Tank of the Month - December 2004

[Skipper]

This month we are featuring Gudmundur Geir's (DNA) beautiful reef aquarium:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/totm/images/RChomepage.jpg (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/totm/index.htm)

More details can be found here (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/totm/index.htm) or by clicking on the picture above.

Congratulations, DNA!

[sjreefer]

Simply amazing, very nice to see something different from the stony sps TOM we usually see ( allthough they are gret too!! )

[pi]

Beautiful tank!

[Biscutz]

I agree its nice to see some LPS and multiple anemonies! Wonderful pictures and tank!

[NYSharkLady]

Wanted to ask you if you have had any probs with those anemonies walking around and stinging other corals. I've always wanted to put one in my reef, but was afraid that it would kill all of my corals.

Thanks!

[Reeling Reefer]

Awesome Tank!

[Yodeling]

Simply amazing!! The many anemones really make it stand out from the rest.

[newmoon]

Bravo! :thumbsup:

[Flatlander]

Very nice tank. Plus a well done TOTM article and pics.

Natural pure water. Now thats different.

[gusmanda]

is there a practical reason for the mantis in the sump?

[gwrulzmylife]

Two thumbs up, I love your in-wall design!

Kudos on a job well done.

[rjwilson37]

Great job on a beautiful tank.

That is really something that the Hydnophora attacked a near by coral like that, I have never seen anything like that before here at RC.

[Konadog]

Very nice tank, something different :D

[Blindmelonbob]

Very nice, indeed. Loved the write-up, too. Good job!

[Cearbhaill]

Wonderful diversity!
I love how you just let things play out intstead of intervening and attempting to micromanage the coral wars!!

[houtendvan]

Very nice. You have what I want for my new house.

Can you work behind your tank upfrom the backwall ? I can't figure it out on the pictures.

Oh and what are the sizes ? I see 30"X35"X76" 76" should be the length, 30 hight ? Am I correct ?

Thanks,

Dennis

[Jaffa]

This tank is made even more special than it is by the fact that you live in Iceland, and, with limited resources, have made a greater tank than many of us that have it all. Well done!

[smiller]

Very nice! Love the close-up critter pics.

[earraval]

Very nice !! love the pics..........

[Brain Finger]

Finally something different than all the totally SPS tanks! I love it!

[hilmar]

Nice to see Iceland so excellently represented DNA!
The pictures are simply amazing.

[tanker]

What is that black/blue "flat-looking" nudibranch like thing?? I have some in my tank too. Do not know what they are or what they eat. Have not added anything too my tank in months.

PS--Nice tank.

[K_one]

This is crazy! Ive had this picture on my desktop for about 2 months, wondering where i found it because i loved it so much. Even went looking through my cache to find where it came from!

Wow, ive stared at that tank for many hours, just imagining, one day, i might be able to create something like that!

Thanks DNA

[jackson6745]

This is the perfect spot for a reef tank;) Looks great!

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/totm/images/Tank-external-52.jpg

[Mr. Eko]

Simply amazing!!! I wish I could do that good! Great job.

[burntom]

I agree. An amazing tank! I particularly like the diversity in your tank. Most obviously in the large, beautiful anemones you have, but also in the way you seem to value the less well-regarded inhabitants (the bristle worms, the brittle stars).

Congratulations!

[Aquaguru]

Great tank, I love the mix of corals and fish selection it really brings the whole tank together.

[format32]

Yes. Happy to see the not so usual tanks that we have been getting. I cant wait until a nano gets picked up. Although I doubt that will happen.

[CaptainCoral]

Very nice Gudmundur. :)

I like the angled lights.

[Skipper]

Originally posted by format32
I cant wait until a nano gets picked up. Although I doubt that will happen. Hey format. Please PM me with links to pictures of any nano that you'd like to nominate.

[TippyToeX]

Congratulations! Simply a beautiful and very deserving tank. :)

The picture of the Regal Tang is wonderful! :lol:

[elpezpr]

Oh My God!!!

[@LVIN]

Wow! enviable tank.....

i was looking at the pics when the "spawning event" took place and i couldn't believe your tank got through that.




