Liopropoma Paradise.......... Finally

[michael_cb_125]

Well I have been talking about it, and thinking and planning. I have changed my mind about 30 times over the last few months. Well, I made the decision late last week to go ahead and setup my Rimless ADA Tank.

My plan for this tank is to create a deep reef scene. Lighting levels will be low, and the primary corals will be NPS. Coral species will consist of the following: Tubastrea, Balanophyllia, Dendrophyllia, Duncanopsammia, Gorgonia, Acalycigorgia, Rhizotrochus along with various others.

As the title of the thread suggests the fish species present will be Lios.

Tank Specs:

ADA Cube Garden 60-P
Skimmer: Deltec MCE600
Lighting: Aqua Medic Sun Beam 24"
Circulation: MP10 Vortech
DA Reef Keeper Lite (for light automation and heater control)
Jager Heater.

I am currently planning on running the tank bare bottom. I chose the Deltec skimmer as I did not want an in tank simmer in this small of a tank, and IMO most of the other HOB skimmers are cheaply made and are not capable of 1/3 of the tank size they are rated for. Since this tank will be full of corals that require very frequent feedings, I wanted a skimmer that is capable of keeping up with the nutrient load. The Deltec is capable of a normally stocked 190 gallon aquarium according to Deltec.


Well here are a few pictures. The skimmer should arrive this thursday from Marine Depot.

 

[michael_cb_125]

 

[nate82]

nice start can't wait to see all those corals in there

 

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks.

I plan on having it filled with water by the end of the week.

I am starting to get very excited about this little tank.

~Michael

 

[myreefcentral]

the aquascaping is nice and "zen" like...i had a similar aquascape when i was using a 20H tank too...made my own "rimless" tank out of a 20H AGA...a lot cheaper than the ADA without the nice clean, smooth edges...

keep posting new pics & updates...

 

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks everyone.

I may add one other arching branch to join the two sides together, but I am not sure.

When it comes to aquascaping and Live Rock I am a firm believer in less=More.

~Michael

 

[stunreefer]

Dude... I'm jealous

This will be awesome Michael, congrats! :thumbsup:

FWIW, I think your aquascape looks perfect as is!

 

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks alot Austin, it mean alot to hear it from you. He with an AGE Rimless, jealous of my little ADA.

~Michael

 

[michael_cb_125]

Well, the anxiousness is really starting to kick in. I cannot wait to get this tank up and cycling.

Hopefully everything goes smoothly

I will be sure to keep posted.

~Michael

 

[HomeSlizzice]

This is gonna be SWEET michael!

 

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks HomeSlizzice!

I am very excited. The corals will be a major part of this setup, but the fish that I have planned will be the real eye candy.

~Michael

 

[reeferoo]

Am I correct in understanding most NPS corals like lower flow?
Also, are you planning on any fish? I find fish make it tricky to feed some of the bigger polyped (sp?) NPS corals (like sun corals

I think the skimmer was a great choice with all the feeding you will be doing.

Have you ever seen Melev's sun coral tank? It's much smaller, but seems to have a similar idea.

 

[michael_cb_125]

The only fish that will be housed in the tank are Liopropoma Basslets.

I am planning on adding possibly four of the smaller species.


~Michael

 

[rhoptowit]

if you could get 4 atlantic candy basslets in there that would be awesome.

 

[DSR]

that tank is really nice looking. Curious about the benefits of barebottom. Why do people do that? I really like the look of it.

 

[kevantheman35]

great start, how many gal?

 

[michael_cb_125]

As of right now the fish selection will be as follows:

Liopropoma carmabi

Liopropoma multilineatum

Liopropoma mowbrayi

If I am able to obtain a pair of Liopropoma carmabi, then I may designate this tank specifically for them, and add no other fish. If I am not able to find a pair, then I will go with the list posted above, and I may attempt to add a fourth species, but I am already getting maxed out. I will just have to see how everything acclimates.

The tank is 20 gallons and will be ran barebottom. After running my Elos BB, I have been hooked on this method of reefkeeping. I am able to syphon out any left over food, detritus, waste or any other substance that would otherwise decay in a tank full of sand. Another advantage to having a BB is the ability to have a very high water turnover rate, without having to worry about shifting sands. The primary disadvantage to this method is the fact that you are limited to what fish and invertebrates you are able to maintain.

~Michael

 

[michael_cb_125]

Well, I just got finished installing my new Deltec on the tank. All I can say is wow!

THis is one of the best made skimmers that I have seen, and by far the best HOB.

It is definitely a BEAST. It should have no issues at all on a 20 gallon reef

~Michael

 

[reeferoo]

Can't wait for the skimmer sludge shot once you have your tank fully stocked and are feeding lots to your NPS corals!

 

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15210442#post15210442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reeferoo
Am I correct in understanding most NPS corals like lower flow?

100% depends on the type of NPS coral you're reffering to. Generally speaking most do not need as high a flow rate as Acropora species.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15215975#post15215975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michael_cb_125
THis is one of the best made skimmers that I have seen, and by far the best HOB.

Awesome news Michael! I have a buddy setting up a smaller tank and he's been researching HOB skimmers... the only way I could point him was towards the new ATB HOB, but now I'll have him look into this :thumbsup: