Pictures - 800 gallon reef - 7+ years in operation
- Thread starter hcrk
- Start date
pnsnowboard
New member
that is amazing you should give it to me
........................
Hello again to all;
I had a look at the thread today and continue to be pleasantly surprised by the attention that it continues to receive.
Given the very large number of questions that readers have posted during the past 3 months, I will divide my reply into 2 parts and limit this posting to an initial group of questions.
Now, onto your questions:
The problems in my main reef basically expressed themselves in stagnant areas near the surface. The solution here was to direct flow and amend live-rock structure so as to minimize any stangnant areas. This largely eliminated the problem of cyanobacteria in my main reef which has not experienced any sort of significant cyanobacteria problem for some time now.
On the topic of cyanobacteria, I should note that I recently experienced a more widespread problem with this pest in the reef that is located in the reception area of my offices.
What happened here is that a receptionist vastly overfed the reef while I was away for a lengthy trip. This precipitated an enormous bloom of cyanobacteria which actually involved whole areas of the "office" reef.
The solution here involved a massive water change (100% over a period of 5 days or so) and some patience.
In terms of time frame, the 'die-down" of cyanobacteria at my "office reef" took about three weeks....and, essentially, the problem largely evaporated.
Based on my experience (and some common sense) it would appear that the presence of cyanobacteria correlates with the accumulation of excessive levels of nutrients.......so if the obvious solution to a cyanobacteria problem is to reduce your nutrient levels either in the localized areas which contain cyanobacteria or the aquarium as a whole.
I periodically see bubble algae in my aquariums but this nuisance is readily dealt with by my foxfaces (I have one in each of my three reefs). I have also seem my mata tang eat bubble algae.
Other nuisance algae are all consumed by my tangs. Frankly, I am absolutely certain that my reef would quickly be overrun with nuisance algae were it not for the range of inhabitants that consume the nuisance algae as food.
There are only 2 species of anthias that I personally have found to be durable long term tenants: Pseudanthias bartlettorum and Pseudanthias squamipinnis (the former are more beautiful and expensive and the latter more durable).
Both species are acclimitized to flake food and no, I usually have no initial problems with them.
I am a bit ashamed to say that my schedule has not, to date, permitted me to fulfill the requirements of this honor (ie. writing the requisite article).
To "Skipper" I should like to say that I hope that your kind offer remains intact and, if so, I promise to contact you as soon as my schedule permits.
This last issue would likely involve drilling holes to the outside and the installation of a separate ventallation system.
I never impulse shop for hardware. On the other hand, I regard shopping for corals and fish as a bit of a "treasure hunt". However here too, I only buy what I know will "fit in" and what I deem to have reasonable survivability.
As I believe that I have indicated in past responses, the primary factor that motivates my involvement is my hope that such knowledge and experience as I may have gained over the years will be helpful to others
In designing my system, I spent some time on this issue and designed the aquarium stand such as to distribute the weight over as large an area as possible.
As the floor was not entirely level, I also ordered a large number of galvanized steel shimms of various thicknesses that I inserted where required. This served to further "equalize" weight distribution to eliminate "pressure points".
Finally, I had a structural engineer look over my design before construction started.
To "twist" an old saying slightly - "hindsight is 20/20".........and my calculations must have been "correct" as some 8+ years after the fact, I have not noticed a single crack in any part of the floor.
At some point in the near future, I'll add another powder blue and select one that is larger than my powder brown.
On the issue of Tang compatability I should like to note that, in my experience, when I introduce a new Tang, it usually settles in after a few days of being chased about (that's what initially happened with the powder blue). However size does appear to play an important role in this and, accordingly, the "chasee" (new introduction) should be larger than the "chaser" (old inhabitant).
Well that's about it for now and, on a final note, I should like to again thank all of you for your many kind and generous compliments......
....................
Hello again to all;
I had a look at the thread today and continue to be pleasantly surprised by the attention that it continues to receive.
Given the very large number of questions that readers have posted during the past 3 months, I will divide my reply into 2 parts and limit this posting to an initial group of questions.
