See These Coldwater Beauties

[epiphanus]

I didn't know that there even was Corynactis in the South Seas, let alone so many awesome varieties. This guy's tank is the bomb...

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150891&highlight=coldwater

 

[amashun]

can you post them on here please? can't see them unless we register.

 

[epiphanus]

Sure, can't do it right now but check back soon...

 

[lancer99]

I'll have whatever Epiphanus is having.

-R

 

[steveweast]

Corynactus is the reason that I set up a cold tank....

 

[Skeptic_07]

those are corallimoprharians? they look more like LPS...

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12598934#post12598934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Skeptic_07
those are corallimoprharians? they look more like LPS...

Nope....corynactus sp. (pictured above) are corallimorpharians and coldwater. I keep mine at 55F. Nothing stoney about them.....they reproduce by fission and will colonize any solid surface....just like a ricordea.

 

[95accord]

ide love to set up a cold water reef but power consumption must be crazy compared to a tropical reef.

but on the other hand i could keep my good ol' Atlantic lobsters fresh until i cook them hehehe


(i wonder if you sould do a cold water nano....hmmm..)

 

[epiphanus]

yeah, they sort of do resemble Ricordia

steve, thanks for the epic pics, I'm really looking forward to the unveiling of your next CW project

here are those pics of the New Zealand

hope it works...

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12601880#post12601880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 95accord
ide love to set up a cold water reef but power consumption must be crazy compared to a tropical reef.

That's what everyone who doesn't have a cold tank thinks....but, they are wrong. Naturally, a cold tank's main power draw comes from the chiller....BUT....cold tanks don't need lights, reactors, or heavy flow.

It has been my experience that cold tanks are cheaper to run than an SPS reef....the same as an LPS/mixed reef....and more expensive than a FO system.

 

[epiphanus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12601880#post12601880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 95accord

(i wonder if you sould do a cold water nano....hmmm..)

there are some interesting ones out there
do a search at www.nano-reef.com:rollface:

 

[epiphanus]

I meant... NANO-REEF DOT COM

 

[Freed]

Steve, how well is that feather star doing in that tank? How do you feed it? Does it grow much?

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12603507#post12603507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
Steve, how well is that feather star doing in that tank? How do you feed it? Does it grow much?

I sold my cold experimental system last Fall to pursue some work opportunities. I'm currently out of the hobby until my commitments are completed later this year. I plan to set up a more professional cold system at that time. I had the crinoid for over two years and it did quite well. This was probably due to the heavy feedings of cyclopese and rotifers.

 

[epiphanus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12604982#post12604982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
I had the crinoid for over two years and it did quite well. This was probably due to the heavy feedings of cyclopese and rotifers.

Where the rotifers collected, cultured or bought prepared?
How did you get your strawberries to open like that?

 

[steveweast]

I used the rotifers from Reef Nutrition along with Oyster eggs.

Strawberries should be open all the time with proper flow and water quality. They are super easy to keep as they are like little anemones that readily accept anything that they can fit into their mouths.... like cyclopese, krill, scallop, brine, etc. The real challenge is acquiring them. They proliferate in areas that have difficult dive access.

 

[epiphanus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12605123#post12605123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
I used the rotifers from Reef Nutrition along with Oyster eggs.

Strawberries should be open all the time with proper flow and water quality. They are super easy to keep as they are like little anemones that readily accept anything that they can fit into their mouths.... like cyclopese, krill, scallop, brine, etc. The real challenge is acquiring them. They proliferate in areas that have difficult dive access.

what type of flow do suggest... exactly how strong... need it be intermittent?

 

[steveweast]

I used intermittant flow via a couple of Tunze streams.....less flow than for SPS.....but more flow than for LPS. They tend to close up if the flow is not enough.....so, they will tell you when the flow is correct.

 

[crab0000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12604982#post12604982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
I sold my cold experimental system last Fall to pursue some work opportunities. I'm currently out of the hobby until my commitments are completed later this year. I plan to set up a more professional cold system at that time. I had the crinoid for over two years and it did quite well. This was probably due to the heavy feedings of cyclopese and rotifers.

Did you take down the big tank as well, or just the coldwater tank?

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12609815#post12609815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crab0000
Did you take down the big tank as well, or just the coldwater tank?

I took everything down. I went from this....

To this......in three days. I always wanted to remodel my garage with stainless steel cabinets and a commercial epoxy floor....but, never could because of the aquarium. Well, now I can. I plan to re-enter the hobby this Fall with a larger, very different system.