View Full Version : My Percula 90 - ~Tony~
Decided to add the latest picture of my tank at the top of this thread. I will maintain this picture up to date as my tank progresses.
29 Oct 2005
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3635_29_oct_05.jpg
The first 6 months a pictorial history
28 Feb - the beginning - filling with RO water. Live rock added 5 March = week 0.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0899_28_feb_05.jpg
18 March 2005 - 2 weeks - cycle nearly over
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0962_18_mar_05.jpg
30 March - 3 weeks - snails and hermit crabs added
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0982_30_mar_05.jpg
4 April - 4 weeks - algae bloom
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0984_04_apr_05.jpg
16 April - 6 weeks - being patient
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony1149_16_apr_05.jpg
9 June - 13 weeks - first softies (first fish - 2 clowns added after 10 weeks)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2073_09_jun_05.jpg
23 June - 16 weeks - coral beauty angel + cleaner shrimps
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2167_23_jun_05.jpg
23 August - 24 weeks - more corals - including lps and sps - adding kalk
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2704_23_aug_05.jpg
11 Sept - 27 weeks
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3060_11_sep_05.jpg
29 Sept - 29 weeks
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3293_29_sep_05b.jpg
29 Oct - 34 weeks
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3635_29_oct_05a.jpg
I thought it was time to post my tank. More to come :)
Tony
:thumbsup:
Really like these 'time-lapse' kind of shots. Nice to see how a tank has progressed with pictures side by side like this, rather than spread out through a long thread. Its coming on well!
Regards,
Keith
looking great there tony :thumbsup:
mariusz621
12-09-05, 18:37
Good progress :thumbsup:
What fish do you have in there at the moment tony? looks like a lemonpeel, do you still have the coral beauty?
No, its a Centropyge heraldi = false lemonpeel angel. Similar but without the blue eyes and a much more peaceful fish. A real beauty :wub:
My current stock is
2 tank bred clowns - Amphiprion ocellaris
Coral beauty angel - Centropyge bispinosus
False lemonpeel angel - Centropyge heraldi
Flame angel - Centropyge loricula
Kole tang - Ctenochaetus strigosus
Black capped basslet - Gramma melacara
Not that you would know from my last full tank shot <_<
Tony
instantsquid
12-09-05, 21:26
Me like muchly.
Ian :thumbsup:
My fish. Firstly here's another tank shot that shows all my fish - although the Gramma is only just visible behind the hydnaphora at the lower right.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3100_12_sep_05.jpg
Percula clowns - Amphiprion ocellaris - tank bred
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3133_clowns.jpg
My first fish. Added 12 May - week 10.
Why are these fish so difficult to photograph? It has taken me 4 months to get a this shot of them both :blush: . They are never still and the camera seems to struggle to focus sharply on this colour. Well here they are at last.
Always together, they ignore the other fish, and the other fish ignore them. Generally keep to the top left of my tank behind the Tunze. They are still young. Maybe one day they will decide to find a host coral.
Bicolour blenny - Ecsenius bicolour
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2079_blenny1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2092_blenny2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2148_blenny3.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2226_blenny4.jpg
My 3rd fish. Added 9 June - week 13
Such a character. Always peeping out from behind a rock to see what I was doing.
Loved small spaces and would back into the tiniest of holes to sleep at night with just his head poking out.
If I turned the Tunze off it would immediately go and rest inside it. I was always afraid that if I caught the 'feed mode' of the Tunze controller accidentally, it might start up with him inside and mutilate his tail. Fortunately it never happened.
He was also the only fish to attack me. He took great delight in nipping my arm when I wasn't looking. Not painful but made me jump. I became very watchful for him when I was 'servicing' the tank.
Sadly, he jumped out the tank last month and I wasn't around to rescue him. RIP
I knew they were prone to jump but hoped my 4in sides would dissuade him.
Much as I love this fish, I won't be replacing him. Maybe in the future I'll reconsider.
Coral Beauty - Centropyge bispinosa
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2130_CoralBeauty1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2137_CoralBeauty2.jpg
Added 16 Jun - week 15
A gorgeous fish. Meanders in and out of the rock, giving life and movement to the tank. I had tried to build my rockscape with lots of channels for fish and water circulation. This fish found them all and I realised I had got right.
He was shy at first, but soon settled in. The blenny was cross to begin with to have his space invaded, but within a week they became the best of friends and were often to be seen swimming around together.
Blackcap basslet - Gramma melacara
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3168_Gramma1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2745_Gramma2.jpg
Added 5 Aug - week 22
Similar to the Royal gramma, but this fish lives deeper in the ocean. He likes his caves and dark corners. He lives on the right hand side of my tank and rarely ventures far from there. That's ok though as I have a sofa at side of the tank.
Very shy at first, but ate well from the second day after I tempted him with brine shrimp - now happily eats both flake and frozen. Still tends to shoot back into his cave as other fish swim past his side of the tank. Can be a comical sight if the other fish decide to swim round the tank following each other - with this gramma darting to and from his cave as each fish comes by.
Not always 'in your face' but adds real interest to the tank. He occasionally now appears out of an entrance to his cave at the front of tank - especially at feed time - and mingles with the other fish, but that area is really too bright for his liking.
Warrington-guy
13-09-05, 07:36
stunning,
jacksok, jimmyjayz, mariusz621, instantsquid, warrington-guy
Thanks guys for your kind comments.
I'll post some more pictures tonight.
Tony
i always loved the black cap gramma, much more refined than the royal imo :thumbsup:
and great photos mate :thumbsup:
Kole tang - Ctenochaetus strigosus - Indian ocean form
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2936_Kole1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2975_Kole2.jpg
Added 20 Aug - week 24
I wanted to add a Yellow tang, but decided that my tank wasn't really big enough for one. Eventually I decided on this Kole tang instead. It is a gentler fish and I felt it would better handle the slightly restricted swimming space offered by my tank. I love its yellow eyes and quizzical looks it gives me. It seems very content. As it grows I may need to invest in a bigger tank. But that's ok :whistling: .
False lemonpeel angel - Centropyge heraldi
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3121_Heraldi1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3014_Heraldi2.jpg
Added 3 Sept - week 26
This is another gentle fish and satisfied my desire for a yellow fish. It was feeding well in the lfs and looking healthy so I added this and the young Flame angel at the same time. The Coral Beauty wasn't too concerned about this fish - too busy chasing the Flame - but the Kole didn't approve. The Heraldi cowered under the rockwork for 24 hours, but then things settled and it is fully accepted now. It spends its days with the Kole grazing the rocks for algae.
Flame angel - Centropyge loricula
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2926_Flame1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3160_Flame2.jpg
Added 3 Sept - week 26
Another fish I always wanted, but was warned that it was aggressive to other angels and would badger my Coral Beauty to death. This Flame is young and only half the size of my Coral Beauty. I talked it through on a couple of occasions with my not-so-local-fs. He thought that the Coral Beauty would be the most territorial but suggested that I might get away with it if I introduced this and the Heraldi at the same time. I decided to take the gamble and try them - it all depends on characters of the individual fish.
The Coral Beauty was not pleased. He chased the smaller Flame mercilessly - but no nipped fins, so not too bad so far. Being smaller the Flame could escape and hide where the Coral couldn't get him - and it also meant the Coral left the Heraldi alone. The mirror trick gave them some peace for a couple of hours.
The small Flame is cocky and slowly became braver, taunting the Coral to chase him. The Coral Beauty is still boss but only occasionally gives a token chase now -they tolerate each other. The three dwarf angels are a great combination. I'm glad it is working out.
Now for my corals. If my ID is wrong, please let me know.
Button polyp - Zoanthus sp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2211_zoanthus1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0089_zoanthus2.jpg
added 01 June - week 12
My nearest lfs only has a range of softies and these are usually not too exciting. However I did find this and couldn't resist. Perfect my first coral.
Striped mushroom - Discosoma striata
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2260_discosoma1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2268_discosoma2.jpg
Added 01 June - week 12
And as luck would have it they also had this nice example of a green striped mushroom. Some days it all goes well.
Hairy mushroom - Rhodactis indosinensis
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3079_rhodactis1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3051_rhodactis2.jpg
feeding!
