It's Hammer Time!!!

Picked up this Green Hammer from Greentree Pet Store in Clarksville, IN. I seen it in one of their aquariums and fell in love with it. It wasn't to expensive, $29.99. Looks great under the blue lights. Can't wait for this baby to grow!! Heres a little info about Hammer Coral.



Scientific Name: Euphylla ancora
Classification: LPS
Common Name: Hammer Coral, Anchor Coral
Description:
Forms fairly large colonies. Skeletons grow in a meandering fashion. Polyps have long tubular tentacles with Hammer, anchor or T-shaped tips. Color is usually orange, with lighter colored edges to the tips of the polyps. Similar to and related to Torch Coral and Frogspawn coral. Can be differentiated by the anchor or T-shape of the end of the tentacles.

Veron: Colonies may form a continuous cover over the substrate many meters across although individual colonies are seldom over one meter across. Colonies have the same skeletal structure as Euphyllia divisa. Polyps have large tubular tentacles with few or no branchlets but with anchor, hammer or T-shaped tips. Color is blue-gray to orange, usually with pale cream or green outer borders to the tentacles.

Natural Environment:
Veron: Large colonies are usually found in shallow environments exposed to moderate wave action. Seldom common, but may be a dominate species on protected horizontal substrates and on rocky outcrops in high latitude locations.

Care:
Hardiness: Hammer coral is fairly hardy once established in the aquarium

Lighting: Requires moderate to strong lighting.

Water Current: Hammer corals prefer low to moderate water motion.

Temperature: Does well within a range of at least 75º to 84º F

Aggressiveness: High. Hammer coral can expand considerably from its skeleton and has sweeper tentacles that are up to 2" longer than normal tentacles that can sting neighbors. Hammer corals grow fairly quickly and to a large size, so they do best in larger reef tanks. They can be kept in contact with others in the same family such as frogspawn coral.

Feeding: Hammer coral is photosynthetic and does not need to be directly fed, but will take small meaty foods that are offered.

Supplements: Maintaining correct calcium levels is important for skeletal development

Tank Positioning: Best positioning is a low to moderate water flow area where it has room to expand and grow.

My first coral acquisition

Finally decided to start adding some coral to my setup. I decided to go with some Green Star Polyps. I want that grassy looking effect that they give off once they start growing . I purchased these at Sandy's Pet Shop over in Louisville. KY. Couldn't beat it for 2/$15.

Infomation On These:


Scientific Name: Clavularia viridis
Classification: Soft Coral
Common Names: Green Star Polyps
Description:
Green Star polyps are small bright green polyps connected together by a rubbery purple colored mat. Open during the day, retracted at night or when disturbed.

Natural Environment:
? Many specimens are now captive propagated.

Care:
Hardiness: Green Star polyps are extremely hardy and can survive most reef tank conditions.

Lighting: Will tolerate fairly low light levels, but tend to develop brighter colors under higher intensity lighting. A picture above shows a colony that is lighter in color due to being raise in lower lighting conditions.

Water Current: Green Star polyps prefer moderate water motion.

Temperature: Does well within a range of at least 74º to 84º F.

Aggressiveness: High. Although the coral does not have a stinging capability, it's encrusting growth pattern can lead to rapid encroachment on its neighbors. Mat can be pruned with scissors if it starts to get out of hand. This is one of those corals that some hobbyist regret ever putting in their tank.

Feeding: Green Star polyps are photosynthetic and require no feeding. It is unknown if they will accept any prepared foods.

Supplements: No special requirement are noted. Normal acceptable water parameters seem to suit it just fine.

Tank Positioning: No special requirements other than keeping them out of forceful water flow. They will sometimes grow up the back glass forming a very attractive green backdrop.

Propagation:: Green Star polyps are easily propagated by cutting a section of the purple mat from the main colony using scissors or similar. This mat can be attached to a suitable substrate such as a piece of live rock usually with a rubber band. It will quickly attach to the rock and the rubber band can be removed.

Aqualine 600 gpm overflow box

In the beginning stages of my build, I was undecided between having my tank drilled or purchasing some overflow boxes. There where positives and negatives to both. With drilling, there is a chance that the tank my crack. Also some fittings may leak after awhile. The only negative I seen with the overflow box was not having your tank close to the wall, the boxes need about 3 inches of space on the back. IMO thats not bad at all. With that in mind it was a no brainer for me, I definitely didn't want 125 gallons of water leaking into my living room. So I chose to go with the overflow box. Well after running around and calling my LFS (local fish stores). The boxes in stock cost way way way to much. So I started my online search and BAM Ebay had them. Made by a company called"Aqualine". I bought two because my 125 is 6ft, so I wanted one 7 inches from the corner. For $48 and free shipping why not!! I bought them on a Saturday and they arrived on Wednesday. Kudos to Ebay User: salt-solutions no wonder they have 100% feedback. these things where solid and easy to assemble and get started. BTW they where packed so safely, I couldn't believe how much foam and cushion they used. Very impressive!!! I could have went with a dual but like I said the tank is 6ft. Plus each single one is rated 600gph, thats 1200gph. Pretty good for a 125.