WOW, just finished reading this entire post, 2 hrs. well spent!! Beautiful display tank and excellent information throughout this entire thread. I just purchased my 24g nano cube last week as this is my 1st experience reefing, I'm oh so very tempted to convert my 180 freshwater!!! Anyone wanna adopt my Frontosa colony :>) I look forward to more pics!
Pictures - 800 gallon reef - 7+ years in operation
- Thread starter hcrk
- Start date
OH MY GOD!!!...
3hrs after beginning, I am finally at the end, and all I can say is that this is truly one of the most beautiful aquariums I have ever seen, and needs to be put up alongside tanks like david saxbys (3500gal total, 1,200gal viewable) whos tank may be vast, but I feel does not do as good a job, of looking like a true slice of ocean.
Kudos to you, and I wait for more with baited breath...
Chaio
3hrs after beginning, I am finally at the end, and all I can say is that this is truly one of the most beautiful aquariums I have ever seen, and needs to be put up alongside tanks like david saxbys (3500gal total, 1,200gal viewable) whos tank may be vast, but I feel does not do as good a job, of looking like a true slice of ocean.
Kudos to you, and I wait for more with baited breath...
Chaio
I feel sure he must have his own site, these are the only ones I know of:
http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/photos/readerphotos/davidsaxby.htm
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=151
Unfortunatly neither of them show his equipment setup in any great detail, the tank is features in a book called "ultimate marine aquariums" also....If anybody else has any links to pics I would love to have them.
http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/photos/readerphotos/davidsaxby.htm
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=151
Unfortunatly neither of them show his equipment setup in any great detail, the tank is features in a book called "ultimate marine aquariums" also....If anybody else has any links to pics I would love to have them.
Scuba Oz
New member
:thumbsup:
hcrk
I just read this whole thread and I would like to say that this is the best looking setup i have ever seen. Not only the tank but the beautiful woodwork, the craftmanship I am seeing, the attention to detail. You have created a beautiful sceen. Thanks for sharing this with us here on RC.
hcrk
I just read this whole thread and I would like to say that this is the best looking setup i have ever seen. Not only the tank but the beautiful woodwork, the craftmanship I am seeing, the attention to detail. You have created a beautiful sceen. Thanks for sharing this with us here on RC.
hubblebubble
New member
Well all i have to say is AWESOME. thanks for posting the pics!
...........
First of all, I should to apolgise to all for my lengthy absence. Although I keep planning to devote some time to this thread, ongoing business. professional and family responsibilies have severely limited my "free time".
In any case:
It is on my "list" however and sooner or later I expect to create a refugium - likely in the first part of my sump.
All that I can say on the issue of "overskinning" is that it seems to work well for me.
Finally, I certainly believe that larger volumes of water increase satbility are are therefore desirable.
Although I did not regularly take pictures of my reefs, I may have the odd picture somewhere. I will post any pictures that I find.
I occasionally add calcium chloride and buffer; and that's about it in terms of additives.
I am quite reluctant to use additives as I really don't know:
(a) what is truly necessary and in what proportions;
(b) what is missing;
(c) how quickly substances are actually being depleted;
Furthermore:
(d) I do not think it wise to rely on the directions contained on packaging; and,
(e) I believe that the dangers of "overdosing" are, at least as great as "underdosing".
More seriously, although I am not a structural engineer, I expect that the vast majority of floors would not be able to support this sort of weight.
Far simpler to bring the bookcase, sofas etc down and create a comfortable environment in the basement.
For example:
Have added some new fish;
One of my favorite fish (the watanabi) suddenly "disappeared" (we almost never find the bodies given the size of the aquarium and the fact that the scavengers are rather efficient);
Rearranged some of the rockwork;
Lost a couple of my corals and added a couple of new ones.
To my way of thinking, the thing to remember on the issue of losses, is that a reef aquarium is a dynamic habitat where, precisely as is the case in the ocean, nothing is static and where things evolve and change over time. Briefly, I see gradual change and periodic losses as simply being "nature at work".
Thanks again to all for your many compliments.
.....................
First of all, I should to apolgise to all for my lengthy absence. Although I keep planning to devote some time to this thread, ongoing business. professional and family responsibilies have severely limited my "free time".
In any case:
I have often thought of incorporating a refugium. I believe that it would likely be a beneficial addition. However, for one reason or another, I never incorporated a refugium into my set-up. Basically, I attribute this to the fact that my reef seems to be working well and I never saw a refugium as being a "pressing" requirement.mmgm said:
It is on my "list" however and sooner or later I expect to create a refugium - likely in the first part of my sump.
All that I can say on the issue of "overskinning" is that it seems to work well for me.
Finally, I certainly believe that larger volumes of water increase satbility are are therefore desirable.
