us/i/img2260ng.jpg/)

[Bblinks]

Nice setup! Thanks you for taking your time to take pictures for me of your filtration system. I really appreciated. looks great.

[Zoaelite]

Nice setup! Thanks you for taking your time to take pictures for me of your filtration system. I really appreciated. looks great.

No problem at all and your very welcome! Always nice to see the guts on a beasty like this, my wiring job is a bit messy though :redface:.

[Zoaelite]

My bangii's are breeding again :razz::razz::razz:!

Four of the little guys made it through the over flow into the sump where they were collected and transported to the fuge. Have had them there for about 2 weeks now and their growing fast, I take it they have been snacking on fuge pods as I have yet to feed them.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/3420/img2424w.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/img2424w.jpg/)

Nom nom nom:
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/2338/img2383j.jpg (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/img2383j.jpg/)

My all so bad arse starry blenny:
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3393/img2409i.jpg (http://img853.imageshack.us/i/img2409i.jpg/)

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/904/img2408m.jpg (http://img824.imageshack.us/i/img2408m.jpg/)

Anyone know what these black spots are?
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/573/img2394c.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/img2394c.jpg/)

Maxi Mini:
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3206/img2368ec.jpg (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/img2368ec.jpg/)

Random actinic shots:
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/6224/img2303v.jpg (http://img849.imageshack.us/i/img2303v.jpg/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1712/img2328pg.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/img2328pg.jpg/)

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/981/img2314s.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/img2314s.jpg/)

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/8084/img2324w.jpg (http://img804.imageshack.us/i/img2324w.jpg/)

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/981/img2314s.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/img2314s.jpg/)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7863/img2310jy.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/img2310jy.jpg/)

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2126/img2301c.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/i/img2301c.jpg/)

FTS with just the actinics, ISO's a tad high though :neutral:.
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3929/img2360n.jpg (http://img849.imageshack.us/i/img2360n.jpg/)

[fishytime]

I love starry blennies!.......the little black spots could be brooklynella or they could be sting marks from hosting in a coral?

[Trabby]

Tank looks awesome!!!! Our clowns both developed the black spots after they started hosting zoas and mushrooms. They are still confused by what to host, but no longer get spotty.

[Zoaelite]

I love starry blennies!.......the little black spots could be brooklynella or they could be sting marks from hosting in a coral?

This thing makes me laugh every time I look at it, has to be the healthy combo of a plump little fish with over stated eye brows:lol:. I think your right about the marks, both the clowns have them while none of the other fish do. They seem to be eating and swimming fine, anything I should be worried about Doug?

Trabby Tank looks awesome!!!! Our clowns both developed the black spots after they started hosting zoas and mushrooms. They are still confused by what to host, but no longer get spotty.

The odd thing is they really never host in anything, there are tones of soft things to sleep in but they seem to enjoy the glass corner over it all. Thanks for the compliment!

[lastlight]

Nice shots that blenny is a thug!

My buddy has two clowns with the same black spots. They seem to have appeared after they started hosting his torch coral. I think 2 years later they still have the spots.

[Kevotron]

the zoa colors are blinding !!
very nice indeed !!

[Chowder]

Nice shots that blenny is a thug!

My buddy has two clowns with the same black spots. They seem to have appeared after they started hosting his torch coral. I think 2 years later they still have the spots.

Same here with my clowns they host in a Torch and hosted a Hammer before that. Ever since they started hosting the Hammer they have had those spots. It's been about 2 years now possibly longer.

Chris

[fishytime]

Hey maybe you guys can call them "freckle" clowns and charge $300 for them:mrgreen:

[Chowder]

Hey maybe you guys can call them "freckle" clowns and charge $300 for them:mrgreen:

I like where this is going....

[Zoaelite]

I like where this is going....

My freckle clowns are not for sale :lol:... Well actually if they don't spawn here shortly I might be looking for another pair, I have had the worst luck with clown fish for it. All my pairs thus far have paired, spawn danced and protected there area but never laid a batch.

New shots:

Dragon Eyes:
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/557/img2612hn.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/img2612hn.jpg/)

New Palys:
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8391/img2615u.jpg (http://img231.imageshack.us/i/img2615u.jpg/)

Feeding time:
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3609/img2647r.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/img2647r.jpg/)

[fishytime]

My freckle clowns are not for sale :lol:... Well actually if they don't spawn here shortly I might be looking for another pair, I have had the worst luck with clown fish for it. All my pairs thus far have paired, spawn danced and protected there area but never laid a batch.

aw cmon Levi........I'll give ya $400 for em:mrgreen:.......... patience grasshopper........ Ive read that clowns can sometimes false spawn for years before they fully commit and do the nasty

[Chowder]

I'll give ya $400 for em:mrgreen:

I'll send you mine for $200........

[Chowder]

New Paly looks like a Valentines Day Massacre.

http://www.coralpedia.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=7242

Chris

[chris88]

great photo skills! i love the addition of sps colonies toward the top of the reef.

[Zoaelite]

New Paly looks like a Valentines Day Massacre.

http://www.coralpedia.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=7242

Chris

That would be pretty wicked, they are bright as it gets in person.
Here's a daytime shot of them:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5737/img2808f.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/img2808f.jpg/)

FTS:
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/6894/img2884h.jpg (http://img801.imageshack.us/i/img2884h.jpg/)

My Prego-male Bangii and partner:
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3994/img2821h.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/i/img2821h.jpg/)

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/7661/img2827f.jpg (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/img2827f.jpg/)

Few randoms:
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7666/img2870xg.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/img2870xg.jpg/)

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8992/img2842s.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/i/img2842s.jpg/)

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2589/img2841xg.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/img2841xg.jpg/)

Thought I lost my "hornets" during the tank transfer, turns out they were just growing on the underside of a rock :razz:.

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/9937/img2838z.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/img2838z.jpg/)

Blenny:
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7439/img2866g.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/img2866g.jpg/)

Few more to come when devo's done with the camera.

08-22-2011 11:44 PM
chris88 great photo skills! i love the addition of sps colonies toward the top of the reef.

Thank you! Just waiting on some growth from the SPS and it should make for a stunning back drop.

[Zoaelite]

Few more aquascape photos:
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/618/img2898zi.jpg (http://img818.imageshack.us/i/img2898zi.jpg/)

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4115/img2894w.jpg (http://img231.imageshack.us/i/img2894w.jpg/)

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/5540/img3015b.jpg (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/img3015b.jpg/)

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/9291/img2990dv.jpg (http://img594.imageshack.us/i/img2990dv.jpg/)

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2184/img2936h.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/img2936h.jpg/)

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6281/img2913zr.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/img2913zr.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/5207/img2903p.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/img2903p.jpg/)

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3159/img2902y.jpg (http://img35.imageshack.us/i/img2902y.jpg/)

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8987/img3021j.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/img3021j.jpg/)

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9512/img3043xj.jpg (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/img3043xj.jpg/)

This one turned out a little better than expected :razz:.
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/1461/img2921xq.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/img2921xq.jpg/)

[fishytime]

I ve seen pics of your copperband before and it never really clicked until now.....that must have taken some cajones to add him with all those zoas???.....that last shot is one of those one in a million shots (much like the pic in my avatar).....very nice:biggrin:

[lastlight]

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/97/bomb1.jpg

[Zoaelite]

I ve seen pics of your copperband before and it never really clicked until now.....that must have taken some cajones to add him with all those zoas???.....that last shot is one of those one in a million shots (much like the pic in my avatar).....very nice:biggrin:

Family doc said I was pretty much 33% cajones haha :lol:.

He never went after anything in the 165g so it wasn't hard adding him to the new tank, if only he ate mojeno's then I would be set! Doug have a full size of your avatar, looks like a pretty epic shot!

Buahha nice find Brett didn't even see that, looks like he's fish burp'in!

[Zoaelite]

Also got 6 new 20k XM 150 DE bulbs, photos to come tomorrow.

[FishyFishy!]

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/97/bomb1.jpg


BAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[fishytime]

Family doc said I was pretty much 33% cajones haha :lol:.
He never went after anything in the 165g so it wasn't hard adding him to the new tank, if only he ate mojeno's then I would be set! Doug have a full size of your avatar, looks like a pretty epic shot!


I've always been envious of people that have good luck with copperbands.....Ive tried twice and failed......its an added bonus that he doesnt eat anything that he's not supposed to......

