steves slow 700

[scubadan206]

I'm not a fan of the flat stuff. It's not natural looking. Their are not straight lines in nature[-+]. Get some reef saver rock or something and epoxy it in some interesting formations. Just limit the shelf type stuff, and try to stay away from the "pile of rocks" look. Look at Ching Chai, or Nineball's setup just after the epoxy dried.
Otherwise I like it. Keep it up.

Daniel. :bigeyes:

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Awesome set up!

I agree with worm on the scape. I really like the branches and shelf. How much total rock is that?

Cant wait to see more updates! :thumbsup:

 

[SS_Sean]

I love it, and as previously mentioned open up the middle of the tank a bit more, slightly offset to one side or other. Nice.

 

[worm5406]

Any luck with the movement?

 

[skanderson]

moved the big shelf rock over a bit and tweaked the position of a few of the other rocks. I still want to work on the center area a little bit still. one thing that I thought would bother me but doesn't is the break in the reef being in the center of the tank. it took me a bit to figure out why it is ok in person but looks off in the FTS. when in the front of the tank you cant look at more than about 2/3 of the tank in your field of view so the opening doesn't seem central. hard to explain but it is working for me so far. a couple of pics from right after moving the rock yesterday, pardon the dust. also the calcium came off the glass easily with a kent scraper with a metal blade.




the lighting is off so that I can try to get in to do the work. I will post pics as soon as I get the rock right and corals in then I will slide the lights back over the tank and light up the vhos as well.

 

[worm5406]

Glad to hear about the Calcium. It is a pain sometimes.

One point, about your rocks, is any of it tied or anchored down?

You have some big pieces. What happens if one hits the glass when you are not there?

Do not want a crack and a few gallons on the floor.

 

[skanderson]

a few quick update pics. I think I have the rock placement about where I want it. now just a few more frags to fix in place and need to set the gorgonians on a firm base.

 

[skanderson]

 

[muttley000]

Nice, love the Greene and Greene inspired woodwork!

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

The scape looks great!

 

[AirForceAquariu]

I love the new scape! A lot more open space and it definitely gives the feel of being the edge of a reef! Great work!

 

[skanderson]

I didn't realize when I titled this post that it would be as slow a build as it has been but it has been coming along. lots on new frags and fish in the tank. algae problems seem to have faded last fall. on to the pics.

 

[skanderson]

if anyone could do an id on the anemone that has the skunk clown in it I would appreciate it. it was sold and a long tentacle but I thought it was a nonbleached sebae anemone, but as soon as I put it in the tank it climbed up off the sandbed and lodged itself between 2 rocks, facing the back of the tank of course.

 

[dave.m]

It would help to see the base of the anemone for identification. As for its orientation, couldn't you just turn the tank around?

Dave.M

 

[skanderson]

the anemone is wedged in tight between 2 large shelf pieces. I believe the base was purple, but wont swear to it.

 

[skanderson]

a few updated pics from today. I have a shot showing the anemones base here.

now a few tank pics.

 

[skanderson]

a few close pics.

this tang was sold as Ctenochaetus cf striatus. but I don't think that is what it is but I do not know what it really is.

 

[dave.m]

Well, there's a few identifying features we can pick up from your photo:

1). It prefers to attach to rock insted of sand.
2). There are no verrucae (warts) on the foot.
3). The tentacles are short and straight (not bulbous).

I will take a wild stab at it and guess it is Stichodactyla gigantea, but you have a much better view of it than your photos reveal so do some Googling. There are several anemone idenitification guides on-line as well as books available, such as the ones by Daphne Fautin.

Dave.M

 

[skanderson]

thanks for the reply. the tentacles seem longer than I think gig tentacles are. they all seem to be about an inch. the orange skunks really took to it right away as well. it really doesn't look like any anemone I have had or seen before. I'm wondering if it will change as it grows. it looks like it has increased in size by a third in the last couple months.

 

[skanderson]

just back from best fish in Milwaukee where I purchased that anemone. they have one more and were told by the wholesaler that it is a unusual long tentacle anemone. I'm still not convinced about what it is. I will try to put some pics up of my very well stocked isolation system next week. lots of nice angels getting treated and prepped for the main tank.