January 2011 Tank of the Month - Page 2

copps · 01/09/2011, 11:28 AM

Thanks again everyone! For those asking for photos of my equipment I will get to it as soon as I can... I'm still recovering from the hundreds I took!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wet work

Would you be kind enough to tell me where you sourced the plastic mesh I noticed covering one of the tanks?

Shooting you a PM... a member on another board has a bunch that he sells cheaply... not sure if I could link it in the thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefkiter

ph, redox?
it's fantastic!!!

pH runs between 7.7 and 7.9... ORP I have no idea any more as I do not monitor it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefkiter

po4 and no3?

Both were undetectable when I last tested... I notice these in my corals before a test kit will tell me...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fernando Chang

Good evening John !

Congratulations from Panama beautiful and very impressed with yr tanks and all of your set-ups !! Also very informative your comments in general.
I have 2 questions for you:
1) the distance of the lights from the surface of the water to the bulbs. mine are abt 10
inches 3 x 250W 14K M. Halides.
2) dimensions of your main tank 180 glns.
I started months ago with few sps frags purchased in Miami and I wonder if the distance is OK !! my tank is 150 glns capacity.
thanks in advance yr kind attention.

Regards
Fernando Chang

Gracias Fernando! My reflectors are 9" off of the water and the bulbs themselves are 11". The 180 gallon is 6' x 2' x 2'... a standard 180 gallon here in the states. Is there a saltwater hobby in Panama? I lived in Ecuador and travel back there yearly with my family and there is still no saltwater hobby I've found...

Fernando Chang · 01/09/2011, 11:50 AM

Hi John !

Good day, thanks very much for yr reply ! as regards to the reef hobby in Panama unfortunately there is not much very few people are in this hobby and most of the informations abt the reef keeping are coming from the internet. Also there is only one shop that sells corals and fishes but not variiety (varidedad) most of the corals are softies. There is a lack of information of reef keeping in Panama. Now I am trying with the sps corals.

Saludos
Fernando Chang

copps · 01/09/2011, 11:56 AM

Fernando are you friends with the shop? I am friends with a few people that ship to Latin America, y tambien hablan español! Let me know if I could help get you some better diversity. Good luck being a pioneer in your country though Fernando!

John

Fernando Chang · 01/09/2011, 12:03 PM

Thanks John, Yes I know the manager of the shop AQUARIUM WORLD and understand he ordered the corals and fishes from Miami and Los Angeles. sometimes he traveled to choose the corals/fishes but this doesn`t works because always brings the same variety. Maybe he has to change the distributors in Miami and Los Angeles if you can recommend some I shall this information to him.
thanks for your interest.

Regards
Fernando Chang

Ninong · 01/09/2011, 01:03 PM

Congratulations, John! Your tank is absolutely gorgeous.

solastsummer · 01/09/2011, 04:31 PM

copps do you have a video anywhere of feeding time, i'd love to see that!

jsdancer · 01/09/2011, 11:03 PM

Congrats!
I love your tanks and love the fact that you are a fanatic of anglefish!
Continued success my friend and your article was well written!

bourbeaue · 01/10/2011, 01:59 PM

Inspiring...

Have you published anything (thread or other) on specific angelfish species and reefs ? I am very interested in your perspective rather than relying on urban legend or outdated unwritten rules.

Thanks !

Laddy · 01/10/2011, 04:45 PM

John,

I already commented in the "unofficial TOTM thread", but allow me to post in the correct venue. What I wanted to see, and found, in your write up is something that gets over-looked even with some of the most seasoned hobbyist: redundencies and backups. The last few paragraphs should be read and re-read by most of us.

As a persons tank grows from small to large, not only do live stock quantities start to double, but replacement costs start to increase exponentially as well (not to mention emotional investments). My wife and I live just south of SF, and this is the time of year where we can expect to encounter a power outage at least once. My wife, daughter and I may huddle under the blankets at this time eating take-out pizza holding flashlights, but the little Honda generator I have out back can run for days powering the essentials on the tank. Pray for the best, prepare for the worst.

Also, I'd like to say that out of the "elite hobbyists" on RC, you appear to always take the time to further everyone elses knowledge of the hobby with extremely well written and cared for responses. This hobby is more about deductive reasoning than anything, and you give your years of acquired knowledge away for the price of an internet connection. Couple that with the fact that two different people, at two different coral/fish stores in the bay area last year said to me something like "Hey do know the guy back east who mixes multiple angel fish into his reef tank.....that dude is sick!", that more than establishes you in this hobby, and more than deserving of a TOTM.

