Tank of the Month - November 2008

melev · 11/08/2008, 01:11 AM

This month we are featuring Luis Gonzalezâ€™s beautiful 125-gallon reef aquarium:

More details can be found here or by clicking on the picture above.

Congratulations, Luisgo!

If you'd like to nominate a tank for Tank of the Month, click here
or use the button to the right.

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Hop · 11/08/2008, 12:15 PM

Congrats Luis! Those are some stellar pics!

Hop · 11/08/2008, 12:58 PM

Another pic of Luis' tank

Phillybean · 11/08/2008, 01:11 PM

A nice change to see a softie, LPS tank with a fairly simply set up as opposed to the normal, high tech SPS tanks.

Congrats.

kfisc · 11/08/2008, 01:26 PM

Awesome tank-

Rodrigo_BG · 11/08/2008, 05:27 PM

Good to see a soft coral tank as TOTM, we all know how tough is to keep a colorfull stony coral tank, but sometimes it's great to see different kinds.

MUCHO REEF · 11/09/2008, 02:44 AM

2 thumbs up for an awesome reef Luisgo. Lean, clean and pristine, great job.

Mucho Reef

dc · 11/09/2008, 06:36 AM

Nice looking tank. Congratulations.

pvillalba · 11/09/2008, 06:56 AM

hey, congratulations , luisgo. i`m confident of your efforts.
thanks for share with us you experince.
take care
pedro

zachofalltrades · 11/09/2008, 07:01 AM

Your photography is incredible. Have any of those pictures in a larger format? You know, for my desktop background :-)

billsreef · 11/09/2008, 07:46 AM

Looks great, like a slice of a real reef

Young Frankenstein · 11/09/2008, 08:04 AM

This one of the nicest and simplest TOTM I have seen.

luisgo · 11/09/2008, 09:06 AM

Thanks to all for your comments and for selecting my tank as tank of the month at Reefkeeping Magazine. Especially to Stephen Hopple for helping me with putting together this.

This is more than an honor that my tank is presented with the SPS monsters we see every month here. Movement and color of my LPS and softies is as amazing as SPS to watch.

These are more current photo of my reef. The first photo included in the magazine is my tank in September 2007. I think that now it looks a lot better.

If somebody wants a higher resolution image please let me know.

SDguy · 11/09/2008, 10:29 AM

Wow, watching to corals flow and move in that tank must be AMAZING!! Soooo relaxing to watch, I bet! Great job on a well grown-in tank Luis!

reefkeeper2 · 11/09/2008, 01:41 PM

Beautiful softies, and the movement in that tank must be hypnotic. Luisgo, do you dose iodine at all? I'm not familiar with Reef Plus or Reef Trace and wonder if they contain iodine. I see your gorgs all have good polyp extension and appear robustly healthy.

gman0526 · 11/09/2008, 02:17 PM

Luis this is awesome!!! Like I told you when you let me in on the news a couple of weeks ago, congrats!!!!!

I've seen this system up close and the most rewarding thing is how simple it is, no fortune spent on this which just let's everybody know that its doable for anybody.

Congrats again Luis!!!!

luisgo · 11/09/2008, 02:19 PM

jay2525 - Not sure why that first photo was selected. According to "Hop" it may be changed to a more recent photo.

reefkeeper2 - I am not using Iodine but Reef Plus is a Full spectrum, vitamin supplement that contains iodine. All my gorgonians improved when the calcium reactor was installed. I think that proper levels of calcium are one of the reasons they are so healthy.

Reef Plus Ingredients: Ascorbic acid, glutamate, niacin, arginine, lysine, tyrosine, pantothenate, riboflavin, thiamin, choline, inositol, Vitamin B12, potassium bromide, potassium iodide, boric acid, manganese sulfate, sodium molybdate, ferric chloride, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, cobalt sulfate, rubidium chloride, vanadium sulfate, nickel chloride, and stannous chloride.

Electrobes · 11/09/2008, 03:04 PM

By the way, those newer photos are a heck of a lot better... I hope the reefkeeping team will slip those into the article.

Jessy. · 11/09/2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luisgo

If somebody wants a higher resolution image please let me know.

That's an AWESOME FTS. Your reef has grown to be so impressive in only one year since that first shot. Very nicely done.

reefkeeper2 · 11/09/2008, 04:40 PM

Luisgo, I'm not surprised that there is some iodine in the supplements your using. Whenever I have stopped supplementing iodine, the gorgs in my tank have declined. Some people can get enough supplemented with just water changes. Presently I'm using Lugols, but I'm finding it too difficult in that the levels in my tank seem to fluctuate and I have to constantly adjust the dose. I think I will change to something else. My favorite pic is of your blue gorgonian with the fantastic polyps . Beautiful!

luisgo · 11/09/2008, 05:32 PM

When I was told that my tank was selected for tank of the month I knew there were going to be some complaints from SPS fans. I have to say that is no surprise that there are some negative comments about my tank. The other thing is that the first photo is not the best.