I do have an enlarged version....I cant take credit for the picture........the credit goes to Josh (Jdigital)......I can remember when he got this pic.....he was over taking some shots for my totm thread.......he was taking shots and I was watching the tank......the two tangs swam towards each other, parallel to each other and then flared at each other.....just then I heard the click.....I said to Josh.... "did you get that man?......and he said..."I think so?"......anyway heres the pic.....

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/Fishytime%202/FTOM13.jpg

[lastlight]

he was taking shots and I was watching the tank......the two tangs swam towards each other, parallel to each other and then flared at each other.....just then I heard the click.....I said to Josh.... "did you get that man?......and he said..."I think so?"......anyway heres the pic.....

Sounded sorta hot but all I found was a pic of two fish (albeit a very nice pic) :mrgreen:

[Zoaelite]

New rule: Never "flip a coin" as the deciding factor on adding a fish, majestic angelfish in a zoa tank IS A BAD IDEA!!@!##. We ended up ripping the whole tank appart after he started munching on my palys, we also decided to snag the yellow tang due to aggression.

Picked up a few pieces of liverock from Kevin @ RC, heres the day after result.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/6444/img3134h.jpg (http://img585.imageshack.us/i/img3134h.jpg/)

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/9099/img3155o.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/img3155o.jpg/)

[kien]

New rule: Never "flip a coin" as the deciding factor on adding a fish, majestic angelfish in a zoa tank IS A BAD IDEA!!@!##. We ended up ripping the whole tank appart after he started munching on my palys, we also decided to snag the yellow tang due to aggression.


:lol::lol::lol: It sounds like you could have used a fish trap!! I know where you can find one BTW! :lol:

Nice tank BTW, looking ELITE as usual :-D Oh and thanks for the frag!

[kien]

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/1461/img2921xq.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/img2921xq.jpg/)

Oh and hey, this shot is totally EPIC! I love it. If there was an "EPIC shots thread" this photo should definitely be in it!.

[Zoaelite]

Problem:
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/1727/img3213ry.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/img3213ry.jpg/)

Solution:
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/6607/img3219fj.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/img3219fj.jpg/)

New rule: ASTRINIA STARFISH ARE NOT FRIENDS!!@

I wasn't sure if the Har. Shrimp would go after the little guys as all the forum reading I have been doing is all over the map! Lucky enough he had a big one in his mouth within 5 mins of being introduced to the tank.


http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/5226/img3232r.jpg (http://img703.imageshack.us/i/img3232r.jpg/)

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/9833/img3231a.jpg (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/img3231a.jpg/)

New Fish photos:
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4435/img3394x.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/img3394x.jpg/)

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/9832/img3416qi.jpg (http://img813.imageshack.us/i/img3416qi.jpg/)

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/205/img3388yo.jpg (http://img717.imageshack.us/i/img3388yo.jpg/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3830/img3325s.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/img3325s.jpg/)

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/245/img3385v.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/img3385v.jpg/)

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9652/img3359j.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/img3359j.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6676/img3395e.jpg (http://img829.imageshack.us/i/img3395e.jpg/)

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/891/img3363k.jpg (http://img846.imageshack.us/i/img3363k.jpg/)

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2790/img3347c.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/i/img3347c.jpg/)

The Bartletts are what you would call "Camera Hogs", funny little fish. We also picked up a healthy little Blue Caribbean Tang as the Yellow tang and Majestic were just caught.

More Randoms:
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1953/img3418g.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/i/img3418g.jpg/)

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2734/img3444c.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/i/img3444c.jpg/)

Mohawks:
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/166/img3450h.jpg (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/img3450h.jpg/)

Random:
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/6956/img3454rm.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/img3454rm.jpg/)

Mushroom Garden:
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2843/img3458e.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/img3458e.jpg/)

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/9892/img3462z.jpg (http://img854.imageshack.us/i/img3462z.jpg/)

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4862/img3476bu.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/img3476bu.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

New Underwaters:
Midas:
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3131/p1220061.jpg (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/p1220061.jpg/)

Chalice, anyone have an ID?:
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/229/p1220055.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/p1220055.jpg/)

New Acro colony:
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/6442/p1220054r.jpg (http://img585.imageshack.us/i/p1220054r.jpg/)

Mohawks:
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/9866/p1220053.jpg (http://img839.imageshack.us/i/p1220053.jpg/)

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8192/p1220063.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/p1220063.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5905/p1220007n.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/p1220007n.jpg/)

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6518/p1220006.jpg (http://img827.imageshack.us/i/p1220006.jpg/)

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/313/p1220011.jpg (http://img849.imageshack.us/i/p1220011.jpg/)

Sunny D's:
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1016/p1220030.jpg (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/p1220030.jpg/)

New Pick up:
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/6711/p1220052.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/p1220052.jpg/)

[martinmcnally]

Hey Levi, amazing pics.

Have you even seen these zoas or know what they are called:
http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/imagehosting/34494e6255e732cd0.jpg

[Zoaelite]

Hey Levi, amazing pics.

Have you even seen these zoas or know what they are called:
http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/imagehosting/34494e6255e732cd0.jpg

How long have you had them for? I have a feeling they are bleached eagle eyes/green bay packer zoas and in a healthy tank environment should morph back to something like this:

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6651/img2099p.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/img2099p.jpg/)

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6486/img2096r.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/img2096r.jpg/)

Could also be another morph as it does happen fairly commonly, hard to say the yellow effect does make them look pretty wicked.

[martinmcnally]

Oh it was just someone else on another forum asking if anyone knew what they were. They look awesome. Not so much if they are bleached out though.

Martin

[BlueTang<3]

Watermelon ?? Where is a good site/ source for the zoanthid/paly info, I have been collecting rare ones recently and picked up some that i was told were valentines day massacres. Cant seem to find any info on them tho. I picked up that tyree space monster its growing good for me, me thinks we will have to make a trade in the near future.



Chalice, anyone have an ID?:
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/229/p1220055.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/p1220055.jpg/)

[kien]

Chalice, anyone have an ID?:
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/229/p1220055.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/p1220055.jpg/)


I would agree with Wes, kinda looks like my watermelon chalice.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5084957002_c4c2964097_o.jpg

[reefermadness]

There are numerous variations of the watermelon chalice and although both those are different, probably qualify as "watermelon"

Both of those are super swweeeet by the way.

[FishyFishy!]

Man Harlequin shrimp are frikin awesome looking!!! Great pics too!

[Myka]

New rule: ASTRINIA STARFISH ARE NOT FRIENDS!!

What were the Asterina starfish doing? I have been looking afoul at some of the Asterina in my tank. I used to have a nice white specie that had evenly sized legs. Now this new darker gimpy looking Asterina like yours has taken over and some of them are toonie sized with like 10 legs!

I am having troubles with some LPS corals receding and I am wondering if the Asterina are to blame as they seem to be hanging out in the problem areas. I have also been thinking of using a Harlequin Shrimp to get them all, but I don't know what to do with the Harlequin once he eats them all. What are you going to do with yours?

[FishyFishy!]

I guess I have a question as well... when all the stars are gone, What do they prey on?

[Myka]

That's the basis of my question...they only eat starfish.

[Madreefer]

This will upset some people. I was advised by the store I got mine from was to freeze a sand sifting star fish and cut off a little chunk of leg about once a week for feedings. They are amazing creatures to watch. Sadly mine disappeared when I added my MP40s I added mine to control an asterina problem as well

[BlueTang<3]

I had a pair as well at one time, I had rescued them from a tank where the lady was clueless. As bad as it was i had got a few chocolate chip star kept them in the frag tank and would chop off a leg as they finished the previous. The starfish would recover and start to grow his limb back before he would require amputation again. They have since been re-homed, but i kept them going like this few a few months.

[paddyob]

Problem:
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/1727/img3213ry.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/img3213ry.jpg/)




I have hundreds of these stars in my tank. Is the problem eating or sitting on the zoas?

I see them come and go on colonies, and I have definitely had some colonies reduce in size.

Update on the shrimp/star problems?

[Zoaelite]

Watermelon ?? Where is a good site/ source for the zoanthid/paly info, I have been collecting rare ones recently and picked up some that i was told were valentines day massacres. Cant seem to find any info on them tho. I picked up that tyree space monster its growing good for me, me thinks we will have to make a trade in the near future.

Me thinks you might be right :razz:! Have any photos of your TSM?


I would agree with Wes, kinda looks like my watermelon chalice.
Watermelon it is! I was tempted to get rid of my LPS but this little one has held me back, one of the brightest pieces in the tank for sure!

