"The Cavernous Reef" - A 180G Build

rickcasa said:
Thanks Spinner. It's a process and a busy family life has certainly forced me to pause a lot and plan for the next steps.

So phanTomG, now that you're here, any advice on what you'd recommend I add to my sump? I'm thinking Chaeto?? I have bushels of it in my 90's sump, actually more like a brick as it has densely filled an entire chamber. But I kinda don't want to mess up my sump...Is it possible to maintain a spotless sump with macros?? I'm using socks but what a chore it is to wash.:fun5:
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I wouldn't do chaeto if i were you. Have you ever seen dragons breath macro? That would look insane in your dt with the hints of light through the rockwork. Its beautiful and has the same effect as chaeto. I say just run media and skim and dose and thats all you need. I don't like refugiums personally. but definitely check out dragons breath. theres always some in the for sale section on here. even on the sandbed it would look great due to its red and orange color against black sand.
 
phantomg23 said:
I wouldn't do chaeto if i were you. Have you ever seen dragons breath macro? That would look insane in your dt with the hints of light through the rockwork. Its beautiful and has the same effect as chaeto. I say just run media and skim and dose and thats all you need. I don't like refugiums personally. but definitely check out dragons breath. theres always some in the for sale section on here. even on the sandbed it would look great due to its red and orange color against black sand.
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So that's what it's called. It was my third choice to take home a few weeks ago. Bought the Sun coral, a red sea fan and was keen on this red macro that was quite bushy and felt really tough to the touch, almost like a plastic plant actually. But I was discouraged by the thought of it as expensive nori for my tangs (they had it priced like a coral, a colony). And as you suggested, I think it would look great in the rockwork and, if it floats, cascading down from the surface at the cavern's threshold. You've planted a seed in my head, phantom, to start a remote macro growout tank under the DT (maybe plumbed in with the frag tank). Even if just to replenish the algaes the tangs will be feasting on.

And thanks, so no to chaeto in the sump.

Here's some dropdead images from RC members tektite and pitmindi:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2214264

Dragon's breath
IMG_5620.jpg
 
if you wanted to try it in the DT, you can try to train the tangs on nori sheets on the opposite side of the tank, and then after a couple months they may get used to it. Drop in a small clipping of the dragons breath and maybe they will leave it alone. Clippings are only like 10-15 $ its worth a shot

a macro tank would be awesome! Im making a pico macro/ dwarf seahorse tank as we speak actually
 
phantomg23 said:
if you wanted to try it in the DT, you can try to train the tangs on nori sheets on the opposite side of the tank, and then after a couple months they may get used to it. Drop in a small clipping of the dragons breath and maybe they will leave it alone. Clippings are only like 10-15 $ its worth a shot

a macro tank would be awesome! Im making a pico macro/ dwarf seahorse tank as we speak actually
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Sounds like a plan, I'm on it. thx

And yes, the more I think about it, the common refugium/chaeto/dsb is somewhat unsightly. May as well be selective and treat it as another display.
 
Thanks cu0ngsayz. Aquascape done, time to dress it up.

I picked up a torch that needed some attention. A new LFS opened up near work and I thought I'd patronize his very clean (it'd better be it's brand spanking new) and stylish layout. Some growing pains, his euphs are suffering but for me it's a steal once it's cleaned up.

20130705_230707


This 9 headed pink tip needed a trim so I took my handy dandy Dremel and sliced off 7 deadheads like it was butter!

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Voila.
20130705_231027


Looking sharp.
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And yes, the more I think about it, the common refugium/chaeto/dsb is somewhat unsightly. May as well be selective and treat it as another display.

I spent the 90's learning/designing/patenting/building/selling refugiums in our hobby. 98% of hobbiest back then didn't know what a refugium was or had only heard the word.
It wasn't just about pods and macro algae as a filtration/food supply filter.....it was about building a eco system that would work/grow side by side with the main chamber/DT.(and look just as nice as DT just a different part of our marine world) To me refugium is one of the most over used words we use in our hobby today since most reefers don't have a true working refugium.
 
Here is a Green Goblin Sun Coral for your cave area:) First time I had seen these....
 

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Whoa that's new, are you selling? You're probably not too far from me. Any pics of it opened up?

In fact, I wanted to add something to cave today. Saw some orange carnations and an orange sponge that I may just get tomorrow. Instead though, I walked away with this gorgeous anemone. I saw it from across the room like a beacon. Wonder what it is?

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It grabbed onto a vertical rock immediately...within seconds. Hope it stays there.

So that's 2 nems in 2 days. I added a Hellsfire over the wknd.

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Aquatron said:
And yes, the more I think about it, the common refugium/chaeto/dsb is somewhat unsightly. May as well be selective and treat it as another display.

I spent the 90's learning/designing/patenting/building/selling refugiums in our hobby. 98% of hobbiest back then didn't know what a refugium was or had only heard the word.
It wasn't just about pods and macro algae as a filtration/food supply filter.....it was about building a eco system that would work/grow side by side with the main chamber/DT.(and look just as nice as DT just a different part of our marine world) To me refugium is one of the most over used words we use in our hobby today since most reefers don't have a true working refugium.
Click to expand...

So I'll keep you close by for advice. I joined in on a group buy for 20 Mangrove pods tonight which I hope to add in the end chamber of the sump. Good idea? I'm planning on a ATS here but may be able to share its light with some mangroves in about 6" of sand.

20130708_231356
 
Aquatron said:
http://www.socalireefs.com/forums/s...-Green-Goblin-Sun-Coral-and-Atomic-Jawbreaker

Here you go not sure how it looks open? Maybe killer:)

NICE ADDITION'S like I said just keeps getting better!!!!
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Hopefully better than the black sun corals. For the longest time I wondered what the polyps looks like and finally when I saw a pic, I was a bit underwhelmed. Still nice dont get me wrong...but I was hoping for yellow instead of the dull white/light grey.

Dendros are next! That's for sure. I'm just looking for a large colony, not frags. I'll keep you posted. :)
 
Hey thanks Mattiejay6. I'm in the fun part of the build now..stocking. Love nems and couldnt resist this one. I didnt know what it was but it was sold to me as a GBTA but later found it's a Fluorescent Green Sebae. As it turns out it is difficult to keep...yikes another challenge.
 
TANK IS LOOKING GREAT. I love ATS, they seem to work well on my tank and help with creating a buffer for when I slack off in the summer on maintenance. how's the planning coming on back lighting the tank for that depth look. I have seen that here before and it's really cool looking.
 
Impressive. Love the cavern....eerie inner space. Best I've seen...hats off to you. Keep us posted...love all the pics.
 
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