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melev

August 1 update

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by
melev
, 08-01-2015 at 01:40 PM (3147 Views)
Over the last couple of months, I've been busy with work and physical therapy to strengthen muscles in my back that are meant to work with my neck. The surgery corrected one area, but lots of exercises and frequent walks are helping improve and loosen up my neck and upper back muscles. I'm constantly having to remind myself about my posture, most importantly at my computer. (Don't slouch, you'll regret it later!)

My reef is on auto-pilot and I don't do much in it. Maybe once a week I'll reach in to move a coral or two to create space and stop chemical conflict. Everything is nice and colorful. During my recovery, the majanos returned with a vengeance and I ignored them as much as I could, but last week I decided to address the situation. All the ones I could hit with the laser were zapped. And the rest were smothered in Aiptasia-X. It works beautifully.

I clean the glass every few days. About four days ago all the Vortech wetsides were cleaned. Last night I decided it was time to get a water change done. While I was at it, I finally replaced the carbon, cleaned the skimmer and waste collector, pulled out the calcium reactor for a good cleaning and refilled it to the top with media. The ATO reservoir refilled while I slept last night. Today, the reef already looks more sparkling and it's only currently lit with VHO actinics.

August 10th, the reef will be 20 months old. Here are two large images from July 22, prior to all the things I mentioned above. It's nicer now.

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Comments

  1. brotherd's Avatar
    Looks awesome Marc. Nice little frag rack too. Almost didn't see that. Currently, what do you have the 60's set on and what are the alk and calcium levels at? The sheer size of your corals!
  2. surfnsd's Avatar
    LOL I love how you always add a saying like "its nicer now", as if we're all looking at these pictures thinking to ourselves "thank god because these pictures make your tank look awful" . Even at its worst, your tank has always looked better then my best. Ive always used your site as a reference when people ask me what a reef tank should look like. Keep up the awesome work!
  3. yankieman's Avatar
    I hope your back gets to feeling better and look forward to seeing you at MACNA if your going
  4. melev's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by brotherd
    Looks awesome Marc. Nice little frag rack too. Almost didn't see that. Currently, what do you have the 60's set on and what are the alk and calcium levels at? The sheer size of your corals!
    The 60g is on steel stand under Radion lighting - did that answer your question? Alkalinity is around 8-9 dKH, and Calcium is 450ppm.
  5. melev's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by surfnsd
    LOL I love how you always add a saying like "its nicer now", as if we're all looking at these pictures thinking to ourselves "thank god because these pictures make your tank look awful" . Even at its worst, your tank has always looked better then my best. Ive always used your site as a reference when people ask me what a reef tank should look like. Keep up the awesome work!
    Thanks. The thing is that I'm often annoyed with my reef or I'm annoying with myself for letting something go downhill because I wasn't vigilant enough / consistently. So when it looks good, I'm happy with it. It seems like every year there are a few great weeks... but there's a lot of annoying weeks too.

    I do appreciate the compliment though, and know I'm way harder on myself than most hobbyists. I do try to keep my hands out of the water.
  6. melev's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by yankieman
    I hope your back gets to feeling better and look forward to seeing you at MACNA if your going
    Thanks, it's getting better all the time. And yes, I'll be there. Let's find each other!
  7. brotherd's Avatar
    Sorry Marc, I meant to ask, what setting do you have the mp60's at? And do you use sleep and feed modes.
  8. melev's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by brotherd
    Sorry Marc, I meant to ask, what setting do you have the mp60's at? And do you use sleep and feed modes.
    I used Reeflink to set up a multi-flow pattern around the clock. But with the upgrade to QD drivers that I'm doing this weekend, I'll have to re-detect all Vortechs and get new programming inserted.

    They are never off. I turn off the return pump for feeding, but the Vortechs move the food around the tank nicely.