Thanks to all who really appreciate my reef.

The blue hermit with the blue mushroom on top is also one of my favorites. Those are the kind of photos that you need to have your camera close. Once in a lifetime!

Ron S. · 11/09/2008, 05:42 PM

luisgo beautiful tank. You should feel proud of what you have acomplished and I hope what ever negative comments don't take away from it.

Ron

Antiguan · 11/09/2008, 05:46 PM

Nice tank. Congratulations.

supersurfer12 · 11/09/2008, 06:22 PM

Although I do like the look of SPS dominated reefs I have to say not only is a Softie reef a nice change, but Luisgo's reef is astonishly beautiful. Congrats for TOTM

manosdr · 11/09/2008, 06:30 PM

Beautiful tank, congratulations.!

11/08/2008, 12:15 PM	#2
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,610	Congrats Luis! Those are some stellar pics! __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

11/08/2008, 12:58 PM	#3
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,610	Another pic of Luis' tank __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

11/08/2008, 01:11 PM	#4
Phillybean Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kelowna B.C. Posts: 584	A nice change to see a softie, LPS tank with a fairly simply set up as opposed to the normal, high tech SPS tanks. Congrats. __________________ It's not how much is costs that matters, it's how much you told your wife it costs! Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Mixed Reef, 2 x 250 Watt 14k Hamilton, 2 x 54 Watt T5's, ASM G3, Dart Closed Loop, Mag 7 Return, 45 Gallon Sump/Fuge with Cheato and Xenia on a 175 Watt 10k XM Bulb

11/08/2008, 01:26 PM	#5
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW CT Posts: 1,241	Awesome tank- __________________ Owner of the Hubble Telescope. Current Tank Info: 90g AGA; ER135, Rubbermaid 40g stocktank sump; Maristar 250wx2/ 54w actinic x2; eheim 1260 return

11/09/2008, 02:44 AM	#7
MUCHO REEF Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,928	2 thumbs up for an awesome reef Luisgo. Lean, clean and pristine, great job. Mucho Reef __________________ Anyone can build a reef, the greater challenge..........................Is to grow one. Current Tank Info: 70 gallon zoanthid, Palythoa and Mushroom Reef.

11/08/2008, 05:27 PM	#6
Rodrigo_BG Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 148	Good to see a soft coral tank as TOTM, we all know how tough is to keep a colorfull stony coral tank, but sometimes it's great to see different kinds.

11/09/2008, 06:36 AM	#8
dc Moved In... Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 31,429	Nice looking tank. Congratulations. __________________ Debi ><> Now that we're all moved, Please be patient there's still lot's of tweaking to do. THANKS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: :^( Soon to be none!

11/09/2008, 06:56 AM	#9
pvillalba Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: puerto rico Posts: 14	hey, congratulations , luisgo. i`m confident of your efforts. thanks for share with us you experince. take care pedro

11/09/2008, 07:01 AM	#10
zachofalltrades Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 137	Your photography is incredible. Have any of those pictures in a larger format? You know, for my desktop background :-) __________________ 55 FOWLR Current Tank Info: 55g FOWLR

11/09/2008, 07:46 AM	#11
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 27,360	Looks great, like a slice of a real reef __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

11/09/2008, 08:04 AM	#12
Young Frankenstein Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami Florida. Posts: 3,864	This one of the nicest and simplest TOTM I have seen.

11/09/2008, 09:06 AM	#13
luisgo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 246	Thanks to all for your comments and for selecting my tank as tank of the month at Reefkeeping Magazine. Especially to Stephen Hopple for helping me with putting together this. This is more than an honor that my tank is presented with the SPS monsters we see every month here. Movement and color of my LPS and softies is as amazing as SPS to watch. These are more current photo of my reef. The first photo included in the magazine is my tank in September 2007. I think that now it looks a lot better. If somebody wants a higher resolution image please let me know.

11/09/2008, 10:29 AM	#14
SDguy Vodka Doser Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 13,470	Wow, watching to corals flow and move in that tank must be AMAZING!! Soooo relaxing to watch, I bet! Great job on a well grown-in tank Luis! __________________ Peter Marine tanks since '89. San Diego Marine Aquarium Society - Treasurer Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, Leemar tank/stand/canopy. 2 x 250W 14K Phoenix in PFO on Icecaps, MRC2 (34") dual injectors/PCX-55, Custom sump/Panworld 50PX-X, Vortechs, nanostreams, Korallin C-1502, Neptune Jr, 1/4HP JBJ chiller, O3, carbon, vodka, osmolator.

