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Lagoon 25 | SPS Reef


House Reef

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On 5/10/2019 at 3:51 PM, DaveFason said:

The scoly photo is perfect. As always great photos. 

-Dave

Thanks Dave, much appreciated!

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On 5/10/2019 at 4:23 PM, Tigahboy said:

I'm a big fan of the shallow tanks as well.  The dimensions of the IM Lagoon are very nice! 

Me too, can't believe its taken me this many years to get a shallow tank 😥

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On 5/11/2019 at 3:29 PM, SliceGolfer said:

Looking great, Pandy! Your tank makes me wish I went with the lagoon over the IM 20. Excited to see how this grows out over the next 6-9 months 👍

Thanks SG! The IM 20s are great tanks, don't let my little puddle sway you 😁 You and me both - updates coming!

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Right I need to catch up!

 

May to June 2019

 

As I've mentioned before, this tank is ran on Tritons 'Other Methods' system. I started manually dosing around a month back now which was fine until I realised I had an upcoming holiday booked where I would be away from the tank for a few days. I'd been eyeing up the GHL Doser 2.1 on the shelf at an LFS for some time, but my hand had been forced in buying it so soon, but who am I to moan? 

Didn't take very long at all to set up once it was connected to the P4 via PAB (being a slave unit). So I was up and running in no time at all. Look how fancy they go together 😍

 

47933938658_aa36a67549_k.jpgGHL Doser 2.1 by Andy, on Flickr

 

I also knew long term, that the single AI Prime HD wasn't going to be enough for SPS, and I really wanted to get back onto a T5 unit anyway. As luck would have it, a 6x24w Sunpower came up very cheap, and very local, so I snapped that up straight away! Luckily this time the location holes in the ceiling were both JUST on the beams, so I had nothing more to do than screw the hanging kits into the ceiling - Bonus! Last time I had to take the floor up upstairs much to the dislike of the wife.
 

47995770927_b13617c64c_k.jpg3-6-19 | Angled Tank Shot by Andy, on Flickr

 

What update can be complete without photos of the newest additions? The nutrient levels in the tank were very low due to the rock work coming from my old ZEOvit tank, and me not having many fish - so I changed that situation a little 😎

 

47995769322_bb96ee862a_k.jpg3-6-19 | Firefish_ by Andy, on Flickr

 

47995810046_7dda53688f_k.jpg3-6-19 | Tailspot Blenny by Andy, on Flickr

 

And to finish off, a full frontal FTS. Now I have my dosing and lighting sorted I'll be introducing more SPS to bring the tank in the right direction coral wise.

 

47995812916_4e15e6b985_k.jpg3-6-19 | Front Tank Shot by Andy, on Flickr

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June 2019

I visited a friends house a few weeks ago to take some photos of his tank for him, and being the very nice bloke that he is, he returned the favour with a great selection of frags from his stunning corals! I plan on heading back over to see him with my wallet this time for a few more pieces as I could happily fill my tank with frags of the corals in his tank! But this time I came away with some SSC, Acropora valida, Montipora capitata, Birds of Paradise Seriatopora, and what I think is a millepora - but yet to confirm that.

Everything has settled really well and is basing out and growing nicely already - the SSC is an awesome piece!

Please excuse these pictures, my Avast porthole viewer is crap for lining up with the camera so I get lots of distortion 😤 And my focus is off on most of these shots 

 

48199836061_695838fc5e_k.jpg17-6-19 | Strawberry Shortcake | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199836821_b0c74c45bb_k.jpg17-6-19 | Bird Of Paradise | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199842686_5127239ca3_z.jpg17-6-19 | Montipora capitata | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

And onto some other coral top downs...

 

48199877002_62e3bf6464_k.jpg17-6-19 | Most Expensive Seat In The House by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199877627_b8ff6c1578_k.jpg17-6-19 | Fungia | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199838641_cf6ef31115_k.jpg17-6-19 | Mystic Sunset | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199840036_8207352587_z.jpg17-6-19 | Acans | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199840866_61f6da2d6a_z.jpg17-6-19 | Montipora hirsuta | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199881397_90c76276e9_k.jpg17-6-19 | Favia | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199878627_e8c42c9ecd_k.jpg17-6-19 | Sea Of Green | Top Down by Andy, on Flickr

 

 

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I'm always trying to improve my images as there's always some new style or technique to learn. I'm pretty happy that I have a 'style' to my regular daylight shots now, but I wanted to try to capture the corals under the two ATI Blue Plus tubes - something I don't usually do, so have little practice in - but I think they turned out ok, and are a pretty decent representation of how the corals look under those lights.
 

48199874752_5e4263c173_z.jpg24-6-19 | Forest Fire | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199828011_c97c0d8e88_z.jpg24-6-19 | Forest Fire Encrusting 2 | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199829196_a8120e1c3f_k.jpg24-6-19 | Forest Fire Encrusting | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199830076_099abd9df5_z.jpg24-6-19 | Strawberry Shortcake | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199826716_f5c159b7e8_z.jpg24-6-19 | Montipora capitata | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199824431_bd9a469901_z.jpg24-6-19 | Mystic Sunset | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199823561_5acc7e4480_z.jpg24-6-19 | Montipora hirsuta | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199866412_59799a809b_z.jpg24-6-19 | Montipora sp | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199865347_61dc17fe6e_z.jpg24-6-19 | Beach Bum side | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

 

48199819241_f3f3f2b520_z.jpg24-6-19 | Beach Bum front 2 | Actinic by Andy, on Flickr

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I'm no good at videography as it's all new to me, so mute this to avoid hearing my camera constantly refocusing 😂

 

 

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And finally I took the opportunity to get the camera out today for an updated FTS and a few snaps. I've moved some of the LPS I want to sell around to the back of the LH rock structure to hide them until I move them on, seems to have made the sand bed tidier which is nice.

I'm buying the bigger Tunze top up this week as the nano single float version is cack - constantly have issues with the float switch, so upgrading to the optical version with safety cut off. I also need to look into more flow, and am again thinking of going with Tunze with two of their controllable 6040 pumps hooked up to the Profilux, but am still undecided yet - will keep researching.

Never in a million years did I think I'd have a Montipora dominant tank and actually enjoy it! Always said I wouldn't touch them ever again, but I'm a sucker for those contrasting colours!

 

48297786247_f791727e8a_z.jpg16-7-19 | Full Tank Shot by Andy, on Flickr

 

48297671726_bd91c44d8c_z.jpg16-7-19 | Mystic Sunset Montipora by Andy, on Flickr

 

48297789517_eff3be8118_z.jpg16-7-19 | Montipora hirsuta by Andy, on Flickr

 

48297675281_078d5a0cfa_z.jpg16-7-19 | Montipora capitata by Andy, on Flickr

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  • 10 months later...
House Reef

Hello everyone,

 

It seems like I am WELL overdue an update of my tank on here! Sorry for my absence and lack of interaction on here in general. Up until recently I’ve not had much ‘get up and go’ towards the tank for one reason or another (I’m currently building a camper van which is taking a lot of my time and most of my money), but the past month or two I’ve been enjoying it again. 


Since the last update, the tank has had its ups and it’s downs. Starting with these buggers...

 

48775329383_d991741ca9_c.jpgDinoflagellates 2 by Andy, on Flickr

 

It took me a couple of months to fully push back the dinos, but they seem to be in control now.


Here’s a selection of photos bringing the tank up to date. I’ve not really added a lot of stock, rather just let it grow out. I did buy the pair of Tunze 6040s though to improve the flow - still trying to get the flow right 😏

 

48775857852_c820834df9_c.jpgBlenny 2 by Andy, on Flickr
 

48775332323_a470b8dcbc_c.jpgMontipora 22-9-19 by Andy, on Flickr
 

48775344328_f8942b65bc_c.jpgHammer 22-9-19 by Andy, on Flickr
 

48775885952_d088855404_c.jpgForest Fire Montipora 22-9-19 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49311475118_b041c4c780_c.jpgFavia detail by Andy, on Flickr
 

49311975556_b1126c063c_c.jpgZoanthid sp by Andy, on Flickr
 

49317557493_0c4007abb5_c.jpgLA Lakers Zoa by Andy, on Flickr
 

49318042136_69ec89c77d_c.jpgMontipora 'Hologram' by Andy, on Flickr
 

49317548883_fe2f00cab6_c.jpgMontipora capitata 2 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49318044971_2ce6606af0_c.jpgMontipora Forest Fire 2 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49663133856_d51899783b_c.jpgPictichromis diadema by Andy, on Flickr
 

49708942633_46e6c82446_c.jpgScolymia 2 28-03-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49723885091_bd2acde1ef_c.jpgUntitled by Andy, on Flickr
 

49723885196_23a70c23d5_c.jpgEcsenius stigmatura on Montipora hirsuta by Andy, on Flickr
 

49768946541_7ab8877d8b_c.jpgUnknown Monti 1 10-04-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49768413913_bf8d3edb1e_c.jpgBirds of Paradise 10-04-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49768417748_9c545b0666_c.jpgDragon Soul Favia 2 10-04-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49769275767_70867e862a_c.jpgSunset Monti 10-04-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49881994451_cf3206714e_c.jpgLime In The Sky - 10.05.20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49882303617_5432e1d215_c.jpgHologram Montipora - 10.05.20 by Andy, on Flickr

 

Which leads me up to the latest FTS, and the next thing on the horizon...

 

49881471768_08ef223065_c.jpgFTS - 10.05.20 by Andy, on Flickr

 

48816101016_a1d76a89cb_c.jpgNew Lagoon by Andy, on Flickr
 

Cheers

Andy

 

 

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mitten_reef
23 minutes ago, Pandy said:

Hello everyone,

 

It seems like I am WELL overdue an update of my tank on here! Sorry for my absence and lack of interaction on here in general. Up until recently I’ve not had much ‘get up and go’ towards the tank for one reason or another (I’m currently building a camper van which is taking a lot of my time and most of my money), but the past month or two I’ve been enjoying it again. 


Since the last update, the tank has had its ups and it’s downs. Starting with these buggers...

 

48775329383_d991741ca9_c.jpgDinoflagellates 2 by Andy, on Flickr

 

It took me a couple of months to fully push back the dinos, but they seem to be in control now.


Here’s a selection of photos bringing the tank up to date. I’ve not really added a lot of stock, rather just let it grow out. I did buy the pair of Tunze 6040s though to improve the flow - still trying to get the flow right 😏

 

48775857852_c820834df9_c.jpgBlenny 2 by Andy, on Flickr
 

48775332323_a470b8dcbc_c.jpgMontipora 22-9-19 by Andy, on Flickr
 

48775344328_f8942b65bc_c.jpgHammer 22-9-19 by Andy, on Flickr
 

48775885952_d088855404_c.jpgForest Fire Montipora 22-9-19 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49311475118_b041c4c780_c.jpgFavia detail by Andy, on Flickr
 

49311975556_b1126c063c_c.jpgZoanthid sp by Andy, on Flickr
 

49317557493_0c4007abb5_c.jpgLA Lakers Zoa by Andy, on Flickr
 

49318042136_69ec89c77d_c.jpgMontipora 'Hologram' by Andy, on Flickr
 

49317548883_fe2f00cab6_c.jpgMontipora capitata 2 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49318044971_2ce6606af0_c.jpgMontipora Forest Fire 2 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49663133856_d51899783b_c.jpgPictichromis diadema by Andy, on Flickr
 

49708942633_46e6c82446_c.jpgScolymia 2 28-03-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49723885091_bd2acde1ef_c.jpgUntitled by Andy, on Flickr
 

49723885196_23a70c23d5_c.jpgEcsenius stigmatura on Montipora hirsuta by Andy, on Flickr
 

49768946541_7ab8877d8b_c.jpgUnknown Monti 1 10-04-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49768413913_bf8d3edb1e_c.jpgBirds of Paradise 10-04-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49768417748_9c545b0666_c.jpgDragon Soul Favia 2 10-04-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49769275767_70867e862a_c.jpgSunset Monti 10-04-20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49881994451_cf3206714e_c.jpgLime In The Sky - 10.05.20 by Andy, on Flickr
 

49882303617_5432e1d215_c.jpgHologram Montipora - 10.05.20 by Andy, on Flickr

 

Which leads me up to the latest FTS, and the next thing on the horizon...

 

49881471768_08ef223065_c.jpgFTS - 10.05.20 by Andy, on Flickr

 

48816101016_a1d76a89cb_c.jpgNew Lagoon by Andy, on Flickr
 

Cheers

Andy

 

 

nice photos, and an awesome new tank!!! is it 3x2 or 4x2 ft?

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House Reef
13 minutes ago, mitten_reef said:

nice photos, and an awesome new tank!!! is it 3x2 or 4x2 ft?

Thanks 😊 

 

Its 100x60x30, so just over 3G 👌🏼

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Emerald525

Nice looking tank. I have a lagoon sitting in the shop that I am thinking of setting up. I also love the ATI lights. 
any ideas of why you ended up with Dino’s ?

 

oh and the unknown monti looks like a pavona maldevensis 

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House Reef
1 hour ago, Emerald525 said:

Nice looking tank. I have a lagoon sitting in the shop that I am thinking of setting up. I also love the ATI lights. 
any ideas of why you ended up with Dino’s ?

 

oh and the unknown monti looks like a pavona maldevensis 

Cheers. The ATI is great. Cost me £40 to buy and has needed a new fan and a new ballast which were £25 if that. I’ll upload my PAR readings I took recently on my 9 month old tubes - still plenty of life left 👌🏼

 

I’m not sure on why I had dinos. Maybe a lack of nutrients, or an imbalance in competing species I don’t know, but Dr Tim’s and UV helped settle them

down 💪🏼
 

A few people have suggested Montipora undata as it has very similar polyps, but the colour is off as all of the growth is red and encrusting. I have a Pavona maldivensis tucked down the left of the tank and it’s pretty different to that in real life, but thanks for the thoughts on it. Will have to see how it grows out I guess.

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What bulb combo are you running with the ATI? I picked up an 8bulb 24” for $100 that I’m going to throw on my 40breeder 

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House Reef
4 hours ago, HiImSean said:

What bulb combo are you running with the ATI? I picked up an 8bulb 24” for $100 that I’m going to throw on my 40breeder 

I’m currently running 3 Blue Plus, 2 Coral Plus, and 1 AquaBlue Special. I do want to get an actinic in there so when I get fresh bulbs in a few months I’ll rethink my combo.

 

Thats a bargain 👌🏼

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House Reef
49 minutes ago, Tigahboy said:

These photos are exceptional!

 

40 minutes ago, HiImSean said:

This

 

what camera/settings are you using?

Thanks chaps 👍🏼
 

I’m using a Sony a68 DSLR with mostly my Sigma 105mm macro lens. FTS and top downs are with my Sony 35mm prime. Settings can be all over the place, it’s usually on full manual though. You’re welcome to have a look at the exif data on my Flickr to see the settings for each individual picture 👌🏼
 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49395629@N02/

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Love the photos, and glad to see you're back and posting again! Are you using any lens filters to help compensate for color when you shoot, or are you just handling color correction in camera/in post? 

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House Reef
5 hours ago, Operaman said:

Love the photos, and glad to see you're back and posting again! Are you using any lens filters to help compensate for color when you shoot, or are you just handling color correction in camera/in post? 

Thanks 😁

 

I don’t use filters no. I try my hardest to set the white balance as close to possible when I’m taking the photos, but they do sometimes need a little tweak in Lightroom afterwards. Always try to replicate what I see though, I leave the saturation bar alone 😂

5 hours ago, teamschreiba said:

Both the tank and the photography are excellent!!

Thank you 😊

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House Reef

Here's an image of the PAR I'm getting over the tank on 9 month old tubes. I borrowed an Apogee 500 meter from my LFS as I wanted to see what life I had left in the tubes themselves - I think I'm good for another month or two. 

 

49890884241_6f07a23c28_c.jpgPAR readings - 13.05.20 by Andy, on Flickr

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Great setup and really nice minimalist aquascape.  I really like the IKEA Stuva/Besta stand you put together as well and was wondering if you could let me know specifically what you ordered/bought to put it together as I'm looking to downsize to a similar dimension tank as well.

 

Thnx!

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House Reef
1 hour ago, Zuma said:

Great setup and really nice minimalist aquascape.  I really like the IKEA Stuva/Besta stand you put together as well and was wondering if you could let me know specifically what you ordered/bought to put it together as I'm looking to downsize to a similar dimension tank as well.

 

Thnx!

Cheers.

 

Its literally just a Stuva frame, Besta door, and the Besta legs. Ive added a thicker ply panel to the back and some braces inside - its been spot on so far! Im not sure where you are in the world, but I recall the US Ikea not having the deeper Stuva like we have here in the UK.

1 hour ago, Cannedfish said:

Just wanted to say your photos are amazing! Great pics and great tank!!

Thanks! appreciate the kinds words. 😃

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