Show me your watermelons!! [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community Archives

RandyO

07/31/2006, 12:54 AM

Here is my Watermelon frag about a month after I got it from Hugo. It's under the Wrasse.

June 05
http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WrasseJune05.jpg

October 05
http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WatermelonEchinoOctober05.jpg

April 06
http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WatermelonEchinoApril06.jpg

April 06 Right before it got fragged up.
http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WatermelonEchino1April06.jpg

wjhuie

07/31/2006, 01:13 AM

All I can say is WOW!!!

wjhuie

07/31/2006, 01:15 AM

Spstoner that second one that you posted is awesome whar is that one called, where can I get a frag?

RandyO

07/31/2006, 01:35 AM

Here's what my Watermelon looks like now.

http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WatermelonsJuly06.jpg

I cut the coral in half in April. I left one half alone, and cut up the other half into 5-6 frags. I kept 2 of the frags(as seen above) for new grow out pieces. Now I can leave the mother colony alone.

Maximus

07/31/2006, 02:09 AM

Very impressive Randy. How do you achieve the fast growth rate? Do you feed at all? Also, how large was the original colony when you first cut it? Thanks.

All Delight

07/31/2006, 09:28 AM

I have a dime sized frag, but my flame ate the green rim. Sucks!

RandyO

07/31/2006, 02:36 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7848030#post7848030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maximus
Very impressive Randy. How do you achieve the fast growth rate? Do you feed at all? Also, how large was the original colony when you first cut it? Thanks.

Hey Sang,
I've always had good luck with Echinophyllia. I've been keeping them in my tanks for over 5 years. I don't do anything special with the Watermelon. I left it alone for almost a year before I cut into it.

I've tried feeding the watermelon Echino since it does send out long tentacles at night, but I think it uses them more for sweepers than feeding since it is very clumsy in getting food back to it's mouth.

The piece I got from Hugo was about 1/2", in May 2005.

This is the frag, untouched in April 2006, right before I fragged it.
http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WatermelonEchinoApril06.jpg

It had completely covered it's rock mount and was started to go under the rock. I had thought it would plate out and away like most of the other Echinos I have, but it was on a round rock and would shift on the substrate, so maybe it never got the chance to plate.

I've noticed the skeleton on my piece is very thin and breaks free from the frag rock easily, which is good and bad. Good, because it makes it easy to pop off a mount to cut up. But Bad because in that process, it shattered, and made a few tiny fragments. Usually those tiny guys don't make it. Though, I had 2 out of 3 pull through.

neyugn0w01

07/31/2006, 03:26 PM

Very nice Randy. Great pictures to illustrate the process.

Maximus

07/31/2006, 07:08 PM

Ahh, that was a good idea to wait a year before fragging it. Thanks for all the info and pics, Randy.

donald altman

08/02/2006, 12:41 PM

gah I have never seen these before they are amazing.

I would definatly Love a frag of an Echinophyllia I know what I will be looking for for now on !!!

aquaconnect

08/02/2006, 04:18 PM

I just picked up a ultra small pea sized piece from Rommel, but am on 3 other waiting lists for them. I was going to trade an orange acan maxima frag to John R. for a "nice one" but haven't heard from him in weeks since making the offer and hearing back. Oh well, maybe I can just make some cash on it now since I have one.

WayneL333

08/02/2006, 04:53 PM

Here's mine. I need to move it soon though. My Monty Caps are getting percariously close. My tubs is right next to it.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/92675Watermelon-and-Tubs-med.jpg

stevedola

08/02/2006, 07:48 PM

did someone say watermelon?

http://trecento.com/shrunk_pics/people-=-liu_jonathan-=-watermelon.jpg

pixburg-reefer

08/03/2006, 11:30 AM

Do all of you use MH to get this kind of growth rate? I have never kept echinos because I wasn't sure how they would do under VHO alone.

