View Full Version : January nTOTM - Junkitu's Mushroom House
junkitu
02/02/2007, 08:56 PM
Thanks to everyone for the great turnout this month and special thanks to Victoria for making it all happen. I feel very fortunate to have won against the stiff competiition from anguswu, 1cenine2005, duec22, and rockindacheeks. I am very excited that my little office softie tank was selected as the nTOTM for January.
WELCOME TO MUSHROOM HOUSE
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/febfts3.jpg
Introduction:
Like many folks on this site, I've kept freshwater fish on and off for most of my life. I've always admired the beautiful colors of saltwater aquariums but thought they were too hard to keep. Last April a friend of mine at work helped changed my opinion. He had decided to upgrade his 80G reef tank and offered to give me some live rock from his old setup to help get me started. Needless to say I took the plunge and have enjoyed every moment of it.
Before starting, I tried to read everything that I could find on the internet about nano reefs and found many threads and pictures of beautiful tanks. Ironically, I came across 1cenine2005's (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/icenine2006/fulltanksept.jpg) tank thread 9 months ago and it inspired me to try to create a relatively moderate/low light tank with colorful soft corals and invertebrates. I started out with a ton of green mushrooms which came on the live rock and quickly added some striking color with a yellow fiji leather and some zoas. I was hooked. My tank became my obsession and I’ve been trying to continue to add more amazing color to it ever since.
A good friend of mine who has been keeping larger tanks for years likened nano reefing to keeping a bonsai tree. The placement and shape of every little aspect of the tree is critical to the overall aesthetic outcome. I totally agree. I’ve found that color, shape, texture, and placement are the raw materials for a beautiful nano tank and you have to be patient in selecting the right specimens and in putting them all together.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoy my tank.
Here is a slideshow that shows the progression of Mushroom House over the last nine months:
http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/?action=view¤t=1170373984.pbw
Tank Parameters
Ph: 8.1
Temp: 78 - 81 degrees Farenheit
Ca: 450
S.G.: 1.026
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 0
Circulation:
I run a Maxi-Jet 900 on the return, a Mini-Jet 606 with a HydorFlo, and a Mini-Jet 404. These pumps combined with the powerheads on my chiller and skimmer result in approximately 20X circulation.
Controller:
A Premium Aquatics Lighthouse controller manages my chiller, skimmer, and the dawn to dusk cycle of my lights. It also monitors my Ph and temperature.
Filtration:
I have a Sapphire Aquatics skimmer that runs in the right rear chamber. It is designed to fit under the Aquapod's hood and works well. The controller runs the skimmer from 8pm to 8am every night. Live rock and live sand perform the only other filtration in my system.
Lighting and Photo Period:
1 x 40W Current USA Sunpod Dual Daylight (8am - 5pm)
1 x 40W Current USA Sunpod Dual Actinic (6am - 6pm)
2 Moonlights (always on)
Chiller:
Temperature control is an issue since my tank is at the office and HVAC system doesn't operate in the evenings or weekends. I've installed a Nanocustoms ICA chiller. The controller turns the chiller on when temps hit 81 degrees.
Feeding:
Spectrum and Formula 1 marine pellets (5 days/week)
Kent Marine Zoe (5 days/week)
Cyclopeeze (3 days/week)
DT's Phytoplankton (1 day/week)
Maintenance:
Kent Marine Nano 2-part additive (Monday, Thrusday)
20% water change (C-Pure seawater) once a week
Scrub and scrape algae once a week
Top off with RO/DI as needed
Here’s a shot of the color on the top shelf of my aquascape.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/topshelf.jpg
A closer look of the rics and coco worm on the right side.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/rightside.jpg
Here’s my little zoa and paly garden.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/ZoaGarden.jpg
junkitu
02/02/2007, 08:59 PM
Livestock:
ORA B&W Clown
Red Firefish
Flame Angel
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps
Orange Lace Purple Feather Duster
Coco Worm
Assorted Clean Up Crew
My son calls this one Panda. Clownfish were always the saltwater fish that caught my eye the most and I had to have one when I started my nano.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/IMG_0257.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/IMG_0939.jpg
The flame was an awesome addition to the tank. He’s been great so far with the coral and hasn’t picked on anything…yet.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/Flame.jpg
The orange lace purple duster and coco worm are relatively new additions to the tank and I like the color as well as the motion that they add.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/Duster.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/coco.jpg
junkitu
02/02/2007, 09:01 PM
Coral:
Yellow fiji leather
Creme colored finger leather with white polyps
Devil's hand with neon green polyps
Green polyped toadstool
4 varieties of florida ricordea (neon green, army green, orange and blue)
Tangerine and blue yuma
Green and gold yumas
Blue rhodactis mushrooms
Pink Hairy mushrooms
Mint rhodactis mushrooms
Red mushrooms
Green mushrooms
Blue mushrooms
Hambali pulsing xenias
Alien eye daisy polyps
Neon green candy canes
Purple rim short tentacled fungia plate
Red/green open brain
Assorted zoos and palys (OPE, Lemons, Blue Eye Devils, Armageddons, Tub's Blues, RPE, Dragon Eyes, Coco's Pinks, Purple Dreams, Watermelons, Terminators, Yellow Ultimates, Green Crossettes, Eagle Eyes)
Sarcophyton Elegans. This was one of my first corals and has become the signature of my tank.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/YellowLeather.jpg
I’ve also added a variety of other leathers including Sarcophyton sp., Lobophytum sp., and Sinularia sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/TopShelfCloseUp.jpg
My tank truly is a house made of mushrooms. Here’s a pic of several varieties together: Actinodiscus sp., Rhodactis sp., and Ricordea Florida.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/Copy1ofshrooms.jpg
Rhodactis sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/BlueRhodactis.jpg
Actinodiscus sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/blueshroom.jpg
Rhodactis sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/hairyshroom.jpg
Ricordea Yuma and Florida
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/NewYumas-January.jpg
Ricordea Yuma
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/NewTangerineandBlueYuma-January.jpg
junkitu
02/02/2007, 09:05 PM
I also have a few LPS to offset the softies. Here are some neon green candycanes that I grew out from a 2 headed frag: Caulastrea sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/canes.jpg
Fungia Fujites
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/Plate.jpg
Trachyphillia sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/brain.jpg
One of the greatest sources of color variety in my tank are the zoas and palys: Protopalythoa sp., and Zoanthus sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/Copy1ofZoas.jpg
Macro Shots:
As I mentioned above, texture as well as color are really important to a beautiful tank. Here are some macro shots highlighting what I mean. Xenia sp. (pulsing)
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/PulsingXenia.jpg
Actinodiscus sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/IMG_0306.jpg
Trachyphillia sp.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/BrainscapeUnderActinics.jpg
Special Thanks:
Behruz
Dan
www.AtlantisAquarium.net (Ming)
www.AquariumConceptsInc.com
Ultimate Aquarium (Mr. Bigs)
www.UltimateFrags.com (Rommel)
www.dolphinpetvillage.com
If you'd like to read more about my tank and see more pics please click here. (http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=3&t=96169)
Illuminati
02/02/2007, 09:56 PM
Great job!
danoreef
02/02/2007, 09:57 PM
stunning!
junkitu
02/02/2007, 11:15 PM
Thanks!
danoreef - say hi to Bradley Ave for me :)
ezcompany
02/03/2007, 03:21 AM
:sad1: my tank wasn't an inspiration?
awesome job, congratulations!
danoreef
02/03/2007, 07:00 AM
thats funny are you from SI? If so, check out my web site its nothing much I just do it for fun.
http://www.statenislandimages.com/
louist
02/03/2007, 07:52 AM
Congrats on winning the January nTOTM, and you shall also hold the title of being the first softie tank to win the nTOTM, so far :D
tinyreef
02/03/2007, 10:23 AM
congratulations, junk! looks great!
i agree, very stiff competition. great win! :cool:
junkitu
02/03/2007, 10:32 AM
Thank you all.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9147817#post9147817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ezcompany
:sad1: my tank wasn't an inspiration?
awesome job, congratulations!
