November TOTM

The ARC’s own TOTM Committee is proud to announce this month’s tank of the month: David (tromblydavid)

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/David%20TOTM/FulltankOK2brighter.jpg


>>> To view the full slideshow, click here (http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/David%20TOTM/?action=view&current=516044f9.pbw). <<<


Introduction

A bit about you as the hobbyist
I have been an aquarist for over 30 years. I kept freshwater tanks since I was a kid and I began keeping reef systems in 1994.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Faviacloseup.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Leftspsbirdsnest.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Elefantskin.jpg


How did you get started?
My desire for saltwater systems began when I moved to Tampa, Florida in 1994 after a pet store visit where I was entranced by the beautiful corals and fish. I had seen saltwater fish before but never had I visited a store that carried coral and live rock before.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/GreenDidgzoa.jpg


What or who were/are your influences and inspirations?
My inspiration comes from the beauty of the coral seas. I am still trying to figure out how to make my system look more natural. I have continued to make the mistake of buying too many specimens and crowding my tank until it looks cluttered.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Favaizoa.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Closeupspstable.jpg


How do you feel about your tank being picked for ToTM?
I have mixed emotions about this. I am very flattered to be asked to have my system as TOTM, but I am not really happy with it yet. I am still in the process of finishing the stand and I am currently selling off some corals so that I can free up some space to be able to view the back of the tank more.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/David%20TOTM/Spsleftsidegood.jpg


Overview

History of the tank
My current 600 gallon tank was purchase on Reef Central. I bought it from a guy in New York and I actually drove all the way to Long Island last February to pick it up. I am truly an addict.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/David%20TOTM/Rightsidebestedited11111.jpg


How the tank got to where it is today
I started with a 20g hex tank in Tampa. Then a 50g. Then a 120 plus a 50 plus another 110 and even the 60 wall tank. At one time I had three tanks running at once in Florida and merged it into a 240g tank before I moved to Atlanta. I moved all my tanks inhabitants from Tampa to Atlanta in 2000 and surprisingly everything made it. I was able to accomplish this feat by first moving everything into smaller tanks in Florida. I setup the 240g in advance and then moved all the livestock and smaller system equipment to Georgia. In total, the livestock was only in transit for about 10 hours and I immediately placed everything into the 240g when I arrived.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Spsbackvalley.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/pearlberry1.jpg


I think it was 2002 when a pipe broke in my house, and I needed to replace the carpet. At that time I decided to sell almost all the livestock since the system was overrun with mushrooms, xenia and gsp.

I tried to keep some of my nicer corals and fish in a 120g while redoing the floors but an outbreak of ick cause by the stress of moving systems kill my favorite fish. I was so disappointed that I sold my remaining corals and gave up the hobby for a while.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Rosemille.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Groupspsptablesideshot.jpg


A few years later I was back at it. I started again with the 20g hex system I had since ‘94 but that didn’t last long. Within months I set up 240g stand but bought a new 300g tank to go on it. A couple of years with the 300g and I just need more depth. What to do? Well, 600g should fix that!

Specifics of the tank
I have a mixed reef system consisting mostly of SPS and LPS stoney corals.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Greenpurplespscloseup.jpg


Other tanks
I also have a RedSea Max 30g in my bedroom. I used the excuse that I needed a quarantine system and went from there. It now houses 4 anemones and a couple of fish. I do use it for quarantine and these animals are at risk but I am not any good and quarantine in a 10g I just kill everything that way.

System Profile

System water volume: Approx 700g
Display tank volume: Approx 540g
Tank dimensions: 96"x48"x29" – not really 600g when you consider that the height is one inch to short and take into consideration the overflows and the thickness on the panes. It’s more like 540g
Stand and Canopy: Custom built tubular steel with the skin still in the works – that’s why it is not in the pictures. I ordered the door 2 months ago and they should be here any day now.
Sump volume: Approx 100g

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Equpi2.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Sump.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Skimmer.jpg




Skimmer: Bubble King 500 Ext. A really nice skimmer I love it.
Calcium reactor: ATB KD200 with ph probe installed.
Chiller: OC100A 110 volt 1HP from Chiller Expert on Ebay. I needed a chiller that could be placed outside w/o having to worry about fancy electronics.
Webcam: Toshiba Network Camera IK-WB21A
Aquarium Controller: Neptune sys ACIII Pro with ph, orp, temp and conductivity probe.
Return Pump: Iwaki MD100RLT
Circulation pumps: 8 Tunzes - 2 6100, 2 6200 and 4 6201
Wave Maker: 1 Tunze Wavebox and still looking for a deal on a Tunze wavebox extension.
Media chamber: 1 NextReef MR1 Monster Media Reactor filled with GFO and 1 MRC FMC-620 filled with GAC - hook up in series GAC then GFO
Heating: not installed at the moment but I have a couple of 250w stealth heaters I need to put back in.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Nicespscloseup.jpg


Lighting:
9am - 10pm
8 -120w VHO 9am-10pm
7 400w MH with a mix of coralvue and lumatek ballast. Each bulb runs about 4 hours with a max of 4 of them on at anytime.

Livestock
Visit my webcam and see for yourself what you can identify.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/clowncloseup.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Scopastang.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Lownmower.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Trgger.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Rabbetfish.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Filefish.jpg


Feeding and Additives
Currently I feed my fish 2 sheets of Nori every day. I buy the big 100 sheet packages at the Asian market. As the fish get bigger I may need to feed more. About once a week I give them mysis shrimp or some other food I happen to have.

Maintenance
Daily: feed fish and clean viewing panes several times a week
Weekly: clean skimmer

I don't keep a log but I do the following when I feel it is time:


Water changes
Clean pumps and powerheads
Clean out overflows
150 gallon water changes

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/SPSleftok.jpg


Water Parameters

Specific Gravity 35 ppt
Temperature 79-80
pH 8.1 - 8.2
Alkalinity 8dkh
Nitrate undetectable
Magnesium 1200
Calcium 400

I hardly ever check anything unless I think there is a problem. I believe that water changes keep thing from getting to out of whack.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/David%20TOTM/CenterShotgoodedited1111.jpg



Final Thoughts

What is your key to success or what have you learned? Patience

What are your future plans for the tank? Clear out some of the corals to make the pace more open. Finish the cabinet - door should be here by Thursday 11-12-09

What is the worst and best thing you have ever bought/added/done to your tank? A big green carpet anemone. By the time I got rid of it it had eaten over $500 in fish - clowns included.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/deepwater.jpghttp://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Greenpurplespscloseup.jpg


Describe any disasters you have had. One time I was cleaning my 240g in Florida and I usually would hook up a canister filter to clean the water. Well I forgot to do that and it stressed the coral into spawning - I work up in the morning to a mess and lost some very nice colonies.

What would you have done differently? Not forget the filter, duh.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Centerspsbrighter.jpg


Thoughts on coral fads: LE today cheap next year - just wait it out.

Advice for beginners/Words of wisdom Patience and try to read about stuff before you attempt it. You will save money and a lot of grief.
Tips and Tricks: Never make changes quickly when you are having issues unless you really know what you are doing.

Things you couldn't live without: Money

Acknowledgments: I would like to thank my wife for putting up with my hobby.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/Birdsnestcloseup.jpg


ARC TOTM Committee
Photos by Joe
Editing by Stacy
Composition by Tamara

WOOT WOOT!!! Thanks guys! Ive been wanting to see Davids tank on TOTM for a while! It VERY rare I am straight up blown away by someones tank.

Also his skimmer is roughly the size of Jeremys torso. Its the largest diameter skimmer Ive seen and its a freaking bubble king!

Very beautiful! Congrats!

Nothing like the look of a mature reef with big colonies. Beautiful reef David. Seeing your reef reminds me of Joe's (Sailfish) and Chris's (Mojo). Congratulations. I enjoyed the writeup and the pictures.
Dave

Man I love his tank, I hope mine looks half as good in the next year or so.... This tank looks even better in person.

Suhweet!!! Massive coral colonies. Did I mention...Suhweet!!

I could not do this tank justice. The tank has great depth which I am not talented enough to capture. LOL Definitely one to check out in person if you have the opportunity. Be sure to check out the other pictures not used in write up in the link above. He also has a web cam I am sure he can post a link to.

Joe

It's about time man, big tanks have never looked as good to me until i saw yours. congrads dave.

I need a frag of this...
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/pearlberry1.jpg
Is this a tri-color?

Congrats! It's so beautiful. I definitely check it out when I have a chance...

gratz that is one sweet tank wow.holy cow is that a triger in your reef its awsome .

I have had the pleasure to see this beauty on several occasions. Dave, congrats, truly an inspiration for the rest of us.

While my wife is extremely tolerant, 600 gallons might put her over the edge.

Absolutely Beautiful !! Truely an inspiration for everyone.

great job, amazing tank!

That is an amazing tank. I really like the look of those mature corals. Congrats.......

Very nice. Cograts.

Great TOTM.

Looks like ORA Pearlberry to me.

I need a frag of this...
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz303/jynolen/totm/nov09/pearlberry1.jpg
Is this a tri-color?

It is indeed a pearlberry according to the photo's file name. :)

Gorgeous tank! We were super pleased to bring you guys a big tank for TOTM.

Great tank! WOW! nice job on the TotM, too!

It is indeed a pearlberry according to the photo's file name. :)

Awesome. I have one of those growing in the high flow, high light area on my frag rack. Mines a little puney compared to his though...lol.

Nice!!!

Great tank David. Does the webcam work? I remember trying to log in around a year ago and couldn't get it to come up.

Gongrats! Beautiful tank!

I have had the pleasure to see this beauty on several occasions. Dave, congrats, truly an inspiration for the rest of us.

While my wife is extremely tolerant, 600 gallons might put her over the edge.

Haha! Yeah, I got vetoed on upgrading my 20g when a friend wanted to give me his 55g setup. :lol2:Oh well...

:yay: Extreme Reefing David!

That is what most in here are attempting on one scale or another.

I am just hoping that some of this mojo rubs off on my 200 gal tank.

"I ended up with his old MRC MR2 skimmer." :D

I'm extremely proud of the TOTM commitee.

I looked back through the winning systems and all were obviously chosen with extrordinary care, and consideration.

Thank you for your great work. Job well done.:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

I saw this tank when the water was first going in not that long ago. tanks all around with livestock and rock.... :) Looks great David!

Positively Stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its about time..... That starry night is doing great in my tank. I have seen this tank in person and the pictures just do not do it justice. In order to appreciate it fully, you need to be able to walk around the tank.

Thats some serious dedication to this hobby.. kudos awesome tank. I can count on one hand the number of mature tanks that i have seen in the arc.

Love this tank in person, it's stunning!

Very nice!!!! Love those sps!!! Those colonies are huge.

Very nice!!!! Love those sps!!! Those colonies are huge.

Yea the green slimmer on the right side is the largest sps coral I have seen in person and in captivity. That sentence is all wrong but I am not sure how to fix it. LOL

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/sailfish88/David%20TOTM/Slimer1.jpg


Joe

Wow! Very nice tank! I love seeing large corals!

David's tank is one of the nicest sytems I've had the pleasure of seeing. Very nice guy too..Congrats!

WOW!
Dude...that's insane!
Once again I am drop jawed and inspired by some of the member tanks I see here on the ARC forum.

This is truley a place to learn from the experts.

Cheers!
:cheers:

Why am I just now seeing this thread!?!?!? WOOOOWWW!!! What a gorgeous reef!!! Great job. Love the hugeness of it all!!:D

Spectacular, BAVO !!!