New Ideas

Over the past couple days I have decided I want to add about 50 or so pounds of live rock as this will both increase my ability to handle nitrates and provide more surface area for corals to grow on. I will keep the rock in a holding tank (aka a big brute trashcan with heater and powerhead) and add a piece a week so as not to overload my system. I have not purchased any rock or set this up so more updates are on the way.

The sump and culture projects are still moving along, but at a slow pace as I don't have the capital to complete them (feel free to donate ;) ). I am mostly in the planning stage still, but I have made good progress on the phyto setup.

I also have reached a very balanced Ca -- alk ratio. I don't really buffer at all, except the Kalk i top off with. I have not tested water in a while and don't intend to as everything looks great and i am confident my alk and ca are where they need to be.

The M. Setosa has grown noticably and colored up. It has taken on a orange color and you can see the polyps. It is amazing how much it has grown in only a few weeks. Here is a photo (very blurry as it is still too small for my crumy digital camera to get.The left side of the tank is still very barren and does not have many rocks (note: this is one of the reasons i want to add live rock) here is a Pic of the left side. NOTE: m. setosa
Here are some general shots of the tank: