Simon's 450

User1 · Dec 27, 2018

ca1ore said:
Looking back at some of my old pictures ... my early attempts at aquascaping were mostly brutal. Representative of the ‘pile of rock’ approach that was so prevalent at the time I suppose. Though I was still wearing bell bottoms and Speedo (gak!) ..... be glad I spared those that follow this thread that!

I'll pass on the Speedo / Thong thingy (

) but with regards to aquascape - pile of rock approach can be interesting as the reef matures. Some of your pieces grew such at it provides a pretty natural looking habitat for some of your smaller fish. I've always liked coming up and over a reef crest while scuba diving. Some pretty incredible fish only later to go back through videos to see stuff I missed while swimming over.

I don't know, looks like your tank filled in nicely to me.

User1 · Dec 27, 2018

ca1ore said:
Bad picture ....

Gives the idea though - thank you. Interesting looking fish and looks like it is doing well.

ca1ore · Dec 28, 2018

Installing new ATS; temporarily relocating the old one .....

ca1ore · Dec 29, 2018

Bought two different grow lights to experiment with, plus one already on hand. A 300 watt equivalent growstar (11” circle), a 150 watt equivalent growstar (8” circle) and then the fuge par bulbs (4” circle). Wasn’t sure which to go with so I hired Goldilocks, and after examining them she concluded that the middle one was ‘just right’. The big growstar lit up the whole room, not good. I see no useful alternative purpose for it so shall exchange for a second 150 watter.

Victoria M · Dec 30, 2018

Even my 8 inch illuminates the entire fish room.

garbled · Dec 30, 2018

Yeah, my fuge lights light up the whole room too. It's kinda annoying, because I can see a slight red glow in the tank, just from wall reflections.

I was thinking of installing curtains in the sump, but then I'll have airflow issues, so, ugh.. dunno.

ca1ore · Dec 30, 2018

Grazer Rings

Bought a couple of tubs of these (formerly New Era) grazer rings from the homeland. I feed a couple a week as a treat. Lasts a bit longer than the nori sheet.

ca1ore · Dec 30, 2018

Victoria M said:
Even my 8 inch illuminates the entire fish room.

Yeah, it does indeed. May requires some blocking.

User1 · Dec 31, 2018

ca1ore said:
Grazer Rings

Bought a couple of tubs of these (formerly New Era) grazer rings from the homeland. I feed a couple a week as a treat. Lasts a bit longer than the nori sheet.

I would imagine a sheet, or two, or three, wouldn't last very long with all those guys and gals.

Victoria M · Dec 31, 2018

ca1ore said:
Grazer Rings

Bought a couple of tubs of these (formerly New Era) grazer rings from the homeland. I feed a couple a week as a treat. Lasts a bit longer than the nori sheet.

I looked them up. Pretty cool. They are going bonkers!

ca1ore · Dec 31, 2018

Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year ....

User1 · Dec 31, 2018

Nice photos - the 2nd one really shows all of the damsels for once. Ok, not all because I know there is more but they are really visible in that one. Wish you and yours a Happy New Year.

ca1ore · Jan 3, 2019

Replumbed the UV on the main siphon drain. Clutter town .....

ca1ore · Jan 3, 2019

Not thrilled with the full spectrum lights I chose for the new scrubber. I think further experimentation is required.

User1 · Jan 3, 2019

Clutter removal is always grand. So what is the general consensus on UV? I've ready it helps, doesn't help, yada, yada. I do not have one deployed for that very reason.

How is the new wrasse doing?

ca1ore · Jan 3, 2019

Well ...... Just my opinion (and a data-less, anecdotal one) is that UV can help to tamp down potential issues. I have ich in my system, for example, despite a fairly rigorous QT process and I am convinced that an oversized UV helps to reduce parasite pressures and allow the natural immune system of the fish to prevail.

#2 is doing really well (#2 pencil, get it .....). Eating really well and gradually extending his day. Out now from about 9 am until 3 pm. Still a bit to go before running the gauntlet that is the display. At night I can hear the tangs chanting .... fresh fish, fresh fish ..... Ok that made me laugh .... gratuitous Shawshank reference.

User1 · Jan 3, 2019

ca1ore said:
Well ...... Just my opinion (and a data-less, anecdotal one) is that UV can help to tamp down potential issues. I have ich in my system, for example, despite a fairly rigorous QT process and I am convinced that an oversized UV helps to reduce parasite pressures and allow the natural immune system of the fish to prevail.

#2 is doing really well (#2 pencil, get it .....). Eating really well and gradually extending his day. Out now from about 9 am until 3 pm. Still a bit to go before running the gauntlet that is the display. At night I can hear the tangs chanting .... fresh fish, fresh fish ..... Ok that made me laugh .... gratuitous Shawshank reference.

I do see what you did there, and well played I must say. Thanks for info on UV. It is on my to-do list but a ways down. I still have a hood/cabinet to finish and skin the steel stand. That and cleaning up my lights and wire mess and let me not even start that I need to redo my overflow return lines (while funcational and working I'd like them a bit better laid out). Really gladd the little guy is doing well.

It is interesting that I've never really paid much attention to that fish yet the other night I was watching someones tank video and saw one darting by. Go figure.

ca1ore · Jan 7, 2019

Am liking this little lagoon tank, may have to downsize ……

User1 · Jan 7, 2019

ca1ore said:
Am liking this little lagoon tank, may have to downsize ……

First time I viewed your post there was no image!

Elegance coral?

ca1ore · Jan 7, 2019

Yeah, wasn't doing well in the main tank. Too much flow, too many nippers …. who knows. Much happier here in and amongst the mangroves (or will be if they grow).