40 Gallon Breeder reef tank build...

[mmittlesteadt]

Pics from this morning. Actually got a pic of my Firefish and Twin Spot Goby in the same shot, and one with both and my GSP...

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Just added my new ORA Silver Xenia to the mix. Pic taken moments after adding it. Goniopora on the left, Kenya Tree in the middle and Xenia on the right. It was really extended at the LFS. I purposely put it in a lower flow area because they like to pulse their polyps (what they are known for) rather than getting blown all over by pumps. We'll have to see how it likes it there. I like the contrast with the cave behind it. Hopefully someday the Clowns will like it as a host.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Moved my Xenia to a different spot more to the right.

Starting to open more. Think I'll leave it be for the time being and see how it is tonight...

I should be good on corals for a while now. I'm going to let them grow out before acquiring anymore just to see how they fill out to see what will fit elsewhere. I have ideas though...

 

[ZeeSparrow]

I really like the silver xenia variety. Beautiful.

In every single picture you post with the two spot, he's SO hard to see! At first, I think that you might be joking... then I spot him. (see what I did there?)

I should be good on corals for a while now. I'm going to let them grow out before acquiring anymore just to see how they fill out to see what will fit elsewhere. I have ideas though...

I'm in the same boat, now... acclimating the ones I have to my lights while finding their happy place. And I can add my clowns to the tank this weekend! Yay!

 

[Isaacs55]

Haven't been to this thread in a couple days...it's looking good! Have you thought about an aquarium contnroller yet?

 

[mmittlesteadt]

I really like the silver xenia variety. Beautiful.

In every single picture you post with the two spot, he's SO hard to see! At first, I think that you might be joking... then I spot him. (see what I did there?)

I'm in the same boat, now... acclimating the ones I have to my lights while finding their happy place. And I can add my clowns to the tank this weekend! Yay!

The silver Xenia has a different look to it because it has some warm reddish brown to it and streaked with white/silver stripes, whereas my other corals have far more green to them. The Kenya tree is also more reddish in color, but it's rather small compared to the others. I really love the motion of soft corals. It adds some life to the tank aside from the fish.

LOL. Yeah he is an extremely camouflaged fish. There are times he is out and I don't even notice him until he moves.

I HAVE to stop with the corals for a while because two of them (GSP and Xenia) grow fast and I need to see how they will start filling out. They can take over a tank (which is fine by me) so I want to be picky about what else goes in there. I want to get some leathers and mushrooms as well. Currently I have my corals placed about mid level and they are doing great. When the lights come on they all fill out and extend fully. I need to find a few corals that LOVE strong light and some that will do better lower.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Haven't been to this thread in a couple days...it's looking good! Have you thought about an aquarium contnroller yet?

I really don't need a controller as everything is pretty well automated as is, except I want to get one for my Kessil light. I'm finding that even though I have my light on a timer just to turn on and off, I want it to slowly ramp up from all actinic into full daylight and then back down.

In the morning when the lights come on it's already in full actinic because at night I set it to that when we are just relaxing before going to bed. I bring it up to full daylight after I get home from work. Also, the Kessil controller will actually go down to about 5 percent from full off, whereas manually it starts at about 15 percent.

 

[Isaacs55]

I really don't need a controller as everything is pretty well automated as is, except I want to get one for my Kessil light. I'm finding that even though I have my light on a timer just to turn on and off, I want it to slowly ramp up from all actinic into full daylight and then back down.

In the morning when the lights come on it's already in full actinic because at night I set it to that when we are just relaxing before going to bed. I bring it up to full daylight after I get home from work. Also, the Kessil controller will actually go down to about 5 percent from full off, whereas manually it starts at about 15 percent.

I agree.....but, wouldn't it be nice to go on vacation and ceck on your system with ease? Lol I'm on this controller kick as you can see lol I just ordered my Apex Neptune systems and can't wait for it to get here. Being able to control the lights, WaveMaker, heater, and stream live video feed of the tank sounded pretty good to me lol I bought the hype...hopefully it pays off lol well if do decide let me know if you have questions.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

I agree.....but, wouldn't it be nice to go on vacation and ceck on your system with ease? Lol I'm on this controller kick as you can see lol I just ordered my Apex Neptune systems and can't wait for it to get here. Being able to control the lights, WaveMaker, heater, and stream live video feed of the tank sounded pretty good to me lol I bought the hype...hopefully it pays off lol well if do decide let me know if you have questions.

