Welcome to my (near) Zero Maintenance Reef!

[VintageReefer]

Banana grail in May 2024 (closed) for growth comparison

Looks like progress was made!

 

[VintageReefer]

My other banana and my 24k torch both went from 1 head to 3 and 4 heads in 1 year

Up to early august 2024 my phosphates were <.1
Typically around .05

 

[reefluvrr]

My other banana and my 24k torch both went from 1 head to 3 and 4 heads in 1 year

Up to early august 2024 my phosphates were <.1
Typically around .05

Thank you for posting the growth shots of the torches. Very compelling reasons to consider trying the algae scrubber over a skimmer

 

[VintageReefer]

Thank you for posting the growth shots of the torches. Very compelling reasons to consider trying the algae scrubber over a skimmer

You can use both, I’ve run reefs 9 years with both. They work in different ways. You’ll probably just end up getting a little less skimmate. My system was too efficient so I stopped the skimmer

 

[reefluvrr]

You can use both, I’ve run reefs 9 years with both. They work in different ways. You’ll probably just end up getting a little less skimmate. My system was too efficient so I stopped the skimmer

If you are not doing water changes, what method are you using to replenish traces, alk, CA, mag for coral growth?
I know you want more skeleton growth on your corals, thus the higher dkh. Are you going to try chasing after pH later?

Which website did you use to order the $400 monitor?

Thank you!

 

[VintageReefer]

If you are not doing water changes, what method are you using to replenish traces, alk, CA, mag for coral growth?
I know you want more skeleton growth on your corals, thus the higher dkh. Are you going to try chasing after pH later?

Which website did you use to order the $400 monitor?

Thank you!

All for reef

I’m not chasing ph. I never worried nor cared about it in 20+ years of keeping reefs. It’s one of those things that only needs to be worried about, if it’s excessively low and causing issues.

I want higher dkh because it pairs better with my new nutrient levels. I wanted increased nutrients to see if it had a positive effect on my growing goniopora collection

I’m not really after skeletal growth or coral growth. Everything’s been growing really well for me. When I had lower nutrients I had lower dkh. I’m running higher, so my alk should increase to keep the balance

I bought this alkalinity controller

KHG

 

[reefluvrr]

I want higher dkh because it pairs better with my new nutrient levels. I wanted increased nutrients to see if it had a positive effect on my growing goniopora collection

I have found the red goniopora with blue tips or eyes tend to grow the fastest for me. I love my goniopora garden in my tank. I do carbon dosing and run an oversized skimmer for nutrient control. Here is a recent shot of my tank.

I appreciate all the extra time you have spent answering my questions and included all those pictures of your torches to show your growth

 

[VintageReefer]

I have found the red goniopora with blue tips or eyes tend to grow the fastest for me. I love my goniopora garden in my tank. I do carbon dosing and run an oversized skimmer for nutrient control. Here is a recent shot of my tank.

I appreciate all the extra time you have spent answering my questions and included all those pictures of your torches to show your growth

Beautiful reef!

This has been my fastest growing goni. Still takes a long time!

 

[VintageReefer]

What does everyone like best?

HEAVY whites - no filter or editing

HEAVY whites + some blue bumped up - no filter or editing

HEAVY blues + some whites + orange lens filter, no editing

 

[VintageReefer]

@Reefering1 ^^^

Made this for you

 

[JoJosReef]

What does everyone like best?

HEAVY whites - no filter or editing

HEAVY whites + some blue bumped up - no filter or editing

HEAVY blues + some whites + orange lens filter, no editing

I typically prefer heavy blues + medium-high whites + orange/yellow filter, no editing. I think even with just some blue bumped up like your second shot, it interferes too much with the photo.

 

[Mschmidt]

the blues seem to make the anthias really pop!

 

[twentyleagues]

The middle one.

Really the 3rd one but it only looks like that from the orange lens. If you could get that without the use of an orange lens then that one. I feel for me it is mostly achievable but not 100% and definitely not in pics.

 

[VintageReefer]

the third one is closest to in life viewing except the sand comes out more blue in the pic

It’s like the lens color corrects the corals accurately but makes the sand worse

 

[Reefering1]

What does everyone like best?

HEAVY whites - no filter or editing

HEAVY whites + some blue bumped up - no filter or editing

HEAVY blues + some whites + orange lens filter, no editing

Is there a half way point between the 1st 2 pics? Red and green at 0 in these?

 

[VintageReefer]

Is there a half way point between the 1st 2 pics? Red and green at 0 in these?

Yes

No

I was showing some extremes and a middle ground

It can be adjusted anywhere in between

 

[Reefering1]

I know you need to be careful playing with the lights on your running sys.. but say the 2nd pic, can you get it more white without tuning down the blues? Trying to get the "white" clarity without reducing fluorescence.. like a Phoenix 14k would

 

[VintageReefer]

I know you need to be careful playing with the lights on your running sys.. but say the 2nd pic, can you get it more white without tuning down the blues? Trying to get the "white" clarity without reducing fluorescence.. like a Phoenix 14k would

Certainly. Just need to wait for evening. Daylight and reflections throw everything off

 

[VintageReefer]

Well forgot about this ^^^ I owe you pics lol


For now though I got a new arrival and some new things on the way

Hologram Cynarina - this is a light pastel orange and it has an iridescence to it and reflects/refracts a neon yellow. Hard to photograph the effect but very cool in person

Superman Scoly - got this for $36 !!!!

Surf 2 scrubber stopped floating. Upon inspection, worms bored into the foam making tunnels causing it to take in water. Seriously.

Thankfully replacement foam only 15$
Installed and siliconed in place. Problem fixed

2 other new Cynarina, a large orange and a medium ultra grade

Acro growth

Torches

Fish

Some Goni pics

And placed an order from @SBB Corals, for these incredible pieces

And that’s all for now folks!

Oh and this shroom !

 

[smitten with ocean life]

gorgeous as always! love your new pieces too! ive been admiring your fish. been thinking about getting some too. gotta look into them more!