Simon.g's Bit Of Sea.

[simon garratt]

Ok So I thought it about time to add my efforts to the members tank section, seeing as I’ve had Reef-Eden up and running now for nearly 3 years and never got round to doing it. So here goes.

System started up February 2003

Dimensions:

Main tank is 72x24x24

Sump/DSB tank is 48x12x18

Total system volume after rock displacement around 170gall +, only about 1/4 is dedicated to Live rock as a central island (bommie) running nearly the full length of the tank.

Filtration by Live rock/Skimmer/Rowaphos/ a 2� fine sand bed in the main tank (100% aragamax) and a 5�deep DSB in custom built sump (30% aragamax 70% playsand) with combined Macro algae.

Kit.

Deltec AP 850 Skimmer fed via an Ehiem 1250.
Home made fluidised Rowaphos reactor fed via maxi-jet 1200.
Home made Twin pump recirculating Ca reactor with Arm Media.
Ratz Kalk stirrer fed from remote RO container via a maxi-jet 1200 pump with control tap.
Hawco temperature controller running 3x 6� fans (2 on tank, 1 on sump) and a 300w heater.
Top up via remote RO/DI reservoir, gravity feeding through ball valve into sump.



Lighting is by 3 x 250w 10k BLV’s with remote ballasts. (no lenses) + Supplemental 2x 80w actinic T5 ‘03’s + 1 x 36W marine glow 03 florescent tube for dawn dusk lighting.

Sump is lit 24/7 by 1 x 36W marine white and 1 x 36w marine blue florescent tubes.


Circulation.

2 x 3000lph aquabee return pumps. + 5 x 3000lph Aquabee closed loops running through various outlets and spray bars in main tank + home made stream pump made from an Aquaclear 802 powerhead.

Total system turnover within the tank. In excess of 40x/hr

Turnover through Sump around 4.5x/hr

Turnover through raised DSB in sump, approximately 2x/hr teed off from main overflow pipes.

Turnover through Skimmer 1.8x/hr emptied every 2 days

Turnover through Rowaphos reactor 1x/hr

Specifics.

Dosing. None except occasional Mg addition (booster) and Kalkwasser added in sessions over 24hrs . approx 1.5ltrs /day

Water changes : 25gall/mnth using Instant ocean

Light times; Actinic’s on @ 10am/off @ 11.00pm . Metal halides 11hrs. running in sequence 1 hr apart from left to right on start up and shutdown. starting at 11.00am last one off at 10.pm giving a sunrise sunset effect across tank/corals.


Feeding. As much as I can cram in there. Typical daily feed is three blocks of frozen food for the fish (thawed and rinsed) and a half sheet of Nori for tangs. Every three-five days I will also add one or two split mussels to the sump DSB area and the sand bed in the main tank. Intermittent feeding is via an auto feeder kicking out twice daily with a small amount of high protein pellet for the Anthias.

Parameters.

Temp 25-26 over 24hrs (occasionally hits 27 when hot)
/ SG 1.025
/ pH over 8.0 at all times average is 8.2 -8.3
/ Mg 1400ppm
/ Ca 430ppm
/ Alk 10 dKH
/ Am Undetectable
/ No2 Undetectable
/ No3 0.01 ppm
/ Po4 below 0.03ppm

Stock.

Fish.

1x Regal Tang
1x Purple Tang
1x Cole Tang
1x Mandarin
1x Bellus Angel
1x Pseudochromis fridmani
1x Pair of yellow banded Maroon Clowns
6x squamipinnis anthia’s
2x Bangaii cardinals
1x Foxface

Inverts.

Pink bubble tipped anemone
Purple reef lobster 'Enoplometopus debelius'
Blue Reef Lobster 'Panulirus versicolor'
Pair of cleaner shrimps
Duressa Clam
Blue Squammosa clam
Black Cucumber
Edible Cucumber
10 red leg hermits
4 giant Turbo’s
20 normal Turbo’s
50 Ilyanassa obsoleta. snails

Oh, and nearly forgot mr Mantis in the sump.... bless him.


Corals

LPS
1x Euphillia paradivisa
2x Euphillia divisa
1x Blastomussa wellsi
2x Lobophyllia open Brain
several Caulastrea furcata pieces
1x pearl bubble coral
1x Tubinaria peltata
1x Favites abdita
several Leptoseris / Merulina frags

SPS
Blue green and pink Millipora frags
Various as yet unidentified Acropora frags
2x Blue tipped branching Acropora
2x Seriotopora Histrix
Green plating Montipora
2 x Acropora formosa
1x Unknown branching porites
several Montipora Digitata (various colours, brown / purple / pink tipped)
2x Pocillopora verrucosa / damicornis
1x unknown plating Acropora
1x red Monti Cap

Softies
Various Xenia species including white red sea.
Star polyps clavularia sp
Various polyps
Blue mushrooms
Green Ricordia mushrooms
Branching gorgonia
Leather toadstool coral



Some Pics.

