SPS dominant 220 gallon, first birthday

[phillybean]

Don't have many people who will think this is as great as I do, but from looking pretty empty to being overfull is a pretty great feeling. Starting to get into a few more "designer" SPS, including finally having my holy grail, a Walt Disney. I need to do some major trimming and likely get rid of the Green Birdsnest all together, but definitely looking forward to year two!

 

[Miami Reef]

That looks phenomenal! You have amazing taste in design!!

How did you limit the algae stage during the first year?

 

[phillybean]

That looks phenomenal! You have amazing taste in design!!

How did you limit the algae stage during the first year?

Thank you! It was an upgrade from a 90 gallon, so I used mostly existing live rock which I think greatly helped with avoiding the algae stage. I also have a large refugium & UV sterilizer and run a AWC of 3.5 gallons a day. I am currently dealing with a bit of Bryopsis and Cyano, but hopefully nothing that I can't get under control. Another factor that I believe plays a big part, is that the Corals are using the same nutrients that Algae does, given the growth and size of a lot of the colonies, I feel that helps out compete the Algae. Also, given the fact that there are very few areas of rock that are not occupied by coral, there isn't many places for Algae to grow.