Yesterday 07:33 AM
reefermadness There are numerous variations of the watermelon chalice and although both those are different, probably qualify as "watermelon"

Both of those are super swweeeet by the way.

Thanks Reefer!

Yesterday 09:27 AM
Myka
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoaElite View Post
New rule: ASTRINIA STARFISH ARE NOT FRIENDS!!
What were the Asterina starfish doing? I have been looking afoul at some of the Asterina in my tank. I used to have a nice white specie that had evenly sized legs. Now this new darker gimpy looking Asterina like yours has taken over and some of them are toonie sized with like 10 legs!

I am having troubles with some LPS corals receding and I am wondering if the Asterina are to blame as they seem to be hanging out in the problem areas. I have also been thinking of using a Harlequin Shrimp to get them all, but I don't know what to do with the Harlequin once he eats them all. What are you going to do with yours?

I have identified 4 different morphs in the tank to date and I don't trust any of them, if their numbers are spiking and they can be found directly on my coral they are coming out of the tank. I have done about 7 removal sessions ranging from 10 stars to over 150.

As others have stated I plan on keeping chocolate chips in my fuge and snipping off a leg every week, they will be a permanent presence on the reef from now on to ensure the stars don't come back.

Yesterday 08:07 AM
FishyFishy! Man Harlequin shrimp are frikin awesome looking!!! Great pics too!
They are even better in person, they do this wicked dance similar to a sexy shrimp and the pattern is out of this world! Thanks for the comment.

Yesterday 01:15 PM
paddyob
I have hundreds of these stars in my tank. Is the problem eating or sitting on the zoas?

I see them come and go on colonies, and I have definitely had some colonies reduce in size.

Update on the shrimp/star problems?

I would certainly lean that way, I find a majority of the zoas that melt have their coenenchyme mat deteriorate prior to the actually polyp going and a majority of the stars are found directly on the mat gotta put two and two together. Star numbers are dropping fast, my shrimp has gone into hiding though anyone know if there nocturnal?

[Myka]

I have identified 4 different morphs in the tank to date and I don't trust any of them, if their numbers are spiking and they can be found directly on my coral they are coming out of the tank. I have done about 7 removal sessions ranging from 10 stars to over 150.

As others have stated I plan on keeping chocolate chips in my fuge and snipping off a leg every week, they will be a permanent presence on the reef from now on to ensure the stars don't come back.

The white ones that are "perfect" mini stars are safe. It's the grey and brownish ones that I've been eye-balling lately. My Asterina don't go on any live parts of the corals, but do hang out at the edges of where a couple have been receding.

I don't think you will be able to keep a CC starfish alive in the limited space of a fuge unless you have a big@$$ fuge maybe?

[Zoaelite]

The white ones that are "perfect" mini stars are safe. It's the grey and brownish ones that I've been eye-balling lately. My Asterina don't go on any live parts of the corals, but do hang out at the edges of where a couple have been receding.

I don't think you will be able to keep a CC starfish alive in the limited space of a fuge unless you have a big@$$ fuge maybe?

I agree on the white ones as I always find them on algae patches around the live rock, the grey ones tend to be found on the top of my zoas while the red ones appear to be much more detrimental popping up in the mat itself.

The fuge is around 60g but is mostly filled with sand, if worse comes to worse I can cycle the LFS route and pick up a Choc chip every two weeks or so. I don't see them being that hard to take care of though.

[Myka]

Red ones? Hmm, I'm not sure I've even seen red ones. Depends what you call red maybe.

Ya, if you got 60 gallons you might be ok then. He will eat your fuge into a desert though. :lol:

[The Grizz]

All I can say Levi is............OMFG!!!........I so want to come & help you frag zoa's if & when you do it again. I could probably have most if not all pre- sold :biggrin: Absolutely AMAZING dude!!

[Zoaelite]

Red ones? Hmm, I'm not sure I've even seen red ones. Depends what you call red maybe.

Ya, if you got 60 gallons you might be ok then. He will eat your fuge into a desert though. :lol:

There probably red because they keep eating all my freaking BAM BAMS@#!@! I will try and snag a macro shot for you in the next few days, there not hard to find that's for sure.

Today 08:03 PM
The Grizz All I can say Levi is............OMFG!!!........I so want to come & help you frag zoa's if & when you do it again. I could probably have most if not all pre- sold Absolutely AMAZING dude!!

Thanks Greg! You got lots of tank space to fill now eh? When I snip anything I will shoot you a PM, you will have to be first in line @ RC though Kevin has dibs on the lot.

[The Grizz]

Thanks Greg! You got lots of tank space to fill now eh? When I snip anything I will shoot you a PM, you will have to be first in line @ RC though Kevin has dibs on the lot.

LMK when you are going in for the snip, I am sure I can convince Kevin to put some aside for me.

[Myka]

There probably red because they keep eating all my freaking BAM BAMS@#!@! I will try and snag a macro shot for you in the next few days, there not hard to find that's for sure.

Oh man! That's awful! I look forward to the macro. :)

[Zoaelite]

LMK when you are going in for the snip, I am sure I can convince Kevin to put some aside for me.

Will do!

09-11-2011 09:58 PM
Myka Quote:
Originally Posted by zoaElite
There probably red because they keep eating all my freaking BAM BAMS@#!@! I will try and snag a macro shot for you in the next few days, there not hard to find that's for sure.

Oh man! That's awful! I look forward to the macro.

Forgot to snap one tonight and the lights are off, the numbers are declining steadily forsure though!

FTS:
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4499/img3571t.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/img3571t.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

annnnddd todays FTS:
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4428/img3638bf.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/img3638bf.jpg/)

Good bye shrooms hellloooo LPS!
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/695/img3665qj.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/img3665qj.jpg/)

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/6900/img3645vy.jpg (http://img594.imageshack.us/i/img3645vy.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

FTS Fuge light on:
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/1751/img3668m.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/img3668m.jpg/)

FTS:
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/9661/img3807sh.jpg (http://img822.imageshack.us/i/img3807sh.jpg/)

Fish:
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/1583/img3777it.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/img3777it.jpg/)

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3600/img3771l.jpg (http://img855.imageshack.us/i/img3771l.jpg/)

Misc Coral:
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1690/img3734bu.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/img3734bu.jpg/)

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/1986/img3736we.jpg (http://img846.imageshack.us/i/img3736we.jpg/)

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/5686/img3701m.jpg (http://img832.imageshack.us/i/img3701m.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

ZOOASSS:
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6561/img3798hs.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/img3798hs.jpg/)

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/7598/img3781eu.jpg (http://img855.imageshack.us/i/img3781eu.jpg/)

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/521/img3775a.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/i/img3775a.jpg/)

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/6729/img3773b.jpg (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/img3773b.jpg/)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3297/img3732bl.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/img3732bl.jpg/)

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/6859/img3681m.jpg (http://img585.imageshack.us/i/img3681m.jpg/)

[reefwars]

that last pic is sweet for sure:):)

[Boomboy]

MAN I WANT ALL THE THINGS!!!!!! in that tank. great pictures. where did you get those zoas from? i love zoas.

[Zoaelite]

that last pic is sweet for sure:):)

Thanks Denny, shot a few more tonight hope you enjoy!

09-30-2011 09:50 PM
Boomboy MAN I WANT ALL THE THINGS!!!!!! in that tank. great pictures. where did you get those zoas from? i love zoas.

I have an addiction...
I have my sources :razz:.

Few big things have happened in the tank as of late, as I'm in point form mood I will point form it...


Both my Velvet wrasse and Male Lyretail Anthias have committed suicide.
I'm pretty sure I have spent more time fighting about aquascaping in the last 5 days than I have in my life, on Thanks giving I was thankful for not murdering my brother...
I'm pretty sure I'm happy with the aquascaping, I also say that every time I finish Aquascapeing...
The mixing of my red and green cyano bacteria made for an excellent splotched Christmas theme unfortunately cyano isn't cool. I have pretty much eliminated it from the tank as of now but there are still a few patches here and there.
Aptasia's eat bristleworms, I watched it with my eyes!!!
Calgary got some wicked giant zoa colonies, I nabbed a few of these and have been filling in the SPS holes of the tank.
I have owned red planet for a year today!
On a good note my harlequin shrimp has aggressively been attacking my starfish problem, the numbers are crashing quickly I'm very excited with the results!
My Skimmate smelled like rotten eggs...
2 of the Vortechs have been repositoned to under the new arches, photos below.


Here are some actinic photos from tonight after yet another aquascape, enjoy:

FTS:
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/659/img3896ra.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/img3896ra.jpg/)

Zoas:
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/2553/img3959cm.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/img3959cm.jpg/)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5331/img3952mh.jpg (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/img3952mh.jpg/)

Others:
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/7277/img3928z.jpg (http://img511.imageshack.us/i/img3928z.jpg/)

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5576/img3932nl.jpg (http://img713.imageshack.us/i/img3932nl.jpg/)

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/438/img3933on.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/img3933on.jpg/)

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2602/img3947mp.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/img3947mp.jpg/)

[The Grizz]

Absolutely unreal Levi, amazing colors but I think I really need to call hoarders for your zoa hoarding :biggrin:

[Zoaelite]

Absolutely unreal Levi, amazing colors but I think I really need to call hoarders for your zoa hoarding :biggrin:

We need a Canreef weekend marathon, quite a few of us here that could partake on that one :lol:.

Pretty sure I have a FTS problem, I scroll through my thread and see the same shot like 4 times... Might as well make it 5 :razz:.

Day shot
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/525/img4072t.jpg (http://img403.imageshack.us/i/img4072t.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Red Planet Colony 1:
10-08-2010
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/1881/p1140044.jpg (http://img818.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1140044.jpg)

Today (Large piece was broken off the rock so there's two colonies now):
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3503/img4080xm.jpg (http://img441.imageshack.us/i/img4080xm.jpg/)

Red Planet Colony 2:
10-09-2010
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7215/p1140079.jpg (http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1140079.jpg)

Today (Again frag to the right was accidentally snapped off)
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/768/img4085ky.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/img4085ky.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

FEEDING TIME:
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4932/img4114n.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/i/img4114n.jpg/)

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/8372/img4112tl.jpg (http://img708.imageshack.us/i/img4112tl.jpg/)

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1062/img4100s.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/i/img4100s.jpg/)

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/3687/img4089i.jpg (http://img560.imageshack.us/i/img4089i.jpg/)

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/3018/img4124c.jpg (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/img4124c.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

And I went photo crazy again, picked up some new pieces.

Zoanthids:
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/4903/img4262v.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/img4262v.jpg/)

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/4315/img4239lk.jpg (http://img853.imageshack.us/i/img4239lk.jpg/)

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/4348/img4234q.jpg (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/img4234q.jpg/)

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/2892/img4213as.jpg (http://img818.imageshack.us/i/img4213as.jpg/)

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2854/img4303w.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/img4303w.jpg/)

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/112/img4300xp.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/img4300xp.jpg/)

[riceboy]

dude i need a red planet frag lol

[Zoaelite]

My single polyp frags of the Sunny D's and Captain America Paly's have been sprouting!
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1671/img4275k.jpg (http://img254.imageshack.us/i/img4275k.jpg/)

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9487/img4271b.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/img4271b.jpg/)

Mystery Wrasse:
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/1103/img4265c.jpg (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/img4265c.jpg/)

More Zoas:
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2387/img4231x.jpg (http://img845.imageshack.us/i/img4231x.jpg/)

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6382/img4312w.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/img4312w.jpg/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8908/img4249rk.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/img4249rk.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Possible sunset monti? Purchased it from a nutrient heavy system as all the pieces were brown.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3710/img4324z.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/img4324z.jpg/)

Actinic:
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3627/img4212x.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/img4212x.jpg/)

Orange Hammer:
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6088/img4292qj.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/img4292qj.jpg/)

Need an ID:
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/6610/img4252h.jpg (http://img543.imageshack.us/i/img4252h.jpg/)

[ScubaSteve]

Dude! So... ummmm... since your Red Planet is growing at a fairly retarded pace, how 'bout sharing some of that this way?:razz:

Best I get around here is Brown Planet and I'm tired of paying so much for it.

[Zoaelite]

I will check with devo, I'm sure were at the fragging stage but hes a little protective of them :neutral:.

[ScubaSteve]

Well, he can't be too protective if a piece accidentally breaks off.:razz:

[reefermadness]

For that monti....google ORA supernatural cap. Which is think is montipora hispida.

For that green coral...looks like Psammocora.

[Myka]

Looking great!! How are the Harlequins working out for you?

[Blom]

This tank is stunning, pretty sure its sold me on dumping several thousands of dollars on colorful button sized corals.

[Zoaelite]

Well, he can't be too protective if a piece accidentally breaks off.:razz:

*Flash backs to the numerous physical fights we have had in the past over aquascape...*

Ya. no.
I can snip something off my colony though, shipping sucks that distance though :neutral:.

[Zoaelite]

For that monti....google ORA supernatural cap. Which is think is montipora hispida.

For that green coral...looks like Psammocora.

I would say you nailed the Psammocora ID, do you know what species the actual sunset monti is? This thing is already turning more orange and the green polyps are getting a real pop. Time will tell :razz:.

[Zoaelite]

Looking great!! How are the Harlequins working out for you?

Absolutely amazing, the numbers of all the brown and whites have dropped dramatically and with manual removal the red's are slowly disappearing as well. Did end up loosing my giant dragon eye colony to a slow melt though, progressive fragging did nothing :sad:. That's the way these things work, I think I would go crazy if I held sentimental value to little sea polyps as I have lost so many of them over the years.

[Zoaelite]

This tank is stunning, pretty sure its sold me on dumping several thousands of dollars on colorful button sized corals.

Thanks Tyson! It's real easy eh? They sure are addictive :lol:.
Sadly I have almost already filled this tank, time to let the last little bits grow in then its fragging time!

[Zoaelite]

andddd FTS! This is before the three last MH's come on in the morning.
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2383/img4285bj.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/img4285bj.jpg/)

[lastlight]

That looks stellar man. Looks like the only way to grow is UP and OUT now. Good thing you have those pesky SPS in the zoaGarden eh?

[reefermadness]

I would say you nailed the Psammocora ID, do you know what species the actual sunset monti is? This thing is already turning more orange and the green polyps are getting a real pop. Time will tell :razz:.

The tyree sunset is m.danae and only encrusts. It would never plate out like that.

Plus I've never known a real sunset monti to come from any where but the original source south of the border. Basically rare to impossible to find in the wild.

[Zoaelite]

That looks stellar man. Looks like the only way to grow is UP and OUT now. Good thing you have those pesky SPS in the zoaGarden eh?

Thanks Brett, I would lie and tell you I'm not addicted to sticks but that would be ridiculous... I'm REALLY addicted to sticks, almost rivals my addiction to the frilly circles :razz:.

The tyree sunset is m.danae and only encrusts. It would never plate out like that.

Plus I've never known a real sunset monti to come from any where but the original source south of the border. Basically rare to impossible to find in the wild.

Didn't realize dream crushin Darryl was in the house :razz:.
I will grab some progression photos especially now that its under...

NEW ECOTECH RADION LEDS!!!!
Moar to come as of a tomorrow when I taketh some photos, too busy playing with my new gadgets. Freakin thunderstorm in my basement!

[Hustler]

PLEASE DO A VIDEO :)
I Freaking love that app? Its very very cool... and in your avatar tank LOL couldnt even imagine

[reefermadness]

Sorry man....your tank is the dream. (seriously its nice).

I was just "keepin it real". ;)

[BlueTang<3]

Let us know how those leds turn out... How many did u buy for your tank ?

[Zoaelite]

PLEASE DO A VIDEO :)
I Freaking love that app? Its very very cool... and in your avatar tank LOL couldnt even imagine

You can play with the settings to make your tank entirely red or green, rather odd to see everything like that. In regards to daylight and actinic color, I'm simply blown away by what I see. The colors are just so much more intense, it's hard to describe but I hope to shoot some photos tomorrow.

Sorry man....your tank is the dream. (seriously its nice).

I was just "keepin it real". ;)

Appreciated haha!

Let us know how those leds turn out... How many did u buy for your tank ?

Stopped by Ocean City in Calgary and he had 3 left, Devo and I had been talking about them and he decided to buy them on the spot there! The major reason for picking them up was the fixture we were using was EXTREMELY heavy with the internal ballasts, raising and lowering the lights was a pain. In addition to that the wire was fraying, I wasn't too worried but having a 150lb light crash onto my tank would not be fun.

I will shoot some photos tomorrow and detail the process, my step dad came downstairs in the evening and told me my tank looked like an acid trip :razz:. It's hard to explain the difference, the colors are just a whole whack load more vivid.

[fishytime]

how would you rate the coverage on a tank the size of yours?......Ive been considering them but Im not sure three would be enough on a 84"x30" tank....big difference between 3 and 6 units...

[Triggz]

Can't wait to see those pics! I have seen a few killer zoa's under LED's, but never an entire garden :lol:

I smell A TOTM coming...

[Zoaelite]

how would you rate the coverage on a tank the size of yours?......Ive been considering them but Im not sure three would be enough on a 84"x30" tank....big difference between 3 and 6 units...

Still using our rear metal halide, only the front one was replaced I highly doubt 3 would work for your 84", they are powerful but not that strong.

Can't wait to see those pics! I have seen a few killer zoa's under LED's, but never an entire garden :lol:

I smell A TOTM coming...

When I saw Red Coral Edmonton's display I new it was time for a change, good bye changing bulbs hellooooooo poppin zoas. Photos tonight after O chem class :razz:.

[lorenz0]

nice, looking forward to how these bad boys look. lol chem class, just finished my lab...

[asylumdown]

I am rather excited to see these new lights. I'm very, very, very strongly considering lighting my entire tank with them.

ETA: also, are you at the UofC? I'm here right now reading your thread instead of reading this massive volume on Ecological planning in an urban context. #fail for school.

[Zoaelite]

nice, looking forward to how these bad boys look. lol chem class, just finished my lab...

Ever have Diana Garrett? If no, consider yourself lucky. That lady made like 2 people cry in my last lab class, evil evil lady...

I am rather excited to see these new lights. I'm very, very, very strongly considering lighting my entire tank with them.

ETA: also, are you at the UofC? I'm here right now reading your thread instead of reading this massive volume on Ecological planning in an urban context. #fail for school.

So far couldn't be happier with them, the design is amazing and the versitility is unreal! The program is a little hard to get used too but all in all they are great pieces of equipment.

Who wants to read THE MERCK MANUAL or THE BURGESS MANUAL when you can read my reef manual :lol:. No though @ MRU.

[Zoaelite]

LEDS:
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/1641/img4328f.jpg (http://img543.imageshack.us/i/img4328f.jpg/)

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5290/img4329u.jpg (http://img213.imageshack.us/i/img4329u.jpg/)

FTS:
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2520/img4326rc.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/img4326rc.jpg/)

Few new zoas under the lights:
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7093/img4396i.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/img4396i.jpg/)

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/7398/img4402ta.jpg (http://img849.imageshack.us/i/img4402ta.jpg/)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/7103/img4392x.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/img4392x.jpg/)

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/687/img4387vv.jpg (http://img696.imageshack.us/i/img4387vv.jpg/)

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/3227/img4403ip.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/img4403ip.jpg/)

Managed to grab a quick actinic while using the demo mode (Shows all the single modes in sequence), I will try and grab a few more when It swaps over tonight.
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7416/img4365s.jpg (http://img265.imageshack.us/i/img4365s.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Heyyy Daryll, wanna make a bet :razz:?
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4841/img4383x.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/i/img4383x.jpg/)

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/5476/img4385b.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/img4385b.jpg/)

Even though I'm pretty sure your right on the ORA Supernatural :\

[asylumdown]

think you'll end up going full LED at any point? what's your impression of them compared to your halides?

[carnut]

How big is the lighting footprint? Same as your halides?

[Myka]

I miss my Darth Mauls...yours look sweet. Mine were up to 7 polyps when they got buried in the sand by my Jawfish.

[Zoaelite]

think you'll end up going full LED at any point? what's your impression of them compared to your halides?

Eventually i would love to ditch the rear halide system, 6 of these fixtures costs around $5200 though so It won't be happening any time soon. All in all I'm already in love with these things, the color spectrum and versatility absolutely blows the MH/T5 combo out of the water.

Funny enough the tank dropped to 75°F yesterday as the heaters were turned way down (The metal halides provided enough heat to keep the tank warm). Fixed that so the tank should be running around 78°F today.

As far as growth goes only time will tell, these things do make for VERY easy reaquascaping compared to the previous fixture.

[Zoaelite]

How big is the lighting footprint? Same as your halides?

The halide system used 3 150W's with 4 80W T5's, these are rated as 250W of halide each. In all at max intensity they are far brighter than the halides are and appear to cover more area.

[Zoaelite]

I miss my Darth Mauls...yours look sweet. Mine were up to 7 polyps when they got buried in the sand by my Jawfish.

Jawfishhess/ Sand-bury-my-zoa-gobies are both banned from ma reef for that exact reason :lol:. Big props to Steve up @ RCE, he has quite the store up there and the guy is great to deal with. Always thought Maul polyps were a bit bigger but these things are tiny!

[asylumdown]

Eventually i would love to ditch the rear halide system, 6 of these fixtures costs around $5200 though so It won't be happening any time soon. All in all I'm already in love with these things, the color spectrum and versatility absolutely blows the MH/T5 combo out of the water.

Funny enough the tank dropped to 75°F yesterday as the heaters were turned way down (The metal halides provided enough heat to keep the tank warm). Fixed that so the tank should be running around 78°F today.

As far as growth goes only time will tell, these things do make for VERY easy reaquascaping compared to the previous fixture.

Awesome, so you think 6 would be enough for your tank dimensions? The tank that Kevin at RCC has in process for me is almost the same dimensions as yours and I'm hoping to hide them in the budget for the construction of the house :redface:

[Strickland_673]

Awesome, so you think 6 would be enough for your tank dimensions? The tank that Kevin at RCC has in process for me is almost the same dimensions as yours and I'm hoping to hide them in the budget for the construction of the house :redface:


Well if you have them hanging from the ceiling, then I geuss you can call them chandeliers??? HAHAHAHAHA:lol:

[Zoaelite]

Awesome, so you think 6 would be enough for your tank dimensions? The tank that Kevin at RCC has in process for me is almost the same dimensions as yours and I'm hoping to hide them in the budget for the construction of the house :redface:

6 would be the perfect amount, just need to find a proper mounting rack I'm currently hanging them and they are sitting all funny. Almost need something stiff to fix them to, not sure how you would do that with 6 of them.

Well if you have them hanging from the ceiling, then I geuss you can call them chandeliers??? HAHAHAHAHA:lol:

Very expensive multicolor LED chandeliers :razz::razz::razz:.

[Zoaelite]

One of my favorites:
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3266/img4501x.jpg (http://img259.imageshack.us/i/img4501x.jpg/)

Jasonfox Bloodshot Paly, 2 adults with 2 babies grow baby grow!
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5397/img4515a.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/img4515a.jpg/)

Also picked up a Chevron Tang from golds, currently in the fuge until he's fat, heathy and ready to play with the big boys.

[Zoaelite]

Went a little zoa photo happy, this is them with the radions set to "20k" @ around 65% intensity. At first they ****ed off quite a few colonies so I have dialed them way back (SPS seems unaffected), mostly everything is doing better and I hope to raise the intensity eventually.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5462/mg4611.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/i/mg4611.jpg/)

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2753/mg4703.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/mg4703.jpg/)

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7751/mg4735x.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/mg4735x.jpg/)

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/215/mg4740.jpg (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/mg4740.jpg/)

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7671/mg4758r.jpg (http://img839.imageshack.us/i/mg4758r.jpg/)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3186/mg4791.jpg (http://img507.imageshack.us/i/mg4791.jpg/)

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/5240/mg4796.jpg (http://img846.imageshack.us/i/mg4796.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/9530/mg4809.jpg (http://img265.imageshack.us/i/mg4809.jpg/)

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/4197/mg4816z.jpg (http://img811.imageshack.us/i/mg4816z.jpg/)

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/7213/mg4835a.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/mg4835a.jpg/)

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2800/mg4845.jpg (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/mg4845.jpg/)

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/9696/mg4853.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/mg4853.jpg/)

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/1897/mg4614s.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/i/mg4614s.jpg/)

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4408/mg4615.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/mg4615.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/5079/mg4619s.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/mg4619s.jpg/)

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/594/mg4621t.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/mg4621t.jpg/)

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7443/mg4635.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/mg4635.jpg/)

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2474/mg4649.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/i/mg4649.jpg/)

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7540/mg4650w.jpg (http://img213.imageshack.us/i/mg4650w.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2941/mg4663.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/mg4663.jpg/)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9236/mg4688.jpg (http://img507.imageshack.us/i/mg4688.jpg/)

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/4696/mg4692.jpg (http://img263.imageshack.us/i/mg4692.jpg/)

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/274/mg4733.jpg (http://img11.imageshack.us/i/mg4733.jpg/)

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6861/mg4648.jpg (http://img135.imageshack.us/i/mg4648.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Would the real sunset please stand up :lol:?
http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/143/mg4747.jpg (http://img804.imageshack.us/i/mg4747.jpg/)

[reefwars]

looking sweet buddy love the "now with 400 percnt more zoas" lol :PPPP

[Zoaelite]

looking sweet buddy love the "now with 400 percnt more zoas" lol :PPPP

Compared too the leading non concentrate brand. Haha

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk

[Skimmerking]

how are the LEDs compared to the MH

[Zoaelite]

It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride but all in all I'm pretty stocked with how things are turning out. With in the first few days most of my zoas were really angry with the swap and showed signs of decay. After around the week mark everyone is looking MUCH better, lots of morphing taking place because of the spectrum change. We also swapped a few vortechs around, thinks it's almost time to get rid of my LPS and stick to zoas/SPS.

