tjherman
08-09-2009, 9:46 PM
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/FulltankFinalvers-sm.jpg (http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/?action=view¤t=63dacd0c.pbw)
The ARC’s own TOTM Committee is proud to announce this month’s tank of the month: Matt (MvM)
(http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/?action=view¤t=63dacd0c.pbw)
>>> To view the full slideshow, click here (http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/?action=view¤t=63dacd0c.pbw). <<<
Introduction
My interest in reef aquariums first developed while in college at UGA 8 years ago. I had a 29 gallon reef tank with a little success, but with the limited funds of a college student, never really had all of the right equipment. When I graduated, I sold the tank to move to Atlanta and focus on my career. After marriage, I again set up a tank, a 90 gallon. The next major change in my life, the addition of my son to our family again caused a change in my setup. I went from a 90 gallon to 34 solana cube that I have today. I’m very happy with the ease of maintenance of this tank. I’d like to thank all of the members here at ARC for their continued input and advice that has brought my tank to its current state.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/FulltankFinalvers.jpg http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Sideshotfinal.jpg
I’m very humbled by the selection of ARC tank of the month, and think there are too many beautiful tanks created by our members for my tiny slice of the reef to be worthy!
System Profile
My current setup is a little under two years old. Most of the live rock was transfer rock from my 90 gallon, but all of the corals have been added over the last 2 years. Most are frags from local reefers.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Sidespstake2a.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Sidespstake2.jpg)
As mentioned before, the tank a 34 gallon all-in-one Solana by Current USA. It measures 20x20x20. The first change I made to the setup was to ditch the ATO and replace it with a JBJ ATO. Then I replaced the skimmer with a much more effective Deltec MCE300. The tank is a Bare Bottom tank with helps my SPS thrive with my very heavy bioload. I had a custom light bracket made to attach the light to the wall that allows the Lumenarc Stealth Mini pendant to be raised and lowered for maintenance. The light is a 250W Phoenix 14k powered by an Icecap ballast. For water movement, I have a Vortec MP20.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Skimmercover1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Skimmercover.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/IMG_46531.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/IMG_4653.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Skimmers1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Skimmers.jpg)
Since the Deltec skimmer sits above the back of the tank, I had an ARC member build me a “canopy” to cover the back portion of the tank to hide the skimmer and pumps, but not take away from the rimless look that makes the Solana my favorite all-in-one. Because of the Metal Halide lighting, I was forced to put a 1/10 HP chiller on the tank. that keeps it at a constant 77 degrees. I have the lighting controlled by an ACJr., and it turns on at 12:30 and off at 10:30 PM.
Livestock
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Corriswrasse1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Corriswrasse.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Flamefemale1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Flamefemale.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Flame1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Flame.jpg)
As I said before, in my mind, my current bioload would be difficult to control if my tank was not bare bottom. The inhabitants are a small harem of flame wrasse – one supermale and two females. I also have an ORA phantom blenny and ORA neon goby. I later added a small yellow coris wrasse the assist in eliminating an infestation of montipora eating nudibranchs.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Sidegroupshotspsedited1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Sidegroupshotspsedited.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Icesetosa1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Icesetosa.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Redplaneticesatosa1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Redplaneticesatosa.jpg)
Between removing all of my monitporas and throwing them in the trash, starting over, and adding the wrasse, the infestation was eliminated, and I added montis once again. Since the yellow coris is a sand sleeper, I made a small acrylic box to house some sand for sleeping. He found it the first night and has slept in it ever since. I also have a pair of onyx clowns that were the only fish transferred from the 90.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Top2sps1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Top2sps.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Babyclam1-1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Babyclam.jpg)
My coral list is dominated by SPS including Montipora Danae (appleberry, superman, and forest fire), Setosa, Leng Sy, Sunset, and others. I have several ORA corals: Pearlberry, Purple Plasma, Red Planet, Chips and Oregon Tort, to name a few.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/2chalicetopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/2chalicetopdown.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Acan1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Acan.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Appleberrymonti1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Appleberrymonti.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/forestfiretopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/forestfiretopdown.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Chalice1A.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Chalice1.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Greenmontishroom1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Greenmontishroom.jpg)
I have the Ice Fire Enchinata, Atlantis Pink Lemonade, a few chalices, and the montis previously listed. The system also houses 2 ORA aquacultured Maxima Clams. The clowns host in a nice RBTA that was purchased from an ARC Member. As far as inverts, I have the usual cleanup crew, a fire shrimp, and a harlequin shrimp to control asterina stars.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Icefiretopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Icefiretopdown.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Bluebottletopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Bluebottletopdown.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Garfnice1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Garfnice.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Birdsnest1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Birdsnest.jpg)
Maintenance
With the high amount of SPS and the two clams, the Calcium absorption rate is very high. I just purchased a couple of Drew’s Dosing pumps to add Cal and Alk. I have yet to hook them up and am currently dosing 40 ML per day of part 1 and 2 from Bulk Reef Supply.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Forestfiremonti.jpg
Final Thoughts
I think the most important rule is to invest wisely in good equipment the first time around. This is where research is key. Most new hobbyist will buy the first skimmer they see, only later to either get out of the hobby because they are not successful or to throw away the first product purchased for an improved piece of equipment, thus costing more money the second time around.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/2Chalice.jpg
For maintenance, I try to do once a week water changes using RO/DI water mixed to 35 PSU using D-D H2O salt. I despise water testing, and only test occasionally, every few months, to see if I need to adjust my alk and cal dosing.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/PPEshroomfinal.jpg
I typically rely on my PH probe to tell me if any adjustments are need. The PH ranges from 8.0-8.4. I try to keep the calcium above 420 and the magnesium above 1280. Both nitrate and phosphates were undetectable with the last tests. Again, I think the BB helps accomplish this.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/ORAtopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/ORAtopdown.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Bellinaeduted1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Bellinaeduted.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/ORAChips1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/ORAChips.jpg)
I have had my fair share of infestations, battling both Monti Eating Nudis and red bugs. The latter are very easy to get rid of with a simple treatment, but the former required me to get rid of all of my montipora species in the tank to eradicate them. Now I dip all new corals interceptor and ReVive coral dip.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Spsgroupshot2a.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Spsgroupshot2.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Biggreenstag1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Biggreenstag.jpg)
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Undatazoacopy1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Undatazoacopy.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/shroomrightside1-1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/shroomrightside.jpg)
In closing, I’d like to thank the family here at ARC for helping me get my tank to where it is today, but with advice and frags!!
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Fishnem.jpg
Credits
Pictures: Joe
Write-up: Matt, edited by Tamara
Composition: Rickey, Tamara
The ARC’s own TOTM Committee is proud to announce this month’s tank of the month: Matt (MvM)
(http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/?action=view¤t=63dacd0c.pbw)
>>> To view the full slideshow, click here (http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/?action=view¤t=63dacd0c.pbw). <<<
Introduction
My interest in reef aquariums first developed while in college at UGA 8 years ago. I had a 29 gallon reef tank with a little success, but with the limited funds of a college student, never really had all of the right equipment. When I graduated, I sold the tank to move to Atlanta and focus on my career. After marriage, I again set up a tank, a 90 gallon. The next major change in my life, the addition of my son to our family again caused a change in my setup. I went from a 90 gallon to 34 solana cube that I have today. I’m very happy with the ease of maintenance of this tank. I’d like to thank all of the members here at ARC for their continued input and advice that has brought my tank to its current state.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/FulltankFinalvers.jpg http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Sideshotfinal.jpg
I’m very humbled by the selection of ARC tank of the month, and think there are too many beautiful tanks created by our members for my tiny slice of the reef to be worthy!
System Profile
My current setup is a little under two years old. Most of the live rock was transfer rock from my 90 gallon, but all of the corals have been added over the last 2 years. Most are frags from local reefers.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Sidespstake2a.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Sidespstake2.jpg)
As mentioned before, the tank a 34 gallon all-in-one Solana by Current USA. It measures 20x20x20. The first change I made to the setup was to ditch the ATO and replace it with a JBJ ATO. Then I replaced the skimmer with a much more effective Deltec MCE300. The tank is a Bare Bottom tank with helps my SPS thrive with my very heavy bioload. I had a custom light bracket made to attach the light to the wall that allows the Lumenarc Stealth Mini pendant to be raised and lowered for maintenance. The light is a 250W Phoenix 14k powered by an Icecap ballast. For water movement, I have a Vortec MP20.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Skimmercover1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Skimmercover.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/IMG_46531.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/IMG_4653.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Skimmers1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Skimmers.jpg)
Since the Deltec skimmer sits above the back of the tank, I had an ARC member build me a “canopy” to cover the back portion of the tank to hide the skimmer and pumps, but not take away from the rimless look that makes the Solana my favorite all-in-one. Because of the Metal Halide lighting, I was forced to put a 1/10 HP chiller on the tank. that keeps it at a constant 77 degrees. I have the lighting controlled by an ACJr., and it turns on at 12:30 and off at 10:30 PM.
Livestock
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Corriswrasse1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Corriswrasse.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Flamefemale1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Flamefemale.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Flame1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Flame.jpg)
As I said before, in my mind, my current bioload would be difficult to control if my tank was not bare bottom. The inhabitants are a small harem of flame wrasse – one supermale and two females. I also have an ORA phantom blenny and ORA neon goby. I later added a small yellow coris wrasse the assist in eliminating an infestation of montipora eating nudibranchs.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Sidegroupshotspsedited1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Sidegroupshotspsedited.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Icesetosa1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Icesetosa.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Redplaneticesatosa1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Redplaneticesatosa.jpg)
Between removing all of my monitporas and throwing them in the trash, starting over, and adding the wrasse, the infestation was eliminated, and I added montis once again. Since the yellow coris is a sand sleeper, I made a small acrylic box to house some sand for sleeping. He found it the first night and has slept in it ever since. I also have a pair of onyx clowns that were the only fish transferred from the 90.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Top2sps1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Top2sps.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Babyclam1-1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Babyclam.jpg)
My coral list is dominated by SPS including Montipora Danae (appleberry, superman, and forest fire), Setosa, Leng Sy, Sunset, and others. I have several ORA corals: Pearlberry, Purple Plasma, Red Planet, Chips and Oregon Tort, to name a few.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/2chalicetopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/2chalicetopdown.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Acan1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Acan.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Appleberrymonti1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Appleberrymonti.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/forestfiretopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/forestfiretopdown.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Chalice1A.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Chalice1.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Greenmontishroom1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Greenmontishroom.jpg)
I have the Ice Fire Enchinata, Atlantis Pink Lemonade, a few chalices, and the montis previously listed. The system also houses 2 ORA aquacultured Maxima Clams. The clowns host in a nice RBTA that was purchased from an ARC Member. As far as inverts, I have the usual cleanup crew, a fire shrimp, and a harlequin shrimp to control asterina stars.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Icefiretopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Icefiretopdown.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Bluebottletopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Bluebottletopdown.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Garfnice1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Garfnice.jpg) http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Birdsnest1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Birdsnest.jpg)
Maintenance
With the high amount of SPS and the two clams, the Calcium absorption rate is very high. I just purchased a couple of Drew’s Dosing pumps to add Cal and Alk. I have yet to hook them up and am currently dosing 40 ML per day of part 1 and 2 from Bulk Reef Supply.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Forestfiremonti.jpg
Final Thoughts
I think the most important rule is to invest wisely in good equipment the first time around. This is where research is key. Most new hobbyist will buy the first skimmer they see, only later to either get out of the hobby because they are not successful or to throw away the first product purchased for an improved piece of equipment, thus costing more money the second time around.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/2Chalice.jpg
For maintenance, I try to do once a week water changes using RO/DI water mixed to 35 PSU using D-D H2O salt. I despise water testing, and only test occasionally, every few months, to see if I need to adjust my alk and cal dosing.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/PPEshroomfinal.jpg
I typically rely on my PH probe to tell me if any adjustments are need. The PH ranges from 8.0-8.4. I try to keep the calcium above 420 and the magnesium above 1280. Both nitrate and phosphates were undetectable with the last tests. Again, I think the BB helps accomplish this.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/ORAtopdown1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/ORAtopdown.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Bellinaeduted1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Bellinaeduted.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/ORAChips1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/ORAChips.jpg)
I have had my fair share of infestations, battling both Monti Eating Nudis and red bugs. The latter are very easy to get rid of with a simple treatment, but the former required me to get rid of all of my montipora species in the tank to eradicate them. Now I dip all new corals interceptor and ReVive coral dip.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Spsgroupshot2a.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Spsgroupshot2.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Biggreenstag1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Biggreenstag.jpg)
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/Undatazoacopy1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Undatazoacopy.jpg)http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/shroomrightside1-1.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/shroomrightside.jpg)
In closing, I’d like to thank the family here at ARC for helping me get my tank to where it is today, but with advice and frags!!
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/Mat%20TOTM/Fishnem.jpg
Credits
Pictures: Joe
Write-up: Matt, edited by Tamara
Composition: Rickey, Tamara