My intensions are to do the most with the extra equipment I have laying around the house.
This tank was started on a whim which I do not recommend anyone else doing but what the hay I do this for other people every day and I miss having a reef around my house. My last tank was an experiment trying to set up a salt water planted tank. There were many lessons to learn from that tank. Some were more obvious than others but to get into that I need to start another thread. On this tank I will stay with what I know but have intergraded my finding from my last tank into a mixed reef.

1 20 gallon tank
1x 5,000k A.D.A 150w D.E. M.H.
2x 65w power compacts 1, 420nm 1 460nm/10k
I have an old (cheep if you find them used) Berlin skimmer with a mag 7.
Ten gallon sump mag 5 return.
A maxi jet 900.


I set it up on new years day and love it.. The full spectrum light really brings out the true color of my corals and macro algae. I will be posting pic’s soon. I don’t have a camera and my best friend is a little jealous because he has worked his butt off on his tank and has also had many problems that was not his fault with it. So right now all I can do is wait for him to e-mail them to me. Until then I am open to any questions you may have about my set up but I will warn you my answers are jest my opinions not stated facts. I hold no degrees and have had no schooling in such subjects other than high school bio and six years in the industry.

I cant wait to post some pics..

Hey Bobby,

I can't wait to see the pix. There has been a lot of talk lately about SW planted tanks. i will enjoy seeing your as it progresses.

This one will not be a plant tank only. my goal is to grow some non-invasive macro's among my corrals. My friend Aaron let me borrow a video of the great barrier reef and it gave me inspiration. I could see macros growing everywhere that corrals were not. Herbivores of course keep it mowed but I will do that job myself. this was my planted tank.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/lagoontank.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/100_0181.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/100_0175.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/100_0308.jpg


talk about a nitrate sink:tongue2:

hey B actually that last shot didn't look half bad, well done bud. Alot of activity that most folks spend looking at the fuge areas & you have the balls to make it front & centre. Hats off to you brother!

Awesome! I can't wait to follow this thread. I've always been interested in planted tanks, whether marine or fresh water.

I had a nice collection of various macros going in my refugium. Unfortunately, I passed around too much of them and when left with smallish colonies, had an "oopsie" in the sump. When cleaning the float valve for my auto top off, I neglected to put it back together tight. I had over 15 gallons of fresh water enter the sump and BOOM, my macro turned into "macro mush". It was real sweet for the few months it was up and running.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/CapeMacro.jpg

I love those hobbyists out there on the "frontiers". Keep this thread going... you've now got demand for reporting :)

Dave

jestdavid that is one sweet sump!!!!!

yea it was ugly but I learned a lot from it. mainly that you can not have too much nitrate. I wish i had a nitrate reactor (wet dry filter) on that tank.
call me Dr. House of the aquarium world. If it is normal it bores me.
I have 28 accounts that I take care of so "your a typical reef" is a bore in my home


I hope to post pic's of my new 20 later tonight. I have the pic's but I have tanks to clean today i will post again when I have time.

I'm watching you Fayetteville Bob... you seem like a renegade ;)

I too easily bore... that's why I get crazy sometimes.

Even have North Atlantic SW tanks with stuff that typically, I'd eat ;)

Dave

Ok…..well the pic’s did not turn out as well as I hoped they would but I am a man of my word so the 20 gallon story continues. I have been quite impressed with the response I have had with my friends/customers when I let it be known that I was starting up my own reef tank. Giving people good advice and trying to make sure that everyone succeeds in the hobby really pays off. The only thing I bought for my tank was a O.R.A tricolor Vidalia and a cleanup crew.

Keep in mind this tank was started January first of this year and is still in its cycle.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0037.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0098.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/CSC_0045.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0019.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0034.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0042.jpg

more pic's


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0148.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0128.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0129.jpg

This was given to me to save

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0134.jpg

for the macro freaks

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0136.jpg

this is having issues with my light at this point you live and you learn

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0072.jpg

jestdavid I keep stopping on the pic of your sump. you had great potential with your assortment of macros do you know the names of them?

Great set-up! I look forward to following this as well.

So, are you planning on not acquiring any algae-eating fish? And you rather prune it yourself? Did I understand that right?

Bobby,

Yeah...let me dig out my logs. I've got most of them listed. They were harvested during the late Summer, off of Cape Cod, when the Gulf Stream comes closest to MA. I pick them up off the ebb line on the beach. DON'T go collecting algae/seaweed from the water. IT IS NOT legal in all locations.

BRB...with the log... in the mean time, those ricordia will NOT make it in your system. I suggest you pack them appropriately, and send them to me :D

j/k

D

Great set-up! I look forward to following this as well.

So, are you planning on not acquiring any algae-eating fish? And you rather prune it yourself? Did I understand that right?

nope these macros have slow growth rates (for the most part) and it is a twenty gallon. i would love to have a : Tomini tang but I would feel soooooooooooooooo bad even if I only had one for a day


DANG IT YOUR RIGHT jestdavid I found corallimorpharian eating flat snails, you can see them in the picture. I’ll pack them and ship them right away. you can save them..... JestJoking :tongue2:

Okay... So here is a good key:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/MacroID.jpg

I also have Ulva (Sea Lettuce) from time to time, and a grasslike macro, Enteromorpha, that is connected to smallish rocks and shells. Neither of these are pictured

Dave

i am in love with your sargassum.
as you can imagine macro algae is hard to come by here in Arkansas.


I can still go and snorkel a reef and do once a week.
this is the closest I get to the ocean.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/2008_0101jimblair0065.jpg

Unfortunately, the sargassum does very poorly in my tank. It really needs flow that I can't provide. Without it, it tends to get taken over by other algae and die off from the tips down. There are two different varieties that I find up here. They do tend to be plentiful most of the summer. My tang LOVED it.

Maybe this Summer, if you and I can remember, I'll try sending you a bunch of differing types. The Ulva is a "no brainer" and lasts long. As does the Codium (also sometimes called "dead mans fingers"). The wrack also needs high flow. It's typically found in estuaries and canals where the water really rushes by. Crazy thing is, even though it needs good flow, it can also survive periods of low tide, out of the water, in the direct sun.... go figure!

Dave

sweet i WILL take you up on that maybe we could trade I have red grape, dragons breath, blue stuff to be named later.

Again my friend...we shall talk..after my bones defrost. :) I'm beginning to hate New England.

the blue stuff I could not ID is blue ochtodes this is what they look like under normal light.
next to the acan micro.



http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/DSC_0061.jpg

new pic's diffrent camera
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000006.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000010.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000011.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000013.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000017.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000023.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000025.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000026.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000027.jpg

Bobby, I love the look of the macros!

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000052-1.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000051-1.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000050-1.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000054.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000053.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000049.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000046.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000038.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000030.jpg

Bobby, I love the look of the macros!



Thanks Carmiejo:up:

dang it!!! I need a background!!!

:roll:

Wow! What an awesome tank. Just goes to show size doesn't matter.

(Warning: This is where V will step in with a humorous comment!)

Wow! What an awesome tank. Just goes to show size doesn't matter.

(Warning: This is where V will step in with a humorous comment!)


ITS THE MOTION OF THE OCEAN
Ha beat him to it.

Just paint the back Bobby....easiest background ever.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/painted.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/TankPaint1.jpg

Dave

I could but at some point in time I am going to move the tank and It will be viewed from three sides.

:)

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/woeimages/00002893.jpg

Okay..makes sense.

Dave

LOL:rotfl:

thanks anyway. I jest got a stand a week ago and i need to find some room to put it right now its on my entertainment center and my sump is in the corner of my living room. I cant get to my sump because my FW planted tank is in the way. i need to redo my living room to find the space.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Danamck http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/sr/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/member-tank-projects/5829-simplistic-excellence-my-20-a.html#post69484)
Wow! What an awesome tank. Just goes to show size doesn't matter.

(Warning: This is where V will step in with a humorous comment!)


Bobby2 wrote -
ITS THE MOTION OF THE OCEAN
Ha beat him to it.
http://www.badlani.com/blogimages/little-guys-branding1.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/E16EBFF36701317/standard.jpg

http://www.dw-world.de/image/0,,785854_4,00.jpg

http://www.junkbrosnews.com/Jan05/gators.jpg

hmmmm.....mum i told you not to wear them socks, they dont match your outfit!

muhahaha......its great being an ozzie, what do you think simpson?http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/user_images/pics/1/1403000/ngbbs3f78987ab6685.jpg

BOO YA ............................ SNAP!!!!!

V the great killed that one:rotfl:

I have pods everywhere on my glass in the sand all over the rock.
Its time to bring home a fish.
Today I brought home a Yasha goby.

Congratulations Bobby2! Those are absolutely stunningly beautiful fish. I almost bought one last week...feel in love with it as soon as I saw it. But, i resisted....maybe not for long!

I have pods everywhere on my glass in the sand all over the rock.
Its time to bring home a fish.
Today I brought home a Yasha goby.

I miss my Yasha that I had in my 24g. We had an extended 36 hour blackout in the winter, and despite my efforts the temp dropped to 70F(room temp was 55-60 F at night) and then the power finally came back on. I slowly raised the temp back up to 78F, and it seemed that everyone survived, except for a couple of Nassarius and my poor little Yasha.

Her Pistol Shrimp even survived, and has since been transferred (after removing all the 24g's LR to catch him) to the 55g where he is happy and lies in wait for his next symbiotic partner.

Not sure if I should try another Yasha or some other shrimp goby (like a Randalli).

Congratulations Bobby2! Those are absolutely stunningly beautiful fish. I almost bought one last week...feel in love with it as soon as I saw it. But, i resisted....maybe not for long!

I have been in love with them ever since I started the hobby. yesterday I brought home his pistol shrimp. .
the next fish I want to add is a golden assessor. They are sweet.

you'll have to let me know whether the pistol shrimp and the Yasha pair up. I've heard it's quite difficult to get them to pair up, if they weren't captured together. I'll be interested to hear your success story....

pictures!!!! :D

they seemed to pair up instantly.
my rep told me to trap the shrimp under a glass and the goby would find it and he did with in 30 seconds of being in the tank. the shrimp was supposed to dig its way out of the glass and into his new home. but what happened was the yasha some how got into the glass. (I was watching House so I missed it) I eventually let them go in the tank where unfortunaly they burrowed a home somewhere where I cant see them. one more reason I need to move my tank so I can view it from 3 sides.

pic update
the yasha and the pistol shrimp are a little camera shy.
I took me 30 min of holding the camera dead still to get these shots and they are not very good.
but I took a few other pic's to update everybody on how its doing.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000100.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000101.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000102.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000103.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000104.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000096.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000097.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000105.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000106.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000107.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000108.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000113.jpg

nice shots Bobby. The couple look happy in their new little home! :D

bobby 2
in the second picture of your 2nd post is that a lizard goby?
or lizard blenny?

Wow Bobby! Your tank is really coming along nicely. I love the combination of life in there. I really have enjoyed your pics. :)

bobby 2
in the second picture of your 2nd post is that a lizard goby?
or lizard blenny?

I have always called them Yasha goby

Wow Bobby! Your tank is really coming along nicely. I love the combination of life in there. I really have enjoyed your pics. :)

thanks Skurvey Dog.
I love my macros in tank as long as their non intrusive.

btw the ochtodes get stung and die when they touch sps.
that pretty cool to know.

my shrimp and goby built a front door for their new home.


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000129.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000134.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000128.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000131.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000133.jpg

my shrimp and goby built a front door for their new home.

My Yasha and Pistol established a front door, a balcony (through holes in the LR), a side door, back door, a vacation house (on other side of tank) and then an addition (rear of tank). They even separated for a week, and then reconvened.

Great to observe. Enjoy!

They even separated for a week, and then reconvened.

Great to observe. Enjoy!

did they go to counseling ?

man...they look absolutely beautiful together! I love how similar the colors are and how they complement each other!

their garden zoos are beautiful as well! :D

did they go to counseling ?I thought the same thing!

Bobby, the tank is looking good!

did they go to counseling ?

LOL. My theory is that the shrimp was expanding their "den" by preparing tunnels under adjacent LR. When he was done with his scouting (or "integrity check") mission, he returned home to the roost. In the end, there wasn't one piece of LR that he didn't tunnel underneath. I was afraid I was going to crush him should I shift things around.

In the new 55g, my pieces of LR are of considerable size, with their bases resting squarely on the bottom. I doubted that he would be able to create a tunnel network as handily. I was wrong...quite a hard working shrimp!

Its been awhile since I have updated everyone on my 20 so here goes.

I decided to move my tank across the room, set it on a stand so I could access my sump easier. ok well I decided to do this after kicking back a few cold ones. (not a good idea) the move took a little longer than I expected but all is well. The after math claimed the life of my only acro so not much to complain about. It gets worse.

Good news is that I modded my skimmer and it is kickin some major bootay.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000178.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000179.jpg

now thats rockin....

my idea is to overskim and grow macros so every time I feed that nutrients is being removed from the system in a positive way.

I have also added another maxi900 and a wave maker so I can watch the macros sway in the current. (why don't I have a video camera?)

bad news

after the addition of the wave maker I have not seen my Yasha or my shrimp
:cry: I miss them so much!

Aaron asked me to save his pink birds because it was receding from the base so I fragged it and it looks nice. It has completely stopped receding. he gets a peice back after he moves in may.

my corals are doing well but i believe my macros are getting bleached from either the 5k light or because I have the halide on all day long. The reef optic reflector really amplifies the bulb more than I would have believed before I decided to use it. Time to go back to a 5 1/2 hr light cycle. my calcium level has also been running a little lean in which I cant wait until I boost it back up there. The growth tips should look a little bit nicer.





http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000194.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000204.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000201.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000202.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000205.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000207.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000208.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/bobbyecosystems/S7000209.jpg

Nice stuff... I think your orange ricordeas would be happier in New England.. YOU MUST ship them to me immediately :)

Dave

I asked them if they wanted to go and they said they can't stand the winters up there.

sorry Dave.

darn.. hate corals with "mouths"