God speed.

disciple · 01/10/2011, 06:11 PM

Very nice tank!!!
I have an anglefish question. I would be interested in getting a pair of dwarf anglefish for my 120gallon 2'x2'x4' dt. Right now I have only a clam, mushroom rock, sixline, two clowns and plenty of live rock. I was interested in either a pair of potters or coral beauties. How does one go about getting a pair and or pairing these fish up. Do you also have any advice between the two.

Dave1NC · 01/10/2011, 07:55 PM

A video would be cool, but it looks like you have you have a full plate taking care of fish, corals, etc.

Truly an inspiration!

jc-reef · 01/11/2011, 01:09 AM

Amazing system you have there to say the least!!! I agree with the others, a video tour of your tanks' set up/fish room would be stellar!! Congrats on another TOTM

Aquafred · 01/11/2011, 05:30 AM

Congrats on TOTM.
Well deserved.

reefkiter · 01/11/2011, 04:00 PM

John,
do you think to feed fish with dry food means not to food corals good?
thanks

Aquaticadvisor · 01/12/2011, 12:05 AM

Conratulations on Totm. Truly an inspiration. I have a question regarding the use of your U/V sterilizer. You stated a properly placed U/V, Ideally on a closed loop. Can you give me some more specifics/details on this ? In addition, what flow thru rate are you using ? Are you worried about destroying any planktonic food supply for your reef or is this a non-issue ?

Thanks

Avast Marine · 01/12/2011, 12:49 AM

Congrats John!

Rhodes19 · 01/12/2011, 07:01 AM

Absolutely amazing.

I love your corals and I'm glad to hear it will be possible to keep some angels. They are some of my most favorite fish but never gave thought to getting any because the would eat my corals. I'm going to click on over the the thread you mentioned and start reading up on them. Thanks.

copps · 01/12/2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solastsummer

copps do you have a video anywhere of feeding time, i'd love to see that!

I will do this by next weekend hopefully and post it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bourbeaue

Inspiring...

Have you published anything (thread or other) on specific angelfish species and reefs ? I am very interested in your perspective rather than relying on urban legend or outdated unwritten rules.

Thanks !

I have a bunch of threads you could search for, and I have a number of Powerpoint presentations I do for clubs, but little published info on this, although that will be changing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laddy

John,

I already commented in the "unofficial TOTM thread", but allow me to post in the correct venue. What I wanted to see, and found, in your write up is something that gets over-looked even with some of the most seasoned hobbyist: redundencies and backups. The last few paragraphs should be read and re-read by most of us.

As a persons tank grows from small to large, not only do live stock quantities start to double, but replacement costs start to increase exponentially as well (not to mention emotional investments). My wife and I live just south of SF, and this is the time of year where we can expect to encounter a power outage at least once. My wife, daughter and I may huddle under the blankets at this time eating take-out pizza holding flashlights, but the little Honda generator I have out back can run for days powering the essentials on the tank. Pray for the best, prepare for the worst.

Also, I'd like to say that out of the "elite hobbyists" on RC, you appear to always take the time to further everyone elses knowledge of the hobby with extremely well written and cared for responses. This hobby is more about deductive reasoning than anything, and you give your years of acquired knowledge away for the price of an internet connection. Couple that with the fact that two different people, at two different coral/fish stores in the bay area last year said to me something like "Hey do know the guy back east who mixes multiple angel fish into his reef tank.....that dude is sick!", that more than establishes you in this hobby, and more than deserving of a TOTM.

God speed.

Thanks James! I was just in the Bay Area in September of last year... I met up with the crew at the Steinhart Aquarium and spoke for a club in Stockton... happy to chalk up some points for us reefers "back east"...

Quote:

Originally Posted by disciple

Very nice tank!!!
I have an anglefish question. I would be interested in getting a pair of dwarf anglefish for my 120gallon 2'x2'x4' dt. Right now I have only a clam, mushroom rock, sixline, two clowns and plenty of live rock. I was interested in either a pair of potters or coral beauties. How does one go about getting a pair and or pairing these fish up. Do you also have any advice between the two.

Either species would work in a pair or trio in a 120... both Potter's and coral beauties are very closely related. One thing about Potter's angels that many people do not realize is that they most times cannot tolerate very warm reef temperatures in the high 70s low 80s for extended periods of time. Potter's are a Hawaiian endemic, and named after the first director of the Waikiki Aquarium Frederick Potter. While Hawaii is a tropical paradise, it's waters are essentially subtropical and while they may hit 80 degrees it is for short periods of time. For the most part a fish that is exclusively found in cooler temps in the wild will require these temps long term in captivity to thrive. Also, Potter's are very susceptible to a specific trematode that needs to be treated for. Aside from those two things they adapt well and are hardy, but this is often overlooked and they are given a bad name when those two issues are not considered.

Coral beauties are the most widely distributed pygmy angel species being found from South Africa to the Central Pacific, so no worries with those. Be careful with your sixline though as they can become very aggressive to new additions.

