Tank Of The Month - November 2005 - pavlo

[craigg]

UltimateReef.com is proud to feature its latest 'Tank of the Month'.

Pavlo's Reef Tank.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(2).jpg

Details can be found below.

Congratulations Pavlo amazing tank and thankyou for the fantastic write up.!

If you have any questions or comments for Pavlo then please post them in this thread.

[craigg]

Pavlo’s Reef Tank

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

Introduction

My name is Paul Homden and I have been keeping marines for 11 years.

I started with a 5’ fish only system which I ran for 8 years before upgrading to my current setup.

The current tank is a room divider between the kitchen and dining room and holds approximately 250gallons. It is viewable from three sides. Oh and before anyone says it, I like tangs.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(1).jpg

Aquarium Profile

Main tank 1850mm long, 700mm wide and 1000mm high, made by Seabray.
Sump 1200 long, 450mm wide and 450mm high.
Stand Homemade from 50x50x3 Stainless steel box section
Doors and panels are standard kitchen stuff.
Return pumps Two ‘Resun’ 2800 lph return pumps in the sump.
In tank circulation Two Tunze stream (6100 and a 6200) on a 7094 controller.
Lighting Arcadia series3 triple 250w with 10K BLV lamps.
Sump Lighting twin 2’ T5 unit.
Skimmer Deltec AP703
Ca Reactor Deltec PF600
Kalk Stirrer Deltec KM500
Rowaphos reactor Deltec FR509
Two 30watt TMC UV’s

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(2).jpg

The sump has a single divider with caulerpa, heaters and cooling circulation pump in the left hand side and return pumps and calcium reactor in the right hand side.
One weir box discharges into to the refugium side of the sump. The other weir box feeds directly to the skimmer. The skimmer outlet goes to the pump side of the sump.

Temperature control

I believe a constant temperature in a tank is one of the most important factors with a reef tank.
I have built a temperature controller to monitor the tank. This keeps the temperature to within one degree.

Heating is by two 300w heaters in the sump. These heaters rarely come on.
Cooling is provided by 25m of blue water main buried six feet deep in the back garden. When the water temperature gets too high, tank water is pumped through the pipe and returns to the sump. The effect of this is to substantially cool the tank. A small clip on fan is also used to blow across the surface of the main tank.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(3).jpg

Top Up

Water level is monitored with a float switch in the sump and top up is via the kalk stirrer, directly fed from the RO unit. The RO unit has a solenoid valve on the inlet

Aquascaping

The tank is a room divider so it is viewed from three sides. It was also important that the top of the tank was above eye level, the result being a high narrow tank which if far from ideal when trying to find sites to place corals. Another restriction was the relatively low light output provided by 250w lamps. I would have liked 400w lamps but I could not find an attractive light unit. This means that any SPS coral needed to be placed high up in the tank.
The base rockwork is a mixture of drilled tufa rock and dead coral skeletons. The structure is very open and forms a large cave which gives the inhabitants plenty of hiding places.

Filtration

Only 25kgs of STM Fiji live rock have been added to the tank, which is far less than the recommended amount. In addition to this a bucketful of sand and sludge from an established tank was added along with 10 litres of sintered glass pellets from my original system.
No mechanical filtration is employed on the system. No ammonia or nitrite spike was detected as the tank matured.

Livestock

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(4).jpg

Fish

6 Yellow Tangs Zebrasoma flavescens
3 Regal Tangs Paracanthurus hepatus
1 Naso Tang Naso lituratus
4 Orchid Dottybacks pseudochromis fridmani
1 Green Chromis Chromis viridis
2 Anthias Pseudanthias
2 Percula clowns Amphiprion percula
1 Banggai cardinal Pterapogon kauderni
1Yellow coral goby Gobiodon okinawae
1 Flame angel Centropyge loricula
1 Mandarin Synchiropus splendidus
1 Damsel Chrysiptera taupou
1 Ornate leopard wrasse Macropharyngodon ornatus
1 Canary wrasse Halichoeres trispilus
1 copperband butterflyfish Chelmon rostratus

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(5).jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(6).jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(7).jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(8).jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(9).jpg

Inverts

1 Magnifica Anemone Heteractis magnifica
1 Long spined urchin Diadema species

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(10).jpg

2 Cleaner shrimps Lysmata amboinensis
1 Derasa clam Tridacna derasa
2 Sand sifting starfish Astropecten polycanthus
1 Red serpent star Ophioderma sp
1 maxima clam Tridacna maxima

Various hermits, snails and nudibranchs

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(11).jpg

I was lucky to have the Magnifica anemone divide into two last year. I have kept one half and gave the other half to Kevin Douglas. The half I kept is now almost as large as the parent was at the time of splitting. Details of the split were posted here http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=20941

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(12).jpg

Corals

Soft

Various Sinularia - some very large

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(13).jpg

Various Gorgonians

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(14).jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(15).jpg

Various Lobophytum – very large

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(16).jpg

Various Sarcophyton
Briareum sp.
Nepthea sp.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(17).jpg

Xenia elongata
Zooanthid colonies

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(18).jpg

Various Discosoma sp.
Various Rhodactis sp.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/pavlo%20(19).jpg

LPS

Bubble coral

SPS

Various Montipora
Branching porites
Encrusting porites
Various Acropora
Various Pocillopora
Various Pavona

Feeding

Fish are fed flake twice a day using an autofeeder.
Frozen food is given daily (Mostly San Francisco bay foods)
Nori is given daily.
No food is added for the corals or the anemone.

Parameters

S.G. 1.025
Nitrates 20
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Ca 420
KH 7.5
Mg 1250
Photoperiod 12 hours
Temperature 26-27 degrees centigrade

Maintenance

I do nowhere near enough maintenance, 15% water changes are carried out every two to three months using RO water and Reef Crystals. The skimmer is emptied every week or two. Glass is cleaned every 3 days or so.

One of the most striking features of the tank is the large number of tangs in it. These were added early on in the life of the tank, one of the yellow tangs was transferred from my old tank. There has been considerable aggression between the tangs whilst a pecking order has been established but nothing more serious than torn fins and small cuts to the body. Although the tank is well stocked, it is a very peaceful tank.

I feel very guilty at times when I think of all the creatures that are removed from the world’s reefs and I believe that wherever possible captive raised fish and corals should be purchased, even if this means paying a higher price. All of the corals in my tank are frags that have come out of other peoples tanks and I am happy to share my corals with other reef keepers. I think that reef keeping is a wonderful hobby that should grow in popularity without placing an increasing demand on the world’s coral reefs.

I hope you like the tank and if you have any questions or comments please offer them

Thanks

Paul

[marc]

I've said it before and I'll say it again......excellent tank, fish and corals all look so healthy!

And yes you do like tangs ;)

[Johnymajors]

Congrats on TOTM ..... cracking tank and well deserved :thumbsup:

[pipsreef]

Hi Paul

Well Done. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

TOTM is one that I havn't had yet. :huh:

Yours must be better.

Happy Reefkeeping :D

Andy

[~Tony~]

Congratulations, Paul. Well deserved.
I've always loved your tank :wub:

Tony

[The Escaped Ape]

Gorgeous. Well deserved TOTM. Also some cracking photos.

Interesting to see a tank that deep as well. B)

[Lawrence Corley]

Gorgeous tank, a real credit to you. :bow:

Loz

[Aquastotty]

Tangtastic Tank :thumbsup: !
Love the anemone.

[SuperBlades]

Congrats on the TOTM Paul, well deserved, a stunning tank :thumbsup:

[MaidstoneMarine]

Congratulations Paul. A well deserved honour - always a magnificent tank!

[jobr]

:bow: Superb, well done on TOTM.

Its also different to read a write up that is refreshingly honest.

[keith]

Wonderful and I love the pictures. Well done.

[Acropora]

Hi Paul

Congratulations on being awarded TOTM.

Like all long term tanks, the next problem is keeping it running sucessfully, which after after say 4 or 5 years is harder than people think.

In my view the problems come from:

Over growth of corals, which restruict the flow of water and light penetration.

Accumulation of sedement, etc in the sand bed and rockwork.

Chemical Imbalances in the water, 10% water changes, can be in effective in addressing.

Chemical Warfware between long established corals.

Fish reaching adult sizes, adding to the biological load.

Increases to Nitrate levels.

And replacing / maintaining equipment / we all like buying new toys for the tank, but buying say a replacement RO membrane isn't quite the same appeal.


I know that you are very much aware of these issues, and address them, but just thought I would take this opportunity to make a few comments regarding long term reef keeping.

Your certainly in the Premier League.

Well done.


Martin Lakin

[Charlie Taiters]

an absolutely AMAZING tank - wow!!

i am in complete awe!! and fantastically jealous

something for me to aspire too

Regards

Graham

[kim]

Well done Paul - one of my favourite tanks too.

It's the aquascaping that does it for me - a gorgeous slice of the jungle which always seems to look alive from every direction.

:wub:

kim

[Tuk]

Superb.
Of all the tanks i have seen,this is the one i would most like to own.
Cannot get higher praise from me.

