Some new photos of my new tank, Mainly Clam photos...

[Project Reef]

Tear Drop Crocea? Heh..
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980CleanTearDropCrocea.JPG

"White" Crocea..
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamWhiteCroceaT.JPG

[Rock Anemone]

Beautiful clams and excellent photos!:thumbsup:

Don't keep us waiting for more!

Rock Anemone:D

[Project Reef]

Here's one section for clams...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamTopDown.JPG

Here's another section...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamGroupTop2.JPG

Some more...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamShotPurple.JPG

[Rock Anemone]

Alright, I guess I gotta' wait abit for you to post them all, heehee....

Those are beautiful top down shots, lots of color, and what a collection!

Rock Anemone:D

[Project Reef]

My lil fishy..
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamPepHog-med.JPG

More lil fishys...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamCapMystery.JPG

Zoozers...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamPinkZoos.JPG

Wild colony that is starting to color up nicely...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamAcro1.JPG

[brianlena2000]

Very nice!! I especially like those last 2 maximas.

:thumbsup:

[Project Reef]

The tank is only about a month old, I sold off the old tank, kept the rock and most of the livestock and basically did a tank transfer.

I got rid off 95% of my old acros, (many which died while in holding tanks when a big gigas clam died in there, which then set off a chain reaction), so basically I'm stating over with acros. My goal is too dedicate the rock work to 90% staghorn colonies.


1 month (You can see there are barely any corals on the rocks):
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamFullTank1mo.JPG

[XxAngelzDustxX]

Ali I think I'm in luv with you :o

[XxAngelzDustxX]

Oops, I meant to say your clams ;)

[Project Reef]

You know you want me.

I would like to thank Ben, aka LakerFan from R.C. for taking the shots. He's the man.

[XxAngelzDustxX]

Where's my $5 clam! :mad:

[reefer on a budget]

where are the pics of the martha stewart stand? i wont believe until i see.

[arcab4]

haha. nice man. finally got to see your tank. good stuff...i like it alot. ALOOOOOOOOT.

dude..and you weren't kidding about those clams....

[metamorphis]

I take it that's a Lee-Mar tank? What are the specs and how much did it run you? Any complaints? Rarely see an unbraced tank, at least in the US.

[turtlespd]

Dinner!!! all those clams is good eatn...

Looks good..

[lakerfan]

Here's the Martha Stewart stand:D
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1418whole_tank_ali__Small_.jpg

Great tank Ali! thanks for the ricordeas!

[arcab4]

haha. i was about to inquire about the stand from the previous picture. where's the matching bedframe?

[bruddah]

fiiinally, i get to see project reef's tank. cool collection of clams, fish and orange fungias! :smokin:
why are your lights positioned like that?

[Project Reef]

Originally posted by bruddah
why are your lights positioned like that?

I was just trying to be cool.

Martha Stewart is a crook!!

[goofball310]

It's about time you posted some pics!

I'll take that clam, and that clam, and that clam. Just gimme them all.

[Schism]

to hell with you!! thats to nice!
dare I ask, if you can even count that high, how many clammies are in there???? And how many gallons of phyto do you go through daily??

[Project Reef]

Originally posted by Schism
to hell with you!! thats to nice!
dare I ask, if you can even count that high, how many clammies are in there???? And how many gallons of phyto do you go through daily??

I think there are 41 clams in tank total, but a few of them are going to be leaving soon for more room. I don't use phyto, I feed the fish every other day, mainly Flake, Spectrum Pellets and Frozen PE mysis shrimp.

Meta,

The tank is made by Inter-American, 3 side starphire, corner overflow, no frame, no bracing. I was very happy with Mitch and his services, the tank cost 600 shipped to LAX where I had to go pick it up. 36 x 30 x 20" tall.

[intheband]

cool tank /occupants-gay stand:p :lol:

[Leviathan]

Sweet pics PR.

Thanks for sharing, thoses are some beautiful clams. :)

[OrionN]

Very nice collection of clams Ali. Boy, I wish I live in LA (only when I looks at the clams people can buy when they live there)
MinhN

[Gary Majchrzak]

Nice stand. Great SPS/clam set-up.:p

[LargeAngels]

Cool system Ali!! Like the clams, and the leucokranos. If you want some acro stags let me know.

[rbaker]

Sooo, I guess you have a thing for clams...:D

Awesome set-up, great pics! Do you get any salt spray around the overflow?