The ideal way to mix these is to get two or three small to medium specimens, quarantine them separately, and introduce into the display at once, or stagger the introduction with the smallest individual getting a few days head start in the display.

Copps

copps · 01/12/2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefkiter

John,
do you think to feed fish with dry food means not to food corals good?
thanks

The reason I almost exclusively feed frozen is not to feed my corals... I only feed my corals with good water quality, light, and fish poop... I have thousands upon thousands of polyps in this system... were I to worry about feeding all of them my water quality would be tanked!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquaticadvisor

Conratulations on Totm. Truly an inspiration. I have a question regarding the use of your U/V sterilizer. You stated a properly placed U/V, Ideally on a closed loop. Can you give me some more specifics/details on this ? In addition, what flow thru rate are you using ? Are you worried about destroying any planktonic food supply for your reef or is this a non-issue ?

Thanks

UV kills the free swimming trophant stages of many diseases... I've noticed their effectiveness is much great on a closed loop as opposed to in the sump or in some other remote location, keeping in mind that their effectiveness will never be 100%. The flow through rate varies according to each system of course... you want it slow enough that it has a decent kill rate and fats enough that it turns over enough volume... also realize it is not an exact science the ideal flow through rate is not completely critical to obtain. Planktonic food supply I am not concerned with one iota...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avast Marine

Congrats John!

Thanks Dan! If your product was available when I set this system up I would be running a lot of it!

Copps

chimmike · 01/12/2011, 11:40 AM

Absolutely fantastic job. Impressive husbandry, congrats!

disciple · 01/12/2011, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the advice.

As far as the UV goes would you consider this a necessity in keeping angels?

NexDog · 01/13/2011, 05:26 AM

The Legend.

copps · 01/13/2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disciple

Thanks for the advice.

As far as the UV goes would you consider this a necessity in keeping angels?

Far from a necessity... but when doing this much with fish it absolutely helps...

Thanks again all...

Catching up on PMs... I will get to everyone...

Copps

teo reef · 01/14/2011, 02:33 PM

Congrats John! Your tank is beautiful!!

reefkiter · 01/14/2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copps

The reason I almost exclusively feed frozen is not to feed my corals... I only feed my corals with good water quality, light, and fish poop...

i would say that fish poop is liquid and not solid with feed frozen for fish...than it can food coral...
while fish poop is not liquid with dry feed...than it can't food coral
is it a nonsense?

01/09/2011, 11:50 AM	#27
Fernando Chang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Panama, Republic of Panama Posts: 90	Hi John ! Good day, thanks very much for yr reply ! as regards to the reef hobby in Panama unfortunately there is not much very few people are in this hobby and most of the informations abt the reef keeping are coming from the internet. Also there is only one shop that sells corals and fishes but not variiety (varidedad) most of the corals are softies. There is a lack of information of reef keeping in Panama. Now I am trying with the sps corals. Saludos Fernando Chang __________________ 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.

01/09/2011, 11:56 AM	#28
copps Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,679	Fernando are you friends with the shop? I am friends with a few people that ship to Latin America, y tambien hablan español! Let me know if I could help get you some better diversity. Good luck being a pioneer in your country though Fernando! John __________________ - John Coppolino September '04 RC TOTM January '11 RC TOTM Buy fish that excite YOU, and respect others' passions. Yes, we know, there's a cheaper and prettier fish than the one we’re talking about. Current Tank Info: displays are 1300 gallon SPS (8.5' x 6' x 42"), 240 gallon anemone, and 350 gallon fish only

01/09/2011, 12:03 PM	#29
Fernando Chang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Panama, Republic of Panama Posts: 90	Thanks John, Yes I know the manager of the shop AQUARIUM WORLD and understand he ordered the corals and fishes from Miami and Los Angeles. sometimes he traveled to choose the corals/fishes but this doesn`t works because always brings the same variety. Maybe he has to change the distributors in Miami and Los Angeles if you can recommend some I shall this information to him. thanks for your interest. Regards Fernando Chang __________________ 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.

01/09/2011, 01:03 PM	#30
Ninong Team RC Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: USA Posts: 3,376	Congratulations, John! Your tank is absolutely gorgeous. __________________ Ninong

01/09/2011, 11:03 PM	#32
jsdancer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Orlando Posts: 796	Congrats! I love your tanks and love the fact that you are a fanatic of anglefish! Continued success my friend and your article was well written! __________________ 180g mostly sps, 3 250 wt radiums w lumenmax reflectors, 9 superbrights actinics, 2 MP 40ES Vortex, Reef Octopus SRO 3000, Bubble blaster 10,000 all controlled by an ACJR

01/09/2011, 04:31 PM	#31
solastsummer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 419	copps do you have a video anywhere of feeding time, i'd love to see that!