@LVIN

[DNA]

Thanks for all the kind words!
I was very happy to contribute this article and give something back since Reef Central has done so much for me.

**********
Wanted to ask you if you have had any probs with those anemonies walking around and stinging other corals. I've always wanted to put one in my reef, but was afraid that it would kill all of my corals.
June

The green carpets have never moved their foot and they respect their neighbours. The other two have moved and if they have found a good spot they will at least try to kill what is in their way.

***********
is there a practical reason for the mantis in the sump?
gusmanda

It's there because it's not suitable for the main tank, it's very interesting and is doing just fine down there.


***********
Oh and what are the sizes ? I see 30"X35"X76" 76" should be the length, 30 hight ? Am I correct ?

Yes that's correct Dennis. I can reach 99% from the back and the remaining 1% from the sides if needed.

***********
This tank is made even more special than it is by the fact that you live in Iceland, and, with limited resources, have made a greater tank than many of us that have it all. Well done!
Jaffa

I´ve done some importing with friends, but it would be easier to import enriched plutonium due to paper work and difficulties with transport.

***********
What is that black/blue "flat-looking" nudibranch like thing?? I have some in my tank too. Do not know what they are or what they eat. Have not added anything too my tank in months.
tanker

It is a Scutus slug. (http://dev.seaslug.info/factsheet.cfm?base=scutus)

************

DNA

[petedoc]

I am very impressed with the spectacular array of life. The variety of corals, fish and invertebrates is wonderful. Your determination and success in a remote land is inspiring and Idaho seems suddenly much less rural. Congratulations and good luck in the future. Dave

[quandary_23]

I can only agree with what everyone else has said, well done. How long have you had the carpets? Did they grow fast? My lfs has a blue carpet for $70, but I only have a 37 cube and space is an issue for me.

I appreciate your lighting statement 3 250s on a 320 supporting sps, anemones, lps and everything else. It goes to show that watts per gallon for sps really doesn't mean a whole lot. I have a 150 hqi bell pendant 10K over my 37 and some tried to tell me I don't have enough watts per gallon. Well, like your sps mine are doing great.

[NeilPearson]

Originally posted by petedoc
I am very impressed with the spectacular array of life. The variety of corals, fish and invertebrates is wonderful. Your determination and success in a remote land is inspiring and Idaho seems suddenly much less rural. Congratulations and good luck in the future. Dave

He lives in the Netherlands not Antarctica. Sure it's a small country but it is smack dab in the center of Europe and has somewhere around 16 million people.

Idaho fits the description "remote land" a lot more than the Netherlands do.

[Skipper]

No, Neil. He lives in Iceland. Nowhere near the Netherlands, my friend. :)

[NeilPearson]

Originally posted by Skipper
No, Neil. He lives in Iceland. Nowhere near the Netherlands, my friend. :)

LOL, okay I'm an idiot.

I'm not sure where I got the Netherlands from... I need to quit drinking or something.

[Ninong]

Congratulations, DNA! :D

Very well done!

[danoreef]

wow... wow... wow. beautiful job! shows great admiration for this hobby. are there any hitchhikers from the live rocks like emrald crabs or any crabs for that matter besides the 100 or hermits?

[CPT. MURPHY]

FANTASTIC congrats on totm !

[onefin]

Outrages, looks great!!!

[John Brancheau]

Congratulations,

Well deserved TOTM, very nice job on the overall placement of everything........

John

[cards98765]

Beautiful tank. I was wondering wqhat the Caulestria is that is two down on the left side. I used to have sometnig very similiar tothat but unfortunately it died because it had been stung from another coral. The LFS said that when I purchased it. I have since been looking and can't find it anywhere in Idaho so far. Thanks for the help and again that is a beautiful tank.

[tree]

hi DNA,

Nice tank and setup you got there! Since my setup is similar to yours only a little smaller, do you find two Tunze are enough? Cos I'm using two 12000L@hrs stream but it seem still not enough, aspecially for SPS.