[wayne g]

excellent tank and excellent pics.
deresrved totm!
:bow:

[SCOOB]

a very very well deserved TOTM and no mistake, congratulations paul :bow:

i'd like to offer some questions if i may :)

you say you do few water changes, but when you do, how do you do them? do you make the most of the location and run straight to the sink or does the plumbing go outside?

what is your favourite part of the system and what is your least favourite?

if you could have done anything differently, what would you have done and why?

sorry to dribble on, i'll get out of the way now and let the delluge of praise continue :thumbsup:

[Phil]

Love the tank - congratulations.

The shoal of Yellows always looks so good as well

Phil

[keith hellyar]

Fantastic system and congratulations on being awarded TOTM.

I was interested to note the comparatively small amount of LR in your system. I've always thought that 1kg per 2 galls was overkill. Your system certainly confirms that and leaves plenty of room for Fish and Coral growth.

I feel my system needs relandscaping.

Keith

[Reef runt]

brill tank mate well deserved !

[TRAMLINE]

What a wonderfully healthy looking system… toped with that great 3 sided views is a firm favorite by many I’m sure...Congratulation on your award…well deserved...

Mark... :thumbsup:

[Suk]

Congratuations Paul, a long overdue totm imo.
The best looking room divider if ever there was one!

:thumbsup:

[Marshy1]

Congratulations, your tank gives us newbies something to aspire to.

Brilliant tank.

Sue :bow:

[dark_stranger]

Hello Paul, just notice this thread, and well how can you not, with it plastered all over the front page. Congratulation mate, and having seen this tank 1st hand, Im surprised you havnt won TOTM before. You finally get some recognition for a very, very nice tank.

Well done mate,

Stuart.

[nickd]

A beautiful tank and one of my favourites too :wub:

Nick

[crosshatch]

Originally posted by nickd@Nov 1 2005, 21:00
A beautiful tank and one of my favourites too :wub:

Nick
:thumbsup: excellent tank and beautiful colouration in all the fish and corals
well done

[danny]

Well done Paul, :bow: :bow: we like this tank alot, it must look awesome in the flesh.

[manic_asif]

Congratulations! An excellent show piece :bow:

How do you manage to get such beautiful pics? what kind of camara are u using? Amazing clarity

Asif

[bluem00n0]

Lovely tank.

Great philosophy.

Is that praise enough for a frag? lol

Very well done.

Scott

:thumbsup:

[leeb123]

now thats a lovely looking tank well done

[hippolad]

Looks OK.














Only joking :P , a well deserved TOTM :wub: .
Well done Paul :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Steve :)

[gilpster]

lovely tank and great to see such a healthy and successful anenome. You said that you didn't feed it - yet obviously it's growing very nicely. Do you think it gets energy from photosynthesis or is it capturing small amounts of food destined for the fish? I wonder how many anenome keepers target feed there pets and how many don't?

i'd add to martin's comments about the difficulties in keeping aquariums in the long term - i used to get an incideous rise in nitrates after a few years when i kept freshwater fish. As well as the reasons he listed, i'd add reduction in biodiversity in bacterial and microfauna as a smaller number of dominant species occupy each niche over time resulting in a reduction in efficiency of denitrification etc.

kenneth

[Tony B]

Ditto all the positive posts

Tony B

[reefshark]

Having seen Pauls tank in the flesh,(and blagged some frags which are thriving to this day :P ) I can honestly say that the pics do not do it justice. The water is crystal clear and every bit of livestock is in pristine health, with the magnifica IMO being the absolute showpiece. This tank was, and still is my inspiration for what I would like to achieve.
Now, you would expect a man with a reef so perfect to come across somewhat 'big headed' but not so with Paul. He is extremly down to earth and more than willing to share in his experience of reef keeping.

Well done mate, I cant think of anyone more deserving for the TOTM :thumbsup:

Phil

[andy j]

stunning tank Paul :bow: ,well desevered TOTM well done :thumbsup:

and some stunning tangs uve got there :wub:

[bluemoon280]

Congratulations -

Wonderful tank, something to aspire too..

I like the idea of ground cooling the tank, how did you set this up and how does it operate .?

many thanks and well done

[pavlo]

Gosh, thanks for the compliments :blush:

To answer a few questions:

Scoob, I have put a trapped waste pipe under the tank (the sort you use for washing machines) with the intention of using it for water changes but you are quite right, I usually just syphon the water into the sink :lol:

I mix the new water in a 215 litre barrel and pump the water into the tank at the same time as syphoning water out of the tank. This wastes a bit of the new water but the corals and fish dont get stressed this way. I am in the process of plumbing in the barrel so that it will add to the system capacity and can be isolated, drained, refilled with fresh salt mix and after a couple of days, put online again. This way a water change can be done by just turning a few valves.

