My 30by30by24h

[Reef bloke]

Well heres my first pics.It looks a bit bare at the mo apart from a lump of caulerpa i have left in for movement(soon to be ripped out) lol.
I have got 2 nice bits of plate rock from STM in there plus some premium figi rock.
I have still got to add a calcium reactor and auto top off.
It might not be as grand as some of the tanks on here but its my little bit o reef lol.
Equip
Seabray tank drilled 1 1/2inch overflow
26Lby20by20 sump 24hour lighting by 1 T8 tube
Turboflotor multi sl
ehiem 1260 return
250watt blv 10000k metal halide
2 powerheads,soon to be 3
Miracle mud in sump with caulerpa
35 kilo of lr and plate rock
Total 82 gallons
Thanks for looking and i will update as i progress.
cheers Tony

[Reef bloke]

sump

[Reef bloke]

plate rock

[themmings]

And a few Green Chromis to boot.

Looks nice!

I wish mine would hurry up and complete it's cycle and then I can post some pics!

Tim :bow:

[Reef bloke]

Thanks Tim.
Its a pain waiting for the cycle to complete.A few bits of the rock in there are from an established tank and the rock from STM is well cured so i though id slap a couple of chromis in there.
Ill feed them sparingly and see how it goes.
Cheers Tony

[hippolad]

Hi Tony
Tanks looking good. :)
What corals are you thinking of keeping, as I'm just down the road from you and your welcome to some bits and pieces of mine if you like.

Steve :)

[jamie reefer]

Hi Tony

Tank is looking great what livestock are you thinking of getting,like the colour of your background glass,what colour is it and were did you get paint hope every goes well mate ps just added 40kg of live rock to my set up tonight Ill post some pics when I get new camera cheers Jamie.

[Reef bloke]

Steve - Im thinking of a couple of small Clarki clowns,flame angel,scooter blenny(they make me chuckle),maybe a mandarin in a year or so and(i might get told off by the tang police here)small Yellow tang.
As the tang gets bigger ill trade him for a smaller one etc.As for corals im thinking of a varied collection.A couple of leathers around the base plus other nice softies like cauliflower,mid way up the tank a would like some hammer coral and an octocoral.Right at the tippy top a few SPS frags when i get my calcium reactor.I think im gonna need some guidance on chemical warfare with this lot as ive only kept softies before.
Around the pipe work and scattered about id like some pulsing xenia.
Im gonna add abit more rockwork but i want to retain the bommie look.
I wouldnt say no to some frags Steve,P.M me some prices when you get chance.
Jammie-The paint i used was the new BandQ Everythung branded stuff.The colour begins with an S,ill sort out what its called tommorow as its in the shed.Glad your getting some rock in mate,ill have a look at your thread.
Cheers peeps Tony

[danny]

:thumbsup: Very Smart, looks like it`s got potential.

[Reef bloke]

Cheers danny,still very early days yet but i have high hopes for it.
Tony

[narthur]

Tony tanks look terrific reckon we'll be forming the small but chunky reef society.. lol :lol:

[Reef bloke]

Most definately mate.My missus always says girth is much more important than length lol.Ive just looked at your latest update and the system is looking very impressive.Im starting to wish i had gone close loop now but whats done is done.
Regards Tony

[narthur]

tony i've one stream to put in the tank as well but the reason i went closed loop is i didn't want all those powerheads in the tank anymore .. N

[Reef bloke]

Yeh i find myself staring at the powerheads in mine but too late now.Lets hope my corals out shine them lol.Your tank is going to look very sleek and clean mate.
regards Tony

[narthur]

I tell you what though i don't know how these people with 6 foot + tanks find the time to get all the Equipment together and working mines only a little'en and it takes a while ... the logistics of a fish tank incredible.. just hope i don't flood the hall like i did with the last one.. N

[Reef bloke]

Yep your right there mate.When you consider my one was manufactured its amazing the amount of work i had to do to get it the way i wanted it.
Build my own sump,brace the stand,plumb it,dabble with the halide so i could mount it and various other curve balls it threw at me.If id have known how much agro modding the stand was going to be id have just built my own.
Again this was just a small tank,the effort that goes into the monster tanks like Tuans is just breath taking.
My brother purchased an Aqua medic perc 90 and its a little gem and well thought out,it made me a little angry as his was set up in 45 mins lol.
Then again i have built my system around my needs and im quite proud at the mo as im sure you are when you look at yours.
Tony

[Reef bloke]

4 weeks now and some new additions.
Tony

[Matt I]

cool, whats the purple tree like coral called? looks nice.

[Reef bloke]

Most of the corals in that pic havent polyped out as it was taken just after lights on.If you mean the coral an the left bottom its a soft finger coral possibly Sinularia sp.It goes a very light green when its out.
Thanks Tony

[simonm]

Nice looking tank, Excellent size...Does the overflow go through the base of the tank through that pipe ?

ta.

[Reef bloke]

Thanks simonm.There isnt that much in the tank at the mo i just posted the pic as an update really.Yes the the overflow pipe runs straight down to the sump but takes a couple of twists an turns on the way this was because good old Seabray drilled my overflow hole directley under the bracing bars.I couldnt set the overflow up correctly with it sitting under them.I was really lucky with it as there is next to no noise.
I would have liked to go bigger but even for a smallish tank it still has the appeal of depth and width that most larger tanks manage.
Cheers Tony

[jamie reefer]

Hi Tony

Tank looks really good,coming on a treat mate.

What do you plan on getting next ???

Keep up the hard work Tony

Cheers Jamie

[simonm]

Originally posted by Reef bloke@Sep 16 2004, 22:57

I would have liked to go bigger but even for a smallish tank it still has the appeal of depth and width that most larger tanks manage.

I agree, there is something with cube (or close) tanks, the proportions just make them look great.

[Reef bloke]

Thanks for the kind comments lads.Im thinking of going for a Gonipora next but im a little worried as last time i kept reef they were thought to be beyond the scope of most keepers.Might go for some sps later although i would have to yank out the sinularia?
I cant wait for my coralline algea to kick in full bore so it will cover up my milliput clam stand lol.
Regards Tony

[Manta]

Tank looks amazing Tony, water like crystal.

You can answer what I've been thinking of for a long time if you please, when it comes to skimmer cleaning time, how do you get it out?

[Reef bloke]

Thanks Manta.Well with regards to the skimmer its a bit complicated lol.I can remove the pump and the skimmer cup for cleaning but the body of the skimmer is trapped in there ooopppss!I went a bit too high on the hieght of the sump when i built it but by the time the tank arrived it was too late.Im going to build another sump in a years time when i replace part of the mineral mud so itll come out for a total strip down then.In the mean time i can give it a scrub whilst insitu if need be,not ideal but there you go.
Tony

[Manta]

Thanx for reply Tony, something we'll have to think carefully about.

[Reef bloke]

Couple of update pics.

[Reef bloke]

nice green acro

[Reef bloke]

nice sun coral

[narthur]

Tony looks like the small but chunky reef tank community is doing well :lol: lovely tank mate :thumbsup:

[Beluga Whale]

lovely tank... if ya don't mind me asking, how much did ya pay for the majestic? and how big is it at the mo?

cheers :)
Beluga ;)

[Reef bloke]

Cheers Nic,its slowly taking shape mate.Ill give the sps i have added a while to see how they get on before i add any more.
Im still not sure if i should remove my Goniopora and Sinularia as i know these could upset my new sps additions.
My current water specs are
Amm 0
NO2 0
N03 <5
PO4 <0.03
Mag 1460
Cal 460
Dkh 9
Ph day 8.1 night 7.8
All tested with new Salifert kits
Ive got my calcium reactor at the ready but as you can see there is no demand for it as yet.
Im just a bit worried about my Sps at the mo Nic as my system is still young.
Beluga my Majestic is about 3 inches from tip to tip and set me back £89(gulp).He hasnt been to bad with the corals so far but he did start to nip at my clam so i moved it to the top of the tank.The majestic doesnt like it near the water surface so at the moment that has put him off nipping the clam(fingers crossed).
He feeds like a pig too.
Thanks for your comments Tony.

[narthur]

Tony looks like were both going through the changes as i'm slowly introducing sps into my system took me ages to get nitrates down but finally with some big water changes things seem to be settleing again i've the CA reactor but at present no need for it yet but once you start cutting back on the water changes those sps will soon be sucking up the calcium etc.. as for the angel most peeps keep there's well feed to avoid pecking problems just keep an eye on him.. i'm at full capacity as far as Fish goes its a real shame as i saw the nicest anthias today four for 18 pounds each but hey wait till some chromis die but looking at them that'll be a few years.. keep up the good work tony tanks looking great.. Nic :thumbsup:

[Reef bloke]

Cheers for your comments Nic.It seems we are both following very similar routes so it will be interesting to observe our tanks in a year or so to see how they look.
I have started feeding my Angel ,butterfly and angel frozen food and im gonna go the little and often route.Im quite happy with my stock levels at the mo so no more fish are planned.
Chat soon mate Tony

[Mark J]

Hi Tony,

cracking lil tank youve got there, just a quick question as im just branching out into sps's etc, and also have a sinulara of sorts.
Just wondering why you said about having to remove it when you go more for sps's etc, are they sods for chemical warfare or something?

[narthur]

Hello Mark. i've done the same as tony had a sinularia but moved it right to the far right of the tank as they can be quite potent and shed there skin/mucas membrane so can be a problem with sps.. i think eventually i'll get rid of all my softcorals and keep the mushrooms etc but the problems is you don't want to rid all your softies when a. they are so big in my case.. B. you don't get on with sps i.e you just can't keep them alive however things seem to be improving in my tank and i've some success with the sps now but again run carbon heavily as i've four or five softies in there.. Regards,, Nic :thumbsup:

[Mark J]

Thanks Nic,

yeah totally agree with you on when the softies make the tank look nice etc, the tank would look empty without them until the sps's grew etc, but a sort of a catch 22 if the softies are slowing the growth of the sps's though.
Will have to keep an eye on how they fair and if it comes to it, will remove the finger leathers and see how the sps's do then.

