Junior's Reef

Schwing!!!!

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Similar tank in a 150

Similar tank in a 150

Hey Gary,

Love the tank. I am looking to do something very similar, but start in a 150. It's the same dimensions as your tank, but 6" narrower. I already have the emporer, he's about 5.5" and 90% in adult coloration. In addition, I have a large ocellaris clown, that hosts in a pair of rbtas, a large yellow tang, and an ebli angel. Looking to add more tangs, wrasses, reef safe butterflies, and Chromis/anthias.

My lighting is not nearly as intense as yours- old school vho, but the rbtas love it. I would be looking to start with some med light corals, that the emp would not munch. Would you have any suggestions? I am planning to upgrade the lighting and the tank eventually. The other option would be to trade in the emp for a Navarachus or something similar.

In addition, I can't access the photobucket video, as I need a code. If you have nay more recent videos, please post.

Thanks for the help!
 
waterdrinker said:
Hey Gary,

Love the tank. I am looking to do something very similar, but start in a 150. It's the same dimensions as your tank, but 6" narrower. I already have the emporer, he's about 5.5" and 90% in adult coloration. In addition, I have a large ocellaris clown, that hosts in a pair of rbtas, a large yellow tang, and an ebli angel. Looking to add more tangs, wrasses, reef safe butterflies, and Chromis/anthias.

My lighting is not nearly as intense as yours- old school vho, but the rbtas love it. I would be looking to start with some med light corals, that the emp would not munch. Would you have any suggestions? I am planning to upgrade the lighting and the tank eventually. The other option would be to trade in the emp for a Navarachus or something similar.

In addition, I can't access the photobucket video, as I need a code. If you have nay more recent videos, please post.

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

Member since 08 and this is your 3rd post?
I cant think of a better thread to contribute to!

FWIW, there is a local reefer, (to me here in StL) who is actively raising and propagating some truly amazing SPS under VHO's.

I've been keeping angels for awhile and IMO/IME a well fed angel is less likely to snack on corals etc. Some will do it regardless, but between your Eibli and your Imperator angel, I'd personally be more worried about the Eibli deciding to snack on things than your Imperator. I've also seen Navarchus angels snack on LPS and other corals as well.

I would suggest ensuring your Imperator is very well fed prior to introducing any corals. Make sure its fed heavy for about 2-3 weeks prior to starting with corals, then I would suggest trying a relatively inexpensive LPS like a Frogspawn, a Hammer, or a Torch coral. They are hardy, can grow in lower light levels, and pretty easy to acquire if the angel gets the munchies...

Nick
 
Nick has good advice. I have little else to offer. My 220 is 24" wide and it's narrow. My buddy had an 18" wide 6 ft. long 150 so I know how much the narrowness can be a PITA. Good luck. Glad you like what I've done.

Thanks
 
Thanks Nick and Gary, much appreciated. I promise to post more when things are up an running. Nick, you have me puzzled... Who is the local sps vho guru? Would love to see some tank shots.

Now if you guys can just advise me on how to introduce new tangs to an existing yellow!

Thx
 
waterdrinker said:
Now if you guys can just advise me on how to introduce new tangs to an existing yellow!Thx
Click to expand...
tip: when researching this you must give more specific info (species, numbers etc.)
This aquarium thread isn't a good place to start research on multiple Tangs but I can share some general advice:
1)make sure your aquarium is large enough with plenty of hiding places
2)water flow helps to disperse fish aggression
3)smaller fish first, larger specimens last
4)QT and keep them well fed
5)Powder Blues, Achilles, Sohals and Clown Tangs are (in general) BULLIES. Add last with caution!
6)Please... no Naso Tangs. They need 500 gallons or more IMO. A Naso in a small aquarium looks really bad IMO.

I used to have a buddy that grew SPS under VHO's.
His Pavona was incredible. Acros not so good. LPS were fantastic.

Acan_July2012.jpg
 
waterdrinker said:
Thanks Nick and Gary, much appreciated. I promise to post more when things are up an running. Nick, you have me puzzled... Who is the local sps vho guru? Would love to see some tank shots.

Now if you guys can just advise me on how to introduce new tangs to an existing yellow!

Thx
Click to expand...

Are you in St Louis?

He actually uses it as a business. His display tank is a truly breath taking 125 filled with LPS and a gorgeous Powder Blue Tang. I've been to his house a few times and due to him propagating the SPS as a business, he requested that I not post pictures of his set up or "advertise" for lack of better term that he runs a business.