:) Only because I decided to go with a softie tank. Your advice has been invaluable to me EZ. Thank you. I've actually been thinking a lot about your tank as a model for my next project ;)
Paladin
02/03/2007, 01:35 PM
Great job junkitu!
quy_nquyen
02/03/2007, 03:17 PM
umm what to say that hasnt already been said?
i WANT YOUR TANK!
Victoria
02/03/2007, 09:00 PM
Very nice thread Junkitu! I love the colors. Like louist said great softie tank. Great win!!!!
Victoria
junkitu
02/04/2007, 11:46 AM
Thanks everyone! :D
victoria and louist - thanks for posting. it means a lot to me to have both of you on this thread.
quy - lol. you can't have it! :p
hgbarwick
02/04/2007, 01:02 PM
Very nice! Shows that a low tech reef can be ouutstanding! Kudos to you!
junkitu
02/04/2007, 02:06 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9157057#post9157057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hgbarwick
Very nice! Shows that a low tech reef can be ouutstanding! Kudos to you!
Thanks but who you calling low tech? ;)
hgbarwick
02/04/2007, 04:06 PM
Worded that wrong, I mean power compact.
junkitu
02/04/2007, 04:21 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9158369#post9158369 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hgbarwick
Worded that wrong, I mean power compact.
lol. i was just teasing. thanks for the compliment!
ezcompany
02/05/2007, 05:23 PM
when's the Feb one starting ;)
tsmonrad
02/05/2007, 06:30 PM
impressive and inspiring- I hope to get my 29 looking like that in 9 months....
Findland
02/05/2007, 06:57 PM
WOW! I hope I can someday get a tank looking like that...
junkitu
02/06/2007, 09:15 AM
Thanks tsmonrad and Findland! Good luck with your tanks.
EZ - I will post the call for entrants for this month's contest sometime this week. Stay tuned.
junkitu
02/06/2007, 07:40 PM
I've posted the thread calling for February nTOTM contestants (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1038978). Let's see those nanos and picos!
Doglover_50
02/06/2007, 07:47 PM
That is just ridiculous.
I second the voice above that you show what can be done sticking with low tech. That's much more of an artform than thousands of bucks on a huge tank with huge lights, etc...
so you've got that skimmer in their--and do you have the stock lighting with your own choice of those lights?
Wow that's a fabulous tank.
junkitu
02/06/2007, 08:17 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9176720#post9176720 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doglover_50
That is just ridiculous.
I second the voice above that you show what can be done sticking with low tech. That's much more of an artform than thousands of bucks on a huge tank with huge lights, etc...
so you've got that skimmer in their--and do you have the stock lighting with your own choice of those lights?
Wow that's a fabulous tank.
Thanks Doglover_50! BTW, do you have a favorite breed? I'm partial to Porties (aka Portuguese Water Dogs). ;)
I think big and small tanks can be artforms but different skills and strategies apply.
I made a slight mod to the stock lighting. I'm still using the stock ballasts but put in 2x40W bulbs in place of the stock 2x32W.
There actually is a fair bit of technology associated with my tank:
- Sapphire Aquatics skimmer
- NanoCustoms ICA 2.0 chiller
- Premium Aquatics Lighthouse Controller w/ temp and pH probes
- 2 heaters (75W and 100W)
That's just about all I can fit under the hood :)
I'm glad you like the tank and thanks for posting.
cherubfish pair
02/07/2007, 12:19 AM
The slide show shows tremendous progression.
Just out of curiosity, why run the skimmer only at night?
junkitu
02/07/2007, 12:23 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9178966#post9178966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the cattleman
The slide show shows tremendous progression.
Just out of curiosity, why run the skimmer only at night?
It was fun putting the slide show together and really seeing how much my tank has changed. Sometimes it's hard to keep track from month to month but the pictures tell it all.
I run the skimmer only at night to keep the heat generated at a minimum. The chiller fan is kinda loud and I'd rather not have it running while I'm working.
junkitu
02/08/2007, 09:31 AM
I really like the way certain coral look during the dawn and dusk cycles of my tank so I thought I'd post some pics. Here are some shots of the tank under actinics. I hope you like them.
