Mike's Red Sea Reefer 525 XL build

[mta_morrow]

I agree, they do look happy! Stylo's are a good first choice for SPS imo.

Thanks Brew12!

So my plan is to see how these few SPS do for 30-45 days. Then decide what to add next.
I am clueless when it comes to SPS.

Should I see some growth or encrusting in that time frame?

Any advice or comments are much appreciated...…….and needed if I am going to succeed!

 

[Brew12]

Thanks Brew12!

So my plan is to see how these few SPS do for 30-45 days. Then decide what to add next.
I am clueless when it comes to SPS.

Should I see some growth or encrusting in that time frame?

Any advice or comments are much appreciated...…….and needed if I am going to succeed!

Many SPS take time to adjust. The amount of time it takes has a lot to do with how different your system is from the one they came out of. It isn't unusual for an SPS to show almost no growth for a month or two and then start growing. If your system matches the one they came from in terms of lighting, chemistry, and flow, they can start growing within a week.

You hopefully will see some encrusting along with some growth.

Looks like you already have a Monti Cap which I also feel is a nice easier SPS. Some of these will grow very quickly in the right conditions.

 

[Mordie101]

Man this tank is amazing. I’m hoping to get a 525xl in the next year ish. Looks like you have a great set up. Hopefully I’ll be able to have something near this too. Subscribed!

 

[mta_morrow]

Man this tank is amazing. I’m hoping to get a 525xl in the next year ish. Looks like you have a great set up. Hopefully I’ll be able to have something near this too. Subscribed!

Thank you Mordie101!

This was my dream tank and I’m very happy with it so far.

Hard being patient at time though!

Thanks for following!

 

[Fudsey]

I can't even begin to think about putting an acro, stylo or a monti cap in my tank. They all just bleach and die.

Tried a few monti caps - dead. Tried green slimer - dead. Tried birdnest - dead. Granted these were all in my old 90 and before I got the Hybrid, but the small acro I got from my local club for a grow out contest has bleached out now too.

I guess this tank is just not ready for SPS except for one rainbow monti that is actually coming back from the brink. I also have 1 small piece of the Grape Monti cap that is still alive, somehow. About the size of a dime.

More power to you if they are thriving

 

[mta_morrow]

I can't even begin to think about putting an acro, stylo or a monti cap in my tank. They all just bleach and die.

Tried a few monti caps - dead. Tried green slimer - dead. Tried birdnest - dead. Granted these were all in my old 90 and before I got the Hybrid, but the small acro I got from my local club for a grow out contest has bleached out now too.

I guess this tank is just not ready for SPS except for one rainbow monti that is actually coming back from the brink. I also have 1 small piece of the Grape Monti cap that is still alive, somehow. About the size of a dime.

More power to you if they are thriving

That was me as well in my last tank.

I am trying some simple cheap frags again to see if this tank is ready.

I have been very stable for the past 2 months.

Fingers crossed!

I really want a mixed reef, nothing fancy, just some sps with color (not brown and dead)

However, if it’s a softie tank I end up with I’m ok with that.

On a positive note and hopefully a good sign, my clam hasn’t died yet!

 

[Fudsey]

This tank really didn't go through an ugly phase. Never got any diatoms or any other algae except a little BA which must have come on a frag, Vibrant will get it though. I really believe because I started with so much live rock, 2 Brightwell plates in my sump and Ocean's Direct sand that it just never happened. My parameters have been pretty stable, I have to manually dose dkH but that's it. And still no water changes

 

[Mordie101]

Can you ID this one for me? I think it looks beautiful!

 

[mta_morrow]

Can you ID this one for me? I think it looks beautiful!

Fungia plate coral.

This one is a common color, short tentacle.

They come in red, pink, orange and a few others

There is also ones with long tentacles.

Google images and you will get a lot of examples.

They capture food w the sticky tentacles and work it to their mouth which is a slit on the top of the plate.

 

[Mordie101]

Fungia plate coral.

This one is a common color, short tentacle.

They come in red, pink, orange and a few others

There is also ones with long tentacles.

Google images and you will get a lot of examples.

They capture food w the sticky tentacles and work it to their mouth which is a slit on the top of the plate.

Thanks a lot!!

 

[mta_morrow]

Thanks a lot!!

You are very welcome!

 

[mta_morrow]

A few pics for the day

 

[Fudsey]

Sweet pics ! ! !

How'd you get the BTA to stay on that rock?

 

[mta_morrow]

Sweet pics ! ! !

How'd you get the BTA to stay on that rock?

Luck!

 

[mta_morrow]

Sweet pics ! ! !

How'd you get the BTA to stay on that rock?

I actually built that island high and in position to get good flow from my gyre in hopes that a nem would stay there. So far, so good!

 

[mta_morrow]

An evening video.

I could sit and stare for hours.

I need more coral!

 

[siggy]

Fine job and tank. awesome scape btw

 

[mta_morrow]

Fine job and tank. awesome scape btw

Thanks Siggy, and thanks for following along!

 

[Reef Able]

Hi Mike Wonderful tank..just went through your entire thread...you have been a great reefer responding to all the posts...Nice guy...I am torn between 425xl or 525xl leaning towards 525 lol...keep the updates coming the tank is maturing well...i like the way how you have kept it all simple...

 

[mta_morrow]

Hi Mike Wonderful tank..just went through your entire thread...you have been a great reefer responding to all the posts...Nice guy...I am torn between 425xl or 525xl leaning towards 525 lol...keep the updates coming the tank is maturing well...i like the way how you have kept it all simple...

Thanks Reef Able and thanks for following along!

I was torn between those 2 tanks as well.

In the end, I had the space for the extra depth. It helps a lot wit aquascaping.

Good luck and can’t wait to follow your build!