gabletts 220 starphire reef

[gablett]

I was asked to get my reef on here for everyone to check out. Nothing to super special. Definitely not TOTM worthy any time soon. Only been up since may. I started with a 50 breeder a year ago this month. It didnt last long lol. Here are some details.

220 with Starphire front
Black background
Dual 2 inch drain
2 Korallia 4s
2 1300gph sunsun powerheads
3 150W bulb MH
6 T-5 for supplemental actinic
reef Master sump/refugium
Euro reef skimmer
Eheim return pump
UV sterilizer
BRS phosphate reactor


Stock List:
Show size Naso Tang
Lunar Wrasse
Foxface
Sailfin Tang
Scat
Niger Trigger
Green Mandarin
Black Combtooth Blenny
5 Blue-green Chromis
Royal Grama
Ocelaris pair
Hippo Tang
Sohal Tang


Various Acan Lords and Zoas
Lots of mushrooms
Green hammerhead coral
GBTA
RBTA
Green Torch

Tuxedo urchin
Cleaner shrimp pair

About 250 lbs of rock
About 200 lbs of sand

Still a long way to go. Tank looks bare, frags are just really small. But, now is the fun time, sit back and watch it grow. Hope you guys like the tank!


Vodka dosing is going great. Had a bad cyano outbreak probably from Vodka. Bit the bullet and did chemiclean. Worked like a miracle. Highly recommended as a last resort sort of thing. My cayno was bad....I mean bad. You couldnt even see in my refugium through the red. Since then corals have done better and no red stuff at all. Still had a tiny phosphate issue. Not sure if it was my cheap Red Sea test kit or what since my tank, RO/DI with 0 tds and tap water all read exactly the same number. But just for safety I got my BRS reactor going with GFO. Since then things have really taken off. No algae on the glass basically at all. Can go days without cleaning the glass. Corals, especially the acans have imporved, more polyp extension and better color. Also traded for a clam at the LFS. Its doing great. Much better since I put it on a rock and no in the sand though.

Fish are doing great. Fat as ever. Added the Sohal(my dream fish) a while back. Hes doing great. He is definitely the ruler of the tank. With the exception of walter the Naso tang. No one messes with him, even though he is the most docile fish in the tang, he is also by far the largest. There is a little food aggression between the Sohal and the Sailfin, but no real fights and it only lasts just a few minutes and they go there seperate ways. Absolutely unbelievably stunning fish, truly the show peice of the tank, but is definitely aggressive. Make sure you add him last if you add one.

Anyway, all is status quo. Enough talk, on to the pictures.

FTS
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0709.jpg
Left
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0710.jpg
Center
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0711.jpg
Right
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0712.jpg
Darth Mauls
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0699.jpg
Rastas
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0700.jpg
AOG
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0701.jpg
Crocea
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0702.jpg
Acan from Lucid
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0703.jpg
Reeses cups from Jolson
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0704.jpg
Unknown. If someone knows what they are let me know
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0705.jpg
Nuke Greens
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0707.jpg
Hammer
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0690.jpg
Walter the Naso
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0694.jpg
Sohalhttp://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0696.jpg
Sohal showing everyone who is boss
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/updates/DSCN0697.jpg

[gablett]

I am now Nitrate free thanks to vodka dosing! Just confirmed with 3 different brands of test all read zero. Started in june.

Tank is coasting. Just added a bunch of zoas:
PPE
Purple hornets
Fruit loops
Mowhawks
Bam bams
Fire and ice
And some others.

Fish are great. Sohal runs the show.

[jolson10450]

them reese's are growing good! mine are hardly doing anything since i sold you that frag. looks good!

[jimsflies]

Looking great!

[demonclownfish]

BEAUTIFUL TANK! glad ya got it posted ;)

[Sir Patrick]

Excellent fish collection!! Hope to see more updates on this tank as it coasts into maturity.

[gablett]

them reese's are growing good! mine are hardly doing anything since i sold you that frag. looks good!

They are a very slow grower. I actually just fragged them the other day for a friend who liked them.

[gablett]

Thanks for all the kind remarks. Im hoping to add to my zoa garden at this years lansing swap. That pretty much my objective with this tank is to pack as many zoas in there as I can and have one giant zoa garden. Its the only coral that actually keeps my attention.

[vittleking]

looks nice. Like how the overflow kinda divides the tank. You got a real good start going.

[gablett]

looks nice. Like how the overflow kinda divides the tank. You got a real good start going.

Thanks a bunch man. I like center overflows. I was gonna try to do zoas on 1 half and sps on the other, but I just cant get interested in sps for some reason. Oh well, I just wish I could fast forward time and cover those ugly frag plugs!

[gablett]

Updates again. New zoas:
Not new but good pic of darth maul with new growth
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121410/DSCN0904.jpg
Fruit Loops
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121410/DSCN0906.jpg
Purple Hornets
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121410/DSCN0907.jpg
Rastas
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121410/DSCN0909.jpg
Fire & Ice
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121410/DSCN0910.jpg
Bam Bams
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121410/DSCN0913.jpg
PPE
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121410/DSCN0912.jpg
Mowhawks
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121410/DSCN0916.jpg

[cg5071]

Kinda a jump from a 50g! Looks nice. Waiting is the hardest part.

[gablett]

Thanks. Yea it was a channge. Funny how quickly you start saying wow an 8ft tank would be nice lol.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

[jolson10450]

what type of camera do you use?

[gablett]

I have 2. That was taken with the point and shoot nikon L110. I also have a dslr. A canon xlsi.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

[cg5071]

Yes I know, I wish I could upgrade. I would like a 220-300+ or so FO tank and A 180 or so reef. I am still working on my 80 reef and 40 seahorse pipefish tank :) I have some pipes coming in today hopefully and some pink streaked wrasses! woo hoo

[gablett]

Some updates. Picked up some new zoas.

Magicians. A frag I have wanted for a long time.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121610/DSCN0988.jpg
Pink zippers
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121610/DSCN0990.jpg
A frag he called snowflakes
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/121610/DSCN0992.jpg

[jolson10450]

nice! i still want some magicians! i just am so broke right now due to christmas and vacation coming up. looks good!

[gablett]

Yea they are top 5 on my list. They look so awesome in person. Nice sized and incredible sparkle.

[cg5071]

I have seen the pink zippers before, those are nice. The others too. I got a magician like polyp from mr.coral but I dont think it is a real one. Still nice and similar enough for me I guess. Hot orange/pink with the blue sparkles.

The snowflake one looks alot like fire and ice but I am not great as distinguishing the small details, it might not be.

[gablett]

Yea he has fire and ice as well, but he claims these came form another colony he has in his tank which i saw and they are somewhat similar. We will see once its completely colored up and settled.

[gablett]

Well I got the frag from paradise corals at GRMAS last february or something. Bought 3 polyps. By October/november it was 8 polyps. SUPER SUPER slow grower. Slowest growing coral I have owned. It got a little stagnant so I fragged it up for the lansing swap, well when word around here got out that I fragged it, everyone wanted some so I sold/traded all but 1 polyp. Within about 2 weeks of fragging this one polyp I had 4 babies pop off all at once. So maybe it needed a little fragging and that will be a good sign of things to come. I hope I can frag it again for the lansing swap.

[gablett]

Lol yea I hear ya. I only originally planned to frag a couple off, but so many people wanted some I couldn't quit lol.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

[larryandlaura]

Any updates on this tank?

[gablett]

Man didnt think anybody even followed my tank.

As far as updates, wow where do I start. Completely redid lighting. Sold everything and got 3 lumenarc mini reflectors and 2 250 watt dual galaxy ballasts running 20k radiums. Also added an ice cap running 4 actinic bulbs. Very nice lights.

Then I sold all my zoanthinds and palys. Got really bored with them. Plus in a reef this size, you need something to build the reef in all directions, not just encrust. So I bought about $250 worth of SPS from a local guy. Ended up with 25 frags I believe. They have been in there since mid april. Didnt lose a single frag, and everything is growing at an alarming rate. Im definitely an SPS junkie now. It seems from my experience anyway, every serious reefer ends up an SPS junkie after trying everything else. Im happy with it. SPS is very dynamic with lots of motion and strange growth patterns. Plus it actually looks like there is something in those 220 gallons now.

No new pictures right now. Waiting for everything to grow in better before I do that.

[Rabidgoose]

Oh come on...:big_grin:....post some pics. You need benchmark pics of all the sticks so you can compare growth down the road. Plus, we like to look at pictures...:)

[larryandlaura]

Can't wait to see them update pics. Did you get rid of you Naso?

[gablett]

Fine, you win. Here are some pictures I took the day after I put the SPS in 4/18/11. Just was too lazy to load them to photobucket. As regards the naso, a guy is supposed to pick him up this weekend, but by past experience, he is not sold till hes going down the driveway. I dont want to get rid of him, but Sohal out ranks and theres a decent amount of animosity between them especially around feeding time. There are no wounds, not bite marks or anything. But they have broken some sps in their darting. And I just imagine its like living with a roommate you just dont like, I wouldnt want to do it. So thats why I made the cut.