Main Tank

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1123aaa.jpg


LH end

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1138aaa.jpg

RH end

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1143aaa.jpg


gubbins

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1132aaa.jpg

More gubbins

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1732b.jpg



Various


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1443a.jpg


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1428a.jpg


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1432a.jpg


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1375a.jpg




Hope you enjoyed and if there is anything ive missed. please shout. :D

Regards

Si. :)

[Bry]

Hi Si,

Tank is looking fantastic, recovering well from earlier problems, your tank always seems to look so clear and bright. Partly (I think) to light blue background, done mine a darker blue.

Congrats
:bow:

[simon garratt]

Hi Brian.

Thanks for the compliments.

yes it is partly due to the back glass being kept clean, but its also thanks to all those snails from Mr Clark and the two cukes that keep the sand nice and clean. This reflects a lot of light back into the tank that would otherwise be lost.


Regards

Si. :)

[narthur]

Mr Garratt the tanks looking fantastic.. i love the rockwork non of it touches the glass this must help with regards to Flow and creates and racetrack feel for your fish to swim round :lol: but in all honestly tank looks terrific. Hats of to you.. :bow:

Edit: although being picky am i right that you missed your Bangai cardinals from your list of fish above??

[sowerby reef]

Wow, yet another great reef system that gives inspiration for my new set up. That left hand shot is superb. Like the "bommie".

Kev

[SCOOB]

kudos sir, kudos :bow:

[Bachlum Chaam]

Sir what a gorgeous tank but please tell me you spent a couple of days sorting out the sump or I am going to think I'm a real sump slut :D

[simon garratt]

:D :D :D


please tell me you spent a couple of days sorting out the sump or I am going to think I'm a real sump slutÂ*

Not really. when i desighned the system. I allready had a list of kit, the sizes and how it would all fit together so it was a lot easyer to build it all in a nice neat fashion that makes maintanace relatively easy. Possibly the only time i go in the cupbourds is when i test (which reminds me ive left my test tubes out.... :blush: ) Plus 90% of my plumbing is hard piped which allways makes things look neater.

Nic. You are correct sir......well spotted. :blush:

The flow round the tank is pretty fast which the anthias and tangs love and they are quite relaxed becouse there is allways a bolt hole nearby. Even the Bellus dives in with the rest at feeding time and spends 90% of the time out in the open. Surprisingly the fish dont spend that much time at the back which was one thing i was concerned about when desighning it. They are just as nosey as you or i as to whats going on in the room, so spend all day doing big figure 8's round the tank and crossing through or above the arch.. Effectively they have a full 12ft of reef to play with. :D


Thanks to all for the kind comments.

Regards

Si.

[SPS Hoover]

Not bad getting there. :lol:

Will all the nice comments I thought i'd balance it up :o

Regards

Si

[kaos]

Really nice Simon :thumbsup:

The lobster on your stocking list, is that the one you was going to get in a post i seen last week ? hows it getting on ? i have always wanted one but got put off by everyone saying the only time they seen it was when they first put it in there tank ? is yours out and about ?

thought about trying to build some sort of cave in the rock work that he would use as a home and feel safe but some how do it so i could see in from the front glass .

love the tank though mate.

Stuart

[simon garratt]

Hi Stuart.

The one ive got at present is the purple/red Enoplometopus debelius. (about 4" at present) not the blue one Panulirus versicolor. (he's comming next week :D ) Ive done a fair bit of reading up and both are pretty safe and compatible in my sized tank, so i shouldnt have any issues.

I have seen him out each night roaming around. still very shy though but fascinating none the less. I.m hoping over time to train him into responding at feeding times, or just after the main lights go out and the tank is lit by the actinics. It may take time but its worth it IMO.

Sounds a bit odd but it doesnt bother me its so shy, makes it all the more fascinating when he does come out. :D :D


Simon.......Compliments indeed.... :) :) :) :)


regards to all


Si. :)

[Cam]

Looking good mate. What you need to finish it off is a nice green bubble coral. I know a bloke who's got one for sale for £100 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :P :P :P

Looking forward to seeing it in the 'flesh' again soon.

Cheers,

Cam.

[Hal]

Hi Si,

I've followed your progress through reef-eden I'm pleased to see things are coming along so well.

I have borrowed a few of your DIY ideas Si, I hope you don't mind? :blush:

Happy reefkeeping ;)

[Flam3h]

Originally posted by Hal@Jul 25 2004, 09:54
Hi Si,

I've followed your progress through reef-eden I'm pleased to see things are coming along so well.

I have borrowed a few of your DIY ideas Si, I hope you don't mind? :blush:

Happy reefkeeping ;)
I second that lol.

If only mine comes out half as nice :D

[simon garratt]

Hope it all works out for you guys.

All ive got to do now is build a sump, the same desighn but twice as big mr Mr Clark..... :unsure:

Here's a couple more pics......


A rarity indeed. my Kole tang sitting still for longer than .005 of a second.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1649aa.jpg

I find healthy regals are really difficult to photo properly, becouse the blue blinds the camara and causes problems with the auto focus.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1658aa.jpg

Same again. Purple tang caught off guard.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1669aa.jpg


Regards

Si.

[narthur]

Si fantastic pics... can i ask did you paint the back of your tank?? if so what paint did you use?? Thanks.. N

[simon garratt]

Hi Nick.

Yes it is painted. I cant remember the exact colour, buts its one of the Dulux bathroom ranges ie water proof emulsion. I think it may have been something like mediteranian blue or similar.

Surprisingly, i only clean it on average once every 5-6 weeks with a piece of tube with a 6" wide blade on it, and it takes about 10 min to do so its not much effort.


regards

Si. :)

[aidyb]

WOW!!
STUNNING! Really beautiful. Your photography is very clear and crisp. They show off your new EDEN really well.
Big respect.
:thumbsup:

[marc]

Si,


Looking real good as always :thumbsup:
Couple of questions..


I take it you used a tripod ?
Do you manually adjust/set your white balance and if so how do you best match it to the tank ?
Been asked before but I cant remember what camera you use ?

[simon garratt]

Hi Marc and thanks for the comps..

I allways use a tripod if possible or at least lean the camara against the glass for support. Even doing top shots with the brace bar as a support.

Camara is a Fuji 4900z its a lovely camara but can be a bit finicky on auto focus (very easily distracted by glass smears etc or where there is a dark object against a very light/bright background) My money is still on the Pentax Optio 550 that i had on loan for a while. IMO you wont find a better point and squirt camara for the same money anywhere that will give you the same auto focus speed and quality of picture for camaras twice the price.

As for the white balance. I set mine to number 1 on the flourescent settings, although the Pentax was on position 2. (you may need to try all of them to find the right one for you) The rest ie shutter speed i leave as auto. The only other mode i use is a sports mode for getting the fish (not allways ideal if there isnt alot of daylight comming into the room as well but adequate none the less.

Still getting to grips with the present camara really, so im hoping to improve things as i play around.

All images are resized through Photoshop Elements as IMO this program retains alot of the origional detail unlike some other programs that end up giving you a slightly pixelated view.


Regards

Si. :)

Aidy. :D

[simon garratt]

Just thought Id bang up a couple of anthia pics.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1732ba.jpg


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1725a.jpg


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1691a.jpg


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1681a.jpg



dirty little beggers

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1696a.jpg


Another one of the clan that wont sit still

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1722a.jpg



And a little 6 week growth sequence.


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Growth%20a.jpg


Hope you enjoyed.

Regards

Si.

[keith hellyar]

Si

Now you are just posing. Cant you at least post a few blurred pics just to keep us amateurs happy.

Keith

[simon garratt]

cmon keith youve had your lessons...... :D


regards

Si.

[keith hellyar]

Practice practice practice.

I've just ordered a 2.2gb memory card. I should be a ble to fire off hundreds of pics at a time. Surely one or two will look good. My current card holds only 8 pics (16mb) so I guess the chances of producing one or two qulaity pics are reduced.

Practice practice practice

Keith

[simon garratt]

You'll get there m8. its a nice camara you have there.

regards

Si. :)

[popsock]

Out of interest, what do people look for when they judge the tanks they see on UR.com?

[narthur]

Popsock slightly off the thread here, however i look for a finished unit something that has had alot of work put into it, i like si's tank cos it's got alot of open rock structure is free from clutter and the corals are places sensibly and with room to grow. I personally like the clean look of no coralline on the glass and i like the idea of it mostly being diy. However i'd say rockwork and then lighting make all the difference to a tank. Also how the corals are placed i've still to see a tank more impressive than Simon clark's his corals and the growth and selection are truly amazing to be honest. However i also like Jevs tank alot fantastic selection of softies and very natural looking.. Hth. Nic :thumbsup:

[tuan]

Very nice Mr G Sir!
Great to see it's coming along in leaps and bounds despite all the problems Sod & Murphy threw at you!

:bow:

[simon garratt]

Cheers Tuan.

despite all the problems Sod & Murphy threw at you!



Are these the same guy's who sit at the side of the motorway tucked up an embankment dishing out fines......... :D


Popsock.

It is strange as to what contributes a great tank in anyones eyes, its such a personal view. The 'kit' used is allways a matter of personnal choice, but the asthetics and the way the system runs are more crucial IMO.

In my case the tank is in my living room against a wall away from sunlight so i like to keep the backglass clean as it makes the tank look brighter and reflects more light back to the corals. Becouse ive got my rockwork away from the backglass it also retaines the depth of veiw which is commonly lost on tanks with overgrown or dark colourd backgrownds, ie you can see a 'deffinate' gap across the top of the rockwork. it doesnt blend in to a similar colour disguising the depth front to back. There are cirtain biological reasons i prefere this approach as well for the tank as a whole, but most of all for the fish. (it also gives that semi-japanese 'clean' look i like so much :) )

I agree with Nic that Simon Clark's tank is probably one of the best ive seen with regards to coral placement and intricacy of the rock arangement with a mass of tunnels, spures and branches all offering home to different species which just seem to blend together no naturally. But i equally admire both Ed Millars and Kevin Douglas's for the way they have created several seperate zones/focal points of interest throughout the tank that keeps you looking from place to place much like having several different themes within one tank. alas you need size to do this.......But that comes next year....... :D


Regards

Si. :)

[Hal]

Hi Si,

I like the design of your home made twin pump recirculating Ca reactor.

What pumps did you use and what type of reducers did you use to connect them to the Marley pipe?

I have an idea I would like to try out using some of your ideas. :idea:

Cheers ;)

[Reef bloke]

What a beautiful tank full of colour and movement.When one thinks of a great reef tank one such as yours always appears in my minds eye.A real credit to you sir!
When i finally get my new cube delivered im definately gonna go for the bommie look now. :bow:

[ReefSteve]

Great tank and nice shots as ever Simon :thumbsup:

Glad the tank is recovering after the dodgy water contamination that you were battling when I saw the tank in the May meet this year. I was very impressed and that was after many of your SPS had been relocated temporarily!

Your DIY and plumbing is the inspiration for my new tank coming within the next month and has helped to quash any fears I had about sumps/closed loops etc.

I'm toying with that light blue background as well as the new tank will only be 15" front to back.

Cheers
Steve

[simon garratt]

Hi guy's glad you enjoy. :D

Hal the pumps on the Ca reactor are two Maxijet 1200's


Im still longterm testing the unit at this time but it seems to be holding its own even on a manual setting ie no probe or peri pump. (runs directly teed from return pumps controled by a tap) gas is set via a bubble counter and standard bottle valve/inline valve. Even so, its proven pretty reliable once set right and very consitant on the readings. so it may soon be due for a second final model to iron out a couple of desighn features missing that i would prefer and addition of a controler/peri to finnish it off. all in all though im very happy with the desighn and its very efficient with the gas.

Regards

Si. :)

[maani]

Hi Si,

I agree also like the others on this board, great looking setup :wub:

[dapex]

Si, this may seem a strange request but could you possibly take a picture of the doors to your cabinet and of the cabinet itself? i am contemplating copying your design but the wife is concerned the doors will look a bit unfinished if you know what i mean,

Cheers

Dave

[Bachlum Chaam]

Si you take some great pictures, (wonder how many don't turn out so good) certainly a stunning tank.

Dapex take a look at Mark J's tank he used kitchen cabinet doors on his and looks very good

Tim

[dapex]

Bachlum, I agree that Marks cabinet looks nice but ideally i dont want to have doors the whole size of the cabinet, i want something like si's to help break the fron up a bit....

Cheers

[simon garratt]

Hi Dapex.

I'll take a shot tommorow and pop it up.



regards

Si.

[simon garratt]

Some of you will have allready met Hector my newest aquisition in the photography forum.......

Very bold chap, allways on veiw lurking just in the shade of the anemone, but also pops out occasionally to show off his wonderfull tail.

At least now i know what they eat besides leftovers etc......hes a stommatella muncher........ ;) , oh well, got thousands of them anyway so he should be happy.


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1793aa.jpg


All i need now is a pic of my pink/puple spiney one...... :)

Regards

Si.

[dapex]

Si, Cheers for the reply and i look forward to the pics of the cab doors. Got to say your new addition is Amazing... can I ask what is he, I pressume he is totally reef safe? How big doe she grow...

Soz for al lthe questions.

Dave

[simon garratt]

Just an update.

