Mike's Red Sea Reefer 525 XL build

[SPR1968]

Thank you Shaun!

Being a Grandpa is a feeling unlike any other. And you can’t explain it.

[emoji2]

I know, I’m just to young to explain it as well! Lol

My grandson is now 5 it’s crazy!

 

[mta_morrow]

I know, I’m just to young to explain it as well! Lol

My grandson is now 5 it’s crazy!

Well, well, well!

I didn’t know that!

I think we should start a special “Grandpa only” thread.

You know, lots of pics and macros of our frags frags!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Beautiful pic... pure joy in her face!

 

[mta_morrow]

Package delivered notice received.

2 1/2 days to get here from Oregon

10 zoas and 2 frags of clove polyps.

We’ll see how they fared later on.

Fingers crossed!

 

[mta_morrow]

In the tank! Maybe a casualty or 2.

We shall see

 

[mta_morrow]

None of the new zoas are opening up yet. Both clove polyps arrived dead.

I’m keeping the seller posted and he will refund me accordingly which is great.

Also, my clam has its mantle retracted. I’m hoping it’s not the new angels, but odds are it is.

Haven’t had any issues for a week so we’ll see.

 

[pshootr]

None of the new zoas are opening up yet. Both clove polyps arrived dead.

I’m keeping the seller posted and he will refund me accordingly which is great.

Also, my clam has its mantle retracted. I’m hoping it’s not the new angels, but odds are it is.

Haven’t had any issues for a week so we’ll see.

Hope your clam, and your zoa's bounce back! Shame about the clove polyps, but at least the seller is going to make things right. Looking forward to seeing the zoa's after they open up.

 

[mta_morrow]

Hope your clam, and your zoa's bounce back! Shame about the clove polyps, but at least the seller is going to make things right. Looking forward to seeing the zoa's after they open up.

Thanks @pshootr.

It’s a nice selection of zoas and lots of polyps.

I may try to off load the clam quickly to save it. I’m pretty sure it’s agitated from the angels and if I can sell or trade it I would definitely give the money back if it doesn’t make it.

 

[pshootr]

Thanks @pshootr.

It’s a nice selection of zoas and lots of polyps.

I may try to off load the clam quickly to save it. I’m pretty sure it’s agitated from the angels and if I can sell or trade it I would definitely give the money back if it doesn’t make it.

Yeah I noticed that the zoa frags have a decent amount of polyps, that is awesome.

As for the clam, that is a great plan. Although hopefully it won't come to that.

 

[mta_morrow]

I moved the clam away from the rocks. The angels were rubbing against the mantle a lot swimming between it and the rocks.

Not quite happy as a clam yet, but much better!

 

[mta_morrow]

No open polyps on the new zoas yet, but they don’t look any worse either.

May take a week or so to start recovering

 

[najer]

No open polyps on the new zoas yet, but they don’t look any worse either.

May take a week or so to start recovering

Just my opinion but I would give them light and flow, I have never dealt with shipped zoas though!

 

[mta_morrow]

Just my opinion but I would give them light and flow, I have never dealt with shipped zoas though!

Thanks Simon. They are getting a ton of flow from the gyres across the bottom.

They are at 80 par now. How much more do you recommend at this point?

 

[najer]

IME very few zoas are frightened by higher light, I can't give you par figures, my main rasta colony is on the same rock as my acros, slightly offset!

 

[mta_morrow]

[emoji2]

 

[Katrina71]

That pic is priceless!

 

[Todvod]

A lot has happened with the tank over my 5 days off for Thanksgiving. Nothing bad!

LIVESTOCK

The new additions are still doing great. The coral beauty loves the tank! He is all over, non stop......like a little puppy that just got to its home. Eats everything!

The flame angel is all over as well, but slower and more methodical......almost "wrasse like" if that makes any sense. My only concern is I have only seen it graze. It does not have any interest in pellets or frozen, or nori at this time. He is a bit plump so I know it was eating well at DD. He gives chase to the CB once in a while, but just a short dash and no nipping. I still think he is just saying that he is the top angel in the tank......and just don't forget that.

And yesterday the flametail blenny was out and about in full force! I added some nori in the new cave right behind the clam as he hangs out there a lot. He spent most of his day eating nori and algae off of the overflow box.

Any issues that were there between the blennies has seemed to have gone away.

HARDWARE

I upped my return pump to the Jebao DCS9000 from the 6000 and added 2 VCA random flow nozzles. Moving about 600 more gph and the nozzle mix things up mid tank.

I am soaking the DCS6000 and will use it to run my UV as the Sicce pump makes way to much noise.

Also, By running both Jebao's in the return section of the sump, if the DCS fails or its time for a cleaning, I just swap outlet hoses and I'm up and running in minutes, which gives me peace of mind.


SUNDAY TESTING

salinity 1.026
78 deg F
alk - 8.1
Nitrate - 14
PO4 - .009

OTHER COOL STUFF

Long story short, @NY_Caveman is sending me a package that includes sea lettuce filled with pods, worms, and brittle stars...………….THANKS MAN! I am still surprised everyday here on R2R with how many good people are in this hobby. I hope to pay it all forward, every chance I get.

Also this week I bought a 12 pack (10 zoa's, 2 clove polyps) from a member. We'll see how that goes. For $80 I couldn't "not try". DOA guarantee.

That's about it for now, whew.

This Saturday my daughter, her husband, and our grand daughter arrive and will be with us for a week. Naomi is just standing up on her own, walking with something to hold on to, and saying a few words!

I can wait to sit and hold her and show her the fishies!

I would love to have grandchildren to share fishies with. Hope you had a great time with family.

 

[mta_morrow]

I would love to have grandchildren to share fishies with. Hope you had a great time with family.

Hey @Todvod, they are priceless!

So close to talking and naming fish.

At least she is pointing and saying “da, and dis”!

 

[cgonser9]

You're right down the road from me, have we met?!? I love in Richmond Hill and have a 405 reef. Great build and would enjoy seeing the tank in person!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

My zoas I got from the cherry corals live sale this past summer took a week, low flow and medium light to come out. Hope it comes to be for u as well. I always enticed with reef roids around them 2x a week.

Clove polyps are so finicky. I've had 3 different mini colonies go from great to crap in a week and die. I gave up on them for now. Such beautiful colonies when they are thriving tho.