Tank Progression: 60 gallon

[*GSP*Fan*]

LPS have a skeleton, you will need to be dosing all 3. What do they test out as now?

I figured I would need to dose, at least in time as the corals got larger and I added more but wasn't sure how long just water changes would be enough to supply what was needed.

I've got the test kit in my cart for Dr.Fosters and Smith ready to order, I was waiting on responses here to see what else I may need before placing my order.

Since I'll already be ordering, I guess I should go ahead and get what I will need for dosing even if it may be a while.

Any help on what products to get? I don't want to order items I won't need or that are worthless.

Also, I might as well go ahead and order some more salt, so any suggestion on what to upgrade to from Instant Ocean?


Edit: Those links aren't working...

And I went ahead and added supplements for mag, alk, and cal to my cart along with the test kit.

[Pufferpunk]

I make my own alk with baked baking soda, use Pedlow's pellets (ice melt) for Ca & Epsom salt for Mg.

[*GSP*Fan*]

My corals arrived today and I got a couple pictures. I was rushed, as usual, needing to leave for work so the pictures definitely aren't the best. Plus, they had just been placed in the tank after acclimation so I know they aren't looking their best.

Zoas
They haven't opened yet


But here is the WYSIWYG photo..hope they open up and look like this soon. I had been wanting some pink zoas

]

Australian Rainbow Lobophyllia


Definitely not the best photo and again here is the WYSIWYG photo



Australian Trachyphyllia trachy brain


Branching Hammer
Really happy with this piece. I think it was a good price for $30 and the amount of heads. It had started to open up more in the aclimation bucket but closed up when I picked it up to move to the tank. The rock is just propping it up at the moment until I get it moved into the proper place.


I didn't get a photo of the Blastos, I will once I'm home and will post better photos once the others have opened.

Here is a full tank shot again, I messed with the rock on the very left but am still not happy with it. I just can't seem to figure out how to best stack the rock and have space for corals. I'm afraid I'm going to mess that up. So any suggestions there, I'd definitely appreciate.

I make my own alk with baked baking soda, use Pedlow's pellets (ice melt) for Ca & Epsom salt for Mg.

I'll have to look into that, it seems that would be easier or at the very least, cheaper. I haven't placed my order yet as I'm debating on ordering some new/different powerheads as well.

I was thinking of the Tunze but I'm also upgrading to LED lighting which is certainly not that cheap. So now I'm leaning towards the Koralia but I can't figure out what GPH to get.

I'd like to upgrade both my lights and powerheads partially because of heat. The T5HOs certainly produce more heat than the LEDs do and I'm pretty sure the powerheads I have are also part of the reason my tank is running at a higher temperature. I'd adjusted the heater so there is only a 1-2 degree change from day to night but with summer coming up I'm worried. The powerheads I currently have run on much more wattage than the Koralias, so I'm sure that will help.

The Koralias are also on sale now.

So two of the 1050s or 1400s? I can't decide...

[I.Puff.Too]

I definitely wouldn't put two 1400's in a 60G tank. Koralias move A LOT of water.

[*GSP*Fan*]

I definitely wouldn't put two 1400's in a 60G tank. Koralias move A LOT of water.

Thank you. I was kinda worried that two of that size could actually be too much but wanted to be sure ahead of time. I don't own any of the Koralias so I'm not quite sure what to expect. I would hate to of ordered two of either and end up needing something different.

So I guess two of the 1050s would be best and provide enough flow?

This is just to upgrade since I do have two powerheads in my tank, though I think more flow than what I've got would be a good thing, but my main reasons for upgrading are the mounting (I want the magnet over the suctions) and the wattage.

[I.Puff.Too]

Two of the 1050's would give you plenty of flow. I had one 1400 in a 55G, poor fish. lol

[*GSP*Fan*]

Two of the 1050's would give you plenty of flow. I had one 1400 in a 55G, poor fish. lol

good to know. I'd say the fish would probably be okay, they'd get used to it, I mean I'm sure theres a ton more flow where they're from, but too much flow might lead to problems having sand substrate. I wouldn't want to spend the extra money if it wasn't necessary either.

[Pufferpunk]

Nice selection! Those zoas look more like palys. I bet you paid a pretty penny for that lobo?

