Tank of the Month - April '06

[mildew]

Gary, Congratulations on TOTM! Beautiful! It's great to see the home of the mini carpets I got from you last fall. Thanks so much for sharing. Nobody here had ever seen them before. I received 3 and I think there are now 7. Thanks again. They are really special and so is you aquarium.

[KAZEKY]

I love It!

[merseyman]

"There was one drain pipe from '97 until two years ago when a large anemone clogged the one and only drain. I then added a second drain in the form of a hang on tank prefilter box."

-So where is the hang-on box hanging on? Could you possibly post some pics of the drain pipe? Do your returns simply come up through the bottom as well? Would you advocate the sytem you have, or the one I was considering, with a central overflow box? Why?
Sorry to inundate you w/ all the queries! Thanks again.

[gussy]

Hello Gary!

Great tank!!

You mentioned that you used the best LR that you can buy. Can you explain the history of this LR? Like if you purchased it cured or uncured and what are the exact steps that you took once the rock got to you.

[alien9168]

Thanks for the claridication about the dolar store bin!

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by merseyman

-So where is the hang-on box hanging on? Could you possibly post some pics of the drain pipe? Do your returns simply come up through the bottom as well? Would you advocate the sytem you have, or the one I was considering, with a central overflow box? Why?
Sorry to inundate you w/ all the queries! Thanks again.

The hang-on box can be seen in this picture at the far left top of the aquarium.


You can't see the main drain pipe or the returns because they are encased in "prime reef".

A central overflow box would be very nice for an island tank. You could incorporate a durso on top of the drain pipe to quiet it. You might also choose to simply do a standpipe drain without the overflow box, which is what I did.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by gussy
Hello Gary!

Great tank!!

You mentioned that you used the best LR that you can buy. Can you explain the history of this LR? Like if you purchased it cured or uncured and what are the exact steps that you took once the rock got to you.

I'll try to elaborate, but my rock came from many different sources over 12 years time.
Some of the first rock I purchased (and I still have it) came from John Tullock @ "Saltwater Specialists" in Knoxville, TN.
It is excellent Marshall Island rock and no curing was necessary.
I got some oblong Indonesian plant rock from Roger Bull in Arizona. This is the rock the mini carpet anemone hitch-hiked in on. It was great rock because it was full of life and several species of macroalgae and coralline. (Keep in mind that most good live rock was relatively expensive back in the early '90's. It wasn't uncommon for rock to be priced at $11.99- $13.99 or more per lb.!)
I grabbed #50 of Tampa Bay rock really cheap from a local reefer that wanted to get rid of it for Fiji rock (silly guy).
I got various pieces of Tonga and Fiji as it became more and more popular. This was great rock because of the shapes (especially branch) and porosity, but some of it needed some curing.
Finally, a real nice fella from Buffalo (Dave- you know who you are!) came up with some absolutely pristine #60 slabs of LR for me. Large pieces of rock are difficult to come by- and these pieces are absolutely gorgeous. These are my favorites and I believe they are from the Gulf of Mexico. (Can you tell I like rock?)

Curing rock for me simply entails placing it in a big container and keeping it dark while providing circulation and doing same water changes.

[rbaker]

Congratulations Gary, a well deserved TOTM...

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks, Ryan.

[douggiestyle]

nice tank gary.

two questions, are you using any cooling device? and what is the temp you keep?

thanks
doug

[Skipper]

From the article:

Temperature: 75-83° F

[douggiestyle]

thanks skipper

Gary, are you using any cooling device? if so what type?

thanks
doug

[saltcreek]

Hi Gary,

I am new to this and am interested in doing a similar tank design, maybe 180 gallons. I had a few questions.

Are there 3 holes drilled in the bottom of your tank?

Would your suggestion if designing a new tank be to drill 4 holes?

My understanding is that you have 3 bare pvc pipes poking up in the center of your tank.

What are the diamter of the holes drilled (are the return and drain holes different sizes) and of the PVC pipes?

Then you placed small cinder blocks over the top of the pvc pipes and glued rock to the cinder blocks?

Are the pipes visible from the top or does the water flow through the rocks and into the pipes? I just wondered if having access to the pipe inlets is important to remove something that could get ingested.

Thanks, in advance. Sorry for all the questions but there is nothing like experience.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by douggiestyle
thanks skipper

Gary, are you using any cooling device? if so what type?

thanks
doug

I sold my chiller when I added central AC to our home.
The basement sump also helps to cool the aquarium. Covering the sump during the winter and uncovering it in summer helps to regulate aquarium temperatures in a low tech inexpensive manner.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by saltcreek
Hi Gary,
I am new to this and am interested in doing a similar tank design, maybe 180 gallons. I had a few questions.
Are there 3 holes drilled in the bottom of your tank?

yes

Would your suggestion if designing a new tank be to drill 4 holes?

incorporate at least 2 separate drains on large aquariums

My understanding is that you have 3 bare pvc pipes poking up in the center of your tank.
What are the diamter of the holes drilled (are the return and drain holes different sizes) and of the PVC pipes?

One 1" drain bulkhead and two 1/2" returns. I used a coupling on the drainpipe so the top of the pipe was a larger diameter. On aquariums with a higher total turnover (GPH) I would recommend drilling two larger (perhaps 2") drain bulkheads

Then you placed small cinder blocks over the top of the pvc pipes and glued rock to the cinder blocks?

