New reef tank from Vietnam

S

sunrise1982

New member
hello all,

I am from Vietnam. I think I am the first one who introduce reef tank in this forum. I think I am just a beginner in this hobby although I have experienced about 10 years in this hobby. I have learnt a lot technique from you, guys. And I applied successfullly some of those techniques to my reef tank. However, since the lack of important equipments in Vietnam, I can not go further in this hobby. I hope everybody can give me advices as many as possible to improve my skill. Thank you very much. And welcome any comment.
This is my gallery

http://img407.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img2541e.jpg

This is my video clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXEDuDqdBnI
 
This is definitely the first tank from Vietnam I've seen. Congratulations. I don't know how good you are with building things yourself, but you may want to visit the Do It Yourself forum. There are ways to build just about anything we buy. Best of luck. It looks like you're definitely off to a good start. Keep posting your progress and let us know if there's anything we can help out with.
 
thanks all of you. Whenever I see beautiful reef tanks in this forum, I think I need to learn more.

I have a question about how to keep essential chemicals in balance in the tank since I can only use natural seawater for changing water.

Thanks all.
 
Yeah, chemicals are probably going to be tough. If you're only going to grow soft corals, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If you want to grow anything with a stony skeleton, though, you're going to need to supplement calcium and alkalinity. I think the easiest thing for you to get your hands on is pickling lime. This article will explain how you can use limewater as a calcium and alkalinity supplement:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

Otherwise, there really aren't any chemicals you'd really have to supplement. Most trace elements can be easily replenished with regular water changes.
 
What part of the sea you are getting natural seawater from? I think there are quite a few natural reef places along the shore? so your water should be nearly matched for reefing purpose?
 
to sunsetSPS: I buy natural seawater from saltwaterfish shops. So, I am not sure that the sea water is from natural reef places or not. However, everytime I buy, I usually test salinity and get around 1.021-1.022. So, I increase the salinity to 1.024 by using sea salt before each water change. As I said, we do not have good sea salt products. So, I only use available sea salts in hand.
 
probably your LFS just got NSW from the most convenient places near by like beaches. I guess rainy place like VN could have low salinity; have you tried not to adjust/raising the salinity? you can train your corals to live with low salinity or your corals may already be used to live in the low salinity.

Can you share with us your setup and maintaining?
 
Which city are you in? My uncle has a reef tank in Vietnam (Qui Non), and he only uses unbuffered natural sea water collected from the ocean. It's really easy for him since he lives next to the ocean.

It's odd that he even keeps a reef tank since there are wild corals growing blocks away from his house. :) He laughs when I tell him how much I pay for my frags and clams. :D
 
thank you all of you for sharing nice ideas.

To sunsetSPS: you are right...the sallinity in the sea is very low...sometimes I got the sea water's salinity about 1.020..I bought all my corals from saltwaterfish shops and sometimes tested their sea water around 1.021 or lower...IMO, maybe these corals get used to living in low salinity. I got a plan to visit seashores and observe the living environment of corals for better understarding.

To chris4869: I live in Saigon...I also have some friends in Qui Nhon...I don't know how your uncle's reef tank look like....but I guess it is very beautifull because he can collect many coral's species easily....my dream is to have a coral collection for my tank....hehehehe....I currently have about 40 species and around 60 individuals in my 40 gallon tank....

To Fish_wiz2: most of my corals are collected from Nha Trang, Ca Na....all these places are in the middle provinces of Vietnam...so, that is why you see some similar corals when you are diving at Nha Trang....So, are you vietnamese or just a visitor who travel to Nha Trang?
 
I am Viet my friend, went to visit back in '06, where i went on a diving trip at Nha trang (have family nearby). really sucks that the fishkeeping world there is not like here. you guys have so much access and reefs but yet tank technology just don't compare to what we have access to. still wish you luck man and great selection of corals!
 
Quan, I have to say your English is really good. :thumbsup: We have a newly renovated beach house in Qui Nhon, but unfortunately I never saw my uncle's tank or dive in the wild reef in person when I visited. Stupid, stupid, stupid me! :D I spent most of my vacation time in Saigon instead. I like Saigon better. :lol:

My uncle likes my Vortech MP40W powerhead a lot, and he wants me to buy him 2 for his tank too. I'd given him my old reef equipments when he's back in the USA, and he takes them back for his aquarium.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704266#post14704266 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chris4869
Quan, I have to say your English is really good. :thumbsup:
I agree, very impressive my good man ;)
:D I spent most of my vacation time in Saigon instead. I like Saigon better.
Say no more! Good food, nice attractions, fishing, and traffic. what else? :lol:
My uncle likes my Vortech MP40W powerhead a lot, and he wants me to buy him 2 for his tank too. I'd given him my old reef equipments when he's back in the USA, and he takes them back for his aquarium.
That's cool of you man, wish i have relatives there that reef.
Click to expand...

Hey chris, you viet too man?
 
Last edited:
Quan,

If you can not get salt mix then boost salinity by using natural seawater for top off until the salinity reaches the desired levels. You can also store some water change water and let it evaporate some before you use it to maintain a higher salinity level. I wouldn't worry about additives as the NSW is fine.

The tank looks great at this time. :thumbsup:
 
Tom, that's a great idea. It's freaking hot over there so I guess 5-10 minutes shoud be enough to evaporate the water down closer to sea water. :lol:

Keep up the good work Quan. You should be teaching us how to reef. :) You only have limited equipments and resources to work with, and you manage to keep a tank like that, so you definately have skills.
:beer:

Fish_wiz2, I'm Viet too. Where are you located, bro?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14705036#post14705036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chris4869
You definately have skills.
:beer:
No doubt, Quan you bring back the good days when advance equipment was a joke

Fish_wiz2, I'm Viet too. Where are you located, bro?
Chicago man, how about you?
Click to expand...
 
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