[I.Puff.Too]

That's very true. Granted GSPs aren't the best/strongest swimmers, but the powerhead would literally blow them around the tank. They hated it and refused to swim. tehehe.

[*GSP*Fan*]

Nice selection! Those zoas look more like palys. I bet you paid a pretty penny for that lobo?

Thank you! I'm really happy with them all and excited to have more of a variety.

How can you tell difference between zoas and palys? I don't care either way, I picked them because of the color.

Actually I just looked at the description and it mentions both zoa and play so I don't know.

I believe I got good prices on all just from what I've seen browsing through some online stores but would definitely like and opinion.

Zoas/Palys $15
Trachy $40 (most I've spent on a coral so far but I really liked it)
Branching Hammer $30
Lobo $25 (guessing this was a good price?)
Blasto $8.50 (don't have a picture I've taken of these yet)



Also, I just copied what each coral was labeled as from my order. Do the names look correct? Since I'm new I may certainly miss something like that especially between similar corals.

One more thing, any suggestions on my questions about the powerheads?

That's very true. Granted GSPs aren't the best/strongest swimmers, but the powerhead would literally blow them around the tank. They hated it and refused to swim. tehehe.

You make a point, I'm sure the flow would certainly affect a puffer more so than any of my other stock.

Sounds like the puffers got their way?

[Pufferpunk]

http://www.saltyunderground.com/article ... cles_id=52

[I.Puff.Too]

Nice selection! Those zoas look more like palys. I bet you paid a pretty penny for that lobo?

Thank you! I'm really happy with them all and excited to have more of a variety.

How can you tell difference between zoas and palys? I don't care either way, I picked them because of the color.

Actually I just looked at the description and it mentions both zoa and play so I don't know.

I believe I got good prices on all just from what I've seen browsing through some online stores but would definitely like and opinion.

Zoas/Palys $15
Trachy $40 (most I've spent on a coral so far but I really liked it)
Branching Hammer $30
Lobo $25 (guessing this was a good price?)
Blasto $8.50 (don't have a picture I've taken of these yet)



Also, I just copied what each coral was labeled as from my order. Do the names look correct? Since I'm new I may certainly miss something like that especially between similar corals.

One more thing, any suggestions on my questions about the powerheads?

That's very true. Granted GSPs aren't the best/strongest swimmers, but the powerhead would literally blow them around the tank. They hated it and refused to swim. tehehe.

You make a point, I'm sure the flow would certainly affect a puffer more so than any of my other stock.

Sounds like the puffers got their way?

Lol. Of course they did!

[*GSP*Fan*]

http://www.saltyunderground.com/article ... cles_id=52

Thanks, I'll read through that. I definitely want to get better at properly identifying, especially when I'm buying.

Just out of curiosity, and for future reference, were the prices I paid for those good, or at least fair/average?

I thought so from comparing but being so new to this and all still I'm not sure.

All of them are looking great, to me and from I know about them thus far. The lobo and trachy were definitely inflated, I could tell a noticeable difference in size, and the hammer was fully opened as well. I was busy doing a PWC, that involved a few mishaps (long story), so being irritated on top of it I didn't get a chance to snap any photos yet but I definitely will. I also redid some of the aquascape and will post an updated FTS as soon as I'm able. I'm pretty happy with it and hope I stay that way. I never imagined I would have moved around those rocks so much.

[Pufferpunk]

Great prices!

[*GSP*Fan*]

Thought I'd share a few more pictures of the new corals now that they're getting comfortable in my tank. Also got a couple shots of corals that have been in my tank for a few weeks also.

This was inflated pretty good last night and some today. Definitely a noticeable difference in size



Opened up

Hammer opened as well



Snowflake Polyps


Zoas (I can definitely see the difference between these and the pink now, after the website and seeing them both opened)

Rhodactis Purple Mushroom


I could definitely tell the Lobo was inflated up last night while I was doing maintenance on the tank but just couldn't get a good picture. Haven't been able to get a good picture of the blastos either, mainly because of their size.

Heres updated shots since redoing some of the rockwork




I guess the leather is still shedding; its not shrunken down, still has a shiny/waxy look, and the polyps haven't been extended. Looks same since I posted last, didn't know it could take this long for shedding.