Tank Of The Month - April 2009 - Page 3

Aquarist007 · 04/17/2009, 06:22 PM

Congratulations Seaplug---you have a beautiful tank.
It's also nice to see that a tank that is well within the reach of so many others(with your skill of course) is featured on the cover of reef keeping magazine.

Guillaume · 04/19/2009, 01:23 PM

Congratulation Seaplug for your ToTM. Great display and its much appreciated to learn from users of "small" tank and learn that simplicity is still good at 90 gal. I mean, for me 90 is big and that size of tank is a project I'm starting to think more seriously about but dream of since a long time.

Just a question: how have you come to chose to have a phosphate reactor on your tank? Do you think it is usefull for you and that is a must for that size of tank?

Thanks and congratulation again.

G

vetdog · 04/19/2009, 01:55 PM

congrats

seapug · 04/20/2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Guillaume

Just a question: how have you come to chose to have a phosphate reactor on your tank? Do you think it is usefull for you and that is a must for that size of tank?
G

Phosphate is nasty stuff and my undersized sump prevents me from having a lit refugium, so it was a simple solution for dealing with a Bryopsis invasion that occurred when the tank was about a year old. I've come to think Phosban Reactors are great pieces of equipment for any tank, regardless of size.

Guillaume · 04/20/2009, 07:08 PM

Thanks Seapug. I'm currently dealing with a phosphate problem so I may consider this solution.

xsquyz · 04/21/2009, 12:24 AM

Beautiful!

Dudester · 04/21/2009, 10:22 AM

I love your tank - simple and elegant. Your LPS and softie collection is fantastic. I particularly like your zoanthid garden. It is amazing to me that you are able to keep so many species together in such tight quarters, and that a few more dominant zoas haven't outgrown the others. How did you manage to accomplish this, was it natural or have you weeded out some as they grow? Congratulations on a well-deserved TOTM!

seapug · 04/21/2009, 11:34 AM

Thanks, Dudester.

There is definitely some competition among the Zoanthids. I frequently battle the invasion of some plain old brown Protopalythoas that hitchhiked in on some mixed colonies a long time ago that are very vigorous growers. I periodically have to remove move rocks that have been taken over by them or coat them with Kalk paste when they start overgrowing the pretty ones.

1geo · 04/22/2009, 02:22 PM

Great tank. I can only imagine the time, effort and money it took to put together such a fabulous tank, well done.

KAKLANGLEY · 04/22/2009, 08:42 PM

Wow, nice. Great to 150 watt MH kicking butt.

seapug · 04/22/2009, 09:05 PM

gws76 · 04/23/2009, 12:39 PM

Congratulations!! I've seen glimpses of your tank in threads on here for over a year and wondered when the day would come for your tank to be TOTM. Outstanding tank!

jtc3 · 04/23/2009, 06:30 PM

nice job very impressive

Fernando Chang · 04/25/2009, 12:48 PM

Jake !

My congratulations from Panama very beautiful and colorful small tank reef. can you give me more info abt to take care of the zoanthids and the Acans ? I have purchased some and the zoantids still closed not sure is my lights. I have installed in my 150 glns tank 2 x 250 W 20K Radium and 2 x 110W actinic VHO fluoresccent.
thanks in advance for yr advice.

Regards
Fernando C.

ocean17 · 04/25/2009, 06:26 PM

Seapug, all I can say is WOW! I'm new to the hobby but also have a 2,500 foot antique glass greenhouse so since entering the hobby my goal is to have a gnarly zoa flower garden if you will. Your tank gives me great inspiration and I agree whole heartedly with getting back to basics in that these "sticks" have taken this hobby by storm as of late. Anyway, stay true to yourself,

o17

letik · 04/25/2009, 11:13 PM

I love the tank and the simplicity of your setup. I saw some previous tank-of-the-month winners and it looks like some have comparable size tanks and the whole basement loaded with sumps, controllers, reactors etc.