Now, onto your questions:
In the past, I have, in fact, experienced problems with cyanobacteria.guitarfish said:
The problems in my main reef basically expressed themselves in stagnant areas near the surface. The solution here was to direct flow and amend live-rock structure so as to minimize any stangnant areas. This largely eliminated the problem of cyanobacteria in my main reef which has not experienced any sort of significant cyanobacteria problem for some time now.
On the topic of cyanobacteria, I should note that I recently experienced a more widespread problem with this pest in the reef that is located in the reception area of my offices.
What happened here is that a receptionist vastly overfed the reef while I was away for a lengthy trip. This precipitated an enormous bloom of cyanobacteria which actually involved whole areas of the "office" reef.
The solution here involved a massive water change (100% over a period of 5 days or so) and some patience.
In terms of time frame, the 'die-down" of cyanobacteria at my "office reef" took about three weeks....and, essentially, the problem largely evaporated.
Based on my experience (and some common sense) it would appear that the presence of cyanobacteria correlates with the accumulation of excessive levels of nutrients.......so if the obvious solution to a cyanobacteria problem is to reduce your nutrient levels either in the localized areas which contain cyanobacteria or the aquarium as a whole.
I periodically see bubble algae in my aquariums but this nuisance is readily dealt with by my foxfaces (I have one in each of my three reefs). I have also seem my mata tang eat bubble algae.
Other nuisance algae are all consumed by my tangs. Frankly, I am absolutely certain that my reef would quickly be overrun with nuisance algae were it not for the range of inhabitants that consume the nuisance algae as food.
Although my tank has been in operation for many years now, I havn't noticed any spawning behavior. Unfortuntately given my rather hectic schedule, I am only occasionally present at the aquarium late in the evening when spawning is most likely to occur. In other words, if spawning has indeed occurred, it is unlikely that anyone has been present to witness it.Tommyc said:
There are only 2 species of anthias that I personally have found to be durable long term tenants: Pseudanthias bartlettorum and Pseudanthias squamipinnis (the former are more beautiful and expensive and the latter more durable).
Both species are acclimitized to flake food and no, I usually have no initial problems with them.
The fact is that some time ago (in March) my reef aquarium was selected by "the powers that be" on this site as TOTM (Tank of the Month).Northside Reef said:Then you will be posting for a long time friend
I am sure this tank has been nominated for TOTM several times.
I look forward to it being selected as such.
I am a bit ashamed to say that my schedule has not, to date, permitted me to fulfill the requirements of this honor (ie. writing the requisite article).
To "Skipper" I should like to say that I hope that your kind offer remains intact and, if so, I promise to contact you as soon as my schedule permits.
When I first started in this hobby many years ago, I was extremely concerned by levels of phosphate. With the passage of time, however, this issue just seemed to recede in importance. The fact is that I have not paid any attention to phosphate levels for a number of years now and do not use a "phosphate remover".Nem0 said:
I don't really have a "wish list"; however some items that come to miind as future possibilities include....a larger calcium reactor and a scheme to more effectively isolate the aquarium from the room itself.gaels said:
This last issue would likely involve drilling holes to the outside and the installation of a separate ventallation system.
I never impulse shop for hardware. On the other hand, I regard shopping for corals and fish as a bit of a "treasure hunt". However here too, I only buy what I know will "fit in" and what I deem to have reasonable survivability.
As I believe that I have indicated in past responses, the primary factor that motivates my involvement is my hope that such knowledge and experience as I may have gained over the years will be helpful to others
slave-of-rock said:
As the entire basement floor is poured concrete over a "raked" and "compacted" gravel bed, not only does the thickness of the cement floor likely vary, the floor itself is not entirely level.RedEyeReef said:
In designing my system, I spent some time on this issue and designed the aquarium stand such as to distribute the weight over as large an area as possible.
As the floor was not entirely level, I also ordered a large number of galvanized steel shimms of various thicknesses that I inserted where required. This served to further "equalize" weight distribution to eliminate "pressure points".
Finally, I had a structural engineer look over my design before construction started.