Added 08 July - week 18
I have found another not-so-local-fs but which an excellent coral stock and friendly owner. This was my first coral from them. I have it towards the corner of my tank so it is tricky to get a full shot of it, so this is only half of it. It came on a large and solid lump of rock so it was a challenge to find a good place in my tank. I did consider trying to split the back off the rock, but I was concerned about damaging the shroom. Found a place in the tank corner in the end. Flow may be a little too strong for it there but it has got used to it and seems to be thriving now.
Hi Tony
The tank looks amazing, especially the zoos, and the kole tang. Having a few problems with my tang at the mo.
It's a credit to you.
:thumbsup: J
I really like the write up youve done on each fish Tony, its very interesting.
Im currently plannign what fish to put into my rio 180 and I would like 2 dwarf angels as centre piece fish aswell as 2 or 3 other small fish.
Ideally I would love a flame and a lemonpeel but I just dont know if I can take the lemonpeel eating all my corals so I thinking though other options, I really like your heraldi, I saw one in the shop and to be honest its not as good looking as the lemonpeel with the blue eyes but yours is a better example I think.
The other angel I like is the eibli but thay get 6inches so quite large
Can you tell us more about the Blackcap basslet - Gramma melacara? I'd been thinking about a Gramma loreta as a cave fish for a tank dedicated for non-photosynthetic corals. But as has been said, this seems to be an attractive alternative.
Regards,
Keith
Torch coral - Euphyllia glabrescens
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2974_torch1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2890_torch2.jpg
Added 8 July - week 18
This coral adds lots of motion to the tank. It is situated below the Tunze and its tentacles wave in the return flow to the Tunze.
It is aggressive and I have had to keep the button polyps and hydnaphora out of its reach.
Originally posted by jonifive@Sep 14 2005, 00:31
The tank looks amazing, especially the zoos, and the kole tang. Having a few problems with my tang at the mo.
thanks. Sorry to hear your yellow tang is not well. Hope it recovers soon and your pyjama wrasse turns up.
Originally posted by maestro@Sep 14 2005, 00:35
I really like the write up youve done on each fish Tony, its very interesting.
Ideally I would love a flame and a lemonpeel but I just dont know if I can take the lemonpeel eating all my corals
thanks, I hope my experiences help others to make their decisions on fish.
All dwarf angels are a risk with corals, but I haven't had any problems with mine so far. No doubt I'll get some minor nips in the future - but they are worth it.
The lemonpeel is notorious for being the worst offendor. It all depends on the individual fish. My Heraldi is gorgeous, with dark markings around the eyes. The blue eyes of the lemonpeel are striking, but the heraldi is equally striking in its own way and such a serene fish.
I also like the Eibli but as you say it grows larger. Putting multiple dwarf angels in a small tank is always going to be risky, but it seems to be working for me. Observe your fish in the lfs for several days before buying to try to judge their temperament.
Originally posted by jacksok@Sep 14 2005, 00:37
Can you tell us more about the Blackcap basslet - Gramma melacara? I'd been thinking about a Gramma loreta as a cave fish for a tank dedicated for non-photosynthetic corals. But as has been said, this seems to be an attractive alternative.
I have only had my Blackcap a few weeks, but he has become a firm favourite with his cave dwelling antics. Both the Royal and the Blackcap are cave dwellers, but Royal is generally found above 60ft and Blackcap below 60ft depth in the ocean. Consequently the Blackcap is keen on the dark areas of the tank.
He has definitely staked his claim on his cave. The book says that he will defend it fervently, but so far it is just his bolt hole and the other fish don't worry him.
He is very shy but all the more appealing for it. Each week he gets more adventurous, especially at and before feed time. He is a carnivore but seems to happily eat the bits of vege flake and frozen aswell.
He is a stunning colour. I'd recommend him.
Tony
Branching hammer coral - Euphyllia parancora
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2800_hammer1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2889_hammer2.jpg
Added 26 Aug - week 25
I found an excuse to be in Essex and visited CGA. A long trip but an excellent shop. I bought two corals that I liked. This is one of them. I couldn't resist the colouration.
Knobbly mushroom - Ricordea yuma
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3063_yuma1.jpg
Added 10 Sept - week 27
I found this small 1cm mushroom frag in my ns-lfs. It must have fallen off a larger piece. It was unlabelled but I am fairly sure it is a Ricordea yuma.
I am not sure of the ID of this coral. Looks like a Lobophyllia?
Can anybody ID it? hemprichii, robusta ?
Lobed brain coral - Lobophyllia hemprichii
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2981_lobo1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3000_lobo2.jpg
Added 3 Sept - week 26
Another beauty from my ns-lfs
Lobophyllia tony its far to big to be a blasto :thumbsup:
thanks. Any idea which Lobophyllia? robusta? hemprichii?
I presume it can't be a Symphyllia?
ed: I have seen it have white tentacles, at the junction of the pink & green, when tempted with food.
difficult to correctly identify from the photo mate, only way to be 100 % sure is from the skeleton but we dont want o have to do that :lol:
try viewing it when the lights have been off for a few hours i have a very similar one and it goes mad for food and i suplement it with whole cockles {unshelld of coures} :thumbsup:
Originally posted by jimmyjayz@Sep 14 2005, 10:00
difficult to correctly identify from the photo mate, only way to be 100 % sure is from the skeleton but we dont want o have to do that :lol:
try viewing it when the lights have been off for a few hours i have a very similar one and it goes mad for food and i suplement it with whole cockles {unshelld of coures} :thumbsup:
It looks very similar after lights out (and when I first added it to the tank) but without the puffy flesh. In fact it was so similar that it was hard to believe that the hard skeletal coral that I put in could shimmy in the current the next day.
Hello,
Just wanted to say what a great tank. :thumbsup:
Really interesting that you have been able to mix the dwarf angels with no problems, as you say this can come down to the individual characters of the fish. What works in your tank may not work in someone else’s. :(
Enjoyed the individual write ups and the photos are great, what camera you using?
Matt
Thanks Matt, glad you like it. More to come as I get time.
The succesful mixing of my dwarf angels is down to trying to pre-judge their character and, in the end, luck :P . As you say, it may not work for everybody and it is still possible that I might have trouble in the future as the Flame grows. Just have to get a bigger tank then :whistling: .
My camera is a Canon 350D. Most shots are taken with the Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro lens.
Tony
Amazing tank Tony
Quality pics as well ;)
Hope i can my perc to look half as good, nice to know that theres successful perc90 owners out there to offer a newbie advice :D
:thumbsup:
Thanks Matt.
Here are some more of my corals
Lettuce coral - Pavona decussata
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2846_Pavona1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2858_Pavona2.jpg
Added 26 Jun - week 16
I bought this off a UR member. It was my first SPS. A large specimen for my size tank, but looks well as a centre piece. It gave me a shock when it went in as it started streaming defensively. I thought I'd killed it - but it settled down after a while. It has long mesentary tentacles. Usually about 1in long, though I have sometimes seen them up to 2in long. I keep my other corals at a safe distance.
I knocked a leaf off it when I was putting it in, so I have mounted the frag and it too is doing well and growing slowly.
Moon coral - Favia sp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2892_Favia1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2861_Favia2.jpg
Added 29 July - week 21
Another coral I couldn't resist from my not-so-lfs. The first shot is under actinics. It fluoresces beautifuly under actinics. It is also a lovely green and red under MH. It is the favourie home of my peppermint shrimp as it is concave underneath.
Scroll coral - Turbinaria reniformis
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2799_turbinaria1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2871_turbinaria2.jpg
Added 26 Aug - week 25
The second coral I got on my trip to CGA. Delicate yellow polyps on pinkish leaves. Oh I couldn't resist it. It came with a free hitchhiker - a brittle star. Assuming it is only one, it must be about 6in across as in the middle of the night its legs appear dangling out of all sides of the coral. At least I won't have to worry about detritus collecting in the folds of the coral.
Lovely tank! :thumbsup: Great thread, too. I'm really enjoying the photographs and commentary!
Thanks nanomatt. I'll keep the photos coming.
