gettareef

Well, here is a short update of my 75. The reef is reaching the 1 ½ year mark and I am happy to report it is feeling just fabulous, and as healthy as a horse! I did get a bit lazy near the birth of my daughter and slacked on water changes. The tank and I suffered a heartbreaking loss; a small Acro frag decided to take the plunge into the big blue yonder by bleaching out. BUT after grieving we got back to work and have stuck to 10% water changes weekly, no excuses. For a while now I have made the decision to invest in the equipment side of the hobby rather than stocking my tank. I do add corals or inverts here and there, but have decided not to get anymore fish for this tank. This Summer I have been saving for an Apex controller with all the probes, modules, and add-ons. I will be ready to order all this next week which I am very excited about. Being in this hobby for just a little over a year now, my biggest concern is my tank when I am away. This controller will give me the security I need and allow me to lay off the Xanax!
My corals are filling in nicely, with all showing growth (some more than others). I finally found the sweet spot for the Acans which is a relief as they sure are finicky. Here is a picture of a purple Montipora I got from my LFS this past December when I first put it in the tank. I think it is an Encrusting Monti??





And here it is now.







I love this coral. With it continuing to fill in, thicken, and expand so much I decided to try my luck at another Monti (shown below). I got this one off LiveAquaria’s Divers Den and hope it too will take off like its purple brother. I think Montis are my favorite SPS as of right now with their endless colors, variation of base vs polyps, different types, grooves, and cool growth patterns.








Here is a picture of some Zooanthids on a rock when I first put it in my tank about 9 months ago.





And here it is today. It really has filled in. There was a large open gap between the bottom rock when I first put it in, and now the gap has been filled and they are growing over the rock below.






And a before and after of a Ric.









AND some full tank and random shots.

















So far keeping a reef has been a dream come true. I am absolutely in love with this hobby. I am so excited to finally be able to invest in coral to fill in my tank now that I will have a controller. Thanks all! I enjoy reading the blogs on here and articles. Keep it up Marc!

Until next time ~ gettareef