View Full Version : Tank of the Month - November 2009 - Grumpydwarf
MaidstoneMarine
01-11-09, 07:55
Many of you have asked about smaller tanks being featured as Tank of the Month and this month it's been answered with your votes.
Keeping a single sun coral thriving and growing takes great committment and dedication. Keeping several of them takes something else! Add a few rhyzos into the mix as well and you've got yourself a tank that will not simply look after itself. This months tank isn't about size, it's about the look and I love the simplicity of this look - it is gorgeous.
Without any further hesitation it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the latest in the UltimateReef.com Tank of the Month series....
Congratulations Steven on being UltimateReefs November 2009 Tank of the Month.
Steven November 2009
http://www.ultimatereef.com/TOTM/2009_november/ (http://www.ultimatereef.com/TOTM/2009_november/)
http://www.ultimatereef.com/TOTM/2009_november/images/topImage.jpg (http://www.ultimatereef.com/TOTM/2009_november/)
Thanks and congratulations to Steven for sharing his tank with us. If you have any questions or comments then please post them in this thread.
refreshingly different, I like it!
Steve_bham
01-11-09, 11:14
Congrats, stunning tank :)
Reefer Madness
01-11-09, 11:52
Got to agree with GrantyBoy, and looks great mate, congratulations:applause:.
Reminds me of one of those quality public aquarium displays at Monterey eg., really like it.
Where's this little stunner been hiding :eek:, smashing tank and I agree with the others, it's so refreshing to see something different from the traditional mixed reef tank!
Fantastic tank.
ATB, Tom
Makes a really nice change to see a small tank on here and so simple yet stunning instead of the large types.!!! congratulations to you .
Indeed it is a smashing little tank - and incredibly well maintained to keep it looking like that with such a lot of food being added regularly.
I have a number of questions though:
How long do you run the main 55W light for each day?
How high are your high nitrates that you have a constant battle with? Are you winning or keeping them at a certain level? :) Do you dose Prodibio Bio Clean as recommended for your tank volume or is it higher than that?
How much water do you change weekly?
A very minor point but I don't think you have the "sand percher" IDed correctly. Looks more like the Redspotted Sandperch, Parapercis schauinslandii to me - although spelling of the Latin name seems to vary from source to source.
Great little tank - very nicely done. :thumbup:
John
PS: Sorry, a few more Q's! :D
Do you still have the problem where one group of sun corals refuse to open for prolonged periods? How long is a prolonged period? Days? Weeks? Do you have any theory on why this is? e.g. change of position of pumps and hence prevailing current? Perhaps a predator moving from one group to another? Is there any damage?
John
Wow that's fantastic. Beautiful tank and amazing looking sun corals. Well deserved tank of the month.
Tromendous,,,,,,,,,,:applause::applause::applause: :applause:,,,,,,,,,,,
Simple but effective
mariusz621
02-11-09, 12:28
I like those Rhizos and suns :D. Well done!
The only thing I would like to point out is your temperature. I think Rhizos enjoy colder water more. I would lower the temp to 22-23c.
:thanks:
MarineManMercer
02-11-09, 12:31
Well done ,,looking good
Jason_keane
02-11-09, 13:54
Beautiful!
jesseh1988
02-11-09, 14:01
stunning, this is a model marine tank! simple maintainence, allowing more time to enjoy the hobby :D
Nice to see something a bit different as tank of the month. Congratulations.
what stands out for me is the water clarity and quality, fantastic tank, well done, whats the secret to success?
ThreeFishes
02-11-09, 23:01
Really nice tank,
A refreshing change to the norm full credit to you.
Just one question what or who make the filter tower i could not find anything searching on "in-tank"
TF
Grumpydwarf
03-11-09, 01:26
Indeed it is a smashing little tank - and incredibly well maintained to keep it looking like that with such a lot of food being added regularly.
I have a number of questions though:
How long do you run the main 55W light for each day?
How high are your high nitrates that you have a constant battle with? Are you winning or keeping them at a certain level? :) Do you dose Prodibio Bio Clean as recommended for your tank volume or is it higher than that?
How much water do you change weekly?
A very minor point but I don't think you have the "sand percher" IDed correctly. Looks more like the Redspotted Sandperch, Parapercis schauinslandii to me - although spelling of the Latin name seems to vary from source to source.
Great little tank - very nicely done. :thumbup:
John
Thank you all for your comments, supports. :)
My 55 watts lights are not switched on at all, only 1 watt LED is switched on. ;)
My NO3 is 20mg (not the ideal situation), I perform water change to reduce the NO3.
Yup Bio Clean is larger than my required amount, so happen i still had balance when transfered from 75G to this RSM:p
I performed weekly water change of 25% or sometimes i am busy, I perform 50% fortnightly :whistling:
Thanks for info on the fish.
marcopolored
03-11-09, 01:34
Lovely tank :applause:
Grumpydwarf
03-11-09, 01:34
PS: Sorry, a few more Q's! :D
Do you still have the problem where one group of sun corals refuse to open for prolonged periods? How long is a prolonged period? Days? Weeks? Do you have any theory on why this is? e.g. change of position of pumps and hence prevailing current? Perhaps a predator moving from one group to another? Is there any damage?
John
The situation has improved. The prolonged period was a couple of weeks, close to a month. I suspect it was the double market prawn (sliced into tiny bits) feedings per week prior to its refusal to feed.
Hence I reduce the number of feedings and stopped market prawns. When that didnt help, i moved its position did more regular water changes.
I even made the corals go on diet :D (only cyclopeeze for 2 weeks)
~~~~~~~~~~~
Will improve on the temperature thanks:)
Hi
A lovely looking tank and glad to see a different perspective on Reef Keeping featured.
If you PM me your address will send you a bottle of Ultra bak for your trouble additional carbon sources will increase bacteria, help mop up nitrate and phosphate and should help keep corals that can be moody feeders if there are elevated levels of nutrient in the aquarium.
Again a great tank
regards jez
Thanks very much for the additional info. ;)
John
Stunning, Congrats on a deserved TOTM
Grumpydwarf
03-11-09, 14:43
Really nice tank,
A refreshing change to the norm full credit to you.
Just one question what or who make the filter tower i could not find anything searching on "in-tank"
TF
try here
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=154669&pid=1605489&st=0&#entry1605489
really impressed on someone doing something different ,cool reef
Adam
Great-looking tank! Reminds me very much of an oriental-style planted freshwater display! I think you're doing well keeping the nitrate levels where they are, considering the feeding requirements!
thats just so stunning congrats
richie rumble
05-11-09, 22:26
out bloody standing mate. NO3 at 20...............thats good considering how much food you need to feed these bad boys! Wish mine was 20, only got softies!
I love this tank, its so UNIIQUE!!
CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS:applause:
erm can i just say WOW that tanks is truly stunning well done
Goonerman1
09-11-09, 19:39
Absolutely stunning :applause::applause:....a real credit to you :thumbsup::thumbsup:
I have often seen sun corals in my LFS but they are never out, that's what's put me off buying one. Do they only come out when fed and do you have to feed each individual head?
Looks awsome, bit different, and love the simplicity and how uncomplecated the maintenance is. Shows how much there actually is to be said for not fixing things that aren't broken.
Nick :)
Absolutely beautiful! Very refreshing to see this setup. :thumbsup:
groovemachine
14-11-09, 09:19
very, very impressive. it shows that small tanks can look fantastic with a little bit of thought regarding stocking and aquascaping. less sometimes is more.
this tanks really inspired me with my new cube, although mine will probably end up like an explosion in a coral factory!!!
brilliant tank!!
Simply stunning!!! :worship:
I really like the simplicity, together with the stunning corals it looks awesome! :applause:
All the very best Dan
Great little tank, well deserved the totm congratulations! :wub:
Grumpydwarf
21-11-09, 06:10
thank you all for your encouraging words...
motivated by all of you, I did a minor rescape to freshen the look. nothing to shout about.
I do hope to continue to keep this lovely suns for many moons to come.
i do try to feed every head i can see or reach :p
That is a great tank, it's refreshing to see a smaller setup, proving you don't have to have a huge tank to do a great job :applause:
JAMESSRICH
24-11-09, 21:13
stunning tank!
Great looking tank, well done:thumbsup:
Catchy Kerrie
25-11-09, 20:56
Looks fantastic, well done x
tommytightpants
26-11-09, 12:45
quite creative :) like it!
ineedmorefish&coralalways
26-11-09, 22:36
nice one
stunning tank mate nice to see something a bit different
kellyinman1
30-11-09, 13:27
Wow..........
Stunning. Wish I had the time to commit to running a tank like this
I do like that tank.
Most impressive, congratulations.
Matt
little fish big tank
16-12-09, 09:12
I read, I enjoyed, I'm inspired. thank you for sharing
Black Coral
16-12-09, 23:39
Stunning tank. Really nice.
serrasalmus
17-12-09, 00:25
Congrats buddy......beautiful tank...
stunning tank and great inspiration to young members well done and keep up the work
Mjb-Designs
21-12-09, 10:23
simply one word: Stunning.
Well Done!! Stunning!!!!!! :applause:
Superb. Wonderful to see such healthy specimens!!
Only just seen this, lovely, lovely tank.
tommytightpants
29-12-09, 23:37
looks so different! Fabulous!
scuse my ognerance, a question about the lighting, you say the 55w is not used and that only use the 1w led, what led are you using?? were did you buy it and for how long per day is it on for??
And were did you obtain your corals?
Kevin
Absolutely stunning tank - makes me jealous.
shotley reef
06-02-10, 16:09
Very dramitic lighting and positioning of the aquascape
simon hughes
19-02-10, 11:46
this tank is tank looks class well done
Cool and colourfull well done :worship:
Hello bud, what are you using in terms of calcium addition or are the water changes enough to keep levels up???
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