Horn coral - Hydnaphora rigida
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2850_Hydnaphora1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3066_Hydnaphora2.jpg
Added 29 Jul - week 21
A large coral for my size tank, but it gives a good splash of green to the right side of the tank. The polyps waft gently in the flow I have in that corner.
Bird's nest coral - Seriatopora caliendrum
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3003_SeriatoporaA1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2719_SeriatoporaA2.jpg
Added 30 June - week 17
Jonock kindly gave me some frags when I visited his amazing tank. This has been the most successful one for me, and is growing well. I love its fine, delicate polyps when they are fully extended. And yet at night they disappear into small black dots. Amazing.
Bird's nest coral - Seriatopora hystrix
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2717_SeriatoporaB1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2709_SeriatoporaB2.jpg
Added 29 July - week 21
As my first Seriatopora seemed to be doing so well, I decided to get another from my lfs a few weeks later. This too is doing well, with good growth on the tips.
As I sit here posting, my Lobophyllia has decided it is time for a feed. I presume it is gorging itself on the DT oyster eggs that I added early this evening. An amazing transformation - compare this photo with the daytime shot that I posted previously. Corals never cease to amaze me.
Lobed brain coral - Lobophyllia hemprichii
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3508_lobophyllia5.jpg
Disk coral - Fungia sp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3061_Fungia1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3074_Fungia2.jpg
Added 10 Sept - week 27
Another trip to my ns-lfs. I could't resist this lovely Fungia and I had just the spot for it on my sand. It settled very quickly, puffing out and throwing up its tentacles within the hour. It has a huge striped mouth, strikingly coloured - and loves a bit of prawn. It wanders gentle - never far, but it seems to be in a slightly different position each day.
Some lovely corals there, hope mine looks this good one day.
Thanks jobr. I'm sure they will :thumbsup:
great job :thumbsup:
more pics please :wub:
Congratulations on one of the most interesting and thoughtful threads I've seen in the members tank area :thumbsup:
It's nice to have a bit of personal write up on each fish/coral and of course the photos are stunning. I look forward to more in this thread,
regards,
Anthony
Thanks lukmek and Anthony. Glad you like it :)
Purple tipped Acro - Acropora sp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2738_AcroPurple1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2795_AcroPurple2.jpg
Added 29-Jul - week 21
My ns-lfs had a new SPS tank and a couple of pieces caught my eye. I was concerned that my tank might still be a little young for Acros, but on chatting it through with the owner and another customer (thanks SiG), it seemed my tank should be ok so I bought this and the following piece. Well they are still here. The purple tip is barely colouring up yet, but I think it is healthy. Perhaps I need a brighter light than my 150w MH, or maybe my tank is too young, or maybe I just need more experience yet - but hopefully it will deepen in colour eventually.
Green Acro - Acropora sp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2838_AcroGreen1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2881_AcroGreen2.jpg
Added 29 July - week 21
This is the second acro that I bought that day. Again it seems healthy to me. I am happy to wait and see it mature.
I had been dripping Kalk into my tank since week 18 to keep my Ca & Alk from falling. In week 23 I added a Ratz stirrer and new slow peri-pump to drip it. This adds Kalk to the tank intermittently overnight and I have stabalised the Alk at 8.5 and Ca at 430.
Mmm.. now about that upgrade to my lights :whistling:
Hi Tony,
Only just come across this post.
I remember chatting to you when I was at the earlier stages of my tank. Your tank,corals and pics all look stunning. It is a credit to yourself that you provide such good sound advice(and pics).
I hope I can achieve similar results in the future.
Just a note to all new perc owners. This chap offers some great advice and the results speak for themselves.
Thanks again Tony. Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
Ian
PS. Thinking of getting a calc reactor. What would you recommend, a kalk stirrer or calc reactor. Please bear in mind I have limited space.
:blush: Thanks Ian. That's given a lot to live up to.
Thinking of getting a calc reactor. What would you recommend, a kalk stirrer or calc reactor. Please bear in mind I have limited space.
I would definitely start with a kalk stirrer. Whilst kalk can be dangerous, it isn't hard to setup it up in a safe manner and will provide your Calcium needs for some time. For the perc you will need the Ratz since you need to pump the kalk up into the tank. This pressurises the stirrer and, as far as I am aware, the Ratz is the only one to handle this. You will also need a slow rate peri-pump (5ml/min or less) to feed RO water to the stirrer.
If and when your calcium needs exceed the amount of Kalk you can add as top-up water, then is the time to add a calcium reactor aswell.
I'll be posting pictures later this week of how I have setup mine in the limited space under the perc90.
hth
Tony
Looking forward to the setup pics.
Cheers,
Ian
Blue tipped acro - Acropora sp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3225_AcroBlue1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3217_AcroBlue2.jpg
Added 3 Sept - week 26
This and the next acro are an experiment for me. The lfs had these in but they had turned brown in his system, so he was selling them half price. I chose two which I thought showed potential. Now it remains to see whether I can get them to colour up in my tank. Well, 2 weeks later they are still alive and I think a little less deep brown, but I no real sign of them colouring yet. Patience needed, me thinks.
Green acro - Acropora sp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3223_GreenAcro1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3010_GreenAcro2.jpg
Added 3 Sept - week 26
It is also slow progress with this second 'brown' acro, although I am sure I can convince myself that there is now a hint of green in the polyps. Or is that wishful thinking.
Red coco worm - Protula bispiralis
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2852_Protula1.jpg
Added 8 July - week 18
Another beauty from Tropical Paradise. The head is nearly always out, day and night, and the feathers waft around in the current. With its continual motion it wasn't easy to photograph, but I finally managed this shot. It has two heads; the second head is behind the first in this shot. My fish did occasionally show interest but it shoots away so fast that they just ignore it now. I feed Phyto regularly which I hope it is catching - it has been in my tank for 11 weeks now and has grown slightly.
Cleaner shrimp - Lysmata amboinensis
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2176_Cleaner1.jpg
Added 9 June - week 13
I have two cleaner shrimps. They add a lot of interest - brightly coloured and always active. They pester any new occupant, hoping for some tasty parasites. And that includes my arm when I am working in the tank. A strange feeling, especially if they clean under my nails. I always wear latex gloves now so they only have my arm left. They are very greedy and will consume the largest of tasty pieces. I have to fend them off when I am trying to feed the corals. The coolest thing is seeing them 'walk' upside down on the water surface if I float some cyclo-peeze food on it.
Peppermint shrimp - Lysmata wurdemanni - or Lysmata californica?
edit: I now believe that this is Lysmata rathbunae due to its long Rostrum (horn-like projection)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2914_Peppermint1.jpg
Added 29 July - week 21
I have 3 of these. Well I think I still have, though I have only ever seen one of them at a time. I know this one lives under my Favia, and he sometimes comes out at feed time now. Being nocturnal and shy, they are not easy to photograph. I have occasionally caught one at the other end of the tank, out on the sand, when I have walked into the room at night and turned on the light - he disappears again under the rocks very rapidly. I have never seen them by torchlight either. They obviously hide before I can get my torch on - crafty critters. I think they are true peppermints = wurdemanni, but they may be californica. Can anybody confirm this?
Peanut worm - Phascolosoma noduliferum?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony1018_Peanut1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0111_Peanut2.jpg
LR hitchhiker - week 0
This was the first 'inhabitant' of my tank, arriving as a hitchhiker on my live rock. The first photo shows him after he had grown for a month. The second is a recent photo of him in full feeding mode.
Just to say tony im really enjoyign all your pictures.
Im currently thinking about what to stock my tank with when the time comes and im considering a bicolour blenny, would you recomend one as an intersting fish?
Thanks maestro, I'll keep them coming.
I would definitely recommend a bicolour blenny. I really miss mine. It has a wonderful character and crazy antics. Always slipping backwards into the tiniest of crevices or holes, and peering out with a quizzical look. I could sit and watch him all day - and he used to sit a watch me all day.
The only negative is their inclination to jump. Mine never showed any signs of jumping, but must have had a sudden fright on the fateful day and decided to skip over into my world. It looks like your Rio is covered, so you would be ok. Go for it.
hth
Tony
Chiton
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony1896_Chiton1.jpg
Another hitchhiker. I found this creature on one of my snails. It proceeded to eat all the algae on the snail's shell and finally disappeared into the live rock, leaving the shell sparkling white. I presume it is still in there somewhere steadily munching on my algae :)
Blue leg hermit crab - Clibanarius tricolour
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/BlueHermit2.jpg
This one added 20 May - week 11. Plus 20 more small ones added 8 July - week 18.
The snail was most unhappy having this hermit crab on its shell. It twisted and flicked itself trying to dislodge the crab. I thought that the crab was fancying a new shell, but snail wasn't having any of it. He eventually succeeded in shaking off the crab but it wasn't easy.
Red legged hermit crab - Paguristes cadenati
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony1827_RedHermit1.jpg
10 Added 29 March - week 4
Well my inhabitant list wouldn't be complete without a picture of one of these hermits, would it.
Nassarius distortus
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/NitrousSnail.jpg
3 Added 23 June - week 16
Sold to me as Nitrous snails :lol: , but eventually found an ID of Nessarius distortus. They spend the majority of the time buried in the sand, but occasionly will surface at feed time. When they are up, they are the fastest moving snails I have seen
So where did it all start?
For those of you that don't know the Aqua Medic Percula 90, this is the kit of bits that come with it. 3 PH1000 circulation pumps and a turbo skimmer plus various filter sponges.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0888_build1.jpg
The tank has the 'sump' built into the back of the tank - which at least avoids any floods. With all the kit installed this is the rear view.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0892_build2.jpg
The left chamber is for recirculation. Water flows in through the critter-safe grills and is pumped back out by the two ph1000 pumps.
The right and centre chambers are the 'sump'. Water flows into the right chamber over a weir to the skimmer. It flows out of the bottom of that chamber and up through the blue filter, then over another weir into the trickle chamber containing the bio-balls. Then out of the bottom of the trickle chamber into the return chamber where it is pumped back into the main tank by another ph1000. The water level in this final chamber goes down as water evaporates from the tank and is where the top-up RO water must be added. If you fit an auto-topup system then the level switch goes in this chamber.
And for those interested in the detail.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2449_build3.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0895_build4.jpg
I never fitted any of the blue filter sponges.
The channel down the centre of the picture above is a dry chamber with a hole drilled at the bottom and allows all the cables to be fed into the cabinet below.
The dry chamber for a cable run is a good idea. Unfortunately the German engineers didn't allow for UK plugs so they won't fit through the hole in the base of the tank. My solution was to trim the rubber 'wings' off the plugs so that they will fit down the glass hole. They need to be trimmed to 42mm.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0898_plug2.JPG http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0897_plug1.JPG
If it goes wrong or doesn't look safe then just chop the plug off and fit a new one after feeding the cable through - nothing lost by trying.
Modifications to the tank
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony1141_Tankmods1.jpg
Circulation
The changes I have made are simple but seem effective.
1 - I pushed a Marley overflow right-angle bend to the outlet of the upper circulation pump. This was to push water down and across behind the live rock. I now have it angled up and across the back of the tank to improve the surface agitation in that area, which is now much more than in the photo.
2 - I extended the outlet pipe from the return pump and pushed on an elongated T-piece. This pushes water left and right under the live rock, through rockwork arch channels into the rockwork caves which are under each of the two 'piles' of rock. Seems to work well. Looking with a torch, the sandy bottoms of these channels and caves seem clean and free of any detritus accumulation.
5 - A Tunze stream 6100 with a 7091 controller and on a magnetic mount. I have now twisted the mount away from the vertical slightly so that the stream is horizontal rather than drooping down slightly. This gives good surface agitation over most of the tank. The flow bounces off the front and far corner of the tank, and the return gives good flow around the back of the live rock.
The lower circulation pump fills in the final flow area along the right side of the tank and round across the lower front of the tank.
Lighting
3 - I have added an Arcadia T5 actinic light across the front of the tank. This is mounted on plywood sprayed matte black and an Arcadia reflector.
4 - a piece of acrylic sheet cut to size, and slipped into the weir slides above the comb, as a guard to stop fish and snails escaping into the 'sump' section.
Further additions
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/PercSetup1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/PercSetup2.jpg
Left skimmer chamber
Further shots of my weir guard. It also shows the tank water level I have chosen - just touching the brace bars. I added coarse filter sponge each side of the skimmer. This keeps the skimmer central in the chamber and stops it vibrating on the tank side. I have also stuck two small pieces of tape under the skimmer lid so that it is a tight push fit and no longer vibrates. The sponge also stops the waterfall sound from the weir.
I found the supplied skimmer air supply tap too coarse in its adjustment, so replaced it with an air-bleed valve that was supplied with a maxi-jet pump.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/PercSetup3.jpg
Central chamber
I have added an Aqua-Medic phosphate filter here filled with Antiphos and supplied with flow top to bottom by a maxi-jet 600 powerhead submerged in this chamber.
As water evaporates from the main tank, the water level in this chamber falls. Consequently this is the place for the level switch of the Aquamaster auto-topup controller. It controls a 32 ml/min peri-pump which delivers RO water into the top of the trickle chamber.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/PercSetup4.jpg
Right circulation chamber
Contains the 300w heater and the pH and temperature probes of my IKS computer.
Also shown is the Tunze stream on its magnetic mount.
Actinic T5 light
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony1141_Actinic1.jpg
Here are a few pictures of the actinic mount that I built. Being matt black it doesn't photograph clearly.
The plywood mount is 9mm thick cut 880mm x 60mm. I drilled it take the Arcadia reflector mounting screws. I partially drilled a wider hole from the top so that a nut could be forced into it and be held flush against the surface of the ply. It was then simple to attach the reflector to the unit using slightly longer bolts than supplied with the reflector. I spray painted the wood matt black all over to make it water proof.
I drilled, at intervals, small holes at 45deg across the lower corner of the rear edge, through which I passed tie-wraps to hold cable tucked between the reflector and the ply.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony1141_Actinic2.jpg
The ballast is screwed under the left wing of the tank stand and a sticky tie-wrap mounts hold the cable tucked down the rear of the tank.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2068_Actinic3.jpg
I never see it from the front
Unfortunately the 39w 34" arcadia lamp assembly is 2mm too wide for the tank, but I decided that this was adjustable rather than using the smaller lamp. The scrape marks show where I had to CAREFULLY remove a small amount of rubber from each IP64 connector to make the unit fit.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2071_Actinic4.jpg
You can also just see (very out of focal range) both the T5 metal clip around the tube and the T8 plastic clip further out that I used as a spacer.
Views of the Actinic unit
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Perc90_Actinic_Build.jpg
Auto top-up - mkI
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Auto_Topup_mk1.jpg
I fitted the Aquamaster auto-top-up controller, the peri-pump and 25lt RO water container in the cupboard under the tank. This worked fine, although I was concerned about having a water supply and electrics in the same cupboard.
I have the Aquamaster set to sound its alarm and shut off after 20 minutes of continuous pumping = 640ml. This avoids the overfilling the tank if the level switch fails or comes dislodged. It also serves to tell me if the RO container is empty.
I have two containers and swap in a full one once a week.
Tony you should write a book!
So how do you rate the percula systems so far?
I had one butt was too wide so I had to sell it before I set it up, The build quality of thecabinet was good, its thicker than most cabinets there were only 2 minor things that i would have changed
1)The gap between the 2 overflow weirs, there was crap in there and it is impossible to get out! im sure waste must build up there?
2) I prefer a blue background but im sure you can fix that with blue acylic
Apart from that I think they are probably ideal starter marine tanks and I think your doing a good job in advertising them...lol :lol: :thumbsup:
Ratz Kalk stirrer and Auto-top-up mkII
To fit more equipment in, I ordered a spare door for the cabinet and turned the left shelving into another cupboard. I put one of the shelves, adjusted to fit, inside the right 'dry' cupboard and a half depth shelf above the water container in the left 'wet' cupboard. I now had space to fit a Ratz kalk stirrer. The IKS computer is mounted on the right door and the vast amount of electrics is in the cupboard behind. I drilled a 2in hole in the bulkhead between the two cupboards.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3234_Ratz1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3236_electrics2.jpg
The right electrics cupboard contains, from left to right: (mostly mounted on velcro strips)
the tunze 7091 controller
Williamson 5 ml/min peri-pump feeding RO water to the Ratz and hence kalk to the tank
Williamson 32 ml/min peri-pump feeding auto top-up water to the tank
Aquamaster auto top-up controller
2 IKS 4-way socket bars and 2 6-way mains socket strips
On the door - the IKS computer.