My favourite part of the system is the constant movement. I have lots of good sized fish and a fair bit of flow so the tank always looks 'alive'.

Least favourite is probably cleaning the glass cos there is a lot of it and it is getting more difficult as the corals grow. Another thing I dont like is watching the urchin eat the sps corals and bulldozing anything in its path. One day I may take it out.

One thing I would like to have done differently is make the tank wider. At a little over 2' wide, it is difficult to find places for corals that wont shade out existing corals. I would also like to have fitted 400w lamps instead of 250 but I couldnt find any attractive 400w units when I was setting up.


Manic Asif

Most of the pictures were taken with a Canon EOS350 that I borrowed from my sister in law after Craig asked me to be TOTM. Great camera and now I want one :whistling:

Gilpster,

I used to feed the anemone regularly and it started to grow very quickly. It's position in the tank (quite low with only 250w lamps above) indicates that it gets most of its nutrition from the food I add for the fish. The anemone has found the location in the tank where all the circulating food is forced down by the return pumps consequently, if the fish dont eat the food it will sooner or later get blasted into the anemone. I agree with Martin and yourself about 'old tank syndrome' and I anticipate having to do a major strip down in a year or two. I will change a lot of rock for fresh rock and thin the corals out. Not looking forward to it though.

Bluemoon280,

The cooling works by pumping the tank water from the sump, through the underground pipe and back to the sump again. The temperature in the sump is monitored by a temperature module that controls two relays. One relay powers the cooling circulation pump (eheim 1060) the othe powers the heaters. I was going to incorporate a timed facility so that the cooling pump would run for 30 seconds every hour even if the tank was not hot. This would prevent water stagnating in the pipe. Maybe one day I will get round to doing this but so far I have not noticed any ill effects.

I hope this answers all the questions. If anyone has anymore, please ask


Thanks

Paul

[TheThingIs]

Pavlo, you are an inspiration m8! I love all the yellow tangs, for me they are what makes a reef tank and yours look fantastic!

Well done :thumbsup:

Lee

[SCOOB]

fantastic answers paul :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

a couple more if i may :rolleyes:

when you say that in the next couple of years you will have to perform a strip down, how far will you go? just change a large percentage of live rock and dsb or remove all and swap whilst in a holding tank? also how will you know when to do it, do you have a time in mind or when the first signs start to show?

are you tempted to upgrade the lights soon or are 250 watters ok for the job but you'd prefer better?

do you have any pics of when you were laying the cooling pipe?

you have an absolute beast of a skimmer, would it cope so well with a smaller skimmer do you think or is it essential to success with schools of tangs that you have one so large? what made you chose the 703 over other options?

[lenny]

hi paul and thanks for sharing this awsome tank with us all. keep up the hard work as it has paid off :thanx: lenny

[jacksok]

Love this tank. :wub:

On the cooling, how did you decide on 25m of pipe, 6ft deep? Just a guess, or is there a table somewhere? Considering something similar if I upgrade so it would be helpful if there was something like this!

By the way, on your stagnation point - have you considered using a heat exchanger so you have two separate circuits? That way it won't mater how long the water in the buried pipe has been standing around.

Regards,

Keith

[RichardinSouthampton]

Very nice!

I cannot say no more.
:bow:

Rich

[karen1bernese]

I have said this before but with your tank i could say it a million times WOW.
My tank is a 3 sided as well but divides the sitting room with the dining room.I have had the samke problem with arranging things!My tank has been fish only for 9 years but is now reef, but looks bare to yours, hopefully it will fill up in time.Well done with the magnifica.I bought one abd the clowns loved it, sadly he died after only about 2 months.Have you had any problems with yours.
Once again well done with totm. :thumbsup:

[popsock]

First time I've been really impressed by a tank in years, fantastic job. :bow: :bow: :bow:

[mr-jimbo]

Originally posted by craigg@Oct 21 2005, 13:29

Cooling is provided by 25m of blue water main buried six feet deep in the back garden. When the water temperature gets too high, tank water is pumped through the pipe and returns to the sump.
Brilliant Idea :thumbsup:

Since joining UR i have shown pictures of your tank(from here and your W/S) to many of my friends,it has always been one of my favourites,well done m8 TOTM well deserved :thumbsup:

[jamie reefer]

Hi there

Well deserved tank of the month,its a real credit to you mate,all them tangs look awesome in the tank together,also looks so clean,well done,keep up the hard work mate.....

