!!!25G Mixed Reef!!!

[TheCoralReef731]

Well, I finally got around to setting up my tank. So, without further blabbling, here is my 20 gallon tank.

With Lights (The heater is in front for easy access during the Summer)

Whole Setup

My Themed Handles

My Clowns

Close Shot of Live Rock

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Specs:
20 Gallon Tank (24x12x16)
2 Flourescent Lights (soon to change)
30 Lbs of Uaniva Live Rock
2 Lbs of each: Vanuatu, Bali, and Tonga
AquaClear Filter
Powerhead 275
20 Lbs of Seeded Sand
100 Watt Heater


Livestock:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Turbo Snails

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Can Anyone I.D. These?

This looks like an ordinary earth worm, but seems to be able to shrink and expand. I have so far found 2 of these in the tank, with one being about 8 inches long and the other 5 inches long.

This could either be a piece of SPS or a Sponge. It is purple, and has the shape of a cactus.

 

[joreef]

Very nice looking tank. The coral in the pick looks like it might be some sort of millipora sp.

 

[Brandino007]

And that worm sounds like a harmless Peanut worm.

 

[RoBo2002]

Very nice looking tank. The coral in the pick looks like it might be some sort of millipora sp.

I am sure it is a sponge (not a very good picture). If it were any kind of SPS I am pretty sure that it would not be purple. I would either be dead or brown. With the stress of going through a newly setup tank (cycles) and just have flourescent strip lights would not be able to hold the purple of any SPS.

 

[joreef]

I think I found it http://www.reeffrontiers.com/photos_corals/showphoto.php?photo=269&cat=521

 

[joreef]

Heres another picture I guess its related to millepora.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/eb/index.php

 

[NexDog]

Just trying to find teh "mix" in the mixed reef. Maybe it's mixed live rock.

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Joreef - Thanks for the info on the sponge/coral. At first I thought that it was a sponge, but now I am thinking that it can't be, because if sponges are exposed to air (which it was) then they die.

Brandino007 - As for the worm, I have so far found 2 of them in my curing tank and transfered them over. I haven't seen them since. Anyone know when/where to find them?

RoBo2002 - The coral/sponge looks very soft and very unlike any SPS that I have seen, but since this is growing on LR, I don't know what to expect. This tank has actually been running as a FO tank for over a year, and has been upgraded recently to a 20 gallon, so the cycle has been over for a while. The LR addition is bound to make a small cycle, but not enough to do anything bad.

NexDog - The "mixed" in the mixed reef means that there are Softies, LPS, and SPS. I currently don't have a reef yet, but as I start to add corals, it will be very mixed.

 

[JENnKerry]

I like the cave. Very cool.

 

[TheCoralReef731]

JENnKerry Thanks, amazingly, this was my first attempt at aquascaping. Turned out pretty nice.

 

[TheCoralReef731]

My Refugium Plans

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Okay, I need some help deciding what type of lights to go with. MH or T5 HO will be fine for me, since I plan on keeping SPS. I want something in my budget, which is under $150 dollars. So far, I have found these:
http://www.hellolights.com/hidretrofitkit.html - Not sure what is better, magnetic or electronic, and pulse or probe start. Anyone have a clue?

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.as...D&ProdID=19 - I have heard good and bad things about Odyssea, but they are so cheap, I could get two for ~90.

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2...tegory_Code=PEN

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2...gory_Code=EVMHR

 

[TheBimbo]

Good job, I also like the cave, and the clowns tooo...


TheBimbo

 

[TheCoralReef731]

thebimbo - Thanks for the comments. I love the cave, and the clowns are very awesome too. Just today I noticed something a little odd though. One of the clowns was biting the others fin for about 10 seconds. I knew that they do odd stuff to show which is the dominant one, but this seemed a bit extreme.

 

[TheCoralReef731]

The refugium on top will actually have a overflow built into it like this:

And also, I am going to be upgrading my tank from a 20g to a 25g. The 25 is drilled on the side, so I am deciding whether to use this as an overflow or as a conduit for an in-line pump to a refugium

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Despite all the things everyone has said, I just reaquascaped my tank. I didn't like the swimming space in the first one, so I eliminated the wall with cave, and created an arch. I am still deciding whether to keep the arch or take off the connectors to create 2 pillars. Pictures to follow soon.

 

[Jimsmowen]

That aquascaping is SOO nice!! I wish I could buy nice live rock like that in my area.

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Actually, this live rock I got online. It was my first over-the-internet deal, and worked really well. Not sure if they ship international, but their website is www.saltycritter.com. They are located in Ohio.