View Full Version : InstantSquid's Tank Upgrade
instantsquid
07-12-05, 21:42
Hello,
Well, it's time for another "new build" thread - apologies if it's all a bit old hat... it's very exciting for me! :dance:
My current (main) marine tank is a Juwel Trigon 350. This sits in a corner of the lounge. I've learnt plenty along the way, but I've got to the point where I just want to start again! Hopefully I can draw together the ideas and experiences I've had with this tank to build something I can genuinely be proud of.
In my dining room I have a 4' freshwater tank - it contains Ozzy (an Oscar - Astronotus ocellatus) and Henry (a Sailfin Plec - Pterygolichthys gibbiceps). These guys are rapidly outgrowing their tank and getting on each other's nerves more and more.
So the plan is:
1. Temporarily relocate the freshwater tank.
2. Build a new super-duper "hole-in-the-wall" marine tank in the dining room.
3. Move marine livestock into new super-duper tank.
4. Move Ozzy and Henry into Trigon.
Step 2 seems to me to be the big one... :blink: So I'll go into that in a bit more detail.
I recently purchased a 7'x2'x2' tank and sump via UltimateReef (click here (http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=52605) to see the tank before it was broken down). It was made by Fit Filtration and the build quality is superb.
The tank has two corner weirs, each with two 1.5" standpipes. The sump is 4'x18"x18" and originally had a skimmer section, SSB/UGF section, and return pump section incorporating an "oxygen tower". I am still drawing up plans for the sump but it seems likely it will be along the lines of Si G's Reef-Eden DSB sump. I have a Deltec AP850 lined up for skimming duties.
I currently have a Bubbletip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) which means NO POWERHEADS! I quite like this idea though, and so will be incorporating closed loops for water movement.
I've been collecting equipment for this project for a little while now - one of the other bits of kit I've already settled on is my lighting. I have two twin 400W metal halide units (yes, that's 4x400W). These have remote ballasts mounted in weatherproof boxes designed to go on the outside wall of the house. So while I'm knocking holes in the wall for that, I may as well add a few more holes for the chiller and water-change facility!
Another decision I've made is to purchase an Aquatronica tank controller. I have been very impressed with what I've read about these and I'm looking forward to having a play with that.
I would like to make water changes as simple as possible. I have certainly been guilty of skipping water changes with the current tank, for no better reason than carting buckets of water round the house is a pain in the backside. What I plan to do, is build a water-change "shed" on the other side of the wall from the tank, containing two large food-grade plastic containers. One of these will be plumbed into the tank/sump full time. The idea is that to do a water change, I turn on the RO unit and fill the other container. After adding salt, aerating, heating, etc. I simply do a water change by disconnecting the first container and connecting the second one in it's place. The first one can then be emptied straight into the drain. I haven't worked out the details of how this will be plumbed into the tank and sump yet - so any ideas on this will be gratefully received!
Step 1 (above) starts this weekend. My mate and I are going to lift the floor up in the dining room and see what's under there. I'm paranoid about the weight of this thing! Assuming that goes okay, we'll be moving the tank and stand into position.
Ah yes, the stand...
A pile of wood waiting to meet my circular saw
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1119_124519AA.JPG
A pile of wood after meeting my circular saw
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1207_145338AA.JPG
Eventually, the tank and stand will be built behind a false wall, so the stand doesn't have to be pretty... :blush: ...just strong! I'm pretty sure it's up to the job :D
That's as far as I've got - but things should start happening reasonably quickly now as I've got most of the kit now, just need to put it all together!
Your comments (good and bad) are, as always, extremely welcome.
- Ian.
Look forward to this one Ian, sounds great :bow:
mmmm a stealth new build, had no idea you were upgrading. :thumbsup:
looking forward to this :thumbsup:
Gonna be good. Keep the pictures rolling, Ian :thumbsup:
chronic2005
08-12-05, 13:44
Sounds good Ian and good luck with it :thumbsup:
JasandJules
08-12-05, 15:10
Looks and sounds like this will be a cracker.
Keep the updates and piccies coming.
instantsquid
09-12-05, 21:28
Just a quick update - I dismantled the freshwater tank in the dining room tonight. This is how it looked when I started. Note the fresh plaster on the right - this is where I've had smaller patio doors fitted so there's enough wall for the new tank. The things we do for our hobby! :lol:
The tank has now been moved to it's temporary location on the other side of the room - fish are grumpy but okay. Will post another pic of the space once it's cleared. :D
The new tank will pretty much fill this space - there'll be about 6" at either end for pipework to run up the ends of the tank. If you recall, the tank will eventually be a "hole in the wall" jobbie, so this pipework will be hidden.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1209_202118AA.JPG
Originally posted by instantsquid@Dec 9 2005, 21:28
Just a quick update - I dismantled the freshwater tank in the dining room tonight. This is how it looked when I started. Note the fresh plaster on the right - this is where I've had smaller patio doors fitted so there's enough wall for the new tank. The things we do for our hobby! :lol:
The tank has now been moved to it's temporary location on the other side of the room - fish are grumpy but okay. Will post another pic of the space once it's cleared. :D
The new tank will pretty much fill this space - there'll be about 6" at either end for pipework to run up the ends of the tank. If you recall, the tank will eventually be a "hole in the wall" jobbie, so this pipework will be hidden.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1209_202118AA.JPG
Looks like one of your other pets has escaped and is hiding under the cabinet ;) .
scooby_rex
10-12-05, 09:45
hi Ian.
if you havent already, get yourself down to b&q and buy some of their own brand polyuverthane clear varnish and give the tank stand a couple of coats.
polyurethane is inert once cured so is ideal for cabinets. and will prevent water ingress into the wood, mould ect, and more importantly stop any nasty treatments absored in the wood from leaching back out. even some straight planed wood is treated.
for £7 and a couple of hours painting it is well worth it.
