JCOLE's Big Box of Rocks

[JCOLE]

Ok, I know I haven't updated in a while so I am going to spend some time bringing this build thread up to speed. Bear with me as I am going to try and dig back into my memory and piece it together where I left off. As of now, the tank is 5 months old in the new 150. Everything is going great and I am getting really good growth.

 

[JCOLE]

04/13/19 - As of this date, the tank has been up and running for a week now. I transferred all of the existing Rock, Sand, Fish, and Corals from the holding tank. However, I made a huge mistake when doing this. I chose not to use any of the old water and used all fresh new water. There was a major Alk and parameter swing which killed a couple of SPS corals. Everything else survived and is doing great.

04/21/19 - Added dry rock that was cooking for almost 2 months.

04/24/19 - I really didn't like the "Wall" look after adding the dry rock. Decided to make some changes.

 

[JCOLE]

04/24/19 - Beginning of the end for one of my Acro's. It didn't like the parameter swing from the transfer. I lost this acro to RTN.

04/26/19 - I picked up some new pieces for the new tank.

Little man wanted this guy but I cannot put him in with Corals. :-(

04/30/19 - The end of these two pieces. :-(

 

[JCOLE]

05/09/19 - My birds nest started from a small frag with two arms. This was 4 months ago. This piece is now about 7x6".

05/10/19 - Little man loves the tank. Especially the Crabs and Snails.

05/21/19 - Added a Frag of Hollywood Stunner Chalice. This piece is now about 2x2".

Another Birdnest was added.

Added my Millepora. This piece has encrusted and started growing and is now one of my favorites.

Added a Cyphastrea.

05/21/19 - FTS Update

 

[JCOLE]

06/02/19 - Little man helping me do a water change.

06/05/19 - Birdsnest is growing!

06/09/19 - Chaeto and Mangroves are growing and doing great!

Now that is a lot of Chaeto!! Anyone in the Charlotte, NC area that wants some just let me know.

06/17/19 - FTS Update

 

[JCOLE]

06/19/19 - My BowerBanki all fat and happy!

06/19/19 - Birdsnest Growth

My other birdsnest growth update

06/20/19 - Millepora growth - Starting to encrust!

06/24/19 - Stylophora Milka growth

Started Dosing Aminos and Vitamins. Colors are starting to pop.

 

[JCOLE]

06/25/19 - My Garf Bonsai started to have some TN. I thought it was a goner for sure. However, it is doing great and has grown back over the dead skeleton. It has made a full recovery since this date. It started encrusting and I imagine it will be blowing up in the next couple of months.

07/11/19 - Coral Growth Update

My smaller birdsnest

07/13/19 - Added a Pocillopora. It has since doubled in size but I am thinking of removing this piece. I have heard of them having polyp Bailout and it doesn't sound good.

07/14/19 - Added a Green Slimer. This frag has since encrusted and taken off. One of my favorites.

07/14/19 - FTS Update

 

[JCOLE]

06/30/19 - Wife took some update pictures with her Canon. She takes better pictures than me.

 

[JCOLE]

07/16/19

 

[Grape_City_Reefer]

Great photos and update, glad that most of the corals survived the alk shock. The photo of the elegance coral is very impressive.

 

[JCOLE]

Great photos and update, glad that most of the corals survived the alk shock. The photo of the elegance coral is very impressive.

Thank you! I thought so too that is why it is my Avatar.

 

[Grape_City_Reefer]

Where did you pick that one up at?

 

[JCOLE]

07/19/19 - A plague of Aiptasia started to consume my rock work. I tried zapping them, burning them with a 5w laser, smothering them, etc. Nothing worked. They always came back in full force. However, I added a Copperband Butterfly and he took care of the Aiptasia in 3 days!!

08/02/19 - Little Man helping me set up my Calcium Reactor.

 

[JCOLE]

Where did you pick that one up at?

Nemo's Reef in Indian Trail, NC

 

[JCOLE]

08/04/19 - Coral Growth Update

08/04/19 - Got my Calcium Reactor up and running. Ordered a PM1 and an EB4 for my Apex to monitor and control the CARX pump and solenoid. So far it is working great.

08/05/19 - Reached in my tank to add a frag and my Condy Anemone tore my arm up. I still have the marks a month later.

08/06/19 - FTS Update - I remove the ledge rock to the right of the tank in order to remove all of the Anthelia. The Anthelia started from one little piece and it was starting to overtake my entire right side of my tank.

 

[JCOLE]

08/11/19 - Added a Pink Squared Anthias.

 

[JCOLE]

08/28/19 - I picked up a nice sized mini colony from my LFS. I dipped the coral and out came about 50 Acropora Eating Flatworms. This is why you Dip! I returned the coral and my LFS gave me a full refund. They also removed all corals from that tank and scrubbed the tank clean.

08/29/19 - Coral Growth Update

Smaller Birdsnest

Green Slimer

Miyagi Tort

Larger Birdsnest that started from 2 little branches. It's starting to grow up so fast!

Needles in Haystack

Strawberry Shortcake

Orange Digitata

 

[JCOLE]

09/02/19 - Full tank shot update

JF Fox Flame

Red Dragon

 

[JCOLE]

09/12/19 - On our way back from an 8 day vacation to the Bahamas. My Apex saved me a couple of times while I was away.

09/15/19 - Coral Growth

Birdsnest that started from two little branches

 

[NY_Caveman]

Tons of great images, but this one is the best!