introducing my 870gal tank (pics ahead)

[RalfP]

Is this where you purchased your tank???
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360-gallon-...ultDomain_0&hash=item2eba1e533b#ht_500wt_1413

Thank you very much, no it is not!

The picture was made by myself and was stolen by the ebay advertiser.

The tank is made of glass (not acrylic as on ebay) by "Geis Aquarien",
Mr. Geis was the craftsman, who glued it in its final position.
This is his website: http://www.aquariengeis.de/vorortverklebungen-1.html showing also my tank.

Let's see what ebay says to this.
Thanks again,
Ralf

 

[Fishnthecorner]

OK, thanks. I'm looking to purchase a large tank... (but I'm in the states)
I'm pretty sure eBay does not allow stolen pictures. If you report it, they will remove the ad..
P.S. Your tank is my wife and I's personnel, absolute, all-time favorite!!!

 

[zaheda]

Hi, do you think that the big waterchanges help with the overall health of the tank. I personally believe in waterchanges but do about 5% per week on my 110 gallon reef tank. Many would go months without changes and they believe to have more stable systems.

 

[doork]

Tank

Tank

I can't believe I haven't looked at this thread before! Geez, this is amazing. I love the coral selection

 

[Chimone]

Absolutely amazing!

 

[RalfP]

Thank you so much for your kind words,
reading this pushes my dedication even more, than I am willing to admit. ;-)

@zaheda,
I think that increasing to a netto waterchange up to 10% a week shifts a usual SPS-containing
tank to a better shape, cleaner look, less brown coral tissue, better colors etc..
I tested it with this tank, no trace elements anymore and slowly over months
increasing waterchange volume until it didn't become better anymore.

Compared to other "beauty increase" methods, increasing waterchanges is imho a
relatively simple, save and reliable method. Comparing the amount of $$$ that is paid for
different enhancing methods, waterchange seems to be on the cheap size.

Best,
Ralf

 

[cdivine]

Inspirational Tank!

You mentioned that you change out your live rock every year. And got rid of the macro algae for this live rock. I would think that it wouldn't degrade in your system over time, but I guess not. Do you feel like the live rock collects nutrients over time and then releases them back in the tank?

I'm upgrading from my 90 gallon to a 220 gallon and would like to use the same rock, but I'm starting to reconsider...

 

[cdivine]

Inspirational Tank!

You mentioned that you change out your live rock every year. And got rid of the macro algae for this live rock. I would think that it wouldn't degrade in your system over time, but I guess not. Do you feel like the live rock collects nutrients over time and then releases them back in the tank?

I'm upgrading from my 90 gallon to a 220 gallon and would like to use the same rock, but I'm starting to reconsider...

 

[RalfP]

Hi cdivine,

thanks you very much.

I do not change my complete LR every year, only that in the filtersump's "clearwater" chamber. Prior to keeping the LR in the sump partition, I kept Macro algae for nutrient export there.
The idea behind this is to bring in new bacteria etc. to keep up bacteria diversity.
The nutrient export is not done with the stones, but the coral, growing in the display.
So I needed no more Macro algae in the sump.

Best regards,
Ralf

 

[cdivine]

Hey Ralf,
What is the turnover rate of your system through your sump?
thanks,
Chris

 

[Bello]

(I'm just in awe!!!!)

That green acropora colony is just phenomenal..... love the multibar angels too

 

[RalfP]

Hi Chris,
I don't know exactly.
I am using a Red Dragon pump with 14 m3/h.
A valve takes some of the water to the clearwater chamber of the sump.
I guess, that maybe 1/3 is used this way, so 2/3, thats about 9-10m3/h is flowing into the tank.
Maybe the value has to be further reduced, if the given 14m3 was measured with no height difference.
So maybe it''s 2.5 - 3 times the tank content per hour?

Best,
Ralf

 

[RalfP]

Bello,
thank you very much.
Yes, I couldn't resist these angels.
Best,
Ralf

 

[cdivine]

Thanks, I have been reading about less turnover rate vs. the old 10x philosophy and was just wondering where yours is at.

Next question is when you say "clearwater" chamber of the sump. Is this the same as a refugium? I know about a regular berlin style sump and refugium, but not a clearwater chamber area.

Thanks

 

[cdivine]

Thanks, I have been reading about less turnover rate vs. the old 10x philosophy and was just wondering where yours is at.

Next question is when you say "clearwater" chamber of the sump. Is this the same as a refugium? I know about a regular berlin style sump and refugium, but not a clearwater chamber area.

Thanks

 

[JerseyClowns]

Wow!

 

[derdudeberlin]

Hello Ralf,

You did some fantastic work with your tank, it's a great inspiration for me. By the way, did you show your tank in a german forum like "meerwasserforum"? If so, would you mind, giving me a link?

Cheers to Hamburg from Berlin via the Atlantic ;-)

Arne

 

[BHD]

Hi Ralf,
Thanks for sharing your tank with us.
How many fishes do you have in your tank now??

 

[RalfP]

Chris,
maybe "clearwater" it the wrong name, I translated word-by-word what it's called in Germany.
The Filtersump is only half filled with tech., the other half is usually free (filled with clear (filtered) water) and nothing else.
I like this kind of shallow but large footprint sumps because the water (if return pump stops) doesn't raise so quickly.
In the past I kept algae there, now, with already having low nutrients, I am keeping only some LR in there.

Thanks for asking,
Ralf

 

[RalfP]

Thank you very much, JerseyClown ;-).

Arne,
thank you so much, in "Meerwasserforum" I keep posting some pictures from time to time in a mixed pictures thread, but no discussion or anything like this thread.
I am feeling a little sad about it, but posting more intense descriptions usually resulted in 50% of pm/posting blaming me for putting that much money into a "hobby".
"It's stupid easy if you throw so much money on it, you idiot %&"%$&%$" is located somewhere in the middle if sorted by friendliness.
In other countries this is < 1% and people are more interested in how I did it, not what keeps them from doing it.

BHD,
thank you for viewing and thinking about it!
This is the fish list:
Siganus magnificus (Magnificent foxface)
Chelmon rostratus (Copperband butterflyfish)
Acanthurus pyroferus (Chocolate Tang)
Acanthurus leucosternon (Powderblue Tang)
Ctenochaetus tominiensis (Tomini Bristletooth Tang)
1,1 Pseudocheilinus hexataenia (Sixline wrasse)
1,1 Macropharyngodon bipartitus
1,9 Mirolabrichthys dispar
1,1 Paracentropyge multifasciata
1 Pygoplites diacanthus
17 Zoramia leptacantha

Best regards,
Ralf