I can tell you this much about his set up, its remarkablly low tech, old undersized skimmer, decent flow, nothing but acros under vho's with home made reflectors. He gets great colors and great growth, so it definately can be done.

Regarding adding tangs.....Yellows are part of the Zebrasoma family. They can also get territorial to newcomers.

I've got a 120 gallon display that houses a 4.5 inch Regal Angel, a 4 inch Tomini Tang, a 3 inch Purple Tang, a mated pair of Rod's Onyx Percula clowns, and 3 inch Black Cap Basslet.

The way I got the two tangs in the tank was to add them simultaneously and I made sure the Tomini was the larger of the two by a decent margin.

Adding tangs of the same species is risky in all but a very large tank. I've seen two people who have been able to keep both a Powder Blue Tang and an Achilles Tang in the same tank. One was local and kept them in 450 gallon tank with several other tangs, (honestly too many for that tank IMO), and the other is Gary. He is the only person I've seen able to keep them both in a tank that small....and Gary's tank isnt small if you know what I mean.

Unless you're really attached to that yellow tang, I would trade it in on a smaller one and add a Ctenochaetus (bristletooth) tang that was larger at the same time. QT them both so you're not introducing diseases to your established tank. I chose the Tomini because they are the smallest of all the tangs, maxing out at 5 inches total. I also chose the purple because it is the smallest of the Zebrasoma tangs and maxes out at just under 9 inches, allthough I've personally never seen one that size in 26 years in the hobby. Doesnt mean they're not out there, I've just never seen them.

Mixing aggressive species like tangs or angels, I've found its best to introduce the most passive first, and move towards the most aggressive. The more aggressive/territorial fish, I strongly suggest selecting smaller specimens to avoid aggression.

Hope that helps you out some....

Nick
 
More info on Tank Reboot

More info on Tank Reboot

Hi Guys,

Thanks again for all of information. I guess I should probably give a quick bio, although I am not new to the hobby, going full blown reef would be a new endeavor for me. I have been keeping SW fish, off and on for about 15-20 years, with a heavy interest in the last 5 + catching up with modern techniques, etc.

Rick, I am in the St. Louis Area.

Gary since you had asked for more detail, here you go...

Tank Size- 150 gal -72 x 18 x 30 ( as discussed earlier, will most likely be upgraded to accomodate the size of the angel)

175 lbs LR
Euroreef skimmer
Current fuge will be removed, and replaced with a GFO and Biopellet reactor
VHO lighting ( will upgrade total wattage, possible add 4 5 ft t5s- I don't want to get into halides for heat reasons, and I'm waiting for LEDs to become more reasonable)

Current stock

5.5" Imperator
5.5" Yellow Tang- has been with me for 10 years, and 3 tanks, so I am attached to him
2.5" Ebli angel
3" Ocellaris
3.5" Green Coris ( will be traded in-has had a serious impact on my snail and crab population)

RBTAs x2
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Want to add-

Tangs- Pwdr Blue, Kole
(Gary, Unfortunately, I learned the hard way with a blond Naso. I completely agree that a 6ft tank is not large enough for an adult.)
Butterfly- Pyramid- not sure on #- 3 would be nice.
Wrasses- Not sure yet, but some of the flasher or fairy types, I love the tamarin/ Psych heads, but I think they have a fairly poor record of survival.

Shoaling fish ( I may choose Anthias, Chromis, or both, depending upon space)

Anthias- Lyretail - At least 3 ( 1 male/ 2 females)
Chromis- Blue green ( indo pacific)

Corals- Euphylillias, Yellow Leather, possibly monti caps, others that can handle the lighting, and the emporer.

Inverts- Improved CUC, Astreas, Nassarius, Hermits, etc.

Thanks again for the feedback,

Chris
 
Chris,
Glad to hear you're in the StL area. Have you checked out the SLASH and SEASL forums?
SLASH tends to be a more active group with regularly scheduled Pizza nights. The group meets at a LFS, then goes somewhere for Pizza/wings/something, and then ends up going to a local members house to view their tank....this also usually winds up being another excuse to fish nerd out, and drink beer.

Sadly, I dont get to go to many of them due to have three young daughters, (twin 2.5 year olds, and new 1 month old), and my work schedule makes it difficult for me to join in as well. I will say that the few I've been to are alot of fun and usually wind up being educational as well.