Thanks,

Ryan

[jimmy007]

Ali

Awesome looking setup. Very nice collection of clam. It about time we all get to see you tank. Keep us update.

Jimmy

[kozmo02]

wow!! you have definitely given me a reason to get to LA sooner, my sister moved to thousand oaks so i will be in that area more often, im gonna have to come check it out, great work man your tank looks awesome, i cant wait to see it all filled out with stags, that is gonna be so sweet....already a TOTM in the making

:thumbsup:

[dadevil23335]

Damn Ali, your tank looks horrible, man how could you look at that horrendous thing everyday:D

Sweet bro, I still need to see it in person.

[SawCJack00]

Ali, the lights would have been cool if you had them going diagonally the other way, but the way you've got them is uncool. I hope this doesn't hurt your feelings...

By the way I like everything except the tank, what's inside the tank, and the lights. Everything else is neato!

[SawCJack00]

Wait a minute, I just took another look, as it turns out I was mistaken. Your set up totally kicks booty. You are a true heavy metal rock star!!!:)

Awesome clams bro. I love that tank. Can I have it?

[Saltlick]

Awesome tank and clams.

And your stand.....it's a good thing :D

[gumhead]

Very nice Ali!

Keep those pics coming.
And paint thr stand black :p

[Fliger]

Wow. Jealous.

Sooooooo ... I think this proves that anyone who says starphire isn't worth the extra money & that they can't really see a difference ... is just jealous or can't afford it. :D :D :D

J/K, please don't flame me if you don't have it.

[wjgeese]

nice tank. nice clams. nice fungias....

what combo of lighting are you running?

[Rock Anemone]

Beautriful tank now that I've seen all the photos. Full of color and healthy inhabitants.

Sorry to hear about the lost corals though, still looks great even without them!

What is the red and white wrasse? Is that a Pencil Wrasse? LFS has one similar, common and species name would be great.

Rock Anemone:D

[DrAqua]

Yeah Ali,

Nice looking fish! Where did you get such outrageous specimens?!?

:D Glad to see them healthy and swiming!

-Erik

[griss]

:thumbsup: Looks great Ali, love your clams.

George

[chromis]

Excellant tank Ali! Very "Japanese looking":p I am also interested in what lighting you have, DE?

[bruddah]

What is the red and white wrasse? Is that a Pencil Wrasse? LFS has one similar, common and species name would be great.
i believe it is a peppermint hog.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamPepHog-med.JPG

[Darya]

Hey Ali,
Those are awesome, man. wow!
Clams are my absolute favorite, and boy, do those clams rock...
very cool.
-D

:rollface:

[arcab4]

hey buddy,

so where did you get that stand anyways...

can anyone point me to the inter-american tank company website?

[softie57]

DAMN BRO! I thought it couldn't get any better than your last tank...then I see this! I bet it looks so much better in person, too, huh? OK, OK, I'm gonna have to go back up there and check it out for myself since you insist...:D :D :D

As ususal...SWEET TANK!

[Project Reef]

Thanks guys,

Yeah Ryan I do get Salt Creep in the overflow.

The Martha Stewart Stand was built by Dattack (Dat), but the paint job was my idea. Please don't kill me. Summer Harvest Yellow and Mountain Mint....

The Lighting is a 250 Radium in the middle and 2 x 250 10k Ushios DE on the sides. They're sparked by the Sunlight Supply "HQI" ballasts.

Rock, That's a Peppermint hog like Bruddah said, cool fish, very outgoing.

[newkie]

Just wanted to comment how nice I thought the aquascaping was. It looks like you put a lot of foresight in to planning the system.. I can totally envision large stags everywhere with all those beautiful clams. Good job! :beer:

[anthony0812]

Ali putting thoughts in his aquascaping?? hahahahah...j/k man..you know you got a nice setup..stop copying me bro..lol
by the way..i have decided to go with a 7 feet x 30" x 18" tank..hmmm..what gallon is that..195 gallon? I would need Dat to help me with the stand too..I like those color combos!

please...please...don't change your setup for awhile now..let it mature for at least 6 months..:D :rollface: :rollface:

[matt_rogers]

that custom tank is SWEET!

open tops rule.


not so sure about that stand though. must be an L.A. thing.



:p

[kozmo02]

its on like donkey kong now....i gotta see that tank this summer :D

[Flame*Angel]

PR - that is the nicest clam collection I've ever seen! I'm definitely going to have to take you more seriously now ;) Just kidding. Great to finally see some pictures.

