Robb in Austin

Thanks for the generous offer Sam! Ty stopped by and got some water to test for me since he was in the area. I forgot, I did bring in a piece of forest fire digi the other day and didn't dip it for some reason. I wonder if it brought something in with it.

Salinity is good at least! It was doing great for a month and just this last week or so; all downhill.

ReefBreeders Photon series Pics are hard to get due to the blue in the LEDs but I can try. I noticed some bleaching and loose flesh the other day during my water change. I think at this point its probably best to frag it as quite a bit is loosing the battle. Unfortunately, I'm going to be left with a bunch of baby frags. ;( The receipt is long gone. ;(

Ok all you SPS folks, need some help. I grabbed a nice mini colony of green apple birdsnest from RichardL a while ago and it has been doing good up until recently. I noticed what I believe is STN going on. I've also got a regular pink birdnest, a large piece of orange monti cap, and a recovering jedi mind trick that are all doing fine. I just did a good water change but my suspicion is probably some low Alk (my 75 ran low so I assume this one is), high PO4 (feed heavily), and perhaps low-ish lighting (running LEDs and am slowly ramping them up. Currently at 35% for about 5-6 hrs per day with a ramp up/down). I don't have any fresh test kits so I can't give any numbers. Thoughts? Should I frag off the tips that still look good? Ty; want to bring your test kits over and test my water?!

Should you be worried; no. Sounds like you adjusted it to skim wetter. Why did you adjust it? If it bothers you, adjust it back.

No, but they are definitely very popular. Yes. Yes. I think there is better understanding of what makes a skimmer perform well (i.e. balanced systems) and we are seeing that in the ones available. Maybe. I'm not big into SPS or really getting geeky with my tank but the use of ultra low nutrient systems, various forms of carbon dosing, and other 'high tech' methodologies are available and are being used. I'm sure there has been more scientific research into the corals needs and the info is out there but I don't go looking for it. People still keep clams but I wonder if some of the popularity has waned. There are other stores, some better, some worse, than Aquatek

Great update! I'm curious about your, er, uhmmmm, ahhhh, 'acquisitions'; those pics are obviously under heavy blue spectrum lighting. Or at least via your phone which skews heavily towards blue. Are those colors representative of full spectrum lighting that most of us run? In other words; do they really look that insane IRL? Also; did you see Mark?

I'll give you $65 for it. Edit: Seriously? 2006?! How many are on it now?!

Filters stuffed with filter floss, filter socks on your drain line if your tank is drilled, vacuuming.

Contact Prof. He's got a few 55g barrels of sand sitting around.

Yep. Some type of green paly. Can be good or bad depending on your view of green palys. I'd recommend moving them away from any other rock lest they take over all your rock.

Another ARC old timer is a year older. Not that he'll see this but... Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday buddy!

Whatever Ty. You're like a mad scientist, always trying the latest tank fad.

Happy birthday!

Rods, PE mysis, Ocean Nutrition formula 2 cubes, and occasionally NLS pellets. Usually twice a day.

Who has kept anthias, what species, and what's your insight? I'm looking into adding some to my tank but keep reading somewhat conflicting reports on what species is best. I'm leaning towards dispar or lyretail as good options but would like local first hand reports. Edit to add current inhabitants: sailfin tang, naso tang, splendid dottyback, pair of Clarkii clowns, six line, starry blenny, one spot foxface, and a blue eyed cardinal.

Already started a Port A thread under off topic. I'll lock this one.

Sponges. Good to have.

I'd PM Dave, aka Prof, about doing it first. If he's not game, Fishy Business does it. You might try Niko's Reef to see if they do it.

You can drill it yourself if you're so inclined. Glassholes sells everything you'd need. Or you can get drill bits off eBay. Check YouTube for guidance on doing it. If you don't want to, there are a few places in town that will do it for a fee.

Impressive tank Peter. You need to get coral in there though. Good to meet you today.