Large Tank Problems

[reefnewbie54321]

I myself have enevr had a reef tank bigger then 120 but I was wondering if the larger tanks have more nuisance critter problems? With the huge amount of Live Rock you guys use Its nearly impossible not to contaminate your tank with Majano's, Flatworms, Nudibranches, Isopods ect. I was just curious if your tanks do have outbreaks of these critters and if so what do you do? What about on the public aqaurium level? Do you just let them run wild becuase of the large volume?

 

[jetaero]

You can add their natural predators to the aquarium, which will limit their levels and eat them. Melanarus wrasse are a very useful tool.

 

[matty0h_52]

Re: Large Tank Problems

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7415953#post7415953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefnewbie54321
I myself have enevr had a reef tank bigger then 120 but I was wondering if the larger tanks have more nuisance critter problems? With the huge amount of Live Rock you guys use Its nearly impossible not to contaminate your tank with Majano's, Flatworms, Nudibranches, Isopods ect. I was just curious if your tanks do have outbreaks of these critters and if so what do you do? What about on the public aqaurium level? Do you just let them run wild becuase of the large volume?

I Had a issue with aptasia for a while But like jetaero said add there natural pred. And thats what i did...added some Bergiha and bam 3.5 months later there under controll. Oh and i have a 210g w/ close to 180lbs of LR. I know its low for my size tank but i like the opean look.

 

[cyclebrkr]

I just started with all baserock, it eliminates the pest problem,but it takes longer to get established.

 

[Justjoe]

30,000 pounds of quarried limestone and 10,000 pounds of live rock (cured offsite prior to going into the tank).

Manjano's are a problem, I tackled a lot of them with injections of muriatic acid, and let a racoon butterfly keep them in check. I still need to zap some that the butterfly can't reach, or doesn't view as important to get rid of.

Aiptasia were greatly reduced with a spotfin butterfly, then it had to be removed due to wandering appetite, but the copperband keeps them in check.

Both of the above could have easily over taken the tank, especially with the amount of food/ cyclops that is fed to the tank, so no you just can't let it take its course.

Even though its a big tank, its still only four walls and a bottom. No matter how big, they're still just drops of water compared to the big picture.
Joe

 

[reefnewbie54321]

Your tank is amazing! I recently purchased Ultimate Marine Aquariums to get a little inside info on the tank and hope to come see it in person one day.

Was limestone used because of budget constraints or because of nuisance stuff it could bring in? Do you feel you are missing out on "natural" filtration via liverock (not saying theres not a lot but 75% of it is limestone)? Also why was Limestone chosen?, I remember hearing something about dried corals being used as a source of lime but I'm not sure.

Sorry for the bombardment of questions ... its not everyday you get to talk to the owner of a 20,000 gallon tank though.

Thanks,
Tony