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I don't know about sps under the HiParGero, not unless you really turn up the whites or even run 100% on all channels, I don't think abi ships their par bulbs outside NA, nicrew just came out with a big 50w puck but they have a very mixed reputation when it comes to longevity and quality lol, the lomini has mixed reviews but I'd agree it's low wattage...

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Snow_Phoenix
9 hours ago, Amphrites said:

I don't know about sps under the HiParGero, not unless you really turn up the whites or even run 100% on all channels, I don't think abi ships their par bulbs outside NA, nicrew just came out with a big 50w puck but they have a very mixed reputation when it comes to longevity and quality lol, the lomini has mixed reviews but I'd agree it's low wattage...

I usually try not to ramp any light all the way up - because I figured the LEDs will burn out quicker, plus the light will run hotter (too hot, sometimes). 

 

I saw someone else using a 20W Nicrew over a 2' ft long. While he claims it can support various corals, including a BTA and LPS, I wasn't too sold on the colors. It's suitable as a budget light, I suppose, but I'm not sure if it can support SPS long-term. 😕

 

And yeah, the lumini seems underpowered. I'll do more research though. Will definitely read up more the hipargero too. 

 

Thanks for the input. 👍

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27 minutes ago, Snow_Phoenix said:

I usually try not to ramp any light all the way up - because I figured the LEDs will burn out quicker, plus the light will run hotter (too hot, sometimes). 

 

I saw someone else using a 20W Nicrew over a 2' ft long. While he claims it can support various corals, including a BTA and LPS, I wasn't too sold on the colors. It's suitable as a budget light, I suppose, but I'm not sure if it can support SPS long-term. 😕

 

And yeah, the lumini seems underpowered. I'll do more research though. Will definitely read up more the hipargero too. 

 

Thanks for the input. 👍

Different NiCrew
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/4000773530356.html

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Snow_Phoenix

Piccolo was filter-feeding as usual, but this time from the GSP: 🤗

 

IMG_20200811_152019_959.thumb.jpg.ea5cf51aac5e1009fbc866c7c550ca53.jpg

 

Also, that awkward toadstool in the middle of all the zoas is me at social gatherings: 😅

 

IMG_20200811_152428_187.thumb.jpg.4cc35c5f3ecf69a0edd78e7c05aeed44.jpg

 

And I caught my Jack-O-Lantern leptoseris unleashing some killer sweepers today: 😮

 

Coral Turf Wars 101: Lepto or pavona? 🤔

 

Personally I think the pavona can hold its own. It only looks subtle, but that piece has sweepers too and can be a badass when pissed. 😅

 

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Snow_Phoenix

A couple of blurry nightshots incoming - caught Harvey in his camocolors. Took some pics with & without the flash, but my phone's camera had a hard time focusing in the absence of the reef lights:

 

IMG_20200811_210612_405.thumb.jpg.58a5aa3f9065a3aad7e16985c811daa5.jpg

 

20200811_210648.thumb.jpg.4bbee23f5dad8ab051a7edd1c05bce28.jpg

 

IMG_20200811_210612_406.thumb.jpg.702062d2ae271f0f07b0a80bdf4a5d0b.jpg

 

Also, all the collonista snails are out - there are so many of them! 😮

 

IMG_20200811_210752_662.thumb.jpg.73606db19cc27a2cae1e60444820cfd5.jpg

 

IMG_20200811_210752_663.thumb.jpg.b5c031fcc7faf396e5840417a52744ca.jpg

 

I wonder if my hitchiker microbrittles are still alive. I think there might be a few beige ones left, but they're simply hidden. 🤔

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Snow_Phoenix
24 minutes ago, debbeach13 said:

Have you made any progress on picking a light? There are so many choices I find it hard to decide so I don't LOL.

No, no progress yet. I need to settle a few other things with the other tanks first. Once I do that, I'll go back to researching on a proper light. 

 

The Chihiros is holding up for *now. 

