Reefclowns tank

[reefclown]

Would appreciate any comments/suggestions on my reef.

Setup as follows:

Tank - 6x2x2
Lights Twin 150W Halide 10k and 20K bulb, 1 X 5ft actinic.
Tunze 4002 circulation pump on Tunze Pulse timer
Tunze Pre Filter Pots powered by additional 4002. (Rinsed Weekly)


Sump Contains
-------------
4x12x18 tank
DSB in middle section 1' front 5 ' back
Algae area in middle section
Live rock
Skimmer - Deltec Ap850
Deltec Kalkstirrer connected to autotop-up from RO unit with float in sump
External slow rate Rowacanister
2 4ft marine white tubes *(opposite cycle to tank lights)

Livestock
----

3 common clowns - Amphiprion oscellaris
1 Neon Goby - Elacantis oceanops (Gobiosoma evelynae ?)
1 Firefish -Nemateleotris magnifica
1 Yellow tang - Zebrasoma flavescens
1 Purple Sailfin Tang - Zebracoma xanthurum
2 Chromis
1 Dottyback
2 Blue Devil Damsels - Pomacentrus Coeruleus
1 Bicolour Blenny - Escenius bicolor
1 Fu Manchu Lionfish - Dendrocirus biocellatus
1 Domino Damsel - Dascyllus arunus
1 Angel- Holacanthus tricolor

1 arrowhead
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Boxing Shrimp
2 Brittle Stars
30 Turbo's
8 Red Hermits
8 Blue Hermits

bladder - Plerogyra sinuosa
Shrooms - Actinodiscus,Discosoma, Rhodactis various
Polyps - Palythoa, Epizoanthus
Pipe Corals- Tubipora musica linne,Cornularia spec.
Leathers - Sarcophyton, Sinularia, Lobophytum
Cladiella
Xenia, Anithelia

All Tank parms good, with the exception of Nitrate which is 20ppm. Possibly because the DSB is only a week old or lack of water changes ( 1 change of 20% since setup). Will leave to see if decreases over next few weeks and make a decision on next step.


Managed to borrow a digicam and take a few pics of the tank in it's current stage of evolution

pics at link below, enjoy.

Tank Pics (http://community.webshots.com/album/42307411WKDRqr)

Nav http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[MadSi]

Hi,

Looks nice but any full tank shots avail???

One thing on the DSB - how deep is it? I presume bu 'DSB in middle section 1' front 5 ' back' it's shelving from 1" to 5" (not feet!http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif. If so that isnt deep enough to provide an effective denitrification layer - the common depth is 4-6". It will also take a long time (many months) to fully mature.

You could always get a couple of clams which will love your nitrate & soon bring it down http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Regards

Si

[Mushroom]

I don't know a thing about lionfish but would it not eat your clownfishs, damsels, gobies, firefish, chromis, blenny, shrimps and crabs? Perhaps it is a very small specimen at the moment and I have read Fu Manchu has small mouth, but I wonder would it be able to eat them eventually?

[reefclown]

Hi Si,
will increase the depth of the sandbed as stated.

Any idea of the best place for clams ? Bit strapped for cash lately as Danny has taken all my spare dosh.

Mush,
never kept a FU Man before, I was under the impression that the guy stay minature, will keep an eye on him, if anything goes amiss I move him to a new home and maybe get a trigger to keep him company http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

How the dreams comin on ?

[nathan clark]

Hi Reefclown
Went to STM yesterday they have some lovely small cultured clams in there frag tank electric blue in colour only £29
get yourself dwn there they are stunning,was going to get one myself but moving at end of month so will wait

nathan

[alexthespur]

GOT TO AGREE WENT YDAY AND THEY WERE DAMN NICE

[sue]

Looks amazing,can't wait for mine to look like that http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Tanks looking very nice Nav,

And I have a question for you. How are you finding the 150w on a tank that size.

I bought a set of 150w Second hand, as I purchased these before I found this board. Now off course I would have bought 250's, maybe even 400's.

Would be interested to know your views on your lighting, and if you are happy with them or will be considering an upgrade at some point.

Best regards


Paul

[reefclown]

Hi Paul,
as I'm keeping primarily softies at the moment, The lighting is probably an overkill. I'm confident that so long as i keep sps in the top foot of the tank they will be perfect for the requirement.

150W at 10K with a decent reflector is alot of light, and a fair deal of electrics.

If you want exceptional (above natural) growth rates and think it's worth the electrics then go for a 400W.

I'd advise you go with the 150's, 10K bulbs give a nice bright light that not cold( like the 20K), and a decent penetration.

If anything, try a few different relectors to get the best from the unit.

I do have a 250 that I use in the winter to give the palm tree in the living room a boost, it's running of a 6500k bulb, don't fell the need at the moment to add it too the tank.

The urge to upgrade is always there, If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

All,
thanks for the comments

regards
Nav