11/09/2008, 01:41 PM	#15
reefkeeper2 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bridgewater, MA Posts: 701	Beautiful softies, and the movement in that tank must be hypnotic. Luisgo, do you dose iodine at all? I'm not familiar with Reef Plus or Reef Trace and wonder if they contain iodine. I see your gorgs all have good polyp extension and appear robustly healthy. __________________ Paul Dec 08 TOTM Current Tank Info: Envisions 427gal

11/09/2008, 02:17 PM	#16
gman0526 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 1,270	Luis this is awesome!!! Like I told you when you let me in on the news a couple of weeks ago, congrats!!!!! I've seen this system up close and the most rewarding thing is how simple it is, no fortune spent on this which just let's everybody know that its doable for anybody. Congrats again Luis!!!! __________________ "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." A.E. Current Tank Info: 75 G BB tank

11/09/2008, 02:19 PM	#17
luisgo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 246	jay2525 - Not sure why that first photo was selected. According to "Hop" it may be changed to a more recent photo. reefkeeper2 - I am not using Iodine but Reef Plus is a Full spectrum, vitamin supplement that contains iodine. All my gorgonians improved when the calcium reactor was installed. I think that proper levels of calcium are one of the reasons they are so healthy. Reef Plus Ingredients: Ascorbic acid, glutamate, niacin, arginine, lysine, tyrosine, pantothenate, riboflavin, thiamin, choline, inositol, Vitamin B12, potassium bromide, potassium iodide, boric acid, manganese sulfate, sodium molybdate, ferric chloride, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, cobalt sulfate, rubidium chloride, vanadium sulfate, nickel chloride, and stannous chloride. __________________ Tank of the Month Reefkeeping Magazine 11/2008 Current Tank Info: Reef 125 gal, Aquapod 12gal, 55 planted

11/09/2008, 03:04 PM	#18
Electrobes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 2,415	By the way, those newer photos are a heck of a lot better... I hope the reefkeeping team will slip those into the article. __________________ Christian Shallow Reef Club Member CMAC and PMAC Member Current Tank Info: 40Br Sumpless and Softy Dominated.

11/09/2008, 04:40 PM	#20
reefkeeper2 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bridgewater, MA Posts: 701	Luisgo, I'm not surprised that there is some iodine in the supplements your using. Whenever I have stopped supplementing iodine, the gorgs in my tank have declined. Some people can get enough supplemented with just water changes. Presently I'm using Lugols, but I'm finding it too difficult in that the levels in my tank seem to fluctuate and I have to constantly adjust the dose. I think I will change to something else. My favorite pic is of your blue gorgonian with the fantastic polyps . Beautiful! __________________ Paul Dec 08 TOTM Current Tank Info: Envisions 427gal

11/09/2008, 05:32 PM	#21
luisgo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 246	When I was told that my tank was selected for tank of the month I knew there were going to be some complaints from SPS fans. I have to say that is no surprise that there are some negative comments about my tank. The other thing is that the first photo is not the best. Thanks to all who really appreciate my reef. The blue hermit with the blue mushroom on top is also one of my favorites. Those are the kind of photos that you need to have your camera close. Once in a lifetime! __________________ Tank of the Month Reefkeeping Magazine 11/2008 Current Tank Info: Reef 125 gal, Aquapod 12gal, 55 planted

11/09/2008, 05:42 PM	#22
Ron S. Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 198	luisgo beautiful tank. You should feel proud of what you have acomplished and I hope what ever negative comments don't take away from it. Ron

11/09/2008, 05:46 PM	#23
Antiguan Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 54	Nice tank. Congratulations.

11/09/2008, 06:22 PM	#24
supersurfer12 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Conneticut Posts: 333	Although I do like the look of SPS dominated reefs I have to say not only is a Softie reef a nice change, but Luisgo's reef is astonishly beautiful. Congrats for TOTM __________________ Click the red house to see my tank! They took the flooring?-James BB living room!!!-reef / aholic Current Tank Info: 90 Gal. Reef Tank, w/ 1/2g. fuge, Sieo 820, Mag Drive 700 return pump. 90 lbs. of LR, 2 Ocellaris, 1 Kole Tang, 8 Blue-green Chromis, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Orchid/Sankey's Dottyback Mix, Exquisite Wrasse, 1 Sailfin Tang, SPS, LBS, Softies.

11/09/2008, 06:30 PM	#25
manosdr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: RETHIMNON-GREECE Posts: 157	Beautiful tank, congratulations.! __________________ MANOS Reef Central Tank of the month (December 2006) Current Tank Info: I have a 100 g reef tank with sps,lps and soft corals,a lot of snails,shrimps, clams and 17 fish.