The Acanthastrea Additions

Here is an April FTS, and some closeups of the new corals.

Over the past couple weeks several new coral species have been added to the display. Several SPS frags have been added to the upper portions of the rockwork, a few more colorful zoa frags have been placed in the lower portion, while two beautiful colonies of Acanastrea have been placed on the sand bed.

As all parameters are in check the SPS frags are growing already and their colors have in fact become more vibrant.

The Drip

The acclimation process is one that many aquarists overlook or rush. After a road-trip to shop some incredible frag tanksin Guelph (http://www.fragalot.ca) the drip in process becomes an essential step in the purchase of any marine livestock be it coral inverts, or fish.

To properly drip in the new species, a clean bucket has been elevated and placed beside the aquarium. Airline tube is attached to a valve which regulates the amount of water passing through the tube. A siphon is started through the airline tube which slowly mixes the

aquarium water with the water from the coral's previous system.

The idea is to slowly acclimate the coral to the same water conditions, and temperatures reducing stress greatly. This process is continuedfor an hour or two depending on the species while discarding water from the bucket so eventually the contents are very close to the water in the display.

There are hundreds of methods for livestock acclimation, this just happens to be the method deemed most effective and efficient. Some would argue a quarantine tank is necessary for coral addition, but due to the reputable source of coral purchase.

The Video

Here is short video that has been recorded of the aquarium. (Click HQ to see an better quality version)

The 250 watt 14k bulb that had been lighting the system since its establishment has just been switched with a new 20k XM bulb and the purple and blue results are clearly visible in this video.

Finally color is arriving in a couple of the SPS frags which had turned completely brown in their previous owner's tank. This color has been coming back slowly for the past couple months, but it is really quite noticeable under the bluer light.

No major updates have been made to the system other than the addition of a few frags. In the last month all corals have shown drastic growth and progress.

The Recap

The nano system is still running strong with no issues whatsoever. All of the corals are growing steadily, and the fish are healthy. The filtration system is flawless leaving crystal clear water, with literally no harmful contents. By blasting the rocks with a turkey baster every few days, the filter floss catches any buildup of debris that could store nitrate. Filter floss, the remora skimmer, a macro algae refugium, a bag of carbon, and one unit of chemipure elite, have worked together diligently to create an ideal environment for the inhabitants.

The chemipure elite will need a change soon. Although the package rates the media at 4-6 months, with this bioload it would be unwise to leave it for longer than 4 months. In the refugium the cheato has grown to fill the entire second chamber requiring frequent trimming to ensure space to grow.

Adding an auto top off systems and building a custom media rack are the next two steps that will need to be taken.

The evaporation on a topless nano with 250 watts of halide light is far to frequent, if the tank were left unattended for a couple days the water level would drop exposing the cheato. An ATO will solve this problem.

The custom media rack will fit into the middle chamber dividing it into two sections. THe first section will be a ladder type setup forcing the flow to fall down through two bags of media.

A baffle separating section one and two will direct the water back up into the refugium section allowing the water to flow back down through the cheato naturally.

Zoanthids, and mixed sps frags will be added to the system periodically for the next few months while the constant coral growth will eventually fill the reef.

Although growth and color is great with the 14k XM bulb, a bulb with a 20k temperature will be replacing the bulb in an attempt to bring even more vivid coloring to the system. With no actinic bulbs the use of a 20k light will be acceptable middle ground for coral lighting.

All in all the system is stable purely based on the diligence and patience applied in the maintenance and initial setup process. The upkeep of additives, coral feeding, and 10% weekly water changes has been with out a doubt essential to the progress of all species in the system.

The Look Pt. 2

Some coral was added... some recent pictures... thanks to Ryan at Aquatic Kingdom in Mississauga for the great prices... that is all.

The Look

Here are several photographs taken quite recently. They show some of the overwhelming color one can see when observing the aquarium. Parameters are now stable and significant coral growth is already apparent on all species. Specifically the SPS frags are growing at a rapid rate.

The photos are taken under a 14k XM Metal Halide Lamp with a digital SLR no other lighting supplements are present...

The Oscillaris Pair

Due to the exceptionally stable conditions of the Nano system, and the need to finally shut down, and sell the 55 gallon "transferee" system, two paired Oscillaris Clownfish were recenty added to the Biocube.

The drip acclimatization method was used to delicately, and patiently prep the two fish for the switch. With Salinity and PH relatively exact in each system, and virtually no traces of Ammonia, Nitrite or Nitrate in either of the water columns, the fish adapted quickly to the new, smaller space. The Clowns indulged immediately among the wavy tentacles of the purple torch coral which resides in the center of the aquascape.

By "hosting" in the animated Torch, the Clowns offer the same gratification as if they were in an anemone, without all the dangers of housing one in such a compact system.

The fish have been in the system for three days with no sign of a small re-cycle, and no change in water parameters. The two tank-mates will be fed minimal portions every other day on a mixed diet of Omega One flake food and rinsed Mysis shrimp.

The paired Clownfish will be the only addition of fish for a indefinite period of time, as coral addition, collection, and propagation is the primary focus of this reef system.