Both peri-pumps take their separate RO water feeds from the container. I have pushed the RO tubing sideways into a small piece of 15mm tubing tie-wrapped to a small rock to weight it down.
The yellow stick is my Brannan Lab grade thermometer and below it the Brannan lab grade glass density hydrometer.
edit: Here is a diagram of the RO top-up and Kalk setup:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Ratz_setup3.gif
Great thread with some quality info backed up by superb pictures.
Thanks jobr, maestro - I hope these details help others plan and develop their percs. Maestro, I agree with all your points about the perc tanks. I'll expound my views when I get chance.
Cooling - mkI
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3250_cooling1.jpg
Ok, so it is crude - but it works.
I originally clipped the fan to the tank side, but when I came back 10min later it had dipped into the water. Fortunately I hadn't plugged it in yet. So now I have the clip-on fan mounted on my camera tripod. It's just tricky when I want to tank critter photos. I have good ripples all over the water surface of the tank, so the draft from this fan gives good cooling. I have it controlled by the IKS to turn on at 26.5c. My logged tank temperature has sat between 26.3 and 26.5 all summer, despite room temperatures as high as 31c. The IKS also controls the heater which is set to turn on at 26.0c.
The MH lamp is set at 220mm above the water. I have brought it down slowly over the summer to help with my Acros.The fan is on slightly more now, but still cools ok.
I have bought 2 quiet PC fans with the intention of using those instead, but have yet to find the time to make a suitable mount. --- Well the clip-on works, doesn't it, even if it is not so pretty.
Tony, didn't see where you got your fan from (apologies if I missed it).
Homebase clip on fans have a very strong clip (they are about a fiver) and I have one clipped on the tank each end - never moves.
The clips certainly look stronger than the one in your picture may be worth trying these?
Looking good Tony, I see more Acro's are starting to appear in your system! ;)
Originally posted by jobr@Sep 23 2005, 09:04
Tony, didn't see where you got your fan from (apologies if I missed it).
Homebase clip on fans have a very strong clip (they are about a fiver) and I have one clipped on the tank each end - never moves.
The clips certainly look stronger than the one in your picture may be worth trying these?
I don't know where it came from, I 'borrowed' from my son's room when he was back from university. The problem isn't the clip but adjustable pivots which just don't seem to lock properly. I'll have a look at a new one in Homebase.
Originally posted by jonock@Sep 23 2005, 09:48
Looking good Tony, I see more Acro's are starting to appear in your system! ;)
Thanks Nick. As you can see your frags are doing well :) .
The M.capricornis, which I had given up on, had fallen off onto the sand and was half buried. I was doing some shuffling around of the corals yesterday and rescued the M.capricornis to find it is now looking healthy. So I have remounted it again in good light, to give it chance. Contrary things, corals.
chris allsop
26-09-05, 05:23
very nice tank, what are the measurements of this system, are the percs as good as they say? :dance:
Enjoyed reading this thread, fantastic pictures / excellent close up shots,
Very informative, well impressed with your tank/equipment, hope i can ask advice if i feel the need as i am in the process of setting my 120 up that i purchased from Anna (only had it stood for about 14 wks/ waiting 4 the sale of our house) :angry:
Not waiting any longer :lol:
kind regards Ian :bow:
Originally posted by chris allsop@Sep 26 2005, 05:23
very nice tank, what are the measurements of this system, are the percs as good as they say? :dance:Thanks Chris. The perc90 is 90 x 60 x 64 high. The perc120 is 120 wide.
Yes, the percs are good. They are self contained with the skimmer and recirculation pumps in a section at the back of the tank. The equipment in the system is excellent quality and works well. They lack a sump refugium, but that makes them simpler to run and, as you can see from my photos, the corals don't seem to mind :P .
The big advantage is that the system is complete and works. When you are new to marines that is a big help, and gives you time to learn from experience and reading.
Tony
Originally posted by arena432@Sep 26 2005, 09:19
Enjoyed reading this thread, fantastic pictures / excellent close up shots,
Very informative, well impressed with your tank/equipment, hope i can ask advice if i feel the need as i am in the process of setting my 120 up that i purchased from Anna (only had it stood for about 14 wks/ waiting 4 the sale of our house) :angry:
Not waiting any longer :lol:
kind regards Ian :bow:
Thanks Ian
Anna did a great job with her implementation of the closed loop piping. I look forward to hearing how you get on with her tank.
Feel free to ask for any advice and I will answer what I can.
Tony
Turban coral - Turbinaria peltata
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3330_Tpeltata1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3326_Tpelata2.jpg
Added 24 Sept - week 29
Another trip to my ns-lfs to get some Phyto and, of course, a quick look at his corals. Well I just had to have this one. A lovely dish coral about 3" across in a delicate turquoise. The polyps are far larger than my yellow T.reniformis. Sits perfectly at the top left of my tank.
Dented brain coral - Symphyllia agaricia
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3336_symphyllia1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3342_symphyllia2.jpg
Added 24 Sept - week 29
A large piece, but how could I resist it. I had to do some re-shuffling of my corals to fit this in, especially as it came large dome of dead coral. I am having to plan my coral purchases more carefully now, with a careful view on where they are going to fit in. I have taken to carrying a picture of my tank with me to the shop to check the new coral will fit in where I am planning.
mariusz621
30-09-05, 01:44
I really enjoy this thread :thumbsup:
Knobbly mushroom - Rhodactis sp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3365_RhodactisB1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3363_RhodactisB2.jpg
Added 24 Sept - week 29
I am not certain of the ID of this mushroom. Though I can't find a exact match, it looks like Rhodactis to me. It came on a rock crowded with mushroom disks. That made the placement of it tricky. Despite my care, it objected violently to all the handling, with multiple 2in long mesentary filaments sweepng out of every mouth. An amazing sight. I eventually managed to get it in position at the front right of my tank and tacked it to the rock behind with a couple of small pieces of milliput. It soon settled and expanded into overlapping disks as you can see from the picture.
Thanks mariusz621. I'll try to keep the interest going.
Tony
Wow, just tried a top down shot for the first time. Terrible shot really. It is photographed at an angle through the water surface, as calm as I could make it, but the distortions have still ruined the focus.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3429_AcroGreen3_top.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2838_AcroGreen1.jpg
However it is the stunning colour that has amazed me. Compare it with the view from the side. It is hard to believe that it is the same Acropora.
I must make myself a glass 'photo' box to get some better pictures. I tried cling film over the lens - but the result was totally blurred. Must be using the wrong clingfilm :P .
Tony
All the photos so far have been of my corals in their splendour. I thought it might be interesting to show them in their different moods.
I'll start with a shots taken in the day and night.
Discosoma striata
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2263_Discosoma_day.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3267_Discosoma_night.jpg
Euphyllia parancora - day and night
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2836_hammer_day.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3276_hammer_night.jpg
Zoanthus sp - day and night
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2807_zoanthus_day.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3280_zoanthus_night.jpg
Tony,
How does the kole tang get on in that tank? I saw one yesterday and i never really how beautifull they van be, I know what you mean about the quizzicle looks, the one I saw had real character and I felt really drawn to to watch the faces he put on.
They are amazing pics Tony :thumbsup:
My mrs works for canon so i'll have to find out what deal i can get with the EOS 350D, i've got a ixus500 at the moment but your pics are pure!!!
:bow:
This pic here is absolutly amazing :wub:
Originally posted by maestro@Oct 2 2005, 01:04
How does the kole tang get on in that tank? I saw one yesterday and i never really how beautifull they van be, I know what you mean about the quizzicle looks, the one I saw had real character and I felt really drawn to to watch the faces he put on.Hi Maestro
The Kole is very happy in the tank and with the other fish. Browses on the rock all day nibbling the odd bit of algae here and there. He seems content in the relatively small size of the perc90 - which is why I chose him. He very occasionally gives the Heraldi a short chase, the Heraldi then chases the Coral Beauty, and then the Coral Beauty chases the Flame. Nothing serious and only a couple of flicks of the tail for the chase - I guess they are just asserting the pecking order :) .
