Out of Africa (picture intensive)
- Thread starter kinlayan
- Start date
Easily one of the nicest tanks on here! Has this tank won tank of the month yet?!
And yes that queen angel is awesome, and have your triggers ever laid eggs? I am pretty sure they are demersal spawners. I'd imagine they would try to guard the eggs, but would have a hard time fighting off the rest of the crew...
That was a gem tang in the compartment right?
And yes that queen angel is awesome, and have your triggers ever laid eggs? I am pretty sure they are demersal spawners. I'd imagine they would try to guard the eggs, but would have a hard time fighting off the rest of the crew...
That was a gem tang in the compartment right?
kinlayan
New member
SaraB - thank you the Queen angel has been with me over a decade plus already was juvi when i got her so yes she is special 
Tcmfish- WoW, thank you so much for that amazing compliment , always a reef aquarium is a work in progress, but i am honored that you feel it is good as there are so many beautiful aquariums here
I havent seen eggs laid yet but the spawning event begins around dusk time an hour before the lights go out. Yes he was a tiny gem tang but he has grown a bit since his arrival.
Tcmfish- WoW, thank you so much for that amazing compliment , always a reef aquarium is a work in progress, but i am honored that you feel it is good as there are so many beautiful aquariums here
I havent seen eggs laid yet but the spawning event begins around dusk time an hour before the lights go out. Yes he was a tiny gem tang but he has grown a bit since his arrival.
Mangodude
The Clown Tang Keeper!
Great video!! :thumbsup:
That Vlamingii is huge and fat! What a lucky fish to be living in your tank!
It will be interesting to see if the triggers lay eggs... Perhaps they do but they get eaten during the night? Probably a dumb suggestion but thought I'd throw it out there.
Tank of the month for Nov. or Dec definately! You are a great inspiration!
That Vlamingii is huge and fat! What a lucky fish to be living in your tank!
It will be interesting to see if the triggers lay eggs... Perhaps they do but they get eaten during the night? Probably a dumb suggestion but thought I'd throw it out there.
Tank of the month for Nov. or Dec definately! You are a great inspiration!
Baldwin
New member
I agree with Tim, this SHOULD be tank of the month. Being a past FOWLR guy, I know that maintaining a tank with such large fish an be a challenge, the waste, possible aggression, disease. What you have accomplished is over the top keeping those beautiful coral in the same water. Nothing short of spectacular. Keep up the fantastic work!
kinlayan
New member
Baldwin - thank you for that, you are correct keeping fully grown fish with corals certainly is challenging, and i think is only possible for me due to the divisions of my aquarium- your compliments are much appreciated!-I have still been trying to locate some corals that i can integrate into the main section successfully- Gorgonians have not worked and Xenia worked for a few months until the angels acquired a taste for it- so far only Heliopora seems successful but i imagine Fire coral may also work if i can get some.
Prox - many thanks!
Prox - many thanks!
kinlayan
New member
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5162085609/" title="BANDIT 003 by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5162085609_50afed5de4.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="BANDIT 003" /></a>
I can certainly see why this fish can be a "heart breaker" every day it's personality just grows on me , it is so friendly and curious about it's enviroment , it is a shame they are so challenging
I can certainly see why this fish can be a "heart breaker" every day it's personality just grows on me , it is so friendly and curious about it's enviroment , it is a shame they are so challenging
GregsReef28
New member
The length of time you have kept most of your fish shows your true dedication to these animals. I truly admire you and this tank!!
kinlayan
New member
Gregsreef28 - thanks for that! much appreciated!
Sltloser- thank you- The Ats is undersized for my aquarium but it certainly helps keep nuisance algae at bay and since it is combined with skimming , i am not concerned that it isnt as big as it should be , i would like to upgrade it though to Led Grow lights which i may end up doing.The Ats is on a reverse cycle over the sump i had some macroalgae over sand bed there but nothing not chaeto or caulerpa seems to grow there anymore, i guess the scrubber is removing all the nutrients nearby.
Sltloser- thank you- The Ats is undersized for my aquarium but it certainly helps keep nuisance algae at bay and since it is combined with skimming , i am not concerned that it isnt as big as it should be , i would like to upgrade it though to Led Grow lights which i may end up doing.The Ats is on a reverse cycle over the sump i had some macroalgae over sand bed there but nothing not chaeto or caulerpa seems to grow there anymore, i guess the scrubber is removing all the nutrients nearby.
kinlayan
New member
Some new pics i managed to get today of some of my wet pets!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209133209/" title="achilles by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5209133209_c0258c9860.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="achilles" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209092783/" title="Vlamingi by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5209092783_8cce5bf618.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Vlamingi" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209091359/" title="majestic by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5209091359_d3640424dc.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="majestic" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209087393/" title="purple by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5209087393_82e53a6ecc.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="purple" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209086031/" title="regal angel by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5209086031_e2aea9ea67.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="regal angel" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209163735/" title="gem tang by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5209163735_15366fcee3.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="gem tang" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209083963/" title="bandit by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5209083963_7630d1433f.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="bandit" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209082995/" title="clown trigger and blueface by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5209082995_348745ae18.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="clown trigger and blueface" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209133209/" title="achilles by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5209133209_c0258c9860.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="achilles" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209092783/" title="Vlamingi by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5209092783_8cce5bf618.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Vlamingi" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209091359/" title="majestic by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5209091359_d3640424dc.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="majestic" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209087393/" title="purple by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5209087393_82e53a6ecc.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="purple" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209086031/" title="regal angel by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5209086031_e2aea9ea67.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="regal angel" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209163735/" title="gem tang by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5209163735_15366fcee3.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="gem tang" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209083963/" title="bandit by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5209083963_7630d1433f.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="bandit" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209082995/" title="clown trigger and blueface by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5209082995_348745ae18.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="clown trigger and blueface" /></a>
kinlayan
New member
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209681164/" title="blueface by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5209681164_10935cd5c6.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="blueface" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209679638/" title="bandit plus by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5209679638_8f28118a05.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="bandit plus" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209677812/" title="flame angel plus by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5209677812_fbf222df68.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="flame angel plus" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209676414/" title="queen plus by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5209676414_519ffed3ce.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="queen plus" /></a>
and last but not least look at what he does with some coral chip quite the fort builder
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209689230/" title="blue spotted jawfish by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5209689230_4c17afbf74.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="blue spotted jawfish" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209679638/" title="bandit plus by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5209679638_8f28118a05.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="bandit plus" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209677812/" title="flame angel plus by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5209677812_fbf222df68.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="flame angel plus" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209676414/" title="queen plus by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5209676414_519ffed3ce.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="queen plus" /></a>
and last but not least look at what he does with some coral chip quite the fort builder
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209689230/" title="blue spotted jawfish by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5209689230_4c17afbf74.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="blue spotted jawfish" /></a>
kinlayan
New member
And a shot of some assorted corals in my right compartment this is getting better and better i am far more experienced with fish than i am with corals so babysteps here
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209800712/" title="assorted corals by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5209800712_9e897453aa.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="assorted corals" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42085951@N06/5209800712/" title="assorted corals by Kinlayan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5209800712_9e897453aa.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="assorted corals" /></a>
Fishfish0001
New member
Awesome tank. Puts my Nano Cube to shame 
How do you keep all of your parameters up to snuff? Like Alk, Mag etc.
Could you post a feeding video sometime?
How do you keep all of your parameters up to snuff? Like Alk, Mag etc.
Could you post a feeding video sometime?
kinlayan
New member
Fishfish0001- thank you !
I use a Calcium reactor - aquamedic for 5000 litres and a Kalk stirrer, also on occasion i dose Randy's recipe for Magnesium (chloride and sulphate mixed) and Alkalinity( sodium bicarbonate-baked to sodium carbonate)
Sure feeding is a frenzy will do video of it!
I use a Calcium reactor - aquamedic for 5000 litres and a Kalk stirrer, also on occasion i dose Randy's recipe for Magnesium (chloride and sulphate mixed) and Alkalinity( sodium bicarbonate-baked to sodium carbonate)
Sure feeding is a frenzy will do video of it!
tfp
Active member
kinlayan...you've got one incredible ECOSYSTEM going there! looks comparable to a public aquarium display with you as the curator 
.
just wanted to say i've read your entire thread this morning and am thankful for dedicated people like yourself that are truly passionate about the stewardship of your animals.
sorry to read about your flame angels passing earlier this year
.
that story about your Gem tang wandering into the tough neighborhood was priceless! it was so easy to visualize what that poor guy went thru but glad he found his way back home.
happy holidays and all the best!
tim
.just wanted to say i've read your entire thread this morning and am thankful for dedicated people like yourself that are truly passionate about the stewardship of your animals.
sorry to read about your flame angels passing earlier this year
.that story about your Gem tang wandering into the tough neighborhood was priceless! it was so easy to visualize what that poor guy went thru but glad he found his way back home
.happy holidays and all the best!
tim
kinlayan
New member
tfp -Thank you for taking the time to read the thread! - alot of work goes into maintaining an large aquarium for years on end and it means a great deal when people acknowledge that maintaining a captive ecosystem is a often a challenging endeavour.
I hope i can continue to bring you entertaining stories for many more years! Thank you again for the great compliments
I hope i can continue to bring you entertaining stories for many more years! Thank you again for the great compliments
kinlayan
New member
It is time for an update and in line with John Copps’ Totm and his section on disaster avoidance in the hobby, I thought it appropriate to share my December experience.
The new aquarium has been running for just over 2 years now, every December I go away around Christmas/ New year usually to the coastal village of Plettenberg bay about 6 hours drive from Cape Town. This means that someone has to look after and feed the aquarium while I am gone, my wonderful parents are my usual choice for this and so I divided up the appropriate foods and gave simple instructions on feeding and testing Ph etc and adding buffer.
It was Christmas eve and I had arrived in Plettenberg bay at around 4pm and was having dinner, with My girlfriend and her family. At 10:00 pm , my alarm system for the aquarium went off and it being a sensaphone ( cant tell you how many times it has saved my aquarium) it called me and told me the electricity was off.
The Electricity going off shouldn’t have been too much of a problem, my house has been prepared for this since our Nuclear Reactor in the region started giving problems causing widespread blackouts in 2008 , this led me to install a 50kw generator which is automated to kick in when the electricity goes out.
I called home to find that the electricity was not a black out and that something was causing the power failure only to the aquarium. My first thought was an appliance like a pump was the problem as it was night and the lights were off on their timers.
The electric board showed the one plug circuit and the main switch and Earth leakage were down, attempts to raise them made them trip again. It was decided to call out an emergency Electrician (not cheap as it is Christmas eve ;( )
The electrician arrived at midnight on Christmas eve, he was unable to find the fault , my tank equipment room is like the space station 50 or so plugs and little space to move , somehow he managed to while looking for the fault burn out my 3 phase pump which up until then was working. I realized I was not going to have a holiday with the stress of this happening to my beloved fish and corals. At 3am I drove back to Cape Town a 6 hour drive after nearly 48 hours of no sleep, when I arrived installed a spare pump and called another electrician to help with the 3 phase wiring, by 1 pm Christmas day it was installed and ready . I was exhausted went to eat and sleep as I had been up for over 48 hours and was a wreck, I briefly went in to check that no leaks were around the spare pump I installed and as I did this the power tripped again. I called out the Electrician again on Christmas day and this time I said lets go through each and every plug while doing this we found a small mark on the one plug face .After opening the plug we found the cause – a wire from the original installation had been nicked and some copper was exposed through the insulation, this over the past 2 years had with heat and humidity allowed the electricity to arc to the metal back plate of the plug causing the electrical short.
At the end of the day it was an expensive and frustrating event but no fish or coral died and the aquarium remained stable and I finally got sleep after not sleeping for over 48 hours and driving for 12 of those had my holiday cut short by 2 days though.
Disaster avoidance is important in all setups big or small, it doesn’t always alleviate the stress as things will fail on Aquariums from time to time , one just has to hope , you can catch it in time.
I will post pics soon of my new corals I introduced to the middle section namely Millepora/Fire coral and some Montipora species all is good and none are being hammered by my large angelfish , triggers or Cowfish, so I am holding thumbs that these corals will survive in that section
The new aquarium has been running for just over 2 years now, every December I go away around Christmas/ New year usually to the coastal village of Plettenberg bay about 6 hours drive from Cape Town. This means that someone has to look after and feed the aquarium while I am gone, my wonderful parents are my usual choice for this and so I divided up the appropriate foods and gave simple instructions on feeding and testing Ph etc and adding buffer.
It was Christmas eve and I had arrived in Plettenberg bay at around 4pm and was having dinner, with My girlfriend and her family. At 10:00 pm , my alarm system for the aquarium went off and it being a sensaphone ( cant tell you how many times it has saved my aquarium) it called me and told me the electricity was off.
The Electricity going off shouldn’t have been too much of a problem, my house has been prepared for this since our Nuclear Reactor in the region started giving problems causing widespread blackouts in 2008 , this led me to install a 50kw generator which is automated to kick in when the electricity goes out.
I called home to find that the electricity was not a black out and that something was causing the power failure only to the aquarium. My first thought was an appliance like a pump was the problem as it was night and the lights were off on their timers.
The electric board showed the one plug circuit and the main switch and Earth leakage were down, attempts to raise them made them trip again. It was decided to call out an emergency Electrician (not cheap as it is Christmas eve ;( )
The electrician arrived at midnight on Christmas eve, he was unable to find the fault , my tank equipment room is like the space station 50 or so plugs and little space to move , somehow he managed to while looking for the fault burn out my 3 phase pump which up until then was working. I realized I was not going to have a holiday with the stress of this happening to my beloved fish and corals. At 3am I drove back to Cape Town a 6 hour drive after nearly 48 hours of no sleep, when I arrived installed a spare pump and called another electrician to help with the 3 phase wiring, by 1 pm Christmas day it was installed and ready . I was exhausted went to eat and sleep as I had been up for over 48 hours and was a wreck, I briefly went in to check that no leaks were around the spare pump I installed and as I did this the power tripped again. I called out the Electrician again on Christmas day and this time I said lets go through each and every plug while doing this we found a small mark on the one plug face .After opening the plug we found the cause – a wire from the original installation had been nicked and some copper was exposed through the insulation, this over the past 2 years had with heat and humidity allowed the electricity to arc to the metal back plate of the plug causing the electrical short.
At the end of the day it was an expensive and frustrating event but no fish or coral died and the aquarium remained stable and I finally got sleep after not sleeping for over 48 hours and driving for 12 of those had my holiday cut short by 2 days though.
Disaster avoidance is important in all setups big or small, it doesn’t always alleviate the stress as things will fail on Aquariums from time to time , one just has to hope , you can catch it in time.
I will post pics soon of my new corals I introduced to the middle section namely Millepora/Fire coral and some Montipora species all is good and none are being hammered by my large angelfish , triggers or Cowfish, so I am holding thumbs that these corals will survive in that section
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