Tree

[mhornsby858]

Wow a perfect 10!!:eek1:

Did you quarantine your fish before putting them in or did you just take your chances? Any problems with parasite outbreaks?

[DNA]

Thanks for all the comments.
They really put a smile on my face.

[DNA]

Originally posted by quandary_23
I can only agree with what everyone else has said, well done. How long have you had the carpets? Did they grow fast? My lfs has a blue carpet for $70, but I only have a 37 cube and space is an issue for me.

I appreciate your lighting statement 3 250s on a 320 supporting sps, anemones, lps and everything else. It goes to show that watts per gallon for sps really doesn't mean a whole lot. I have a 150 hqi bell pendant 10K over my 37 and some tried to tell me I don't have enough watts per gallon. Well, like your sps mine are doing great.

I've had the carpets from day one and they have doubled in size and I don't whant them any bigger.
A blue carpet goes for around $500 here.

Watts per gallon is a rule of the tumb and can be useful Clarity of the water, suspended particles, carbon and coral placement play a big role too.

[DNA]

Originally posted by danoreef
wow... wow... wow. beautiful job! shows great admiration for this hobby. are there any hitchhikers from the live rocks like emrald crabs or any crabs for that matter besides the 100 or hermits?

There is somewhere in there a pink nocturnal crab. I've seen quite a big claw from one of his molt. He has the status of an innocent crab intill proven guilty.

[DNA]

Originally posted by cards98765
Beautiful tank. I was wondering wqhat the Caulestria is that is two down on the left side. I used to have sometnig very similiar tothat but unfortunately it died because it had been stung from another coral. The LFS said that when I purchased it. I have since been looking and can't find it anywhere in Idaho so far. Thanks for the help and again that is a beautiful tank.

I'm not sure about the question, but I think you are refeering to the pineapple brain rather than to the trumpet coral.

Here is the pineapple brain shortly after being thrown about by an Urchin.
http://frontpage.simnet.is/dna/Pineapple-brain-41.jpg


And here is the trumpet. (Caulastrea).
http://frontpage.simnet.is/dna/Hard-Coral-Trumpet.jpg

[DNA]

Originally posted by tree
hi DNA,

Nice tank and setup you got there! Since my setup is similar to yours only a little smaller, do you find two Tunze are enough? Cos I'm using two 12000L@hrs stream but it seem still not enough, aspecially for SPS.

Tree

I feel the two Tunze pumps are doing a fantastic job and the flow to be very good. I don't think more flow would improve anything for the corals in my tank.

[DNA]

Originally posted by mhornsby858
Wow a perfect 10!!:eek1:

Did you quarantine your fish before putting them in or did you just take your chances? Any problems with parasite outbreaks?


I don't think I'm taking chances not quarantining. I belive the agent for any sickness to be just around the corner for any weak fish in my tank. It's just a question of keeping them healthy.

I did a fellow reefer a favor when he had a disaster with his tank and offered refuge in my sump. Ich outbreak killed most of his fish and one of mine. His fish had been in a bucket for two days and their streingth reduced, but I did not know that untill afterwards.

[mnjlp27]

Great job on the tank!!!

Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

Jeremiah

[OCDP]

That is a very beautiful reef you have! Congradulations.

I am going to Maui on Christmas day and plan to spend the most of the time in the water... after reading your experience, you have gotten me quite excited! Any ideas as to what to expect in Mau?

Again, beautiful reef :thumbsup:

Scott

[joeychitwood]

Absolutely beautiful. The colors are stunning. Another master of this hobby.

[Atticus]

I just skimmed the thread and I hope this wasn't asked yet... Would it be possible to see pictures of your sump room? I always like the clean look of an inwall and am very interested to see how the behind the scenes items are dealt with. I amazed that the ocellaris clown pair have settled as subordinates. Are they staying smaller in size or are they starting to show sexual size differentiation, but just are not spawning yet? I also think the culprit for your sperm and egg parties are multiple carpets. It would be very interesting if you got some baby carpets out of the deal.

[bugsy714]

DNA very nice set up :D .....I was wondering what timer do you use? I see the two other controllers are tunze but can't see the name on the timer. I am on the hunt for one....thanks for the eye candy;)

[DNA]

I've been asked about the pictures.

