Need some advice on some spare Real Estate...

[Roatan Reef]

So, my 40GB Saltwater Tank is going on now for a tad over 3 years. Many ups and downs..etc, but I think I got it dialed in pretty good now.

Here's an issue, (and lol, don't even mention flow) I have that dialed in pretty good now as well.

For some reason, the right side and middle of my tank...everything loves! Hammers, Zoas, Gorgonians, etc.

The left side of my tank, aside of Zoas and Ricordeas and my Candelabra Gorgonian...not so much...not even Hammers, which again love the right/middle. I've tried a lot of stuff there with no luck.

So I'm asking you all..what should I try on the left side....it's kind of looking ridiculous right now as the middle/right is loaded, but kind of bare to the left.

I've tried sticks a while back, kept them decent for 6 months or so, but that was over a year ago, I might be interested in them again, also, I don't want any Leathers, (even though Gorgonian are a type) don't want any entrusting montys that may take over rocks, but maybe a Setosa colony I'd be fine with...but anyways, your help is appreciated for ideas. I mean...certainly we can just load Zoas there...lol..but I want something decent that looks good and works with my design.

Thanks for all you help...let's discuss!!

Pics below...1st General tank pic, then all pics of Left Side, then all pics of right/middle......

 

[goosemans]

Probably unhappy because you don’t have enough light spread

 

[jabberwock]

Maybe try some macro algae. Looks like that is where your powerhead is. My macros love the flow. And, what type of light is that?

 

[19Mateo83]

You need another light for a 36” tank.

 

[jabberwock]

I mean, I got 2...

 

[Roatan Reef]

I mean, I got 2...

Probably unhappy because you don’t have enough light spread

You need another light for a 36” tank.

So, I have a fluval 32.5 Marine Strip, that's in the back, and one AI Prime 16hd, yes eventually I will replace the strip with 2 more AI Prime 16hds, or a Blade, but the light spread is equal throughout the tank., so non issue.

 

[Roatan Reef]

Flow...1 Reef Wave in center, 2 power heads left and right offset, creating surface movement and flow.

 

[19Mateo83]

So, I have a fluval 32.5 Marine Strip, that's in the back, and one AI Prime 16hd, yes eventually I will replace the strip with 2 more AI Prime 16hds, or a Blade, but the light spread is equal throughout the tank., so non issue.

I’m running an ap9x on my 36” 50 gallon and the sps love it.

 

[Roatan Reef]

I’m running an ap9x on my 36” 50 gallon and the sps love it.

Awesome tank...how about ideas for corals for the left side of my tank? What all do you have??

I see a bunch of leathers..and SPS to the right...so help me out here.

 

[19Mateo83]

Awesome tank...how about ideas for corals for the left side of my tank? What all do you have??

I see a bunch of leathers..and SPS to the right...so help me out here.

Thank you! I do enjoy my leathers. They are good space fillers and look awesome… plus they grow fairly quickly. Some lower light tolerant lps are platygyra, cyphastria, psammicora, acans, leptastrea and leptoseris. Montipora are also somewhat tolerant to lower light levels but require more flow. All are great for filling in those nooks and crannies. Duncan’s are great too and add a bit of movement too.

 

[Roatan Reef]

Thank you! I do enjoy my leathers. They are good space fillers and look awesome… plus they grow fairly quickly. Some lower light tolerant lps are platygyra, cyphastria, psammicora, acans, leptastrea and leptoseris. Montipora are also somewhat tolerant to lower light levels but require more flow. All are great for filling in those nooks and crannies. Duncan’s are great too and add a bit of movement too.

Do you have any issues with leather toxins? I might consider those, but am weary of toxins.

 

[19Mateo83]

Do you have any issues with leather toxins? I might consider those, but am weary of toxins.

I run a very small amount of carbon and have had no issues.

 

[Roatan Reef]

I run a very small amount of carbon and have had no issues.

I run carbon also...I might try some leathers now ...thanks!

 

[VintageReefer]

Have you taken par readings, that prime is not enough spread / power and the fluval marine strip is more of an accent light. Remember, you can’t see par

I run a prime on a 15g Waterbox and it’s at 70-80% and just enough. For a tank 1/3 your size

 

[Roatan Reef]

Have you taken par readings, that prime is not enough spread / power and the fluval marine strip is more of an accent light. Remember, you can’t see par

I run a prime on a 15g Waterbox and it’s at 70-80% and just enough. For a tank 1/3 your size

No, I have not ran par, I got a fellow reefer who will let me borrow his. I'm totally aware of my light situation, as I've said, in the future I will have 3 AI Prime 16hds, or just 2 of them and one AI Blade. Right now, I'm not really dealing with a terrible light situation, sure I will upgrade in the future, ...but for now , I am looking for suggestions to the left of my tank. My hammer garden is doing bananas!...as is everything to the right/middle of tank. Light is spread evenly throughout.

Also, photos I shared are at about 1.5 hrs before lights out. I'll upload better photos with Daylight tomorrow,,so you all can see what I'm dealing with..

I think I'm gonna try something similar to @19Mateo83 and roll with leathers and the existing zoas to the left. Maybe a toadstool and a devils hand??

My nephew has a 13.5 Evo he keeps here as well, and he runs 1 AI Prime 16hd and and 1 Fluval Marine Square nano Light...it's perfect for that.

Again, I'm not asking for flow or light help here,,as you can see my hammers on the right are doing awesome. I need ideas for corals left of tank

 

[VintageReefer]

My apologies. Back on track. Do what I do on my left. Torch garden!

 

[Roatan Reef]

Stocking is:

2 Mated clownfish (1 Gladiator,,1 Snowstorm), 1 Midas Blenni, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Coral Beauty, 1 Bangaii Cardinal, 1 Diamond Goby and lots of CUCs.

 

[Roatan Reef]

My apologies. Back on track. Do what I do on my left. Torch garden!

Brother I wish...I love Torches...but for whatever reason, they last 6 months and just toast off. I have 1 NY Knicks I am currently selling or willing to trade. They grow more heads, split and grow large, but then all of a sudden within 6 to 8 months just die off.. and believe me, I keep check of my ALK, so I make sure I have minimal swings. Hammers on the other hand, freaking love my tank. I've lost an awesome Black Light, Dragon Soul, Basic Green and and am on the verge of losing this NY Knicks...that I got at Reefpalooza Orlando in April...I can't explain it really.

so, need other ideas!!

 

[Roatan Reef]

I'm the most sad about losing the Black Light, that dude was awesome!

 

[VintageReefer]

Do you target feed them?