A Reef Tank in the Desert - +/- 1,400 gallon system

you told me you have 0 nitrates all of a sudden potentially due to lots of pods. Is that still the case and do you think that's the cause?
 
I thought that the White tail Bristle-tooth tangs were the same as Gem tangs, but I stand corrected. I understand they are a very rare tang, way to go!
Awesome tank and thread. Thanks!
 
Great looking system. Took me 3 days to cover the 107 pages but was well worth it. How long do you plan on keeping the Bristle's in QT?
 
deazwe said:
Dan,

I've gone through all 107 pages of your tank history and I have to say, this is the most impressive and insightful collection of information on the hobby I have seen. The tank is amazing and has renewed my want for a larger and more awesome tank. When I see a display tank like yours the main thing it says to me is (and it is in a whisper) "Doug, look at that tank! You could do that too!".

Thanks for your diligence in getting your trials and tribulations out there and available for the rest of us to learn from.

Doug
Click to expand...

Thanks Doug.

You can do it! It's a lot of fun too!!!
 
Nitrates and Pods..

Nitrates and Pods..

prickles said:
you told me you have 0 nitrates all of a sudden potentially due to lots of pods. Is that still the case and do you think that's the cause?
Click to expand...

Alex,

I am thoroughly convinced! I have no other explanations!

Guys, I have always had significant Nitrates. Normally in the 20 - 40 range. I like to feed, 20 - 24 cubes per day along with Nori and pellets in my auto feeder.

To combat my Nitrates, I have a separate tank for a large, basketball sized ball of chaeto, tumbling under Radions. I have a large sand reactor and perform significant water changes.

About six (6) weeks ago, my Nitrates dropped down to zero and I could not figure out why. I thought something was wrong with my test kits. So I bought a second set and took a water sample into my LFS. They all showed zero. I even sent a sample to aquariumwatertesting.com and they confirmed my results.

What was different?

About two months ago, Fishy Bizness Aquatics started carrying live copepods, rotifers and phyto. I started bringing home a bag of each every Friday and pouring them into my refugium and sump. That is the only thing I have done differently! My LFS manager, Michael, has convinced me that the pods are helping eat and further break down the detritus.

The past two weeks, I have been even feeding more liberally. :D
 
ntrlsur said:
Great looking system. Took me 3 days to cover the 107 pages but was well worth it. How long do you plan on keeping the Bristle's in QT?
Click to expand...

Good question. In order for them to get into my main display, they would need to go over three (3) overflows and through three (3) different sets of Filter Socks.

I am not saying that I don't have any Bristle worms in my main display. I have never seen any, however, I also have a number of wrasses that probably keep them at a minimum.
 
danfeig said:
Good question. In order for them to get into my main display, they would need to go over three (3) overflows and through three (3) different sets of Filter Socks.

I am not saying that I don't have any Bristle worms in my main display. I have never seen any, however, I also have a number of wrasses that probably keep them at a minimum.
Click to expand...

I think he meant the tangs Dan :lolspin:
 
SPotter said:
I think he meant the tangs Dan :lolspin:
Click to expand...

LOL! :lolspin::lolspin::lolspin:

My bad. Someone had just asked me about bristle worms in my sea horse tank/refugium. :lmao:

I have been away from here too long!

The Whitetails Bristletooth Tangs will remain in QT throughout most of the summer. I want to fatten them up a little bit first. I will probably build a new egg-crate divider and place them into my main display sometime in July.

I am looking at getting a couple of Black Tangs too. If they arrive in the next couple of weeks, things might get delayed further so that I can introduce all of them into my main display at the same time.
 
Dan,

I lived in Tucson from 02-05. Im sure it has changed immensely since then. I was in the Air Force at DM. Great city though! I miss the desert at times, but am a beach bum at heart. I just read through this entire thread and must thank you for such detailed posts. Im in the process of planning a 72x72x24" aquarium with the Achilles tang as my prize fish, plus other tangs. Seeing how yours do in your aquarium, along with the equipment and build you have has inspired me. Fantastic build sir.
 
Wow man! Great JOB on this tank! I love the build and how you designed everything, loved how it turned out at the end! Also at Fishy Bizness in Tucson have a high supply of different corals, I think they have 2 frag tanks and a 500 gallon display, it's pretty cool! But your tank is way better, no offense fishy bizness, love it!
Also, I'm a 16 year old that lives in Nogales, Arizona who started this hobby around 4-5 months ago and I've been in the freshwater community for about 6 years (I always maintained my 30g goldfish tank) and now I'm moving away from all that. This hobby is truly amazing! Keep us updated!
 
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