Lovely fish. I definitely recommend him.
Tony
Originally posted by matt_b@Oct 2 2005, 01:07
They are amazing pics Tony :thumbsup:
My mrs works for canon so i'll have to find out what deal i can get with the EOS 350D, i've got a ixus500 at the moment but your pics are pure!!!
:bow:
Thanks Matt
I really like the Canon 350D and the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens is excellent. I shoot most of the photos in raw mode and then correct them in the Capture One LE package. Gives much better results - especially for the long exposure night shots. They come out in very wierd colours until I apply a white balance correction :P
Tony
ps my early tank shots were taken with an Ixus V3
I thought that a brief diary of my tank might be useful.
Aqua-Medic Percula 90 - 89 x 59 x 60h. 3 x ph1000 circulation pumps. 150w MH light. Protein skimmer
Tank filled with RO/DI water, then salted with Tropic Marin Pro Reef. Heater and pumps turned on and left for 4 days.
Day 0 - 40 Kg live rock added, fetched directly from STM and added immediately. Then 1/2" sand.
Day 1 - Tunze stream 6100 added
Day 10 - Cycle about complete. 39w Actinic light added
Day 16 - bag of Elimi-Phos added to reduce phosphates
Day 24 - Cleanup crew - 20 Turbo snails + 10 red hermit crabs
Day 31 - AquaMedic Phosphate filter installed power by Maxijet 600
Day 44 - Started raising declining Alkalinity with Bicarb
Day 68 - 2 small tank-bred ocellaris clowns
Day 88 - Striped mushroom & button polyp
Day 96 - Bicolour Blenny + 2 Cleaner shrimps
Day 100 - Started raising declining Mg with MgCl2+MgSO4 mix
Day 103 - Coral Beauty
Day 110 - 3 Nessarius distortus snails
Day 112 - Mg now ok and remaining stable
Day 113 - Conch + Pavona. IKS installed
Day 116 - 4 Frags - Seriatopora + Pocillipora + Montipora plating + Montipora branching
Day 121 - Started dripping kalk overnight
Day 125 - 20 blue hermits + 20 Nessarius snails + clam + torch + hairy mushroom + coco fan worm
Day 146 - Favia + Seriatopora + Hydnaphora + 2 Acropora + 3 peppermint shrimps
Day 153 - Black capped Gramma
Day 163 - Ratz stirrer installed. Adding about 1.4lt/day of kalkwater providing 5ppm Ca
Day 168 - Kole tang
Day 174 - Turbinaria + Euphyllia
Day 182 - Heraldi Angel + small Flame Angel + Lobophyllia + 2 Acropora
Day 189 - Fungia + Yuma mushroom
Day 203 - Turbinaria + Symphyllia + Mushroom
Day 214 - today = 7 months
Let me say what a very informative post and diary,the tank looks brill m8 nice one ;)
I added plenty of circulation around my live rock right from the start and I deliberately didn't rush to stock my tank. My patience was helped by my going on holiday for a week, and I didn't wish to add any fish before that!
Whilst I had various algae growths, I never suffered slime, had very little diatom algae, and an easily managed amount of hair algae.
I was rewarded with plenty of life in the tank.
Some form of copepod, I think. - wrong. Tanaidacea - wrong. Hundreds of them on the back wall and all over the rock if I looked carefully
Edit 27 Jul 06: These Munnid isopods. Tanaidacea have chelate pereiopods which these don't. (see munnid isopod photo (http://wetwebfotos.com/usermedia/high/0/2470_87.jpg))
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0044_critter1.jpg
An hydroid jellyfish, Staurocladia oahuensis, I believe. On the front glass.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony0043_critter2.jpg
Both taken day 66, before the first fish went in.
looks real nice Tony - those pods in the second to last pic are 'tainadaceans' I think (spelling of that could be slightly wrong) - good things.
Thanks Clippo
I did find this reference last night Tanaidacea (http://www.reefgarden.net/id86.html), but couldn't find a cross reference of the web that I was happy was a match. As I didn't want to spread false information, I refrained from labelling them as such. I presume you have knowedge from another source.
Glad to have it confirmed though.
Tony
Back on the theme of coral moods. For the most fascinating changes on a daily basis my lobed brain wins.
Lobophyllia hemprichii
All puffed up during the day
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3229_lobophyllia1.jpg
Mmm.. there's food around
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3237_lobophyllia2.jpg
Where's that food?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3239_lobophyllia3.jpg
3 bits of prawn later
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3441_lobophyllia4.jpg
and it is growing fast. I keep having to move adjacent corals.
And a couple more shots
Hungry!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3323_lobophyllia_mouth.jpg
Got it! Yummy.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3444_lobophyllia_tentacles.jpg
Really informative thread and some amazing photos, thanks!
hi Tony,
Roughly how much did your kalk stirrer set up cost? Not getting on at all with my calc reactor, so re-evaluating the situation!
regards,
Greg
Strombus alatus - fighting conch
One inhabitant I haven't posted yet is my Conch. I hadn't really got a decent photo of him. He is just too busy cleaning all the sand around the bottom of my tank. However I walked into the room tonight to find that a snail had crawled on its back and up-ended it. And most upset he was too!
So here is a sequence of photos showing him trying his best to use his sharp foot to attack the snail.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3486_conch1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3495_conch2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3496_conch3.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3500_conch4.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3503_conch5.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3497_conch6.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3493_conch7.jpg
I am very wary of that foot!!
Here he is in a more normal pose
Strombus alatus - fighting conch
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony2445_conch.jpg
Added 26 Jun - week 16
I love this conch. He just cruises around, continuously eating algae and cleaning the sand for me. A non-stop worker.
My Lobophyllia hemprichii totally inverted in full feeding mode.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3193_lobophyllia3.jpg
Night-time shot taken with a long exposure and no tank lights.
Such a fascinating coral - always looking different. Compare this feeding mode with my earlier pictures, posted - 8-10-2005, 12:44 AM (http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1347554&postcount=107)
Hi Tony, amazing thread my friend. Yours was one of the main threads to give me inspiration for my tank.
A couple of questions if you don't mind, firstly, how often do you feed your brain corals directly, and any chance of some more details on your kalk addition setup because I've been thinking of setting one up. At the mo I have an aqua medic top up in place and would like to modify that if possible, any tips?
Keep the fantastic pics coming. And thanks for the positive comments on my tank :bow:
Cheers :thumbsup: Jonifive
Yes. 4 new Acros added. Sorry, not had time to take new piccies though. Holiday, work etc.
Coming soon ... when I get chance.
Acropora-5 - Pale Blue
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3626_acro5_PaleBlue1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3604_acro5_PaleBlue2.jpg
added 19 Oct - week 32
Another visit to TP. A new stock of SPS had arrived. I succumbed to four new ones to fill in some spaces in my rocks. This is the first - a pale blue form.
It came with a small hitchhiker - an Acro crab.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3662_acrocrab.jpg
I'll try and get a better picture later - but he is a bit shy.
Acropora-6 - Turquoise
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3677_Acro6_turquoise1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3667_Acro6_turquoise2.jpg
added 19 Oct - week 32
This was the second acropora I bought that day. A sort of greeny-turquoise colour.
Acropora-7 - Green
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3653_Acro7_green1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3613_Acro7_green2.jpg
added 19 Oct - week 32
This was the third acropora I bought that day.
Acropora-8 - pale turquoise stem
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3649_Acro8_turq1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/tony3617_Acro8_turq2.jpg
added 19 Oct - week 32
This was the fourth acropora I bought that day. It has a delicately coloured stem.
Chris Simmers
15-11-05, 04:15
I know it’s been said before :blush: an inspiration to us all, great pictures, one of the most informative threads I have read on this site.
:bow: :bow: :bow:
Originally posted by ~Tony~@Sep 12 2005, 01:00
Decided to add the latest picture of my tank at the top of this thread. I will maintain this picture up to date as my tank progresses.