Kelly

RandyO

08/03/2006, 12:31 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7870959#post7870959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pixburg-reefer
Do all of you use MH to get this kind of growth rate? I have never kept echinos because I wasn't sure how they would do under VHO alone.

Kelly

I grew my piece under MH's, but I wanted to see what it would do under low PC lighting, since most of my other Echinos do well under those conditions. So in April, after I fragged up my mother, I kept a piece in a different tank, but still connected to the same system. It was a 40 breeder with 2 96w PC's. It's been over 3 months, and I noticed the growth and color were not as good under the lower light.

So I moved it to my main tank, and snapped this pic 5 minutes later.
http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WatermelonsJuly06.jpg

The frag on the right was under pc lighting.

Here's a pic back from April, 2 days after I cut up the colony.
http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WatermelonfragsApril06.jpg

The smallest frag died the next day, and was removed. The second smallest frag had some die off, but it fully recovered.
You can kinda tell which 2 frags I kept,(2 largest) and compare to the most recent pic to see the growth.

Quatro

08/03/2006, 01:02 PM

Great pics everyone! This was sold to me as a LE watermelon, but I'm not sure?...

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d186/hceiv/Custom%2020%20Reef/DSC02913.jpg

I like it either way tho :)

pixburg-reefer

08/03/2006, 01:20 PM

Thanks randy that's very interesting. Maybe I will try one at the top of my tank and see how it works out.

Very nice pieces everyone!

Kelly

stevedola

08/03/2006, 01:31 PM

looks like it to me.

donald altman

08/03/2006, 03:13 PM

you alls local fish stores have these ????

Damn it's time to move. J/K
wow I really like them.
If you all ever frag agian please let me know.

SPStoner

08/03/2006, 04:23 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7847891#post7847891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wjhuie
Spstoner that second one that you posted is awesome whar is that one called, where can I get a frag?

That's a frag of the one in my first pic that lost color under lower lighting. I tried to keep it about 30 inches below a 150w-20K HQI but it faded out on me.

pixburg-reefer

08/03/2006, 05:46 PM

I found a frag on line for $185 with a waiting list.... i suppose something is only worth the amount that someone is willing to pay.

Kelly

Maximus

08/03/2006, 07:17 PM

Actually, I would say that $185 is extremely reasonable for the watermelon.

aquaconnect

08/03/2006, 07:33 PM

Yes, I'm on 5 waiting list, and get one frag tomorrow, and will remain on these lists until I get the others. It's availability is limited so as not to "flood" the market, as with the acanthastreas in the past year.

PufferFish87

08/03/2006, 10:52 PM

wow these are SOOO nice I love them are the other types this expensive?

Mchava

08/03/2006, 11:04 PM

here are some more. Just too let people know these are not mine but snipersps watermelon in my tank for keep sake.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/Mchava/hugos.jpg

here is my frag also so from snipersps
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/Mchava/mine.jpg

stevedola

08/04/2006, 11:22 AM

wow 185 for a frag?dang i never imagined that its that much...I wonder what people would trade for a piece of that?

heuerfan

08/04/2006, 11:25 AM

Hello Watermelon owners, how are these under power compacts? Do they retain their colors under these lights.

Thanks!

Quatro

08/04/2006, 12:52 PM

Mine's under t5, and it's holding colors. I'd assume if you put them high enough in the tank they'd be great under power compacts. I think you get more green with higher light, but maybe someone else can chime in...

RandyO

08/04/2006, 12:52 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7877887#post7877887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by heuerfan
Hello Watermelon owners, how are these under power compacts? Do they retain their colors under these lights.

Thanks!

Hey Heuerfan,
I had posted this pic on the first page too. The frag on the far right was under 2 96w pc lighting on the bottom of a 40 breeder for a little over 3 months.

http://users.adelphia.net/~randyolszewski/images/WatermelonsJuly06.jpg

The color is good, but not as intense pink as the other 2 that were kept under MH lighting. Growth was also a touch slower, IMO. But it's defiantly possible to keep them under pc's. I didn't try to move it up, since I keep all my small frags on the bottom of that tank.

drouner

08/04/2006, 08:44 PM

I got a frag on line last week. It is losing color and showing some skeleton along the front edges.

I was under an old Phoenix 14K and 2 55 watt PC's. Just added a new Ushio 14K today. So I have to give it some burn in time.

In the mean time I have it down in the bottom of my tank. It is getting some flow and a mix of MH/PC light. It is not directly under the MH.

Should I move it up or down?

Thanks

RandyO

08/04/2006, 10:52 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7881189#post7881189 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drouner
I got a frag on line last week. It is losing color and showing some skeleton along the front edges.

I was under an old Phoenix 14K and 2 55 watt PC's. Just added a new Ushio 14K today. So I have to give it some burn in time.

In the mean time I have it down in the bottom of my tank. It is getting some flow and a mix of MH/PC light. It is not directly under the MH.

Should I move it up or down?

Thanks

Keep it down for now. The worst that would happen if it was not getting enough light is that it would get darker. But with too much light, you can quickly kill a coral.

Maximus

08/05/2006, 12:30 AM

Was it recently fragged? That could be why it is losing some color and the showing of the skeleton. I would do as Randy says and leave it on the bottom for the time being.

RandyO

08/05/2006, 12:54 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7882434#post7882434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maximus
Was it recently fragged? That could be why it is losing some color and the showing of the skeleton. I would do as Randy says and leave it on the bottom for the time being.

It's really a bad idea to move a newly fragged Echino. They do best if they sit for a week to heal before being shipped.
Hopefully your piece was not fragged right before you got it.

^CelticReefer^

08/05/2006, 12:23 PM

I've been trying to get a decent pic since this thread started. I finally removed it from my rockwork and put it near the glass so I could get a good picture. One of the few corals in my collection that look's better with the flash on:cool:

http://www.briansonlineaquarium.com/files/8_05_06_Watermelon.jpg

Brian

RandyO

08/05/2006, 12:29 PM

Looking good Brian.
It's hard to take a pic of a smaller coral when it's jammed in the back of the tank somewhere. I'll usually bring it up to the front glass for a closeup, or try to take a top down pic.

mgny

08/06/2006, 12:44 PM

Hey Sang. The watermlon is doin great. It has grown nicely. Will try to get some pics to you in the future. Mike

Maximus

08/06/2006, 01:25 PM

Sweet Mike! Very glad to hear it's doing well for you. Nice pics guys!!

drouner

08/06/2006, 01:32 PM

I don't think it was recently fragged. I purchased it from Rommel.

It is still hanging in. Color is very faded. It looks like there is some tissue expansion. So there maybe some hope after all.

What is the best 250 watt light to keep these under?

stevedola

08/06/2006, 01:48 PM

I have a question: I normally keep mine under 175w MH about 12" from the waters surface. I just fragged the piece and placed it on the sand in a frag tray. Will moving it to lower light after fragging like I did cause stress? The reason I ask is I have 4 frags:2 are looking great while 1 is ok and the other's outlook is bleek. Do you suggest keeping it in the same position as I placed it 3 days ago?

stevedola

08/06/2006, 01:49 PM

ps- i havent moved it yet.
pps- dont ask for frags, please respect RCs guidelines.

duec22

08/06/2006, 02:28 PM

Anyone keeping one under T-5? I've been thinking about forking out for one, but have had fairly poor experiences from my chalices under T-5.

mgny

08/06/2006, 08:31 PM

Mine is growing nice with great color under vhos. Dont think they need high light to thrive. Mike

marillion

08/06/2006, 08:46 PM

They are a lower light coral, yes.

Stevedola, can I buy a frag? :p Hee hee...

Peace,

Chip

RandyO

08/07/2006, 12:07 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7889035#post7889035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevedola
I have a question: I normally keep mine under 175w MH about 12" from the waters surface. I just fragged the piece and placed it on the sand in a frag tray. Will moving it to lower light after fragging like I did cause stress? The reason I ask is I have 4 frags:2 are looking great while 1 is ok and the other's outlook is bleek. Do you suggest keeping it in the same position as I placed it 3 days ago?

When I frag them, I will put the frags in lower light to heal over. They have a tendency to white out in spots after fragging.

stevedola

08/07/2006, 09:53 AM

ty u 2

fussoverthis

08/07/2006, 03:34 PM

Dang you guys for starting this thread! :D I was getting ready to try to find a frag again. Ever since they came out I have wanted one but haven't been able to get it. I've got a couple imposters, though - just not the same.

Anybody got the ROAB watermelon? I'd like to see some photos of that. Also, I'd love to see pics of the Monster Mash chalice (from the old "show me your chalice" thread) if anyone has that.

SPStoner - I really dig that blueish one - very unusual.

fish590a

08/07/2006, 03:35 PM

Where can one get a frag?

duec22

08/07/2006, 05:13 PM

There will probably be a couple at the next farmers market down in Southern Cali, but that's probably a few months away still.

Edit:
Just looked..not untill Feb of next year, so still quite a ways away. Other than that I haven't seen many for sale online.

RARE

08/08/2006, 12:30 AM

this baby is going to be trimmed down soon in order to make space for other goodies.tell what you guys think

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/rare415/2251scd.jpg:eek1:

sorry for the bad pix but I am a rookie at taking pix.

GreshamH

08/08/2006, 03:25 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7896118#post7896118 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by duec22
There will probably be a couple at the next farmers market down in Southern Cali, but that's probably a few months away still.

Edit:
Just looked..not untill Feb of next year, so still quite a ways away. Other than that I haven't seen many for sale online.

MASLAC is holding a fragswap on the 18th of this month, should be some there :D

NorthernCF

08/11/2006, 07:43 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7889201#post7889201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by duec22
Anyone keeping one under T-5? I've been thinking about forking out for one, but have had fairly poor experiences from my chalices under T-5.

We have them in shallow tanks under T-5 and things are going very poorly.
The tank is 24x48x8
4 lights
blue+ 12 hours
11k 4 hours

I run this on every tank, but the enchino tank is taking a beating. We removed the reflectors, killed two bulbs, and knocked the photo period down. It is too soon to know the results.
The colonys came in pretty beat up, but I think the intensity of light isn't helping. I moved some under PC, the rest will go in a display with T-5, on the bottom....under a rock.... with sunglasses...and some cool drinks.
;)

duec22

08/12/2006, 10:36 AM

Thats sounds pretty much like my experinces with T-5's and chalices...I had an alien eye go almost all white on me, and had to move to the back corner where you can't see it and it doesn't get any direct light. After about a month and a half it colored back up. I've also have a red and green that will now only hold color in the parts of it that are shaded.

NorthernCF

08/12/2006, 11:30 AM

We have thought about actually reflecting the light UP onto the white shelf they are mounted to. I'd rather not put them in the display because of their monsterous appetite for fallen frags.

RARE

08/21/2006, 11:47 PM

lets keep those pix coming

ReefDoctorMicromussas

08/22/2006, 10:30 AM

Rare...

Wow thats a MONSTER! Lets see @ $185.00 per frag thats like

$1,000,000,000,000,000

Very unusual to see one so large whole :)
Let me know when you start trimming it up LOL

apex003

08/22/2006, 01:10 PM

Very nice looking coral... Anyone want to trade a little frag for an alien eyes echino frag (original directly from Tubs). No? Damn...

I can't believe this thread has gone 3 pages and someone hasn't made a boob post/comment (until now). *insert pamela anderson pic here*

slojmn

08/22/2006, 08:34 PM

Here is a shot of my watermelon the day I got it back in March.., I need to get an updated shot. It is about twice the size now. It is very happy at the bottom of the tank a bit shaded but still getting plenty of light.

http://www.slojmnsreef2.homestead.com/Watermelon_chalice_3-12-06_lg.jpg

Here is my Aquascene Golden Eye LE chalice, colors very similar to the watermelon...more burgandy red than bright, bright red of the watermelon...but incredible colors none the less.

http://www.slojmnsreef2.homestead.com/Aquascene_golden_eye_top_4-12-06_sm.jpg

naka

08/23/2006, 08:08 AM

Do you feed your watermelons? If so how often and what?

Thanks,

James

reefinmike

08/23/2006, 02:46 PM

wonder if i mush these togeather if it will become a watermelon?!?!?!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j55/reefinmike/62f4c21c.jpg

Fliger

10/07/2006, 05:46 PM

Diligence and patience finally pays off. I have this one and an Aquascenes coming this week - yaaaay!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/dfliger/Elos%20Tank/tiny_watermellon_frag.jpg

Maximus

10/07/2006, 06:00 PM

Wow, that is nice Fliger! Congrats!

ReefDoctorMicromussas

10/07/2006, 06:05 PM

Wow Fliger that is really nice...

paininthewrasse

10/07/2006, 06:22 PM

nice I'll stick w/ the imposter watermelon frags for now.. I cant do $180+ for a small frag.. I just canttt do it!! lol

Fliger

10/07/2006, 08:35 PM

I hope it looks as cool in person. Considering every WM pic I see on RC looks the same - I think there's a pretty good chance it will. I feel pretty fortunate to get a piece (under $180) that has healed all the way around also - but it is pretty darn small.

ReefDoctorMicromussas

10/07/2006, 09:25 PM

Mine was the size of a pea

Fliger

10/07/2006, 10:45 PM

Well anyone who owns micromussas knows the power of a good macro lens ... check this pic out for size ..... :lol: It is VERY small, but I'm really hoping since the leading edge is fully healed - it should be fine. Normally I'd never buy something this small.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/dfliger/Elos%20Tank/watermellon_w_dime.jpg

RandyO

10/08/2006, 12:00 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8295898#post8295898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fliger
Diligence and patience finally pays off. I have this one and an Aquascenes coming this week - yaaaay!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/dfliger/Elos%20Tank/tiny_watermellon_frag.jpg

Cool picture Flinger.

Makes it looks like an Acanthastrea polyp.

ReefDoctorMicromussas

10/08/2006, 05:27 AM

Could you imagine those colors in a acan!

WHATS A MACRO?

stevedola

10/08/2006, 09:59 AM

a macro is a type of picture that cameras can take to obtain high clarity in a fully "zoomed" mode.

I know youve seen plenty of macro shots on RC. Think about all of the zoomed pics of SPS or zoas that people take...thats a macro shot.

ReefDoctorMicromussas

10/08/2006, 10:10 AM

LOL

Steve your cool... I'm a sarcastic idiot

Yes I know what Macro is :) my coral sales depend on it... Fliger had mentioned it because... well kinda an inside joke..

Thanks for a well worded explaination though :)

lbaskball45

10/08/2006, 10:02 PM

I didnt know a coral like this existed until now. They are so beautiful. Glad you guys are fragging them. :)

lbaskball45

10/08/2006, 10:45 PM

Could not find any of these lil guys online. Can I get on the waiting list from any one of you guys?

RandyO

10/09/2006, 12:24 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8299017#post8299017 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by doctor64776
LOL

Steve your cool... I'm a sarcastic idiot

Yes I know what Macro is :) my coral sales depend on it... Fliger had mentioned it because... well kinda an inside joke..

Thanks for a well worded explaination though :)

I thought that sounded a little odd coming from a guy with a Marco shot of a Micromussa in his advatar. :)