ADA 120-P + Elos Mini dual NPS tank journal

[Aquabacs]

Well I tried to get pics of the corynactis or pseudocorynactis but it was too hard due to their location. I did get some pics of my other hitchhikers which have been growing like crazy since I started feeding them FM LPS Grow.

Some type of anemone that started splitting:

Some type of azoox LPS. It has a skeleton underneath, and extends transparent feeders when there is food in the water. It has doubled in size and gained nice color since target feeding the FM food daily. I have 2 of them, different colors, but I couldn't capture the other.

Mike, I have almost the same LPS hitchhiker in the last picture but I dont believe mine is truly non-photosynthetic. I have move the polyp to the top of my reef and have been feeding it the large LPS+ pellets as well to see what happens to it. Use caution with the anemone, you might have more than you plan in no time. I have these red/purple African beadlets that have done extremely well in our aquariums' lighting condition but if fed to much, they are like feeding a gremlin after midnight...tiny anemones everywhere.


Mike

 

[uhuru]

Mine are definitely non-photo. The fluorescence on them is really something that is hard to capture on my camera because I have to use flash. They literally "glow in the dark."

I have been doing some research on setting up what will be my planted tank that is connected to my 2 azoox tanks. Because this tank will be receiving the same continuous feeding as the azoox tanks I wanted a few select corals that will really benefit from both the high amount of food and the light. I think Goniopora spp. really fit that bill. From most of my reading so far, their requirements seem very similar to azoox corals with the added requirement of light for photosynthesis.

 

[DFason]

Mike - I'm hoping to have the first one done this week

Air pump and all. When I'm finished I will send it yoru way.

-Dave

 

[uhuru]

Sweet! Looking forward to it Dave!

I'm getting close to having the ADA tank ready. Just gotta do some finishing touches with the stand then stain and varnish!

I was originally intending to have the tank sit flush with the stand like with the ADA and Elos stands, but... I couldn't do the full frame doors with the way the stand was built with 2x4's. So I had to increase the size of the stand. I think it still looks pretty modern though.

Off to Savko to get some plumbing before they close. I'm hoping to have water in this tank soon.

 

[Western_reefer]

Sweet! Looking forward to it Dave!

I'm getting close to having the ADA tank ready. Just gotta do some finishing touches with the stand then stain and varnish!

I was originally intending to have the tank sit flush with the stand like with the ADA and Elos stands, but... I couldn't do the full frame doors with the way the stand was built with 2x4's. So I had to increase the size of the stand. I think it still looks pretty modern though.

Off to Savko to get some plumbing before they close. I'm hoping to have water in this tank soon.

Wow! It looks amazing already! I can't wait till its filled up!

 

[dainiusiva]

it's a shame that you couldn't do the doors flush to the tank.it looks great indeed.i am really looking forward to see how chilled food reactor turns out

 

[uhuru]

This was posted in the responsible reefkeeping forum but I wanted to share it here as well. Must see for NPS enthusiasts.

Arctic dendronephthya and crinoids!

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[Aquabacs]

Tank project is coming out good. Is the plan to have elos and this stand match by same paint theme? Will the planted tank be under the stand? That video is pretty sweet, it has been bookmarked

 

[uhuru]

No I thought about making them match but I think it would end up looking like I "tried and failed." I decided to paint this stand completely to hide all my imperfections Right now its all primed and tonight I'm going to paint it "twilight blue" which is kind a steel gray color I guess. Similar to the ADA stands but lighter. The elos tank will be moved right next to the ADA tank though and the planted tank will be across the adjacent wall, but still connected via a common sump. I will have a couch in the center so people can just sit down relax and look at the different life around them.

I thought the video was amazing. What temp do you think that water is? I notice the dendronephthya are really small too. I wonder if that has to do with slower metabolism or food availability. The crinoids looked like they ruled the place.

 

[Aquabacs]

My wife would kill me if I had 3 tanks going at the same time, connected or not She did say once the car is paid off, I could start my next tank project.

For what temperature the water is at...I am going with slightly over freezing but not much more. For the dendronephthya it could be a little of both but it is amazing how nature adapts itself. Didn't look like there was any effect of either with the crinoids. I would have loved to see more video or should I say continous video of an area, not just highlighted segments. The section with the crinoids, almost in a formation was pretty awesome.

 

[flying_dutchman]

Great video

I notice the dendronephthya are really small too. I wonder if that has to do with slower metabolism or food availability.

Willows in the tundra get only about 3'', my I guess this is comparable. Harsh conditions don't allow for much growth.

 

[uhuru]

If you think about dendronephthya that live amongst photosynthetic corals where temps avg 84-86 you have to wonder how different they are genetically too.

 

[uhuru]

So I've had this idea of combining mangroves and NPS corals/sponges/tunicates in the same tank, with the mangroves providing shade for the corals as well as "substrate" for the corals to attach to. TBH I thought it was totally unnatural but conceptually would work very well and could create a well balanced ecosystem. I found out that this actually does occur in nature and Matt Wandell posted some links in another forum with amazing photos. This is going to be the inspiration for my ADA tank:

More pics here:
http://blogs.panda.org/coral_triangle/2010...-of-raja-ampat/
http://www.naturalscenes.net/Sponges.htm

 

[DFason]

Dear lord. I'm going to be a copy cat...

Amazing! Mike I'll be shooting some photo's over this week I promise.

-Dave

 

[uhuru]

LOL... I had the same reaction Dave.

And yeah shoot over some photos! I really need to get something going soon!

One of my experiments will be attaching dendronephthya frags to mangrove roots

 

[flying_dutchman]

Some pictures in the links are absolutely stunning, every square inch is covered with life :eek1:
http://www.naturalscenes.net/Images/Indo2008/IN-Kkbn-UW-N019Er240608.jpg.htm

 

[DFason]

Mike - I know this is not much but I had to run to work quickly. I still need to drill and tap the holes for the dosing, exit and food injection but for the most part this gives you the idea of the size. The chilling part it connected to a piece of delrin that is part of the flange. This way cleaning is simple too. I may put something on the side for a drain too. The overall tube is only 4"

-Dave

 

[flying_dutchman]

how much volume does it hold?

 

[DFason]

8-10oz.

I think plenty for the food. You dont want to have to much volume. This way its very easy to stay chilled.

-Dave

 

[uhuru]

Yup that looks like the perfect size. Easy to keep cool, easy to clean, and the food stays concentrated. Looks great Dave more pics!