65g Island Reef Tank - Lots of Pics!

[Tek]

This 65g project started in April to upgrade my 20G L small tank. So much for downsizing as it lasted only 6 months before things got crowded and needed upsizing. It has been a long time to get this tank going between cracking the new tank, a bad motorcycle wreck, and monti eating nudis. The tank has been up and running for 3 months now.

I would not have been able to finish this project if it was not for my girlfriends help who also shares the same fish hobby.

Equipment

Lighting

2 X 150w 14K Hamiton Reefstars
2 X 54w Geisman T5s Actinic+ w/Tek reflectors
1 X Ecoxotic Panorama 12W 8000K/453nm Blue LED Module for the refugium/frag tank

Filtration
75lbs Live rock
40lbs Fine Sand
65G Coralife Super Skimmer
2 X Two Little Fishies Phosban/Carbon reactors
Eheim Compact+ 2000 Pump for the return

Automation
Reef Keeper Lite Reef Controller
SpectraPure® Power Liquid Level Controller

I will post more pics in the next few days!

 

[Tek]

Replacing the glass I cracked. This was not due to drilling, but tapping a fitting in too hard with a hammer (note never use a hammer no matter how light you tap).

<a href="http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae52/Tek008/?action=view&current=DSC02203.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae52/Tek008/DSC02203.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae52/Tek008/?action=view&current=DSC02206.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae52/Tek008/DSC02206.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae52/Tek008/?action=view&current=DSC02208.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae52/Tek008/DSC02208.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Tek]

Tank shots

 

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[oddballs]

Looking good!! No matter how many I have and will have seen in my years in the hobby purple firefish are always a breathtaking species of fish ! Simple and easy to care for and bthere price does not make it so your kids can not still go to college.

 

[magman53]

nice tank, is the YT eating?

 

[Tek]

Yes the purple firefish are amazing and not at all pricey anymore. He comes out for food all the time and only darts into the rock when startled.

I have had the yellow tang for a month now and he eats spectrum pellets and nori. The other tangs have been with me for 2-4 years.

 

[lauremf2002]

Lovely tank!

 

[luvabunny]

I got to see the tank in person tonight. The pics are good, but real life is soooo much better.
You've done a great job with it Joseph! I kind of like the scars on the sailfin. It gives him character! And the oops xenia with the zoas sort of compliment each other.

Thanks for the frag!

 

[happysak]

Do you feed your Tubastrea?

 

[zxanth]

Man I just realized how much I want a blonde naso tang... I tried taking a picture of the vlamingi tang that I got from u but he won't stand still. He looks great in my tank.

 

[Tek]

Thank you for the compliments! We can't wait to add more corals.

I try to feed the sun coral using the tub method which is recommended when you first purchase. It actually opens at night only at the moment so I turkey baste it Mysis and brine.

Here is a good thread.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1719839

 

[Tek]

Man I just realized how much I want a blonde naso tang... I tried taking a picture of the vlamingi tang that I got from u but he won't stand still. He looks great in my tank.

I could not take a picture of him also. He is very active and the best coloration I have seen locally. I actually purchased my blonde naso from Kevin in Norman 3-4 years ago. It never developed streamers, but still a very freindly and good looking fish. He has lost some weight since being moved so I am increasing his feedings.

 

[Tek]

I got to see the tank in person tonight. The pics are good, but real life is soooo much better.
You've done a great job with it Joseph! I kind of like the scars on the sailfin. It gives him character! And the oops xenia with the zoas sort of compliment each other.

Thanks for the frag!

Scarface is one of our favorites. I am so glad we were able to rescue him from Petco and fatten him up these past 2 years. I actually started to like how the xenia looked after it was crowded around by the zoas. Coral harmony. LOL

 

[RobbyVonAwesome]

I love the tank but I think all three tangs look severely underweight.

Nice corals, very clean tank.

 

[Tek]

I love the tank but I think all three tangs look severely underweight.

Nice corals, very clean tank.

The Sailfin is nice and fat, the yellow tang has only been with me for 4 weeks and has been gaining weight. All of the yellow tangs I have seen from online vendors have come in this skinny. The Naso has lost weight after being transfered from my 70g to this tank. The only other difference for him has been smaller pellet sizes to accomodate the other tangs as well. I am going to get him back to the large spectrum pellets I used before. They are all fed 3-4 times a day with spectrum pellets, nori, and the occasional frozen mysis.