Well, I would love for it all to be automated and monitored. But the way I have it setup, I can leave for up to 10 days without worry (ATO, autofeeder). Well, except for my Twin Spot's feedings. I have a friend who can do some things for me that I trust and an Apex controller couldn't feed my little Goby anyway. LOL.

As much as I would love more gadgets, my wife would not. LOL. I've already pushed her limits of tolerance for my "fish" tank. LOL.

 

[Isaacs55]

Well, I would love for it all to be automated and monitored. But the way I have it setup, I can leave for up to 10 days without worry (ATO, autofeeder). Well, except for my Twin Spot's feedings. I have a friend who can do some things for me that I trust and an Apex controller couldn't feed my little Goby anyway. LOL.

As much as I would love more gadgets, my wife would not. LOL. I've already pushed her limits of tolerance for my "fish" tank. LOL.

Well said!

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Got a great shot of my Twin Spot making a new home in the tank (after eating!). While he is the star of this video, the clownfish does make a guest appearance...

Twin Spot Video

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Thanks.

Honestly, I don't think any Tang should be in anything but a large tank. Tangs should be the short name for musTangs because all of them are high horsepower, fast swimming, open water loving creatures.

I REALLY want a dwarf angel...Flames being my faves and Coral Beauties a close second. I just can't see them really being good for my tank. As much as I want one, I don't know yet. But then again, for the most part I'm going with fast growing soft corals that tend to grow and spread rather quickly. I'm not as worried about the dwarf angels being reef safe as I am them being non-agressive to the many other fish I want that are more docile.

Either of those two dwarf angels certainly would be stunning and active throughout my tank, so I just don't know if they would be a good choice. I wouldn't really put any fish that gets 6" long in my tank as much as I would like to.

I finally got a Cherub Angel and I'm really glad that I did. You should check them out, I'm pretty sure you'll love them!

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Checked with snorvich...

Tank isn't big enough for any Fairy Wrasses and the Pygmy Angel is too aggressive. Chalk bass is a candidate though. Didn't seem to be an issue with the Royal Gramma, only that my total number of fish might be high.

However, I don't think he was taking into account that I have a total of 70 gallons combined water volume with the surface area of my 40 Breeder display and 65 gallon sump which is heavily aerated by a large skimmer.

I currently have 4 fish in my 30 DT, I also have a 20 gal tall sump so I don't see any issues with having up to 6 maybe 7 small fish in my system with this analogy. I am however upgrading to a 40B in two weeks when Petco $ gallon sale starts again. Then I'll have total in my system, 2 True Percula Clowns, 1 Hectors goby, 1 very small Cherub Angel (about 1") and will be adding 1 Royal Gramma, 1 McCoskers wrasse and a watchman goby with a pistol shrimp. (still debating on the pistol shrimp) I've got mixed corals LPS, SPS and leathers, and two BTA's one Sunset BTA and a RBTA. I'll add some more corals but no more fish. Currently I've got 60+ lbs of LR, 2" + sandbed in my DT as well as 1-2" of sandbed in my sump. I've got plenty of filtration and I also run a 75gal skimmer

 

[mmittlesteadt]

I finally got a Cherub Angel and I'm really glad that I did. You should check them out, I'm pretty sure you'll love them!

Got any pics of it in your tank? I'm a little concerned about anything that might have any affect on my Twin Spot (aggressiveness, too active, etc.). At least at this point. My Firefish and two Clowns are usually nowhere near him, so perhaps down the road I'll revisit my selections.

I would like a more open water swimming fish since none of the others on my list are.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Got any pics of it in your tank? I'm a little concerned about anything that might have any affect on my Twin Spot (aggressiveness, too active, etc.). At least at this point. My Firefish and two Clowns are usually nowhere near him, so perhaps down the road I'll revisit my selections.

I would like a more open water swimming fish since none of the others on my list are.

I'll probably have to do it in the morning. I told you about my surgery and I'm about to go to bed very soon. Most of my pictures are on my cellphone and I'll have to transfer them to my PC so I can upload them. I'll see what I can find right now so you can have a look.

Here are my Perculas



I've got a few more on my PC I'll post them in the next post.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I've only got a few older pics but I'll post them and get the current shots tomorrow.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

No, it's not letting me do what I want to do. PM me your email and I'll send you a bunch of pictures. I've got current ones as well as older ones and even ones with my cyano outbreak.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

My 1" Cherub Angel.



He get's along great with all of my other fish, the two clowns and Hectors Goby.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Hectors goby. I've got lots of good pictures but they are on my phone.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I'm going to let the dog's out and then go to bed. Like I said either send me your email address or your cell number and I'll send you many pictures. Some full tank shots as well.

Dave