Can't beat the color or versatility of LED's, time will tell if they can successfully support our system I might even be tempted to grab 3 more if things continue to go well.

[Bblinks]

It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride but all in all I'm pretty stocked with how things are turning out. With in the first few days most of my zoas were really angry with the swap and showed signs of decay. After around the week mark everyone is looking MUCH better, lots of morphing taking place because of the spectrum change. We also swapped a few vortechs around, thinks it's almost time to get rid of my LPS and stick to zoas/SPS.

Can't beat the color or versatility of LED's, time will tell if they can successfully support our system I might even be tempted to grab 3 more if things continue to go well.

Nice switch buddy, glad those amazing zoas are taking a liking to the led switch. How are the sps looking? Or are they still under the halide? I am switch from halide to ai LEDs but still a bit worry about the reaction I am gonna get from the sps. Just wanna see what it opinion is on that.

[Hustler]

All i ask..... If ever i make it down to cow town.... may i have just one beer on a 5 gal pail infront of this tank? I will leave promptly after and even bring the beer for both of us if you drink it.... but i need to do this.... :)

[Zoaelite]

Nice switch buddy, glad those amazing zoas are taking a liking to the led switch. How are the sps looking? Or are they still under the halide? I am switch from halide to ai LEDs but still a bit worry about the reaction I am gonna get from the sps. Just wanna see what it opinion is on that.

Most of the SPS are currently under the halides but stuff in the middle of the tank gets light from both sources. A majority of my SPS are doing very well but a few colonies are browned out.

I also realized that I had the pump for my calcium reactor BACKWARDS!!! For 6 freaking months!!! Talk about blond moment, we were going through CO2 at an alarming rate, now the recirculating happens in the correct direction so the pH drops much faster.

All i ask..... If ever i make it down to cow town.... may i have just one beer on a 5 gal pail infront of this tank? I will leave promptly after and even bring the beer for both of us if you drink it.... but i need to do this.... :)

I have fake American beer in the fridge because it's what my step dad drinks, bring over some Lucky and then were talking :razz:!

Purchased two new zoa colonies after I took photos today and lucked out on another sunset & red planet colony. Went a little photo crazy.

Where is Waldo? More specifically where are the Mini Waldo's?
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/176/mg5402.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/i/mg5402.jpg/)

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1694/mg5343z.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/mg5343z.jpg/)

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5863/mg5339h.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/i/mg5339h.jpg/)

Older Batch:
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1328/mg4993.jpg (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/mg4993.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Full system shot:
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3665/mg4980g.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/mg4980g.jpg/)

Remote DSB/ Mangroves/ Baby Bangii grow out:
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1189/mg4988x.jpg (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/mg4988x.jpg/)

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/223/mg5047.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/mg5047.jpg/)

Side shots:
http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/35/mg5027.jpg (http://img577.imageshack.us/i/mg5027.jpg/)

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/934/mg5026.jpg (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/mg5026.jpg/)

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/2332/mg5025.jpg (http://img822.imageshack.us/i/mg5025.jpg/)

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5049/mg5009v.jpg (http://img263.imageshack.us/i/mg5009v.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

Watermelon Chalice:
http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/4816/mg5291.jpg (http://img851.imageshack.us/i/mg5291.jpg/)

Sunset!!!
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2037/mg5325.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/mg5325.jpg/)

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/9779/mg5220.jpg (http://img802.imageshack.us/i/mg5220.jpg/)

Other sunset:
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/5291/mg5359z.jpg (http://img545.imageshack.us/i/mg5359z.jpg/)

Mauls:
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/4056/mg5125h.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/mg5125h.jpg/)

Midas:
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/3316/mg5138.jpg (http://img254.imageshack.us/i/mg5138.jpg/)

Udder Choas?
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/707/mg5257.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/mg5257.jpg/)

[reefwars]

levi i just did the math seems there are 401% more zoas the title is misleading lol oh and is it safe to be growing pot so close to the mangroves lol at a slight glance it almost looked like that lol awesome pics bud your tank is one of my all time faves:):)

[fishytime]

*said in a Homer type voice* "mmmmmm....... watermelon and mauls......."......sweet pics there Leviathon


noticed your selling the halides.....more radions????

[The Grizz]

Is that a Red & Psycodelic manderaine in the 4th pic Levi?

[Zoaelite]

levi i just did the math seems there are 401% more zoas the title is misleading lol oh and is it safe to be growing pot so close to the mangroves lol at a slight glance it almost looked like that lol awesome pics bud your tank is one of my all time faves:):)

Thanks Denny, don't worry the mangroves dont mind at all!

*said in a Homer type voice* "mmmmmm....... watermelon and mauls......."......sweet pics there Leviathon


noticed your selling the halides.....more radions????

Thanks buddy could be, will have to see what Santa brings me for Christmas haha.

[Zoaelite]

Is that a Red & Psycodelic manderaine in the 4th pic Levi?

Buahha I didn't try and label it because I knew I would butcher the spelling :lol:. The red colors on all of my fish have been really popping because of the new red LED's in the Radions.

[reefwars]

hey how are the babies cardinals doing?? you going to be selling them if they get bigger???


quick question too if you dont mind lol im new to the mangrove world i have 2 both seem to be growing rather well but one has no leaves and one does is there any probs with not having any leaves?? thanks buddy:)

[Myka]

Is that a Red & Psycodelic manderaine in the 4th pic Levi?

No mang, thems r not red Mandarins. Thems r sweet Zoas though!!!

[The Grizz]

Buahha I didn't try and label it because I knew I would butcher the spelling :lol:.

:rofl: I always seem to screw up the spelling of mandarin :rofl: so there just psyco's?

[mat20040]

what kind of skimmer do you have?

[Zoaelite]

No mang, thems r not red Mandarins. Thems r sweet Zoas though!!!

:becky: Thanks pilgrim.

:rofl: I always seem to screw up the spelling of mandarin :rofl: so there just psyco's?

Yes sir.

what kind of skimmer do you have?

Vertex Insump 280g of pure BEASTIENESS!

[fishytime]

Vertex Insump 280g of pure BEASTIENESS!

is that cuz it roared all over your walls and carpets?:razz:

[lastlight]

I think your pics are looking a lot better under the radions. Not quite so psychedelic but truer and very vibrant. When I'm ready for zoas I need to pay you a visit I think =)

[reefermadness]

Awesome Levi....I see you got a sunset monti now....well actually 2? How is the other monti looking?

love the chalice too.....good stuff.

[Stones]

I just finished reading through your entire build thread and I tip my hat to you sir! Phenomenal looking tank and you've got some serious mad photo skills.

I've got a question for you though that I didn't see come up in your build thread anywhere. Are you dosing anything to get such good growth out of your zoas and palys? I see you are running a vertex calcium reactor but are you adding anything else or running some sort of ULNS in addition? Do you regularily feed your zoas/palys any sort of of food like reef roids or reef chilli?

I've been trying to add zoas and palys to my strictly SPS reef for over a year now and they never seem to do well. Always start slowly shrivelling up and withering away shortly after adding them. Any tips would be appreciated seeing as you have a very similar setup to what I'd like to achieve.

[Zoaelite]

is that cuz it roared all over your walls and carpets?:razz:

No my Hydor decided to roar all over my walls & carpet, the Vertex is a beastie because of it's amazing skimming ability. Pulls out some pretty nasty crud and has worked like a top since day one.

