gill7784
07/19/2005, 11:24 PM
Hi all. I have been hanging around RC for a few months and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and say “thank you� to all of you. I have learned more during the last three months of reading then an entire year of trial and error.
My story:
A good friend of mine had a 125 gallon tank set up as a mixed reef (in retrospect, a very poor attempt at a mixed reef, with limited success). I was in awe by the beauty of his Hippo Tang and his Purple Tang.
With the above 2 fish in mind, I resolved myself to have a fish tank of my own. Being the consumer that I am, I marched straight into the LFS and handed them my credit card. A bit over 2k later, I had a bunch of relatively useless goodies that would prove to serve no purpose in a reef system.
My tank has been established for a bit over 18 months now, with a move 3 months ago. Fortunately, I preserved the sand, rock and all of the water. This resulted in a very minute cycle and slightly elevated nitrates. They are, however, on their way back down.
I have spent way more then I would have, had I purchased the correct things initially.
My Tank:
My tank is a glass 80 gallon with rounded front edges. The tank drains into a small 10 gallon sump/fuge that I created with 3 chambers (input/refuge/return). Circulation is supplied via 3 Maxi-jets on a Reef Fanatic wave maker and a Sieo that runs constantly. Because my tank is not drilled, I use a CPR overflow (despite the negative comments about the CPR overflow on RC, I am very satisfied). Additionally, I use a Mag-12 for return. Needless to say, there is a rather large water turnover. Skimming is accomplished via a CPR Back-Pak II drilled with the addition of an air-stone (quite effective in increasing the quantity and quality of skimming).
My Fuge:
Although small, my fuge is without a doubt the most interesting aspect of my tank. It is not uncommon to find my wife and me lying on the floor staring at the myriad of life crawling around the LR rubble. I also house some Cheato (sp?) and some other, as of yet, undefined macro algae.
Lighting:
I am running a PFO 275 watt MH pendant with a 10k bulb. This is supplemented by a Corallife PC fixture with 1 96 watt 10k and 1 96 watt blue 03.
Fish:
Bicolor Dottyback
4-line wrasse (sold as a 6-line, but I only count 4)
Dragon Goby
Hippo Tank
Purple Tang (New Fish…please note the questions about the tangs at the end of this post)
Clownfish
Inverts:
Fire Shrimp
Banded Coral Shrimp
5 Peppermint Shrimp
2 Tonga Fighting Conch’s
2 Emerald Crabs
Many misc. Hermits
Many misc. snails
Brittle Star-fish
Tiger Tail Sea-cucumber
2 Maxima Clams
1 T-Deresa Clam
Many corals
Parameters:
SG 1.025
Temp 78-82
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10 (slowly coming back down)
Calcium 400
Alkalinity 10 dKH
I drip Kalkwasser each night and dose with 2 part B-Ionic
Questions:
1. Can you tell me how to successfully feed my Green Open Brain?
2. Can you suggest some techniques that may be effective in stopping my hippo from attacking my new Purple Tang?
3. Does my system look over populated?
4. General comments appreciated!
I have yet to lose a fish…. With the exception of a Xenia that melted down due to improper acclimation and an immature tank. I am really worried that my Purple Tang may be my first casualty if this barbarism continues.
In closing:
I live in San Diego (North Park area). I would love to meet any fellow reefers and get together and share ideas or frags. Also, any people in the San Diego area that need some guidance getting started or a few pieces of equipment let me know. I would love my mistakes to be of benefit to others.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121022&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121034&papass=&sort=1&size=medium&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121025&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121026&papass=&sort=1&size=medium&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121023&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121024&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121027&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121028&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121031&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121032&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121029&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121033&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
My story:
A good friend of mine had a 125 gallon tank set up as a mixed reef (in retrospect, a very poor attempt at a mixed reef, with limited success). I was in awe by the beauty of his Hippo Tang and his Purple Tang.
With the above 2 fish in mind, I resolved myself to have a fish tank of my own. Being the consumer that I am, I marched straight into the LFS and handed them my credit card. A bit over 2k later, I had a bunch of relatively useless goodies that would prove to serve no purpose in a reef system.
My tank has been established for a bit over 18 months now, with a move 3 months ago. Fortunately, I preserved the sand, rock and all of the water. This resulted in a very minute cycle and slightly elevated nitrates. They are, however, on their way back down.
I have spent way more then I would have, had I purchased the correct things initially.
My Tank:
My tank is a glass 80 gallon with rounded front edges. The tank drains into a small 10 gallon sump/fuge that I created with 3 chambers (input/refuge/return). Circulation is supplied via 3 Maxi-jets on a Reef Fanatic wave maker and a Sieo that runs constantly. Because my tank is not drilled, I use a CPR overflow (despite the negative comments about the CPR overflow on RC, I am very satisfied). Additionally, I use a Mag-12 for return. Needless to say, there is a rather large water turnover. Skimming is accomplished via a CPR Back-Pak II drilled with the addition of an air-stone (quite effective in increasing the quantity and quality of skimming).
My Fuge:
Although small, my fuge is without a doubt the most interesting aspect of my tank. It is not uncommon to find my wife and me lying on the floor staring at the myriad of life crawling around the LR rubble. I also house some Cheato (sp?) and some other, as of yet, undefined macro algae.
Lighting:
I am running a PFO 275 watt MH pendant with a 10k bulb. This is supplemented by a Corallife PC fixture with 1 96 watt 10k and 1 96 watt blue 03.
Fish:
Bicolor Dottyback
4-line wrasse (sold as a 6-line, but I only count 4)
Dragon Goby
Hippo Tank
Purple Tang (New Fish…please note the questions about the tangs at the end of this post)
Clownfish
Inverts:
Fire Shrimp
Banded Coral Shrimp
5 Peppermint Shrimp
2 Tonga Fighting Conch’s
2 Emerald Crabs
Many misc. Hermits
Many misc. snails
Brittle Star-fish
Tiger Tail Sea-cucumber
2 Maxima Clams
1 T-Deresa Clam
Many corals
Parameters:
SG 1.025
Temp 78-82
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10 (slowly coming back down)
Calcium 400
Alkalinity 10 dKH
I drip Kalkwasser each night and dose with 2 part B-Ionic
Questions:
1. Can you tell me how to successfully feed my Green Open Brain?
2. Can you suggest some techniques that may be effective in stopping my hippo from attacking my new Purple Tang?
3. Does my system look over populated?
4. General comments appreciated!
I have yet to lose a fish…. With the exception of a Xenia that melted down due to improper acclimation and an immature tank. I am really worried that my Purple Tang may be my first casualty if this barbarism continues.
In closing:
I live in San Diego (North Park area). I would love to meet any fellow reefers and get together and share ideas or frags. Also, any people in the San Diego area that need some guidance getting started or a few pieces of equipment let me know. I would love my mistakes to be of benefit to others.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121022&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121034&papass=&sort=1&size=medium&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121025&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121026&papass=&sort=1&size=medium&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121023&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121024&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121027&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121028&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121031&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121032&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121029&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=121033&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500