cheers Jamie

[mark-c-]

fantastic tank,its such a great place for a tank and 1 ive always admired,must be superb in real life.

well done and well deserved

Mark

[djb1971]

:evil: HOT!!HOT!!HOT!! :evil:

Great looking tank - a good advert for all newcomers who are willing to put int he correct care & effort

Dave

[Grotty]

:bow: Outstanding, i love the tangs especially, the tank obviously reflects the love/effort /time and money invested. Thanks for sharing the pics :bow:

[Jevs]

Nice one Paul :thumbsup: ...an absolute credit to you m8 :bow:

[DannyW]

This is my favourite tank I have ever seen :wub:

[pavlo]

Some really nice comments coming in, Thanks

When I get a few moments spare I will answer any outstanding questions.

I am not ignoring you Scoob, honest :lol:

Thanks again

Paul

[arena432]

Outstanding Pav, as i have said B4, i bet you spend a lota time in that dining room, if i was you that is the place i wud have my PC etc...

Regards Ian

The regal tang close up pic is magnificent !!!! :thumbsup:

[Jonesii]

Lovely tank, seen it in the flesh, it's much better in real life even though these pics are great!

[Paul Kettless]

Superb tank, one of the best that I have seen.

Has been said before in this thread, but the aquascaping is what makes your tank stand out.

Regards
Paul

[reefclown]

Paul,
I never realised that you kept such an outrageous stocking level, looks absolutely fantastic :bow:

great to see the tank maturing over the years :)

[SCOOB]

Originally posted by pavlo@Nov 23 2005, 22:33
I am not ignoring you Scoob, honest :lol:

Thanks again

Paul
it's cold on the outside :lol:

[danny]

Well done Paul :thumbsup: Your tank really stands apart from most thanks to the brave concept of such a huge deep room divider, and all that glass to clean... :D

[pavlo]

Scoob, Just to stop you sulking :lol:

I think old tank syndrome was covered well in the experts forum :bow:

The decline of diversity is a major problem as a tank ages and I have already swapped out some of my live rock to get rid of zoo polyps and blue sponge and to introduce new critters. I must admit a major stripdown is not a job I am looking forward to and like most jobs, I will leave it until it is far too late.

I would like to upgrade the lights to 400 watters but the arcadia ones have remote ballasts and I cant think of a good place to put them. I know I could get lo-bays but I dont go for the warehouse look. Things are growing ok with the 250's and they are cheaper to run but when they reach the end of their usefull life I will probably replace them 400's

I didnt take any pictures of the cooling pipe installation. I dug the hole and installed the pipe one evening after work. The digger was playing up (blocked fuel line) so by the time I had the hole dug it was dark and I was soaked in diesel. I did intend to record the installation but thing dont always go to plan.

The reason for the monster skimmer is quite simple, it was cheap :lol: I bought it second hand from Martin Lakin when he upgraded to the 1004. The skimmer sometimes goes weeks without producing anything and I think I could get away with a smaller skimmer, maybe a 902 or even an 850

I feel very flattered by all the nice comments I have received in this thread and would like to thank all the people who have taken the time to contribute. :thumbsup:

Cheers

Paul

edit - added a pcture taken yesterday

[MaidstoneMarine]

Truly an awesome sight! :wub:

[SCOOB]

i think your tank is testament to 250's being enough :lol: not sure lowbays would really cut it looming over that set-up.

so the skimmers too big and an 850 would do :whistling: swopsies? :lol:

that added picture is stunning. i wonder how many set-ups are currently in the offing with stocking plans including a shoal of yellow tangs because of your pics, i can name 3 :thumbsup:

when you come to doing your strip down, eventually, don't hesitate to call. Not sure how much use I'll be but i can boil a kettle like a pro and offer my services in any way. :thumbsup:

as november is now well and truly over and this is unlikely to remain TOTM for much longer i'd just like to say thankyou for taking the time to take these pics and compile your write up, fascinating reading and a true inspiration. good on ya :bow:

[SuperBlades]

Originally posted by SCOOB@Dec 16 2005, 16:33

when you come to doing your strip down, eventually, don't hesitate to call. Not sure how much use I'll be but i can boil a kettle like a pro and offer my services in any way. :thumbsup:


Can vouch for that!

I'm always about to lend a hand to m8, just gimme a shout as and when.

That last pic is incredible, superb m8

:bow:

Will

[pavlo]

Thanks guys, it's good to know there are such nice people out there. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Cheers

Paul

[Grotty]

OMG what a superb disply, a credit to your obvious dedication and reef husbandry :bow: