Randy's new 120 gallon Reef

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here's a picture of the inside of the canopy. The front of it opens and flips back:

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

And here's a whole tank update after adding a bunch of new things.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here's a close up of a new anemone that I added today

[boxfishpooalot]

Wow, i really like the color on the full tank shot! What bulbs are they? Looks like florecent(power compacts) are there also. That looks slick.

Everything looks really organised. Is that a tomato clownfish in the left corner peeking out? I got one and they are mean little buggers. They even attack the hand that feeds them, and fish double its size.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I have two pairs of tomato clowns that I won at MACNA in the 90 and in a refugium, but the ones there are ocellaris clowns.

The lights are 2 x 250 w 10000k XM HQI and 4 of the coralife mini PC fixtures with 4 x 9 w PC 10000k and 4 x 9 w PC actinic.

I'm a little disappointed how brownish the green mushrooms look during the day, but when the mh lamps shut off in the evening, they look great. That just goes to show how much apparent color varies with lighting.

[boxfishpooalot]

Randy, I was not too sure about asking this, but why not keep an update page thats stickied here for your tank ?

I think this would be great. People could see you tank updates over time and see how your corals grow for reference. You could start maybee by posting how big the tank is and how many fish there are and what kinds. Also add little notes about chemicals and such. Or watever you choose. I think its really great to be able to have access to professional people with reef experience. Perhaps people can learn from your tank in the long run. You guys seem to know alot-why not share it

I dont know, just a thought. What do you think?

Box

[ohioreef]

Looks very nice, Randy!! I can only hope that mine looks that nice one day.

Good idea, boxfish!!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Seems like a lot of work to me.

[dknape]

Randy,

Your entire setup looks great! I honestly was not too sure about the black walnut when I first heard about it, but must say that it looks fantastic.

How do you like the way the canopy opens? Do you have plenty of elbow room when reaching in without burning yourself on the lights?

Anyways, your animals look like they are loving their new home. Keep the pics coming.

- Dustin Knape

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, Dustin. Yes, we are very happy with it.

I've never worked with an enclosed capnopy before, and have managed to bump the light fixtures with my arms a couple of times, but in general, the front opening is a great way to access everything.

[boxfishpooalot]

Watch those halides! They are very hot(You know already) but I have burned myself on mine about 10 times. I got burns all over my arms from workin on the refugium(the halide is 400watt), wich is crammed just like your canopy.


I hear a short stttsshhhhssss, then yeowhch! I gotta stop doing that...Nice golden brown arms.

Can we get a new shot of the downstairs? Where your sump is at with the top off. I just got a float valve installed on my sump, and now working on hooking it up to a 5 gallon bucket. How much kalk should I throw in to that 5 gal? You said(before) .5 a tsp per gallon, so I need only to add 2.5tsp's for the 5 gal bucket, you still favor that dosage

[boxfishpooalot]

Ok, Ill stop bugging for pictures. You took enough abuse from us people on RC already!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I did take a picture of the inside of the stand, but it wasn't very revealing of anything useful.

[akareefkeeper]

Love the wood work.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks. I like it too. It is from BRI.

[dustin Combs]

randy,

fantastic work. We see th chemist at his best.

[cristhiam]

Beautifu tank. Do you still have that cowfish? have you had any problems with your clams and corals? Thanks

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks.

Yes, the cowfish is doing great. No problems with him nibbling anything.

[Morgandy]

Originally posted by Randy Holmes-Farley
And here's a whole tank update after adding a bunch of new things.

BEAUTIFUL!! So much color!! Can I put in dibs if the anemone splits???

Get out your movie camera and give us a Home Reef Video (sticky on the Reef Discussion forum!)

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks. I'll keep you in mind on the anemone.

[duongtony]

Very good looking Tank.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, TD.

[reefpeep2004]

Originally posted by Hobster
Looks like a fine piece of furniture, I like the molding. Is that a dental molding?

Hopefully not Dental molding is bridgework in your mouth.

Carpenters work on DENTIL molding

It's quite nice looking

[sb1227]

That stand is fabulous! Beautiful grain, alot of the woodworkers I know just freak over black walnut. Whoever finished it did an outstanding job!

So after I was done cooing over that stand I saw the tank. How sad is that??? It's a beautiful tank! Very nice.

I just wonder......I call my light fixture my little "car" so I can't imagine what you would call your setup! Your limo? With a chauffer?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks very much.

I agree the walnut is great. The only part that my wife didn't care for was a small blond strip on a board used for one of the doors (bottom of left hand door in the first picture I posted; repeated below):