They are taken with the Digital Rebel and the kit lens mostly, but the rest with fancier lenses and some with "inferior" consumer cameras.

Equipment used.
Canon EOS 300D - Digital Rebel.
Canon 18-55mm lens.
Canon 24-70mm lens.
Canon 100mm lens.
Sony S-70
Sony F717
Photoshop.

Don't expect expensive equipment to do wonders for you. Reef photography is not easy and success is based on the skills of the photographer for the most part. Very good photographs can be taken with the usual consumer cameras.

Here is all you need to know about reef photography from two RC memers.
GHO (http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html) and Greg R (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/gr/index.htm)
Read this and your reef pictures are guaranteed to improve.

[DNA]

Originally posted by bugsy714
DNA very nice set up :D .....I was wondering what timer do you use? I see the two other controllers are tunze but can't see the name on the timer. I am on the hunt for one....thanks for the eye candy;)

This timer is from LG and it's very good, easy to use and to program. You should be able to find a similar one in specialized shops for electricians.


Originally posted by OCDP
That is a very beautiful reef you have! Congradulations.

I am going to Maui on Christmas day and plan to spend the most of the time in the water... after reading your experience, you have gotten me quite excited! Any ideas as to what to expect in Mau?
Again, beautiful reef :thumbsup:
Scott

Never been to Maui, but reef diving is so much fun and excitement you can't loose no matter what. Just make sure you have good equipment and a responsible dive master.

Originally posted by Atticus
I just skimmed the thread and I hope this wasn't asked yet... Would it be possible to see pictures of your sump room? I always like the clean look of an inwall and am very interested to see how the behind the scenes items are dealt with. I amazed that the ocellaris clown pair have settled as subordinates. Are they staying smaller in size or are they starting to show sexual size differentiation, but just are not spawning yet? I also think the culprit for your sperm and egg parties are multiple carpets. It would be very interesting if you got some baby carpets out of the deal.

You could take a look at my site, there are a few extra pics there.
The Occelaris are smaller and they have not spawned jet.
If I got something from the spawnings I would be thrilled, but I don't really expect anything to come out of them.

[ItsMee]

W0W!!

[gregb]

A job well done. Do you think anything would have become of the coral sporning if you turned off the skimmer for a while , or would the whole thing just have crashed? What size were the coral spores? It might have been possible to net some for food later on. Again congrats.

[gregb]

You said the water was naturally pure. Did you mean the drinking water or the NSW? If you used NSW that could have something to do with the sporning. Either way you didnt use RO did you?

[vypr2002]

dna..
I have a couple questions for ya.
where did you get the solenoid for your top off? I cannot find them anywhere.
aslo are your mh fixtures available anywhere? I really like them.
congrats on a great tank looks great and keep up the good work.

[DNA]

Originally posted by gregb
A job well done. Do you think anything would have become of the coral sporning if you turned off the skimmer for a while , or would the whole thing just have crashed? What size were the coral spores? It might have been possible to net some for food later on. Again congrats.

There was so much organic matter removed I would think for sure the tank would have been fouled and death imminent for many of it's inhabitants if I had turned the skimmer off.

The spores were about this size °

The fish did not see this as food to my knowledge. Perhaps they had eaten enaugh already when I noticed the spawning.

It's naturally pure freshwater. Reverse ozmosis equipment is not needed. There is an experiment going on with saltwater for reef tanks. It comes from drillholes and it is suitable for cold sea tanks.

Thanks for your comments.


Originally posted by vypr2002
dna..
I have a couple questions for ya.
where did you get the solenoid for your top off? I cannot find them anywhere.
aslo are your mh fixtures available anywhere? I really like them.
congrats on a great tank looks great and keep up the good work.

The solinoid is Danfoss wich is a nordic brand and I don't know if it's available in the US. Plenty of people here on Reef Central have installed solinoids and a search would give you some ideas.
This was extremely difficult to find here in Iceland and so was the lighting fixtures, but I persisted and continued to search untill I found the perfect solution. These fixtures came at a good price and they have magnetic ballests. They were obtained at a specialized electricians shop in wich the general public does not frequent.