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Snow_Phoenix

Some early morning shots taken today (without any filter lens) :

 

Hungry rainbow: 😄

 

IMG_20200812_115033_953.thumb.jpg.99379af95fb95ec28d4f483f17640e67.jpg

 

IMG_20200812_115033_956.thumb.jpg.e8dc394346b92e02c4fbb17c8ea6b35a.jpg

 

Munching on algae:

 

IMG_20200812_115128_755.thumb.jpg.e5b52627f1f2a1d157b31a4669171219.jpg

 

Favites:

 

IMG_20200812_115203_705.thumb.jpg.94e74a80e74d97c7f3a2dda67c69a7ea.jpg

 

The oily film was back and I mopped it up (again) using some tissue. I notice the film always returns around a week since the last WC - it's actually quite a good indicator that the tank is due for another WC. 

 

So I'll perform another full-dual WC tomorrow - I'm still exhausted and recovering from the emergency WC I did for my 70G FW eel tank yesterday (had to euthanize my smallest eel too, which was soul-crushing 😔 ). 

 

This tank is holding steady so far, so I think a few extra days of missed WC shouldn't affect it too badly. 👍

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Glass is very dirty, but the film is a nice snacking ground for tiny critters, so I have tons of pods & acoel flatworms on the glass:

 

IMG_20200813_153652_700.thumb.jpg.bd65d481c14e22ffa4b44a5d13212fea.jpg

 

Something else also came up today, so I'm pushing back the WC to tomorrow. The oily film is also back in full force - will mop that up again with some tissue. 👍

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Just turned the lights on for the day, and the corals are still opening up. Guess who I spotted up and about, touting a new exoskeleton? 😊

 

IMG_20200814_105631_088.thumb.jpg.bb881e95c14fc11ed63db8266a2eb440.jpg

 

I'm happy his molting session went well. He appears to have grown a bit thicker, but length-wise, I can't see any difference. 🤔

 

Also, Piccolo was still clinging on to my red devil shroom, and refuses to let go. 😅

 

IMG_20200814_105908_798.thumb.jpg.16bd73c3ff73a581f55206b4a0bd91df.jpg

 

There's algae on the glass, which really needs to be scraped, but I'll probably have to remove the Zoa Tower and move the shrooms back (a little) to access it. 🤔

 

The Montihat looks too lightly colored under my Chihiros lights:

 

IMG_20200814_105735_448.thumb.jpg.4bcd54def18dc80c8276dbf60d2556cd.jpg

 

But when I pull my Aquazonic lights over it, it still looks green and isn't bleached (phew!). 

 

This is the only blasto that I have on the Zoa Tower:

 

IMG_20200814_105820_598.thumb.jpg.d03ab3457172aa999e2888c0832bd35d.jpg

 

Can easily mistake it for a giant paly though. 😅

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Update #1: My Zoa Garden. 🤗

 

IMG_20200814_171117_772.thumb.jpg.510de4f2ae0dbcc5c7b14d56e7ca7d3a.jpg

 

Mint greens:

 

IMG_20200814_171117_778.thumb.jpg.dfc8a8d3f87c707f8838f1aee2406cd6.jpg

 

Tubbs blue:

 

IMG_20200814_171117_773.thumb.jpg.e9c695f48bf98b8399b2e176b66fe193.jpg

 

Blue peacocks (looks purple to me though 🤷‍♀️ ) :

 

IMG_20200814_171117_774.thumb.jpg.dc76105ad12584fab3785cfe9b6f7d05.jpg

 

Orange zoas have grown 3 new heads: 🤗

 

IMG_20200814_171117_782.thumb.jpg.1d546725aad365336304b729ad55a248.jpg

 

The Zoa Tower: 🥰

 

IMG_20200814_171117_786.thumb.jpg.b11d79e09649dfca0a61f4553a7611ff.jpg

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Update #2: Other Corals. 