01/10/2011, 01:59 PM	#33
bourbeaue Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 216	Inspiring... Have you published anything (thread or other) on specific angelfish species and reefs ? I am very interested in your perspective rather than relying on urban legend or outdated unwritten rules. Thanks ! __________________ Montreal, Canada Current Tank Info: SPS LPS Reef: 165g Starphire custom Miracles, custom sump, AC3, DIY LED, UV, Geo Ca reactor, nanostreams, two other small SW tanks

01/10/2011, 04:45 PM	#34
Laddy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Standing Tall on the Quarterdeck Posts: 1,001	John, I already commented in the "unofficial TOTM thread", but allow me to post in the correct venue. What I wanted to see, and found, in your write up is something that gets over-looked even with some of the most seasoned hobbyist: redundencies and backups. The last few paragraphs should be read and re-read by most of us. As a persons tank grows from small to large, not only do live stock quantities start to double, but replacement costs start to increase exponentially as well (not to mention emotional investments). My wife and I live just south of SF, and this is the time of year where we can expect to encounter a power outage at least once. My wife, daughter and I may huddle under the blankets at this time eating take-out pizza holding flashlights, but the little Honda generator I have out back can run for days powering the essentials on the tank. Pray for the best, prepare for the worst. Also, I'd like to say that out of the "elite hobbyists" on RC, you appear to always take the time to further everyone elses knowledge of the hobby with extremely well written and cared for responses. This hobby is more about deductive reasoning than anything, and you give your years of acquired knowledge away for the price of an internet connection. Couple that with the fact that two different people, at two different coral/fish stores in the bay area last year said to me something like "Hey do know the guy back east who mixes multiple angel fish into his reef tank.....that dude is sick!", that more than establishes you in this hobby, and more than deserving of a TOTM. God speed. __________________ James Hobbies: I enjoy moving water from point A, to point B, back to point A WANTED: True ATL Appleberry Palawanensis Frag, PM me. Current Tank Info: Current Build: 180 Reef; 55 holding tank

01/10/2011, 06:11 PM	#35
disciple Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 155	Very nice tank!!! I have an anglefish question. I would be interested in getting a pair of dwarf anglefish for my 120gallon 2'x2'x4' dt. Right now I have only a clam, mushroom rock, sixline, two clowns and plenty of live rock. I was interested in either a pair of potters or coral beauties. How does one go about getting a pair and or pairing these fish up. Do you also have any advice between the two.

01/10/2011, 07:55 PM	#36
Dave1NC Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Burlington, NC Posts: 151	A video would be cool, but it looks like you have you have a full plate taking care of fish, corals, etc. Truly an inspiration!

01/11/2011, 01:09 AM	#37
jc-reef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Treasure Coast, Florida Posts: 969	Amazing system you have there to say the least!!! I agree with the others, a video tour of your tanks' set up/fish room would be stellar!! Congrats on another TOTM __________________ My Little Hobby FMAS - Member Current Tank Info: 300gal DD upgraded from 90 gal Mixed Reef Powered by T5 / LED

01/11/2011, 05:30 AM	#38
Aquafred Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 203	Congrats on TOTM. Well deserved.

01/11/2011, 04:00 PM	#39
reefkiter Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 52	John, do you think to feed fish with dry food means not to food corals good? thanks

01/12/2011, 12:05 AM	#40
Aquaticadvisor Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: L.I New York Posts: 64	Conratulations on Totm. Truly an inspiration. I have a question regarding the use of your U/V sterilizer. You stated a properly placed U/V, Ideally on a closed loop. Can you give me some more specifics/details on this ? In addition, what flow thru rate are you using ? Are you worried about destroying any planktonic food supply for your reef or is this a non-issue ? Thanks

01/12/2011, 12:49 AM	#41
Avast Marine RC Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,446	Congrats John! __________________ Dan Don't rush art, you get bad art.

01/12/2011, 07:01 AM	#42
Rhodes19 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 971	Absolutely amazing. I love your corals and I'm glad to hear it will be possible to keep some angels. They are some of my most favorite fish but never gave thought to getting any because the would eat my corals. I'm going to click on over the the thread you mentioned and start reading up on them. Thanks.

01/12/2011, 11:40 AM	#45
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	Absolutely fantastic job. Impressive husbandry, congrats! __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

01/12/2011, 11:58 AM	#46
disciple Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 155	Thanks for the advice. As far as the UV goes would you consider this a necessity in keeping angels?

01/13/2011, 05:26 AM	#47
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	The Legend. __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

01/14/2011, 02:33 PM	#49
teo reef Aquascaping geek Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Greece Posts: 156	Congrats John! Your tank is beautiful!! __________________ October 2009 TOTM

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