geofloors November 12, 2004 November 12, 2004 I just wanted to share some pics of my PM through out the 28 months I've had it. July 2002 Novemeber 2003 April 2004 August 2004 November 2004 Enjoy George
michaelg November 12, 2004 November 12, 2004 that is a great sequence! You did a wonderful job getting it from the same angle each time.
geofloors November 13, 2004 Author November 13, 2004 Thanks Michael!! It's in a good spot for picture taking George
geofloors November 13, 2004 Author November 13, 2004 I'm not sure what you mean?? I'll fill you in about the history of the PM... The origional colony was imported by Steve Tyree. He put this coral on his limited editon frag list. It's a very slow grower so it demands top price. Steve eventually lost his colony so he depended on a few people who got frags from him to keep the chain alive. This coral is possibly one of the most sought after sps in the hobby. People pay $250+ for a 3/4" frag. It is solid purple with a yellowish white polyp. It's grows very slow compared to other acroporas. There's only a handful of people who have a PM that fraggable so this makes it very difficut to obtain without waiting until 2010. Steve has a wait list until 2010 and will get $135 for a 1/2-3/4" frag. I got my frag from Len Ho who was growing frags for Steve's LE list. Shortly after I got my frag Len lost his colony. He was able to salvage a few small frags for himself. About a year ago Dave from O2manyfish was selling frags from someone who's large colony started to RTN. 1-1.5" frags were $350+ and they sold out in hours. It's possible that I have the largest colony right now. I don't know for sure but I've never seen any pictures that even come close. This colony is 3"X5" and the branches are very thick. George
Armson November 13, 2004 November 13, 2004 Wow that was a pretty kewl you knew that much history about your one peice of coral, but actually was referring to more along the technical side. what color lights its running under, what type of skimmer,reactor,etc. Whether you spot feed it or not.Whether you have been giving it steroids(it's ok you can admit it). When I see some one who has Obviously had success with growing something so difficult. I like to find out exactly what they did to have such success. I am just curious that's all.
geofloors November 13, 2004 Author November 13, 2004 Ahh, I got ya This coral is in a 120g sps tank. It's part of a 350g sps system. I have two 120g tanks, a 100g rubbermaid stocktank and a sump. The lights on this tank are 400w 10000K Ushios and 2 110w VHO actinics. There is 3000 gph+ of current. There is a calcium reactor, neilsen reactor, beckett skimmer, fluidized reactor for carbon, auto top-off, chiller. No spot feeding for sps and no growth hormones. The 100g stock tank is an algae refugium which also house a seahose. That's about it. George
Armson November 13, 2004 November 13, 2004 Oh yeah..... I am going to post my Slime algae and cyano growth sequence. Bet you can't top that! but seriously..... I have heard alot of people run Neilson reactors along side Calcium reactors. Is there really that much of a benefit to doing that? To me it seems like abit of over kill (According to your pictures it's not!)
geofloors November 13, 2004 Author November 13, 2004 Calcium rector lowers the pH of the water to dissolve the media. I use the Nelisen to counterbalance that. My pH stays about 8.4 all the time. George
Armson November 13, 2004 November 13, 2004 Is your calcium demand to much for just the Nelisen reactor? Byron
krish November 13, 2004 November 13, 2004 Byron, The Ca reactor contributes to the alkalinity and the nilsen to the pH and Ca. I run these 2 as well and have seen a few benefits. winning the battle against hair algae. I still have some ways to go. But is is not as bad as it used to be. -krish
Armson November 13, 2004 November 13, 2004 By George, I think I have got it.... Ok here is the issue I was having, It was my understanding that a nilsen reactor was exactly the same thing as dripping Kalkwasser. Which from what I gather it is not. According to Craig's Kalkwasser post when mixed with vinegar the Kalk becomes "ioniclly ballanced" there by eliminating the ph Swing. Now from what I gather from Krish, A calc ractor Raises Alk and a Nilsen (ok really which way is it spelled?) raises PH. My problem was that I thought a Nilsen reactor was "ionincly balanced". So my two issues were How is it countering the Calc reactor? and why not just run the Nilsen? Hope that makes it clear
geofloors November 13, 2004 Author November 13, 2004 With a Neilsen reactor you need tons of evaoration to keep up. A heavily stocked sps system (like mine) uses a ton more calcium and carbonates then the Neilsen can supply. With a Calcium reactor you can adjust it's output to your tanks needs. However, in my case, I evaporate 10 gallons a day from this tank. My calcium reactor bubbles 180 bubbles of CO2 per minute to keep up with the demand. In turn, there is alot of CO2 making it's way back into the tank which causes a lower pH (7.9-8.0 max). I counteract that with the Neilsen reactor. I don't care about the minerals it adds back to the tank because it so minimal it means nothing. I just use it for it's pH increase. I don't use vinegar with my Neilsen becasue I want to high pH of the kalkwasser. George
Armson November 13, 2004 November 13, 2004 So in theory with a smaller tank and less evaporation one could get away with just running one reactor and still not have a PH - Alk problem?
pedalpower November 14, 2004 November 14, 2004 Nice pictures! I always wanted to know the story behind the purple monster. Is there a wait list for even WAMAS members?
geofloors November 14, 2004 Author November 14, 2004 Thanks! I don't do wait lists.When the day comes to frag it I will post it here. Right now I use it to trade for other rare corals so I can get them to this area. George
eddi November 14, 2004 November 14, 2004 George, I need to get up there and check out your system. Sent you a PM.
pedalpower November 15, 2004 November 15, 2004 That's awesome George. What do people offer you for a PM frag?
geofloors November 15, 2004 Author November 15, 2004 I usually use it when someone has a coral I really want. George
Guest LoveReef November 15, 2004 November 15, 2004 wow..George.. i am stunned by looking at your PM..wow!!!!. check my website if you have anything to trade.. My Webpage
geofloors November 16, 2004 Author November 16, 2004 Nice corals!!! It looks like I have all the rare stuff already. George
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