 

My montis: 🤗

 

IMG_20200814_170832_485.thumb.jpg.5024f0d8fa8c25677e12a8a94e7feaea.jpg

 

IMG_20200814_170832_486.thumb.jpg.1f8f81298974879cfae7b69a8274cfd0.jpg

 

Leptoseris:

 

IMG_20200814_171504_034.thumb.jpg.a2f9475338debed8d2b2409825c6fa7c.jpg

 

Red pavona has more ripples on the surface now. It's growing rather quickly:

 

IMG_20200814_171556_011.thumb.jpg.f6ed89682f537b6b3703b4cf79c8464f.jpg

 

The cyphastrea's colors have run off again. I think it's because of a slight nutrient imbalance that the tank experienced before the latest WC: 🤔

 

20200814_171402.thumb.jpg.03b024d6ec7372ce9fb0e1c852c42ab8.jpg

 

20200814_171325.thumb.jpg.6afb2b83f2cbf0a58da4770756837a08.jpg

 

Hopefully the colors will return. The polyps are still orange though. 🤔

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Update #3: Prowler. 

 

See that giant mound of sand? A certain goby is responsible for it. 🙄

 

IMG_20200814_171801_373.thumb.jpg.f0742dcfb34276006c10229294b4b1df.jpg

 

I just flattened the mound today morning after WCing the tank. By evening, the mound was back and double its original size. I swear it's like having a pistol shrimp in the pico. 🙄

 

Also, I WCed the pico quickly today because my last turban snail died. 😭

 

I think there simply wasn't enough algae on the rocks for it to eat. Still, losing 2 snails within ~1 week made me wary - so the best thing to do was do a full double WC (drain tank, refill, then drain tank again & refill again). 

 

So far everything else seems okay. But I'll monitor the pico, *just in case. 👍

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Snow_Phoenix
22 minutes ago, debbeach13 said:

Good morning! well good night for me.

Have a good night! 🤗

13 minutes ago, Tired said:

Aw, squishy blanket. I'm planning to get one of those not-a-crabs tomorrow, if all goes well. What does yours think of you? Does he hide from you? 

So far no - she's quite brave and out in the open most of the time, filter-feeding. She does hide when my Saron comes too close though, but I've never seen the shrimp harass/disturb the crab in any way. 

 

Perhaps the size of the shrimp scares her off. My Saron is much, much larger than her. So she assumes he is a predator? Not sure. 🤔

 

I broadcast feed the tank frozen sometimes and she filters food from the water column. I've tried feeding her NLS, Hikari & Formula One pellets, but she wasn't interested. 

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Oh, by the way, keep an eye on the Saron. I did some reading on them, curious if I should get one. Apparently there are multiple species available in the hobby, very difficult to tell apart. Some of them will eat corals and attack other animals as they mature, some are perfectly well-behaved. It's why they aren't more popular, because they're unpredictable. 

 

I'll have to see if I can get mine to eat prepared foods. I figure if it's not scared of the pipette, I can feed it reef roids, maybe try some mysis. 

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Snow_Phoenix
34 minutes ago, Tired said:

Oh, by the way, keep an eye on the Saron. I did some reading on them, curious if I should get one. Apparently there are multiple species available in the hobby, very difficult to tell apart. Some of them will eat corals and attack other animals as they mature, some are perfectly well-behaved. It's why they aren't more popular, because they're unpredictable. 

 

I'll have to see if I can get mine to eat prepared foods. I figure if it's not scared of the pipette, I can feed it reef roids, maybe try some mysis. 

I've kept saron shrimp for years without any issue. Although they do get the munchies for macros from time to time, none of mine have bothered any of my other livestock - corals or otherwise. 👍

 

I do agree that IDing the correct species of saron is important, because not all sarons are reefsafe. I keep S. marmoratus, which is readily available in the Indo-Pacific region. I already have a ~2-year-old male specimen in my 60G, and he doesn't bother a thing. Harvey the shrimp (in the pico) is also the same species. 

