Back from the brink...

[Submariner]

I wanted to share some of my recent experiences with those who get discouraged. I had all but given up on my tank due to time constraints. I going to post some pictures tonight, but be warned it’s not pretty. Not horrible anymore but not pretty. I had lost many of my sps and lps during the last 6 months. The tank had become overgrown with algae and I was embarrassed when anyone looked at it. I finally decided to do accomplish 2 things this go around:

1. Maintain a good looking tank without spending all my spare time with it. Thus leaving more time for my family.

2. Maintain a good looking tank without spending a lot of money. Thus leaving more money for my family.

I’ll post weekly and try not to bore anyone too much. I welcome any polite comments and suggestions. Please remember I'm trying to keep to the above rules.

[Mr Cob]

Cool, I also take the minimal approach.

Can't wait to see what you have going on.

[Europhyllia]

I love the tank goes through changes photo threads!

[Submariner]

Here are some not very good photos. I'll mess with the camera later. I describe and post pictures of my "frugal setup" over the weekend. Hey I like that...aka Frugal Reefer. I think I'll change my name.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/128.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/127.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/126.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/125.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/124.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/123.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/122.jpg

Remember it's still a bit rough but improving.

[Gseclipse02]

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/128.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/127.jpg[/URL]
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/126.jpg (http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/127.jpg)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/125.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/124.jpg (http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/125.jpg)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/123.jpg[URL="http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/123.jpg"]
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/122.jpg

[Submariner]

Thanks for the help G.

[hobogato]

that tank is looking great, good job!

[txav8r]

It looks great, Vince!

[kkiel02]

Very nice. Keep it up man!

[Submariner]

Thanks guys! Coming from you guys that means a lot. You'll notice that half of my bali enchinata has red hair algae and the orange digi is whats left of a huge colony that covered half a large rock. But it's starting to grow back and color up slowly. Pics of my setup coming soon...

[Submariner]

Here are pictures of my sump (old wet/dry) w/ old pc light, ev-240 skimmer bought here on MAAST, my kalk "system", and light rack that I built out of C channel and the 4 t5s and 2 250W HQIs that I also bought from Maastards. All of that is contained in this, which is my old wet bar converted. Everyone hangs out in the kitchen anyways.

[hobogato]

that looks great - very well done!

[ErikH]

Vince, it looks great man! Wonderin' where you been! I wouldn't feel right not having a tank with corals in it in my house anymore, glad you found a happy medium.

[Submariner]

that looks great - very well done!

Again, coming from you Ace great praise indeed.


Vince, it looks great man! Wonderin' where you been! I wouldn't feel right not having a tank with corals in it in my house anymore, glad you found a happy medium.

Good to be back Erik!! Hey I still have that xenia for you! Whenever you're ready bud!

[Submariner]

Have begun to add 100ml of vinegar to my Kalk "system". It's actually a 5 gal water container with an air line coming out of it. I use a air line valve to control the drip and it serves as my ATO. I have to refill every 4-5 days. I've had good result so far, sps is really starting to color up. I am also dosing 5 ml of vodka daily.

My wet/dry has a section right after the return and since I don't have a filter sock I cut squares of 100% polyester felt, which is what filter socks are made of. I cut them a little big so that there is no bypass. Great improvement with all the above steps. Hair algae almost completely gone. I've also gone to a DSB in my main tank since there is no room in my sump.

[Europhyllia]

that is very cool! love the in-the-wall thing!

[Submariner]

I got a question about my SPS. Is it normal for SPS to be pale after coming back from browning. They are now thankfully the right color but it's pale right now. They seemed to be improving but I'm a little nervous something else is wrong. How long before they completely color up. These were my older corals that survived my crash.

[ErikH]

Check your mag levels

[Submariner]

Thanks Erik. That's the only test kit I don't have. I will order ASAP.

[lt1z28]

Looks great!!

[Submariner]

Mag levels ended up being fine if not a little on the high side (1500). I'm gonna let it come back down to 1400. I did figure out why my corals were pale though. I read on wetwebmedia.com that when dosing vinegar and/or vodka it is necessary to feed regularly or one of the side effects is your corals becoming pale. I've up feeding to twice a day and low and behold the colors are coming back!! I'll post pictures in a week or so to show progress.

[Submariner]

Thanks Bernie. How's your tank doing since the crash? Ready to swap frags yet? You had best tank I had ever seen in person, broke my heart to hear about your mishap. Hope all is going well.




Looks great!!

[Submariner]

Ordered new hqi bulbs and will post new pictures of progress when they arrive. Old ones were getting a bit dim.

[Submariner]

Getting great growth and polyp extension but still struggling to get good color. I've decided to drip ALK instead of kalk and supplement Calcium. One of my new bulbs was defective so I'm waiting for a replacement. Will let you know when I figure out the "secret sauce".

Open to suggestions...

[Submariner]

So I went from the dirtiest tank in South Texas to having too clean a tank? Well that's sort of what has been going on. As I had said earlier, I was getting great growth and poly extension but really pale colors. I have been feeding twice a day, feeding phytoplex and Kent's coral accel. I'm finally starting to see color returning. I have continued adding vinegar to my Kalk but have stopped vodka dosing. I getting excited about the progress. I'll post pictures soon.

I think that I might try live phyto and Kent's chromaplex instead.

[Mr Cob]

Just saw this. Looks awesome! Can't wait to see some growth pics.

[Submariner]

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[allan]

Dang Vince, talk about a turn about. Tank looks very nice. I can't believe that the forest of pulsing xenia are gone!

Really, really nice!

Dude, I've got a sps frag for you. Bright green (not fluorescent, but definitely livid green under the right lights) and a hardy grower. It's yours if you wish.

[hobogato]

looking great!

[Submariner]

Heck ya!! Come by and pick out a frag for yourself. I've got a TON of stuff that is fragged or can easily be fragged. BTW the xenia is still there it's just above the area I took where I took the picture. Here's a short list of what I have or can frag:

pom-pom xenia
purple tipped nana (small colonie actually)
pink cap
red sea world cap
fluorescent green milli
cabbage
cheeto coral (bright orange)
sea world blue selago
yellow star polyps
toadstool
yellow and finger leather
kenya tree
bright green hydrophona
t. texas bali
bright green palys
orange digitata with purple skin

I'm sure I've forgotten other stuff. That goes for anyone else who would like to trade some stuff. PM me Allan.

[Submariner]

looking great!

Thanks Ace! Always appreciate the nod.

[Submariner]

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Picture colors aren't right but here are some more pics.

[Submariner]

Well it's been awhile since I updated this and I couldn't be happier with the progress. Colors are improving daily and growth is beginning to accelerate faster and faster. I ended up with dosing DIY 2-part solution twice a day. Phyto and vodka at night. I'm very happy with the results. Using a ton of 2 part to keep levels up, it's a good thing I make it myself. I'm going to invest in a couple of dosing pumps and an aqua lifter for top off soon. I'll post pictures tomorrow since it's my day off.