I used it on the concrete lintels in my stand to seal them, and it woeks a treat has dried like a plastic cover.
more pictures. :)
:lol: :lol: bloomin eck you're doing the exact same thing as me but over the other side of the room :lol: i'll have 5 inches either end tho. hope you finish first, you can show me how it's done.
how are you planning on cooling?
what are using to make the wall leaving you access as well?
definately watching this one with interest. :lol:
instantsquid
10-12-05, 22:28
Hi,
Another quick update after a fun day. I sent the missus out shopping and then ripped up the floor in the dining room! :lol:
This is my mate Chas peering into the void...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1210_165756AA.JPG
We were pleasantly surprised and what we found - some seriously meaty joists and a solid concrete over-site. The tank will be sitting directly over five of these joists. But we had the floor up and had the materials, so we packed up seven joists in total with a concrete block and a brick under each. Oh, and we replaced the tatty flooring chipboard with a nice new piece of 25mm MDF.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1210_165815AA.JPG
Then we dragged the stand in from the garage - this thing weighs a lot! I've given the inside of the cabinet two coats of a specialist external gloss paint - supposed to be mega weather proof stuff. The front will all eventually be hidden by the false wall.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1210_193927AA.JPG
Scoob - I'm going to be addressing the cooling in a couple of ways. Firstly the ballasts for the metal halides are going outside the house! I'll take some pics of them at some point, but they're basically mounted in external weather-proof boxes (can't remember the IP rating off the top of my head). Then there will be two extractor fans in the external wall - I'm guessing one will be sucking and one will be blowing, but that'll need some experimentation. Finally, I will be adding a chiller to one of the return feeds. Again, this will be on the other side of the external wall.
Before I bring the tank in I need to sort out a couple of things with the electrics and also get the lights hung (I don't fancy trying to hang them up over the tank!
Cheers - Ian. :thumbsup:
Looking very good so far - keep us updated!!
John
looking good mate :thumbsup:
instantsquid
14-12-05, 18:25
Another quick update - I've been hanging the lights today. Typically, the joists were either side of where I wanted to attach the lights, so I screwed pieces of wood between the joists with some monster screws, and then attached the lights to these.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1214_190223AA.JPG
Please excuse the state of the decoration - I'm going to give the walls and ceiling a coat of paint before the tank gets brought in from the garage. The long piece of wood across the front will be used to attach the false wall which will eventually sit in front of the tank and stand.
Each of these light units has two 400W bulbs. They're made from aluminium and appear to be bomb-proof! The ballasts will sit on the outside wall in weather-proof boxes.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1214_190317AA.JPG
I'm waiting for my delivery of electrical bits at the moment - RCD's, sockets, etc. That'll be the next job I guess. Oh, and I have to build the sump at some point. Another fun job will be working out how to get mains pressure water into the dining room for the RO unit.
Still soooooo much to do, but we're making progress :)
- Ian.
JasandJules
14-12-05, 20:30
Looking good..
excellent updates :thumbsup:
2 tanks at the top of members tanks, some people are too greedy.
with regards to the cooling, just as food for thought, what you are proposing is what i first planned until it was brough to my attention that if i have one sucking and one blowing in an enclosed space behind a false wall. the one sucking will be drawing moisture rich sea air through it and subsequently will rust in no time, not too much of a problem but i don't fancy clambering over mine to get to a dealy submerged into the wall. plus don't fancy putting a couple of holes in the wall above the tank for 'future' reasons. think i'm gonna go along the same road as maidstonemarines tank. ducting and low down holes for pipework.
instantsquid
15-12-05, 18:53
excellent updates
Cheers matey.
with regards to the cooling, just as food for thought, what you are proposing is what i first planned until it was brough to my attention that if i have one sucking and one blowing in an enclosed space behind a false wall. the one sucking will be drawing moisture rich sea air through it and subsequently will rust in no time, not too much of a problem but i don't fancy clambering over mine to get to a dealy submerged into the wall. plus don't fancy putting a couple of holes in the wall above the tank for 'future' reasons. think i'm gonna go along the same road as maidstonemarines tank. ducting and low down holes for pipework.
Hmmmm.... I haven't bashed the holes in the wall yet - that was going to be the weekend's little job. But now you've got me thinking. Even with ducting though, aren't you still eventually going to be pushing the same salty damp air through a fan? Or am I missing something? :blink: Didn't Yakdriver have an extractor fan in the space above his tank? Wonder how that's doing several months down the line...
- Ian.
think the thinking behind it is to either have air being pushed in forcing air out or by having the 'turbines' in an accesible area.
my thoughts were to either have:
2 big ass blowers pumping air into the space above the tank then having a fake panel at the top of the 'wall' that is fabric so air can be pushed out, having it removable so i can wash it every feew weeks. this is the easiest option but ofcourse means i am pumping moist air into my lounge. like you tho' i have a patio door adjacent which is always open (dogs) so not too much of a problem.
2 big ass blowers, one blowing in, one sucking out, in a shed outside. having them down low, trunking through wall about a foot up then trunking up to over the tank. moist air is still an issue but if the pumps are low enough, i can simply take them out, rinse/wipe them and slot them back in. you'll have to have a look at maidstonemarines setup to guage the thinking. it really works on his.
plus
with the trunking being smaller than an extractor, plus being lower, when i innevitably have to sell the house to move, i don't have to try and find a young couple that want extractors in their living room, i can easily hide a 6x4 square cut hole just above the skirting.
Originally posted by instantsquid@Dec 10 2005, 22:28
Hi,
Another quick update after a fun day. I sent the missus out shopping and then ripped up the floor in the dining room! :lol:
Like you do ;) ;)
instantsquid
19-12-05, 23:03
Well I had fun at the weekend - bashing big holes through the wall to the outside world!
The first hole was for the extractor fan - I thought about what Scoob said and pondered whether to have ducting from above the tank to remove the hot air, but in the end I decided that a bathroom extractor fan would do the job. I can't see how salty water is going to end up in the fan as it's several feet above the tank - the moisture will be from evaporation (like in a bathroom) so fingers crossed this will do the job.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1219_233513AA.JPG
The other hole I made is for the pipework to feed the chiller and the water change container.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1217_124928AA.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1217_124807AA.JPG
And here it is made good. Two pipes for the chiller, two for the water change, and the bottom one is just a conduit for the RO pipe and a power cable.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1219_233612AA.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1219_233703AA.JPG
The last couple of evenings I've been working on the sump. Here it is as I got it. I wasn't really happy with the way it was divided up, so I cut out all the baffles.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1214_212246AA.JPG
I decided early on that no pumps were going in the tank or the sump - partly for the safety of my anemone (in the tank obviously!) but also to minimise heat transfer from the 10 Eheim pumps. So the sump got drilled to feed the return and skimmer pumps.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1217_175400AA.JPG
I've just finished cutting and sticking the new baffles into the sump. Will wet test it in a day or two. Not the neatest silicon-work, but as long as it does the job...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1219_233929AA.JPG
Last pic for today is the start of the electrics - I'm running the whole lot from two spurs, one off the downstairs ring main, one off the upstairs. Each spur has a latching RCD fitted before the sockets. I have a day off work later in the week so plan to finish the wiring then - hopefully I can then get the tank in!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1219_233816AA.JPG
Cheers for now,
Ian.
