dtum's Pragmatic Reef - 180 Gallons of Adventure

[dtum]

How was the agressionn with the tangs and in which order did you add them?
Did you add them at night or just stright in? Any quaretine beforehand?

I'd like to add a yellow and powder blue.

Aggression amongst the tangs is quite decent. Blue and yellow were introduced as babies about 2 years ago (in a different tank) and they get along just fine. Kole tang was added next and he was greeted well. Sailfin was next - this one had a bit of struggle the first day or so but then settled in nicely. Most trouble I had was with Powder Blue. I have tried adding at least 3 of them (those are the ones that made it through quarantine) - they all died. This one is being bullied by yellow tang but seems to be holding on just yet. Time will tell.

I sometimes quarantine my fish and sometimes I roll the dice. I do have ich in my system already, so I pretty much have to worry about other things.

 

[dtum]

Tank looks great, coloring up nicely. I see you have added the Maxspect Gyre, how do you like them so far and in what mode are you using them?

Thanks, I really like the Gyre - it is a very low profile, superb flow and they are very quiet at 40% (and I don't think I need more). You would need 2 of them on a 6 footer in my opinion. So highly recommended so far, we'll see if the maintenance will be a headache.

 

[dtum]

Very nice tank. The tank and stand are so polished and sleek. I love your scape and the look of your lights on your corals.

Where do you purchase your corals and fish from?

Sarah

Thanks, I use a few local shops here. PM me for more details if you'd like.

 

[StevieK]

Don't worry about the powder blue, he will be the boss before long.

 

[ESJ]

Sorry to hear about your Copperband. Hows your Powder Blue doing? Still hanging in there?

 

[dtum]

Sorry to hear about your Copperband. Hows your Powder Blue doing? Still hanging in there?

So far he is still hanging in there. Other tangs do harass him a bit, but I feed a lot to make sure everyone is not hungry.

 

[dtum]

Here's a 10 month update.

Added flame angel and royal gramma. Powder blue is still hanging on. Corals are growing and coloring up nicely.

Hope that you will enjoy.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/F8sGraKU-20" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[d2mini]

I know this was a tank transfer/upgrade but for 10 months everything looks fantastic.
It's really filling in nicely.

What's that giant green sps in the back left corner near Anemone Island?

And that is one FAT WRASSE! :lol:

 

[StevieK]

Had an opportunity to see the tank in person. The video and pics don't do it justice.

Great tank!

 

[dtum]

What's that giant green sps in the back left corner near Anemone Island?

Some green acro that is quite a fast grower.

 

[dtum]

11 month update is near and I hope to be able to shoot it. There are quite a few changes: I did rescape the middle of the tank a bit making more space for SPS. But most importantly I had to replace my sump and the new one is so so much better.

Here's a quick shot - I've stirred up the sand a bit because the sand bed was getting too brown.

IMG_4424

 

[urbaneks]

D,
Things are looking great! Lots of great growth and coral. The new sump looks good as well. Congrats on the success up to this point.

 

[teebone110]

Incredible tank, I am also impressed with your fish selection

Any additional pics of your updated sump.. What light are you using for the frag area?

I read that you have implemented an auto water changing system, can you explain how its working out and what gear you are using?

One last question
Are you still using Kalk and I assume you are dosing too?

 

[dtum]

As promised, here's 11 month video update. Enjoy.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RZJl88YM2DY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[dtum]

Incredible tank, I am also impressed with your fish selection

Any additional pics of your updated sump.. What light are you using for the frag area?

I read that you have implemented an auto water changing system, can you explain how its working out and what gear you are using?

One last question
Are you still using Kalk and I assume you are dosing too?

Thank you for your kind words.

I've just posted a video that features the new sump, I will also be doing more photos and videos of it once I get the new frag system fully setup. The new frag space is being lit by two Radion Pros setup with wide angle lenses. I don't think there's a better option for a frag rack down there given the space and heat constraints.

I'm still using Kalk and am dosing about 160ml of ESV B-Ionic daily. Am contemplating on having a Calcium Reactor but again, there's just not enough space down there.

 

[teebone110]

Great video, fancy sump! Primo does awesome work, I think your going to be happy with it.

I also wanted to ask if you are running an auto water change system with a litermiter III? I thought I read somewhere that you implemented this within this system. If so, how how do you like it and many gallons do you change per day?

 

[reefjunkie86]

Everything looks amazing. It's always nice to see a nice reef tank from Canada.

 

[dtum]

Here's another video update - Pragmatic Reef at 13 months.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WolmyAMLbvw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

As of this time the reef no longer looks like what you will see in that video. So soak it in and prepare for another update at month 14.

 

[Mark]

Beautiful. How is the fan noise on the Sunpower? I'd love to try this fixture, but I need my reef to be virtually silent.

 

[dtum]

Beautiful. How is the fan noise on the Sunpower? I'd love to try this fixture, but I need my reef to be virtually silent.

I would say that it is not silent. I am quite particular about noise as well, but I don't think that it is the worst offender in my tank. I only notice it at 9 pm when it shuts off, then I do feel the difference. But overall - it does not bug me.