Cali Kid Corals

From Carmel

Hello everyone!

My name is Nathan, I’m a nurse in Monterey, like in Carmel. Moved to Salinas about 25 years ago from Fresno, worked at the aquarium in Monterey in the early 2000s in Guest Services. I was a Guest Ambassador when we had the white shark, not so much fun, it was insane. During that time, I was involved with the Central Valley Reefers. I remember one particular time, you all let us crash your swap, this may be a bit late, but thanks! I had a good time.

As life goes, so do tanks. I haven’t had a tank for a few years now, and getting back into reminds me of the build, what a great time…and the cost, not a great time. We rent a place and we are not supposed to have any pets, so I naturally can justify a 20G. Biggest tank I had was a 120, man I miss that tank! Any how, new tank will have many bells, some whistles.

I am running a black box Radion, it’s really a A8 SE ii. It seems powerful. I am used the MH and T5s. The instructions leave a lot to be desired for sure. I’ll run a dose for three part and ATO. No fish, yet. My last crash has left some PTSD on my wife.

Stupid sand. I have some tester corals, and they are doing ok, not great. The Cali tort, not great, the setosa is doing really well. Zoas, no issues. Adjusting the lights is much trickier than the old days.
 

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Maybe aim them at the rocks it'll break the flow off center them from each other and make it sorta swirl. Or consider slightly more coarse sand.

I kinda thought that was intentional lol.
 
Thanks, everyone.

The A8, nice lights, the set up leave A LOT to be desired.

Two power heads is overkill? Not the 250W of LED over a 20? The two power heads are left over from the 40B I had last. I have the power heads dialed down.

I noticed a couple people from this area. Monterey unfortunately is more of a retirement community, so most of the frags I get are from SJ area.
 
Thanks, everyone.

The A8, nice lights, the set up leave A LOT to be desired.

Two power heads is overkill? Not the 250W of LED over a 20? The two power heads are left over from the 40B I had last. I have the power heads dialed down.

I noticed a couple people from this area. Monterey unfortunately is more of a retirement community, so most of the frags I get are from SJ area.

The MB area has never been much of a powerhouse in terms of reef keeping, which has always been strange to me. In the last 30 years we've lost most our LFS.
 
Thanks, everyone.

The A8, nice lights, the set up leave A LOT to be desired.

Two power heads is overkill? Not the 250W of LED over a 20? The two power heads are left over from the 40B I had last. I have the power heads dialed down.

I noticed a couple people from this area. Monterey unfortunately is more of a retirement community, so most of the frags I get are from SJ area.

Lights can be turned down, and this might increase their lifespan too as they’ll run cooler. Powerheads take up viewing space in a tank, but if you tune them and are okay with some visual obstruction, they’re fine too

Unfortunate that MB isn’t very active. We still do frag swaps semiregularly so please come by!
 
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