Sierra Bravo

Your link does not work for me to read the theory, but fourdrachma is dead-on in his summation that the specific bacteria a sulfur denitrator uses requires the exhaustion of oxygen for the bacteria to switch to nitrates in order to continue to oxidize sulfur. The flow through rate is only 1-3 drops per second, and generally takes months to get your nitrates down. If your drip rate is too high, not enough nitrates will be processed. Too slow, and they consume too much sulfur. I'm not sure that a passive bag of sulfur will create the same effect. Nice thing is once you get everything balanced it takes care of itself and is almost maintenance free. For what it's worth, I've been running one for 9 months or so and could not be happier with the results.

It's a sad day in the Austin reef community. "So long - been nice 'growing' you."

Received in email this morning:

That makes two of us. 😂

Been having a hard time controlling my alk, nitrates, and phosphates last month or two. This has lead to browning out, burnt tips on a few of the deepwater acros, and overall dull color. Even though I should be trying to get things back to normal first, I could not pass up a great deal on a monster of a calcium reactor. Hooked it up last night and this morning. SRO CR5000D calc reactor, CarbonDoser regulator, and a ReefFanatic controller. The reactor is rated for 1000 gallons - it will probably be two years before I have to add media. I had to place it in an adjoining room and run the lines through the wall.

Stop. Taking. Vacations. A couple of kids should fix that right up for you. Live a boring existence tied to your home and tank like the rest of us.

Conditions looked perfect; photography is incredible. You are living a good life, sir. Congrats.

Made my own screen tops since my plumbing prevents me from using manufactured and custom tops are ridiculously priced. I made them a little different than what we typically see with the available kits. I thought they came out pretty well.

Here's a pic of it colored up from the person who gave it to me:

Best of luck with your move to CA.

Couple more pics from this morning. Man these things grow so much faster than sticks. 🙂

I've got Chips also and it is different. I'll try to get a colony shot from the original owner.

With all the crap you come home to after your trips, you should market your corals as "Travel Tested®" 😋

If anything it reminds me a bit of ORA Chips, but that has a different growth structure and polyp color.

Not Borealis - I have that one compliments of @FarmerTy

I traded some acros for zoas with a man from Amarillo. As a bonus he gave me this large hunk of what he called a blue stag. It is, in my opinion, very special. I've never seen anything quite like this before. I especially like the bi-colored polyps. When the pumps are on it shows on all the lower ones. I can't wait to see this one grow out.

Thought I'd share some pics of my office mantis/zoa tank I've been working on and mentioned in my main build thread. I haven't seen the mantis for a few weeks now and suspect he's molting. I have confirmed he's there and alive; I can see his swimmerets moving when I peek between the rocks. As far as the corals, everything appears healthy. The blasto is full, the zoas are producing new heads, and my hammer, which for a while I thought wasn't going to make it, seems to be doing better. All in all I'm pleased with how it is coming out.

I'd be happy to help, but I'm in San Antonio and about to leave on a business trip. I wouldn't be able to get to Austin until 4-20. I'll PM you my phone number and you are more than welcome to call and ask questions.

I've done it twice with anthias and used the video above for guidance. I had three fish I needed to vent. I was successful with two of them, and they are healthy and healthy today. The third I did not pull sufficient gas out of the bladder and had to repeat the procedure. That fish developed an infection at the site of puncture and didn't make it. Tips: Make sure the fish is well illuminated from below. I used a glass casserole with a cheap LED puck underneath. I placed a piece of tape to block the light at the head of the fish because I felt it was too bright for its eyes. Get the smallest diameter needle you can. I bought an insulin syringe from Walgreens Rx. Enlist a second set of hands to hold the fish while you do the venting. You need to withdraw the gas slowly and this takes a steady hand. Have a QT tank set up in advance to receive the fish. It's not going to like the procedure very much and needs peace to recover. Don't skip the sanitizing procedure or iodine. Would not hurt to put the fish through metroplex/kanaplex while in the QT as well. If you have a healthy one, examine it under the light first to see what size you are aiming to get the bladder down to. I hated having to try it for fear of killing the fish but resolved myself that if I didn't it wasn't going to make it long term anyway.

You're not limited to the OEM tank brackets, are you? Why not make your own hanger and suspend either from the wall or ceiling? There are a lot of really nice, professional-looking light suspension ideas out there. You have a wide shot of the tank and area it will live in?

Does anyone know how to get in touch with the two guys that were listed as Obsessive Coral Desires? I found an Instagram account only.

Old School PC Rainbow love:

Welcome to ARC! Looking forward to seeing your build come together.

Ty's Ectoplasm. I really like this one. Fast grower and a nice shade of color. To the upper left of it partially out of view is a Pink Caddy that's going to be a stunner also.