What I also like about the Tank of the Month ccontest as opposed to the Nano Tank of the Month contest is that everybody shows how their tank complements the surroundings. I think that it is one of the most important things that is completely overlooked in the Nano Tank of the month.

gooyferret · 04/26/2009, 01:40 PM

Seapug when you fragging your leather i want some?! haha Very nice tank cant wait till mine is done cycling and will be reefing man!

seapug · 04/27/2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fernando Chang
Jake !

My congratulations from Panama very beautiful and colorful small tank reef. can you give me more info abt to take care of the zoanthids and the Acans ? I have purchased some and the zoantids still closed not sure is my lights. I have installed in my 150 glns tank 2 x 250 W 20K Radium and 2 x 110W actinic VHO fluoresccent.
thanks in advance for yr advice.

Regards
Fernando C.

Give them a few days to settle in. Most Zoanthids are pretty tolerant of strong light but it's always a good idea to start new corals low and gradually move them up. If they are staying closed check for Zoa eating nudibranchs (they look like tiny feathery snails) and sundial snails. If you find them, a brief freshwater dip of a minute or so tends to work well.

Fernando Chang · 04/27/2009, 09:26 PM

Jake !

thanks fo ry advice however my zoanthids have months in that condition but they are alive. I have placed them in different locations without results !!I will looks for the nudibranchs and the snails. Guidance, abt one month ago I remove one fire worms abt 2 inches maybe there are more. I will hunt them in the night.

Regards
Fernando C.

seapug · 04/27/2009, 09:43 PM

I have some enormous bristleworms that live in the rocks in the Zoa garden and they've never caused problems for me but you might have a different type. I'd check for the nudibranchs and snails first. Have you done any basic water tests to make sure everything is ok with general water quality? What kind of fish do you have? Some fish have a taste for Zoanthids and generally go after the expensive, pretty ones first.

Fernando Chang · 04/27/2009, 09:55 PM

Jake, noted yr comments. Well abt the water quality my last test showed the following: salinity: 1.025, Ca: 440, Ph: 8.1/8.2, Alkalinity: 8.6dkh/3.09 meg/l, PO4: 0, NO3: less than 5, Mag: 1350, amonia: 0, temp: abt 25Â°C. I do not feed them I only feed the fishes: flame angel, blue tang, sailfin tang, tomato clown, royal gramma, pijama cardinal, hawkfish.
lights are: 2 x 250W MH 20k radium + 2 x 110W VHO super actinic. the tank is a 150 glns, 60 inches L x 24 inches W, 27 inches H.

Regards
Fernando C.
Regards

dp122098 · 04/29/2009, 05:32 PM

Congrats!!! I think I dream of your tank. Could you get a better shot of you Phosban setup because I am thinking of doing something similar to yours because of space issues.

IridescentLily · 04/29/2009, 09:24 PM

Seapug,
How big is your Cynarina?
To me, that is the absolute star of your tank because of it's coloring, and also because of how giganormous it is.
Have you measured it when it's puffed up?

Paul777 · 05/03/2009, 03:15 PM

amazing tank I love the aquascaping, your choice in fish and corals really gives it an absolutely stunning overall appearance, I can only hope that in time my tank will someday look like yours, this is by far one of the most beautiful tanks I have ever seen.

thank you for sharing it with us,
Paul

Kreator · 05/03/2009, 06:57 PM

Awesome tank!!!

04/17/2009, 06:22 PM	#51
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	Congratulations Seaplug---you have a beautiful tank. It's also nice to see that a tank that is well within the reach of so many others(with your skill of course) is featured on the cover of reef keeping magazine. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

04/19/2009, 01:23 PM	#52
Guillaume Another reef dependant Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Québec Posts: 505	Congratulation Seaplug for your ToTM. Great display and its much appreciated to learn from users of "small" tank and learn that simplicity is still good at 90 gal. I mean, for me 90 is big and that size of tank is a project I'm starting to think more seriously about but dream of since a long time. Just a question: how have you come to chose to have a phosphate reactor on your tank? Do you think it is usefull for you and that is a must for that size of tank? Thanks and congratulation again. G __________________ G Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef

04/19/2009, 01:55 PM	#53
vetdog Space cadet Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Huntingtown, MD Posts: 1,400	congrats __________________ Any emotion, if it is sincere, is involuntary. ~Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 300 gallon DD reef tank, RedSea MaxE260

04/20/2009, 07:08 PM	#55
Guillaume Another reef dependant Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Québec Posts: 505	Thanks Seapug. I'm currently dealing with a phosphate problem so I may consider this solution. __________________ G Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef

04/21/2009, 10:22 AM	#57
Dudester Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,218	I love your tank - simple and elegant. Your LPS and softie collection is fantastic. I particularly like your zoanthid garden. It is amazing to me that you are able to keep so many species together in such tight quarters, and that a few more dominant zoas haven't outgrown the others. How did you manage to accomplish this, was it natural or have you weeded out some as they grow? Congratulations on a well-deserved TOTM! __________________ The Dude abides Current Tank Info: building a new home tank l 450g office tank with Deltec everything

04/21/2009, 12:24 AM	#56
xsquyz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 52	Beautiful!

04/21/2009, 11:34 AM	#58
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks, Dudester. There is definitely some competition among the Zoanthids. I frequently battle the invasion of some plain old brown Protopalythoas that hitchhiked in on some mixed colonies a long time ago that are very vigorous growers. I periodically have to remove move rocks that have been taken over by them or coat them with Kalk paste when they start overgrowing the pretty ones. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

04/22/2009, 02:22 PM	#59
1geo 1geo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa Bay area of FL Posts: 230	Great tank. I can only imagine the time, effort and money it took to put together such a fabulous tank, well done. __________________ George A Mandalou Current Tank Info: 1 - 40 gal

04/22/2009, 08:42 PM	#60
KAKLANGLEY Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nashville, NC Posts: 165	Wow, nice. Great to 150 watt MH kicking butt. __________________ 92RR Corner, 2- Hydra 26HD, Ruby 30, 2- MP40, BM Crv5 Neptune Apex HIT EM WITH THE HEIN

04/22/2009, 09:05 PM	#61
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1

04/23/2009, 12:39 PM	#62
gws76 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: El Reno, OK Posts: 1,691 Blog Entries: 2	Congratulations!! I've seen glimpses of your tank in threads on here for over a year and wondered when the day would come for your tank to be TOTM. Outstanding tank! __________________ "Let there be Rock!" ~ Bon Scott 2010-2011 COMAS POTM Chairman Current Tank Info: 150 gal. Starphire Mixed Reef

04/23/2009, 06:30 PM	#63
jtc3 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 35	nice job very impressive

04/25/2009, 12:48 PM	#64
Fernando Chang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Panama, Republic of Panama Posts: 90	Jake ! My congratulations from Panama very beautiful and colorful small tank reef. can you give me more info abt to take care of the zoanthids and the Acans ? I have purchased some and the zoantids still closed not sure is my lights. I have installed in my 150 glns tank 2 x 250 W 20K Radium and 2 x 110W actinic VHO fluoresccent. thanks in advance for yr advice. Regards Fernando C. __________________ Fernando Chang Current Tank Info: 60''L x 24''W x 27''H with a 75 glns sump with no sand nor caulerpa only water but containing: phosphate removal reactor, carbon reactor, biopelets chamber. Have installed P. Skimmer Octopus Super Reef EXT5000 , Chiller 1HP.

04/25/2009, 06:26 PM	#65
ocean17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 37	Seapug, all I can say is WOW! I'm new to the hobby but also have a 2,500 foot antique glass greenhouse so since entering the hobby my goal is to have a gnarly zoa flower garden if you will. Your tank gives me great inspiration and I agree whole heartedly with getting back to basics in that these "sticks" have taken this hobby by storm as of late. Anyway, stay true to yourself, o17 __________________ ocean17 Current Tank Info: 339 tall, 5 nano, 2- 270 raceways, dozens misc breeders

04/25/2009, 11:13 PM	#66
letik Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York Posts: 154	I love the tank and the simplicity of your setup. I saw some previous tank-of-the-month winners and it looks like some have comparable size tanks and the whole basement loaded with sumps, controllers, reactors etc. What I also like about the Tank of the Month ccontest as opposed to the Nano Tank of the Month contest is that everybody shows how their tank complements the surroundings. I think that it is one of the most important things that is completely overlooked in the Nano Tank of the month.

