Chris' 50G SPS and Zoanthid Dominated Reef.. NEW PICS NOV 15th

[chris88]

I decided that I needed my own tank journal thread so I can post everything to do with my system in one area. Over time I will post pictures and updates on my system and the approach I use to reef keeping. I also will answer any questions about my system or any other question about the hobby in general. First some spec about my tank.

TANK – 50G 36X18X18
SUMP – 20G
SKIMMER – BUBBLE MAGUS 150
LIGHTING – AQUATICLIFE 6 BULB T5HO WITH 4X1W LEDS

BULB LINE UP:
KZ CORAL LIGHT
KZ NEW GEN
KZ SUPERBLUE
KZ FIJI PURPLE
KZ SUPERBLUE
KZ NEW GEN

WATER MOVEMENT – 1X HYDOR K3 AND 1X HYDOR K1 + RETURN PUMP (APRROX 500GPH)

WATER PARAMETERS
NITRATES – 0 PPM
PHOSPHATES – 0PPM
CALCIUM 440PPM
ALK 8.5DKH
MAG (UNKNOWN)
PH 8.2

[chris88]

Here is link to a write up about tank before the crash 3 months ago. It was done for aquaticlife’s basically talking about my feelings towards their lighting system and a bio on my tank.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?f...ogId=538589979

[chris88]

Here is a link to my thread where I reviewed the KZ T5HO bulbs. The thread has pictures of my tank from before the crash and some info on my old system.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=63770

[chris88]

After the tank crash, which was caused by moving the tank to its new location I went through a few rescapes. When the tank crashed I lost every sps coral except one. I lost a few lps and a couple of my large zoanthid colonies receded. In the pictures below you will notice that all expect one of the sps are newer, but most of the other corals are the same. Here are some pictures of the progression. Keep in mind I use a camera phone and do not edit the photos so it does not do my tank or corals justice.

BEFORE THE CRASH




A MONTH OR SO AFTER THE CRASH



CURRENT AQUASCAPE (the rock in the top left with green palys is on hold for a friend and will not be there permanently)



It was brutal to lose all of my old sps, especially that large monti cap in the center. I grew that from a frag and I lost all of it after the crash. Comments questions are welcome.

[reefwars]

nice tank

[christyf5]

Sorry to hear about the crash, it truly does suck to lose SPS colonies let alone ones you've grown from frags. The tank looks great, I like the way its aquascaped and the large rocks covered with zoos. A great mix of corals in there

[chris88]

Thanks, The zoanthids will completly cover the rocks in a few months. They thinned out a lot after the crash.

[Zoaelite]

Wonderful looking tank, always nice to see large grown in zoa colonies!
Levi

[chris88]

I wanted to post a few more pictures of some of the corals and inhabitants in my tank. Again, please keep in mind that I use a camera phone and I do not edit the pictures at all. The colors and tank looks much nicer in person.

I do not have this coral anymore, it didn’t survive the crash



Red zoanthid colony, fast growing and spreads over everything it touches.



Red paly and green zoanthid colony



Pink and green zoanthid colony



Red paly’s with an isolated green button polyp



Blue tipped purple stag. It was a rescue a few months back so it colors up more each day



I tried to take an actinic pic with the camera phone. I don’t think it turned out very well.



A rescued acro which was light brown when I got it a month or so back, it becomes greener each day



I think this picture turned out decent and it is my favourite part of my new aquascape



Some more zoanthids



Full tank shot. Colors are improving by the day, I accidentally let my alk go to high when I was carbon dosing and I made a few corals pale out.

[kien]

Great mixed reef you've got there! Very diverse and colourful. I like that rift it looks cool!