I used standard size cinderblock and Thorite marine cement

Are the pipes visible from the top or does the water flow through the rocks and into the pipes? I just wondered if having access to the pipe inlets is important to remove something that could get ingested.

Pipes are visible from the top, but only at certain angles. Access to pipe inlets/outlets is very important. Marine organisms will tend to encrust them and they need to be removed periodically

Thanks, in advance. Sorry for all the questions but there is nothing like experience.

Agreed.

[JHReef]

Beautiful set-up!

I'm very pleased to see a mixed tank as TOTM. Acro dominant tanks are cool, but I can only stand so many "colored sticks". I have been criticized that my mixing of LPS, SPS, softies, anemonies, and clams is irresponsible and that I can't possibly meet the needs of these different animals. But it is working well for me.

I am glad to see that my philosophy is shared by someone else who has had a good measure of success. (though I wouldn't be bold enough to enter mine for TOTM)

Great job!

[grigsy]

Your tank looks awesome. Great job.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by merseyman
"There was one drain pipe from '97 until two years ago when a large anemone clogged the one and only drain. I then added a second drain in the form of a hang on tank prefilter box."

-So where is the hang-on box hanging on? Could you possibly post some pics of the drain pipe? Do your returns simply come up through the bottom as well? Would you advocate the sytem you have, or the one I was considering, with a central overflow box? Why?
Sorry to inundate you w/ all the queries! Thanks again.

You can see the top of the main drain at the bottom of this picture. (There is nylon screening rubberbanded around it's intake.)

[37 FLATHEAD]

Congrats on your reef. It`s about time we get to see something that is different in so many ways & so beautful to boot.

[cweder]

Incredible fusion of diversity, very nice! I am looking at getting a Heteractis Crispa (Sebae) anemone and a pair of cleaner shrimp. Noticed you have no shrimp. Is this because of the anemone's or other reason(s) you may have to oppose cleaner shrimp in your system? I know cleaner shrimp can get greedy and make it hard to target feed your anemones. Congrats!

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by 37 FLATHEAD
Congrats on your reef. It`s about time we get to see something that is different in so many ways & so beautful to boot.

Thanks. I'll agree that this aquarium is different from others in
many ways.

Originally posted by cweder
Incredible fusion of diversity, very nice! I am looking at getting a Heteractis Crispa (Sebae) anemone and a pair of cleaner shrimp. Noticed you have no shrimp. Is this because of the anemone's or other reason(s) you may have to oppose cleaner shrimp in your system? I know cleaner shrimp can get greedy and make it hard to target feed your anemones. Congrats!

I forgot to mention my shrimps- several "Peppermints" and a pair of "Scarlet Cleaners".
H. crispa is known to eat ornamental shrimps, but the anemones in my aquarium have never eaten any of my shrimps.

[Flipturn88]

Finally! I have always admired your tank, Gary. It is undoubtedly worthy of recognition - and quite a few puddles of drool.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by Flipturn88
Finally! I have always admired your tank, Gary. It is undoubtedly worthy of recognition - and quite a few puddles of drool.

Thanks, Kayla- and likewise regarding your aquarium!

[kevin gu3]

Hello Gary. Wonderful tank!

I have a question about your Haddonnii anemone; how do you keep it from eating your fish?

I had a Haddon's in my tank and ended up setting up a separate "anemone exile tank" just so that I could keep fish in my main reef tank. Except for the clowns the anemone would get any fish added to the tank.

One tang only lasted a few seconds, diving directly from the bag into the anemone. My wife says she watched a clown fish actually push another new fish into the tentacles. One tang, apparently very smart, lived for 6 months before becoming a Sticho meal.

I swear the anemone could tell when there was a new fish. It would go mobile (albeit only a few inches a day) and eventually find the fish's sleeping spot.

Now that the anemone is gone my reef has a pair of tangs and an angel, healthy for over two years.

So how do you keep so many fish in a Haddon's tank?

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by kevin gu3
Hello Gary. Wonderful tank!

I have a question about your Haddonnii anemone; how do you keep it from eating your fish?

I had a Haddon's in my tank and ended up setting up a separate "anemone exile tank" just so that I could keep fish in my main reef tank. Except for the clowns the anemone would get any fish added to the tank.

One tang only lasted a few seconds, diving directly from the bag into the anemone. My wife says she watched a clown fish actually push another new fish into the tentacles. One tang, apparently very smart, lived for 6 months before becoming a Sticho meal.

I swear the anemone could tell when there was a new fish. It would go mobile (albeit only a few inches a day) and eventually find the fish's sleeping spot.

Now that the anemone is gone my reef has a pair of tangs and an angel, healthy for over two years.

So how do you keep so many fish in a Haddon's tank?

Thanks for the compliments on my aquarium.
Certain fishes are more prone to get eaten by Haddon's anemone than others, but there are no guarantees.
Gobies, Mandarinfish and newly introduced fish are especially prone to getting eaten by Haddon's anemone, IME.
Aquarium size helps- the bigger the aquarium the less chance your fish will become sushi.
In my experience most fishes recognize Haddon's anemone for what it is and remain a respectful distance from it.
It helps to keep some sort of night light on every night so sleeping fishes don't blunder into the anemone. The same holds true for daytime lighting- it helps if there is a regular photoperiod (put all lights on timers) because turning any light on unexpectedly can cause groggy fish to accidentally bolt into the anemone.
Clownfish will also help prevent other fishes from getting close to a Haddon's anemone- and Saddlebacks or Clarkii Clowns are a natural choice for a Haddon's anemone.