Tank of the Month - August 2004

Skipper · 08/03/2004, 09:12 PM

This month we are featuring Archie Luz's (archie) beautiful soft coral reef:

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

Congratulations, Archie!

JumboShrimp · 08/05/2004, 10:51 AM

ABSOLUTLY STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!! this is THE singular BEST LOOKING reef tank i have EVER seen.... well done!!! Do you have a photo of your Xenia? is it in the mag? I think the electric pink ricordea is the nicest one of its type ive ever seen!!!!

Mrbeachbum2 · 08/05/2004, 10:56 AM

I was wondering what type of sand bed that is how deep?, also what type of skimmer and filteration he is using. I have a 55 im going to start up.

niko5 · 08/05/2004, 10:56 AM

I agree with JumboShrimp that really is the best tank I have ever seen your Ric and Zoas are just amazing... I hope one day to have my tank look like that

jedininja · 08/05/2004, 11:00 AM

FINALLY!!! I've been waiting for a ROTM without SPS. That is one awesome looking tank. I like that multicolored yuma.

bonerfortuna · 08/05/2004, 11:06 AM

Outstanding work !

Mrbeachbum2 · 08/05/2004, 11:08 AM

THERE IS a MAG??? I have to subscribe!

Skipper · 08/05/2004, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mrbeachbum2
THERE IS a MAG??? I have to subscribe!

Heyas! We now have a subscription service wherein you can be notified via email when the new issue of Reefkeeping Magazine is online. Simply send a email to: [email protected] and you will be notified.

boogs · 08/05/2004, 11:18 AM

Amazing tank Archie! One of the most colourful reef tanks i've seen!

Scott

frankberr · 08/05/2004, 11:30 AM

I want to weep! I have been at this hobby for almost 10 yrs and have spend more money then i thought possible. My tank looks like crap and I still struggle to keep anything alive! THAT IS A TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE TANK. Unfortunately it makes me want to totally give up. Is there someone I can pay to come to my house and make my tank look that way???? At this point I would pay whatever it takes to have results half that good.

DEEC77 · 08/05/2004, 11:31 AM

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! Great job Archie!

Dee

thedogofwar · 08/05/2004, 11:41 AM

Beautiful, and also glad to see a non SPS dominated TOTM

ruuskystar · 08/05/2004, 11:56 AM

great looking tank, definitely up there with Mucho's tank back a few years ago.

incredible colours, an inspiration that shows you can have a great, colourful tank without going sps.

congrats

Cearbhaill · 08/05/2004, 12:15 PM

That is really beautiful and everything just looks so happy!

I'll echo some of the others and say how nice it is to see a TOTM that is actually affordably set up with lighting that folks can realistically afford to run without cranking up the A/C.

I believe your attention to good food has made all of the difference- just look at those ricordia and zo's!! They are screaming with joy!

I am impressed and so very happy that your tank was chosen.

MUCHO REEF · 08/05/2004, 12:30 PM

I only wish I could have been the first one to reply. Archie that is a stunning reef you have there. You have done an outstanding job, keep up the good work my friend. August must be the official month for softies. Again, 2 thumbs up.

Mucho Reef

kmc · 08/05/2004, 12:31 PM

This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful tanks I've ever seen. You said in the article that you used to keep sps corals but decided to keep zoo's and ricordea because you essentially wanted a tank that was lower maintenance or would require less of your time (my words, not yours). Could you comment on your maintenance routine with this tank and how it's less time consuming than your sps tank was? Thanks.

Racenrich · 08/05/2004, 12:45 PM

Nice tank Archie.!!!
Can i get some zoo and ricordia frags?

Keep up the great work!

RJK

David Groos · 08/05/2004, 12:51 PM

That tank is incredible. The corals don't seem to mind the heavy fish load!

Jaffa · 08/05/2004, 12:54 PM

Amazing!!

drseuss620 · 08/05/2004, 01:02 PM

As a n00b all I can say is I aspire to have a tank that looks like that one day! Beautiful Job!

Labrynth · 08/05/2004, 01:13 PM

Absolutely beautiful. Was wondering if your Emerald crabs have ever gone on a hunting/mowing spree?

I've recently added a yellow polyp to my tank which already contained an Emerald crab. Shortly afterwards I caught him taking a taste of it... how do you handle his feeding so that they don't take an interest in other items in your tank?

thanks

Toledofishguy · 08/05/2004, 01:14 PM

AWESOME tank... again have to give a nod to the all softie tank (we get no credit sometimes).

