Zachtos' 240G SPS reef

[zachtos]

Full Tank Shots

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=312&pictureid=2468

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=312&pictureid=2470

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=312&pictureid=2473

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http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=312&pictureid=2471

[url='http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=312&pictureid=2469']

[img]http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=312&pictureid=2469

[zachtos]

Macro shots

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2457

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2456

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2453

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2458

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2463

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2461

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2465

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2466

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2460

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2459

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2455

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2454

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2462

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2464

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=311&pictureid=2467

---------- Post added at 04:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:43 PM ----------

A few of my many fish

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=315&pictureid=2506

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=315&pictureid=2507

[jimsflies]

Wow! Nice reef!

[zachtos]

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=314&pictureid=2502
current lighting

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=314&pictureid=2504
future lighting

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=314&pictureid=2505
past lighting

[larryandlaura]

I love your tank! Not to many veteran tanks out there. WOW

[zachtos]

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2482

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2475

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http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2501

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http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2479

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2474

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2499

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2497

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2494

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http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2490

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http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2488

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http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2500

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http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2491

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=313&pictureid=2498

[zachtos]

History

I've been in the hobby 10 years, this tank is 4.5 years old. I had a total coral crash 2.5 years ago from a plumbing mishap, so what you see is 2.5 years of growth from tiny little 1/2" frags. I got all my corals from fellow reefers and most of them come from our yearly swap in Lansing (each January). Yes I have a table this year, and will be selling again. I've been around on MR and RC for years and this seems to be the new place to be. I've been a bit drained by the hobby since I got married... kinda sapped all my finances for impulse builds. I did recently build a new LED prototype though as shown. I started with FOWLR, then into a small nano tank with softies and power compact like most. I consider myself an expert when it comes to system desgin, but only below average when it comes to fish/coral nomenclature. I have tried just about everything and have came full circle to the basics.

Water Quality, Lighting, Flow. All must be correct in that order or you will grow nothing colorful.

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=316&pictureid=2509 [
The wife and I, so you can recognize me at swaps etc. I'm in Mount Pleasant and I welcome visitors. I've had at least 20-30 people visit in the last few years. 517-614-4771 if your in the area and want a tour or to get some frags etc.

[Sir Patrick]

Nice tank man!!

How old is the system?

[iyachtuxivm]

The goo in the pack still attached to the top of your 65DL battery is supposed to go on the terminals to protect them from corrosion. And where are your felt pads? lol.
I always like seeing your system you definitely have some very cool and unique ideas. Also very interested in seeing your LED set up! If i'm ever up that way would love to stop in and take the tour and get some frags.

[Heidi]

WOW... this is a beautiful system! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. are you runny Halides now or the LEDs? I see slower growth with my LEds and I just wonder if that is happening for everyone. Its kinda crazy I have better color.. I mean crazy trippy color... but slower growth (used to have 250 mh now run 2 AI Super Blues with the 6watt crees..)

Anyhew don't mean to hijack your build thread ;) Very lovely reef you keep!

Heidi

[zachtos]

I'm running the halides on the main tank, and the LED on the anemone tank. The colors are too far off to mix it in with my halides. I think I may use the LED light for a frag tank light, or a desktop office tank (15G with SPS frags from my main tank). There are so many variables to growing coral. It's easy to blame your lighting, but 9/10 times is your water quality. If you have around 300-500 PAR you should be able to grow just about anything.

[larryandlaura]

Very good point!

[zachtos]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8431.jpg
full tank shot

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8427.jpg
middle

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8428.jpg
left

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8427.jpg
right

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8475.jpg
emperor angel

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8437.jpg
sailfin, purple, achilles tangs

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8462.jpg
new feeding stick trick

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8429.jpg
hippo tang

Watchmen goby
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8459.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8485.jpg
back to growing macro algae again, removed the zeovit reactor, skimmer still running great

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8484.jpg
full sump shot

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150455.jpg
Rose Milli

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150453.jpg
Palmer Blue Milli

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150452.jpg
Dark Red Milli

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150444.jpg
Red Planet - ORA- (similar to a milli)

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150425.jpg
Cactus

Everything still going fine. I'm still recovering from a nitrate/phosphate issue after nuking the flatworms 4 months ago. I removed the zeovit crap because it did

nothing over a year except waste time/money. Water changes, skimming, macro algae growing and careful feeding is the real key to water quality control. I'm running

granular ferric oxide 1/2lb per 2 weeks to assist with phosphate removal for a few months. Still doing 6 cups carbon / 2 weeks and filter socks. Also up to 8ml

vodka/sugar/vinegar each day. XM10K bulbs at 1.5 years old and going strong.