Shrimps playing in the zoa and paly garden.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/IMG_1411.jpg
Fungia plate looking for some food.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/IMG_0420_enhanced.jpg
Hermit crab playing on the open brain.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/PinkLips.jpg
I'll try to take an FTS shot under actinics and post it as well.
junkitu
02/10/2007, 12:58 AM
Here's another actinic shot showing off some coral flourescence. I'm still working on the FTS.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/January%20RC%20nTOTM/IMG_2033.jpg
tsmonrad
02/10/2007, 06:01 AM
Great job- I keep coming back to be insprired for my 29g. I am having trouble finding some of colorful coral I want to put in my BC. My LFS tell me it is difficult to get the supercolored Zoo's, etc... Where did you purchase yours from?
junkitu
02/10/2007, 10:46 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9205255#post9205255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tsmonrad
Great job- I keep coming back to be insprired for my 29g. I am having trouble finding some of colorful coral I want to put in my BC. My LFS tell me it is difficult to get the supercolored Zoo's, etc... Where did you purchase yours from?
Thanks! Most of my zoas came from www.atlantisaquarium.net. They're my LFS and often have some really beautiful stuff. I also recently picked up some cool frags from www.ultimatefrags.com but it sounds like they may have gone out of business. Be patient and be picky. Real estate is so limited in our nanos that you want to make sure you don't settle.
icenine2005
02/11/2007, 09:49 PM
Congrats!
...just goes to show what can be done with "just" those all in one tanks eh?
junkitu
02/12/2007, 12:26 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9218096#post9218096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by icenine2005
Congrats!
...just goes to show what can be done with "just" those all in one tanks eh?
Thanks icenine! Your posting on this thread means a lot to me. As I mentioned earlier on this thread, I'm not sure that I would have taken the plunge into my nano if it wasn't for your tank. It's too bad EZ didn't join last month so we could've had that Aquapod showcase.
burks
02/19/2007, 05:48 PM
That is one amazing tank!
I'm in the planning/learning stages of a nano myself. Your tank gives me hope!
anguswu
02/25/2007, 11:20 PM
Well done!
You did more than only a mushroom house. I like your tank, colorful tank.
windowman
02/26/2007, 12:59 PM
very ...very nice, one of the best iv'e seen :)
junkitu
02/26/2007, 05:52 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9283035#post9283035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by burks
That is one amazing tank!
I'm in the planning/learning stages of a nano myself. Your tank gives me hope!
Thanks! It's a fantastic hobby but can get expen$ive :)
junkitu
02/26/2007, 05:53 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9336247#post9336247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anguswu
Well done!
You did more than only a mushroom house. I like your tank, colorful tank.
Thanks. I appreciate it. You're tank is amazing as well. I really like your aquascaping and selection of coral.
junkitu
02/26/2007, 05:54 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9339801#post9339801 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by windowman
very ...very nice, one of the best iv'e seen :)
Thanks windowman and welcome!
Joe LoPresti
03/02/2007, 01:17 AM
Junkitu,
Just wanted to say congrats and give you a big thumbs up for your amazing nano!!! Absolutely beautiful.....
junkitu
03/02/2007, 01:22 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9373061#post9373061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joe LoPresti
Junkitu,
Just wanted to say congrats and give you a big thumbs up for your amazing nano!!! Absolutely beautiful.....
Thanks Joe! :D
villious
03/03/2007, 09:54 AM
Junkitu, looks like your live rock aquascape is in a pyramid formation. Is it a full pyramid, or is it a half-pyramid with the rock resting on the back of the tank?
junkitu
03/03/2007, 10:59 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9382844#post9382844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by villious
Junkitu, looks like your live rock aquascape is in a pyramid formation. Is it a full pyramid, or is it a half-pyramid with the rock resting on the back of the tank?