Archie. I see your pH is 8.0. Have you had problems with this? It doesnt seem like your corals mind it. Nice growth. I have similar lighting on my 75 and have not exerpience anything close to the growth you have. Keep up the good work.

Dag · 08/05/2004, 01:20 PM

Stunning.

Can you tell me where I can different varieties of the clove polyps?

reeftechie · 08/05/2004, 01:21 PM

I didn't think it was possible for me to love a soft coral reef tank.... Until now that is.. Great looking tank bro, very nice work, the aquascaping is outstanding.. A very well deserved TOTM, keep up the great work.

RT

PS

DRSEUSS620 WELCOME TO REEFCENTRAL BRO.

Doubledown · 08/05/2004, 01:24 PM

This is fantastic - beautiful is the only description I can come up with.

I have always been a huge fan of thr Ric's and Zoo's and find great inspiration to do my own reef this way from yours. How do you think this would look as a 180 gallon?

I particularly like the fact that you have made the hobby seem more accesible. I mean that as a newbie, I am often overwhelmed by all the technical/chemical education that is piped at you relentlessly - seeing how gorgeous a reef can look with some of the more forgiving animals gives me hope for success.

I will be using your specs as a model for my own and will be overjoyed to have even half the success you seem to be enjoying.

Thanks for sharing.
Chris

08/03/2004, 09:12 PM	#1
Skipper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 18,271	Tank of the Month - August 2004 This month we are featuring Archie Luz's (archie) beautiful soft coral reef: More details can be found here or by clicking on the picture above. Congratulations, Archie! __________________ Skip Attix Former Editor of Reefkeeping Magazine

08/05/2004, 10:51 AM	#2
JumboShrimp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Centreville VA Posts: 1,753	ABSOLUTLY STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!! this is THE singular BEST LOOKING reef tank i have EVER seen.... well done!!! Do you have a photo of your Xenia? is it in the mag? I think the electric pink ricordea is the nicest one of its type ive ever seen!!!! __________________ Would it be the same if I emptied a bag of money into a glass box? Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon glass, Aqua C Remora skimmer w/ maxi-jet 1200; 260watt PC lighting; 80 lbs of fiji LR; 2-2.5 inches of crushed (sugar sized) argonite.

08/05/2004, 10:56 AM	#4
niko5 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 2,813	I agree with JumboShrimp that really is the best tank I have ever seen your Ric and Zoas are just amazing... I hope one day to have my tank look like that __________________ Nick Current Tank Info: 125 Gal Oceanic RR 2 250 Watt Icecap w/ Hamelton 14K

08/05/2004, 11:00 AM	#5
jedininja Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,518	FINALLY!!! I've been waiting for a ROTM without SPS. That is one awesome looking tank. I like that multicolored yuma. __________________ “Encourage Aquatic Excellence”

08/05/2004, 11:06 AM	#6
bonerfortuna Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Staten Island NY Posts: 333	Outstanding work ! __________________ Peter Current Tank Info: 70 Semi-Circle reef with a 50 Sump

08/05/2004, 10:56 AM	#3
Mrbeachbum2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,093	I was wondering what type of sand bed that is how deep?, also what type of skimmer and filteration he is using. I have a 55 im going to start up.

08/05/2004, 11:08 AM	#7
Mrbeachbum2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,093	THERE IS a MAG??? I have to subscribe!

08/05/2004, 11:18 AM	#9
boogs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: kitchener ontario Posts: 617	Amazing tank Archie! One of the most colourful reef tanks i've seen! Scott

08/05/2004, 11:30 AM	#10
frankberr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Garden City NY Posts: 26	I want to weep! I have been at this hobby for almost 10 yrs and have spend more money then i thought possible. My tank looks like crap and I still struggle to keep anything alive! THAT IS A TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE TANK. Unfortunately it makes me want to totally give up. Is there someone I can pay to come to my house and make my tank look that way???? At this point I would pay whatever it takes to have results half that good.

08/05/2004, 11:31 AM	#11
DEEC77 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 447	ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! Great job Archie! Dee

08/05/2004, 11:41 AM	#12
thedogofwar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Rock, AR Posts: 2,034	Beautiful, and also glad to see a non SPS dominated TOTM

08/05/2004, 11:56 AM	#13
ruuskystar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 20	great looking tank, definitely up there with Mucho's tank back a few years ago. incredible colours, an inspiration that shows you can have a great, colourful tank without going sps. congrats

08/05/2004, 12:15 PM	#14
Cearbhaill Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: South Florida USA Posts: 2,003	That is really beautiful and everything just looks so happy! I'll echo some of the others and say how nice it is to see a TOTM that is actually affordably set up with lighting that folks can realistically afford to run without cranking up the A/C. I believe your attention to good food has made all of the difference- just look at those ricordia and zo's!! They are screaming with joy! I am impressed and so very happy that your tank was chosen. __________________ The answer to every single question in reefkeeping begins with "It depends..."

08/05/2004, 12:30 PM	#15
MUCHO REEF Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,682	I only wish I could have been the first one to reply. Archie that is a stunning reef you have there. You have done an outstanding job, keep up the good work my friend. August must be the official month for softies. Again, 2 thumbs up. Mucho Reef __________________ Anyone can build a reef.....the greater challenge......is to grow one. Current Tank Info: 70 gallon zoanthid, Palythoa and Mushroom Reef.

08/05/2004, 12:31 PM	#16
kmc Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 320	This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful tanks I've ever seen. You said in the article that you used to keep sps corals but decided to keep zoo's and ricordea because you essentially wanted a tank that was lower maintenance or would require less of your time (my words, not yours). Could you comment on your maintenance routine with this tank and how it's less time consuming than your sps tank was? Thanks.

08/05/2004, 12:45 PM	#17
Racenrich Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NWI, St. John Posts: 2,083	Nice tank Archie.!!! Can i get some zoo and ricordia frags? Keep up the great work! RJK __________________ Home of the $15 FRAGS... Current Tank Info: 67g long (72x12x18), 30g Sump....10.5.yr old watchman golby!

08/05/2004, 12:51 PM	#18
David Groos Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: PalmBay FL Posts: 298	That tank is incredible. The corals don't seem to mind the heavy fish load! __________________ Memo to myself: do the dumb things I have to do. Touch the puppet head Current Tank Info: 75g, ES5-2, Mag 7, Mag9.5 on Sqwd, Seio 620 and 1500, Tek t5 lights. recently restarted

08/05/2004, 12:54 PM	#19
Jaffa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 776	Amazing!!

08/05/2004, 01:02 PM	#20
drseuss620 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 11	As a n00b all I can say is I aspire to have a tank that looks like that one day! Beautiful Job!

08/05/2004, 01:13 PM	#21
Labrynth Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Yorktown Heights, NY Posts: 12	Absolutely beautiful. Was wondering if your Emerald crabs have ever gone on a hunting/mowing spree? I've recently added a yellow polyp to my tank which already contained an Emerald crab. Shortly afterwards I caught him taking a taste of it... how do you handle his feeding so that they don't take an interest in other items in your tank? thanks __________________ I can't believe God created the earth in 7 days, when it has taken me over 2 months to setup a 46 gal Aquarium. Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, reef, 60 lbs sand, 90 lbs LR, Ecosystem.

08/05/2004, 01:14 PM	#22
Toledofishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 884	AWESOME tank... again have to give a nod to the all softie tank (we get no credit sometimes). Archie. I see your pH is 8.0. Have you had problems with this? It doesnt seem like your corals mind it. Nice growth. I have similar lighting on my 75 and have not exerpience anything close to the growth you have. Keep up the good work. __________________ Mike - Columbus Current Tank Info: 120 under t-5 lighting

08/05/2004, 01:20 PM	#23
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	Stunning. Can you tell me where I can different varieties of the clove polyps? __________________ Aryeh Life is too short to learn everything from experience. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon reef tank

08/05/2004, 01:21 PM	#24
reeftechie Moved On Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: IN via GA Posts: 870	I didn't think it was possible for me to love a soft coral reef tank.... Until now that is.. Great looking tank bro, very nice work, the aquascaping is outstanding.. A very well deserved TOTM, keep up the great work. RT PS DRSEUSS620 WELCOME TO REEFCENTRAL BRO.

08/05/2004, 01:24 PM	#25
Doubledown Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Richton Park, IL - Way Southside Posts: 2,037	This is fantastic - beautiful is the only description I can come up with. I have always been a huge fan of thr Ric's and Zoo's and find great inspiration to do my own reef this way from yours. How do you think this would look as a 180 gallon? I particularly like the fact that you have made the hobby seem more accesible. I mean that as a newbie, I am often overwhelmed by all the technical/chemical education that is piped at you relentlessly - seeing how gorgeous a reef can look with some of the more forgiving animals gives me hope for success. I will be using your specs as a model for my own and will be overjoyed to have even half the success you seem to be enjoying. Thanks for sharing. Chris __________________ ...have you paid your dues, Jack?...Yes, sir - the check is in the mail.