Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=13397102#post13397102

 

[bubbletip2]

Re: Top Down Shots

Re: Top Down Shots

Awesome Pics Marc! I need one of those photo boxes. Top downs are stellar:thumbsup:

These three are my favorites:

and this "superman" milli

Acropora plana (aka Crayola)

[/B][/QUOTE]

Great framing

 

[bubbletip2]

I split the thread! Tell him Johnny what he's won. LOL! Congratulations Marc on your 82nd split:lol:

 

[bleedingthought]

Some nice corals there, Marc.

 

[spleen93]

Dang, I was one post shy of the split! :lol:

 

[IridescentLily]

As usual, beautiful reef inhabitants and pictures Marc. I feel weird posting to you as "Marc" or even "Melev". I feel like I should call you Mr. Levenson. *is intimidated*
But anyway I did want to post how wonderful looking it all is. Thanks again.

 

[melev]

Now look what you did, Jim. Thanks a lot - now I have a new split on my hands. I'll see about creating a recap for the masses this evening.

 

[Hop]

Wow another split:thumbsup:

 

[raen]

Is it really 82 splits?????????????????? Way to freaking go!

 

[melev]

September 21, 2008 - Day 1511

September 21, 2008 - Day 1511

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12929534#post12929534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
So here we go:

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages…. It is my pleasure to introduce to you tonight…

A build thread beyond your wildest dreams, with more splits than any mortal man can count. So old… that I had to travel back in time through the ReefCentral archives just to find out where all the madness began. So large… the Internet can barely contain it.

Weighing in at an impressive 280 gallons with a filtration system that requires a day pass and a tour guide. Hailing out of a wall in a living room in Ft. Worth Texas...

The heavyweight, most comprehensive, most impressive, longest running, build thread champion of the world…

:bounce2: :celeb2: :celeb3: Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread :celeb3: :celeb2: :bounce2:

Where it all began:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=406083&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Most recent page:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1410901&perpage=25&pagenumber=12

Everything Melev:
http://www.melevsreef.com

Thanks TJ. Welcome to Split #14, somewhere around Page #667. But who's counting, right?

Here's my tank as of 8/28/08:

<I>A little about my tank</I>

<b>Tank & Sump</b>
280g Starfire glass reef-ready aquarium by InterAmerican
150g acrylic sump built myself
My reef has been up for just over 4 years - Reefday was 8/02/2004
Picture on Birthday: http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0804/full_080504.jpg
Picture a few days later: http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0804/280g.jpg
After two weeks (8/16/04): http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0804/280g_081604.jpg
And after 4 years time, here's the most recent batch of top down images: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13394066#post13394066

<b>Filtration:</b>
Euro-reef CS 12-2 skimmer running around the clock
Three cups of carbon in a Phosban Reactor, changed weekly
Automatic top off, refilled every three days (15g)
29g refugium full of macro and a few mangroves
Calcium Reactor using a pH controller
The tank has a DSB (deep sand bed), and probably 300+ lbs of LR
I dose Vodka daily, and have been for the past 10 weeks. The reason: to drop Nitrate and Phosphate levels, and it is working.

<b>Feeding:</b>
I feed nightly a mixture of foods. Home made food when it is made, or a small block of Mini Mysis and a smaller chunk of frozen Cyclop-eeze.
Every couple of days, I'll put in half a sheet of Nori on a clip, and all the fish try to get some including my wrasses and clowns.

<b>Lighting:</b>
VHOs (all actinic) are on 11 hours a day (11am to 10pm)
MHs are on 6 hours each, with the first coming on at 1pm and the last turning off at 9:30pm.

<b>Testing:</b>
I test everything once a month, but I watch my controller for temp & pH throughout the day and night whenever I pass by. I'll test specifics as needed, like alkalinity & phosphate, multiple times a month.

<b>Flow:</b>
Three VorTech pumps
Little Giant Return pump

<b>Cooling & Heat:</b>
I keep the fishroom 75F through the warmer months, which keeps the tank at 79 - 81F daily.
In the winter months, heaters keep the tank warm enough, shutting off at 79.5F. During the daytime, I crack open the door to the cold garage area to keep the room cool and allow any trapped heat from the lighting to exit.

<b>Maintenance:</b>
Clean the glass every few days
Clean the skimmer cup daily, or every couple of days at most.
That's about it. The rest is watching for any signs of issues or distress, extracting predators, keeping things blown off every few days, and making sure all the equipment is functioning as it should.

<b>Parameters for today:</b>
pH - 8.28
Temp - 80.6F
Salinity - 1.025 sg
ORP - 328
Phosphate - 0
Nitrate - 15ppm
Alkalinity - 9 dKH
Calcium - 470ppm
Magnesium - 1300ppm (and I dosed 2000ml of Magnesium to bring it up to 1400 again)

<b>Miscellaneous:</b>
Also incorporated into this system is my 4g Pico that houses several suncorals, as well as my 20g angled tank (documented here)

Now you are all caught up.

 

[Ed Reef]

Congrats' Marc on yes another split

 

[Mykel Obvious]

Hey Marc,
I was surfin' for info on Diploastrea and of course Google lead me to Melev's Reef

I saw this shot from '06 as was wondering if you still have this piece and what were your thoughts on this coral in general... I found an interesting color morph on line and I'm thinking about adding it to my LPS collection

Thanks as always, and congrats on yet another split :lol:

 

[Kentanner11]

wow Marc cant post!

 

[melev]

I had that coral for a long time, but lost it gradually. It was such a pretty piece, which I picked up from Extreme Corals. I nicknamed it "nipples" If you can get one, go for it. Was the one you wanted brown or green? Both are very pretty corals.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13399267#post13399267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kentanner11
wow Marc cant post!

Yep, it happens to all of us. :lol:

 

[Ed Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13399276#post13399276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I nicknamed it "nipples"

I can see why

 

[Mykel Obvious]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13399276#post13399276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I had that coral for a long time, but lost it gradually. It was such a pretty piece, which I picked up from Extreme Corals. I nicknamed it "nipples" If you can get one, go for it. Was the one you wanted brown or green? Both are very pretty corals.

mmmmm nipples :drool: :lol:

The polyps on the one I found are light green with purple mouths... this is the only Diploastrea I've seen online so far, and I was intrigued by it both as an unusual coral and as a color morph I seem to have a liking for (my Platygyra is also green with purple oral disks) , so I will most likely be ordering it this week if the coral budget holds up to my ordering a VorTech MP40w

Thanks for the info, and sorry you lost yours... it was a very nice piece

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13397215#post13397215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IridescentLily
As usual, beautiful reef inhabitants and pictures Marc. I feel weird posting to you as "Marc" or even "Melev". I feel like I should call you Mr. Levenson. *is intimidated*
But anyway I did want to post how wonderful looking it all is. Thanks again.

Darnit Marc, what have I told you about intimidating all of the pretty girls?

Now stop that already!

 

[Tswifty]

Re: September 21, 2008 - Day 1511

Re: September 21, 2008 - Day 1511

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13398348#post13398348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Thanks TJ. Welcome to Split #14, somewhere around Page #667. But who's counting, right?

Haha... I forgot all about that. :lol:

Congrats on the split Marc. :thumbsup:

 

[iCon31]

Very nice tank Marc!
Mark are you going to Reefapalooza this comming sept here in OC?