I think your pics are looking a lot better under the radions. Not quite so psychedelic but truer and very vibrant. When I'm ready for zoas I need to pay you a visit I think =)

Thanks Brett, people have said it's more difficult to take pictures under LED's but everything is coming out much crisper. Barley any PS required, still learning this camera & the program though!

Only difference in shooting is the vertex has a parabolic intensity arch while the halides had linear intensity. With the halides I set my camera settings and shot, with the Radions I need to set different settings for shooting at different times (Relative intensity will be brighter for noon than say 6pm and the color spectrum will be entirely different). Regardless I'm loving them, can't wait to upgrade the rear and dispose of my out dated PC actinics.

Awesome Levi....I see you got a sunset monti now....well actually 2? How is the other monti looking?

love the chalice too.....good stuff.

Funny how things work as I have been looking for an actual sunset frag for a couple years now, I stumbled upon two of them within a month of each other and couldn't resist @ the prices they were going for. It's hard to say for the other one, Devan and I have had a few discussions about it as the base continues to turn more orange while the polyps become more neon green.

Would be the first time I have ever seen a "Sunset" come in from a wild shipment so the odds are leaning towards a supernatural or something similar. I will snag some photos for you next time I'm over @ the house.

[Zoaelite]

I just finished reading through your entire build thread and I tip my hat to you sir! Phenomenal looking tank and you've got some serious mad photo skills.

I've got a question for you though that I didn't see come up in your build thread anywhere. Are you dosing anything to get such good growth out of your zoas and palys? I see you are running a vertex calcium reactor but are you adding anything else or running some sort of ULNS in addition? Do you regularily feed your zoas/palys any sort of of food like reef roids or reef chilli?

I've been trying to add zoas and palys to my strictly SPS reef for over a year now and they never seem to do well. Always start slowly shrivelling up and withering away shortly after adding them. Any tips would be appreciated seeing as you have a very similar setup to what I'd like to achieve.

Well first off, thank you for the encouraging compliment always nice to see others enjoy what I'm passionate about. Species from the order Zoantharia have a REALLY variable rep when it comes to husbandry, some people can put them in a 10g with practically no equipment or time and have massive success while others spend $1000's of dollars and countless hours and still fail completely. Would be nice to see the general "Newbie" coral description tossed aside as there is a great deal of variability in keeping them.

While many believe these corals rely heavily on the symbiotic relationship between them and their photosynthetic dinoflagelletic zooxanthellae I tend to disagree. Although this relationship provides a great deal of the energy required for homeostasis and is essential for the corals well being the pathway lacks fundamental elements required for life. Mainly photosynthesis lacks the ability to form essential proteins and lipids, these compounds are biotic in nature and must be taken in to sustain life.

Being a big believer in evolution and identified the fact that every species from the order Zoantharia has an oral slit, at least one siphonoglyph, prey capture tentacles with nematocytes and a coelenteron leads me strongly in the direction that these animals do in fact eat.

So what's on the dinner table for our little Cnidarian friends?

I have experimented with a wide variety of food sources and had variable success through out. If I can sum up my experience it's that an extremely diverse food is required as the order itself is extremely diverse. Larger zoanthids such as any of the "People Eaters" (Commonly mislabeled as People eater "Palys" the species is actually Zoanthus gigantus), similar larger morphs and many of the true paly species will readily accept large meaty food such as Brine shrimp. Smaller morphs will not accept meaty food and require smaller particulate, in general foods like reef roids, reef chili, oyster eggs and DOM in solid fish waste works wonders.

I usually feed the corals nightly around 9:00-10:00 pm when the lights are just going out, fish are fed at the same time to keep them away from the polyps. Due to the size of the tank I tend to broadcast feed my mixture and keep my pumps on feed mode for around 30 minutes. One untrue statement I always come across is that zoanthids prefer "Dirty water" (That is water that has high levels of Nitrate, Nitrate and Phosphate), my system runs @ zero NO3/ NO2 with near zero levels of phosphate. A system that has clean water with a high level of organic particulate and the ability to remove excess dissolved nutrients is key to success here.

The major problem you will personally run into is that SPS and Zoanthids have very different care requirements, you need to fine tune your system to be as low nutrient as possible while maintaining a high level of feeding. Your SPS will also benefit from increased food matter in the water but will respond to excess nutrients by browning out. Finding this pivotal balance is tricky but once it's achieved it makes for one stellar looking tank!

Hope that helps,
Levi

[Delphinus]

"You should feed them. Try to keep your water quality under control too." I dunno, did I miss anything? :lol:

[Zoaelite]

"You should feed them. Try to keep your water quality under control too." I dunno, did I miss anything? :lol:

1337 paraphrasing skillz as always my friend haha! Guess I could of shortened my essay but I'm procrastinating on physics homework.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk

[BlueTang<3]

I have learned lots about the zoa/palys in the last few months. I had never had success with any until recently, I am now keeping around 32 different varieties in my frags tank of my zeo vit tank so have extremly clean water. I have them about 3 inches from the top of the tank running a vertex illumina 200 light and feeding heavy with acan plus, ora frozen food and dried and frozen cyclopes and they have exploded.

[Stones]

Thanks Levi, I suspected you were likely feeding or dosing the tank with something to get such good growth out of your zoas and palys. I'll have to start feeding my zoas to see if I can duplicate your results or at the very least, keep my zoa frags from slowly withering away.

[Zoaelite]

Thanks Levi, I suspected you were likely feeding or dosing the tank with something to get such good growth out of your zoas and palys. I'll have to start feeding my zoas to see if I can duplicate your results or at the very least, keep my zoa frags from slowly withering away.

Your very welcome, please keep me updated with the results and what you decide to feed them. Always nice to compare and contrast what works well for others.

I have learned lots about the zoa/palys in the last few months. I had never had success with any until recently, I am now keeping around 32 different varieties in my frags tank of my zeo vit tank so have extremly clean water. I have them about 3 inches from the top of the tank running a vertex illumina 200 light and feeding heavy with acan plus, ora frozen food and dried and frozen cyclopes and they have exploded.

Good to hear your laving good long term results with LED's so far Wes, where are you picking up the ORA frozen food if you don't mind me asking?
Levi

[BlueTang<3]

Your very welcome, please keep me updated with the results and what you decide to feed them. Always nice to compare and contrast what works well for others.



Good to hear your laving good long term results with LED's so far Wes, where are you picking up the ORA frozen food if you don't mind me asking?
Levi

My bad its it ova nutramar I have been buying it at marina aquaria. It has quality marine all over the package so I assume any Lfs that gets quality livestock would have access to it. http://www.nutramar.com/ova.html

[Myka]

You found Nutramar? Lucky! I haven't seen it in ages.

Jeez Levi, now I'm all excited to get my sump hooked up to my nano for I can get that over-sized skimmer hooked up and I can feed my Zoas. :D

[Zoaelite]

My bad its it ova nutramar I have been buying it at marina aquaria. It has quality marine all over the package so I assume any Lfs that gets quality livestock would have access to it. http://www.nutramar.com/ova.html

Thanks Wes! Have yet to see it in Calgary, anyone out there know of a location? Don't think it would be very cost effective to ship in down here unfortunately.

You found Nutramar? Lucky! I haven't seen it in ages.

Jeez Levi, now I'm all excited to get my sump hooked up to my nano for I can get that over-sized skimmer hooked up and I can feed my Zoas. :D

Smaller tanks perform better when it comes to target feeding, much easier to saturate the water with proteins & AA and in turn create a wicked feeding response. Your over due for a nano update Mindy!

[fishytime]

Thanks Wes! Have yet to see it in Calgary, anyone out there know of a location? Don't think it would be very cost effective to ship in down here unfortunately.

well you know.....you do know someone who frequently goes to E-town:razz:

[Zoaelite]

well you know.....you do know someone who frequently goes to E-town:razz:

Are you ever coming back after you move to deadmonton is the question :lol::lol::lol:?

[fishytime]

Are you ever coming back after you move to deadmonton is the question :lol::lol::lol:?

well I plan to come back.......hopefully dragging Laurie and 1000g of water with me.......but I wont be making the final push until spring sometime.......Im going up there for the weekish between boxing day and NYE......Im sure we will be hitting all the stores and can see if MA has some for ya:biggrin:....

[lastlight]

How high up is your sunset?

I have mine on the sandbed currently. It's encrusted it's plug really quickly but the orange has faded a bit and the green in the polyps is pretty muted too.

I need to mount this and a rainbow monti so any advice is appreciated =)

[fishytime]

How high up is your sunset?

I have mine on the sandbed currently. It's encrusted it's plug really quickly but the orange has faded a bit and the green in the polyps is pretty muted too.

I need to mount this and a rainbow monti so any advice is appreciated =)

I will interject......and hijack a little:wink:.....I have mine at the tippy top......come to think of it, all my montis are up high and livin large

[lastlight]

So somewhere where both of mine aren't. That's good news since the sunset didn't seem happy down there.

THANKS LEVI =)

[Zoaelite]

I will interject......and hijack a little:wink:.....I have mine at the tippy top......come to think of it, all my montis are up high and livin large

Their PAR piggies that's for sure!

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk

[Zoaelite]

So somewhere where both of mine aren't. That's good news since the sunset didn't seem happy down there.

THANKS LEVI =)

Haha *in a Doug like voice* Your welcome mang!

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk

[Zoaelite]

Gahhh I have bad clownfish luck!

My adult female Onyx jumped a few weeks back, feeling bad for the little male that was all alone in the tank I went out and purchased a vibrant little snowflake for $120 (I have funny impulse buys)...

Sooooo, WHERE DID HE GO? They paired instantly and he was eating fine last night, I come over today and bang no clown fish!!@#! He's not in the overflow, refugium, sump or on the floor anywhere.

Now my first clownfish is all alone for a second time :neutral:!

Phoootoosss:
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/2605/mg5451.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/mg5451.jpg/)

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/4876/mg5523.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/mg5523.jpg/)

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/9568/mg5434.jpg (http://img855.imageshack.us/i/mg5434.jpg/)

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3132/mg5519k.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/mg5519k.jpg/)

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9408/mg5459.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/mg5459.jpg/)

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/9862/mg5440.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/mg5440.jpg/)

Grow blood shots grow!
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1607/mg5496nh.jpg (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/mg5496nh.jpg/)

Flash is still growing fast! Makes me wonder how long until I need to upgrade again :\.
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3397/mg5468.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/mg5468.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

and FTS:
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/8673/mg5416.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/mg5416.jpg/)

My grow light messes with the white balance big time, hard to take natural photos when it's on but it makes for some cool abstracts.

[reefermadness]

Great pics Levi....

What lighting is that again?

[SteveConn]

Beautiful tank Levi.. kinda the direction I am taking with layout and types of coral

[Zoaelite]

Great pics Levi....

What lighting is that again?

The front is 3 radions and the back is a Coralife 6' 3 X150W with 4 96W PC's.

The coralife needs to go :razz:.

[Zoaelite]

Beautiful tank Levi.. kinda the direction I am taking with layout and types of coral

Thanks Steve, zoas & sps make a really nice contrast :razz:!

[Zoaelite]

Out with the clunker Coralife in with more radions!
I think I'm in love :redface:.

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/329/mg5549.jpg (http://img811.imageshack.us/i/mg5549.jpg/)

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/8329/mg5592.jpg (http://img857.imageshack.us/i/mg5592.jpg/)

The hanging situation still needs some work as they are sitting all funky at the moment. Either we will build a frame for the 6 or get additional mounting kits for the 3 we ghetto hung.

Everything is so bright and shiny now :lol:!
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4940/mg5562.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/mg5562.jpg/)

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/8541/mg5590.jpg (http://img818.imageshack.us/i/mg5590.jpg/)

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9708/mg5583.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/i/mg5583.jpg/)

New wicked paly:
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/5627/mg5576x.jpg (http://img846.imageshack.us/i/mg5576x.jpg/)

[lastlight]

How has the change affected your tank temp?

I need to get over and check this out! It's one thing to see one over coral (I still haven't) but yours is also a large tank and you're doing 2 rows which i most certainly would need to.

Your pics look better in my eyes!

[noirsphynx]

Woah, that's sweet!!!!!!!!!!
Levi do you have any tips for saving zoas/paly's? I'm getting to my wit's end with them melting for no apparent reason. I lost my Jason Fox Blood Shot's and now my Space Monsters are melting away :cry::cry::cry::mad::mad::mad: I don't have spiders, nudi's or pox or anything I can tell that's bothering them. I do have asterina stars but they never go anywhere near my zoa's/paly's. I did notice something a couple weeks ago, there was something strange looking on the inside stalk of my space monsters(notice the dark lines inside the far left play, this is also the one that melted on me a couple days ago) They also look skinny and so do a couple other of my paly frags.
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt191/noirsphynx/PC180004.jpg

[riceboy]

Dude I'm still waiting on what the frags I gave you look like under LEDs lol hint hint

[riceboy]

Woah, that's sweet!!!!!!!!!!
Levi do you have any tips for saving zoas/paly's? I'm getting to my wit's end with them melting for no apparent reason. I lost my Jason Fox Blood Shot's and now my Space Monsters are melting away :cry::cry::cry::mad::mad::mad: I don't have spiders, nudi's or pox or anything I can tell that's bothering them. I do have asterina stars but they never go anywhere near my zoa's/paly's. I did notice something a couple weeks ago, there was something strange looking on the inside stalk of my space monsters(notice the dark lines inside the far left play, this is also the one that melted on me a couple days ago) They also look skinny and so do a couple other of my paly frags.
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt191/noirsphynx/PC180004.jpg


Try putting a bit of flow on them I find mine opens right up when I direct some flow on them

[noirsphynx]

Try putting a bit of flow on them I find mine opens right up when I direct some flow on them

They're opening just fine, I made them close for this pic(taken a couple weeks ago).

[Borderjumper]

Sweet tank! I'm assuming your loving the Radions? How did you acclimate the tank to the LED's?

I've just started the switch, and I can tell everyone these Radions are really underrated IMO. Right now I have one side by side with a high end 400W 20k radium, and at 100% the Radion is brighter! I'm starting at 33% as to not bleach anything.

[Zoaelite]

Woah, that's sweet!!!!!!!!!!
Levi do you have any tips for saving zoas/paly's? I'm getting to my wit's end with them melting for no apparent reason. I lost my Jason Fox Blood Shot's and now my Space Monsters are melting away :cry::cry::cry::mad::mad::mad: I don't have spiders, nudi's or pox or anything I can tell that's bothering them. I do have asterina stars but they never go anywhere near my zoa's/paly's. I did notice something a couple weeks ago, there was something strange looking on the inside stalk of my space monsters(notice the dark lines inside the far left play, this is also the one that melted on me a couple days ago) They also look skinny and so do a couple other of my paly frags.

Do a water & carbon change and see if that helps. I see allot of mystery rot both online and in my tank I have a feeling it's either some sort of coral pathogen or bacteria/ fungus, IME once the mat starts to melt it's game over so fragging the healthy location is required.

Peroxide, Fresh & Coral RX dips might help but I find stressed coral responds badly to dips regardless.Watch the zoas @ night as well, I think you might be surprised where those safe little star fish end up.

Dude I'm still waiting on what the frags I gave you look like under LEDs lol hint hint

GAH! I did it again, you will just have to see them in person :razz:.

Sweet tank! I'm assuming your loving the Radions? How did you acclimate the tank to the LED's?

I've just started the switch, and I can tell everyone these Radions are really underrated IMO. Right now I have one side by side with a high end 400W 20k radium, and at 100% the Radion is brighter! I'm starting at 33% as to not bleach anything.

On full intensity they severely ****ed my zoas off, I dialed the first set back from 30% up to 100% over the span of 3 weeks. Everything is happy now, I will be doing something similar with the back row.

[the marine apprentice]

What are the dark purple centered palys with the whitish skirts called Levi??



Everything is so bright and shiny now :lol:!
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4940/mg5562.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/mg5562.jpg/)

[Zoaelite]

How has the change affected your tank temp?

I need to get over and check this out! It's one thing to see one over coral (I still haven't) but yours is also a large tank and you're doing 2 rows which i most certainly would need to.

Your pics look better in my eyes!

Still sitting @ 78 during the day dropping to 75 @ night, I will get Devo to check again tonight.

Tankkk Tourrrr!!!!
But ya, right after new years I should be good whole family is deathly ill at the moment :neutral:.

[Zoaelite]

What are the dark purple centered palys with the whitish skirts called Levi??



Everything is so bright and shiny now :lol:!
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4940/mg5562.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/mg5562.jpg/)

The ones in the front right? I think they are PPE (Purple People Eaters) not 100% on the ID though.