Robs 100 gallon reef

[Rob]

well im going to finally start this
here is a quick, current image of my tank.. :)

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_3016.jpg

will get more up soon

[Rob]

here are some of my corals

one of my acros
pic from 05/05
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/DSC01861.jpg

from 02/06
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_2963.jpg

my LE Tyree Soli
when i got it on 05/05
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/DSC01863.jpg

and now on 02/06
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_2971.JPG

[Rob]

my try color acro
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_2964.jpg

my LE Tyree blue millepora
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_2979.jpg

[Rob]

some of my fish
my Hippo tang
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_2645.JPG

my sixline wrasse
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_2821.JPG

ocellaris clown
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_2649.JPG

my mandarins
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_2960.jpg

[gwen_o_lyn]

Beautiful Rob!! Nice shots ;)

What kinda of equipment do you have??

[Rob]

lol... im working on it...
need more than a few seconds...:D

[gwen_o_lyn]

lol... im working on it...
need more than a few seconds...:D

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_1_41.gif Rob!!

[Rob]

so here goes..
as many of you know, i am a strong believer in Ockam's razor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ockam%27s_razor) .. basically keep it as simply as possible, but not simpler

i have a refugium/sump (a converted wet/dry filter)
life-reef skimmer powered by a RIO 2500
return line feeds a SCWD powered by a RIO 3100
(got these RIO's a while ago dirt cheap, when they die they will be replaced with much better units)

tank current provided by
1x SIEO 820
2x maxi-jet 1200
1x maxi-jet 900
(and the return line)

lighting is provided by
2x 250w 10,000K XM MH bulbs
2x 110w super actinic VHO bulbs

top off is done using kalk, using a 5 gallon bucket and an simple auto top off system

[gwen_o_lyn]

And the grand total cost of your tank is..... j/k!

Tell us about daily/weekly/monthly maintenance you do.
What water parameters do you aim for?

[Rob]

darn.. you just want everything al at once dont you....lol
ok.. here is a quick summary

Daily:
feedings (sometimes i skip days)
check top off bucket levels
test float switch
clean skimmer venturi port (doesn't need it, but it has become habit to put a few drops of water in there
visual inspection of all fish and coral
clean glass as needed
clean skimmer cup as needed

other:
water changes about every 4 weeks
powerhead and overflow cleaning every 6 weeks
skimmer cleaning bout every 4-6 weeks as needed

tank parms
nitrate - 0
nitrite - 0
ammonia - 0
PH - 8.2
phosphate - undetectable
Calcium - 380
alk - about 3 meg/L


hmmm.. i think thats about it...

[gwen_o_lyn]

darn.. you just want everything al at once dont you....lol

yup, women are demanding!! :D




hmmm.. i think thats about it...

nope... what kinds of corals? What kinds of fish? Inverts? How many? Any pests in your tank at the moment? Temp of your tank? Photo period? How much LR? What kind? How much sand? What kind of sand bed *dsb, bb, ssb* and why did you choose that? Use any additives in your tank? How many holes are in your tank? What size is your fuge? sump? How often do you change your bulbs?

Ok can't think of anything else at the moment, but I'm sure there's a million other questions I can ask :mrgreen:

[Scott]

Very nice Rob.

Makes me think I should get some pics of my little 26 and start a thread. At least then people could see the evolution of my tank....if interested.

[Scott]

yup, women are demanding!! :D




nope... what kinds of

wow...reminds me of the "why?" that young kids do. just kidding. :mrgreen:


Ok can't think of anything else at the moment, but I'm sure there's a million other questions I can ask :mrgreen:

glad you are the one throwing the book of questions at him (glad you did)....I don't know where I would have started. :-)

[Rob]

ok smarty pants.. here goes... lol


nope... what kinds of corals?
to many to list now, but will get a list together


What kinds of fish?
they are all pictured excpet my yellow tang.
so i haev a hippo tang, yellow tang, 6 line wrasse, ocellaris clown, and 2 mandarins


Inverts? How many?
yes please....lol.. ok
1 cleaner shrimp
2 pepermint shrimp
1 saron shrimp (i think, havent seen it in months, but thats normal)
2 brittle stars
many blue legged hermits.
many turbos and nass snails. (and babies)
many other unidentified snalis


Any pests in your tank at the moment?
yep, planaria.. :p

Temp of your tank?
81

Photo period?
14 hours actinic
8 hours MH


How much LR?What kind?
alot.. about 30 Lbs of real LR, 30 Lbs of base rock and about 40-50 Lbs of agarocrete


How much sand?
200 Lbs

What kind of sand bed *dsb, bb, ssb* and why did you choose that?
look at the picture.. i have a BB tank...
geez...lol
Its a DSB, and if you wanna know why listen to my substrate episodes


Use any additives in your tank?
Calcium, iodine, and alk buffer as needed


How many holes are in your tank?
0.. None


What size is your fuge? sump?
Both, i haev a wet dry that has been converted. its really too small, but i haevnt setup the new stuff yet, have is a fuge with my a standad NO bulb, other half is a sump


How often do you change your bulbs?
yearly

[jeepjon]

Rob...your tank is beautiful! I see you don't overstock fish...A HARD feat...especially for me! (I am a see it, want it, buy it...as far as fish are concerned). Your specimens are really nice, and i can tell you really take care of your animals. Nice job!

Also, Ockam's razor is great...don't make it so difficult you can't do it! If you can keep up with kalk additions and WC's...then that is the best way to maintain a tank! If you can keep up with maintaining a calcium reactor and a high maintenance skimmer, advanced dosing and testing, and extensive water changes due to high bioload...then that's the way you do it!

I like to keep things simple...but I TRY (not succeed) to keep things elegant. We'll see how it goes with the new tank!
-Jon

[Rob]

Jon, yes i learned long ago that you have to be careful with the fish.
an dense then my tank has really evolved as a coral tank. dont get me wrong, i LOVE my fish, but coral care and propagation has become one of my main objectives.
reef tanks like mine really dont like a bunch of big fish all over the place... lol

[Jimm]

Dang she's demanding! ;)

Love the tank Rob.

[pham411]

nice tank rob... lets see some picts of your equipment. sump setup refugium ext...

[Rob]

Dang she's demanding! ;)

Love the tank Rob.
yeah, tell me about it...lol

Pham, will get more up soon.. :)

[kj_yoda]

Could you post a pic of your converted wet/dry sump refugium? I am in the process of converting one and would like too see some ideas.

[Rob]

yep, i have the pic, will get them posted tonight.
the problem i have found, is that its really to small for a large tank.
i would only recommend this for tanks smaller than 50 gallons or maybe smaller than 40...
i figure mine only holds about 10-15 gallons or so, that is when i leave room for the main tank to drain down when the pumps are shut off...

[Reefbaby]

Ummm....you're not trying to win the contest are you, Rob??!? :-)

lmao - nice setup though! You should be proud of a low bio-load!! Do you have any plans in the future for another setup?

[Rob]

thanks, yea, i'm going to enter, think i will win?? hey i guess i have a good chance of winning since I'm judging it eh?....lmao... no, Gwen, Dave, and myself are exempt from entering...

well i do have another tank already, and 2 more than server as grow out and larval tanks for clown babies.

i have considered a pony tank, but that's a ways off...
besides that i am considering a larger sump, probably a Rubbermaid trough probably 50 or 70 gallons...

i am also considering a frag tank, since my frags are starting to take up alot of room in my tank...lol

[BRISK495]

HEy ROb,

Nice tank!! Also, I am really enjoying your podcasts. I have been downloading them to my Ipod and listening to them daily.

Just out of curiosity, what are the corals you are fragging in the front of your tank? I can't tell from a far away shot. Also, do you have a list of the corals in your tank? I think I saw a few earlier in the post. I noticed your tank during the DIY Alk/Kalk segment and wanted to see even more of your tank.

Keep up the great work!!!

[Rob]

thanks
no i dont have a complete list, but will probably get one posted soon..

the corals in the front are purple tipped Monitopra digitata

[cheng21tang]

wonderful tank rob. how old is the tank? and how often do you add a new specimen to your tank? when weas the last time you added something?

and how do i become a higher rank within the forum? like contributing member, staff, etc.

[Reefbaby]

Cheng - you can become a contributing member by making a financial contribution and becoming a premium member (http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2054#post2054). Your rank within the forum, such as moving from curious reefer to apprentice, etc. is based on the number of posts that you make. The stars are based on how long you've been as member. And as far as becoming a staff member,....well....that's purely up to Rob! :-)

[cheng21tang]

my question was to know how the forum works. i never truly gasp the idea. and idfferent forums work in so many ways. ijust want to know how this forum works inside out. i will think about becoming a contributing member but as i am low on cash for the moment (isn't going to school great). i do want to asee this forum grow and grow. i only wish i was here from day one.

[Reefbaby]

We're just happy for any additional member that we get and insightful reefers is what this forum is all about! :-)

[Rob]

first of, i want to say that financial contributions are welcomed, but in no way required.

Goal #1 of Talkingreef is to help teach and share knowledge and experience with other. the website, and podcasts are and will remain free. but everything does come with a price, and our contributing members, and sponsors help support those costs.

as for your other questions
the tank was setup in january of 2005
as far as adding stuff, i haven't added anything besides snails and stuff in months.
the last additions were a sixline wrasses, and a pair of mandarin dragonettes

[Rob]

ok, so its been a while since i have updated my thread.
i have spent that last month or so setting up a new fuge and frag tank, both are now plumbed into my main display tank.

so here is an image of the new 70 gallon stock tank, that is now my fuge

it has a 6 inch DSB all southdown, and about 50 LBS of LR, more will be added next week.
all types of macro algae Chaetomorpha, small amounts of Gracilaria and Halimeda, and two types of Caulerpa. im keeping this mainly to supply back to my LFS, as it costs him alot to import it, so as i prune it, i will give it back to him.. :) (i got it for free.. :) ) and little mangrove

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4093.JPG


now above the fuge, is a 50 gallon breeder, this will be my frag tank. it will be lit by 2x 250 MH

at the very bottom you can see the drain line that feeds to my return pump
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4094.JPG

the pics a bit dark, but here is where the return pump (mag 24) takes the water back to the 50 gallon frag tank, and the 100 gallon display

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4095.JPG

here are the lines to and from the display tank in the next room. as you can see there are ball valves to easily turn things on and off
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4096.JPG

[Rob]

here are the same lines, but on the other side of the wall
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4098.JPG

and here are the return lines up to two spray bars.. yes the ones from the plumbing video

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4097.JPG

here you can see the two spray bars
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4099.JPG

and finally a full tank shot..
sorry, i haven't cleaned the glass in a while, but oh well, heres the image
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4103.JPG

[Rob]

the other day i was in the LFS, and he had this colony, that was starting to brown out, out.

hey gave me a killer deal on it to see if i could revive it, since he wasnt liekly to seel it at sticker price.

heres a pic of it
its the light brown table acro
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4100.JPG

[bmwaaron]

Very nice Rob!! I really like your new sump/fuge. Is your whole setup in the basement? Also is your return pump external? (sorry couldnt really see it in the picture) Do you think I will have problems running my pump submersed? its a Eheim 1262.

[jeepjon]

Looking great! Your corals are really gorgeous.

[jeepjon]

PS-Your tridacnids look gorgeous!

[Rob]

Very nice Rob!! I really like your new sump/fuge. Is your whole setup in the basement?
yes, everything is in the basement.
the tank is in the main room, and the fish room is in a small room of to the side


Also is your return pump external? (sorry couldnt really see it in the picture) Do you think I will have problems running my pump submersed? its a Eheim 1262.
the pump i am using is a mag 24, and it is setup externally
i had another pump i was going to use, but the impellers assembly was shot, and i couldn't find a replacement

as for your pump, it should be ok, just make sure you keep it cleaned out. and make sure that if it does fail, you tank is prepared to handle it. one thing i did during this setup was to unplug each component (simulate failure) and watch to see what happened. and then plug it back in to make that it all fired back up ok (simulating power restoration after an outage.

its important that if your main pump fails that you have enough circulation in your tank to keep it oxygenated. and that your sump can handle the over flow of water that occurs when a return pump fails or looses power.

just remember that every mechanical/electronic component in your system WILL fail, so test your setup and be prepared for failure

[bmwaaron]

Thanks for the advise Rob.. Your tank looks really good, Hope I can do something as nice.

[CarmieJo]

Wow Rob! Thanks for the update. :D

[Reefbaby]

Rob - the updates look super! I love the refugium that you set up. That's great that you can supply your LFS in return...he's going to love you!

nice to see the plumbing in action as well!

[gwen_o_lyn]

Very nice Rob! Keep us posted with how that acro does for you.

[V]

rob, does your fuge level rise & fall any, with manual component shutdowns. cause ur heaters are right on limits for submerssion! any drop in water level it could pop

[V]

nice DIY work uve dont there too! thanks for the update

[Rob]

rob, does your fuge level rise & fall any, with manual component shutdowns. cause ur heaters are right on limits for submerssion! any drop in water level it could pop
it goes up when components are shut down, but the level doesnt drop because of the auto-top off.
as far the heaters, they are actually fully submerged no. it was just like that cause i had moved them when i was putting in the egg create dividers.

[PSH]

Beautiful tank Rob. Do you have an updated shot of the tri color acro?

[Small Fry]

oooooooooooooooooh mandarins, i'm envious :D

[Rob]

Beautiful tank Rob. Do you have an updated shot of the tri color acro?
the pictures not great, but here is one from 2 weeks ago
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=514&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1154391509

[Rob]

for more updated images, keep an eye on my prodibio thread, as i will be posting regular images and updates there.

i have already noticed a slight improvement in coloration on the specimen, only a bit over 2 weeks in

[vanmo92]

AWSOME tank rob.

[Rob]

AWSOME tank rob.
thx.. :)

[Astrivian]

Wow a tank to aspire to :) Think i can do that in my 10gal hex? LOL

Love the tank rob!

[V]

i havn't checked out the prodi sticky yet, but i will towards the end of the week!
what research findings did u delve into for a more detailed look at the componentry products? glad you noticeing colour up already! this is the sps tank yeah?

[Rob]

yes, stony coral dominant, the only softies i have are some annoying little zoathids that i cant get rid of.. Grrr..

[Stevej72]

I 'll take em Rob. LOL

[Rob]

lol.. yea, if i could get the off the LR they would be yours..

[V]

as colourful and beautiful as Zants are, a hate the ba%$@ds! they spread like wildflower! alright if u wanted that for selling them on plugs or something, but not my cup a tea! horses for courses i guess!
hows that last rescue going rob?

[Rob]

so far so good, here is the before picure (which was already much improved from when i got it
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_4100.JPG

and attached is an updated image, and another coral im "rescuing"
this second one was about 95-98% bleacehd, so far, making a great recovery

[Small Fry]

wow, both corals are making some great proggress :/

[Reefbaby]

okay....to make a true scientific statement, you should have divided the coral - 1/2 in tank with Prodibio and the other half in another of your tanks with no prodibio!

Just kidding Rob!! ha...gotcha!

The corals look like they're much happier with your care!

[Victoria]

Rob
I have a great way to get rid of those Zoo's. I will ship you some Zoo eating nudibranch. I works great! After they are done eating them and run out of there food source they die. Let me know if you want them.
Victoria

[Rob]

victoria, i might just take you up on that offer.. do they breed in your system?
i dont want to let it die, so i would try to get it/them to someone else..

anywho, yeah, the pictures dont to them justice, they are getting some good color back, and that plate coral (echinopora, i think) is getting nice pink polyps.

[Victoria]

Yes they breed in the tank. They lay eggs. I take out 4 a week. If you don't ever want Zoo's in you tank, its a great way to remove them. Also do you still want a piece of purple rim monti? I also have some other frags of sps if you want some of them too. I lost all the reefer in the area with sps coral. I really need to trim my tank bad. Let me know and I will make arrangements to ship to you. If you just want to trade something that would be great!
Victoria

[Rob]

awesome, yes, PM me the details, and we will work it out offline

[Reefbaby]

I guess it would be better to pass the nudibranch around within a reefclub, rather than just letting it die...

[Rob]

yes Christi, that's one thing im considering..
first off i only have a few small zoanthids, most of mine are the large ones referred to as button polyps. and may be too large for the nudi to consume.
the next problem is that my area (Michigan) is a big zoanthid area, in that many people want zoanthids, so getting rid of it would be hard..

so i may not get the nudi, but i will be getting some frags from her.. :D

[venn]

Hey Rob. I was wondering if you have any pics of the posterior of your tank. I am still trying to figure out this plumbing thing(ie. overflows, "drilled holes", returns and the like)

[Rob]

well actually most of that is shown in the "overflows and top offs" video podcast from a few weeks back. but there should also bee some pictures in my galelry

[venn]

Thanks. I will have a look see.

[rroselavy]

well im going to finally start this
here is a quick, current image of my tank.. :)

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/gallery/files/3/IMG_3016.jpg

will get more up soon

Rob-

Fantastic tank.

I notice that your sandbed appears VERY dark one inch below the surface. Is this because of the anaerobic activity of your DSB? I ask because my 22 week old Nano has a SSB and I only see slight (coralline?) discoloration in green/magenta hues.

[V]

rob, u still have those frag posts in the sand?
how is the frag tank coming along by the way?

[Manogr]

rob, u still have those frag posts in the sand?
how is the frag tank coming along by the way?

I was also interested about it...the tank is amazing and those frag posts don't fit in the picture :)

[V]

lol, shhhh, i wasn't going to say anything!:rotfl:

[Rob]

I notice that your sandbed appears VERY dark one inch below the surface. Is this because of the anaerobic activity of your DSB? I ask because my 22 week old Nano has a SSB and I only see slight (coralline?) discoloration in green/magenta hues.
Actaully that is more a lighting effect rather than the way it really looks, i do have the common dark and colored bands in the DSB, but its not black or as dark as it looks in the picture


rob, u still have those frag posts in the sand?
how is the frag tank coming along by the way?


I was also interested about it...the tank is amazing and those frag posts don't fit in the picture :)
yes, to easy the your minds, all of those frags have been removed and transfered to the frag tank, if i get a few free moments this week i will try and get some updated pictures of the tank and frag tank up here.

[JustDavidP]

ARGH!!! You are doing this on purpose... you are teasing me back in to reef!

Nice work bossman!

Dave

[Reefbaby]

well it's certainly nice to have you back Dave!! We miss you, you know, when you aren't here ALL the time!

[JustDavidP]

Yeah well.. I know how LITTLE you like politics and global happenings and such... so I won't go there...but believe you me.. it is GOOD to be back too.

I hate travel, hate being in places where salt water (or any water for that matter) is nowhere to be found...and I HATE vaccination regiments that although are SUPPOSED to help protect you...make you ill anyways... blech!

Glad to be here...missed y'all too!

D

PS... just bought a boatload of 3/8 acrylic... How does 33X17X24 sound :) almost 60 gallons of fun. I got a great deal on a single 250 MH rig too.. half price... I see stonies and clams in my near future ;)

D

[Rob]

awesome dave...

i just want to second what RB said, its GREAT to have you back, and hopefully its full time soon.. you add so much to our community..

and btw, i called it.. back when we first starting talking, i said we'd get you back into reefing.. :D

[JustDavidP]

You did call it :) and yes, I'm getting back. My seahorse tank all of a sudden sprouted zoanthids, xenia, mushrooms, various button polyps and a gorgonian. With that said...the silly grasses and macros are getting in the way ;)

I'm upgrading the seahorse tank to a new, acrylic tank. I'm going with the "reef crest" look and getting the macro and grass out. It will be gorgonians, coralimorphs, and montipora digitata (monti digi seems to be the only SPS that doesn't really sting ponies). The 26Bow is going to be in the basement for the juvi seahorses (to be sold out from the tank). I also have a custom 25G acrylic that I'm turning into a dedicated clam tank.

All of this is going to be tied into Sump-zilla (the 75G sump in the basement).

Yes, I should be back...and for some time now.... Thank God!

[Reefbaby]

Yeah well.. I know how LITTLE you like politics and global happenings and such... so I won't go there...but believe you me.. it is GOOD to be back too.
well...it's not exactly that I don't like politics...it's just that I'd rather keep my reefing friends as my reefing friends, rather than bringing politics into the scene. There are too many emotions tied up with that! :roll:


Glad to be here...missed y'all too!
D

Yeah!!! We're so glad to have you back. I'm glad to hear that it's for good again! :p

[dmccoy26]

soooooo, are we allowed to ask Rob, how his tanks are doing?

[V]

yeah rob, unless your up for vid cast duties, how bout another shippish grin, unshaven & backwards hat wearing mug shot in front of your tank. :raining:is that spit i feel, smells like it! lol

[Pinecone_Jeff]

Indeed, I've been really wondering how your tank is doing, Rob. I think there's a podcast in there somewhere... how your tank is recovering!

[Rob]

thanks for askin guys.. the tank has been up and down.. never fully recovered...
i am planning a rebuild project and i am planning to do a series of vidcasts to document it, so stay tuned.. :)

[Pinecone_Jeff]

That's great news Rob! I bet a show about your tank's recovery will go a long way to helping those of us who have lost a tank. If I heard about what you're doing to get your tank back to it's original state, I probably wouldn't have given up on my tank that crashed from a power outtage a few years back.

Hearing about a tragedy like what happened to your tank and then getting to hear about it's recovery is so important I think. You sounded so dejected in that disaster podcast. I'm so glad you've stuck it out. I'm sure you'll inspire many ex-reefers to get back into reefing again with your upcoming recovery show.

Keep kick'n @$$, Rob!

[Phurst]

Yeah, looking forward to that series, I love the vidcasts.

[Small Fry]

I love the vidcasts.

Ditto, lookin forward to it.

[clownfish4me]

nice tank rob, the corals are looking good, and i too cant wait till I'm not an Curious Reefer anymore! (and with this post I'm one more closer to my goal):D