Ian's 400 Gallon Marriage Test

[Anim8me2]

I finally made a frame to hang my lights. I got a great deal on GHL Mitras units at Macna so I replaced the t5/Vega combo.
The frame is made from 80/20 aluminum and I re-purposed the Vega hanging kits along with the Mitras hanging kits.

Once I clean up all the writing I will take some better pics.

 

[Anim8me2]

A couple of shots from feeding time.

 

[hobbzz]

I love the selection of fish, we have very similar taste. Whats the feeding apparatus in the pics?

 

[bubblewood]

How do like you carbon doser electronic co2 reg?

 

[Anim8me2]

I love the selection of fish, we have very similar taste. Whats the feeding apparatus in the pics?

That is the feeder you get from Rogger's Reef Food. I alternate between Roggers and Reef Frenzy. My fish go crazy over both.

It certainly beats the major investment of hundreds of dollars for most reef lighting.

I got the Macna deal and I have to say I love them!

How do like you carbon doser electronic co2 reg?

It is rock solid. Totally beats my first regulator.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I finally made a frame to hang my lights. I got a great deal on GHL Mitras units at Macna so I replaced the t5/Vega combo.
The frame is made from 80/20 aluminum and I re-purposed the Vega hanging kits along with the Mitras hanging kits.

Once I clean up all the writing I will take some better pics.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

That light rack looks good. The lights do too.

 

[glxtrix]

Looking good sir....looking good!

 

[E36328i]

If you want to get rid of those mantis shrimps just add a Harlequin Tusk... Won't bother the corals and will decimate pest shrimp.

 

[blackthunda77]

Ian,

Tank is looking good. How are those red tail spot cardinals doing? I tried a trio of those a couple years ago but they didnt last too long.

 

[Anim8me2]

Will the harlequin eat crabs as well?

My tail spot shoal is holding at eight strong. They are eating well and are very active.

 

[OrionN]

My Harlequin Tusk did not eat crab or shrimp (other than newly added shrimp that lasted 5 second) He did not bother my cleander shrimp or coral banded shrimp. He ate all my small snails. Wipe them out in a few weeks.

 

[Anim8me2]

Yeah, I'll pass. My mystery wrasse is supposed to be a mantis eater so as he gets bigger the mantis should go away. Now if someone has a better solution to the gorilla crab problem I am all ears"¦ and yes, I know about the glass/jar trick.

 

[E36328i]

My Australian Harlequin hunted out shrimp and crabs from my rock... Tore up a bunch of gorilla crabs and decimated all the peppermint shrimp that were in the tank for aiptasia removal. And we all know how well those guys hide.

Funny thing, my Harlequin had such a propensity for hunting he would catch moths attracted to the lights and eat them by lunging out of the water at them. Guess mine was just an alpha predator?

 

[OrionN]

Tusk is a impressive fish for a large tank, but you got to add them last in a tank with a lot of small fish, I am sure some of the small fish will end up as food.
There few fish more impressive than a 7-8 inches Tusk. I added mine last and have no problem with him eatting my Mandarin, Yellow tail Damsels, Clowns, Orchid Dottyback or Royal Gramma

 

[anbosu]

A zebra eel or snowflake eel would take care of the crab/mantis problem, I believe. The snowflake may eat some fish down the road, though....

 

[baxinabox]

Ian,

your tank is stunning! pictures don't do this tank justice.
are the crabs bugging your tank that much?

 

[Anim8me2]

I have found the crabs picking at my sps and the Mantis don't even bother with them.
I would love to be able to get rid of them and get some acro crabs and clown gobies but when I did try adding the acro crabs they disappeared overnight, despite me placing them directly in my colonies.

 

[Anim8me2]

New sump courtesy of American Aquariums.
Insane price.

 

[mpsti05]

You sir have an awesome setup!