300 g Gorgornian Reef Build

[LakeGirl]

Greetings reefers!

I am excited to report that we are nearly ready to complete our dream 300 gallon reef build.

System:
72 x 36 x 24 h
36 x 24 x 20 h sump
SRO 5000ex skimmer
1000 watt titanium heater
Apex controller
Panworld 100 px return pump
custom Nova A10 controller LED light
2x Vortech MP40
125 g RODI


My first concern is whether or not the Gorgonians are truly suitable for a reef tank. I especially want the Purple Whips that sway to and fro in the current. I am reading that these grow too big and not hardy in captivity. Has anyone had good luck keeping these longer than 18 months? I am assuming as they grow, they can be pruned.


Then, I have two fish plans that I'm debating. Concept 1: groups of smaller schooling fish, full reef. Concept 2: larger reef-safe fish, no crustaceans.

Concept 1- communities of smaller reef fish
Schooling fish
Longspine cardinalfish 9
BlueGreen Chromis 15
Yellow Striped cardinalfish- alternative 0

Fairy Harem
Exquisite Fairy (male/female pair) 2
Longfin fairy wrasse- females 3
C. Lineatus or C. rubrimarginatus (pink margin fairy) 1
Lubbuck's 1
Blue Flasher 1
McCosker's Flasher 1

Other Specimen Fish
Royal Gramma 1
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish 1
Alt: Virgate Rabitfish
Red Sea Mimic Blenny 1
Pinkspotted Shrimp Goby 1
Neon Goby 5
Lawnmover blenny 1

Inverts
Blue-legged hermit crab 10
Pistol shrimp 1
Fire shrimp 2
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp 2
Sand sifting starfish 5
Tile Sea Star/ Orange Red 3
Tuxedo Urchin 3
Long Spine Urchin 5
Nassarius and Cerith Snails 10-25
Squamosa Clam 1

Coral--"Sea Fan Garden"
Gorgonian- purple whip, green lace, plum, golden plum, purple bottlebrush, rusty, red sea fan (?) 9
Miami Orchid Staghorn 3
Montipora- plating or vase 3
Acropora- formosa and A. Cardus, and A. echinata (staghorn, bottlebrush) 3


Concept 2- groups of larger reef fish / no crustaceans
Schooling fish
Lamrack Angelfish- male 1
Lamrack Angelfish-female 4

Other Specimen Fish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish 1
Sargassum Triggerfish 1
Pinktail trigger 1
Blue Carribbean tang 3
Lunar Wrasse 1
Longnose Hawkfish (m/f pair ideal) 1
Ornate wrasse 1
Tomato Anemonefish 2

Inverts
Carribean Giant anemone (Haitian) 1
Spotted Linckia Star 3
Long Spine Urchin 5
turban, top shell snail 10-25
Cerith snail 10
Nassarius 10
Squamosa Clam 1

Coral--"Sea Fan Garden"
Gorgonian- purple whip, green lace, plum, golden plum, purple bottlebrush, rusty, red sea fan (?) 9
Montipora- plating or vase 3
Acropora- formosa and A. Cardus, and A. echinata (staghorn, bottlebrush) 3
Miami Orhcid Staghorn 3

Within concept 2-- I'm concerned about whether or not I have enough bottom feeders in the plan. How do you establish a CUC with the predators on this list?

I welcome your feedback.

 

[LakeGirl]

Here's a photo of the framing completed.

 

[LakeGirl]

tank delivered

tank delivered

woot! Tank delivered this week. Drywall is taped and mudded. Trim paneling delivered. It won't be long now! :dance:

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Wow! That's going to be a really nice set up. IMO larger tanks look best with some larger showpiece fish.

 

[fishysteve]

I've been keeping the purple whips for about 12 years or so. They're easy and grow fast. You shouldn't have any problems.

 

[hoooop54]

I'm excited to see this come together!