To "twist" an old saying slightly - "hindsight is 20/20".........and my calculations must have been "correct" as some 8+ years after the fact, I have not noticed a single crack in any part of the floor.
I'm afraid that I still don't have a list but will try and make one up soon.reefman1225 said:
Sadly, I must report that my Powder Blue Tang just disappeared one day. Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened to cause it's demise.reefsrus said:
At some point in the near future, I'll add another powder blue and select one that is larger than my powder brown.
On the issue of Tang compatability I should like to note that, in my experience, when I introduce a new Tang, it usually settles in after a few days of being chased about (that's what initially happened with the powder blue). However size does appear to play an important role in this and, accordingly, the "chasee" (new introduction) should be larger than the "chaser" (old inhabitant).
Well that's about it for now and, on a final note, I should like to again thank all of you for your many kind and generous compliments......
....................
slave-of-rock
New member
Thank you for answeing my question . Amazing tank I must say yet again .
-Kyle Kaz
. Amazing tank I must say yet again .-Kyle Kaz
salty65gal
New member
very nice to say the least. Keep up the good work!
salty65gal
New member
very nice to say the least. Keep up the good work!
Chaotic Reefer4u
♥Acropora Aficionado♥
shweeeet indeed!
toddlaco
Premium Member
Made it through all the pages. Very nice setup, and I definately agree with you that the less intervention you have in your tank the better. My wife can't stand it when something is happening in the tank, and I tell her that we are just going to let it run it's course. It almost always turns out well in the end.
highlands
New member
So where prey-tell did you find the glass? I am looking for sources of low-iron glass for a large tank. I'm considering lamination to get sufficient thickness for one pane. This is in a concrete tank with glass viewing windows in the upper portion of the water column. I am not interested in acrylic.
DeeZeal
New member
I must say that after reading this article that this tank is one of the best that I have seen. It is interesting to note that there is not an abundance of technology behind the scenes on this beast. I would love to see a TOTM article written on this one as it would be a fresh perspective on reef maintenance and husbandry that we don't get to see very often. Great reading and great tank!
Family Reefer
New member
As many have already said....absolutly speachless!!!!
My wife and I just spent our one evening during the week together just enjoying your thread and dreaming about our baby 100g tank. I can only dream to have the wealth of knowledge about this hobby that you have. We have big dreams and you have helped in keeping them alive......Thank you....
I look forward to following this thread and watching your piece of the ocean continue to flurish...........
My wife and I just spent our one evening during the week together just enjoying your thread and dreaming about our baby 100g tank. I can only dream to have the wealth of knowledge about this hobby that you have. We have big dreams and you have helped in keeping them alive......Thank you....
I look forward to following this thread and watching your piece of the ocean continue to flurish...........
Family Reefer
New member
As many have already said....absolutly speachless!!!!
My wife and I just spent our one evening during the week together just enjoying your thread and dreaming about our baby 100g tank. I can only dream to have the wealth of knowledge about this hobby that you have. We have big dreams and you have helped in keeping them alive......Thank you....
I look forward to following this thread and watching your piece of the ocean continue to flurish...........
My wife and I just spent our one evening during the week together just enjoying your thread and dreaming about our baby 100g tank. I can only dream to have the wealth of knowledge about this hobby that you have. We have big dreams and you have helped in keeping them alive......Thank you....
I look forward to following this thread and watching your piece of the ocean continue to flurish...........
Family Reefer
New member
As many have already said....absolutly speachless!!!!
My wife and I just spent our one evening during the week together just enjoying your thread and dreaming about our baby 100g tank. I can only dream to have the wealth of knowledge about this hobby that you have. We have big dreams and you have helped in keeping them alive......Thank you....
I look forward to following this thread and watching your piece of the ocean continue to flurish...........
My wife and I just spent our one evening during the week together just enjoying your thread and dreaming about our baby 100g tank. I can only dream to have the wealth of knowledge about this hobby that you have. We have big dreams and you have helped in keeping them alive......Thank you....
I look forward to following this thread and watching your piece of the ocean continue to flurish...........