I've had to clear the path for reefers in Iceland, but if I was in the US I would take the known paths other people have paved. No need to reinvent the wheel if you can find one that works.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Are you any good with that helicopter? Check this out (http://www.hugi.is/hahradi/bigboxes.php?box_id=51208&f_id=1014) for some incredible skills.

[vypr2002]

nope I am not that good. I can barely do forward flight.
ive only flown it a total of 6 m onths.
I didnt have time lastyear to fly much.

I just need a fixture similar to that but havent had any luck finding them anywhere same goes for the solenoid.
I can get one but its in a whole package. Oh well I thought you might have a place to get them. thanks again.

[Radicaljbr]

DNA.....Wow!!! Great Tank!! When are you coming to US to remodel mine? I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

First, I have had 7 chromis in my tank for almost a year. Never spawned. Did you buy mates or did it just happen? Love it if mine would do that.

I have the Durso standpipe as well and would like the extra protection that you have added with the second overflow for surface water. I do not need it for the surface for I have a 2 inch water fall, but would like the extra protection.

Did you just tee it in a few inched down the main durso stand pipe? And if so, doesn't that create noice since the pipe is open?

thanks

John

[DNA]

Radicaljbr.

With 7 Chromis I think it's bound to happen. When mine started they kept doing it again and again. The second overflow is seperate all the way down to the sump. There is virtually no sound from runnig water in the tank. The only noise I could not conrtol was the one from the skimmer, calcium reactor and the return pumps and thouse noises are like from a quiet dishwasher.

[Radicaljbr]

Thanks DNA!!

So do you have 3 holes drilled? And I am guessing the second overflow really never gets much water?

thanks

John

[Radicaljbr]

Oh...forgot to mention that I love your web site too!!!!!

[dbrown]

DNA that coral spread is one of the best reef pictures I've ever seen.

[eikis]

hey! i just must say that this is a stunning tank!!! really beatuful!!

[ducati24]

Great tank, stunning photos, have you had any trouble with your urchin nibbling on any of your corals?

[ducati24]

o yeah, and that helicopter video is just silly, it doesn't even look like the stunts are possible.

[DNA]

I would like to thank everyone so much for their positive comments in this thread. They have put a smile one my face I have a hard time wiping off.

***

There are three drilled holes for the pipes and the second overflow gets less than 5% of the flow to the sump. I just had to balance the flow between the two.

This is what happens where there is not any flow at all.
http://frontpage.simnet.is/dna/DSC03806.jpg

***

The Urchin has done plenty of damage by knocking over corals and rocks, but it does not nibble the corals directly. I think it is going after the coraline algae.

The helicopter stunts look impossible, but I'm a beliver.

[TimCA]

Hay DNA,
Wonderfull tank. Love it! Quick question, How is your substrait and what is it. Do you consider it a "Deer sand bed"?
Thanks
tim

[TimCA]

"DEEP...sand bed"..

[ItsMee]

lol

[addo]

In Iceland aswell as in Sweden the standard substrate is grinded horn from all them raindeer we got!:lol:

[Atticus]

Originally posted by addo
In Iceland aswell as in Sweden the standard substrate is grinded horn from all them raindeer we got!:lol:
As long as you only use what comes from that end of a reindeer in your tank... :p

[toddfreshman]

Nice!

[DNA]

The substrait constitutes mostly of broken shells, chrushed to a small size and some light yellow colored grains of sand. The most coarse shells and small stones have been shifted away. This substrait is pumbed up from the ocean and there is plenty of it.
Imported crushed coral sand used to be the way to go, but I the inventor have changed that with this discovery. I consider it to be a deep sand bed.

I understand staghorn and elkhorn are popular amongst reindeers in Sweden these days. :D


The substrait.
http://frontpage.simnet.is/dna/Flymo-blenny-43.jpg

[Glindac]

Another reefer after my own heart, sofites dominated.... Absolutly BEAUTIFUL!