 

I did try keeping S. rectirostris before (most notable for their compact beige body & purple legs) and those aren't reefsafe/ship poorly/die easily. I notice DD sometimes have these Sarons on sale from time to time, avoid it unless you have a FOWLR/super-clean tank. They're too sensitive & destructive too. 😕

 

S. marmoratus are okay, as long as they are well-fed and have shadowy alcoves in the tank for them to hide - they're mostly nocturnal. I like the way they can shift to red or green colors in camomode. 😊

 

I do appreciate the head's up though. Thank you, Tired. 😊👍

 

As for the crab, I usually gently baste a mix. of frozen (artemia & pods), dry (reef roids) & liquid (phyto, zoo, selcon, Vit. C & shrimp juice) in its direction. I'm not sure which particle size is the best for it to filter feed on, so I try a mixture of things. The different types/sizes of food also benefits the different types of corals in the pico. 🤔

 

It can be hard to satisfy the demands of all the corals at once, especially when the polyp/mouth sizes aren't the same. 😕

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Prowler did some serious aquascaping today afternoon: 

 

IMG_20200815_162144_461.thumb.jpg.97bbcd98b227696180db356ebc91bd4e.jpg

 

He actually managed to get sand on my montihat:

 

IMG_20200815_162144_459.thumb.jpg.632bf3a33eb4e1dcf5e24952db58c6e2.jpg

 

20200815_162215.thumb.jpg.399740f14c5d8d087bff896c767c1195.jpg

 

So naturally, I decided to reclaim my tank back, which turned out to be a really bad idea, because by leveling the sandbed (and accidently knocking off my green favites & recovering chili pepper monti), I pissed off everything - and I mean *everything in the tank:

 

:eek:

 

Worse, I re-glued the monti & favites rather poorly - so I'll have to detach them, remove the excess glue, and then reposition them a second time. 

 

At the rate everything was sliming, I thought I'd have to perform another emergency 100% WC, but within an hour, everything cleared up - the slime was sucked up by the filter, and *all corals are back to having full PE and looking happy. Uhh...wha...? 😲

 

So I left everything as it is. Can't believe my pico is in full control of a tiny 2" goby! 😕

 

Goby: 1, Human: 0. 

 

P.S. Will re-adjust the frags tomorrow - don't want to accidently piss off everything again. Also, my bullseye shroom has grown bigger with a stronger touch of color to it! 

 

IMG_20200815_162047_117.thumb.jpg.fdffc509c35c982734143bb9af650552.jpg

 

😊

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You have been busy. I do love all your photo's. More FTS would be awesome. You take more photo's in  a week than I do in a couple months. It must really help when you want to look back on how a certain coral is doing. 

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Snow_Phoenix
1 hour ago, debbeach13 said:

You have been busy. I do love all your photo's. More FTS would be awesome. You take more photo's in  a week than I do in a couple months. It must really help when you want to look back on how a certain coral is doing. 

Yeah, that's actually the primary reason why I take many pics - to look back on the progress of a certain coral, fish or invert (or tank as a whole) and compare & see how much difference there is within a span of few weeks to few months. Especially in the pico - I'm focusing more on nursing injured/sick/dying coral back to health, and then focusing on growing out the healthy frags to see how much they have spread out, or how much color they've regained. 

 

I figured growth = healthy, lack of growth = need to adjust parameters/feeding or lighting schedule to encourage growth. 🤔

 

I'll definitely try to take more FTSes in the future. I actually have to 'prop' the lights on tissue rolls to mount them high enough to slip my phone underneath to get topview shots. Since I have butterfingers, the chances of my phone slipping and falling into the tank is pretty high, so I try not to do this often. 

 

I think the corals look the best (and most accurately-colored) under my Aquazonic lights *alone though. The Chihiros adds to much white to the mix, and coral colors come out looking pale/bleached/anemic in shots. :sad:

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