 

[dkeller_nc]

Hmm - my personal opinion is that a large tank with lots of small fish is more impressive than the same tank with larger "specimen" fish. To me, the behavior of small (less than 3") fish in a large tank is very interesting, and is different than the same fish (but fewer in number) in a smaller tank.

For example, a large shoal of 15 or so anthias in a large tank is a very impressive sight, and reminds me of diving experiences on pacific reefs. Such a large tank could also accommodate a harem of the same species of dwarf angels, which would be difficult in a tank of less than 150 gallons.

Mind if I ask who built your tank?

 

[LakeGirl]

Tank design and build by Underwater Creations in the Twin Cities. I have really enjoyed working with Jeff so far.

 

[LakeGirl]

Hmm - my personal opinion is that a large tank with lots of small fish is more impressive than the same tank with larger "specimen" fish. To me, the behavior of small (less than 3") fish in a large tank is very interesting, and is different than the same fish (but fewer in number) in a smaller tank.

For example, a large shoal of 15 or so anthias in a large tank is a very impressive sight, and reminds me of diving experiences on pacific reefs. Such a large tank could also accommodate a harem of the same species of dwarf angels, which would be difficult in a tank of less than 150 gallons.

I know, I love the look of the shoaling smaller fish also. Then, I'm torn because I feel like some of the larger fish introduce more personality.

Oh, and then there's my husband, who wants to add a shipwreck. :jester:

Groan! Kind of the anthesis to the au natural sea fan garden!

 

[serum153]

What a great start. Wish I could give you input on your concepts, but I am in awe of the size, location of this tank. Good luck

 

[wii64brawl]

You'll be much happier keeping only photosynthetic gorgonians. NPS gorgs are really a pain in the butt to keep. I currently have 4 photosynthetic gorges and they are easy as heck to keep and grow fairly fast.

I think a bunch of small fish would be better. I know that my pair of pj cardinals loves to swim in my larger gorg which is very cool.

A good place to buy gorgs from is diver tom.com. All photosynthetic gorgs are $6 pp, and most come at least 5" tall. I got a purple frilly and purple whip from him and was not disappointed.

 

[LakeGirl]

thank you for the compliments and the suggestion re: photosynthetic gorgonians.

 

[Hudds]

Why you don't go for a mixed scenario keeping your most favorite (compatible) fish of both scenarios? With 300g you've got some water volume
Is this room divider the base of your dining table?

 

[Potsy]

Another good site for gorgonians is sealifeinc.net. I've kept at least six different species of photosynthetic gorgonians and they were all easy.

 

[JoelA7]

Best drift dives I've ever done: Breakers, Palm Beach. 55' deep. A meadow of gorgonians as long as our bottom time lasted. Many tangs various species. Caribbean Blue my favorite. Grow large. I'm informed also aggressive. Maybe only 1 in your tank. Probably not suitable but we also saw grey, French, blue, queen and rock beauty angels in the same two dives. Amazing.

 

[goodtimes2]

another great source for photosynthetic gorgonians is KP Aquatics , they have a good selection , I especially like their purple sea rods and purple flumes, I have quite a few from them and they have been growing well for over 2 years.

 

[wii64brawl]

Another good site for gorgonians is sealifeinc.net. I've kept at least six different species of photosynthetic gorgonians and they were all easy.

another great source for photosynthetic gorgonians is KP Aquatics , they have a good selection , I especially like their purple sea rods and purple flumes, I have quite a few from them and they have been growing well for over 2 years.

Same people now.

 

[Hoopz87]

This is gonna be awesome

 

[david pinder]

From personal experience would stay away from long spine urchuns. Recently had to pull 3 out of my reef at least 1 had started eating my corals. Been a month and no more corals have been touched

 

[LakeGirl]

Why you don't go for a mixed scenario keeping your most favorite (compatible) fish of both scenarios? With 300g you've got some water volume
Is this room divider the base of your dining table?

The support you see there is for a bar countertop. The room behind the aquarium is a utility room/ wet room. Can't wait to start.