Stolireef...an SPS Journey

Stolireef · Jun 13, 2017

Big week for Stolireef. I received my DSLR several days ago. I don't have any picture yet that I'm not ashamed to post but I'm learning quickly. More importantly, I've been noticing pretty rapid growth of my frags both encrusting and just getting bigger. That said, I've been testing Ca and kH about every five days and hadn't yet identified a decrease in either of those values. Today, for the first time, I was able to see a marked decrease in both and in exactly the right proportions. Tomorrow, I get to set up my Neptune DOS system.

vanpire · Jun 14, 2017

You do have an awesome tank. Glad things are growing well for you.

I have a nice miyagi tort that I like. Would like to see how different your electric miyagi looks from mine when yours get larger.

Stolireef · Jun 14, 2017

Thanks Van. The electric myagi is a little ticked off at the moment. It had a tiny aptasia on it so I shot it with some kalk paste. Little bit got on the coral but I think it'll pull through.

Stolireef · Jun 25, 2017

Here's my first DSLR picture that I'm not embarrassed to post. I'm not even sure what it is but I just added to my tank.

Stolireef · Jun 25, 2017

Here's another one that didn't come out too bad. I can't remember the name of this one either but the color is amazing.

vanpire · Jun 26, 2017

If you can take one picture, you can take more. More pics please.

Stolireef · Jul 10, 2017

Well, a bit of a set back this week. Decided to buy an Orange Shoulder Tang from an LFS that I was unfamiliar with. Store looked great though. Didn't quarantine and you know the rest of the story. Within about 5 days, marine velvet killed every fish in my tank except my bangaiis (they must be made of steel). Anyhow, I now have a nice 40 gallon breeder set up as a QT.

Otherwise, the corals in the tank look super good. Really haven't lost a coral since initial setup. Sad for the fish but I'm more of a coral guy. This will give me the chance to order some new cool fish.

vanpire · Jul 10, 2017

That sucks and I am sorry to hear that. Now, I understand why you bought the 40 gallon.

Stolireef · Jul 11, 2017

Yep. It's called 20/20 hindsight. Or, perhaps better, do something stupid and pay the price.

Daniel@R2R · Jul 12, 2017

Stolireef said:
Yep. It's called 20/20 hindsight. Or, perhaps better, do something stupid and pay the price.

Dang! Sorry to see that happen. I had a similar experience (lost almost 20 fish in 2 weeks), and since then QT is the way to go for me. Sometimes it takes a major event to show us reason.

kresDFW · Jul 12, 2017

Stolireef said:
Here's my first DSLR picture that I'm not embarrassed to post. I'm not even sure what it is but I just added to my tank.

Allen, that's the JF Jack-O-Lantern Leptoseris. Nice piece you have growing. The second picture you have is a Blue & Green Leptastrea. I had the same one that I got from Ryan when he broke down his tank.

Daniel@R2R · Jul 13, 2017

On the photography front, be sure to check out the articles we have on photography: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/category/aquarium-photography.16/ The ones by @d2mini and @maroun.c have been particularly helpful for me.