Well its been an interesting 3 years (photo progression)

[One_Divided]

Well thanks to eveyone for the help over the years. You guys have been great! I must say, it has been an unfortunate downhill progress over the last year and a bit. Very frusterating.. It seems no matter how much we learn in this hobby, things can only get better or worse. I have tried to document the progression of my system over the last 3 years.. Enjoy the photos!

APRIL 2001 to MAR 11 2002. This was my old 33 gallon reef with an undergravel filter and one NO "cool white"! It was post canreef and I was clueless. You can see a progression over time through different types of lighting from PCs to one halide to two halides.. Anyone remember my "xenia mop"?!


JUNE 23 2002
Getting a little more in to sps and things are starting to really grow...


Aug 24 2002
I rearranged the whole tank for the first time.. What a difference! Colour and growth were doing well. This was lit by 2 10k ushio 175w halides and a couple NO actinics on an icecap 430...


OCT 15 2002
This is the last photo taken before I moved the tank over to a 50 gallon right beside it. Algea on the back glass was due to lack of hermits/snails. Photo by Steve (stircrazy)


DEC 09 2002
About a month after the tank transfer to the 50 gallon.. This was the tank at its prime stage.. Colours were very rich and growth was taking off.. Lighting was a 400w radium run on a regular pfo ballast.


JAN 18 2003
I began experiencing some unusual bleaching after using the radium a few months. I was certain that it could not have been acclimation related. Seemed more like the spectrum went out on me prematurely. This was lit by a 400w ushio and 2 NO 3' actinics. I liked this combo till the ushio broke inside.


APRIL 20 2003
After the Ushio self destructed, I switched to a 250w single ended radium on pfo hqi. It is not as dark as it looks. In fact, It was nearly as bright at the 400 on reg pfo. This is the current lighting I have today. It was around this time I discovered the "red bugs". Slowly, but surely, they began to take thier toll on some of my prized acros.. Some corals which had always been healthy became infested and faded day by day till thier death.


OCT 22 2003
Flatworms, turf algea and red bugs really starting to bug me! Corals growing faster then ever none the less!


NOV 22 2003
I did a little re-arrangment. This is pretty much how it sits today. This is the last pic I will show. I have had nothing but problems and heart ache since. In fact, I am thinking of starting over completely!



I wish I could offer some words of encouragement and wisdom to end this, but all I can say is "Damn why can't my tank look like it did in Dec 2002!" Thanks again everyone for your support.. I still need it big time!



-Adam