---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 PM ----------

///////////////// update //////////////////
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8431.jpg
full tank shot

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8427.jpg
middle

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8428.jpg
left

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8427.jpg
right

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8475.jpg
emperor angel

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8437.jpg
sailfin, purple, achilles tangs

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8462.jpg
new feeding stick trick

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8429.jpg
hippo tang

Watchmen goby
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8459.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8485.jpg
back to growing macro algae again, removed the zeovit reactor, skimmer still running great

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8484.jpg
full sump shot

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150455.jpg
Rose Milli

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150453.jpg
Palmer Blue Milli

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150452.jpg
Dark Red Milli

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150444.jpg
Red Planet - ORA- (similar to a milli)

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1150425.jpg
Cactus

Everything still going fine. I'm still recovering from a nitrate/phosphate issue after nuking the flatworms 4 months ago. I removed the zeovit crap because it did nothing over a year except waste time/money. Water changes, skimming, macro algae growing and careful feeding is the real key to water quality control. I'm running granular ferric oxide 1/2lb per 2 weeks to assist with phosphate removal for a few months. Still doing 6 cups carbon / 2 weeks and filter socks. Also up to 8ml vodka/sugar/vinegar each day. XM10K bulbs at 1.5 years old and going strong.

[demonclownfish]

you have the NICEST tank ive seen in a long time!

[Heidi]

For sure! Tank is still looking sweet. :)

[Badfish]

I like Taaaank! Is #1 fish house in all of Kazakhstan. VEERRY NIIIIICCCE!

[Heidi]

I like Taaaank! Is #1 fish house in all of Kazakhstan. VEERRY NIIIIICCCE!

Lol you and I have very similar sick senses of humor :)

[zachtos]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8956Medium.jpg
right - I re-arranged a lot of these corals to hide the dead undergrowth. My DIY LED fixture is illuminating about 2 feet of the far right, and 400W MH is covering the rest of the tank.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8963Medium.jpg
center - I have a hard time keeping the montipora zone happy. I think the light/flow is too high

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_8961Medium.jpg
left - something about corals on the left side of the tank... they tend to die on the top side... I think it's a low flow issue, hoping that changes now that I re-arranged a bit. I put a bunch of palmer blue milli in place of the now dead green ORA milli.

If I had to pick 3 corals for my next tank, they would be the Red planet, peach/green milli and palmer blue milli. They are true red/green/blue. They hold color well and are fairly fast growers. A few orange/purple montis would round out the color wheel. True yellows are still non existent.

I'm very burnt out on the hobby as you can see. Nowadays I just do water changes and try to keep the tank alive. I got rid of my office tank and anemone tank to help curb the cost/maintenance. I still don't know if I want to have a tank at my next home. A lot of the 'magic' is gone. I rarely learn anything new about the hobby anymore, or meet others that are advanced enough to share knowledge with. The money and time investment is too great now. I do have a daughter on the way, so maybe that will renew interest as she grows up.

[zachtos]

I'm extremely bored with the tank nowadays and do not do a whole lot with it.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1010270_zps18236edc.jpg
palmer blue milli

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1010242_zps1fa3baad.jpg
cactus

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1010255_zpsf6d4389a.jpg
palmer blue

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/P1010228_zpsecb7639d.jpg
red planet

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/zjtank_zps06de0f6f.jpg
where all my time has been going as of late

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_9847Custom_zpsf07bf844.jpg
right side

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_9846Custom_zps4454b5f6.jpg
center

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_9845Custom_zpscc20370b.jpg
left side

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/zachtos/240G%20rebooted/IMG_9842Custom_zps28b16c99.jpg
full tank shot as of 3/18/13. Still running reeflux12k 400w mh x 3 and a LED fixture on the far right side (cree 36 leds). Doing carbon dosing (vodka), small refugium, live rock, calcium reactor, skimmer w/ bubble blaster 4000?, GACarbon, 1.5 WC per month at 60G each, running about 400g water after displacement. Not much else going on. Very finicky fish still, but mostly just on cruise control for years now.

[woods4542000]

What's keeping your feeding stick there?

[binford4000]

Sweet tank and set up!! Nice job

[zachtos]

What's keeping your feeding stick there?

It's just a PVC pipe w/ fishing line. I hang it from the center beam of the tank and wrap nori around the pipe with rubber bands. I buy nori in huge boxes and use about 2 sheets per day. The fish are too big for those clips, they rip it off, then it rots in my SPS branches where they cant reach them, and it causes coral death. So this solution keeps the nori secure and the fish out in the center of the tank. I saw someone else online do it I think.

[woods4542000]

Nice ! My suction cup clips always get pulled off!