29 Oct 2005
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony3635_29_oct_05.jpg
The first 6 months a pictorial history
28 Feb - the beginning - filling with RO water. Live rock added 5 March = week 0.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony0899_28_feb_05.jpg
18 March 2005 - 2 weeks - cycle nearly over
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony0962_18_mar_05.jpg
30 March - 3 weeks - snails and hermit crabs added
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony0982_30_mar_05.jpg
4 April - 4 weeks - algae bloom
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony0984_04_apr_05.jpg
16 April - 6 weeks - being patient
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony1149_16_apr_05.jpg
9 June - 13 weeks - first softies (first fish - 2 clowns added after 10 weeks)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony2073_09_jun_05.jpg
23 June - 16 weeks - coral beauty angel + cleaner shrimps
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony2167_23_jun_05.jpg
23 August - 24 weeks - more corals - including lps and sps - adding kalk
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony2704_23_aug_05.jpg
11 Sept - 27 weeks - today
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony3060_11_sep_05.jpg
29 Sept - 29 weeks
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony3293_29_sep_05b.jpg
29 Oct - 34 weeks
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tony3635_29_oct_05a.jpg
I thought it was time to post my tank. More to come :)
Tony
Tony, how did you get the live rock in that sort of formation. I'm wanting have something similar with bridge like structures for the fish to swim through.
Cheers
Stuart
With a lot of patience <_<
I tried drilling the rock for zip ties and acrylic rods, but the rock was very hard - which I gather is unusual. I tried sticking acrylic rod in hollows in the rock with milliput to link the rocks and that was moderately successful.
My eventual method was to use lumps of milliput at the contact points of the rocks, and to build the structure slowly, sticking only one or two rocks at a time, and allows the milliput to set between each session. I found D-Deltec AquaScape far better than the standard milliput, as it sticks better to wet rock, and produces far less 'clouding' in the tank.
Originally I was fitting rocks into rocks to get stability, or so I thought. I changed this to rocks spanning the gaps between lower rocks. This is what gives the open structure which is better for all around water circulation - and the fish now love all the channels and caves it produces.
You will see from my photo progression that final structure evolved over several weeks, with the structure becoming more open, especially toward the top. One advantage of just milliput-ing the contact points is that it can be prised apart fairly easily when you want to adjust the structure.
Over time, if I notice a slight movement in the rocks when I am mounting new corals, then I insert some more milliput and squeeze it into the joint, to stabilise the rocks. Seems to work.
hth
Tony
a stunning set-up and a fantastically written thread, kudos sir, kudos :bow:
looks fantastic Tony
pictures and write ups are very informative and superb shots
its given me a few thoughts for my perc,i think after seeing your full tank shot ive got too much rock in mine,small rethink needed ;)
like your structure although how did you manage to place the corals without them falling,the brain corals etc ;)
superb,keep up the good work
Mark
Thanks, Scoob & Mark. That is some accolade :blush: .
how did you manage to place the corals without them falling,the brain corals etc
I try to put corals where they will natural fit - a hollow, a joint between 2 rocks, an opening in the rocks etc - it depends on the rock the coral comes on. I then add a small piece of milliput at the contact point(s) and press hard, turning off the stream for a few hours while it sets.
Experience has taught me to always use D-Deltec Aquascape milliput - it sticks much better to wet rock and doesn't cloud the water as much.
Tony
Not sure now why I found this thread but glad I did, i've just read it all the way through - FANTASTIC :thumbsup:
The pictures are awesome and love the way the tank has been set up sensibly with patience and the results speak for themselves :wub: :wub:
If this isn't due a tank of the month it should be - its a fantastic lesson to everyone - well done!
Simon
I also stumbled across your tank via your signature and am very pleased I did.
Very informative write up, brilliant shots of very healthy corals etc.
A real credit to you, well done. :bow:
simonandjen
01-04-06, 15:15
Great Tank Tony
I hope mine looks as good as yours when I get it going.
When you first put your live rock in did you find many stow aways or anything like that? How long did it take before your live rock started to grow any algae?
absolutely amazing, such an informative thread, full of great perc 90 mods, some of which i'll defo be doing.
love the shot of Mr goby in the tunze. handsome little fellow!!
Your corals look very healthy and well cared for ;) nice one!
tony, just to be a pain in the butt, could you post pics of the tank with actinic on and off. just want to see the difference, also what k rating does your MH bulb have, or is it the one that came with it?
Cl0wn, here are the photos with different lighting. The original AM 13k lamp blew last November and I replaced it with an Iwasaki 50k - which seemed bright (and more like a 20k)
The strip of white paper at the top is for reference and is illuminated by a room light (halogen bulbs). The colour of this reference in the photos is about the same. I have only matched the exposures.
Iwasaki 150w 50k + 39w Actinic
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/50k_Act_4241.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Iwa50k_4243-1.jpg
Iwasaki 150w 50k only
Actinic only
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Actinic_4239-1.jpg
Today I replaced the Iwasaki 50k lamp with a XM 10k lamp, so here are the equivalent pictures
XM 10k 150w + 39w Actinic
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/XM10k_Act_4249.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/XM10k_4250.jpg
XM 10k 150w only
XM 10k 150w raised 2" + 39w Actinic - raised to match brightness of Iwasaki 50k
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/XM10k_Act_2in_4251.jpg
I chose the XM 10k to get the most amount of light I could from a 150w MH.
I measured the PAR before and after (umol/m2/s). The new lamp was only an hour old.
50k ... 10k
160 ... 270 ... just under water surface
100 ... 135 ... at the high corals (Acropora & Montipora)
75 . .. 110 ... at the low corals (Pavona)
showing 35%-50% more light output, mainly due to more green light. I have raised the lamp unit by 2" (from 9" to 11" above water) so that the light intensity at the corals is about the same as before. I will lower it back down in stages as the corals acclimatise to the new light.
Here are the comparative photos, showing the colour difference:
XM 10k + Actinic
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/XM10k_Act_4249.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/50k_Act_4241.jpg
Iwasaki 50k + Actinic
Now will my corals prefer it? Time will tell.
Andy Hipkiss, on his website, shows his Acropora were in lighting of 400-550 uE/m2/s. I am well short of that.
very informative Tony, as usual, top job.
excellent comparative pics!!
where did you get your XM from and how much??
cheers tony!!
from Coral Culture (http://www.coralculture.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=66_63)
Tony
very interesting stats!
Tony just out of interest, where would you get a PAR metre from?
It's an Apogee Quantum meter from Midland Reefs (http://www.midlandreefs.co.uk/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=269)
stunning , just ordered a xm 10k 400 w lamp , should brighten my tank alittle!
Reef bloke
16-12-06, 23:51
Very nice Tony,very nice tank indeed!
Any updated pictures Tony?
Rob Clarke
11-03-07, 09:51
Hi Tony
I am thinking of upgrading to a Percula 90.
Just a few ?'s for piece of mine really. Did you modify any of the equipment that came with it? Are you happy with the skimmer? How many gallons does it hold? What lighting comes with it?
If you have any other info you can tell me about this tank I wud be grateful.
Cheers
Rob
Hi Rob, sorry for the late response, I was on holiday when you posted and then it must have disappeared within the backlog of new posts.
I have added additional equipment, but not modified any.
The skimmer works well once it is settled in and adjusted right. It is the noisiest part of the setup as it tends to resonate in the cabinet. With care it can be quietened to an acceptable level.
It holds about 240 lt (53 imp gals) after adding the pumps, skimmer, and live rock & sand.
It comes with a 150w MH light - AM Ocean Light pendant.
Mine has been running very successfully now for 2 years, with 7 fish (not large) and loads of LPS, hardy SPS, and mushrooms. As you can see from my photos.
The equipment I have added:
Heater (controlled by Aquatronica)
Clip-on cooling fan (controlled by Aquatronica)
Actinic t5 light
Aquamaster auto-topup + peri-pump
AM Phosphate filter in the rear middle chamber + maxijet 600 to feed it
Tunze stream 6100 + 7091 controller
Ratz Kalk stirrer + peri-pump
Aquatronica control computer
Eheim auto-feeder
Tony
I thought it would be useful to add my standard instructions for setting up the Percula weirs.
