My Reef 1 year old today (14thAugust)

[craigg]

Craigg's Reefs 1st Birthday


http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6952.JPG

Details of TANK and ideas / principles behind it

90 * 36 * 30 = 327 UK Gallons
72 * 24 * 15 sump = 95 UK Gallons

This was how the tank looked exactly 1 year ago:-

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/IMG_4043.JPG

Tank was built due to the failure of the stand on my previous tank, so I went slightly larger, paid extra for a steel stand and added a sump (previous tank was sumpless)

I also liked the principle of my previous tank in hiding 8 * 6100 streams in the weirs, so I continued with this, partly because I already had the kit but also cause I dont like the idea of making the back pain of glass into a teabag with loads of holes for a closed loop setup. Besides I can get alot more flow with streams.

I also took the chance to have a reef clean type system with streams pumping water up through the substrate.

http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6954.JPGhttp://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6955.JPG
http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6956.JPGhttp://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6957.JPG
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Changes made from the origional design and reasons

Changed skimmer - Picked up a mega cheap Aquamedic 5000 baby from a friend, so took the chance to dump the next to useless Tunze comlines that I was using, besides I ripped out the pumps and converted them to 2 more streams, so I now have 10 * 6100 streams.

added coral gravel - Hated the smashed up live rock substrate that I created slightly less than the bare base look so I added Coral Gravel to the front 5-6 inches.

then added sand - Hated the coral gravel as well so I have now covered this with Sugar sized sand. This is only for the front 5 inches and has the desired effect, remaining 30 inch or so is either rubble or egg crate (which is not visible).

reduced lighting period - Read somewhere that corals can only absord so much light and due to cost off electric I have successfully now reduced my Halide Lighting to 5 hours per day, I have also changed the ballasts to 4 * 400 watt Electronic Coralviews.

converted top up tank to miracle mud refugium - My sump used to to have a division with a section for 50 gallon water changes but due to changes I have now been able to convert this area to a Refugium running Mineral Mud (shed loads cheaper the Miracle Mud) this has various Algae's growing.

Added 2 * 150 gallon vats in garage for water changes - this is hard pipe linked to my chiller loop, so with the turn of a few taps I can complete a 150 gallon water change in 40 minutes, dumping the waste at the same time. I could in theory complete a 300 gallon water change but have not yet felt the need. I could also make the VATS "Part"of the system thus increasing tank water gallonage to 700 gallons, but dont feel the need as of yet, even with my high fish load.

Played around with rock structure to a minor degree - Added some more branch rock here and there.

Currently filling origional dsb / refugium with about 6kg of good live rock each month, and have stopped lighting this section, this is because I bought a load of dry branch rock from Germany and in my opinion it has the filtering ability of snow, The algae problem I had with this rock was shocking, with proper live rock being uneffected. Therefore I will eventually when complete have about 120kg of top quality live rock in my sump. I recon I'm upto about 50kg at present in the sump.


Current Fish stock list

I'm a bit mad on the fish.......and I havent finished yet..

1 * Cleaner Wrasse (had him for a few years, not sure what all this non hardy talk is about)
1 * Pajama Cardinalfish
1 * Yellow Tang (not mine, had 4 and so far managed to catch 3, this is going to a new home once finally caught)
1 * Algae Blenny
2 * Bartlett's Anthias (Xmas Island)
5 * Squamipinnis Anthias
2 * Coopers Anthias
3 * Pink Anthias
8 * Marcia’s Anthias
2 * Scribbled Anthias
2 * Pictillis Anthias
2 * Bi-colour Anthias
Therefore = 26 Anthias (7 different species)
1 * Niger Trigger
1 * Atlantic Blue Tang
2 * Wild Percula Clowns
1 * Copperband
1 * Regal Angel
3 * Alleni Damsels

Any mistakes? or regrets?
Yes a few but the most notable being:-

Losing Scribble Angel fish (pair) to oodinium + 50% of other fish stock in a mini-wipeout.
Losing moorish idol to attack from atlantic blue tang

Future?

The tank is doing great, so there is litle that I want to change, although I may replace the spiderlight reflectors with Luminarcs's.

Otherwise who knows, while I have the tank I will continue to add fish and corals that I like when I see them.

However whether its a mid-life crisis (slightly early) or what, I have this dream of building a monster Mk1/2 Escort for Hillclimbs and track days and see the tank as a barrior to that (due to the funds that it eats up).

That said no doubt in a years time the tank will be being written about as being 2 years old and I'll still have the dream of building the monster Escort.

Finally

My web site is regularly updated and has way more detail and photos.

http://www.craiggoffin.com

Thanks.

Current pictures etc


http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6961.JPG
http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6962.JPG
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http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6964.JPG
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http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6967.JPG
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http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6986.JPG
http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6987.JPG
http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6988.JPG
http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6989.JPG
http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6990.JPG
http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6991.JPG
http://www.craiggoffin.com/Portals/0/forumpictures/1yearold/IMG_6992.JPG

[craigg]

Sorry about the high bandwidth load.

[Tristan]

Tank looks fantastic mate!

[dan-the-man]

Great tank fella, come a long way in a year.

Biggest improvement is the sand :)

[Elliott89]

Looks fantastic:)

I love the variety of corals in there

Well done

Elliott

[jobr]

Look superb, happy birthday Craigs tank.

[muzzy]

happy birthday!
looking great and the settee is a lot tidier now as well ;)

[wbrady]

Looks great Craigg, im sure its a pleasure to look at when its time to relax but the question is....whats next mate?:p

[Clarkii]

beautiful

[Johnymajors]

Looks awsome :cool:

The simplicity of the rock really looks natural and the Anthias look so cool, would love to sit and watch it.

Well done fella

[j_reefer]

happy birthday! great pics m8.
J

[simon garratt]

Looking jolly nice there craiig. Love the red Monti, very deep colouration. Is that a goni i see or an alviopora at the bottom.?


regards

Si.

PS: now take note folks that even after all this time, looking at his tank still exites craiig.....you can tell becouse his hands wont stop shaking.;)

[craigg]

very very large goni, but not the normal type, so easier to keep, the yellow coral more to the left side is an encrusting goni too.#

Thanks all, it makes me feel warm inside lol, all the positive feedback.

[Reef bloke]

Looking very nice Craigg!

[~Tony~]

Looks superb Craig. The enclosed Streams method is obviously working well for you.

Tony

[Tony B]

Looking good! :) !

[djb1971]

Excellent Craig;)

Have you thought anymore about another large angel after the emperor going?

Cheers
Dave:)

[craigg]

I do have a regal now, I'd like a scribbled again but have been warned that many coming in these days dont last long, a Goldflake is always an option though.

Yes I do like big angels but its finding the right one especially with all my LPS.

[djb1971]

A goldflake would be nice;)

so would having the £££ for one:D

I'm sure you'll end up with one type or another, probably an impulse buy:D:D:D

[craigg]

I'm not really into impulse buys, but if the right one comes along, then who knows.

Next project is to try some bangaii's with a view to breeding hopefully.

[djb1971]

Next project is to try some bangaii's with a view to breeding hopefully.

Look forward to seeing them;)

[designsonline.co.uk]

Really beautiful Craig, well done, I love the open feel to your tank, the corals have plenty of room to expand...

Joe

[Suk]

Very nice Craig, it's all looking very healthy!

Happy birthday to your reef... :D

[Manta]

Deffo one of the very best, those long side shots reminiscent of Saxby's tank.

[craigg]

Thanks all,

Here are some clearer length shots, clearer since I forgot to switch the ozoniser off!

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_6996 (Medium).JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_6998 (Medium).JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_6999 (Medium).JPG

[baden187]

Very nice Craig its been a pleasure whatching it progress looking forward to the next 12 months;)

[SCOOB]

beautiful craigg, absolutely stunning.

sod the car, you can do that any time, keep this up mate, i wanna see what it looks like in a year, and a year from then :)

[tacwise]

im new to this excellant website,congratulations on a fabulous tank.

[mj32]

that is an amazing tank!

Inspirational for us building stands and painting wood work waiting for the tank :D

[firefish]

cracking tank craigg, well done.

Losing moorish idol to attack from atlantic blue tang

love your atlantic blue no other problems with him apart from that instance
regards
jase

[craigg]

yeah he had a pop at my copperband, so I sin binned him to the sump...forgot him.....but when i remembered a few weeks later, he eaten all my cheato and came out fatter than when he went in.

it worked though cause he's fine with the copperband now.....I just couldnt catch him quick enough when he turned on the idol.....dont know what to do now as I really would like an idol or 2 as some have now managed.

[tacwise]

your tank is mindblowing,to acchieve all that in 1 year is incredible.

[Jon B]

VERY nice mate, love the Anthias. How are your nitrates with all those fish?

[ChrisBFish]

I love the anthias - would love to have a shoal of them like that, but just haven't got the tank size (or space, or funds, or...!)

Stunning tank - hope ours looks even half as good in another 8 months!

[craigg]

nitrates are fine, phosphates if anything is what I have a problem with.