Making good progress mate :thumbsup:
I love these build threads, looks great matey :)
instantsquid
22-12-05, 13:36
Hi again,
Well I've made a little bit of progress the last few days - I managed to slot the sump in under the stand. I could have done with an extra pair of hands doing this, but it's in there now and fits fine.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1222_141604AA.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1222_141631AA.JPG
As mentioned before, I've taken a spur off the upstairs ring main, and a spur off the downstairs ring main and hooked up a pair of these latching RCDs:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1222_141720AA.JPG
In total there are sixteen double sockets - ten under the stand and six more up next to the tank. Hope that's enough! :blink:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1222_141816AA.JPG
The AP850 awaits commissioning! :wub:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1222_141839AA.JPG
I have a mob of blokes coming round this evening to help move the tank in from the garage. I can't wait to see it on the stand! :dance:
Will post some pics once it's in position. :)
- Ian.
instantsquid
22-12-05, 22:11
This evenings update - the tank is in :D
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2005_1222_230248AA.JPG
It now needs a really good clean. I should probably have done it before I brought it in, but this way at least I can see what I'm doing!
Plumbing will start over Christmas (I hope).
- Ian.
WOW..... You are doing everything properly & neat and tidy ... Makes a big difference .....
Going to look sweet
if you need a hand drop me a line mate :thumbsup:
It all coming along very nicely, been a while since you last updated the progress thou :D
JasandJules
02-01-06, 13:09
Looking excellent.
Are you doing all the drilling, hammering and wiring yourself?
instantsquid
02-01-06, 13:25
Originally posted by JasandJules@Jan 2 2006, 13:09
Are you doing all the drilling, hammering and wiring yourself?
Oh yes! :huh:
Made a bit of a tactical error though - was planning to get all the plumbing done over the Christmas break, but didn't get my order in on time. :( So I'll get a nice box of plumbing bits and pieces just in time to go back to work.
So not a huge amount of progress has been made :angry:
Thanks for all the nice comments though :thumbsup:
- Ian.
instantsquid
02-01-06, 15:26
Actually, I have got a couple of pics to upload. Firstly, here's the sump being "wet-tested" - tap water only at this stage.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2006_0102_160939AA.JPG
And obviously to hold water I had to fill in the holes I drilled earlier!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2006_0102_161059AA.JPG
The two 32mm pipes will feed a pair of Eheim 1262's - the returns to the tank. The middle 25mm pipe will feed an Eheim 1250 which sends water to the water change tank.
And because I've got nothing else to play with, I started building some reef racks. Here's the first - this will sit at the left hand side of the tank where the rock work will be longer and lower. The right hand end will be more of a tower reaching up to the water surface.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2006_0102_160921AA.JPG
Should be some more progress by the weekend... :cheers:
- Ian.
Hi Ian
are you drilling these pipes or just leaving them as a brace,
dean
instantsquid
02-01-06, 15:51
Originally posted by carco88@Jan 2 2006, 15:35
are you drilling these pipes or just leaving them as a brace
Hi Dean,
I assume you mean, am I going to use them to pump water through the rockwork? To be honest, I hadn't thought of that :blush: :lol:
No, they are just supports for the rock - there will be closed loop return pipes under the rocks, but this isn't them! I'm still waiting for my plumbing supplies - this stuff is just the Marley waste pipe stuff from B&Q.
- Ian.
Hi Ian
Tank project looks stunning. I will be going down this route in March with a new 96 x 30 x 24, can I ask how high your stand is.
Regards
Sue
instantsquid
02-01-06, 19:36
Originally posted by Marshy1@Jan 2 2006, 19:08
Tank project looks stunning. I will be going down this route in March with a new 96 x 30 x 24, can I ask how high your stand is.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the comments - a long way to go yet though! :D
The stand is 36" high. I wanted to make sure there was enough room to get the Deltec AP850 in and out, and also it's a nice height for actually viewing the tank.
Good luck with your project - hope to see some pics once you get going! :thumbsup:
- Ian.
instantsquid
29-01-06, 18:01
Hi folks,
I can't believe it's nearly a month since my last update - I do have an excuse though... I was getting married! :D
And then I had to go back to work, so I've had to fit the tank build where I can.
I've now got the majority of the pipework complete. I'll post some pics of the closed loops once I get these second-hand Eheims to stop leaking! :angry:
Here are some of the connectors! Believe it or not I still had to order a few extras... :blink:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/2006_0109_163723AA.JPG
Here are my return pumps - a pair of Eheim 1262's:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0591.JPG
This is a picture of under the left-hand weir. There are two corner weirs in the tank, each with two standpipes. The pipe you see here with a valve on it is fed from a half-height standpipe. The valve is then used to set the water level inside the weir so that it just overflows into the second standpipe. I'm quite impressed with how quiet this setup is.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0603.JPG
A view of some of the return pipework. In the foreground is the feed to the DSB:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0595.JPG
The large pipe is one of the feeds from the right-hand weir, the smaller pipe is the outlet from the skimmer:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0601.JPG
Skimmer pumps - the skimmer is fed by an Eheim 1250 which takes water from the first section in the sump:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0602.JPG
Final section in the sump - this is probably the noisiest bit of the whole setup - any suggestions for how I can quiet this down???
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0604.JPG
Santa didn't bring me an Aquatronica so I bought my own (excellent price from CGA :thumbsup:) It's currently doing sweet F.A, but will eventually control the whole kit and kaboodle:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0593.JPG
The Aquatronica plug bar - there will be one of these on each side of the tank to control lights, auto-top up, temperature (heating and cooling), plus anything else I can think of...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0594.JPG
My current RO unit sits under the kitchen sink - top-ups and water changes involve carrying buckets of water around the house. To encourage me to stick to a routine I want to make water changes as hassle-free as possible. So I've bought a new RO unit (excellent service from RO-MAN) which is mounted on the wall to the right of the tank. I took a pipe from behind the sink in the upstairs bathroom to supply it. I have a solenoid valve to include eventually so that the Aquatronica can turn the RO unit on and off:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0605.JPG
And finally, one of two external ballast boxes mounted on the outside wall. Each box contains a pair of 400w MH ballasts. The boxes are designed to be mounted outside so are fully weatherproof:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0608.JPG
And that's it for now - once I'm happy with the operation of the closed loops I'll drain the tapwater out of the tank and start the RO fill - I can't wait!
Cheers,
- Ian.
very impressive so far , hope you get the eheims to stop leaking..
I am using some for my closed loops in exactly the same way.. :unsure:
If the outside box is water tight ? How hot will it get when the ballasts are on? Would they need to be vented ?
Looking good ........
instantsquid
29-01-06, 19:50
Originally posted by fire999@Jan 29 2006, 19:19
If the outside box is water tight ? How hot will it get when the ballasts are on? Would they need to be vented ?