Ive added a summery page at Reef-Eden with lots of pics (may take a while to download :rolleyes: )

http://www.reef-eden.net/2003%20Reef%205.htm


Regards


Si. :)

[Paul Burton]

Hi Simon,

Excellent stuff as always. I just wondered where you came by the Fire Coral?

Ive always wanted one, but never seen one on sale!


Cheers,


Paul

[simon garratt]

Hi Paul.

I honestly cant remember where it came from. It grows in spits and spurts. Does nothing for a month then all hell breaks loose for a bout a week or so and several new branches or spures pop up.. Very robust IMO, was one of the few corals completely unafected through my earlyer problems. So i cant quite understand why it hasnt cought on as a beginner coral.

It isnt that colourful to look at being a golden buscuit brown, but lovely growth formation none the less

Im sure i will be fragging this one in the near future. Ill give you a shout when ready.


regards


Si...... :)

[Paul Burton]

Much appreciated, I'll be waiting with baited breath.

Cheers,


Paul

[Bry]

Hi Si, Hector looks amazing. very envious. What size is he now, and what is his potential size.
Have you named the other pink/purple one, and is it as stunning colour wise? Can you sex them?

Cheers,

Bry

[simon garratt]

Hi Bry,

Not sure about sexing. cant see any b***x ;) .

seriously though. Hector put on a full half inch on his first moult since i got him. went from 2" - 2.5" in one go, I was gobsmacked.

The other one is a lot shyer, occasionally pops out but you do have to hunt for her/him so im trying to train it to come out on demand at feeding times. Both get on fine and havent botherd a single thing in the tank. I even saw the pink one which is a bit of a bruiser(4"+) wandering all over my Kole tang the other day, thought it was a cleaner shrimp the stupid fish..... :huh: ..The lobster wasnt botherd at all and didnt harm or even nip the tang.

Size wise Hector should hit about 8-10" apparently...... :D and the pink one about 5-6" max.


Regards

Si. :)

[simon garratt]

This is a new introduction.

'munch munch' the lettuce slug.......

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1955a.jpg



http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1947a.jpg

Regards

Si.

[Valley Boy]

Just checked your site out Simon---Excellent, ---great ideas and tips.
One thing , what did you make your ''Wall'' that surrounds your eggcrate out of ?

[simon garratt]

Thanks paul.

Its made from 3mm thick Acrylic sheet cut to 2 1/4" high strips. Its coverd in detail on the live_rock (http://www.reef-eden.com/live_rock.htm)page.


regards

Si.

[Valley Boy]

Cheers Si
Great idea !! ;)

[themmings]

Outstanding pics Si!

Ever thought of taking up photography? Absolutely stunning.

Tim :bow:

[Bry]

Quite unusual and pretty

for a slug,

any pictures of other lobster yet

[simon garratt]

Still trying Bry.

seems to be a little camara shy at the best of times, but he/she is becomming a little braver now.

Regards


Si.

[Bry]

Have to come and see it in the 'flesh' at some time, if ok with you.

Bry

[Richard D]

Wow that slug is amazing - where do you find these rarities ?

Also is it not likely to be attacked by any of your fish ?

Top tank Simon, hat off to you :)

[simon garratt]

June...

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1123aaa.jpg


Just an updated pic. taken November. :D


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Nov%2004a.jpg


'Inserted' December pic


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dec%2004a.jpg


Lacking in the tang department at the mo after loosing a long running battle with my kole tang which was carrying a pretty stubborn/nasty strain of WS (never really clear of it from day one, although all the other fish were unnafected) but i still have my Goldrimmed tang thats currently recovering in quarentine (touch wood) who caught the same infection just as I lost the Kole. So it looks like its a case of keeping him out the tank for a month in an effort to rid the system of this problem. With the Kole gone, the goldrimmed quarentined, and everything else apparently pretty much immune, it should do the job and prevent a re-occurance as i want to build the tang population back up again ideally, and add a school of Chromis/different Anthias.

Need to run a shot off, but i was amazed to see a pic of one of my Blue tipped stags (stump) only three months ago in comparison to now.

Ill pop them up later.


Regards

Si.

[SPS Hoover]

The best coral in tank and you can't see it :lol:

[simon garratt]

Hes right behind that anthia in the middle......Ive trained him to shade it out..... :evil:

[simonh]

Looking good Si. Have you changed lights since the last picture? It looks much whiter in the new picture.

[simon garratt]

Hi Simon.

No i havent, although there are a couple of factors that cause it.

1. I have an urchin thats doing the biz on all the rockwork so there is big patches of scraped coraline/turf algae (back to the base rock)

2. Ive just added a fresh top layer of Aragamax today, so there is a bit more light being bounced back up from the bottom (not that my sand is ever dity anyway) :D

3. It depends what light is comming through the front window as to how much light is bounced back at the camara. (it seems very sensitive to this from a distance, although its not as bad close up)



Some more pics, including that recoverd Blue tip stag.


Aug 30th

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1262a.jpg


Today

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF26571a.jpg


Some random shots.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2667a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2668a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2663a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2655a.jpg




Regards

Si.

[RDH]

Stunning :wub:

Rich.

[PhilOfBof]

Top tank, I’m sure this question has been asked but what camera are you using? I’ve got a Sony P12, 5mp and don’t get photos like that on close up …..

phil.

[simon garratt]

Thanks for the compliments guys. Phil, The camara is a Fuji 4900zoom IIRC its a 3.2mp.


Regards

Si. :)

[Ben_qld]

Do you have any details of the 802 --> Stream style pump mod you did ?

Ben

BTW: nice tank

[simon garratt]

I 'can' put up a post, 'but' Its not something i am willing to advocate doing for a couple of reasons.

1. Its a constant runner so there is no danger of fish getting mashed as they hide behind the impellor during a quiet period, but this is not ideal for people who want to pulse.

2. As soon as I get the money to buy a couple of OR 6500's to beef up the outer closed loops, its comming out. I hate the look of it despite how much water it can chuck around and its a bitch to mount.

3. Im very lucky in that my anemone is landlocked with a sand bed round the outside of its hovel so it cant get to the glass unless it swimms there. I wouldnt like to see the results of an encounter with this pump regardless of the grill.

Personally i hate streams. The velocity at which they push water is too hard IMO and causes tissue stripping in alot of cases as corals grow into the current. If they could desperse the flow even more, i would be happy, but at 4-5ft/sec I feel its just too much. In my case im quite lucky that i can get away with my DIY version as it pushes water around the top of the tank rather than 'at' corals. All that flow is pretty laminar so the closed loops end up breaking it up and causing random eddies etc which is a good thing. But as for anyone else using the same desighn in a different set-up, then im not so convinced. They may just regret it. By and large, this is the reason i havent openly published the modification. Its Flawed under alot of cases. Just not so much in my case.

Regards

Si.

[Valley Boy]

Originally posted by simon garratt@Nov 24 2004, 10:48


Hi Simon
On my next layout i would like to incorporate loops, am i right in assuming you used 21.5 overflow type pipe for these? If so did you obtain valves for pump maintenance---could you tell me where i could get these from?
Cheers
Paul B)

[simon garratt]

Just rattled a couple off.


Fat git. ;)

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2725a.jpg


one of the Food theives :rolleyes:


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2715a.jpg


Puuurdy. :)

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2726aa.jpg


Hi Paul.

Yes you should have inline taps if at all possibe between the pumps and the hard pipe (marley 21.5) but no i havent, :blush: but then ive only had to remove 1 pump in two years so its not bad......(this is a job when i move......). best idea is to use some of the Eheim 22mm taps in the soft link section between pump and hard pipe.


Regards

Si.

[Ronkyd]

Possible stupid question imminent...

Is it just me, or can anyone else see what looks like a green moray eel in that last pic? Sort of like finding shapes in Clouds...

*thinks*...

This could be a whole new aspect of reef keeping... :idea:

Stunning tank and pictures matey :wub: :bow:

Cheers

Rich

[shaun2]

its not just you i can see the beast

[simon garratt]

And he has a Gotee....... :D

[jamie reefer]

I can see him now ;) :D

[Valley Boy]

Cheers Simon! :thumbsup:

[Valley Boy]

Originally posted by simon garratt@Nov 25 2004, 11:49
best idea is to use some of the Eheim 22mm taps in the soft link section between pump and hard pipe.



Hi Simon,
Would you just push and silicone soft pipe into hard pipe?

[simon garratt]

No, you need to heat it up in boiling water and stretch it over the outside of the marley pipe, then use cable ties or banjos to secure. IIRC i used Ehiem 3/4" dia tube for mine.


regards

Si.

[marc]

Great pics Si, especially the Blenny.

[Valley Boy]

Thanks Simon !--excellent! B)

[simon garratt]

Some from above and a weird reflection one.


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2730a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2735a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2737a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2739aa.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2740a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2742a.jpg


Enjoy


Si.

[simon garratt]

AND, some more. :D

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2743a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2746a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2747a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2748a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2750a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2754a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2756a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF2759a.jpg

Thats all folks. :D

[Bry]

Fantastic picture as always Si, tank looking good too.

Keep up the good work.

Bry :bow:

[Will]

si looking great as ever, will have to pester you for some frags in the new year, also need some advice on good {cheap } cameras my photos are awful ! :D

[craigg]

stunning m8,

top pictures makes me feel sick though....or is that the booze.

