Haha. Let's see how this turns out before I start shelling out advice. Sounds cool. I'd like to see pics of the other 30G setup. Let me know if you can dig it up.

Great idea, but perhaps for the NEXT tank . These tanks will be about 3.5' apart. We're talking about a looong glass table here. I've been wanting to run a dual diplay of ADA tanks for a long time, but the 18x18" footprint is too constricting. This dual concept really works for me, because I can continue uninterrupted growout of my SPS AND I can focus on a unique rockscape for chalices and lower light corals. I can see LPS and SPS clashing in look and competing for space, even in one 60G tank. BTW, I may use a 150W halide on the 2nd tank, since most chalices don't really appreciate the high wattage. This would also allow me to mount showpiece LPS higher in the display, without concern of giving them too much light. I think it would be really cool to see 2 different color temps when both tanks are lit. Energy saved would be a nice collateral benefit as well. Lastly, the only new gear I will be needing are 4X MP20s, 2X RK-4 power strips, return pump, digital ballast, and 2X pendants. I'm going with the Lumenmax Elites.

Yup, this is the way I'm gonna go: 2X 30G cubes. ETA for launch, late November to early December

In the meantime, I'll most definitely continue updates on the 18x18x18 ADA...

Sounds awesome PURP. Dare I suggest rigging the Elites with LEDs like our TOTM? I've been told chalices are even more wowing under some actinics....

Great minds think alike I've been considering LED tubes but the ones I've seen don't cast uniform actinic rays throughout the whole tank. Only the spots directly underneath the tubes. I'll wait to see what colors look like under a Radium 20K. I've heard it looks GREAT without any actinic supplements. Thinking to stick with14K under the SPS tank.

I think if you run them without optics or at least wide optics like an 80 optic you can get fairly uniform distribution over a wide tank like that with two rows. I'm not the expert by any means, but this seems like it would work. I've been eyeing a radium as well, but I just love my phoenix bulb.

Something to consider. First order of biz will be to get the custom tanks ordered. Waiting on a quote from Chris for an A.G.E. There's also a reputable person in Sacramento who hear does a comparable job. Leemar could be another way to go, but I am almost set on the size. Could go with thicker glass (or not). We'll see.

***
Today I picked up a Golden Galaxy from Mark Poletti. He surprised me with 4 eyes instead of the 3 we had initially agreed on.




Bonus freebee he gave me. Forgot to ask him which cyphastrea this is.


***
Went somewhere else to pick these up.

IceFire Echinata? Haven't seen pics with the polyps extended, but this is definitely as bright as the pics I've seen. What do you guys think?


2nd Frag

I'll take one of those Ice Fires off of you...that'll leave you with more room for chalices.

I gave nanoreefnate first dibs, and someone else PM'd me after that, so your 3rd in line. Most importantly, I'd like to get your guys' opinion on my IceFire pics. Positive ID?

Found some other pics online with the neon glow at the base of the polyps:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/icefire...80/_DSC3522.jpg

and scroll to the bottom of this link:
http://www.reefthailand.com/webboard/showt...438&page=18

I like the green polps...is it really that "neon" green in person? It looks like your kid got a hold of it and colored it with some neon markers...I've been trying to grab me a frag of that for a while now...

Is that common for an IceFire? Don't know too much about them (yet). And yes, they're really highlighter fluorescent green. That pic is as close to reality as I could get it. The guy who I bought it from said they were raised under 20K Radiums and with high flow @ 120 times turnover. He says it made the branches more dense over the years, compared to others he has seen. 3rd generation frag from Unarce to John Dakan to him to me now I guess.

randy that looks like blue spetor echinata and if you know whats good for you you'll be giving that to me ..... J/K No really!!

also to answer your second question i don't know 9:45-10:15 i know that the check in starts at 10 and the frag swap starts at 11:30 a.m. I am open its up to you

well if you have lineage i would say it is icefire i just tried to call john to get as ruling but was no answer. it s a great piece anyway

Hey purple that's what I meant to be trading/selling in the nano-reef classified section with us nanoreefers. but yeah can't wait to see your new setup! That was one awesome idea about upgrading and having 2 mp20. I might go that route in my 34g tank. Sound really tempting! Like they always say: if you gonna do it, do it big pimpin' lol

Hey nice idea with the opposing tanks....The one thing about an A.G.E. tank that you won't get with any other tank maker is the PVC bottom. The way they route out the edge, gives the glass more surface area to bond to. I have never heard of an A.G.E. lose a pane, and I looked for it. The PVC bottom is nice because it is impact resistant, just another safeguard against a catastrophe...
With the MP20's, if you have the money, just get MP40's, and run them at 50-75%, they will have a better longevity over running a pump at 100%. The wireless drivers are also a winner, sync or anti sync, it's a feature that is invaluable. BTW order the tank with beveled edges, ftw

Nice Friday score, nothing better then to get fresh stuff...btw, it may have morphed, but I have never seen an Icefire with that neon green base of the polyp. It's super sweet, and IMO a potentially nicer coral.