[Reef bloke]

I think Nic has covered the question about Sinularia.I have scratched my head quite a bit lately about the whole softies and sps problem.
Im gonna wait and see how the sps i have got get on and if they settle ill eventually start replacing softies with sps.
Tony

[jamie reefer]

Hi Tony

The tank is looking really tip top mate,love that monti I ve just purchased 1 pretty simular,Tony how many times a week are you feeding the sun coral and what do you feed???keep up the hard work

cheers Jamie

[Reef bloke]

At the mo im feeding the Sun 2-3 times a week.Unfortunately the sun has 3 heads on it and 2 were receeding a bit when i got it so im hoping this trend will reverse.
My sun excepts brine and small mysis and will even except granular dry foods.As long as the foods are around 2-4mm and of meaty origin its quite happy to take them.Its just a bit of a pain feeding every polyp as there are about 60 in total on mine gulp.
Tony

[Reef bloke]

Another update:Sinularia removed and 2 new sps added.
About 2 and 1/2 months old now
Thanks 4 lookin Tony

[Reef bloke]

lilac Acro with little commensal crab.

[Reef bloke]

Light pink Seriatopora hystrix.
I am now very ,very skint lol
Cheers all Tony

[narthur]

Tony looking great i'm dead jealous.. Nic :thumbsup:

[simonm]

thats a realy realy nice Seriatopora , where was it from ?

[Reef bloke]

Nic-Thankyou for your kind comments as always.Im awaiting some pics from my fellow 'Chunky little reef'member lol.Its getting there slowly and i suppose i could have stocked with frags but the tank would have looked very empty.
simon-I have pm'd you with the location of shop as they are not board sponsers.
Thansk Tony

[simonm]

fantastic tank tony, lots and lots of colour in there. Nice size too.

[scarab]

Originally posted by Reef bloke@Nov 2 2004, 19:27
lilac Acro with little commensal crab.
Can you check whether you crab is hairy and has shiny blue eye? :o If it is, get rid of it. These crabs are ok in the wild , meaning their are commensal but in a reef environment when food are scarce, they will feed on you Acro polyps. Have a lot of reefers here having this problem (incl. myself).

[Reef bloke]

Cheers for the info mate ill try and weed him out.
Tony

[Reef bloke]

Craby has now been removed with tweezers and is in my sump.He looks a bit lost though.The only thing is there are another 3 crabs in the other acros but they are tiny and pink in colour,hope these dudes are acro friendly.
Tony

[wayne g]

the only acro crabs i have ever had problems with have all been hairy.
i have three of four pinky brownish crabs but never had a trouble from them.

[Reef bloke]

Cheerr Mate nice1 lol.Ill leave my little pink friends in there for now.
Tony

[narthur]

Tony how's the tank? :thumbsup:

[Esk]

update please :rolleyes: :lol: pics pics pics :thumbsup:

[Reef bloke]

Ill get some pictures up soon.Nothing much has changed really apart from a bit of growth here and there.
Sorry i didnt reply sooner Narth,ive had a bit of email trouble and didnt get a pm warning that the thread was active again.
Cheers Tony

[Reef bloke]

Here a pic i quickly snapped last night,i have been really busy for the last couple of months so the tank has suffered slightly.There has been good groeth on the green acro and monti though.
Regards Tony
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/sarbirds/tankcube.jpg

[Esk]

Its filling out nicely Tony :) quite a lot of growth in a short time, looks great :wub: Thanks for the pics :thumbsup:

Chris

[jamie reefer]

Hi Tony

The tank looks fantastic mate,very nice mixture of colours :thumbsup: get some more pictures up please :D

cheers Jamie

[S~~~~D]

hi Reef bloke your tank looks great mate :thumbsup: :bow: :bow:

[Reef bloke]

Thanks for all your comments.Ive had some tough times,nearly lost all the softies using poly ox to get rid of red slime(which went away on its own anyhow lol).
Ill have to start adding some more coral soon as i havent really done much for months in the way of new additions.To be honoust with you all ive been so side tracked the tank has been looking after itself.
Glad to hear your keeping your tank Jamie,just let it idle away until you find yourself in a position to add stock etc again.
Regards Tony

[maestro]

I love your tank, its a really nice shape, looks very natural

[Reef bloke]

Couple of update pics after loosing most of my stock last year.Another stream added,reeflux 10k lamp 250watt and new pendant,new acros,ap850 skimmer and larger ocean runner 6500 return pump.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/maxoutput/freshstart3.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/maxoutput/freshstart3.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/maxoutput/freshstart.jpg
cheers Tony