My 38 Gallon Reef

[Potsy]

Since moving last June we decided that it would be best to downsize our 75 gal. reef to a more simple 38 gallon system. I tried to keep the setup very simple this time around so gone are the chiller, calc. reactor, sump, and pumps.

The new system features an Aquactinics TX5 with 5x39 watt T5 bulbs; a Bakpak skimmer, and three Maxijet 1200s... that's it.

I like the T5s for their color and lack of heat but I do miss the real punch and shimmer of my 2x250 watt de hqi oceanlights. I still have them so I could always switch back some day. My crocea clam seems happy enough under the T5s and my lps have shown improved coloration.

I have three fish: azure damsel, royal gramma, and a 7 year old true percula clown.

Corals: frogspawn, open brain, montipora capricornus & digitata, zoanthids, sinularia flexibilis, crocea clam

[Blown 346]

Looks great.

[manosdr]

Very good effort...

[Chef Reef]

Originally posted by manosdr
Very good effort...

i cant tell if your being mean or not

[Menez]

looks great, what a shame you had to down size

[Chef Reef]

oi. thats not a "true" percula clown....

[JediReefer]

Looks like one to me. A. Ocellaris have thick black borders on the fins and stripes and have more red in them.

Nice tank.

[Potsy]

Thanks for the compliments everybody.

It's not an ocellaris... the black was much more pronounced when he was younger - much of his body was black and it has since faded to a smokey grey which doesn't come through the photo well. Ocellaris, if they have any black at all, exhibit a very thin border of black along the white stripes. Coloring aside, he's too small for an ocellaris by half an inch. Percula get to about 3 inches and ocellaris about 3.5. Lastly, he has 10 dorsal spines (I've actually counted), and ocellaris have 11, thus identifying him as a "true" percula. False percula is just another name for an ocellaris.

[Flint&Eric]

looks great. simple and very well done

[Chef Reef]

i know the difference between them.. i just cant see any of the black on him.. didnt know the color faded out though.. *shrug*

[Potsy]

Originally posted by Menez
looks great, what a shame you had to down size

Overall, I actually prefer this setup. My 75 gallon had a stand that was too small to hide equipment alongside the sump and there were wires everywhere. Had the calc. reactor out in the open on one side, and the chiller on the other. While the corals and fish were attractive, it was just a messy looking setup and my wife hated it. Now there isn't a single exposed wire or piece of hardware and, most importantly, the wife likes it.

[happyface888]

Nice and simple looking tank, btw hows the cpr skimmer and that bubble trap? I am curious if it really blocks micros.

[Potsy]

Originally posted by happyface888
Nice and simple looking tank, btw hows the cpr skimmer and that bubble trap? I am curious if it really blocks micros.

Thanks. The bakpak seems to work effectively. When run wet it produces quite a bit of dark skimmate. The bubble trap works well enough - keeps a majority of the microbubbles out unless the skimmer is really acting up, but most importantly it traps those big turbulence bubbles that spray all over my light fixture's splash shield

[swisha]

Great looking tank...lots of open vertical space w/ beautiful grown out pieces. Nicely done!

[mg426]

AWESOME !!

[Rustylugnuts]

It looks pretty sweet potsy. I hope I can get my 40 lookin that nice.