Kevlow's Very Shallow Reef Tank

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Very nice!

 

[Salty1962]

Awesome setup!

 

[kevlow]

Very nice!

Thank you , Rev.

Awesome setup!

I appreciate you taking your time to visit. Thank you.

Kevin

 

[kevlow]

I was just looking back through the thread and was kind of amazed to see the difference since this pic was taken back on Feb. 4th. I come home and study my tank everyday after work and it always seems that growth is so slow to nothing at all. I guilty of wanting instant gratification.

When I compare it to the most recent pictures I can see the big picture a little better. I realize that staying steady with slow changes does bring results. I just need to reflect back two months to see what all has really happened.

I always want to keep tinkering with my program. I think "hands off, less is more" is probably sufficient. I would love to have a grown out mature reef like is see on other threads. Bottom line is that I need to put in the time.

 

[kevlow]

This is a better pic for reference. It is in the back round but it's growth is better visible.

 

[kevlow]

A quick up date pic on the new piece posted up here on 4/12/17. It has not grown much yet but it has changed it's tint from pinkish- bone white, to light blueish. Hoping it is something nice!
I am going to guess it is about 300-350 par but very near the jump to 400. The eye does not see the blue as dark as seen here but it's pigment is starting to protect itself and color up.

 

[kevlow]

I like the conflicting colors and shapes in this angle. Traditional Green Slimer and Pink BN. What I really like is the pink/rose stag- like piece growing n the lower center of the pic. Appears to be a slow grower, at least for me.

This little guy is trying hard to be something special but he cannot decide what he is.



I was told that this coral's comic book/commercial trading name is Beast Mode. Two arms ar growing but it is mostly encrusting. Has turned dark purple and polyps are turning a yellowy color.

A lot of potential here. Green Dragon, an orangy acro, Palmers Milli, and something called Purple Passion or Purple Plasma. The arm of a rose milli is reaching in from the left. I hope they all mature into something beautiful.



This milli started off orange but morphed into a rosey/pink. Cool! If it had been that color in the lfs then they probably would have wanted more money. There is also the arm of a Blue tort reaching in from the right.



Last [pic of the day. This was a nub when purchased but was completely stress bleached pastel light blue. I knew it could not stay this color. I am happy that it is more or less Teal with orangish tiny polyps. It is encrusting very fast Paid $10.

 

[kevlow]

Made two changes at once, [I know I should not do this]. Increased whites by 5%, and I started dosing AF Vitality.

After two days I can see very noticeable improvement in daytime PE, color, and texture. Overall, I would just say that the acros have a more polypier, colorful, happier look.

 

[KJ]

Nice looking tank.

 

[kevlow]

Nice looking tank.

Thank you, Sir.

 

[Centerline]

So after reading this thread I'm pretty sure I'm going to go find a shallow tank today. Awesome tank!

 

[kevlow]

So after reading this thread I'm pretty sure I'm going to go find a shallow tank today. Awesome tank!

Thank you.
I will say that everything has its plusses and minuses.
I love having this tank. So much so that the new tank going in next to it will follow the same principle. Only it will be 16" high instead 8. This will allow some of the larger pieces to continue to grow upwards. It will also allow me to increase my water to coral ratio. Having a large sump would help in this regard as well.

 

[kevlow]

This a supposed to be a top down shot. I used my wife's glass measuring cup as a viewing box. It did not work and I got scolded for raiding her cooking ware for aquarium use. Still an interesting shot, in a Van Gogh, impressionist sort of way.

 

[kevlow]

New set up has begun.

 

[kevlow]

This Sunday the new tank gets plumbed into the current system! I am very happy but reminding myself to go slow. I am actually pretty nervous because everything is going very good with the tank set up just the way it is. I would like to start the new 80g tank that my larger corals can continue to grow and not be crowded and fragged. But on the other hand, I would kind of like to see just how far I can grow out my corals in the 40-gallon tank

Right now this is the best it has ever looked.



The Red Dragon is looking all red and dragoney. Growing very quickly.

 

[kevlow]

A little comparison of orange camera filter versus unfiltered. I can not decide which is better. Any thoughts or other opinions?

 

[kevlow]

Just an orange filter shot of a Blue Tenuis


An unfiltered Perry's Planet and a purple acro with whiteish polyps.




http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/tags.php

 

[kevlow]

The new 80 gallon display has been up and running for a week now. I have transferred over the larger sps colonies and mini colonies and left the frags back in the 40g. I am very happy with all aspects this first week. Consumption has stayed exactly the same and nothing looks worse for the wear. Par on the bottom is pretty close to exactly what I had in the 40g display.

In the sump, I upgraded my pump to an Ecotech Vectra.
In the display I have placed an MP-40
Lighting is two SB Reeflight 32" units.
Live stock is 10 Chromies, 4 Lyretails , 1 Six Line Wrasse.

The MP is set on Nutrient Export Mode at 50% so things are moving around.



I can't believe I had that many corals in a 40 gallon tank. I cannot wait for these to continue growing out.

I had some trouble prying the Red Planet off the bottom. I now have some frags to gift some people.


This is the first ever good photo I have ever taken of this coral . I do not know what it officially is, maybe someone could help me with it. Blueberry wine??


Dragon Town.



Green Slimer, growing, and sliming.



This is some form of Tri Color. The back half was eaten off by a Hydnopora. It has taken a long time to recover but has started to shine again.



Blue Tenuis



Purple Monster finally coloring and having vertical growth.



Frogskin . The branches are really blue to dark blue. This camera makes it look purple.



And finally my Blue Stag. He is growing outwards right now rather then upwards.



Just to keep everything in proportion, The marble tiles are 4"x4". The Red Planet sits on 8"x8" granite.
There is lots more to photo but that will be another day.

Thank you all for viewing.

Kevin

 

[kevlow]

Perry's Planet growing fast.

 

[kevlow]

Mods, can I get my thread moved to the General SPS section?