240 Inwall Construction (Image Intense)

[weatherson]

clekchau, The refugium is a 20-gallon tank I made with a single, corner diagonal overflow "box". It is feed tank water at a slow rate via an outlet of the main circulation pump and drains its outlet water back to the sump. It is lighted with a single end, 150-watt 6500 Kelvin MH bulb driven by an IceCap electronic ballast. This light is on a reverse photo period to the main tank lights. This also helps to stabilize the tank water pH throughout the night. I grow and harvest regularly Chaetomorph macro algae. Here's an older shot of it taken prior to having removed the OM Squirt 4-way and its associated plumbing. The current plumbing simply directs the inlet water to the lower-right area of the tank, furthest from the over-flow box at the left-rear.

Joseph.

 

[invincible569]

Where do you purchase your corals?

 

[maxxII]

Why did you take the Squirt off-line? Just curious....

 

[weatherson]

invincible569, I haven't purchased a coral for this tank in over a year, if not longer. But, when I have, they were from various stores and fellow hobbyists. The stores include local as well as a few in the San Francisco bay area and a few from trips to the wholesalers down in Los Angeles. Other corals I've traded for and a few from regional frag swaps.

maxxII, Originally, I built this tank as a frag grow-out system but then converted it to the refugium it is now. As a refugium, there's no need for high or random flow so there was no need for the Squirt. In its place, I simply have a cross tank flow of a low current which the macro-algae appreciate more.

Joseph.

 

[jthnhale]

Joseph I was searching for some info on a new starfish I just got, a
Phataria unifascialis, the blue sea star. Your thread was the only place the name came up on RC. Can you tell me if yours is still around, and if so how it's doing.

thanks,

- Jonathan

 

[NanoGurl]

Wow, I am just stunned. The beauty of this tank, setup and care is truly inspiring. You have some of the best photos that I have ever seen. I love your tank!

 

[weatherson]

Jonathan, Yes, mine is still around and doing well. I've lost my burgundy and orange Linkia's but this guy continues on. Also, while I've not witnessed this directly, I do think a part of its appetite includes Asterina stars. Prior to removing the frag grow-out section of my sump and the associated MH lighting, there was a fairly large population of Asterina's in there but would only see a single straggler in the tank occasionally and then none for long periods of time. It may be that another critter dines on them in the tank but my bets are on the Blue Sea Star.

NanoGurl, Thank you very much and I'm pleased you liked the tank and photos.

Joseph.

 

[weatherson]

Here's a couple new photos taken today. First, just a generic shot that I liked for the sheer diversity...

And a new full tank shot...

Joseph.

 

[melev]

OMG! SOOOO NICE!!!!

 

[Hop]

Very nice! Any future flash videos with the growth sequence? That would be fantastic

 

[NanoGurl]

Insanely cool!! What a beautiful shot. I hate my tank now thanks!

 

[Mojo Jojo]

Holy cow man ... Your tank is by far the best I've seen. This is my new favorite tank!!!! Only 2 question for you.... 1) How wide is your tank? 2) Is this your current rock set-up?

 

[weatherson]

Marc & NanoGurl, Thank you very much.

Hop, Thanks and here's an exactly three month growth animated GIF. Keep in mind that I moved a few corals but if you look at the majority that were stationary, you'll see the difference. Also, these GIF's are difficult to do for the different camera angles and subsequent image distortions and alterations to get perspectives close. But they are just that... close, and do show some movement based on this. Again, focus on a single coral for best results.

joeyjoeq, Thank you and wow, is that a blast from the past. The tank is 2' X 2' X 8' and the rock has mainly remained the same. It's the corals that have changed so much.

Joseph.

 

[Lordhelmet]

i love it. amazing.

 

[matt & pam]

Joseph,
Would you mind posting your current water parameters, and any additives (besides kalk/ca reactor) utilized routinely? What feeding regimen do you utilize?

Beautiful tank, btw.

 

[Hop]

Thanks Joseph! I wasn't expecting it today:lol: But it really helps to put your success in perspective. That is just incredible.

 

[jwinn]

Nice

 

[jwinn]

Nice

 

[esmithiii]

Joseph-

Again, amazingly beautiful tank.

Any problems with the cowries eating your zooanthids or GSP?

Thanks,
Ernie

 

[weatherson]

Lordhelmet, Thank you very much.

Matt & Pam, Thanks. As you can imagine, I struggle to keep my levels up due to all the calcium demanding corals and clams. The only additions besides the Reef Crystals salt and that from the Kalk/calcium reactors is ESV Magnesium. My current parameters are as follows...

Calcium - 395 ppm
Alkalinity - 8.8 dKH
Magnesium - 1275 ppm

The latter I let slip a bit and am in the process of raising it to my usual level of 1300 ppm.

My feeding regime is as follows...

I rotate daily between frozen foods and Nori (seaweed). On the days when frozen foods are fed, I use the following:

2 cubes Mysis shrimp
2 cubes Life Line® Herbivore
2 cubes Prime Reef
2 cubes Brine Shrimp Plus
Fresh Cultured Phytoplankton
E.S.V.'s Phytoplankton
Cyclop-eeze®
All Soaked in Selconâ"žÂ¢

In addition, I spot feed both the anemones and serpent stars some frozen prawns once a week.

Hop, Your welcome and thanks.

jwinn, Thanks. Thanks.

Ernie, Thank you. I don't have any Green Star Polyps but if I did, I'd be pleased that the cowrie ate them. It has never eaten any zoanthids that I have noticed.

Joseph.