[kevinpo]

Very nice! :cool:

Regards,
Kevin

[Project Reef]

Here's the sump, Nothing fancy, just a small cube tank with an 8-2 Southbay skimmer and a Hawk Dual reactor.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamSump.JPG

[Rock Anemone]

Nice clean-looking sump! Very well organized.

I love how the big circle opens up, very snazzy.

Rock Anemone:D

[torrid]

project reef im haveing a debate with my husband, he said the photo that you have under your name is mike tyson is this acurate.

[torrid]

oh and by the wayyour pics are amazeing clams are my favorite, i almost started crying when i saw yours, they took my breath away.

[Project Reef]

Originally posted by torrid
project reef im haveing a debate with my husband, he said the photo that you have under your name is mike tyson is this acurate.

Mike? What! No way that's Me.

Just kidding, the one on the left is Mike, i'm the one on the right.

[torrid]

ok come on tell the truth im really getting my a#$ waxed, help me out.

[Project Reef]

LOL! Yes, that's Mike.

[torrid]

thankyou, it sucks hubby was right but its not the first time. you cool as hell, i always read the stuff you wright. i just added to my gallery tonight i actually had fun.

[mr294]

You sir, have a nicer clam selection than most retailers! :eek: Beautiful tank!

[Wilafur]

Originally posted by mr294
You sir, have a nicer clam selection than most retailers! :eek: Beautiful tank!
i'd say he has a better collection than ALL the retailers out there. :)

[mr294]

Originally posted by Emperator
i'd say he has a better collection than ALL the retailers out there. :)

Fair enough :D

[fry guy]

Nice tank Ali! Can I come by and take a look at it sometime?
Al
:D

[Project Reef]

Originally posted by fry guy
Nice tank Ali! Can I come by and take a look at it sometime?
Al
:D

Of Course Allen, Just shoot me an E-mail.

[anthony0812]

I wanna go too!!!!!! Ali..where are you man? i thought you are comming..i am waiting for you bro

[lunarlanderboy]

Wow, amazing aesthetics!!

[opihi]

choice set up. gimme the blue/purple clam on the left. it just doesn't go w/ Summer Harvest Yellow and Mountain Mint. Martha would not approve.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamShotPurple.JPG

[joeychitwood]

A very unique tank and an even more unique stand! Kind of a "Brady Bunch Meets Christopher Lowell" look.

How much evaporation do you replace every day? I also was curious about the stagger of the lights. Is that part of the decor, or is there a physiologic reason?

[Old Yeller Tang]

Ali,

Everybody's been anticipating pics of your tank for some time now, I can see why you have over 1400 views in less than a day!LOL
Excellent job with your new tank! Those are some sweet looking clams and that tank is crystal clear! Dat did a good job on the stand. When he told me he was making a circle door, I gave him a weird look but it looks totally unique! I like it! I gotta come by and check it out in person soon. I might be in your area Saturday. I'll give you a buzz!;)

Btw, did you sell the other tank?

Roland

[lakerfan]

I don't know why you're all making fun of the Martha Stewart stand, Didn't you all know that Martha Stewart is Gangsta!
http://store6.yimg.com/I/ekay_1741_2846083

[OrionN]

Originally posted by opihi
choice set up. gimme the blue/purple clam on the left. it just doesn't go w/ Summer Harvest Yellow and Mountain Mint. Martha would not approve.
I tank two of the Blue Maxima. They look very similar. With all the clams that he have, Ali does not need all three Maxima that looks the same.
Minh Nguyen

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980ClamShotPurple.JPG

[pacificaquatics2000]

hey nice tank bro i live in orange county if u wnt some nice clams and cool stuff like that come to petown tropical fish, we will usally carry at leats 10 maxama 1st grads and some other clame we have in squas and derasas in for out second clam tank, but sick set up man
cam b

[Project Reef]

Originally posted by pacificaquatics2000
hey nice tank bro i live in orange county if u wnt some nice clams and cool stuff like that come to petown tropical fish, we will usally carry at leats 10 maxama 1st grads and some other clame we have in squas and derasas in for out second clam tank, but sick set up man
cam b

Pet-Town is one of my favorite stores in orange county actually. I go there at least once every month or two, I've probably seen you there! Next time I'm there I'll ask for Cam.


Joey,

I usually add 5 gallons of Freshwater every 5-7 days for evaporation.

