Reef Pilot's Undersea Oasis

[Reef Pilot]

Yeah, definitely similar in color. Your branches look thicker, though, but with smaller tips. But could be just differences in lighting and nutrients as I know acros can really vary by tank. I will have to do some searches and see if I can get more images of the purple plasma and compare.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Yeah, definitely similar in color. Your branches look thicker, though, but with smaller tips. But could be just differences in lighting and nutrients as I know acros can really vary by tank. I will have to do some searches and see if I can get more images of the purple plasma and compare.

After looking at ORA and other sites, don't think it is a purple plasma. Coloring and polyps are different. Having said that, I did find some called that may be similar, but with no credible pedigree.

Here is another pic of my coral from a year ago. It is a lot bigger now of course.

[straightrazorguy]

Great tank and great shots Walter. Very inspiring. Your coral looks so healthy!

What kind of butrterfly fish is the one in yesterday's full tank shot? Sorry if this was adressed earlier in the thread.

[Reef Pilot]

Thanks. That's a Pearlscale Butterfly. I have one in each of my tanks. Had them for almost 4 years now, and they keep my tanks clear of aiptasia. If you go back early in my journal, I describe my initial tank conditions and all the aiptasia I used to have. The Pearlscales totally decimated the aiptasia and have kept my tanks clear ever since. And contrary to popular opinion, they don't bother my corals (have all types incl softies, LPS and SPS). Plus they make nice peaceful tank mates and eat all kinds of foods.

Having said all that, you can't just buy them and plunk them into your display tank. They likely won't survive, and if they do, will probably go after your corals. But there is a way...

[kien]

Gorgeous! Clearly someone around here knows what they're doing

[Reef Pilot]

Yeah, like EZ PZ,... haha, I can only wish... But thanks for the comments.

[kien]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Yeah, like EZ PZ,... haha, I can only wish... But thanks for the comments.

I never suggested that it was easy. Just that you seemed to know what you're doing. reefing is far from easy! If it were easy everyone would be doing it :-)

[Reef Pilot]

No, for sure it's not easy and I have had my share of challenges this past summer again. For me the key has been trying to understand what went wrong, and then correcting it. And lots of patience. Tanks can go bad fast, but they sure don't turn around for the good fast.

[kien]

Word. Your right. The only thing that happens fast in this hobby is BAD. :-)

[Reef Pilot]

Just got back from Maui after 2 weeks, and tank and inhabitants all looking good. Parameters all near perfect, with dKh at 8, Ca at 400, and P04 and N03 both at zero. Did not feed the fish for the 2 weeks, yet they all look good and healthy. They are eating vigorously today, though. Corals all good. Glass needed a good cleaning and skimmer was pretty dirty, as expected.

Here are a few pics from today.














And my frags aren't getting any smaller. Really need to unload more of these orange digis.


And a couple pics from Maui snorkeling, right outside our hotel condo.