It's kinda hard to describe without pictures but my scape is actually a "double horshoe". Imagine stacking two metal horshoes ontop of each other with 3 large sugar cubes between them for support. I started with a horshoe on the substrate made out of some flat base rock and then but 3 smaller rocks on top of it. I then built the second horshoe ontop of the 3 rocks. The result is a nice cave with lots of openings for the fish to swim through. It also has a lot of flat space for coral placement. The back of the scape is touching the back wall but it isn't really supporting it. HHTH.
villious
03/03/2007, 12:33 PM
I'm trying to picture it now :-)
I really like it and it looks great. I don't remember seeing what the tank size is........
Also, what did you use for the "sugar cubes" to provide support?
junkitu
03/03/2007, 12:42 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9383867#post9383867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by villious
I'm trying to picture it now :-)
I really like it and it looks great. I don't remember seeing what the tank size is........
Thanks! It's a 24 gallon aquapod.
villious
03/03/2007, 12:44 PM
What did you use for the "sugar cubes" to provide support, and did you "glue" your rock together or just have it sitting loosely on top of each other?
junkitu
03/03/2007, 07:37 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9383949#post9383949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by villious
What did you use for the "sugar cubes" to provide support, and did you "glue" your rock together or just have it sitting loosely on top of each other?
I used smaller rocks to support the top horshoe. Everything in my tank is loose. I haven't glued anything down but sponges have begun to grow and bind the rocks together.
do you have any updates on the flame angel? Is he happy in the tank or does he look like he needs more room? sweet tank btw. Im definately going to have to get some of those blue zoos. and lets see a full tank shot. I dont care if its perfect or not. on with the pictures!:strooper:
junkitu
03/03/2007, 08:39 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9386805#post9386805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ruk
do you have any updates on the flame angel? Is he happy in the tank or does he look like he needs more room? sweet tank btw. Im definately going to have to get some of those blue zoos. and lets see a full tank shot. I dont care if its perfect or not. on with the pictures!:strooper:
Thanks ruk! The flame appears to be happy and healthy. He and my black and white clown seem to be best buds as they swim around the tank together. He loves to eat Spectrum pellets soaked in Kent Marine Zoe, Cyclopeeze, and mysis. So far, he hasn't nipped at any of the coral in my tank.
The tank is in my office so I'll work on the pics next week. Thanks for posting.
Good to know. I like them and Im contemplating putting one in my 24g. If only I could be so lucky as to have one that dosnt nip at corals. I just hope since its a flamer and all that it dosnt have broken wrist disease.
junkitu
03/10/2007, 11:21 PM
I picked up a rainbow ric colony at my LFS. Here are a couple pics:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/RainbowRic.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/rainbow.jpg
Let me know what you think.
junkitu
03/16/2007, 10:51 PM
I'm still working on a new FTS. Here's another shot of my flame as well of some pics of my newest additions.
My flame playing around a waterfall of florida rics.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/Rics3.jpg
I lost my firefish last month and decided to pick up a yasha and pistol shrimp pair. Here are a couple shots of the yasha peeking out of one of his caves.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/Yasha2.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/Yasha.jpg
I've also decided to keep a clam. Here are a couple shots.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/derasa.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/DerasaCloseUp.jpg
junkitu
04/07/2007, 02:10 AM
Well I bit the bullet and decided to upgrade from my 80W PC hood to the 150W Sunpod MH fixture. After reading everything I could and soliciting feedback from this and other forums, I decided to use the "layer" method to acclimate my tank to the more intense lighting. Unfortunately, the screen I bought from my local hardware store was very dark so I only used 1 layer of screen and kept it over the tank for over a week. I took the screen off completely on Monday and fortunately have not noticed any negative effects on my coral.
