cold water reef pics

[CrazyLionfish]

That tank is absoultly amazing!!!! All those fish are INCREDIBLE!!!! Keep up the good work and pictures

I'm so amazed because I had never seen or heard of the fish you have in your tank, until I saw you post the pics of your boxfish a lil while back!

 

[Worldwithin]

I go diving all the time in Monterey Bay and see Strawberry Anenomies all over the place. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they like strong current because I see them inside the bay on the backside of rocks that are out of the current. Maybe it is just the nutrient rich water, but there are places of limited current that are all over.

I took this picture along the wharf way inside the bay.

I am sure that it would be possible to collect some of these on a rock or something without too much of an issue if you were looking for some colder water ones...

:fish1::hammer:

 

[steveweast]

Ahhhh yes, there are a bunch there....the problem is California's collection restrictions. Oregon and Washington allow collection anywhere as long as you're not in a reserve. California is a no no everywhere. I contacted the collector for Monteray Bay and Long Beach aquariums and he said he could get me a truck load....as long as I had a scientific or research permit....or a public aquarium permit....oh well, the hunt continues.

 

[Worldwithin]

I find that interesting because having lived in CA for most of my life, and diving in Monterey for the past 10 years, I have never heard that about the waters out here. Now I know about collecting within the reserves and such, but all waters??

Very interesting.

:fish1::hammer:

 

[steveweast]

I'm only going on what I was told....if you folks know different, I'm south bound with my dive gear!!! Maybe I should check again....because those strawberry anemones are very plentiful down there. Maybe it's just a collector protecting his turf.

 

[Apparition]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6223756#post6223756 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
It will include an update on the 850....but, it looks very different these days. There are two canyons and an island.....and a much more open aquascape with MUCH less rock and fewer corals. I dislike a tight, crowded look which is what is was becoming.

Excellent. I can't wait to see the new pics of the 850 either. For some reason I didn't think it would look the same. As much as I loved it, I get the feeling that you can always find a way to improve things. Really looking forward to these updates.

 

[JackRent]

What is the web-site for Rarefish ?

 

[alten78]

spectacular tanks

 

[sradmin]

Incredible. One of the most unique tanks I've seen.

 

[fakename]

You probably already know everything on this page, but just to add to the thread.....
Here's a link to a page with local (BC and Washington) marine life. Some of these would look amazing in a tank!
http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/kerryw/creature/creature.htm
Not my page by the way....just one I enjoy visiting

 

[Shooter9er]

looking great Steve! Don't be surprised if I start camping out on your doorstep with my lawn chair again. I can't wait to see it!

Kyle

 

[Biggie]

This has to be one of the coolest (no pun intended) tanks Ive ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

 

[kysmith]

Are those rocks porous at all? It looks as though they are not, which makes me think they're probably not alive. What do you think Steve?

 

[Worldwithin]

It looks like the rocks he has are typical granite rocks found along most West Coast reefs. Porous or not, that does not detract that they are indeed living. The biomass on / in the rock will be less than that of a typical coral reef, but there is still enough surface area for bacteria, corraline, and other critters to live on. I would assume that the bulk of his nitrifing bacteria would be in the filter, or sand bed.

:fish1::hammer:

 

[steveweast]

Yes, the rocks are very dense....but, they provide a natural look for the environment that I'm replicating. Nitrifying baterial are on all available surfaces within the system....in my case that would include the sand, the rocks, the tank walls, the foam blocks in the sump (to control micro bubbles), the bioballs in the sump (to control salt creep), all the piping, etc. I can see nitrate reduction possibly being a problem....but so far, between the skimmer and frequent water changes, this hasn't been a problem yet.

 

[pch90265]

Hey Steve,

The tank looks AWESOME! I visited James in his shop back in June, and he mentioned that you were working on this project. It came up when I mentioned how much I enjoy diving the Channel Islands... he almost had me convinced to take the plunge with you, but with my recent move to Colorado I was pretty skeptical about livestock availability.

I looked into collecting strawberries myself when I lived in LA -- you are correct, you have to have a collection permit AND be outside of both state and federal marine sanctuary boundaries. That still leaves lots of shore diving options off of Malibu, San Pedro, Palos Verdes, etc, but left me short one collection permit.

There is an elementary school in Malibu that specializes in Marine Science -- Point Dume E/S, I believe -- and they have (or at least had 24+ mo ago) a Catalina Goby/Corynactis sp. tank. You might check with them to see who collects for them. You might also contact Long Beach Aquarium directly to see if they have any "surplus" from their displays.

Good luck with this system!!! Please keep posting on your progress, this is truly an under-appreciated area of reef husbandry, and one that holds fascinating posibilities for sustainable local aquaculture here in the US . . .

Best regards,
Sean

 

[AcroSteve]

Very unique and good looking.

What was your inspiration? Did you do the local collecting?

How rare is this cold water club? They sure do not get much exposure.

 

[Lordhelmet]

Any more pictures?

 

[Rendos]

As always, Steve, I love your tanks. Attention to detail and selection of inhabitants make your tanks great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[wjhuie]

Steve is the shizznit