The Bluegrass Reef

[Wrassenaround]

So for those of you who've followed this since day one have known that I have not had the best luck with SPS, Acros to be specific. I have since given up on trying to keep them....or have I

I visited a fellow hobbyist's tank today and he has branched off into the SPS realm of reefing and so far has been pretty successful with it. A lot of his pieces are from @WWC whom I have not ordered directly from but have some pieces in my tank. I am intrigued how some of their "Vics Picks" have the actual par amount they receive which makes me optimistic that I would have a higher chance of success. I have ordered some from @TopShelfAquatics which I'm open to doing again.

I am thinking about getting some Acros from @TCK Corals as they have their weekly auctions and can get some major deals on there.

What would be 2-4 pieces that I should look out for that you guys think would look good in my current tank (doesn't matter the price)
If its pricy I'll look for a good substitute....that is if I like it

This Golden Dragon on WWC is catching my eye right now but at $150 before shipping it is on the high end of my budget per piece. I realize it's a large piece with a lot of growth spots but I'm not trying to spend a lot given my lack of success in the past.

The acros have arrived!!
Last week I took delivery of 7 pieces from @TCK Corals and they are all doing quite well.
I purchased the following -
TCK Wildcard, Solar Beam Malaysia & Lemoncake
RRC Marvin the Martian, Og Oregon Tort, Green Slimer and a Jingle Bells cyphastrea that looked to good to pass up on.

With the lack of open rock space in my tank I opted to try and mount some of the frags on the back wall of my tank above where my GSP is encrusting. I was able to find some suction cup frag holders that are perfect for what I was wanting to achieve. My pieces are able to get high par and high light, no worries at all about them popping off.

Here's a link to who I got the frag holders from.

USA - Washington, D.C. - Suction cup coral mount

I have a number of suction cup mounted coral holders. $6 per plus shipping which is usually around $6. I have a bunch and can always make more. Sorry about my photography skills. It's late...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Wrassenaround]

A pre Memorial Day update!
Unfortunately my Carpenter Flasher Wrasse (Flavianalis) has perished. About 2 weeks after it was introduced it disappeared and I was never able to find it. First fish I have lost that I couldn't find.
On the bright side I have ordered a Captive Bred Yellow Tang from @Biota_Marine that will arrive the first week of June. To go with this I have also ordered an acclimation box from Octo Aquatics with the dimensions being 14x6x6.

With already having a Kole and a Desjardini I am wanting to make sure I acclimate this guy properly to avoid as much harassment as possible. Yes I know 3 tangs is stretching, if not overdoing the limit given the tank size. However they are all still small enough to comfortably live together and I babe a re-homing plan in place when the time comes.

My acros that were shared in the last update are all doing well. The only one that seems to be struggling is the WildCard (very little polyp extension and it has greyed) I suspect my higher posphates are the subject and possibly to much lighting. (Not sure on the exact number but its not crazy high)

I have also ordered a mini reactor from BRS that should be here next week. This will house GFO that I will control with my apex to run intermittently to control my Phosphate levels.

 

[saltcats]

Beautiful mix of colours in your tank. What's the really bright yellow coral on the left (not zoas)?

 

[Wrassenaround]

Beautiful mix of colours in your tank. What's the really bright yellow coral on the left (not zoas)?

Thank you! I've tried to have different color pallets and have some pieces that pop against the green corals and purple rock I have.
The yellow one is a WWC Stellaria Chalice that I picked up from @Living Reef Orlando

It's been all over my tank. Started on the back wall, then on the top of the rock thats currently above it and finally where it is now and you can see its taken off. The upward growth is from where part of it bleached and then grew back. I haven't seen a chalice have nubs like that before.

 

[TX_REEF]

I like the suction cup frag holders!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Very beautiful! I can't wait to see that yellow tang! Just a reminder when it shows up don't expect it to be pretty!

 

[Wrassenaround]

I like the suction cup frag holders!

So far they are working as intended and I love them. If my acros can do well hopefully they will encrust on to them and then the back wall. If they don't do well then I have a few more areas now that I can put corals on since my rocks are pretty full

 

[Wrassenaround]

Very beautiful! I can't wait to see that yellow tang! Just a reminder when it shows up don't expect it to be pretty!

Oh yeah the captive bred ones look pretty ugly at first. This one is 2+ inches so hopefully it won't be as pale as the smaller ones. I've been very cautious on ordering tangs and angels online since I don't have a quarantine system. I'm pretty confident that Biota ones will be in good shape. I've ordered wrasses and a basslet online but nothing else.

 

[saltcats]

Oh yeah the captive bred ones look pretty ugly at first. This one is 2+ inches so hopefully it won't be as pale as the smaller ones. I've been very cautious on ordering tangs and angels online since I don't have a quarantine system. I'm pretty confident that Biota ones will be in good shape. I've ordered wrasses and a basslet online but nothing else.

I have a biota gramma and goby on my wishlist, it sounds like they come in really healthy. And maybe one of their angels too... Is your flame angel good with your zoas and acans?

 

[Wrassenaround]

I have a biota gramma and goby on my wishlist, it sounds like they come in really healthy. And maybe one of their angels too... Is your flame angel good with your zoas and acans?

The flame has been a model citizen for me! I picked it up at an LFS that I trust and he said he had for a while and it came from a tank full of corals and it gave that owner no issues. The flame is FAT and was when I bought him, I keep him well fed so he doesn't show any interest in the corals.