Regarding your plans for your tank...

I wouldnt dump the fuge in favor of Phosban & biopellets just yet.

I'm using both and added a fuge to my system as well. So far I've been running the bio pellet reactor for longer than 6 months, (cant remember exact date I started, I'd need to go check the log book) and havent seen it do much that helps. It hasnt hurt, but it doesnt seem to be doing much either.

Phosban on the other hand has been a big help. I would absolutely recommend getting one.

Check out Avast Marine’s You Build it kits….I’ve done two of them, The Kalk Reactor and the Bio Pellet reactor and I’m impressed with the products. Plus, they’re less expensive than the ones that are already built.

Check into some of the DIY LED kits that are out. For close to the same amount of money that a new T-5 setup will cost you, you can build an LED set up. Check out Rapid LED for an example. I know there are others, but I have no experience with DIY’ing an LED set up so I cant exactly point you in the right direction there.

I do have experience with both Radion’s and a single Kessil A350W and for the money, you cant beat the Kessil A350w. It easily replaces a single 250 MH IMO/IME. Don’t buy the gooseneck mount for it, I don’t feel its worth the money. Instead, buy the Radion Hanging kit which is a Grip Lock system. Just about the same cost, but infinitely easier to use and much more secure. You will actually need to turn the Kessil down when acclimating your corals to it.

I would keep the fuge if for no other reason, if it doesn’t work out, you can use the space as a frag area if the angels decide to munch on corals you like and want to propagate.

I would consider adding either the Kole Tang or the Powder Blue, but not both. I suspect that your tank would not comfortable house three tangs, even with a six foot length.

Be wary of adding both Anthias and Fairy wrasses as both are water column feeders and will be competing for the same source of food.

Hope all that helps out…..

Hopefully, I’ll be able to meet you in person one day when the kids get a little older and I and I can start going to the Pizza Night meetings again.

Nick
 
Gary, I'm surprised you're able to keep so many tangs in this tank. Do you think having it set up as a peninsula helps since the fish can swim on both sides making it feel twice as large?

Are there any particular factors you think allow you to have so many tangs get along? For example, hiding places, flow and food?

I would like to keep a powder blue tang (acanthurus leucosternon). The only other tang I've owned was a yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) which was a model tankmate in a lightly stocked tank. I'd love to keep both a powder blue and a yellow in my tank but doubt that will work. My tank is a 92 corner so my rockwork will probably make the tank feel much smaller.

You have a very impressive system. I'd like to know how you keep those tags happy, particularly the powder blue.
 
Gary uses a mixture of Thorazine and Waffles to sedate the Tangs into being passive, model citizens.

He is selfish and wont give up the correct ratio of Thorazine to Waffles....

He also wont tell what brand he of waffle he uses...I suspect Eggo though....

Nick
 
Capt_Cully said:
THE GIANT WAFFLES!!!!!And the chunk of butter the size of a car battery....My favorite picture from GMs house!
Click to expand...
:lmao:

BuffaloReef said:
Gary, I'm surprised you're able to keep so many tangs in this tank. Do you think having it set up as a peninsula helps since the fish can swim on both sides making it feel twice as large?

Are there any particular factors you think allow you to have so many tangs get along? For example, hiding places, flow and food?

I would like to keep a powder blue tang (acanthurus leucosternon). The only other tang I've owned was a yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) which was a model tankmate in a lightly stocked tank. I'd love to keep both a powder blue and a yellow in my tank but doubt that will work. My tank is a 92 corner so my rockwork will probably make the tank feel much smaller.

You have a very impressive system. I'd like to know how you keep those tags happy, particularly the powder blue.
Click to expand...
you're right on the money... the peninsula allows for a lot more swimming space and "swim through" hiding areas than a traditional one view side type aquarium. The rockwork and corals are critical. They allow the different species to evade one another. Water flow disperses aggression and I have a LOT of water flow. Feedings are also critical. I like "fat" fishes. I recently noticed when I backed off feedings one of the 3 YT's got beat up and stressed. I increased feedings and it recovered in a couple of days.

JMO but I would NOT attempt a Powder Blue AND a YT in a 92 corner. I'm not saying it can't be done but it can definitely present some challenges. One of the most heartbreaking things that can happen in a reef aquarium is a Crypto outbreak that wipes out your fish and Tangs are notoriously associated with ich.
 
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