The Reef Central Corner Club Thread

[Michael]

it is light your right, ive always intended to keep corals and just a few small fish, im going to get a mandarin 1 day, but not yet, im intending to start putting acorporas in, behind the leather at the top ive got a good ledge which will easily fit 3 or 4 on, and i think i can get another 2 or 3 on the front wall as well, when the reef is fully stocked with hard and some soft corals, im going to replace some softies i will then get my mandarin, i recon this time next year or maybe a month or so earlier it will be fully stocked, i like to do things slowly, plus ive already spent a fortune on the tank and works tight at the moment

 

[Hookup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14061454#post14061454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
im thinking of replacing 2 of the koralias for another tunze actually, there are 2 K2s at the back, i recon 1 6025 would do the trick, and i could hide it behind the rocks

I currently have 2 Korillias, a K3 and a K4. They are both being replaced with two Vortex Pumps. The Vortex Pumps have the lowest profile that I could find, and are variable speed low voltage. They can produce a peak flow of 2000gph (each) and using their controller you can get a lot of random flow.. Not wave action, my stand isn't re-enforced for wave sloshing, but random flow none the less.

I would like to have a sea-swirl on the system but the only way I can envision doing that cleanly is to build a closed loop for the swirls. Now that would be a project, but honestly, i do not want to drain the tank and start over...

I do want to upgrade eventually, but who doesn't dream... about giant in-wall 500gallong systems? Honestly...

 

[Bernie21]

I can understand that, For me personally, I have always been an avid fish lover, thats my thing & Angels are my secialization, but w that said... I do enjoy the reef alot, I think its sets a beautiful enviroment for those fish I love. Not to mention a reef tank can loon soooo much nicer than and fowlr tank if it is kept correctly!

 

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14061671#post14061671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bernie21
What is this, I dont check in for a few days and you guys add like 3 pages to this thread, come on!!!

:lol: well dont stay away too long, we need your input

 

[Misled]

First kelso, the return pump is a cap 1200.

Now for some pics. These are of the "loop."

 

[flfireman1]

New picture of one of my smallest tank inhabitants. I really like the yellow clown gobies, they have tons of personality! Some hobbiest debate how reef safe they are, but Ive never had any problems with mine. The corals dont seem to mind his perching.

 

[Michael]

i love the shrimp, 1 of the best you can get imo, just beautiful, but they will kill cleaners if competition for food gets tough

 

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14066485#post14066485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Misled
First kelso, the return pump is a cap 1200.

Now for some pics. These are of the "loop."

quick question jesse, how are you going to get to that pump when the tank is full for maintenance etc

 

[Misled]

I'll be able to reach it behind the rock wall. That's why the acrylic posts sit out farther on that side. I was thinking I may let the top rock there cover it some just for looks but we'll just have to see. What's nice is once the suction cups are loose, and the wire ties are clipped, the whole contraption just lifts right out.

 

[flfireman1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14068046#post14068046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
quick question jesse, how are you going to get to that pump when the tank is full for maintenance etc

I was thinking the same thing. Plus if your going to go with a bare bottom tank it would probably work better. If not your going to have bits of sand and detritus being sucked up by your pump sitting on the ground like that. Personally I really dont like the look of barebottom tanks.

 

[flfireman1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14067999#post14067999 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
i love the shrimp, 1 of the best you can get imo, just beautiful, but they will kill cleaners if competition for food gets tough

I have 3 cleaners and 3 fire shrimp, the fire shrimp all stay away from each other and the cleaners stay away from the fire shrimp. Never really seen a fire shrimp attempt to kill a cleaner. But thats not the first time Ive heard that. Ive also heard Coral Banded Shrimp will kill cleaners. The pair of CBS that I have in there have been model citizens (knock on wood).

 

[Misled]

The pump is about 6 inchs off the bottom.

 

[Michael]

if it will lift out jesse then its a good idea behind there, its out of sight, a good place if accessable

 

[Hookup]

Jesse, your acrylic rod system has got me scratching my head. Do you plan on cutting them down as required once yous tart modeling the rock work? I'm really interested to see your aquascaping as it is obvious that you have done this a time or two before and have a good plan in mind.

-Tim

 

[Misled]

Tim, that's so funny. I guess I should splain some. The rock I have, I've had over 20 years. I can tell you how many pieces, what their shapes are and how much they weigh. I've set the same rock up in about 5 different tanks over the years. I have thoughts on where most will go. Some chipping may need to be done, (hammer and chissle), but the way I have in mind it won't be much. I plan on leaving some holes to go to the back and plan on quite a few ledges for corals. There is a picture in my mind, don't know if that's a good thing or not.

 

[Bernie21]

Misled, GL w your aquascaping, its always an adventure, but I too am looking forward to your results. Michael, I too have a mix of shrimps and so far so good, but I have always had a mix & no problems. I have 1 cleaner, 2 fire & 1 CBS and they all just stay away from each other. I want to add 2 more cleaners and a Red Tiger cleaner shrimp. I love the look of shrimps in the tank, I think they add a different look.

 

[Bernie21]

Hey guys I was able to take a few snap of my Canopy and sump. Now for my canopy, Im going to do some modification, I want the front to open w the top, I saw how much easier it is to get to the tank from Eric's (Flfiremans) tank and it is a must do now!!

Here are a few pics of my DIY sump

My skimmer and carbon & phosphate reactors

my mini frag tank, it will eventually be a fuge, maybe...

And a current FTS

 

[Michael]

if theres plenty of food and pods etc in the tank and not much competition for food the shrimps will be fine, but when its very low and competition is high the fire shrimps will win over the cleaners, and kill them in they have to, i love fires they are great, but all im saying is they can be dominant over the cleaners, i had 3 cleaners all killed by my fire shrimp, he was awsome though, but perished when the auto top off pumped 5 gals of fresh water into the tank

 

[Hookup]

Nice photos. Tank looks great... once again I'm drawn to the Moorish Idol, flippn awesome fish. I'm afraid to get one as I do not want to kill it.

I've got my face set on the standard trio of...
Royal Gramma
Yellow Tang
Flame Angel

Hoping to pickup the next juvi-flame my LFS gets in that looks healthy. I've heard if you get juvi's they are somewhat less prone to picking at corals... I'll admit I am afraid of having it eat some corals, which is just not an option...

Also need to pickup a few (1 or 2) more gobies and a blue-spot jaw... I have a nice orange banded goby (unidentified). I wanted one or two others that have different colors than the white and orange bars.... (open to suggestions)

 

[Hookup]

@Jesse, well at this point it looks like an Indian mattress of nails...lol. Definitely keep us up to date with photos... When do you think you'll start on the rock-work???