Hmmm... don't actually know yet! I bought the lights and ballast together and they had been used like this for a couple of years without problems. I guess we'll see how it goes once the lights are on for any length of time.
- Ian.
instantsquid
04-02-06, 18:55
Well I had fun today!
I bought a sheet of blue acrylic from Hindleys, and a cheapo router from B&Q (£20 including bits). And then I set to, making a pair of weirs for my closed loops. I made the bend by routing a 'V' in the back of the acrylic and then using my wife's kitchen blowtorch to heat it up enough to bend it to 90 degrees.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0611.JPG
I've just siliconed them into position - excuse the photo quality, my camera would only focus on the front of the tank!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/CIMG0616.JPG
There is one of these at each of the tank, stuck to the front of the main weirs for the sump feeds.
You can also see how the RO fill is progressing - it's taken five days so far to get to that point so hopefully early next week it'll be full! :lol:
I bought the sand for my DSB today - I've added the first bag and the sump now looks like it's full of milk! Hopefully it'll settle out soon...
Thanks for looking - more pics soon.
- Ian.
Wow Ian - a set-up for everybody to aspire to, watching closely :thumbsup:
yes please ian, get snapping!!!!
Wow Ian - i missed your project as it had dropped off the first page. yes can we see more pics please !?
Ian.
Looking awesome mate only wish I had the room and a missus that would allow me to do something like that in our place.
Hope you'll be open for visits now the good weather is here, i could do with giving the bike run.
ATB
Jiff
Looking good mate, keep the pics coming!:)
instantsquid
06-04-06, 19:51
I have plenty of pictures to add... just waiting for that "Uploader" button to appear at the top of the screen. (And no, I'm not going to use PhotoBucket :D)
- Ian.
PS - Thanks for all the nice comments so far. I just hope when you see how it's progressed since then you're not disappointed!
instantsquid
01-08-06, 23:36
Well it's been a long time coming, but I thought it was about time I finished uploading the pictures of my build.
First off, here's the tank with the two reef racks in place. The RO fill is almost done at this point (hoorah!)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0205_161444AA.JPG
And here's the first attempt at starting the aquascaping - don't worry, it gets better! At this stage it's mostly reef bones with some live rock that came from Carco88 (cheers matey!)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0219_112046AA.JPG
I set up the DSB using Seachem's "Meridian Oolitic Aragonite" - it took 6 bags of the stuff to get the 5" depth I wanted.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0219_114430AA.JPG
I've covered most of the lighting already, but here are the contactors that sit between the Aquatronica and the metal halides. I understand that the plugbars will handle the lights directly, but for the sake of a few quid on contactors, I didn't see why I should risk it.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0219_112914AA.JPG
Finally the big day came and the contents of my old Trigon 350 were moved over into the new tank. It wasn't a particularly traumatic job in the end - I pretty much moved the live rock straight from one tank to the other, any corals were acclimatised in polyboxes, and the fish in a couple of old saltbuckets. It still took most of the day though.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0316_155330AA.JPG
The "new tank syndrome" is clearly visible - with cyano on the brand new sandbed, and algae blooms on the new rockwork. I wasn't particularly worried, and within a couple of weeks it had completely disappeared.
The Percs in their bubbletip.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0316_155837AA.JPG
Favia.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0316_155630AA.JPG
Fungia.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0316_155651AA.JPG
As documented elsewhere, shortly after my upgrade I purchased a Scribbled Angelfish which introduced Velvet Disease (Amyloodinium) into my tank. I lost nearly all of my fish - an incredibly upsetting time. Since then, I've let the tank settle down and spent the time setting up a quarantine tank. Within the last month or so, my first new fish have come through quarantine and taken up residence in their new home - a pair of Percula clowns :) It's now 4 months since the upgrade and things have moved on a lot - time for some more photos methinks...
- Ian.
Progressing well, Ian. Great to see it taking shape. The percs look settled in already!
Keep the photos coming.
Tony
Reef bloke
02-08-06, 01:17
A great set up Ian,get them pics up mate!
Tony
instantsquid
02-08-06, 17:44
Got the camera out this afternoon and took a few pics - hope you like them.
Here's the tank with the false wall completed. We haven't decorated yet - still trying to decide on a colour!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_172431AA.JPG
This is a Physogyra (I think) that I found in the bottom of a tank at a LFS. I paid £2 for it I think! It's recovered really well.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_171026AA.JPG
Galaxia and Millepora - both growing well. Yes, I know there's still some cyano! Grrrr....
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_171711AA.JPG
My Bubbletip Anemone - not the most interesting of colours but I bought this from a LFS when it was about 4" across. On a good day, fully expanded it reaches about 16" across!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_171725AA.JPG
Favites (I think) - latest addition.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_171844AA.JPG
Some Ricordeas, etc.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_171755AA.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_171805AA.JPG
A Euphyllia - again a LFS bargain that is doing so well.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_172056AA.JPG
I haven't had a great deal of success with the few SPS frags that I've tried, but this little Acropora appears to be doing okay.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_172127AA.JPG
My attempts at taking pictures of fish were pathetic to say the least, apart from this shot of my Midas Blennie.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_172036AA.JPG
- Ian.
Reef bloke
02-08-06, 19:30
Well Mr Squid that looks super!Thats a real credit too you,fabulous job and great looking tank.
Regards Tony
wow Ian that looks awesome :)
would it be rude of me to ask for pics to see how you attached the fascia, feel free to pm if you don't want to show the uglier side of in the wall tanks, but i'd really appreciate any pointers you can give me :)
instantsquid
02-08-06, 22:12
Cheers chaps.
Not at all rude, Scoob - I was going to take those pics today, but didn't get around to it. I'll try and snap a couple of shots for ya though.
- Ian
urban_hippie
02-08-06, 22:29
Looks great Ian,
The finish of the removable panels makes it all look so neat, great touch and draws attention to the tank itself.
Another one for the green eyed monster, bugger!;)
Lucky Eddie
03-08-06, 08:29
VVV NIce.
Cracking pair of Percs you have there Ian.
Just read from start to finnish, very nice build mate! did you take any more pictures of how you set up your closed loops?
instantsquid
03-08-06, 10:35
did you take any more pictures of how you set up your closed loops?
Rather stupidly I didn't :o
What in particular were you interested in - the bit inside the tank, or the bit outside?
- Ian.
all i have to say is wow..... can't wait till i get back from australia and move into my new place, i have big plans ;-)
craig
All of it!:D Im a bit of a pipe geek! (think we all are!)
I just like to see peoples different ideas on how to go about things.
dan-the-man
03-08-06, 13:02
Looks fantastic pal, well done!
:)
Looks great boxed in to make a false wall. Really shows the tank off to its best.
Hi Ian,
I love the tank build, the way everything is layed out, and the prrofessional looking finish to everything. A real credit to you.
Rgds
Jon
just saw this now Ian.. fantastic :D
looks great bud, love that look ;)
Yep, it does look good!
Worth all the hard work
John
a big well done mate fantastic
dan-the-man
21-10-06, 18:26
Come on Ian, time for an update I think.
I want to see these new additions... :p
Reefer Madness
21-10-06, 18:49
Nice one mate,well impressed.
chrisgregg
21-10-06, 19:41
very nice some hard work gone into it i can see :D
instantsquid
22-10-06, 20:26
Come on Ian, time for an update I think.
I want to see these new additions... :p
Okay, okay!
To be honest, there's not a lot to see - the only new additions are a Lipstick Tang and a few extra Chromises, all of which obliged to come out for a photo.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/FullTank.JPG
Rather annoyingly my enormous Bubbletip Anemone decided to act all camera-shy this afternoon - you can see it disappearing behind the rockwork.
There's not been much else added apart from a couple of new frags from Reefworks, like this Acropora selago.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Acro.JPG
There is still a lot of empty space on the rockwork so I need to do some thinking about which way to go with the coral stocking. As far as fish go, I'm thinking of adding one more "feature fish" - my favourite fish being a Scribbled Angel, and I really, really, really want a pair of Orchid Dottybacks - so if anyone knows where I can get either of these, let me know.
As always, your comments and suggestions gratefully received (unless they're really mean)
- Ian
Looks great Ian, going to be a stunner in time to come.
Reef bloke
22-10-06, 21:15
Excellent Ian!Love the aquascape!Looks a very healthy tank thats gonna look great once its grown out.
dan-the-man
23-10-06, 11:00
Lovely Ian, well done, coming along nicely :)
Love the chromis, wonder how many I could accomodate in my cube.... :p
That's one great tank, Ian! Good to see all your hard work coming to fruition.
instantsquid
02-12-06, 21:23
I've been getting hassled by another mod (whose name begins with "D" and ends with "an" :p) to post some pics of my latest additions.
Please bear in mind that I am hopeless with a camera - I took about 50 shots of the two first fish, and this is the best I managed :(
Firstly, my Scribbled Angelfish. He is doing so well since being moved into the main tank. Initially my Regal Tang took a real dislike to him, and I was starting to worry I might have to remove him - but they've settled down and the Angel is now more than able to hold his own at feeding time.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Bill1.JPG
One of a pair of Lubbock's Fairy Wrasses. This is probably the less brightly coloured of the two, but the other one would not stay still long enough for me to get any kind of picture. They add a nice splash of colour to the tank.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Lub1.JPG
Mrs Clown just chillin' at home. My pair of Percula clownfish are now spawning every few weeks.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/clown.JPG
Trachyphyllia, purchased today at Heritage Aquatics open day.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Brain.JPG
Cheers,
- Ian
Reef bloke
02-12-06, 22:14
Tracyphillia,yummy!Thats one super looking coral dude!
ooh nice update ian, any chance of a full tank shot?
love the scribbled :)
Matthew5664
03-12-06, 00:15
Tracyphillia??? and I thought that were on the banned list?
dan-the-man
03-12-06, 02:43
Well fin-al-ly! You did take your time Ian. Looks great, well done pal :)
instantsquid
03-12-06, 09:20
Tracyphillia??? and I thought that were on the banned list?
Erm.... don't think so. Either that or my identification is wrong. :confused:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/2006_0802_172431AA.JPG
Here's the tank with the false wall completed. We haven't decorated yet - still trying to decide on a colour!
Ian I'm sure I saw a photo on here somewhere after you'd decorated?
Trying to explain how I want my new one to look!
Mind I'll be over the moon if it looks 1/2 as good as this one!:D
instantsquid
12-12-06, 11:44
Ian I'm sure I saw a photo on here somewhere after you'd decorated?
I've definitely taken some - thought I'd posted them, but obviously not!
I will sort it out. Apologies :o
dan-the-man
12-12-06, 11:57
Might take you a fair while though! Always does!
instantsquid
12-12-06, 12:11
Might take you a fair while though! Always does!
Shut it you - at least my pictures are vaguely in focus :p
dan-the-man
12-12-06, 12:14
lol
crap
Tracyphillia??? and I thought that were on the banned list?
you're thinking of cataphyllia
Marc Foord
12-12-06, 17:27
trachys and cats are on CITES i think.....
instantsquid
21-12-06, 22:36
I took a couple of pics at the weekend, but haven't been able to upload them until now.
Firstly, a picture of my Bubbletip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor). I bought this when it was about 4" across with lovely bubble tips - these disappeared as it grew to the monster it is now... it sometimes expands to over 18" across.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Nem.JPG
Next, a Lobophyllia (I think) that I've had for little while now. Quite unusual colouring.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Lobo.JPG
Tubipora musica that came from Reefworks as a frag over a year ago - I accidentally fragged it (oops!) during a tank rework, and now have several colonies around the tank.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Tubi.JPG
A Physogyra that believe it or not, was found in the bottom of a LFS tank with almost no tissue left - it cost me £2! It really seems to have made a good recovery.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Physo.JPG
A Galaxea that came from Will (jimmyjayz) and is doing very well. It's not in area of huge flow so I don't find it puts out sweeper tentacles longer than a couple of inches - there's not much within reach that it can do any harm to.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Galax.JPG
A Turbinaria that I got from Heritage Aquatics at their open day a few weeks back.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Turb.JPG
Blue mushrooms - these came out of Si G's old tank
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Mush.JPG
Water melon mushrooms that disappeared behind the rockwork in my old tank. They were rescued and brought out into the open again when I moved tanks.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Mush2.JPG
One of about 10 Ricordea floridas that I've managed to collect over the last year.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Ric.JPG
That's all for now folks!
- Ian
dan-the-man
21-12-06, 22:40
Looking good Ian, now just need some fish shots from you :p ;)
instantsquid
21-12-06, 22:47
Looking good Ian, now just need some fish shots from you.
Cheers Dan - if only my fish would stay still like the corals do! I'll have another go over Christmas, at trying to get some fish pictures. Now go and update your own thread instead of polluting mine. :p
dan-the-man
21-12-06, 22:49
Polluting, ooo thats nasty :(
When I get back home I will! More out of focus pics, yay!
bloomin eck ian, those pics are awesome. what camera did you use for them, that pipeorgan inparticular is really nice!!!!
lovely looking tank there, dead jealous!!!
Reef bloke
22-12-06, 00:36
You can clearly see you look after your tank,your stock looks to be in tip top condish.Well done Ian hats off to you mate.
Great shots Ian. That new Turbinaria reniformis is extending its polyps well and looks very happy http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/thumb.gif .
instantsquid
22-12-06, 08:10
bloomin eck ian, those pics are awesome. what camera did you use for them, that pipeorgan inparticular is really nice!!!!
lovely looking tank there, dead jealous!!!
Cheers for that matey - the tank as a whole still looks pretty bare, but the corals such as there are, do seem to be doing okay.
The camera is my very old Finepix 6900 - it's a bit long in the tooth now and really struggles with anything that's moving! Hence lots of coral shots and no fish shots... :rolleyes:
instantsquid
22-12-06, 08:10
You can clearly see you look after your tank,your stock looks to be in tip top condish. Well done Ian hats off to you mate.
Great shots Ian. That new Turbinaria reniformis is extending its polyps well and looks very happy.
Thanks very much for the kind comments. :)
Looking good!
Love the organ pipe coral. Got to get myself some of that when I get my halides.
instantsquid
22-12-06, 12:13
Love the organ pipe coral. Got to get myself some of that when I get my halides.
To be honest, the Tubipora did fine even under T5s in my old tank. It doesn't seem particularly fussed about lighting. I'm not sure if Clayton (Reefworks) still sells it, but I could probably manage a frag of it myself in the not too distant future.
- Ian
Oh really. Do the polyps retract when the lights go out?
Thanks Ian. :)
instantsquid
22-12-06, 12:27
Oh really. Do the polyps retract when the lights go out?
Yep. But they're out again in the morning before the halides come on (I have two T5s for background lighting outside halide lighting hours.)
The Escaped Ape
22-12-06, 13:44
Love that Scribbled Angel. It's just been added to my mental list of future dream tank inhabitants.
Lovely tank and an inspiration for my planning. Thanks!
Hi Ian,
I think you need to let me come see the tank again...when the lights are on!!!! Looks great.
instantsquid
22-12-06, 14:08
Love that Scribbled Angel. It's just been added to my mental list of future dream tank inhabitants.
For the most part, he's been a model citizen. Unfortunately he's taken a liking to one of my most prized corals - a bright red Mycedium, which has had to be sumped for the time being. I guess if I have to choose between the two, the coral will have to go - the Scribbled Angel was always my "must have" fish in this new tank.
I think you need to let me come see the tank again...when the lights are on!!!! Looks great.
Cheers Jon - you're more than welcome to come and have a look. Let me know when you're next in the area :)
The Escaped Ape
22-12-06, 14:18
For the most part, he's been a model citizen. Unfortunately he's taken a liking to one of my most prized corals - a bright red Mycedium, which has had to be sumped for the time being. I guess if I have to choose between the two, the coral will have to go - the Scribbled Angel was always my "must have" fish in this new tank.
Cheers Jon - you're more than welcome to come and have a look. Let me know when you're next in the area :)
Aargh. Had the same problem in my last tank. A beautiful Flame Angel (Lenin) took a liking to my stylophora. The Flame was the one to go, but luckily my LFS rather liked him and put him in their massive display tank so I didn't feel too guilty!:o
Always so difficult to know what to do with those fish that might take a liking to your fave corals...
instantsquid
27-12-06, 16:25
I still have had no success taking pictures of the fish :o But at least I can always count on the macro feature working when the subject matter isn't moving!
Firstly, this picture shows how you can (generally) tell the difference between a Ricordea florida and a Ricordea yuma. The "bumps" on a yuma extend up the side of the mouth - on a florida the mouth will be smooth.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Rico.JPG
Next is a small, but rather lovely Euphyllia ancora.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Euph.JPG
This is an Acanthastrea frag from JamieB (cheers matey)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Acan.JPG
And finally a Plerogyra sinuosa. I've been after one of these for a while now - it's not the most amazing colour morph I've seen, but it's still an attractive coral with very subtle colouration on the bubbles.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Plero.JPG
My (current) favourite coral is a Mycedium, but it's unfortunately had to be moved to the sump as my Scribbled Angelfish took a liking to it. When it's perked up a little I will try it back in the main tank. I've also recently acquired an Oxypora which is starting to look fabulous - I'll take a picture of that soon!
- Ian
Hi Ian,
I've only just read this tread from start to finish. What a great read!
Tank looks fabulous & the whole set-up is very well thought out. Hats off to you m8 & look forward to some more updates soon.
:D
Super corals (& pretty good pics too)!!
John
instantsquid
27-12-06, 18:44
Cheers guys - just tried taking a full tank shot. Still haven't got this sussed! Here's the best I could do...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/tanky.JPG
would it be rude of me to ask for pics to see how you attached the fascia, feel free to pm if you don't want to show the uglier side of in the wall tanks, but I’d really appreciate any pointers you can give me :)
I was going to take those pics today, but didn't get around to it. I'll try and snap a couple of shots for ya though.- Ian
Did you ever take these Ian, I’d really like a nosey too! Also What material did you use above the tank for you stud wall?
instantsquid
24-01-07, 13:37
Did you ever take these Ian, I’d really like a nosey too! Also What material did you use above the tank for you stud wall?
:o I am useless. No, I never did take any pictures of the tank without it's cladding on. Next time I have the camera out AND I remember, I'll address that. :)
I used good old MDF for my panels. Bought a few sheets and chopped them up with a circular saw.
- Ian
superb looking tank and a great read,ive just read it all again,the detail is fantastic,well done,it will have given plenty inspiration of what we can do,its got me thinking :D
need to get a few more shots up tho :cool: looking forward to seeing it take shape over the year
Mark
instantsquid
24-01-07, 22:20
Thanks very much, Mark :)
I reckon the tank is around 10 months old now (from the point when I transferred my stock in) - it's taken me a while to really get on top of water parameters, but I'm finally starting to see some good growth in my hard corals. I'll definitely try and get some better full tank shots in the near future.
Cheers,
- Ian
Excellent, Ian and some great corals! Go on - give us some fish pix even if they are rubbish!
chook sanger
24-01-07, 23:21
Hi Ian, ive just read your threads from start to finish.
one word sums up your tank and the build - WOW!
As a virgin reefer (just bought a 12 Gallon nano yesterday!) Your posts are an inspiration to me and my wife. We have loved marine fish forever and seeing what you have done makes me wish i had the space, time, knowledge and cash to do it. Hmmm, i can see my ongoing savings fund for my 1967 ford shelby 500 mustang being turned into a 7' x 2' x 2' marine tank.... :D
Many thanks and will look forward to seeing some more pics in the future.
