Pictures - 800 gallon reef - 7+ years in operation
- Thread starter hcrk
- Start date
hcrk,
What is your reason of having such a big project in your own house. You can pretty much buy a house in Hawaii or Florida on the ocean front and you can have your own nature on your back yard. It is nice and all but why going through all that works.
Just a thought.
Mattt.
What is your reason of having such a big project in your own house. You can pretty much buy a house in Hawaii or Florida on the ocean front and you can have your own nature on your back yard. It is nice and all but why going through all that works.
Just a thought.
Mattt.
cordell
New member
:eek1: Awesome! It looks like you really have outdone yourself. I love it, and the room and reflection make it look even bigger! I would do it too if I were in a position to do it. That is something you created.. not just going "out to the backyard" to look at the ocean 
..
cordell
.. cordell
Simply AWSOME! You are my new SUPER HERO> You SIR, have built my dream tank. I applaud you for building a tank that is so diverse. I love the fact that you have all types of corals repersented, softies, LPS and SPS. You have truly recreated a small portion of the reef. Please show/tell us your accomplishments over the years. If this is not TOTM material, then I truly do not undertand the concept. My hat is off to you. Congrats on accomplishing what we all strive for, a beautiful tank that last.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
KRAZ4REEFS
Member
Holy freekin crap Batman....that is one gorgeous tank, I think the best I've ever seen!!!!! Absolutely fantastick!!!
Scott
Scott
skylsdale
Reefer
3. I am more concerned with the overall look of the "window" than I am with the display of specific corals
I think one of the ways this is achieved (which you have done, but the VAST majority of people don't do) is by taking parts of the rockwork clear up to the surface, or even better, beyond so it continues out of the viewer's field of view. This gives the impression that you are actually sunken down, especially when you have to look up to view things. Most people seem to leave the top thrid of their water column completely open...and, well...all tanks start to look the same after a while.
Good job.
I think one of the ways this is achieved (which you have done, but the VAST majority of people don't do) is by taking parts of the rockwork clear up to the surface, or even better, beyond so it continues out of the viewer's field of view. This gives the impression that you are actually sunken down, especially when you have to look up to view things. Most people seem to leave the top thrid of their water column completely open...and, well...all tanks start to look the same after a while.
Good job.
Phantom Phish
New member
skylsdale said:
Hmmm. That's an interesting thought. I guess I've never thought of it that way before, and I for one have been guilty of what you're describing. I left space above my liverock to give corals room to grow, and fish to swim. But I may try what you're describing in the next tank I'm planning, which will be an 8 footer.
partagas
New member
skylsdale said:
This is good in only LARGE tanks. if you did that will any tank I would say under 150 it would not have the same effect. You also have to take into account scale of space. You do this in a 55 gallon tank and it would odd. But then again this is jucy my 2 cents.
First of all, I have a question for those following this thread.
Given your extremely positive reaction to my first pictures, I have taken/gathered a number of new pictures that come under 3 conceptual sub-headings:
- Backbone pictures (ie support systems);
- Original pictures taken 7+ years ago (then and now); and
- the reef at night.
As I have very limited experience in posting to Reef Central, I was wondering whether (on the issues solely of convenience to readers) I should just keep adding posts to the original thread or start seperate thread or threads?
Frankly, I suspect that people will be surprised at the lack of complexity. I don't have any sophisticated (computerized) monitoring or control sytems. Frankly I personally see these systems as being of limited importance and use.
What I do monitor (using simple electronic meters) are my reef's PH, salinity and the conductivity of make-up water.
What I have concentrated on are the basics of lighting, water flow/motion and skimming.
I clean the glass aboiut once a week with one of those magnetic scrubbing pads. I also use a razor about once every three weeks
On the issue of cost, both initial and ongoing cost......"nevermind"
However, I should add that my cost is likely substantially less than most people would think
I don't adhere to a strict maintenance schedule and do not incorporate any additives whatsoever. I use a calcium reactor and from time to time I top up the calcium level with calcium chloride and buffer.
In the past. I also used kalkwasser but my dosing pump malfunctioned several months ago (3rd one to do so) and I have still not gotten round to buying a replacement.
I should add that there was a time early on with my first tank that I was extremely concerned about "balances" and the depletion of substances in the reef. Accordingly, I added various substances from Iodine to Strontium.
But I stopped worrying about that many years ago.
Frankly, on reflection the lack of research and the gaps of knowledge caused me to conclude that the probabilities were just as great that I was, in fact, creating (or exacerbating)problems rather than solving real issues through my use of additives.....for example, one day the "prevailing opinion" was that strontium was necessary.....a year later....seemingly knowledgable people were now maintaing that it was detrimental.
Please note that I am certainly not suggesting that aquariests stop adding whatever it is that appears to benefit the inhabitants of their aquariums. All that I am saying is that, I have ppersonally concluded that less intervention is usually better than more intervention - so I don't intervene unless I absolutely have to".
Your question made me wonder so I counted...and I actually have 8 varieties of Acanthrus tangs. the notation next to the name indicates approximately how long each tang has been in my reef):
1. Achilles Tang (3 1/2 years)
Acanthurus achilles
2. Powder Brown Tang (3 years)
Acanthurus japonicus
3. Powder Blue Tang (1 year)
Acanthurus leucosternon
4. Mata Tang (2 1/2 years)
Acanthurus mata
5. Chocolate Mimic Tang (2 1/2 years)
Acanthurus pyroferus
6. Orange Shoulder Tang (6 weeks)
Acanthurus olivaceus
7. Lieutenants Tang (new)
Acanthurus tennenti
8. Convict Tang (2 years)
Acanthurus triostegus
The big Boss is the Achilles...