Here's a shot of my new topless setup. The colors are really vibrant (and blue) and the shimmer is amazing:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/ecad1fbf.jpg
Finally liberating my tank of its hood has allowed me to add a 1/15 hp Current USA Prime chiller. I removed my MJ900 return pump and now have a Hydor Selz L35 pump (495gph) running externally. I've plumbed the close loop system so it draws from the back left chamber, through the chiller, and pumps the water back into the display through the stock return. I'm really happy with this little dual stage chiller. Thanks to my controller and chiller my temps are now rock solid between 77.5 and 79 degrees.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/77d2e840.jpg
Here are some pics of the tank under the new lighting:
The color on these palys have really come out under the new lighting.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/16f84d39.jpg
The zoa and paly garden appears to be getting much more light at the bottom of the tank and appears to be thriving.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/fa7f7aae.jpg
I was worried that my rics would show ill effects due to the increase in the wattage and intensity of the light but so far so good. Here's my ric waterfall. The colors are so much more vibrant than they were under PCs.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/f270377c.jpg
Lastly, here's a shot of the top shelf. The clam is obviously benefiting from the stronger lighting but it seems like the yumas, leathers, and even my new little Australian duncans (small frag on the lower right) are liking it as well.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/0e42e34b.jpg
I hope you like the latest changes. As always, please let me know what you think.
I still haven't taken an FTS that I like. I'll keep trying and will post one soon.
Jadams
04/07/2007, 10:51 AM
ABSOLUTLY BEAUTIFULL TANK!!! GREAT JOB! :)
junkitu
04/07/2007, 11:01 PM
Thanks Jadams!
Good luck in the nTOTM contest. I really like your aquascape.
good move on the upgrade, looks better than ever!
junkitu
04/08/2007, 10:59 AM
Thanks Kigs! Glad you like it.
buckeyeboy
04/13/2007, 07:18 AM
How have you integrated the chiller, heater, and lighthouse controller together?
Are you using the chiller or controller to maintain your temperatures?
Any chance of seeing more pictures of the "behind the scenes" stuff'? I like full tank shots, but I am also interested in the technology that keeps is all going.
thanks.
junkitu
04/13/2007, 09:52 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9715036#post9715036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by buckeyeboy
How have you integrated the chiller, heater, and lighthouse controller together?
Are you using the chiller or controller to maintain your temperatures?
Any chance of seeing more pictures of the "behind the scenes" stuff'? I like full tank shots, but I am also interested in the technology that keeps is all going.
thanks.
I'm using both the built in dual stage controller in the chiller and the lighthouse controller to regulate my temps.
The chiller is not powered by the the lighthouse controller and is set to 78 degrees. I've plugged a 100W jagr heater into the unit and the built in dual stage controller uses the chiller and heater to manage the temps.
I have a 75W stealth heater attached to my lighthouse controller as a backup. It's set to turn on at 76 and turn off at 78.
HTH.
junkitu
05/07/2007, 09:51 PM
I haven't quite figured out the best camera settings to use with the new lighting. All of the pics seem dark. Here are a few new pics. Hope you like them.
Top shelf with rearranged florida rics and my derasa clam. I had to move stuff around when I took out the finger leather.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/af7bfe28.jpg
Tangerine yumas.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/40c39b72.jpg
Shrooms on the left side.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/08142614.jpg
Angel playing in the zoa and paly garden.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/9f63ff78.jpg
Eagle eyes growing in.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/029ff311.jpg
FTS after 1 year.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/43912dad.jpg
SugarFox03
05/07/2007, 10:10 PM
Such an amazing tank! Truly an inspiration!
I do have to ask though, where did you find the orange lace duster and the cocoworm? They are beautiful creatures, and I cannot seem to find them anywhere!
junkitu
05/07/2007, 10:13 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9897561#post9897561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SugarFox03
Such an amazing tank! Truly an inspiration!
I do have to ask though, where did you find the orange lace duster and the cocoworm? They are beautiful creatures, and I cannot seem to find them anywhere!
Thanks SugarFox! Both worms came from www.AltantisAquarium.net. They're local here in the Bay Area. The cocos are more common but I've never seen the orange lace anywhere else or since.
navyav8tr
05/08/2007, 05:05 AM
I love this tank. Great pics and love the rics.
