Kvosstra's 40 breeder SPS reef

[kvosstra]

As you may be able to tell from some of the earlier pictures to those in 2009 - During the January to April/May period, some of the algae in the tank really started to take over. This was partly due to the fact that I never managed it, but also due to the fact that the corals began to grow so much that I didnt have the ability to cleanly pull out all of the macro algae. Now, I am trying to pull out some of the algae every 2-3 weeks. However, I actually like the "natural" look that it provides, so its here to stay.

Pictures below are from August 2009.

 

[kvosstra]

In November of this past year, I only took a few shots....here they are.

I also added some new friends to my frag tank...

 

[kvosstra]

Finally....some current shots of the tank. Some of the corals have changed, as you will notice - A few were sold when I took down my 180 gallon aquarium, and many were fragged in the past 2-3 months. I would estimate that I have made 100 or so frags out of this tank - probably 15 each of the green stag (surf N' Turf), and the Raspberry prostrata, then a handful of each of the encrusting montis, and then a variety of zoanthids and other various corals - Enjoy!

 

[kvosstra]

4 more...

 

[justins13]

3 pics up is that a meteorshower cyphastrea? Looks awesome! LMK when you have a frag of that Raspberry mille and surf'n'turf..

 

[kvosstra]

3 pics up is that a meteorshower cyphastrea? Looks awesome! LMK when you have a frag of that Raspberry mille and surf'n'turf..

That is a meteor shower cyphastrea - its a pretty large colony - maybe 5-7" I cut it in 1/2 recently, maybe more, from my 180g tank...I'm keeping it in low light to get some of the color back, the ATI powermodule was too much light in my old tank, even on the bottom of the tank.

I'd bet that a few frags of my corals are already swimming around the bay area, so just be on the lookout for folks that have received frags from me in the past 2 years...probably will have a few available in the near future as well, but I tend not to frag very often these days...or, if you prefer, I have a strange feeling that some of them might show up for sale at Atlantis in the near future...

Best,
-Kyle

 

[WmTasker]

Very beautiful tank. I have not had a reef in years and a 40/50 breeder is going to be my next build when the wife says ok.

Couple question:

1. do you think a 4 bulb t5 light is enough or would it be better to have a 6 bulb?
2. can you desribe/ post pics of your sump/ filter area?

Thanks

 

[jbob]

i saw you posted that your light "was" a 4 bulb t5, is it still the same?

 

[kvosstra]

Yes.

The tank is lit by a 4 bulb TEK fixture - I use 2 blue+ and 2 aquablue special.

The sump is a standard 20 gallon tank. Its split in 3 parts, the two left parts are equal in size and the third part on the right is smaller.

Left is the tank drain line and the skimmer area. Between this area and the middle tank return, are 2 baffles, to help reduce microbubbles. The right section is a refugium, which is fed with my chiller.

The middle section contains two pumps, one for the return and one for the chiller. I keep the tank at 78 in winter and 80 in summer and so its often on during the summer.

The left section also includes two maxijets. One feeds the calcium reactor and the other feeds a media reactor. I run phosban 24/7 and carbon is run in a media bag in the center compartment.

Ill take some more pictures tomorrow and update.

Best,
-Kyle

 

[5h3rW1N]

very very nice 40 breeder btw what kind of skimmer do you use??

 

[kvosstra]

very very nice 40 breeder btw what kind of skimmer do you use??

Its actually run by a simple corallife super skimmer. I was going to upgrade to an eheim based ELOS skimmer - but, honestly, this one works pretty well, so why change.

 

[CamBarr]

i digg this tank

 

[veloboy]

Nice tank- been through quite a bit but looks great!

 

[BRISK495]

nice tank!

 

[kvosstra]

i digg this tank

Thanks Cam!

Nice tank- been through quite a bit but looks great!

I'm not sure if this is a dig or a compliment...but ill assume a compliment - so thanks!

nice tank!

Thanks BRISK -

Best,
-Kyle

 

[kvosstra]

Well - since my last actual update, Some factors in life have occurred, precipitating the need to sell all my aquariums. I previously sold my 180g sps reef in November and December, in anticipation that we might move...but the move has become more real, and my wife and I will be expecting our first child in less than 2 months.

So...I shipped a frag of all my corals to some friends in my new home town, as well as my picasso and black clowns. I also listed this tank for sale and have found a wonderful local buyer for all of my colonies. In addition, a few of my corals have found their way to one of the sponsors of this site, and you can purchase a frag of my Pink prostrata from Atlantis aquarium, if you are interested. I promise you wont be sorry...its a stunning piece!

So, this may be the last update before the tank is taken down - however, I have decided to keep the hardware, so i will update this thread in the future when the tank goes live once again. Hopefully in early July.

Some images
right side of the tank

Middle of the tank

Left side of the tank

Left detail

Teal lovelli

Sump

Sump Left

Sump Right

 

[WDLV]

Thought I'd drop in and see if I could jerk a 1000th post out of you.

I was Googling "40 breeder reef" and came upon yours. Very nice looking system! I'm looking to do a smaller reef than I've done in the past and was looking for a good example.... That and Petco has their annual $1 per gallon sale going on ATM.
I like yours because it has nice coral growth and very few fish. I'm only planning on adding a pair of clowns but we know how that goes. ;-D

What would you do differently if you were to redesign?

 

[newhobbybar]

I know he's already in redesign... lol
But to a bigger one, I think

 

[SlvrSurfRidr]

I'm good buddies with Kyle, have a few of his pieces in my 28g, but last I heard his rebuild was on hold (his last post to this thread was well over a year ago). He moved to the east coast, so hopefully he's still following this thread!

 

[SlvrSurfRidr]

Some more pics of the 40 breeder before it was broken down (just in case you wanna gawk some more :lolspin