The fish will spar from time to time, but the aquarium is large enough to allow the weaker combatant to move away (escape).
Let me say this, however, in my view, you should certainly NOT try to keep a large nuumber of tangs in a small tank or even mid size tank. Although they are beautiful, they are extremely territorial.
Several of my tangs have had it and it has simply disappeared with time.
Here is what I have personally concluded....ich is not introduced....the inhabitants carry it in some sort of latent form and stress is what brings it on,
I expect that it has something to do with the immune system.
I feed an interesting flake food (daily) that was recommended to me several years ago.....and all that I can say is that it works for me.
In the past, I have used various frozen preparations and found this to be a better choice (the fish love it....seems to have more true nutrients....and, based on my experience there is far less of a problem with residue pollution).
For me, the problem with leaving a space open above the rock is that the back glass takes away from the illusion that I am attempting to create. "You see a glass wall and you know you are not looking at a real scene."
As you will see from the pictures that I intend to post, I always try to disguise back glass walls and have also used mirrors to heighten the effect and illusion.
Thanks once more for all of your positive comments
Given your extremely positive reaction to my first pictures, I have taken/gathered a number of new pictures that come under 3 conceptual sub-headings:
- Backbone pictures (ie support systems);
- Original pictures taken 7+ years ago (then and now); and
- the reef at night.
As I have very limited experience in posting to Reef Central, I was wondering whether (on the issues solely of convenience to readers) I should just keep adding posts to the original thread or start seperate thread or threads?
nseawater said:
BAJA272 said:
hwynboy said:
slapshot said:
I have taken pictures of the tank "backbone" and will post them shortly.TacoKing said:
Frankly, I suspect that people will be surprised at the lack of complexity. I don't have any sophisticated (computerized) monitoring or control sytems. Frankly I personally see these systems as being of limited importance and use.
What I do monitor (using simple electronic meters) are my reef's PH, salinity and the conductivity of make-up water.
What I have concentrated on are the basics of lighting, water flow/motion and skimming.
I clean the glass aboiut once a week with one of those magnetic scrubbing pads. I also use a razor about once every three weeks
On the issue of cost, both initial and ongoing cost......"nevermind"
However, I should add that my cost is likely substantially less than most people would think
Don't know the percentages, There has traditionally been more sps than would seem to be the case in viewing the pictures (see my previous response on this issue). ...but sps have never constituted more than perhaps 25% of the corals.Spin Man said:
I don't adhere to a strict maintenance schedule and do not incorporate any additives whatsoever. I use a calcium reactor and from time to time I top up the calcium level with calcium chloride and buffer.
In the past. I also used kalkwasser but my dosing pump malfunctioned several months ago (3rd one to do so) and I have still not gotten round to buying a replacement.
I should add that there was a time early on with my first tank that I was extremely concerned about "balances" and the depletion of substances in the reef. Accordingly, I added various substances from Iodine to Strontium.
But I stopped worrying about that many years ago.
Frankly, on reflection the lack of research and the gaps of knowledge caused me to conclude that the probabilities were just as great that I was, in fact, creating (or exacerbating)problems rather than solving real issues through my use of additives.....for example, one day the "prevailing opinion" was that strontium was necessary.....a year later....seemingly knowledgable people were now maintaing that it was detrimental.
Please note that I am certainly not suggesting that aquariests stop adding whatever it is that appears to benefit the inhabitants of their aquariums. All that I am saying is that, I have ppersonally concluded that less intervention is usually better than more intervention - so I don't intervene unless I absolutely have to".
Sardaukar said:
Your question made me wonder so I counted...and I actually have 8 varieties of Acanthrus tangs. the notation next to the name indicates approximately how long each tang has been in my reef):
1. Achilles Tang (3 1/2 years)
Acanthurus achilles
2. Powder Brown Tang (3 years)
Acanthurus japonicus
3. Powder Blue Tang (1 year)
Acanthurus leucosternon
4. Mata Tang (2 1/2 years)
Acanthurus mata
5. Chocolate Mimic Tang (2 1/2 years)
Acanthurus pyroferus
6. Orange Shoulder Tang (6 weeks)
Acanthurus olivaceus
7. Lieutenants Tang (new)
Acanthurus tennenti
8. Convict Tang (2 years)
Acanthurus triostegus
The big Boss is the Achilles...
The fish will spar from time to time, but the aquarium is large enough to allow the weaker combatant to move away (escape).
Let me say this, however, in my view, you should certainly NOT try to keep a large nuumber of tangs in a small tank or even mid size tank. Although they are beautiful, they are extremely territorial.
Ich is an interesting 'puzzle". isn't it....slapshot said:
Several of my tangs have had it and it has simply disappeared with time.
Here is what I have personally concluded....ich is not introduced....the inhabitants carry it in some sort of latent form and stress is what brings it on,
I expect that it has something to do with the immune system.
I feed an interesting flake food (daily) that was recommended to me several years ago.....and all that I can say is that it works for me.
In the past, I have used various frozen preparations and found this to be a better choice (the fish love it....seems to have more true nutrients....and, based on my experience there is far less of a problem with residue pollution).
I have used the same concept (live rock to and past the surface of the water) on all of my reefs including the 120 gallon that I have in the waiting room of my offices.skylsdale said:
For me, the problem with leaving a space open above the rock is that the back glass takes away from the illusion that I am attempting to create. "You see a glass wall and you know you are not looking at a real scene."
As you will see from the pictures that I intend to post, I always try to disguise back glass walls and have also used mirrors to heighten the effect and illusion.
I don't really agree; but then again, it as an issue involving esthetics, and as such relates to very personal "likes and dislikes" and the "look" that you are attempting to achieve.partagas said:
Thanks once more for all of your positive comments