04/26/2009, 01:40 PM	#67
gooyferret Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MN Posts: 599	Seapug when you fragging your leather i want some?! haha Very nice tank cant wait till mine is done cycling and will be reefing man! __________________ I smell something Fishy! Oops excuse me! Current Tank Info: 180gal Mixed Reef

04/27/2009, 09:26 PM	#69
Fernando Chang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Panama, Republic of Panama Posts: 90	Jake ! thanks fo ry advice however my zoanthids have months in that condition but they are alive. I have placed them in different locations without results !!I will looks for the nudibranchs and the snails. Guidance, abt one month ago I remove one fire worms abt 2 inches maybe there are more. I will hunt them in the night. Regards Fernando C. __________________ Fernando Chang Current Tank Info: 60''L x 24''W x 27''H with a 75 glns sump with no sand nor caulerpa only water but containing: phosphate removal reactor, carbon reactor, biopelets chamber. Have installed P. Skimmer Octopus Super Reef EXT5000 , Chiller 1HP.

04/27/2009, 09:43 PM	#70
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I have some enormous bristleworms that live in the rocks in the Zoa garden and they've never caused problems for me but you might have a different type. I'd check for the nudibranchs and snails first. Have you done any basic water tests to make sure everything is ok with general water quality? What kind of fish do you have? Some fish have a taste for Zoanthids and generally go after the expensive, pretty ones first. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

04/27/2009, 09:55 PM	#71
Fernando Chang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Panama, Republic of Panama Posts: 90	Jake, noted yr comments. Well abt the water quality my last test showed the following: salinity: 1.025, Ca: 440, Ph: 8.1/8.2, Alkalinity: 8.6dkh/3.09 meg/l, PO4: 0, NO3: less than 5, Mag: 1350, amonia: 0, temp: abt 25Â°C. I do not feed them I only feed the fishes: flame angel, blue tang, sailfin tang, tomato clown, royal gramma, pijama cardinal, hawkfish. lights are: 2 x 250W MH 20k radium + 2 x 110W VHO super actinic. the tank is a 150 glns, 60 inches L x 24 inches W, 27 inches H. Regards Fernando C. Regards __________________ Fernando Chang Current Tank Info: 60''L x 24''W x 27''H with a 75 glns sump with no sand nor caulerpa only water but containing: phosphate removal reactor, carbon reactor, biopelets chamber. Have installed P. Skimmer Octopus Super Reef EXT5000 , Chiller 1HP.

04/29/2009, 05:32 PM	#72
dp122098 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 218	Congrats!!! I think I dream of your tank. Could you get a better shot of you Phosban setup because I am thinking of doing something similar to yours because of space issues. __________________ Damn Shame for a Pimp to get pimped by this tank!!! Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Tank, 75 Gallon Sump, SeasideAquatics ES2 Skimmer, 8xT5 Sun System Tek Fixture, Dolphin Reflo Return, 2xMP40w

04/29/2009, 09:24 PM	#73
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	Seapug, How big is your Cynarina? To me, that is the absolute star of your tank because of it's coloring, and also because of how giganormous it is. Have you measured it when it's puffed up?

05/03/2009, 03:15 PM	#74
Paul777 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 33	amazing tank I love the aquascaping, your choice in fish and corals really gives it an absolutely stunning overall appearance, I can only hope that in time my tank will someday look like yours, this is by far one of the most beautiful tanks I have ever seen. thank you for sharing it with us, Paul __________________ Paul Current Tank Info: SPS dominant 70 gallon marineland cube

05/03/2009, 06:57 PM	#75
Kreator Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 53	Awesome tank!!!