[gullum]

Good tank, it is verry nice.

I have a question. The tank is behind a wall and I dont see the acess by the front. You make the maintenance of tank by the acess behind the wall ?? If yes, how make for place the coral and the reef-rock in the desired place ? your glass behind of tank is painting ? You see by the surface of water ?? This question because I start my new tank and my configuration is like you. I like know what is good and what is bad in this setup.

Thank you

[DNA]

Hi gullum and thanks.

Everything is accessable from the rear and sides and there is no need for a front access. The rear glass is covered with a black plexyglass from the outside that can be removed for a look behind the rocks. There is some glare and distortion from the surface, but with the pumps switched off it's very easy to see everything clearly.

[gullum]

Thank you verry much for this information DNA. I run for buy a black plexiglass for my 200 gallons. IT's a verry good idea and is it beautiful. :)

[gullum]

Sorry, I have a last question, How make for attach this plexiglass on the back glass ? You have the pictures please ?

Thank

[toonces]

hey dna,
you may not remember me- i'm an american who was in iceland until 3 months ago. a few years ago you gave me directions to the fish shops in reykjavik. thanks- i never would have found them otherwise!

for everyone else, having lived in iceland a few years, i can tell you that you can't even begin to appreciate the money and effort it takes to get a tank like this in iceland. the livestock selection is extremely limited, and by american standards, the hardware and livestock is just ridiculously priced. for example, a 50 gal. tank with stand could easily run $2500+. damsels go for about $35 and a purple tang is about $300.

i imagine a tank like dna's would run in the mid-upper 5 figures very easily, not to mention the patience/persistance to get all those nice inhabitants. local knowledge probably helps!

way to go!

[DNA]

Hey toonces.
I sure remember you and you just made my day.
It's a small world we live in. Nice to hear from you again. :)

[DNA]

Gullum.

See the plastic chains that holds the T5 light. Just a couple of holes in the plexiglass and two of thouse hold it in place as you can see in the pic.


http://frontpage.simnet.is/dna/Tank-back-top-18.jpg

[Freddie L]

The In-wall design is simply amazing and Im left in awwwww when lookin at your tank.... Pat yourself on the back my friend, Well Done!!!!!!

[jes281]

wow...

[B.Bones]

Your system is just awsome.
What salt mix are you using???


Bones...

[DNA]

I'm using Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals.

[SUMMERS]

Nice tank. What lights are you running on the tank. I know they are 250 watters but not sure which ballast/bulb combo.

[DNA]

They are industrial lighting fixtures with magnetic ballasts and similar designs should be widely available from other resources than the pet stores. They are absolotely fantastic, waterproof, manageable, easy to install and many aquarists could use something like this.

I've been running Aqualine bulbs from the start, but changed to Coralvue a few days ago. The new bulb is about 20% brighter, but I think thats mainly because it is new.

[mrme]

its a very nice tank . and i hope that one day i will have a tank anywhere near that .

out of all the tanks that have one tank of the month .

yours is my fav.


goodjob man , im sure your very proud .

[dougkellis]

Gudmundur,

Your tank really impressed me, I am thinking of doing something like that in a wall in my living room. I would really appreciate some input into the technical steps you went through to build this
beautiful tank. I am really interseted in the setup of your sump system and how to determine the thickness of the glass you used.

Thanks for you help

Doug Kellis
Boise, Idaho
USA

[Skipper]

Hey Doug. I moved your post into this thread. This is where DNA will see it.

[DNA]

Hi Doug!
Ask all you whant about anything. Just be more specific.

The dimensions and the frame should be taken into account when the thickness of the glass is being considered. For a tank this size half inch glass (12mm) will do just fine and I've seen tanks up to 500g with no frame with that thickness, but I think that would be going to the extremes. Which size tank are you building?

What ever you do, think it out thouroghly before you begin.

[SunnyX]

What skimmer are you using on the tank?

[Skipper]

From the article....

"It's my firm belief that the fewer fish I keep, the more successful I’ll be with the reef, and the less the tank will get polluted. So, the only filtration is a Deltec skimmer..."