120 Gallon SPS Tank - 6 months Later

[DrPeaches]

Here are a few before and after pics of my SPS tank at 6 1/2 months old. I'm more than pleased with the growth so far.


Full tank shot 5-6-07




Full tank shot 11-23-07





Closer shot, left side, 5-6-07




Closer shot, left side, 11-23-07





Right side, 5-6-07




Right side, 11-23-07






I hope you like it. Thanks for looking. I'll post some pics of the fish later.

[dzones]

I like how you did the bottom instead of sand.
Nice growth!

[MrRyanT]

Yeah, really looking good.

[bshumake]

THATS IMPRESSIVE!

[just dave]

So the "stuff" is working for you as well? Accelerated coral growth with no algae growth ?

[Del123]

Hope mine looks half that good after I get it up and running.

[sperry]

Originally posted by just dave
So the "stuff" is working for you as well? Accelerated coral growth with no algae growth ?

"stuff" huh Way to tease!!!!!

[DrPeaches]

Originally posted by just dave
So the "stuff" is working for you as well? Accelerated coral growth with no algae growth ?

I must admit I was skeptical at first, but I really can't argue with the results.

[neuroslicer]

Excellent!!!

[zebrafish]

very nice!

[teena]

pm sent

[Del123]

Ok, I got the 180 drilled today and will be getting close to settingg it up, boy those corals look good. When is the frag swap?

[DocJim]

Amazing growth but how will you keep the rubble bottom clean?

[DrPeaches]

Originally posted by DocJim
Amazing growth but how will you keep the rubble bottom clean?

With the strong flow in the tank I really haven't had trouble with detritus buildup. Every six weeks or so I run a powerhead around the bottom just to stir things up, but I really don't find much there.

[luckyfish]

Looks good. What type of lighting are you using and what is your photo period? In addition to "the stuff" are you dosing with anything we mere mortals could use?

[just dave]

Originally posted by luckyfish
Looks good. What type of lighting are you using and what is your photo period? In addition to "the stuff" are you dosing with anything we mere mortals could use?

You could use the stuff but the lighting is super top need to know only secret stuff ( another kind of stuff.)

[Blindside]

Can't believe the growth the corals are getting of just one 60 watt light bulb.


Tank looks good Doc still needs a candy hog though!

[luckyfish]

There is always a lot of stuff going on on this forum.

[Reefdiver77]

Tank looks great!! Doing any fragging anytime soon? I see a few on your frag rack in the tank.

[DrPeaches]

Ok, I guess it's time to reveal a few secrets to my success since David and Carlos have already piqued everyone's interest.

Lighting is provided by a Sylvania 60-watt heavy-duty appliance bulb, color enhanced by a fluorescent black-light fixture left over from the pharmaceutically-influenced 1970s. My photoperiod is about three hours a day if I remember to turn them on. Circulation is driven by a Maxi-Jet 400 pushing about 50 gallons per hour. I'm going to perform my first 10% water change on New Year's Day after I finally get off my tail and install a protein skimmer.

And now for the secret "stuff." Every week I add a cup of Luck's turnip green juice and a 12 oz. can of Stag.

But please don't try this yourself at home! I had professional guidance.

[luckyfish]

Well, I've been doing everything wrong? would Zima work as well?

[just dave]

Originally posted by luckyfish
Well, I've been doing everything wrong? would Zima work as well?

Zima is best left to the serious reefer.

[DrPeaches]

Ok, here's the real scoop. For lighting I use three 400W MH bulbs: an XM 20,000K on each side and a Ushio 14,000K in the center. I use a photoperiod of 12 hours per day, although there are only two hours during the day when all three bulbs are on simultaneously. The XMs burn 7 hours per day, and the Ushio 4 hours.

For supplementation, I use a GEO calcium reactor along with a GEO kalk reactor, which I use to push the pH up (even though I really haven't had a pH problem when I don't use it.) I keep the Ca around 430, the alk about 10 dKh, and the Mg in the vicinity of 1330.

Circulation is provided by a closed-loop system powered by two ReeFlo Snapper pumps that alternate on a 10-minute cycle controlled by a Reefkeeper II. A PCX-40 powers the sump return through two 1/2" Sea Swirls.

That's about it; there's no real secret. It probably costs about $70 a month in electricity, but it's worth it to me.

And I do have frags on occasion, but those on the rack right now are new corals waiting for placement. It looks like the blue tort and the slimer will need trimming soon.

[luckyfish]

The beer method looks easier. Thanks I aspire to get to this level of sophistication one day.

[acro-wrasse]

Originally posted by luckyfish
Well, I've been doing everything wrong? would Zima work as well?

Don't use Zima, it caused me to sell my tank....unfortunately this is not a joke.