Roddy & Sharon's Ecosystem

[Frogfone]

Hi guys

Been getting some stick for not posting pics of the tank on the board so here's a wee update.

The tank was set up originally in Summer 2003 you can read about it's beginnings here (http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=14257&hl=ecosystem&st=0)

Since then we have (touch wood) not had too many problems. We occaisionally have algae probelms depending on how well the caulerpa/chaetomorpha is growing in the sump but nothing that has got out of hand. (well ok, grape caulerpa EVERYWHERE in the main tank was a bit of a PITA but our rabbitfish soon sorted that out).

The system now is very similar to the original. We have added another 6100 stream thanks to winning a competition on Reef Park last Christmas and we have upgraded the calcium reactor to a Korralin 1501. We ditched our pasta jar kalk stirrer and now use a bucket with fresh kalk mixed every 2 days. We have a couple of peris running the Ca reactor and the top up.

Equipment

Tank 4x2x2 Seabray with 3x18"x15" sump approx 500L
Caulerpa/chaetomorpha algae bed with Biosediment (not sure this does anything tbh)
Eheim 1262 return
6080 stream hidden in rock
6100 stream (pulse between 50% and 80%) mounted on glass
2 x 14000k arcadia 250w metal halides
1 x 20000k coral view 150w DIY halide in centre
2 x actinic 48w T8s at front of tank
Cleartides duo rector filled with rowa and carbon, changed fortnightly
PTM auto top up with aqaudoser 201 from coral culture
Korralin 1501 Ca reactor with variable speed peri
Pin point pH meter
Highland Weather Station temp controller.

Fish

Pyjama Wrasse (3 years)
Rusty Angel (4 years)
Purple Tang ( 1 year)
Rabbit Fish (1 year)
4 Lyretail Anthias ( 2 years)
Orchid dottyback (1 year)
Common clown ( 18 months)

Corals

SPS

Acropora sp
Plating montipora - red, green and green with violet rim
Branching montipora- red, purple and green
Stylophora pistillata
Pink Hysterix
Pocilipora damicornis
Green seriatopa
Pavona sp

LPS

Goniapora ( 2 1/2 years in tank)
Favia
Trumpet coral - cualestra furcata
Euphylia pananchora
Lobophilia
Orange Sun Coral
Pearl Bubble Coral - Physigora lichtensteinii
Turbinara reniformis

Sofies

Purple, green and red mushrooms (Bah)
Green star xenia
devils hand



Clams

2 x blue/purple maximas
1 x 6" deresa

Here's some pics...

Grey and Green euphylia now growing at a massive rate

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00001.jpg

Goniapora bought March 2003

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00002.jpg

Small Rabbit Fish Siganus virgatus

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00003.jpg

Caulestra furcata Trumpet

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00004.jpg

Various Acroporas

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00005.jpg

Favia Brain Coral

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00006.jpg

Clam and Turbinara

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00008.jpg

6" Dersa

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00009.jpg

Long view of tank

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00010.jpg

Full view of tank

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Image00012.jpg

Sharon

[Lucky Eddie]

VVVVVVVVV nice.

What the secret with the goni ????? Do you direct feed ????????

[Frogfone]

No idea! We can only assume that as it's an ecosystem tank and isn't skimmed and that the goni gets what it needs from the water to survive. We used to add phyto but haven't done that for over a year so it's not that.

I just think we have been lucky. It dominates the centre of the tank it is right under the lights about half way down and stings anything within a 6" radius. I has now grown onto the liverock so there is no moving it that's for sure.

Thanks

Sharon

[fuzed]

looking great guys... still doing regular water changes?

[Frogfone]

Oh, yeah. Forgot to mention that. :P 20% fortnightly water changes using reef crystals.

Sharon

[Lucky Eddie]

Thanks Sharon.

Food for thought tho'...............I've suspected goni's suffer in too pure an envirionment.

But do I have the bottle to turn off the skimmer ....................Mmmmmmmmm ?

[Yakdriver]

:thumbsup: That is lovely, well done

Chris.

[mark-c-]

looking great,some really nice pictures but its better in the flesh

:D

Mark