The lights are staggard like that mainly just to add some Funk to the tank. They do however serve some physiological purpose in that the far left side of the tank, although there are 4-5 clams there, it's basically going to be dedicated to Zoo's, Ricordea and Blassto's which do not really require the intense lighting. The middle and right side of the tank is going to be 90% 'sps' which will be the focal point there, hence the lights are hung lower there. Although I will move all the lights lower 1-2" in the near future, it will still have the basic diagonal shape it has now.

Thanks everyone for the nice words, I'm really happy you guys enjoyed the pics.

[kozmo02]

i cant seem to find any info on the peppermint hog, does anyone know if it is in the Marine Fishes book by Scott Michael?? if so what page?

[technoshaman]

Beautiful tank PR. I could even live with the stand if it wasnt mint green and beige :)

I like the way you ahve the lights staggered too - reminds me of those far out japanese tanks!

[Project Reef]

Originally posted by kozmo02
i cant seem to find any info on the peppermint hog, does anyone know if it is in the Marine Fishes book by Scott Michael?? if so what page?

There is not much info out on this fish as far as information in books go. I can only relay my experience for the short time I've had it so far. The first day, he came out only during feeding (he ate flake the first day which shocked me), but pretty much stayed hidden the first day. Day two, he came out a little more. Day 3 he was out almost all the time and ate flake with a passion. Ever since then he's pretty much always in view, no aggression, very outgoing and really does stand out in the tank with his nutty colors. There are reports that a Peppermint Hog and Mystery Wrasse can be a horrible mix and that they might fight each other, so far these guys have gotten along fantastic. I would say both the Mystery and the PH have very similar behavior, but their coloration is totally different.

[kozmo02]

so is the PH a variety of wrasse??

also, how do you like your southbay, looks very similar to a euro-reef...does it perform the same?

[kozmo02]

i just went through the whole wrasse section which covers many hogfish but the PH is not listed, thats too bad, i have worked for my lfs for 3 years and never seen one once....if you dont mind me asking, what did you pay for it?

[Project Reef]

Originally posted by kozmo02
so is the PH a variety of wrasse??

also, how do you like your southbay, looks very similar to a euro-reef...does it perform the same?

Ya the PH is a variety of a Wrasse, "Hogs".

The Southbay looks almost identical to a ER, I've never owned a ER so I can't compare the two, but I'm really happy with this skimmer.

[DrAqua]

Actually the specimen you are speaking of the "Peppermint Hog" is in the Genus Bodianus that is used to describe "Hogfish" This particular specimen has not yet been identified. My Father sent the "type" specimen of this fish to Scott Michael several years ago for a picture in one of the books he was working on. He asked John Randall for help in identifying the specimen and was told that they knew this specimen existed but only from photos. The specimen was consequently "sacrificed" and sent to a gentleman in Australia who is the worlds authority on Hogfish to be identified. Since this is a long a tedious process it has not yet been named. It appears to be a cross between B.opercularis and B.masudai. I am sure as soon as it is identified Scott will have pictures and information available in his next publication. Hope this helps!

-Erik

[Project Reef]

Originally posted by DrAqua
Actually the specimen you are speaking of the "Peppermint Hog" is in the Genus Bodianus that is used to describe "Hogfish" This particular specimen has not yet been identified. My Father sent the "type" specimen of this fish to Scott Michael several years ago for a picture in one of the books he was working on. He asked John Randall for help in identifying the specimen and was told that they knew this specimen existed but only from photos. The specimen was consequently "sacrificed" and sent to a gentleman in Australia who is the worlds authority on Hogfish to be identified. Since this is a long a tedious process it has not yet been named. It appears to be a cross between B.opercularis and B.masudai. I am sure as soon as it is identified Scott will have pictures and information available in his next publication. Hope this helps!

-Erik

I purchased this Hog from Erik here, (highly recommended guy by the way).

Hey Erik? I totally just remember you saying something about it being a "hybrid" Peppermint hog. Lemme know what the Australian Hogfish Identifier tells you.

[dadevil23335]

Man this thread got loaded up in a hurry...I guess people really wanted to know whether Ali had a tank or not

[dadevil23335]

Well guys, I got to see Ali's set-up in person and man is it breath-taking!:eek1: Very nice and clean...even the Martha Stewart stand looked good along with his matching room furniture. I took lots of pics and emailed it to him to post but if you can't wait, I have it posted in my website under tank tours and extended tank tours, but there are still more pics not put in, but Ali has all of them to look thru for what he wants to post. Just click on my little red house to check it out!

[kozmo02]

checked out the website, nice pics, his tank is really nice, i can definitely see it being a TOTM when all the stags grow in.