Tim and Lotti
Hmmm, i can see my ongoing savings fund for my 1967 ford shelby 500 mustang being turned into a 7' x 2' x 2' marine tank.... :D
Tim and Lotti
Yank tank or 7' marine tank........? No contest! :p
Ian? Sorry being a pest (I did tell you I would be!)
Did you paint the inside wall of your MDF with anything? What thickness did you use? Was you at all worried about the formeldihide in the MDF?
Thanks again mate.
portsmouth reef
26-01-07, 20:43
Like the tank and particularly your aquascaping. What sort of paint did you use on the back ? The whole thing looks stunning.
instantsquid
01-02-07, 16:13
Did you paint the inside wall of your MDF with anything? What thickness did you use? Was you at all worried about the formeldihide in the MDF?It's 12mm MDF (I think), not painted on the inside - but might still do at some point!
What sort of paint did you use on the back ?Gloss paint from B&Q - I think it was called "Wave Blue"
- Ian
need some updated pics mate, with all the recent buying :D
instantsquid
10-02-07, 16:47
need some updated pics mate, with all the recent buying :D
There's not much to see in the display tank to be honest - my Scribbled Angelfish has made sure that all the latest purchases have had to go in the sump! :mad: As soon as the Angel has been rehomed, I'll be moving my new acquisitions into the tank :)
gutting, i know how much effort you have put into keeping a scribbled, what a kick to the teeth.
don't sump your coral and rehome your fish, keep your fish in the display and give me your coral, everyone's a winner baby :)
instantsquid
10-02-07, 21:22
gutting, i know how much effort you have put into keeping a scribbled, what a kick to the teeth.
don't sump your coral and rehome your fish, keep your fish in the display and give me your coral, everyone's a winner baby
Yeah, I've been "umming" and "aaahing" for a while now - even got as far as moving a couple of the corals into my nano-tank. But it's not the same, and there's now a good 6 pieces that he won't leave alone, at least two of them costing more than the fish did! I've tried something, it didn't work, so I'm taking a step back and will have a rethink - at least on the plus side, I get to go shopping for fish again.
Anyway - your Angel would probably turn into a coral muncher too - those Cats and Trachs are pretty much irresistable!
Sorry to hear your scribbled has to go, Ian. He is a beauty.
Stunning corals, or stunning fish - a tough call, but it will be for the best.
Tony
ian,
Stunning tank there mat well done.:D
instantsquid
25-02-07, 18:12
Couple of pictures I took today
Firstly, this Lobophyllia was looking really healthy, so took another shot of it
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Lobo1.JPG
This Mycedium elephantotus has finally made it into the main tank :dance:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Myce1.JPG
Now I'm undecided what the next two are - firstly, this was sold to me as an Oxypora. Whatever it is, it looks fab :wub:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Oxyp1.JPG
And this, was sold as an Echinopora, but again, I'm not convinced.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Echino2.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Echino1.JPG
I've not managed to get any nice shots of the few SPS frags in my tank, but I did like this one of a Montipora digitata.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Mont1.JPG
And finally, how can I omit "The Cat" :thumbsup:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Cata1.JPG
Wow - nice pics and some superb pieces.
V nice indeed!!
John
looking good ian ,nice to see them back in the main tank :thumbsup:
new reef keeper
25-02-07, 18:47
Can say nothing more then WOW
Another tank that i can aspire too. :worship:
still looking ace sweet, How about these full tank and fish shots thought!
instantsquid
26-02-07, 07:52
How about these full tank and fish shots thought!
I have taken whole memory cards full of fish shots and whole tank shots.... all of them rubbish! My camera just won't take fast enough pictures to capture anything moving. I'm hoping to upgrade my camera very soon - hopefully I'll finally be able to take some pictures of my fish! :laugh:
I have taken whole memory cards full of fish shots and whole tank shots.... all of them rubbish! My camera just won't take fast enough pictures to capture anything moving. I'm hoping to upgrade my camera very soon - hopefully I'll finally be able to take some pictures of my fish! :laugh:
Ian, If you can on your camera try upping ISO speed.
Dave
instantsquid
26-02-07, 10:14
Ian, If you can on your camera try upping ISO speed.
Yeah, tried that - it goes up to the monster value of ISO 400 :(
400 :D :D :D
do you have to wind it on too :D
I think we should all chip in to buy him a new one, the £20 ones at argos take ok ish photos:laugh:
Ian POOOOOR excuse!:rolleyes: :D
instantsquid
08-03-07, 11:39
do you have to wind it on too
I think we should all chip in to buy him a new one, the £20 ones at argos take ok ish photos
Okay, shut it you two :p
My trusty old FinePix is up for sale as I've gone and bought a digital SLR. I've sat looking at it for a few evenings, too scared to try it out - but I promise I'll address this at the weekend :laugh:
Reef bloke
08-03-07, 12:26
come on Ian start clicky clicking,now if the pics the crap you cant blame the camera lol.
instantsquid
08-03-07, 12:30
now if the pics the crap you cant blame the camera
That's what I'm worried about! :whistling:
Have you got your sequences on yet? :)
I saw the tank last night when I went to pick up a chiller (thanks again Ian) and it look superb. the pics will be worth waiting for:applause:
Pete
instantsquid
08-03-07, 12:54
Have you got your sequences on yet?
Nope - picking them up on Saturday and then (hopefully) will start the plumbing on Sunday. Got a few logistical problems to overcome, but I'm confident I will get them fitted!
I saw the tank last night when I went to pick up a chiller (thanks again Ian) and it look superb. the pics will be worth waiting for
Thanks very much for the compliment, Pete. :) It was good to meet you.
You know your not going to get any peace on here till you take some pics now dont you!
instantsquid
11-03-07, 09:03
:rolleyes: Hmmm..... looks like I need a lot of practise with this new camera of mine. Took hundreds of pics yesterday, but still don't really know what I'm doing with it. Ho hum - here's a selection that didn't go straight in the bin! :laugh:
Full tank shot
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/IJFTS.jpg
Left side of tank
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/FTSLIJ.jpg
Right side of tank
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/FTSRIJ.jpg
Nice pieces - you can't see it in the picture, but the Duncanopsammia is producing loads of little babies :dance:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/CoralsIJ.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Tang1IJ.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Tang2IJ.jpg
My Scribbled Angelfish has gone to live with Lucky Eddie :wave: so to cheer myself up I've got a pair of Blackspot Angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos)
This is Mr...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Angel1IJ.jpg
This is Mrs...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/Angel2IJ.jpg
Hope you like - I'll probably be posting in the Photography section very soon, asking lots of stupid questions! :o
Yeah long awaited pics:D :D :D !!!! and Ian, there not bad.:thumbsup:
Tank looks awesome:worship: Keep clicking:applause: like the new couple very much:thumbsup:
Superb.
