Ecotech Marine Coral Fragging Tool Kit

Ecotech Marine Coral Fragging Tool Kit

Just in time for your holiday wishlist, the Ecotech Marine Coral Fragging Tool Kit is here...

The first thing that I have seen posted from hobbyists on forums and blogs about this item is something along the lines of, "$99?! I could buy all of these items separately for $X... [etc, etc, etc...]." Yes, you certainly COULD buy some inexpensive items and throw a kit together. Let's be frank (honest)- If you were already thinking that, then this product is probably not for you. Just as if you look at the Ecotech Marine Radion and say, "I could just build my own... [etc, etc, etc]"... then those lights are not for you either. It's okay, it happens.

Ecotech products command a premium and are not for everyone. That said, Ecotech is a growing business that has a strong and loyal customer following. This product is for the loyal fans, looking for quality and style. This Fragging Tool Kit is for the guy that has everything. The guy who likes high-end lighting, who sees value in Ecotech Lights and Pumps- the guy who takes so much pride in his aquarium, that he wants to have a great tool kit to propagate his coral. For that guy, he can now frag his coral in style.

(More information and photographs after the break...)

Photos of the Reef

The rock work as of today (3.16.13)

After a water change this morning, I figured I should take a few photos of the reef de Chromie.

I've moved stuff around and removed a couple of corals, but most of the coral are still the same as before. Some coral have grown better than others, but many have not really grown as well as I would like. I have a problem of either breaking the coral before they grow or moving them too much.


(More images after the jump!)

Very amateur tank photography...

Older Image - (not from today's set)

I was reading on a forum about how to take photographs of an aquarium. In the past year, I have purchased a DSLR camera and tried to learn as much as I can. I've gotten a little better, but still have a long ways to improve. When I've tried to take photos of my tank, they are usually pretty bad. Luckily, I came across this website: http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html.  I was inspired to try some things and see how much better my photos would now be.

Hitchhiker?!

"Are you the little guy causing all that big noise?" 

I've had some random "hauntings" and deaths in my tank, I have been on the lookout for a culprit. I'm wondering if this little guy had anything to do with it. I found him by chance after I turned the actinics on to look for my RBA. The RBT was on the sand bed, in a cave, and this crab was moving him around. Not sure if he was just decorating or preparing for a meal. I grabbed my aquarium tongs and pulled him out. 

I haven't positively identified the perp, but he will get no trial and no jury. It's out of the tank he goes. Let's hope this is the solution to my angry coral and hiding anemones...

Weekend photos

Last weekend I removed what was left of the biopellets in my system. I was having problems with coral dying, and I figured it might be related to the bio pellets. While I can't prove the pellets were the problem, my coral (specifically my zoas that were still alive) are doing much better and are opening up fully. The biopellet experiment lasted 8 months, and was overall inconclusive. There are too many factors as to why it may or may not have worked including my irregular maintenance (I've been busy) and the use of a reactor that wasn't designed for this type of media. I haven't ruled out the system for use in the future, but for now I'm sticking with the proven, old fashioned way: heavy skimming, light feeding, and water changes.

New frags from Garrett's Acropolis

I got to see something really special today; Garrett's Acropolis. Steve was kind enough to show us his impressive coral propagating system. Located outdoors, his system utilizes natural light and under 600 watts of electricity to run! It's a beautiful system, with healthy, beautiful, and a good variety of rare corals.

I opted for some easier to keep acros, green slimer, a monti, and a birds nest (Ora birds of paradise) coral. I also got a blue Xenia frag!

You can see some great pictures of Garrett's Acropolis featured on Marine Depots Featured Tank for July 2011. Marine Depot also posted a video to their YouTube channel. I've posted it below:

You can also view more on Garrett's Acropolis on his official website at www.garretts-acropolis.com.


Finally, here's some pictures of my tank and the new frags (Taken with my iPhone, sorry. I'll get some with the DSLR soon).Until next time...

 

Feeding the Sun Corals

I've had my Sun Coral for over a week, and I they haven't come out much, even during feedings. I've tried a few things, but it seems that feeding them is a nice way of enticing (bribing) them to come out.

After some research, I found a useful trick: cover the coral to allow them to feed undisturbed. The instructions recommended a 2-liter bottle top, but since my frag is still pretty small, I used the top off a small water bottle. I cut the bottle about 1.5" below the neck, peeled off the label, and gave it a good rinse with warm water. I made a small hole in the lid, but decided it was unnecessary after the first try...

I put this top over the Sun Coral and added some frozen Mysis Shrimp. Within a few minutes, I saw some polyp extension, but most heads stayed half way in or more. I left the bottle cover in the tank for about 30 minutes, and then I removed it.

On try number two, I removed the cap. This time I tried some cyclopeze. I left the bottle top in the tank for several hours. Success! The heads all popped out!!

I'll keep my fingers crossed, and I'm definitely going to keep my feeding using the coral dome!

New Additions and Pictures

I took a trip to a local fish store and purchased a few corals and a fish. I purchased some Zoas, a Sun Coral, a Cat's Paw, and some Orange Mushrooms. The fish is a medium sized Yellow Tang.

After acclimation and a few hours, I snapped some photos. Everything is still getting settled in, but I've been messing with the placement of rock lately and i wanted to get some pictures. I was browsing some past entries, and I can see the progress and changes in the tank over that past few months. It's easy to miss the growth and changes when you see your aquarium everyday, and it's comforting to be able to see just how much everything is coming along. Check out the pictures below.

Until next time...

As promoised...

A picture says many more words than I'm willing to type at the moment...

Please excuse the algae. Thanks.

(The images were also posted on the photo page.)