Yes, I keep fish in one of my garden ponds. I have approximately 20 Japanese Koy some of whom have been in one of my ponds for about 15 years. I also have a school of golden Orfe.fredl said:
I'm really pleased that some readers have derived "ideas" from this thread as that is the main reason that has motivated my participation. Also, I intend to keep posting as long as there is interest in my aquariums.Lev said:
In my experience, virtually all angels (other than genicanthus) eventually bother corals. Early on, I tried several types of angels including flame angels, potters, flamebacks ... and although some were well behaved for extended periods of time, with time, they all eventaually began to nip at corals. Now, again, I should like to emphasize that I am referring to my personal experiences and that I am understand that some aquariests have apparently had better luck with their angels.sixxer said:Hcrk,
One question for you! I have looked at your photos and have noticed that the only Angel you have in your tank is a Swallowtail(I believe that is what it is), is this correct? And if so, is there a reason you eliminated Angels from your livestock equation?
Thanks
(Sorry, I guess only us FOWLR guys would notice that!
)
No, I started with a 225 gallon reef. I believe that I posted a picture of this aquarium early on in this thread.flycut said:
Although I did not regularly take pictures of my reefs, I may have the odd picture somewhere. I will post any pictures that I find.
No, I really do very little cleaning. I clean the front glass about once a week; the skimmers get my attention about once each month and I syphon the detritis out of the sump about once every two or three months....and really that is about it.Flyflicker said:
I occasionally add calcium chloride and buffer; and that's about it in terms of additives.
I am quite reluctant to use additives as I really don't know:
(a) what is truly necessary and in what proportions;
(b) what is missing;
(c) how quickly substances are actually being depleted;
Furthermore:
(d) I do not think it wise to rely on the directions contained on packaging; and,
(e) I believe that the dangers of "overdosing" are, at least as great as "underdosing".
I believe the aquarium weighs about 6 tons....so it would likely end up in the basement even if I built it on an upper floor.kewliz said:
More seriously, although I am not a structural engineer, I expect that the vast majority of floors would not be able to support this sort of weight.
Far simpler to bring the bookcase, sofas etc down and create a comfortable environment in the basement.
I will take some pictures when I get a chance and post them.geeman said:
Yes, lots of updates.homer227 said:
For example:
Have added some new fish;
One of my favorite fish (the watanabi) suddenly "disappeared" (we almost never find the bodies given the size of the aquarium and the fact that the scavengers are rather efficient);
Rearranged some of the rockwork;
Lost a couple of my corals and added a couple of new ones.
To my way of thinking, the thing to remember on the issue of losses, is that a reef aquarium is a dynamic habitat where, precisely as is the case in the ocean, nothing is static and where things evolve and change over time. Briefly, I see gradual change and periodic losses as simply being "nature at work".
Thanks again to all for your many compliments.
.....................
guitarfish
Premium Member
Thanks for posting back hcrk!! I enjoy your updates. When you're ready to answer more questions, I was wondering if you've every had any issues with cyanobacteria or other nuisance algaes, and what you do to export phosphate/nitrate from your reef.
Boorish Idol
New member
hcrk,
WHAT AN INSPIRATION !!! I now know what my dream tank is. However reality dictates that I start much smaller. Thank you again for sharing all the pictures, ideas and information. I'm sure it will inspire many!
WHAT AN INSPIRATION !!! I now know what my dream tank is. However reality dictates that I start much smaller. Thank you again for sharing all the pictures, ideas and information. I'm sure it will inspire many!
Tommyc
Member
Dang. I checked the thread last night and figured that hcrk wasn't going to pop in anytime soon and I had plenty of time to post my question or two. Now I may have another extended wait...
First question is given such a large tank and large fish stock, what, if any, spawning behavior do you see? What fish, how often, when, etc.
Second, did I see some anthias in some of the pics? If so, what kind and how many? Are they picky eaters? Can you make any comments about what foods they like? or is everyone acclimated to the flake? Did you have any trouble with them initially?
Out of blind luck you answered my question about wether you kept flame angels or not. I'll think of some more later. Thanks in advance for the info and ditto on all the compliments.
Tom
First question is given such a large tank and large fish stock, what, if any, spawning behavior do you see? What fish, how often, when, etc.
Second, did I see some anthias in some of the pics? If so, what kind and how many? Are they picky eaters? Can you make any comments about what foods they like? or is everyone acclimated to the flake? Did you have any trouble with them initially?
Out of blind luck you answered my question about wether you kept flame angels or not. I'll think of some more later. Thanks in advance for the info and ditto on all the compliments.
Tom
TigerWoods
In Memoriam
This is my 1st time reading this post. I think you have truly created what you intended and that is a "window of the ocean." I appreciate how you care for the system where less is more. We can all tell by your beautiful tank, garden, bar and home that you have that "creative itch." You've done a fantastic job...its something that Steven Spielberg would be proud of. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your tank and home with us. I like the comment you made about your guests pondering life. AMAZING!