What the manual should tell you:
Adjust the 2nd weir comb to set the level in the main tank. I have my water level slightly below the brace bars - with the pumps running.
Adjust the 3rd weir (trickle chamber) so that the water level is at the base of the skimmer cup. (ie nearly all the way down)
Adjust the 1st weir comb to set the ratio of surface skim to tank water that is circulating to the skimmer & trickle chamber.
The water level in the middle rear chamber will fall as water evaporates from the system. You will need to add about 2lt of RO water per day to maintain the level in this chamber, possibly more if you use a cooling fan in summer. It needs to be kept high enough to allow for this evaporation without exposing the return pump. An auto-top-up is a great addition to the tank and the controlling float switch will need to be in this middle rear chamber.
The water levels in the tank are a dynamic balance with all the pumps running. Allow the levels to settle between each adjustment. You may need to add or remove salt water to get the level right in the rear middle chamber.
When the skimmer is clean and the bubbles are white they should come about half way up the centre tube. As they collect gunk they will turn brown, stiffen and start to climb up the tube, then pushed into the cup as they hit the dome in the lid. The air-tap provided is tricky to adjust finely - I have replaced it with a screw-type bleed valve from a maxijet powerhead. A lower water level in the skimmer chamber allows you to have a higher bubble rate in the skimmer, so this water level (as set by the 3rd weir) affects the skimmer efficiency and can be adjusted to suit once your tank has settled.
To reduce water noise place some coarse filter sponge behind the 2nd weir and behind the 3rd weir on top of the trickle plate. This will need to be washed in tap or RO water weekly or more often depending how much detritus it collects.
As the tank is losing about 2 lts of water a day, you do need ventilation in the room.
I thought it would be useful to add my standard instructions for setting up the Percula weirs.
Saves you keep typing it and me from copying and pasting it:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
liquidlogic
18-07-07, 21:58
im going to revive this
Stunning! cant get enoguh lol iv posted a pic of my percula 120 if u want to have alook in tank members specs,,
iv'e had to bring this thread back up as tony has answered just about every question iv'e ever had with my perc 90 and iv'e had mine for about 5 years, its such a good read :cool:
it took me years to work out the complicated weirs and your words on it are spot on and a god send to anyone who's just bought a perc tank
iv'e just re-set up my perc after a year or so away from fishkeeping and i thought my tank was stunning but yours is just something else :thumbsup:
fantastic read mate
DairyleaMonster
08-10-07, 09:02
Hi Tony,
Great setup and provided me with inspiration to make more mods to my tank - probably along the lines of wet and dry cupboards like you have.
Currently looking to make a DIY Carbon/Fluidised Rowaphos Reactor (http://www.reef-eden.net/diy%208.htm) (following Simon Garratt's lead) but not sure what pump I might need - whether to use a PH or some other return pump? Any ideas?
Also, would love to see some more recent shots to see progress of the corals
Cheers!
Baz
Truly superb, loads of inspiration and tips form my Perc 90 :)
great thread just read it from start to finish,
my perc 90 has been up and running for 5 months and is just starting to settle down properly,just finishing the brown sand stage.
do you think that the ocean light 150 with the 2 actinics is ok for keeping hard and soft corals
cheers for advice
tony
can i change the standard halide bulb for a better one with increased power for sps etc
cheers in advance
The 150w MH (=metal halide) is ok for soft corals and most LPS.
Changing from the standard lamp (=bulb) to the XM 10k lamp definitely gives more PAR (=light output) and will support SPS corals like montipora. Even then it is marginal for most other SPS, so all other parameters will need to be spot on for them to survive long term.
With the XM 10k lamp, I found I needed the actinic T5 as well to give a more pleasing colour balance. It does also adds some more useful light.
The ballast in the MH unit is specific for 150w so you can't just change the lamp to 250w.
could i put the xm 10k lamp in as you did to give better light saturation or did you change ballast as well
thanks
Daniel Free
01-01-09, 18:24
Hi Tony,
The Perc set up looks fantastic and I can't tell you how useful the info on this thread has been.
I currently have a Perc 90 but due to a flooding problem while I was on holiday the cabinet has become warped and now longer supports the tank adequately. Consequently I'm looking to get a new one (or a vgc 2nd hand one) and would like to modify it in a similar manner to yours. I know this is a bit cheeky but I'm desperate for some advice and would really appreciate it if you could answer a few questions for me please?
1. Did you have an additional hole drilled for the auto top to feed into the back chamber or does the pipe just come over the back? The auto top up is one of things that I am most keen to include on the new set up.
2. Does the water in the middle chamber not come up around the Phosphate Filter and if so is this ok please?
3. In hindsight can I ask if you would have done anything any differently?
Apologies if some of these questions are really stupid, I'm still trying to get my head round it all!
Many thanks
Dan
did you leave the bacto balls in the trickle?
i read they were a nitrate factory and better to remove and replace with LR
what's your take on it?
Lee
:o Probably way too late for a response, but:
could i put the xm 10k lamp in as you did to give better light saturation or did you change ballast as well
thanks
As long as it is a 150w lamp you don't need to change the ballast.
1. Did you have an additional hole drilled for the auto top to feed into the back chamber or does the pipe just come over the back? The auto top up is one of things that I am most keen to include on the new set up.
My auto-top feed to the tank feeds up the dry 'electric cable' chamber and then across the middle chamber where it drips in.
The RO water is stored in my left cupboard. I drilled a large hole high up connecting the left 'wet' cupboard to the right 'electrics' cupboard. The controller and, in my case, peri-pump are in the right cupboard drawing RO water from the container in the left cupboard and feeding it up the dry chamber to the tank above.
The same goes for the Kalk water feed.
2. Does the water in the middle chamber not come up around the Phosphate Filter and if so is this ok please?
Yes it does, and it isn't a problem.
Its feed pumps sits in the middle chamber and either feeds directly into the bottom of the phosphate filter and some tubing turns the top outlet back down again. Or the pump feeds top inlet using a length of tubing and the bottom is the outlet. I have used both methods at different times.
3. In hindsight can I ask if you would have done anything any differently?
In retrospect, I probably had a little too much live rock, once all my corals were added.
Also the 7 smallish fish I had, pushed the tanks bio-capacity to the limit as they grew to full size.
did you leave the bacto balls in the trickle?
i read they were a nitrate factory and better to remove and replace with LR
what's your take on it?
Lee
They are not a nitrate 'factory' in the sense that word implies. They do their job very well, housing the bacteria that performing the aerobic stages of converting ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate, but not the last anaerobic stage of nitrate to nitrogen. In this respect they are sourcing nitrate, but that it is far preferable to the ammonia and nitrite they have converted. If you fish didn't produce the ammonia in the first place, the bio-balls wouldn't generate nitrate.
The Nitrate is converted to nitrogen by the anaerobic bacteria in the live rock and sand. The live rock also is home to the aerobic bacteria that perform the first 2 stages. My view is that as the live rock, with good circulation all around it, is capable of performing all 3 stages and therefore it is better to let it do so, rather than having nitrates in the water column as it pases from the bio-balls to the live rock. Consequently I removed my bio-balls.
If you do remove them and they are already active, then remove them a section at a time over several days, to allow the bacteria in the live rock to multiply and take up the load.
If your water tests show any sign of ammonia or nitrite, then the bio-balls may be needed in your setup to cope with the conversion to safer nitrate.
As my new 8.5ft setup is up and running, I shut down my perc90 in June.
It served me very well for 4 years. :)
Thanks for the reply Tony
This has got to be one of the best threads on here.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the read and photos
:worship:
Lee
any ideas on how to set up a UV filter on a Perc 120?
nice article enjoyed viewing
Getting my perc 90 2morrow, loved ur this thread.
Beautiful Memories
24-02-10, 10:05
:applause:
Wow what a fantastic thread, you have helped me alot with the start of my perc,
would love to hear your advice on my perc, as I' still new to the reef world.
This is Superb!! I am collecting my Perc 120 on sunday, and will definately be using this as a reference, as its all new to me.
Thank you
really good tread just a shame i didnt find it when i set up my perc 90 cause i am now upgrading to a 350L corner tank
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