Anyway, with no further delays, here are the not so exciting pictures. I still have not taken the time to learn how to use my DSLR, so excuse the horrid coloring. Im sure as you know the colors are way better in person.

FTS
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3022.jpg

New Lighting
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3021.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3018.jpg

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3054.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3055.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3052.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3053.jpg

Blue Mili?
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3046.jpg
Palmer Blue
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3047.jpg
Tri Color
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3043.jpg
Spongodes
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3042.jpg
Strawberry fields
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3038.jpg
Blue Stag
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3041.jpg
Green Monti
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3032.jpg
Purple Bonsai
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3036.jpg
Orange Digi
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3037.jpg
Green Mili?
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3024.jpg

Green Slimer
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3026.jpg

I dont really know the names of SPS yet so if you know the names of any of them that I dont or that I have wrong, please let me know, particularly the ones in the background of the blue stag shot and the two larger milis. Thanks and I hope it was worth the wait.

[Rabidgoose]

Looks good....very nice.

[larryandlaura]

Great job! Sorry to hear about your fish! I picked my powder blue over a hippo. Surprisingly the hippo was the aggressive one.

[gablett]

Yea sometimes you have the best of intentions and the fish just dont cooperate.

[larryandlaura]

Definitely! All fish have there own personalities I've learned.

[gablett]

Went to pruess yesterday. Picked up a nice potter's angelfish and a leopard wrasse. Nice looking fish. Ill post pics when I get them to hold still and smile.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

[gablett]

Time for some updates I guess. This is 4 months of growth since placement. Date photos taken 8-5-11.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4582.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4565.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4584.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4583.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4572.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4577.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4563.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4564.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4560.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4561.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4562.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4557.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4558.jpghttp://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4559.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4555.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4556.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4550.jpghttp://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4552.jpghttp://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4549.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 AM ----------

Some surprising growth shots at least to me anyway.

april
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3024.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4557.jpg

April
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3042.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4563.jpg

April
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3026.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4550.jpg

April
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3032.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4558.jpg

April
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3037.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4560.jpg

April
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN2750.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4552.jpg

January
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN2752.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4556.jpg

April
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3039.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4561.jpg

And probably my favorite
April
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps41811/DSCN3030.jpg
August
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/sps8511/DSCN4549.jpg

[jimsflies]

Looking great!

[larryandlaura]

Wow looking great! Tons of photos to enjoy.

[gablett]

Time for another updated. I tried some top down through the water. Some didnt turn out so great. Im gonna build a picture box for it. I finally got a camera that takes accurate photos. Its a canon made for underwater if you get the box. It even has a fish setting for the white balance and takes pretty darn accurate photos. Wasnt even very expensive and its tiny. So here goes.

As far as update goes, not much new, just letting things go. Having to do a bit of trimming. Most of these will be available for frags at the swap.

Dont know what its called but it has grown alot
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0001.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0018.jpg

Rose milli, green slimer, purple digi, that red stuff and ORA blue voodoo
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0019.jpg

Orange Digi
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0023.jpg

Green plate, Rose milli, Orange digi
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0026.jpg

Im trying to get Armor of Gods to grow up the overflow. So far: success!
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0030.jpg

Armor of Gods, Blue stag, dont know(some sort of green and yellow milli), yellow humulus.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0031.jpg

Blue stag, yellow humulus, ORA pink birdsnest.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0036.jpg

Dont know, some sort of peach and green milli
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0038.jpg

Cactus coral
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0043.jpg

Palmer blue milli that is finally growing!
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0047.jpg

Dont know. Similar to the palmer blue, but more purplish and darker. Very cool! Oh and the sohals butt.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0049.jpg

Gigantic purple chalice
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0051.jpg

Tyree flower petal. I have strawberry fields in there too, but couldnt get a good pic.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0053.jpg

Huge ORA green birdsnest
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0059.jpg

One of my personal favorites. A lime green milli. No idea what its called. It has insane PE.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0060.jpg

Another of my personal favorites. ORA blue voodoo. Thing grows like mad. The blue tips are stunning.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0063.jpg

Chalice from Pruess
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0078.jpg

My Acan Echinata I grew from a tiny piece. Come a long ways.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0079.jpg

And the overall shots:
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0068.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0069.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0070.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0071.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0073.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0074.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0076.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/122711/IMG_0077.jpg

Thanks for looking. Let me know what you guys think. Excuse the camera ability. Im trying to get better!

[binford4000]

Looks great !! nice growth since last time I saw pics of your tank :thumbsup:

[larryandlaura]

Wow nice colonies. Amazing tank Gablett.

[bluwc]

Very nice! You might want to google and look but to me that pruess chalice looks like the bpc flamethrower.

[jimsflies]

Nice pics... looks like a future TOTM!

[gablett]

Nice pics... looks like a future TOTM!

Holy crap...prolly the best compliment yet. Never in a million years would I think my tanks would ever be worthy. Thanks Jim ya made my day :highfive3:

[Sir Patrick]

I agree with a future tank of the month- keep up the great work gabblet!

That acan enchinata, I beleive, is an orange crush.

[Tom Toro]

I agree with a future tank of the month- keep up the great work gabblet!

That acan enchinata, I beleive, is an orange crush.
aabsolutely. Beautiful !!! Did u buy those corals with those colors order they color up like that in ur tank? What's. Ur. Secret?

[gablett]

aabsolutely. Beautiful !!! Did u buy those corals with those colors order they color up like that in ur tank? What's. Ur. Secret?

Thank so much for the kind words. The tank I got them from was lit with 400 watt halides so they were colored good, but they have changed coloring alot in my tank under different lighting. The Blue voodoo has improved big time since I got it. The biggest change was the pink lemonade acro. Its still small but was brown and terrible looking and now is gorgeous but still small. Im amazed myself how much color they have and how massively they have grown in such a short time.

As far as secret I couldn't tell ya. I always wondered that when I saw tanks that inspired mine. What do they do that I dont do. I do nothing out of the ordinary. I feed regular pellets with occasional oyster feast. My light period is 9 hours with 1 hour before and after with 4 3ft t-5s. I use Lumenarc Mini reflectors. I swear by the bulbs I use. I run 250 watt Radium 20k bulbs on electronic ballasts. Absolutely the best color of any bulb Ive yet seen. Plus the PAR, which I have measured, is really good for a 20k bulb. Pretty much in line with a 14k and some 10ks. I vodka dose and have for almost 2 years. Water changes with Reef Crystals every 2 weeks, 25 gallons. I run Bulk Reef Supply ROX carbon changed with water change in a reactor. I maintain chems with Bulk Reef Supply 2 part. I go through a lot!!!!! A gallon lasts me just over a week. I used to have a fuge, but nutrients are so low I cant even get Chaeto to live. Other than that, nothing special. It just does its thing.

[gablett]

Found these photos on my computer. I thought it was a pretty neat time lapse. Ill try to continue it. First photo is the day I put the SPS frags in my tank , April 2011. Hope you enjoy.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/Time%20Lapse/April2011.jpg

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/Time%20Lapse/August2011.jpg

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/Time%20Lapse/December2011.jpg

[larryandlaura]

Nice write up you are doing a great job.

[gablett]

Whatever could it be?

4035

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[MizTanks]

No fair!! Wth? Lol

[MizTanks]

Thanks a bunch man. I like center overflows. I was gonna try to do zoas on 1 half and sps on the other, but I just cant get interested in sps for some reason. Oh well, I just wish I could fast forward time and cover those ugly frag plugs!

Get you some Skwooshys! Their black, thin and blend right into the rock work.

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/product-reviews/saltcreeps-skwooshys-16653/

[gablett]

In the box was 2 female Lyretail Anthias and 1 Male. All acclimated great and are in the tank. Females have been hiding mostly, but male has been out a bit. They havent all found each other and linked up yet. They are my favorite anthias and always wanted to get a school going. Plan is to add 4 more and have 6 females and 1 male.

[larryandlaura]

Awesome let's see some pics!

[Fish Dad]

Great pictures of the tank progress, that is really neat to see how its growing - looks great

[gablett]

Well these 3 are alive and kicking. Doing great. The first 3 must have had something go wrong.

Here is the male, whom is way bigger than the 1st one.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/11612/IMG_0110.jpg

And 1 of the females
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/11612/IMG_0108.jpg

And the females after they found each other
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/11612/IMG_0120.jpg

Also, a friend hooked me up with some zoanthids. He thought my tank was lacking a certain something so here is a few of them.
Sunny D
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/11612/IMG_0097.jpg

My personal favorite: Red Hornets
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/11612/IMG_0104.jpg

Carlito Alien Eyes
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/11612/IMG_0105.jpg

And the guardian of the tank.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/11612/IMG_0115.jpg

Sad Note:
I've had a large Naso for a while. Got him after my parents had him for even longer. He was purchased at Pruess Pets as a XL Male with streamers years ago. Well he died Friday. Absolutely no warning. No disease, nothing. He didnt eat the day before, which is not abnormal for him every once in a while. I have no idea how old he was nor what killed him. All the other fish are perfectly fine, and he was healthy the day before.

The saddest part was trying to explain to my 3 year old daughter where "her Dumbo fish went." She called him that because he was big and grey like dumbo. Doesnt really understand what dead means. That was sad.

And to make matters worse, my Sohal tang basically wont leave the area of the tank where he died but for a few minutes. I think he misses his friend.

[gablett]

Found out the fedex guy has a180 and a55 saltwater tank and some others. Oh and he dropped this off. Another mystery! 4171

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[bluwc]

Why aren't you trading with the fed ex guy

[thepanfish]

Why aren't you trading with the fed ex guy

Smart man.

[gablett]

Already tried. He mostly has fish. Not much coral. Funny how we all think.

It was a big box. 25 lbs to be exact.

#1 - 5 - female lyretail anthias. Brings the count to 1 male 7 females. With just 2 females in there they didnt stick together real well and the male sort of ignored them. Now with 7 they all stay right with each other hovering above the coral seriously schooling and the male is at the head of them all keeping them in line. That is cool to see. Anthias are quickly becoming my favorite fish and if I had to do it over again would do a tank of 100% anthias.

#2 - XL yellow tang. I have actually never owned a yellow tang. Many people have told me a large reef tank is not complete without one. So since I have no zebrasome tangs in my tank I went for it. The thing is huge and gorgeous. He glows in the dark! Seriously in pitch black you can see him. Seems brighter than the other yellow tangs I've seen in stores. Plus he is massive.

#3 - Surprised my wife and daughter with their favorite fish. Large powder blue tang. Hes big. Hes beautiful. Very striking colors and already eating and picking at the rockwork. The bag he came in from liveaquaria was almost 5 gallons.

So the sohal is in serious boss mode overload. I knew with those two tangs there would be difficulty. Especially the powder blue. Thats why I got them as big as possible. But I read another tip that says if you are gonna add them, add them all at once. It sort of overloads the tank boss and short circuits him. This is true! He hasnt really picked on anybody. I dont think he knows what to do. If they come near his "home" he chases them away, but no antagonizing and no fin nipping. Its only been 1 day though. And I am fullly prepared to pull somebody out if push comes to shove. But so far that strategy has seemed to tame the beast!

[gablett]

Went from a euro reef rs 135 to a reef octopus nwb 250........whoa.

That things like a 5 gallon bucket hooked to an air compressor. And i didnt even get the bubble blaster pump.

Just wow.

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[Tom@HaslettMI]

That's a great looking tank.

But we need to see more pictures! Especially a recent FTS or two.

Tom

[gablett]

Well got some updated photos. Its been almost exactly a year to the day since I added all the SPS to my tank. Things I've added/changed:

Changed skimmer to a Reef Octopus NWB 250
I now alternate every 4 weeks GFO and ROX .08 Carbon
I switched from Vodka to Vinegar because of Cyano. Levels are still zero and have no cyano since.
Added 7 female lyretail anthias and 1 male
Added 1 large yellow tang
Added 1 medium Powder Blue
I backed off water changes to about 15% once a month.



So first two photos are one year apart almost to the day.
4/8/11
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/One%20Year/DSCN3022.jpg

4/2/12
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/One%20Year/IMG_0123.jpg

Now onto the other pictures. Enjoy!
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0124.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0125.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0126.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0127.jpg
Bam Bams
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0128.jpg
Chalice and some koosh palys
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0129.jpg
New Acan from recent lansing swap
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0130.jpg
My Echinata that Ive had forever.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0131.jpg
New pagoda cup
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0133.jpg
One of my all time favorite zoas.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0135.jpg
Palmer Blue Milli
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0138.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0139.jpg
Pink Birdsnest
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0141.jpg
Cactus
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0142.jpg
Pink Lemonade
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0143.jpg
Setosa
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0144.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0146.jpg
Armor of Gods still going strong growing up the overflow.
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0148.jpg
Orange Digi
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0149.jpg
Tyree Flower Petal
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0151.jpg
ORA green birdsnest
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0152.jpg
Blue Voodoo
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0156.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0157.jpg
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0159.jpg
Green Slimer
http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/gablett_photo/4212/IMG_0160.jpg

Hope you enjoy the pictures. Thanks to everyone for spending your time looking. Thanks to everyone I have gotten frags from, and all the great advice over the years. Heres the beginning another Tank Year!

[jimsflies]

Looks great!

[dejavu]

Your Tyree Flower Petal looks great. I can't seem to get that nice purple rim on mine.

[gablett]

Thanks guys. Yea that flower petal is a really nice piece. Doesn't grow very fast.

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