Leonardo's Apogon Reef

Leonardo_ · Dec 7, 2012

The pellets are in a canister filter in the sump. The outlet is directly fed into the Bubble King skimmer.

You're right Pumbooris, the Apogons need to adjust to high light and high flow tank. If well adapted, they do great. But you have to acclimate them.

Regards, Leonardo

Leonardo_ · Dec 7, 2012

I wrote an article on my blog about keeping Apogons: Successful Keeping Apogon Cardinalfish - Leonardo's Reef

Leonardo

Haimat · Feb 20, 2013

Incredible and inspiring reef!

Thanks for sharing!

LILBUDDHA · Feb 20, 2013

Love the scape and reef . Glad to see everything is all cleaned up . A few questions if you don't mind ..
What do you think caused the outbreak ?
Are you still running all blue plus bulbs ?

BillyC · Feb 20, 2013

Saw your reef featured in a reef magazine man congrats.

Leonardo_ · Nov 2, 2014

It has been a while since the last update but Apogon Reef is still running, although I've made some changes. The Big round Favia and of course my Acanthurus Triostegus are still in good health after 7 years.

The biggest change I've made is the dominance of Seriatopora, Poccilopora and Stylopora now. I've been in this hobby for 15 years now, and I had my fair share of AEFW, alk spikes/drops etc. It was time to take a step back.

The thing I really like about reefkeeping is recreating nature. For me that means large, grown out colonies with lesser but bigger colonies in a tank. That's why I created Formosa Forest before. But I wanted to try something else this time. Instead of using Staghorn corals (FF) or deepwater Acropora (Apogon Reef 1), I wanted to focus on Seriatopora, Stylopora and Pocillopora corals.

Sometimes they can be an underrated group of corals but they can create dramatic coralscapes because they can grow fast, display beautiful colors and can take a hit once in a while. And no worries for AEFW.

I hope you enjoy the updated reef. I grew all the colonies myself, so no large wildcaps etc.

As you can see, the Coralscape is far from perfect, especially the right half need some more work. Reactions and comments are welcome of course.

Pocillopora Garden

Daniel@R2R · Nov 3, 2014

That favia!!! I LOVE THAT FAVIA!!!

Electrobes · Nov 3, 2014

As usual Leonardo, such an incredible tank!

SAWDUSTINTANK · Nov 3, 2014

You have a very nice tank my friend! What do you do to maintain such a tank?
Thanks.

Afishionado · Nov 3, 2014

very beautiful tank you have here! Good job!

TruRacr314x · Nov 3, 2014

Amazing!

zzl630 · Nov 4, 2014

That dome shaped favia is beautiful. Is it naturally grow into dome shape?

Rausch · Nov 4, 2014

wow... Beautiful!! Love the coral choices and placement! the colors are wonderful!!

ingtar_shinowa · Nov 4, 2014

Great reef

Leonardo_ · Nov 4, 2014

Thanks everyone for the kind reactions

I bought the Favia 7 years ago as a small roundish shaped piece (like the small green Favia colony in front of it). After giving it all of my care and attention for all those years it grew into this big round Colony, totally by itself.

My approach is the same as before the update. It is still the same system, setup etc. I only got rid the the large Ca-reactor and went for 2-part dosage again. Much more fail-safe and easy to use IMO. Besides that I experience better growth now, maybe because of the higher pH throughout the day. (8.15-8.35)

I try to fine-tune coral color and growth by optimizing flow, increased feeding while maintaining low NO3, PO4 and organics. A Bare Bottom tank allows me to use heavy flow, necessary for healthy, large colonies. It also helps me to more directly control the nutrient level, because detritus is easier skimmed off.

Steady parameters (Alk and Ca) are also key in good growth and color.I always experienced that good growth and color go hand in hand.

I began focussing on Pocillopora, Stylopora etc. about a year ago. Most of the colonies are a few months to a year old (from frags).

Thanks again everyone

Leonardo

AdamsB · Nov 4, 2014

Fantastic looking tank. What Ki d of camera are you using? Pictures are fantastic.

Leonardo_ · Nov 5, 2014

AdamsB said:
Fantastic looking tank. What Ki d of camera are you using? Pictures are fantastic.

I use a Canon 550D with several lenses. Most of the time the stock 18-55mm. Shooting all pics in RAW and adjusting white balance afterwards.

Leonardo

Leonardo_ · Nov 8, 2014

Thanks

Here are a few new pics.

Overview Pocillopora Garden

My Pink/White Lithophyton

Pseudocheilinus octotaenia

Someones looking for a fight. Pocillopora sweeper tentacles.

Leonardo

Leonardo_ · Nov 8, 2014

Yesterday I added a LED strip to complement with the 10x 39 Watt ATI T5. It's a 36" LED strip containing 10 CREE Royal Blue and 10 CREE White 3 Watt Led's. Wide lenses really spread the light from front to back, and prevent "spotlights" of blue and white light.

The strip is placed between my two ATI sunpower pendants (6x39 Watt and 4x 39 Watt), so it is placed in the middle of the tank just a bit to the front.

I really appreciate the added shimmer and a bit more balanced light, because it was a tad too blue before.

Leonardo