400 gallon project

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by untamed

If you are one of those who check the video camera frequently, you've probably noticed that Nick (the Lookdown) isn't in the tank anymore.

Funny you should mention that.. I was just watching it about 15 mins ago...

Sorry to hear about Nick.. but if it's for the benefit of the tank, I guess it's just something that needs to be done.

[reeferious]

saw that specimen at j@l, absolutely splendid looking like a slab of pure silver.

[untamed]

With little fanfare, the tank had it's 2nd anniversary recently. Unfortunately, it seems that I've spent more time lately hauling OUT giant pieces of dead/dying coral than anything else.

I look back and it really doesn't feel like the tank has progressed anywhere for over 6 months now. Every tank parameter that I can check seems fine and I've even made progress on raising my average pH considerably. The mystery is that some coral continues to do very well, while others just stop all growing and decline slowly. Without growth, any damaged area on the coral eventually spreads and the coral dies. Flesh between polyps thins and dies and the very last part to go is actually the individual polyps themselves.

I'm experimenting with various dips. Since some of the coral is thriving, I'm pretty sure now that there isn't anything with water conditions that I can improve.

So...I'm really in the process of removing every coral that isn't healthy and just ditching it. This has resulted in removal some colonies that I have had for 10 years or more.

Meanwhile, the fish are quite happy and continue to grow. If you've skipped all the blah..blah so far, here are some fish pictures!

"Freckles" is just plain huge!


"Ripple" has finally turned into a real Atlantic BLUE tang and is now significantly larger than the Achilles Tang.


"Lance" has also grown considerably and is now probably the 2nd largest fish in the tank.
(spots you might notice are algae on the glass in front of him)


"Moe" Getting more fancy every day, although somebody shortened his bottom tail streamer recently...

[marie]

I had the same problem with my corals last year, and coincidentally it was right at the 20th month to 2yr mark.
The only thing I could think of was the inteceptor treatment I did but I will probably never know for sure

[JDigital]

What type of tang is "Lance"?

[untamed]

Originally Posted by JDigital

What type of tang is "Lance"?

Naso unicornis...aka Bluespine Unicorn fish. Fortunately, he shouldn't get to be more than 2 feet long!

[Lance]

Originally Posted by untamed

Naso unicornis...aka Bluespine Unicorn fish. Fortunately, he shouldn't get to be more than 2 feet long!

He's a beauty! And I really like his name.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Brad, sorry to hear your still having coral troubles

I am glad that your fish are doing so well though. They look great!

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by untamed

Naso unicornis...aka Bluespine Unicorn fish. Fortunately, he shouldn't get to be more than 2 feet long!

Very nice fish!

You weren't kidding when you said your Vlamingi is the biggest in the tank.. I've had the webcam running for awhile now, and he is one WIIIIIIIIIIIDE fish..

[Myka]

Originally Posted by untamed

Phosphates are also slightly high, measuring 12ppm yesterday.

Is that a misprint? I freak out if my phosphate reaches 1.0 ppm! What are you using to test phosphate and nitrate?

I'm glad to hear you have figured out the problem. Sometimes automation kicks our butts doesn't it? Eep! I look forward to hearing about the turn around!