I wish i lived in LA :(

nice tank PR, it looks great

:thumbsup:

[JazzMan]

Good Job Project!!!

[slojmn]

Wow, Just beautiful. My next tank project is going to be a low square clam tank with look down viewing. I was most impressed with your collection and the tank. Starphire will be hearing from me one of these days :). I like the stand...ode to Martha. I also like the simple clean look of the sump as well. I think the hanging pendants and open top is the way to go. My 46g bowfront is open top with a hanging pendent and I am starting to put a few clams in there just to get a feel for what my next project will be like. I wish I had unlimited funds :). Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful and beautiful collection of clams.

[nk57]

Holy cow... thats a whole lot of clams. I love the set up including the lights and the Martha Stewart stand.

Nancy

[Salt Creep]

Originally posted by Project Reef

Yeah Ryan I do get Salt Creep in the overflow.

And let me tell you Ryan, even though Ali has to rescue me and get me unstuck from the grid on a regular basis, this tank is just the most amazing place to live in and the view can't be beat!

All those clams though... they're giving me weird dreams.

Ken (aka Salt Creep)

[dadevil23335]

Originally posted by Salt Creep
And let me tell you Ryan, even though Ali has to rescue me and get me unstuck from the grid on a regular basis, this tank is just the most amazing place to live in and the view can't be beat!

All those clams though... they're giving me weird dreams.

Ken (aka Salt Creep)

That's funny Ken:lol: I just feel bad for you having to witness him dancing around his room in his underwear:crazy1:

[Salt Creep]

Underwear would've been nice. I guess that's how he gets his reef mojo though!

You should see him when he gets a new clam.

I can move it like this, I can shake it like that....


Just kidding Ali, you know we luv ya! Great tank!

Ken

[rbaker]

Originally posted by dadevil23335
That's funny Ken:lol: I just feel bad for you having to witness him dancing around his room in his underwear:crazy1:

LOL!!!

Ryan

[Project Reef]

LOL you guys are nuts.

[cal3v]

PR, very nice.

[cali_reef]

Ali,

Which clam is mine?

Can I pick my self? :lol: :lol:

Pierce

[melev]

Great tank, Project Reef. <b>41 clams?!?</b> :eek1: :eek2: :eek1: No phytoplankton? I'm amazed!

And all this time I thought that was you and your kid. Oh well.

[Spuds]

Ali's tank was the reason I ordered from AI.
In person, as well as in the photo's the tank is awesome!
Good job Ali and thanks for the help!

[BlAcK_PeRcUlA]

So you really dont have to get a eurobracing to have a stable tank? I guess the glass has to be thicker. NICE TANK. Diggin the stand:D

[Palmetto]

Woah, cool bro!

Glad you finally have a tank- I know you were enjoying those goldfish ya know in that Little Mermaid tank.

Love the Martha Stewart stand!

Man, your Croceas are SWEEEETT!

Once my 150 has settled in a bit I will have to get some clammies again!

Good job, man- what did you do with the little bubbling frogman that jumps out of the clamshell?

[BobCReef]

now that's what i'm talking about. nice clams man.

[Project Reef]

I got all my Sunlight Supply Lighting from www.PalmettoReefs.com.

Great price, thanks D!

[Kyton]

if i see this correctly.....over 27 thousand people have viewed this thread.........that is unREAL!

just a passing thought.

Kyton :eek1:

[dattack]

Originally posted by Kyton
if i see this correctly.....over 27 thousand people have viewed this thread.........that is unREAL!

just a passing thought.

Kyton :eek1: I think you are looking at the wrong thread then.

:D

[johnrags1234]

Originally posted by Kyton
if i see this correctly.....over 27 thousand people have viewed this thread.........that is unREAL!

just a passing thought.

Kyton :eek1:

Well, I have viewed it myself about 10 times;)

Someone mentioned earlier they thought the person in the avator was you and your kid. I used to think the same, then I read the article about his Tatoo and it all kind of clicked!


Project- What exactly do you do for a living:D Your tank is just amaing! A true inspiration to us all:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Now when are you going to stop adding clams?!

I have had my baby clams (sold a few) for about a month Id say now. I havent supplemented w/ phyto and I have noticable growth and they are all healthy. If you all remember, this was per the advice of the aquaculturer I got these little guys from




John

[Project Reef]

Hey John, glad those clams are doing well for you man. My little 1" maxima is doing awesome, and I'm looking for some more of these little guys. I'll repost pictures in another 6 months or so.