A.m.P Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 That is quite the contrast, if they're growing well I guess the color might totally be perception on our end and just a little spectrum-tweak away from being perfect again. (Sounds like you're already on that lol). I figured the stars must have come from another tank of yours, just about nobody sells them despite the demand many familiar reefkeepers have for such incredible little animals. Setosa, and monti's in general, are supposed to be resilient enough to fragging to just about tolerate the old plate-frag methods (think short falls onto concrete lol) so I'm kind of blown away to hear the survival rate was so low... Maybe it had something going on which had left it borderline beforehand? Corals are so weird... I ended up with a forest fire in my tank, but I really wanted a mandarin/orange setosa, the brilliant orange polyps and the soft pinkish-orange base (best I can tell orange are pink polyp'd and orange based while mandarins are the opposite, or maybe it's all just individuals and lights because montipora? Only bothering to explain because what I've seen in person is the opposite of what most photos of the animals show and it felt... odd XD), plus the uniquely-large polyps and branch structure, make it such a cool coral to see in person (pictures don't do it justice, but nobody local had any). If you ever feel like shipping a few extra brittles out, let me know haha =p 1 Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I’m loving all the brownie montiporas 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted July 26, 2019 Author Share Posted July 26, 2019 A few pics without the lights on. On the left you can see the Setosa and Superman are encroaching on each other. I'm not sure which one will win (although I'm rooting for the Setosa). I think I'll frag off a large chunk of the Setosa when I do the next water change. On the right, the Monti Cap is working its way towards the Purple Digitata. However, it will take several weeks before there's a problem. Encrusting from a couple of the Digitatas: 6 2 Quote Link to comment
Ratvan Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 You're tempting me to try a monti again 2 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 On 7/26/2019 at 11:48 AM, seabass said: A few pics without the lights on. On the left you can see the Setosa and Superman are encroaching on each other. I'm not sure which one will win (although I'm rooting for the Setosa). I think I'll frag off a large chunk of the Setosa when I do the next water change. On the right, the Monti Cap is working its way towards the Purple Digitata. However, it will take several weeks before there's a problem. Encrusting from a couple of the Digitatas: Getting some good encrusting there! 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted July 31, 2019 Author Share Posted July 31, 2019 FTS: 07/31/19 I fragged my Setosa. Now it's sitting proud up high. 5 Quote Link to comment
A.m.P Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 Purple monti is starting to show a bit of color, but that setosa is gorgeous. 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted July 31, 2019 Author Share Posted July 31, 2019 4 minutes ago, Amphrites said: Purple monti is starting to show a bit of color I've turned up the lights a bit. I'm still not happy with the light spectrum, but the browning was most likely due to insufficient lighting. 2 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Tank looks great Seabass. Love the setosa, awesome coral and nice addition 1 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Clown79 said: Love the setosa, awesome coral and nice addition Setosa at the end of April: End of June: End of July (after fragging it): We'll have to see which one eventually wins. But wow, the Superman lost a lot of color. Fragged Setosa (a bit larger than the original frag): 5 Quote Link to comment
Tamberav Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Looks good 🙂 good polyp extension regardless of color. There might be hyroids on your snail though? Not sure if that is a problem. 2 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 1 minute ago, Tamberav said: Is that hyroids on your snail though? Hmm... I've been assuming it's just fuzzy with algae. Maybe I'll have to look at that more closely. 1 Quote Link to comment
A.m.P Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Oh wow, hiding in plain sight... Those really do look like hydroids don't they? 2 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 Did a little dental hygiene with a toothbrush and hydrogen peroxide solution. Before: After: 4 1 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 The setosa is growing well, very cool shape to it. Nice job on the snail. I always wanted to give a few of mine a peroxide brush down but wasn't sure it was safe. Now I know, so thank you! 2 Quote Link to comment
NaturallyKait Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 I have a few snails who need regular cleaning with a toothbrush. I’ve never thought to use peroxide. Thanks for the idea. 2 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 When using a peroxide solution, first get the snail to retract. Don't dip the snail in peroxide, use a rag or toothbrush to cleanup the shell. I like to hold my finger over the opening, so that the peroxide doesn't enter the shell. Then I rinse it in saltwater (while still covering the opening). I've done this before and the snails seem fine afterwards. However, I only do this when I feel it's necessary (versus discarding the snail). I imagine how it might feel to get peroxide in my eye, and try to treat the snail accordingly. 7 1 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 Here's a nice ugly shot. There's a stark contrast between the dry rock up front which is covered in cyano, and the two live rocks in back which are cyano free. I did manually clean a lot of the cyano off today. Hopefully it'll look a little better for the August FTS. 2 Quote Link to comment
SeaFurn Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 Do you dose phyto into the tank? Just curious. That is quite a contrast in the rocks. Damn cyano! 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 2 minutes ago, SeaFurn said: Do you dose phyto into the tank? Just curious. It's been very sporadic, but yes. I usually dose enough to tint the water green. 5 minutes ago, SeaFurn said: Damn cyano! It looks bad, but it doesn't bother me very much. I know it's localized, and it isn't really affecting anything negatively. 3 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted September 1, 2019 Author Share Posted September 1, 2019 FTS: 08/31/19 I accidentally broke a couple of digitatas off while cleaning. Seems like I do that a lot. But it's not anything a little superglue can't fix. 9 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 On 8/31/2019 at 10:31 PM, seabass said: FTS: 08/31/19 I accidentally broke a couple of digitatas off while cleaning. Seems like I do that a lot. But it's not anything a little superglue can't fix. Looks great. 1 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted September 6, 2019 Author Share Posted September 6, 2019 Thanks Clown79. The fragged Setosa is healing over nicely. I had more plans for this tank (LED upgrades and regular dosing); however, things got busy and I haven't gotten to them yet. Maybe this month; although the contest is approaching its last leg. 3 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 FTS: 09/30/19 8 Quote Link to comment
Christopher Marks Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 Hey @seabass! We're nearly there, 7 months with a pineapple under the sea! 😄 This is a friendly reminder to post your final competition FTS and a 1 to 2 paragraph recap of your experience in the pico reef competition. Be sure to share your future plans for your pico reef as well, will it continue forward or get an upgrade? The competition ends on Sunday October 27th at midnight! Thank you for being a part of the Old School Pico Reef Competition! ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment
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