[jamie reefer]

Hi Si

First of all amazing pictures there m8,secondly your tank looks simply stunning and IMO deserves a tank of the month award..
Si keep them amazing pictures rolling in mate :thumbsup:

cheers Jamie

[simon garratt]

Cheers Guy's, although i cirtainly dont deserve tank of the month, there are far more deserving people out there. However if there is an award for commitment and triumph in the face of constant adversity, i recon me and Craigg are even stevens....Eh craigg :D


Many thanks guys.

Si. :)

[Yakdriver]

Verrryyy nice Simon, lovely tank and lovely pics as well. Something for the rest of us to aim for.

:thumbsup:

Chris.

[fire999]

Simon r u a reef keeper or a photographer ???? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Well done mate :cheers: :cheers:

[aladdin]

Si,

Benn meaning to ask you since when you posted a pic of Hector, the blue/spiny lobster, but did not get round to it.
Where did you get "him" from and how much did you pay for a specimen like that.

Cheers

Kevin

[newbee]

Hi Simon,

Im new to this site and to reef keeping, i was wondering wether you could give me some advice because i think your tank looks amazing. Your thoughts into sump design where brill and i found the information very helpful.

I would like to take the route you took but my budget doesn't allow it, so i'm trying to hunt down a second hand percula 120. My plan is to have about 40kg of live rock and have a DSP of 4in. I would also like to add tunze stream for flow.

So my questions are:

Is there any other advice or things to consider as for my tank setup is concerned?

What corals and inverts are good for a beginner to start with?

Can you recomend any good sites or books to help me with the imformation i seek? ("reef secrets" and "sand bed secrets" on order)

:thanx:

Mart

[simon garratt]

Hi Guy's.

Kevin. :)

The Lobster came from Portsmouth aquatic centre IIRC. and was only about £12 i seem to recall.

Newbie. :)

To be honest i could spend all day typing out a response to those Q's :D but as for set up. its really a question of read read read, and then go with what you feel is right for your situation, there are a million and one ways of setting up a reef tank. but yu have to be willing to adapt, you wont allways get everything right first time (heaven forbid if it was that easy :) ). The trick is to take your time, look learn and go with the results at each step of the way. there are no garenteed scenarios that suite any or all systems.

As for stock, likewise, its a case of read and research before you buy on everything, learn about it and work out wether its A: compatible with your existing stock, B: compatible with your system desighn ie anemones and powerheads ets etc, and C: wether your experienced enough to offer it the water perameters it needs.

There realy isnt a hard fast guide to stock and whats good for a newbie if youve got a good system to start with, but softies, many LPS and most polyps/mushrooms are pretty tolerant of a beginners fumblings, then progress to SPS at a later date once youve become more confidant and if you feel that way inclined.

My personnal preferd reading material is Fossa and Nilsons 'The Modern Coral reef Aquarium' series......Quite expensive but well worth it IMO. Book 1 gets you started with some good background information and some superb ideas on aquascaping etc.



Updated Pics......Full tank as of December

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dec%2004a.jpg


Across the top (excuse the heavily cropped sarco, (it was filling the entire corner so it had a trim :D )

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/IMG_1771aa.jpg


The new Guy.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Tomini%2002.jpg


And a close up of a nicely developing acro

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Purple%20acro%20002.jpg


Im hoping to get some more schooling species over the next few months ie small group of chromis 6-7, some more anthias, and another addition to the tangs.....

Thats all for now folks..... :)

Happy new year to you all.......... :thumbsup: :cheers:

Si. :)

[curtisi]

Si
Hard to see exactly in the pic but have you just trimmed the head of that leather leaving just a central core? My leather is also getting too large and am wondering the best way to give it a short back and sides.


Ian

[Cudders]

Love the new guy. What a superb specimen :thumbsup:

P.S. can i have your camera :D

[simon garratt]

curtisi.

Yes, i just cut the entire head off around the stalk leaving the middle section (like a big doughnut). the rest was cut into frags as pie sections. The cut mark is healing very quickly but it should give me a good 6months clear before it needs a trim again.



New guy is allready sorting the anthias out... :rolleyes:

Thanks to phil for use of his Canon D10 EOS..... :wub:


Regards

Si.

[simon garratt]

Here's a few updated shots.

Growing nicely.....

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF3101a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF3100a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF3084a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF3078b.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF3092a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF3098b.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF3103a.jpg


Well it looks like my earlyer problems are long gone, and its time for some coral warfare..... :rolleyes:

Regards

Si. :)

[madmez]

ah your next episode on your reef site
fragging with pics ...........
i aint got the bottle to try it
nice pics

[simon garratt]

I really should do a page on that..... :D


Well said sir..... :thumbsup:

[madmez]

i get the idea . its just wot side goes on the rock ect .
would love to know but many people give shots of them growing , but not actually doing it . can i do it to this .its about 7 inch head dia.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/mushroom1.JPG
cheers steve

[elliot]

Love the millis.... how quick are pics 4 and 5 growing Si?

The growth tips on them are huge!!!

cannot wait to see it all grown in like simonh's :)

elliot

[SPS Hoover]

Lovely to see all my frags now growing up in to colonies in there on right

Keep it up mate

[simon garratt]

Madmez.

Personnaly i wouldnt chop it unless you need to. Thats a really nice one you have there. Leave it as it is unless its really causing you problems..

Elliot.

Growth rates are just getting faster and faster all the time. My plating Monti was about 1/3" away from hitting my algae magnet last monday. Today, i cant get it past it...... :thumbsup:

Re the milliporas, same again, they are just going ballistic at the mo. and Pics 4/5 ie the brown furry blue tipped acro, well thats just a weed....the one at the end of the tank should break the surface by the end of the weekend with any luck, about 1/2"

The worst one is this guy though......

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF3087a.jpg

Hes allready a good 9-10" across the widest span, and growing at a tremendouse rate of knots......So much so, i really need to move him and swap places with my Turbinaria.....



Si.....

Compliments indeed from the King of Purple........ :D



Regards

Si.

[kaos]

Hi Si, Very nice and always a plesure to see your 'crystal clean' tank ! :evil: (and mine is all green and brown) Whats the secret ? it always looks like its new just out the box! :bow: :D

looking really good though, have you any new full tank pics to see how its filling in with the coral growth ?

:thanx:

Stuart

[Phil]

Si - Looking good :rolleyes:

If you need to frag off that last one - i'll pick it up when i get my bit of leather......

Phil

[shaun2]

the water always seems crystal clear in the garrett tank, whats the secret??
shaun

sorry kaos i seem to have copied you.

[SPS Hoover]

Ozone tons of it

[Phil]

Simon

Ozone - But SiGs tank was alwyas clear before he started dosing Ozone?

If it is down to Ozone, I'm off to get one at the weekend

Phil

[simon garratt]

Kaos.

Hi Si, Very nice and always a plesure to see your 'crystal clean' tank !Â* (and mine is all green and brown) Whats the secret ? it always looks like its new just out the box!Â*Â*


Damn, caught in the act....... ;) every week i buy a new one and transfer it all over...... :D

Admitedly yes, i do use ozone (small doses thankyou very much Mr clark <_< :D ) just 20mg/min for 2hrs every morning through the AP850. But Phil's right, it has allways been clear, mainly due to the reversed baffle in the last compartment of the sump, so i dont get any air bubles at all. Plus i have no sand digging fish <_< that stir the bottom up.

Im hoping that as the growth rate speeds up and the colonies get bigger, colouration will come on better over time. (i still think there is some minor residue of whatever it was that was causing me problems six months ago), but its deffinately reducing at a good rate which explains the exellorating /consistant growth rates im getting at present over the stop/start effect i was getting just 4-5 months ago just after the big water change routines, and new RO unit.


June.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSCF1123aaa.jpg


Dec.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dec%2004a.jpg



June 2005

http://www.reef-eden.net/tank300505.jpg



http://www.reef-eden.net/Picture%20031a.jpg http://www.reef-eden.net/Tank%20End%20August.jpg
[/URL]

For All further updates. please visit [URL]http://www.reef-eden.net/2003%20Reef%205.htm (http://www.reef-eden.net/tank300505.jpg)


Regards

Si.

[LTD]

Beautiful.

[kaos]

Growth rates are just getting faster and faster all the time. My plating Monti was about 1/3" away from hitting my algae magnet last monday. Today, i cant get it past it......

I see what you mean, between the june and dec pics, its HUGE! :blink:

I love plating monti's :wub:


:thumbsup:

Stuart

[simon garratt]

As of the end of 2005 this tank was shut down.

For details on the new tank. please visit this thread....


http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182421

regards

Si.

[Lucky Eddie]

Yeah, cant beat a bit of nostalgia though, can you ?

[AlanM]

I was only reading through this thread yesterday!

Scary coincidence? Spooky...

[simon garratt]

...:D ..

it occured to me the other day that i hadnt linked the two threads together, and Id left this thread unresolved as there were no photos added just before the tank was stripped..

at least it all makes sense now......sort of..:rolleyes:

Si.

[disco_dave]

Still look's well even now.

[Wee-Man]

Not a bad start there matey, a bit more practice you should get it right:D :D