Thanks for looking into it, Scotty. Checked with him again and he assures me it's an IceFire. Apparently, only the ones in his frag tank show the green rings around the corallites. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until it's proven not to be one.


I think I've at least narrowed it down to the size of the tank. hehe. Now who's gonna build it?

I thought all makers have a PVC bottom. Guess not. There's huge value in the PVC feature for me, especially since I'm goin bare bottom style. *The main reason for this is that I HATE getting sand stuck in between my float magnets and the glass.

"If you have the money" Haha, that's classic. Just when I was thinking about downgrading to MP10s, you had to throw that in there huh? I trust that you know what you're talking about and I'll keep those points in mind. Bookmarked this page for future MP40 reference. I was hangin out at H2O Exclusives in Sac today and the guys were talkin about the cool beveled edges. Heard it twice in one day. That must be a call to action.

Yeah, so again, the guy I got it from swears it's an IceFire. The green corallites could be the result of different lighting and/or flow. A morph is always possible too, since he's had it for so many years. I don't know. But I agree, it's a sweet coral.

Hey Randy. Sweet scores from Mark and with the Icefire frags. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that is more than likely the true Icefire, it's just that it may have developed those green rings around the coralites due to really intense higher kelvin lighting. Mine definitely doesn't have the green rings around the coralites as you can see below....although I'm not saying that's a bad thing as both of those frags look pretty bad a$$.



As I mentioned on my thread or maybe through PM with you, my piece is a lot more branching because it was fresh cut from a large colony that the guy I got mine from has in his frag tank. He said that he has less flow and lighting in my frag tank and as a result, mine will only get brighter but will maintain that delicate branching look.

Either way, I think that you got the real deal. Since your lighting and flow is different than the tank you got them from, I'm sure they will change a little here and there depending on where you place them (flow,lighting).

I wouldn't worry too much about it though....there aren't exactly a ton of tanks that have Icefire frags anyway.

If its not icefire its SWEET!

I'll build an acrylic tank for you Trade it out for corals...

-Dave

You have side shots of the "Ice Fire"???

No, but I'll take one for you in about 30mins. FYI, Scottyreef is one ahead of you for the 2nd frag. Let me know if you're still interested though, and you can have it if he changes his mind.

Thanks for taking a look at that for me, Adam. It'll be cool to compare how our frags develop over time. Since this frag already has solid base, it should shoot out fairly quickly over the next few months. We'll find out soon enough if the branches maintain that delicate structure. I think I may be overly concerned because I'm selling the 2nd frag. Wouldn't want to sell something fake to someone else.

So again, I'm giving this guy the benefit of the doubt. This isn't the first time I've bought something from him, and I do trust his advice.

randy, i saw on the last page that you were talking about 20k radiums, run a 150w DE on the chalice tank and a 250w SE on the SPS tank, a buddy of mine who owns a LFS runs a 400w SE Radium over his 37cube acro tank, and 3 250w SE over the tank he has all the maricultured acros he sells in. The 250's are unsupplemented and the colors are just awesome, we does supplement the 400w since it's a bit whiter than the 250.

Thanks Dave. No acrylic for me though. I can't tolerate scratches. Scratches on your tank are worse than door dings on your Porsche. At least door dings can be fixed. That's why I'm goin bare bottom this time around

(but you can make me an acrylic sump. LOL)


GOOD ADVICE there. I've been looking for a 250W DE, but apparently Radium doesn't make em yet. Don't have experience with SE bulbs, but I'm sure they're 1000% easier to change! Broke 2 DEs so far, trying to push them into the socket. Yeah, I'm really set on the 150W over the other tank. The Radium 20K will be the first one I try. I do believe chalices require MUCH LESS light. Most of the wild colonies are found DEEP in the ocean. Maybe I sure run PCs instead. LOL

I have no idea if it's a true icefire, but I wouldn't care at that point. It's gorgeous! The golden galaxy is phenomenal too!

Se's are just like screwing in an incandescent light bulb. I've heard that there not as efficent as DE bulbs but I've seen some amazing tanks that use SE Radiums, I believe that they can run on any 250w ballast. Also, you'll never get over not having the shimmer if you go with Pc's! When I got my T5's it took me awhile toget used to it but I got over it once my colors started improving, I'm still looking for cheap LED's just for the shimmer.

Haha. It is a nice piece. And yes, I am very pleased with the GG frag I got from Mark. 4 eyes and round and healed and growing!


Yeah I hear ya, but watch, as soon as I buy an SE pendant Radium will come out with a DE 250. Shimma Shimma. Gotta have it.


How's this for a side shot?

If this truly is an IceFire, it's one BIG frag. *This is the one I'm keeping, just to let you know

Since I'm not very good at keeping secrets, here's the incredible chalice I just bought. Shipping on Tuesday

FLYING SAUCER, acquired from the original owner and namer, BeakerBob. He also named the Orange Immolation, another incredible collector's piece. This is a pic of the ACTUAL FRAG There have only been 4 other frags sold over the past two years. He prefers to growout his chalices to showpiece size...


Here's the mother.

WOW,that's a nice piece,purp!lots of eyes,too!

Wow! Very nice. I know you have your eye on an Orange Immolation too. Going to pick that one up as well?

Thank you M'akoy. Perhaps you and I can make a deal one of these days. I dig your stuff as well.

I do, and I ALMOST bought 2 eyes last week. But the OI morphs after it's fragged and no longer looks like the mother colony. Spoke with Bob about it too. He says the piece his son keeps under PCs looks much different than the piece he keeps under 250W halides. I decided against it at the last minute, due to the high price tag and the risk involved in not getting exactly what you think you're paying for.

***
Just got back from the MARS swap. I didn't have high expectations which made it fun. And I actually came home with quite a few nice pieces, such as the Shades of Fall, 20K Lokani, Pink Jade, Tyree Minefield and War Coral. Props to Saltwatersig who never fails to bring premium pieces to the swap!

Swapped my Faux IceFire with Scotty for a nice Grape Juice and Lime Favia. We've decided my "icefire" is a closer match to the LE Blue Scepter. Pics don't lie. So I'm still on the hunt for a TRUE IceFire Echinata. Might have to bid for it on Reeffarmers and be done. LOL

Hey buddy boy long time no see lol. So your the one who got the 20k lokani bastard i was wonder who got that. i seen that tyree war coral but it looked a little hagered i really want to see pics of it when it settles in. Its the one on the large piece of rock right.

You know what i jusst got of the phone with john at yourreef and told him i won a small pink monti and he told i got the best coral that he brought in, It retails for 125 bleeding bucks. I threw out a zoa frag because it had zoa eating nudi's. it never fails well anyway it was a blast

Tubs Pink Smoothie
http://www.exoticfrags.us/corals.php?s=22&c=241

Ooh yeah that looks mighty tasty. I want a bite of that. Do me a fav and glue an Astrea snail shell next to it.

Didn't inspect the war coral since the wifee picked it out, but it looked fine at first glance. There were two of em. (just looked at it and she picked the good one. 15 heads. flawless. she did good )

Making sure the 10G quarantine is running smoothly before I add the corals to it. 50% from my tank water and 50% newly mixed water. Couldn't have timed my water change better. I won't dip them until right before I add them to my display. You know this time I didn't come home with nearly as many corals, but I don't have that much junk - which is nice.

really i only seen the one that had two or three eyes you lucky monkey. I was looking at of few corals i got in trade and I'll take backwhat i said at the swap i did pretty well after everything was said and done with. i really think next time people who bring in teir 1 & 2 corals in should only get to pick from teir 1 & 2 corals the way they had it set up was really stupid. Anyway rock on i know your son was having fun

Oh also i did see that you need a dosing pump if you do i will hook you up when i see you next time

It's always interesting how to see how differently each club runs their own swap. Overall though, we got some cool stuff and had a good time doing it. Curious to see how NCRC runs theirs.

I do I do need a dosing pump. It would be nice not to have to have my Alk in better check. If I had one, I'd bring it down from 10-12dKH to 9-10.

I'll bring you one when i see you next. it will be the one below i will bring you everything that you need to get started. you can barrow it for as long as you want i don't need it.

the pump doses 1.6ml/min but you should always double check how much it doses in a 10 min window to get a idea of what you are putting out

It was a bit of a drive, but I'm glad I rolled out for this frag swap. I came out with triple the frags I went in with . Great to meet your family and finally exchange some frags.

And now I know 'Scottyreef' and 'Bluenassarius' in person.

That looks like a serious piece of equipment. I'd be happy to put it to use


It's always nice to match a face with a handle, and a handle with a name.

OMGOMGOMGOMG. that IceFire looks SO FRIKKIN SMEXY!!!
you givin that one to scotty right? Lucky him.

Gotta love those ADA tanks. You've kept it looking prime too. Great job on the tank.

Yup, he's got it now. But I don't think it's a true IceFire, otherwise it'd be the best looking IceFire I've ever seen! The inner green corallites on that piece are mind boggling.


Thank you. I will deeply miss the ADA craftsmanship. Hopefully, my next tank(s) will live up to the same quality.

Been a busy weekend and just getting a chance to catchup on your thread. Sounds like you've had a busy weekend as well....picking up all sorts of great pieces.

That chalice from BeakerBob is truly one of a kind Randy. Can't wait to see what it looks like under your tender loving care

Sounds like you made out like a bandit at the swap, especially considering you went in with low expectations. Man I just wish there were more swaps around here...I post pictures of my corals on the local forums and I'm not even sure people understand what they're looking at. Out of all the corals I have, they compliment on how they like the Hammer coral I have....nice.

Sorry to hear that it looks like the Icefire wasn't the real deal....although I"m agreeing with everyone else, it is one hell of a coral regardless. I'm almost 100% sure that the guy I got mine from has the real deal with lineage directly back to the original. He is from R2R so just let me know if you want his contact information. He sold me the frag I have for a really good price and even tossed in a couple extras. He has a pretty large colony he frags from so just let me know.

Hope you have a good rest of the weekend....we'll be waiting for pics of all the new additions!!! I imagine these are all going in the frag tank? There's no way you still have room in your display

Hey are you busy today? i can bring by the dosing pump if you want also would you like the setosa i got a the frag swap i have four now and i dont need that many. it still needs to color up a bit but is a decent size piece if not I'll just give it away to someone else this mars swap refilled my frag rack and i need to clear it again.also last night i made a after hours trade with a guy from the mars swap at yourref and i got this beauty Deep Water Acropora multiacuta dou want a piece after it grows out a bit?

Hahaha. Glad that freebie piece worked out so well for you. LOL

I may be taking you up on that IceFire offer. I think at this point, I need to at least sloooow down on purchases, until the new tanks are setup.

Yeah, the caliber of swaps around here are top notch. I did pick up quite a few pieces that I've always wanted but never thought to buy, if you know what I mean. I did make a mistake though in thinking I scored the 20k Lokani. It was the ORA Hawkins, which was still a cool pickup.


I'm in the Bay Area today, but how bout any day/night during the week??? I dig the deep water stuff. Man, I should have traded you for the Yellow Jacket before you put it into the swap.

yeah thats fine i actually talked to john about the coral and he says he has something similar so me and you might be in luck on gettting another frag of it. I am free all week except of next friday so i can drop by either during the day or at night i am between contracts soi have all the time in the world

Good to hear you might be able to get that Yellow Jacket back. Sure, come on down tomorrow afternoon sometime. I'll be workin from the home office (as always) LOL

***
So all the frags collected from the swap look good EXCEPT for the ORA Hawkins. That one didn't look too good from the beginning, but I thought I'd take a chance on it anyway. Saw flesh floating off the skeleton when I got back from the Bay Area. And I'm glad I didn't put those frags directly into my display tank. Just found a flatworm roaming in the quarantine tank. Might be another couple of days before I can get these frags into my display and/or frag bin. Need to get more FWE. Quarantine, quarantine, quaratine!

Randy - I have a surprise frag coming. Pumpkin Patch Chalice. Check it out on R2R.

-Dave

Very cool but didn't see anything on R2R? PM sent.

BGM is growing a 3rd eye!!!


and while I had the camera out, Miami Hurricane doesn't stop spreading. Taking a few eyes out of it this week, and it's been cut twice already.


Orange and Pink, FNF Acans.


Have a good week.

That's just tasty right there. Please cut and ship to me. Thanks

The growth on your MH has been out of this world...and you said you've already cut it twice? Wow.