Well worth the effort!
:applause: :worship: :applause: :worship: :applause: :worship: :applause: :worship: :applause: :worship:
looking very nice ian, very nice indeed!!!
MaidstoneMarine
12-03-07, 09:17
nice. i like the angels...
Lucky Eddie
12-03-07, 12:35
Have to say your photos do not do this tank justice, Ian !!!!!
I saw this lovely set-up on Friday while picking up the Scribbled and the livestock and the layout is a total credit to you.
Thanks everso for your hospitality and you will pleased to hear the Scribbled is safely in his new home and, true to form, eating like a horse !!!!
Great to meet you at last and thanks again.
instantsquid
12-03-07, 12:40
:o Awwww, shucks - cheers guys.
Sooooo pleased to hear the Scribbled has settled in well, Rich - I'll look forward to paying him a visit one day! :laugh: Was good to meet you and Ben too - will see you soon (fingers crossed! :rolleyes:)
loverly jubblycant wait to see it in the flesh when is your meet ?
instantsquid
12-03-07, 12:47
loverly jubbly cant wait to see it in the flesh when is your meet ?
This year was all booked up before I joined the club, so it won't be until 2008 :whistling: But you're welcome to pop over and have a look anytime (as long as you don't come empty-handed :p)
This year was all booked up before I joined the club, so it won't be until 2008 :whistling: But you're welcome to pop over and have a look anytime (as long as you don't come empty-handed :p)
no problem ill bring the dog :whistling:
Lucky Eddie
12-03-07, 12:51
:o Awwww, shucks - cheers guys.
Sooooo pleased to hear the Scribbled has settled in well, Rich - I'll look forward to paying him a visit one day! :laugh: Was good to meet you and Ben too - will see you soon (fingers crossed! :rolleyes:)
Next time you come to see the in-laws...........I'm only 15 minutes down the road !
:thumbsup: wow:worship: top tank ian:worship:
richard
Oh Ian, I was looking forward to an update! Nice to know I'm not the only one who's pants at them!
instantsquid
19-11-07, 22:10
Oh Ian, I was looking forward to an update! Nice to know I'm not the only one who's pants at them!
:o Awww.... shucks.... what can I say? It's been a busy year!
I'll dig out my camera and get some pictures taken - I promise! :D
Reef bloke
19-11-07, 23:11
Pics..pics!!!!!!
Just seen this, very nice loking tank Ian, those angels are beautiful, how reefsafe do they seem to be? (and of course the Lipstick - fantastic)
Great tank. Those angels are :wub:
instantsquid
20-11-07, 08:57
Just seen this, very nice loking tank Ian, those angels are beautiful, how reefsafe do they seem to be? (and of course the Lipstick - fantastic)
The Angels have turned out to be model citizens - I'm very, very pleased with them. A very under-rated fish IMHO.
The Lipstick Tang is also a wonderful fish - but has already doubled in size! Much as I hate to admit it, his days in my tank must be numbered :( I'll hate to see him go...
instantsquid
25-11-07, 18:03
You'd think with a decent camera I'd be able to get a decent full tank shot :(
Best I can do, I'm afraid...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/IJ_FTS.JPG
looking very nice those tangs do look nice and big :thumbsup:
Very nice Ian.......
wish mine was somewhere even close to being that nice.
Jon
Reef bloke
25-11-07, 20:03
Super Ian! Worth the wait,some superb pieces.
instantsquid
25-11-07, 22:18
Super Ian! Worth the wait,some superb pieces.lol - you mean you can work out what's in there??? :o
instantsquid
25-11-07, 22:45
Two of my my favourite (comparatively) recent additions:
This Cynarina:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/IJ_IMG_6502.JPG
Mr E (my wife named him) - the Mystery Wrasse:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/IJ_IMG_6506.JPG
Very nice Ian. What did you get from the STM meet?
Very nice Ian. What did you get from the STM meet?
Mr F and Mr G he named them though :laugh:
Reef bloke
25-11-07, 23:31
Yep i can see some nice bits i think.
Red and green mycedium,lord howe acans,nice cat,efflo,lovely rics,red/green blastos,red and a green echinophyllia?,nice red lobo and a couple of trachs as well as a good few lovely acro,stylo and pocillipora.
Which ones did i get wrong lol.
lol - you mean you can work out what's in there??? :o
bout time there was a FTS.
that tank is looking lovely, a lot busier than i seem to remember from previous pics!
any plans? any changes in the pipe line?
dan-the-man
26-11-07, 09:20
:o
Haha, my continuous nagging to get some pics up has worked already!
Looks great fella, but we need more pics of that foxface. :D
instantsquid
26-11-07, 09:53
Very nice Ian. What did you get from the STM meet?I didn't go mad in the end - couple of Acros (although I managed to get the wrong one bagged!), one of the Eflo Acros from the special tank, and a small Blasto.
Yep i can see some nice bits i think.
Red and green mycedium,lord howe acans,nice cat,efflo,lovely rics,red/green blastos,red and a green echinophyllia?,nice red lobo and a couple of trachs as well as a good few lovely acro,stylo and pocillipora.
Which ones did i get wrong lol.Well done! Yep, all present and correct. I really need to invest in a macro lens, as I can't get any decent close-up shots of the corals. My old Fuji point and shoot was better than my 10D :annoyed:
that tank is looking lovely, a lot busier than i seem to remember from previous pics!
any plans? any changes in the pipe line?Cheers matey. What you can't see (due to my stunningly bad photograph skills) is the Aiptasia slowly filling in the gaps between the corals! Fingers crossed these Berghia do the business - if they don't, I'm not sure what direction to take next.
Plans? Well a new skimmer after Christmas, with any luck. I'm going to rip off ReefBloke's lighting rig idea and sort out my LumenArcs. Not sure what else there is to do really - the Balling setup is keeping params nice and stable, I'm now running the ZEOvit system so hope to see a reduction in nutrients over the next few months. Fish-wise, I think the Lipstick Tang and Foxface will outgrow the tank before too long. They're both absolute pigs and are eating ridiculous amounts - hence they've both doubled in size in a very short time. I'll be very sad to see them go :(
Haha, my continuous nagging to get some pics up has worked already!
Looks great fella, but we need more pics of that foxface. :DI will see what I can do. He's a fabulous looking fish - not sure my photography skills can do him justice!
dan-the-man
26-11-07, 12:24
I will see what I can do. He's a fabulous looking fish - not sure my photography skills can do him justice!
Me neither mate...
;)
Ian,
Is it not about time we had an update...see how your new skimmer is doing, whether things have changed since the DSB was removed etc etc etc.....
Jon
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