introducing my 870gal tank (pics ahead)

[gofor100]

Hey Ralf,

I see in the Advanced Aquarist article that you used to use the original Balling method, but then found that it wasn't working on your tank in the long-term.

What exactly is your regimen now (what are you dosing or running in any reactors)?

I'm currently setting up my own "Little Reef" and love to pick the brains of guys that have had long-term success like you.

Thanks,

Chad

 

[ksed]

Congrats Ralf

Such stunning tank.

Kevin

 

[RalfP]

Bumski,
thank you very much, love them 2 .

Chad,
I am only adding:
NaHCO3 for KH
CaCl2*2H2O for Ca
MgCl2*6H2O for Mg
(The above soluted in RO/DI water and dosed with dosing pumps)
NO trace elements for half a year now.
20%net waterchanges a week with TM-Classic

Kevin,
thank you so much!

 

[gofor100]

Bumski,
thank you very much, love them 2 .

Chad,
I am only adding:
NaHCO3 for KH
CaCl2*2H2O for Ca
MgCl2*6H2O for Mg
(The above soluted in RO/DI water and dosed with dosing pumps)
NO trace elements for half a year now.
20%net waterchanges a week with TM-Classic

Kevin,
thank you so much!

Perfect! Your tank goes to show that with great husbandry, you can dose the basic elements (no magic potions) and still have awesome results!

How do you suppose you are able to keep your phosphates and nitrates down (a common issue for many aquarists)?

Thanks for sharing,

Chad

 

[EpicWin]

Just discovered this thread... this is teh tank of my dreams =-)
good job!

 

[DC110770]

WoW!!!!!

This has just taken my breath away!:beer:

 

[Crazyfingerz]

This IS THE BEST that i've seen thus far.

 

[RalfP]

Perfect! Your tank goes to show that with great husbandry, you can dose the basic elements (no magic potions) and still have awesome results!

How do you suppose you are able to keep your phosphates and nitrates down (a common issue for many aquarists)?

Thanks for sharing,

Chad

I started lots of years ago. The positive change, starting to keep SPS etc. happened when I first read the book from Fossa and Nielsen decades ago.
Their doctrine was to reduce the amount of fishes in the tank to a very minimum, so you nearly don't have to feed at all.
I am still somewhat bound to that, so I am keeping only so many fish, that NO3 and PO4 does not rise.
What you don't put in doesn't have to be taken out afterwards .

The coral are taking what they can get, growing heavily.
Of course a good skimmer, lots of high quality living rock, rinsing of food etc. also reduces.
Trying not to have NO3 producers like w/d filter balls, old filter media etc. also helps.
Maybe it also helps, having lot of water movement and a filter sack that removes debris from the display.

Thanks again for your kind words,
Ralf

 

[RalfP]

EpicWin,

DC110770,

Crazyfingerz,

thank you SO much!

 

[Fishnthecorner]

He's at it again...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200695068415#ht_500wt_1413

 

[RalfP]

Thanks again,
let's see if ebay takes other action now (last time they just asked him to take it away).
I don't like being forced to take legal actions...
Ralf

 

[Elliott]

you know Ralf, though wrong, stealing your photo is the highest form of flattery

 

[gofor100]

I started lots of years ago. The positive change, starting to keep SPS etc. happened when I first read the book from Fossa and Nielsen decades ago.
Their doctrine was to reduce the amount of fishes in the tank to a very minimum, so you nearly don't have to feed at all.
I am still somewhat bound to that, so I am keeping only so many fish, that NO3 and PO4 does not rise.
What you don't put in doesn't have to be taken out afterwards .

The coral are taking what they can get, growing heavily.
Of course a good skimmer, lots of high quality living rock, rinsing of food etc. also reduces.
Trying not to have NO3 producers like w/d filter balls, old filter media etc. also helps.
Maybe it also helps, having lot of water movement and a filter sack that removes debris from the display.

Thanks again for your kind words,
Ralf

Thanks so much Ralf for taking the time to respond. Great insight on how your tank is so successful!

Thanks,

Chad

 

[RalfP]

Elliott,
you're right ;-).
Maybe I am just a little *issed, because there is a so called "tank builder", that is running around in germany, having printed catalogs with my tank on 3 pages.
They state, that they did the tank and are doing the weekly work with it.

I received more than one email from different people, telling I am a liar, letting the pros do the work for me.

I am hunting that one now ;-), the second date at the court (with a second issue) was quite amusing, the judge was totally on my side...
If they use my pictures again, I can build a second tank from the money I'll get out of this.

Best,
Ralf

 

[Fishnthecorner]

If they use my pictures again, I can build a second tank from the money I'll get out of this.

Best,
Ralf

"LIKE" :bounce1:

 

[Frode]

My new tank is gonna be 8 times smaller. If I can make it look just 8 times less good then yours, I would still be very happy.

Man, das ist wunderschon!

 

[sea witch1]

Beautiful tank....thank you for sharing

 

[RalfP]

Hi, wasn't around for some time.
Thank you very much for your kind words!

 

[felker14]

Amazing! Do you use a Profilux or some sort of aquarium controller?
Best regards

 

[RalfP]

I am using an oooold IKS-Aquastar with sms-feature.
It only acts as a timer clock for the chemical hose pumps and level probe to refill evaporated water.
pH and temp. are monitored; sms are sent, if values are out of spec. or power is lost.

Thanks for asking,
Ralf