michael_cb_125
New member
Hello everyone!
For the last several months I have been back and forth with regards to my new system. I started out with an ADA 18 gallon rimless with Deltec MCE600. While I liked that tank, I was not thrilled with the overall appearance of the system. My girlfriend (Megan) is an Interior Designer and she did not approve of the look either. So I got rid of that tank and ordered an Elos Mini. I have purchased an Elos Mini in the past (Megan's Current Tank) and have been very impressed with the system. (I have also owned an Elso 70). So my new Mini arrived, and has been aquascaped and sitting in LIMBO for the last few months. I used fancy Spiny Branch rock to scape the tank, and Ino-Black sand. I have actually achieved exactly what I had in my mind with regards to the rock layout. I have never had another rock structure that I was more happy with.
Now for some system specs:
Tank: Elos Mini Pool (20 gallons)
Stand: Elos Cube (Wenge Door)
Sump: Elos Sump (Mod)
Skimmer: Currently Elos NS100. I will be obtaining the new Small Cone from Victor@ ATB for testing, as soon as it is available.
Pumps: Skimmer (eheim compact) Return (eheim compact)
Circulation: EchoTech Marine Vortech MP10
Lighting: Ambient
Sand: 20# Indo-Black
Rock: 10# Spiny Branch
My overall plan for this tank has changed numerous times, but I have finally went back to my original scheme.
DEEPWATER
I am trying to recreate a deep reef arch. I have seen these so many times and to me they are stunningly beautiful. So..... I designed my rock scape to mimic this area of the reef. I have an arch built, and a rocky offset to keep the structure from having an inorganic feel. In my opinion the structure has a very natural appearance to it.
I plan on adjusting the water flow of the tank to mimic a current swept deep reef. One side of the structure (the side with the rocky offset) will have very swift currents, and will be the area in which I will keep Gorgonians and Soft corals. The current will then sweep to the opposite side of the tank and carry food to the LPS corals that require less water movement. I think that the layout of the rock will allow for this current pattern to be achieved easily.
Since this system is meant to replicate a deep reef ecosystem, I will not be using any intense lighting. Currently I am not utilizing any lighting fixture. I plan for the system to remain like this for a while. I may possibly hang the new AI LED fixture over the tank later in the year, simply to get the blue spectrum that I am missing currently. I do not want very intense lighting for several reasons.
- this is a deep reef recreation
- I will be feeding A LOT, and less light=less algae
My stocking list will be very straight forward. I LOVE Tubastreas. I plan on housing several different color variations of the Tubastrea faulkneri (yellow, pink, orange) as well as the black Tubastrea micracantha. I plan on keeping at least three different color variations of Rhizotrochus typus and several Dendrophyllia and Balanophyllia. All of these corals will inhabit the right side of the tank which will have moderate water flow.
The more current swept side of the tank will be dominated by Gorgonians and various Dendronephthya corals.
The sand bed will house a few different color morphs of Tube Anemones.
Overall I think that the tank will look very natural, and I am very excited about it.
~Michael
For the last several months I have been back and forth with regards to my new system. I started out with an ADA 18 gallon rimless with Deltec MCE600. While I liked that tank, I was not thrilled with the overall appearance of the system. My girlfriend (Megan) is an Interior Designer and she did not approve of the look either. So I got rid of that tank and ordered an Elos Mini. I have purchased an Elos Mini in the past (Megan's Current Tank) and have been very impressed with the system. (I have also owned an Elso 70). So my new Mini arrived, and has been aquascaped and sitting in LIMBO for the last few months. I used fancy Spiny Branch rock to scape the tank, and Ino-Black sand. I have actually achieved exactly what I had in my mind with regards to the rock layout. I have never had another rock structure that I was more happy with.
Now for some system specs:
Tank: Elos Mini Pool (20 gallons)
Stand: Elos Cube (Wenge Door)
Sump: Elos Sump (Mod)
Skimmer: Currently Elos NS100. I will be obtaining the new Small Cone from Victor@ ATB for testing, as soon as it is available.
Pumps: Skimmer (eheim compact) Return (eheim compact)
Circulation: EchoTech Marine Vortech MP10
Lighting: Ambient
Sand: 20# Indo-Black
Rock: 10# Spiny Branch
My overall plan for this tank has changed numerous times, but I have finally went back to my original scheme.
DEEPWATER
I am trying to recreate a deep reef arch. I have seen these so many times and to me they are stunningly beautiful. So..... I designed my rock scape to mimic this area of the reef. I have an arch built, and a rocky offset to keep the structure from having an inorganic feel. In my opinion the structure has a very natural appearance to it.
I plan on adjusting the water flow of the tank to mimic a current swept deep reef. One side of the structure (the side with the rocky offset) will have very swift currents, and will be the area in which I will keep Gorgonians and Soft corals. The current will then sweep to the opposite side of the tank and carry food to the LPS corals that require less water movement. I think that the layout of the rock will allow for this current pattern to be achieved easily.
Since this system is meant to replicate a deep reef ecosystem, I will not be using any intense lighting. Currently I am not utilizing any lighting fixture. I plan for the system to remain like this for a while. I may possibly hang the new AI LED fixture over the tank later in the year, simply to get the blue spectrum that I am missing currently. I do not want very intense lighting for several reasons.
- this is a deep reef recreation
- I will be feeding A LOT, and less light=less algae
My stocking list will be very straight forward. I LOVE Tubastreas. I plan on housing several different color variations of the Tubastrea faulkneri (yellow, pink, orange) as well as the black Tubastrea micracantha. I plan on keeping at least three different color variations of Rhizotrochus typus and several Dendrophyllia and Balanophyllia. All of these corals will inhabit the right side of the tank which will have moderate water flow.
The more current swept side of the tank will be dominated by Gorgonians and various Dendronephthya corals.
The sand bed will house a few different color morphs of Tube Anemones.
Overall I think that the tank will look very natural, and I am very excited about it.
~Michael
