Saltwater & Reef

**fort384** · 01-14-2013, 04:38 PM

I just put an emerald crab in in the hopes that it will take care of the very minor, but ever present valonia I have in my tank. I have read a lot of mixed reviews from "they are the greatest thing since sliced bread" to "they ate all my coral" so I am anxious about it. So far, he is eating little bits of algae on the live rock and bypassed any soft coral, so my fingers are crossed. Anyone else have positive or negative experiences with them?

**Sniperhank** · 01-14-2013, 04:54 PM

I have 3 in my 55 with no problems. I'd each them in your tank only because they are opportunistic, and without algae they might go after coral to avoid starving. Your tank is always spotless, so just keep an eye out.

Bearchumjs · 01-14-2013, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fort384

I just put an emerald crab in in the hopes that it will take care of the very minor, but ever present valonia I have in my tank. I have read a lot of mixed reviews from "they are the greatest thing since sliced bread" to "they ate all my coral" so I am anxious about it. So far, he is eating little bits of algae on the live rock and bypassed any soft coral, so my fingers are crossed. Anyone else have positive or negative experiences with them?

I have one and he has never touched my coral. I thought he was eating my zoas once but he was only cleaning them up! I think they are great, and very fun to watch when he is out and I can see him.

**fort384** · 01-14-2013, 04:55 PM

Will do, thanks. I feed rods reef which is pretty messy, so hopefully that will work as supplemental food, but I will keep an eye out.

CorallineAlgae · 01-14-2013, 06:31 PM

My brother has one and it doesn't touch his corals. I always kept a Sally Lightfoot crab in my reefs if I saw valonia. They were fine with corals but I swapped them out after about 4 years for smaller ones. Once they get really big they can get scary. >_<

**fort384** · 01-20-2013, 06:03 PM

Some photo updates from today.

First, just to show the amount of growth, I made a few side by side image comparisons from october til' now. Wow, looking back, my October photos look like crap. This was before I figured out how to set White Balance correctly, and also these were taken using the stock Canon 18-55mm lens.

Anyways, just for fun, here are a few comparison shots:

**fort384** · 01-20-2013, 06:04 PM

And some new macros:

**fort384** · 01-20-2013, 06:04 PM

And more Macros:

**Sniperhank** · 01-20-2013, 06:05 PM

Looks good fort. Now ill have to look at my stuff and my white balance. I'm assuming you are doing a custom white balance with something grey?

**fort384** · 01-20-2013, 06:05 PM

And, the obligatory FTS's:

**fort384** · 01-20-2013, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniperhank

Looks good fort. Now ill have to look at my stuff and my white balance. I'm assuming you are doing a custom white balance with something grey?

I used a piece of White PVC Pipe. Just stick it down in the tank and used it as my reference.

Convict2161 · 01-20-2013, 11:32 PM

Hey Justin just got my iPad today and was checking out your photos on the pad instead of the iPhone. WOW!!!! Absolutely amazing corals! Very healthy and the colors... Just wow!! Glad I got to view them here and have a chance to really appreciate them. Thanks for sharing.

CorallineAlgae · 01-21-2013, 12:36 PM

What a difference a few camera adjustments plus a different lens makes. Quit raising the bar so high! jk jk

**fort384** · 01-21-2013, 06:38 PM

Thanks guys!

I particularly like that last Aussie Scoly shot.

Drak · 01-22-2013, 08:43 PM

Took hours to read this entire thread as i had to keep googling stuff up but I learned a ton . Really Really nice setup awesome pics . It made me realize that photography is a huge enhancement to this hobby but it needs to be done right with the right tools.

If I can get half as nice with my setup I will be happy.

Convict2161 · 01-22-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fort384

Thanks guys!

I particularly like that last Aussie Scoly shot.

Thank you for sharing

**fort384** · 01-22-2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drak

Took hours to read this entire thread as i had to keep googling stuff up but I learned a ton . Really Really nice setup awesome pics . It made me realize that photography is a huge enhancement to this hobby but it needs to be done right with the right tools.

If I can get half as nice with my setup I will be happy.

Thanks! This being my first reef, it has not been without its frustrations... but things really seem to be jammin' in the tank now, and I am getting more and more confident with the coral.

I think I decided a DSLR is almost required equipment... if you hang out on Aquarium Forums, what good is it if you can't share what you have created?