 

[Wrassenaround]

I have also ordered a mini reactor from BRS that should be here next week. This will house GFO that I will control with my apex to run intermittently to control my Phosphate levels.

Funny how I ordered this and today my Phosphates tested at .03 & .02 on the second test
2 weeks ago I increased the amount my ReefMat moves the fleece roll every cycle to see if that would help. Seems like it has because I haven't fed less or had any livestock pass away since.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

This tank is more than decent! This tank is gorgeous!!

 

[Wrassenaround]

This tank is more than decent! This tank is gorgeous!!

Thank you! It's been a work in progress but this year it has really started to fill in everywhere. Currently trying to fight back some hair algae

 

[Wrassenaround]

I would love some extra support in the Photo Of The Month contest for May!
I am photo number 11. Voting closes June 10th.

POTM Poll

The acan colony featured is from @TopShelfAquatics

 

[Wrassenaround]

The acclimation box from Octo Aquatics (@cromag27) arrived yesterday and I was very impressed how it was packed and the quality the box. Definitely worth the price without a doubt. The lid being on hinges is helpful and it has 2 "fasteners" that the lid snaps into so it's not just resting on top. The magnets are super strong and there is a little block on the bottom of the box so everything sits flush on the glass.

The Yellow Tang from @Biota_Marine arrived today and it looks good and is doing great. I was impressed at the packaging but not surprised given Biota's reputation. Included was an acclimation guide or rather a "do not drip acclimate" warning/suggestion. I followed their recommendation to float the bag and then introduce the fish afterwards. The tank mates have showed no aggression whatsoever towards the yellow at all. Almost to the point where I may release it tonight. Definitely not keeping it in there for a week.

 

[Biota_Marine]

The acclimation box from Octo Aquatics (@cromag27) arrived yesterday and I was very impressed how it was packed and the quality the box. Definitely worth the price without a doubt. The lid being on hinges is helpful and it has 2 "fasteners" that the lid snaps into so it's not just resting on top. The magnets are super strong and there is a little block on the bottom of the box so everything sits flush on the glass.

The Yellow Tang from @Biota_Marine arrived today and it looks good and is doing great. I was impressed at the packaging but not surprised given Biota's reputation. Included was an acclimation guide or rather a "do to drip acclimate" warning/suggestion. I followed their recommendation to float the bag and then introduce the fish afterwards. The tank mates have showed no aggression whatsoever towards the yellow at all. Almost to the point where I may release it tonight. Definitely not keeping it in there for a week.

Thank you for supporting aquaculture. I'm glad to hear they arrived safely and get to call this beautiful build thier new home.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

The acclimation box from Octo Aquatics (@cromag27) arrived yesterday and I was very impressed how it was packed and the quality the box. Definitely worth the price without a doubt. The lid being on hinges is helpful and it has 2 "fasteners" that the lid snaps into so it's not just resting on top. The magnets are super strong and there is a little block on the bottom of the box so everything sits flush on the glass.

The Yellow Tang from @Biota_Marine arrived today and it looks good and is doing great. I was impressed at the packaging but not surprised given Biota's reputation. Included was an acclimation guide or rather a "do to drip acclimate" warning/suggestion. I followed their recommendation to float the bag and then introduce the fish afterwards. The tank mates have showed no aggression whatsoever towards the yellow at all. Almost to the point where I may release it tonight. Definitely not keeping it in there for a week.

Congrats on the yellow tang!

 

[Wrassenaround]

Thank you for supporting aquaculture. I'm glad to hear they arrived safely and get to call this beautiful build thier new home.

Thank you for the kind words! Its doing well so far

 

[Wrassenaround]

The Yellow is free!
Yesterday I decided to release the Yellow Tang into the tank after current tank members showed no aggression at all. I lowered the box about 6 inches below the surface and allowed it to swim out when it wanted to. To my surprise my existing tangs (Kole and Desjardini) could have cared less about it, however my flame angle was very curious. Didn't chase it around tank at all but definitely made its presence felt. Just stayed by its side for the first hour and half.

Today the Yellow is picking at the glass and grazing on my rock. The Angel also is not bothered by it anymore. The YT does have a few nips marks on its anal fin but very small. I guess it occurred overnight when it was looking for a place to settle down. Pictures to come later as I need to do some tank maintenance first

Also I'm only 4 votes out of first place for the May Photo Of The Month contest.
I'm photo 11 if you haven't voted yet I would love some support! POTM Vote Thread

 

[Wrassenaround]

I did some much needed maintenance today after being away from the tank for a week. I also added 15 more pounds of sand as the sand from the last time I added some has also disappeared. The yellow tang is actually yellow now. I've been thoroughly pleased with this fish from @Biota_Marine. I knew it would be on the pale side when I got it but I didn't think it would be as yellow as it is just 2 weeks after introducing it. Super impressed!
It's eating nori and frozen food and gets along with every single existing tank mate.

Corals are all happy with the exception of the acros I got last month. They have all perished. I believe it was because of my Alkalinity still being below 8.00. I may give them one more chance if I can get my levels up but if not I'll be totally fine with what I have now.

I am going to be placing a large order with Reef Beauties this week to get my CUC numbers back up. Right now I have less than 12 CUC members
Looking to order the following
- 10 Scarlett Hermits
- 25 Blue Leg Hermits
- 5 Turbo Snails
- 5 XL Nassarius Snails
(may do more to get free shipping since I have $100 credit with them) I might pickup a Midas Blennie to add more yellow to the tank.

Here's a FTS from today, water is still a little cloudy from adding the sand but man it looks good