TheChief
05/08/2007, 07:40 AM
wow
junkitu
05/08/2007, 09:24 AM
Thanks! :)
becmow2
05/08/2007, 09:34 AM
Stunning tank!
junkitu
05/08/2007, 11:24 PM
Thanks becmow2!
junkitu
05/12/2007, 11:38 PM
Here are some new pics. I decided to remove the yellow leather and keep a frag as it was getting too large for my tank and was shading out its neighbors. The good news is that it gave me room to put my clam on the sandbed and I was also motivated to pick up a couple new additions...
Here's my clam in its new home.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/d3b0d7b6.jpg
Here's a shot of my new yellow gumdrop clown goby. I had to add some yellow to make up for the leather.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/503ccaf2.jpg
Here are some neat little yellow floridas that I added.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/d302fe28.jpg
A shot of the top shelf of my tank with my ric and mushie collection.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/793f22bb.jpg
Finally, another FTS reflecting the changes.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/7be26492.jpg
I really like the tank now. It even seems larger with the yellow leather gone. Let me know what you think.
SugarFox03
05/13/2007, 08:16 AM
It looks so empty now! I loved that leather...it really made the tank! I mean, it still looks amazing, and now you have more room to add other corals. But I'll be honest and say that I will miss seeing that thing. :) What do you plan on putting in there now, or are you leaving it how it is?
junkitu
05/13/2007, 09:48 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9932701#post9932701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SugarFox03
It looks so empty now! I loved that leather...it really made the tank! I mean, it still looks amazing, and now you have more room to add other corals. But I'll be honest and say that I will miss seeing that thing. :) What do you plan on putting in there now, or are you leaving it how it is?
I know what you mean. The yellow was my favorite piece but it was just getting too big. I kept a 1" frag and will try to grow it out so that I can continue to have a smaller version in the tank.
As for other plans, I'm excited to be able to see the large center cave in my aquascape again and to have more space on the lower third of the tank available. I look forward to having the clam grow on the sandbed. I'm also hoping to add a colorful crocea or maxima clam to the topshelf.
Thanks for the honest feedback and I hope you keep following along.
deacon hemp
05/13/2007, 03:22 PM
It looks dark now,i acually liked it better under pc's. Still an awesome tank though.Its probably just in pics.
junkitu
05/13/2007, 10:01 PM
I agree, my pictures since upgrading to metal halide aren't as bright. I'm still figuring out how to deal with the glare caused by the single point of light. I'll keep playing with the camera to see if I can improve the pics.
junkitu
05/19/2007, 12:22 AM
I've been on a shopping spree since upgrading to MH and removing the yellow leather. Check out the new additions:
Here is my new Sunset Yuma.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/f66c14d1.jpg
I also picked up a green, orange, and blue yuma. Sorry for the bad pic...
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/8dd7151c.jpg
I'm still missing my yellow leather and I was psyched to find this Japanese Yellow Feather Duster.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/c997183c.jpg
I couldn't resist these unique zoas. They aren't very colorful but they have black eyes, black skirt tips, and wave in the flow of my tank.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/0347f46e.jpg
I've definintely caught the clam bug and decided to take advantage of my MH lighting upgrade by buying a baby Maxima. I think I'm hooked!
Here's a shot of the 'lil fella from the front.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/8e600983.jpg
The color is really amazing from the top.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/986ee567.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/45db39cc.jpg
I had bought the Derasa when I was still running PC lighting because it had lower light requirements. I've decided to sell it to a buddy and plan to add a Crocea soon.
CPT. MURPHY
05/19/2007, 02:03 AM
Amazing tank!
CPT.
junkitu
05/19/2007, 04:34 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9973341#post9973341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CPT. MURPHY
Amazing tank!
CPT.
Thanks capt! Glad you like it.
junkitu
05/25/2007, 11:04 PM
I sold the derasa to a buddy to make room for a new clam. Here's a shot of the clam bed. I love the pattern on this new crocea.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/56fec9cd.jpg
anguswu
05/26/2007, 07:42 AM
Wow, nice crocea!
junkitu
05/26/2007, 04:24 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10018669#post10018669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anguswu
Wow, nice crocea!
Thanks! Glad you like it.
junkitu
06/08/2007, 03:14 AM
Here are some new pics...
Eagles and Tub's and Limons...oh my!
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/a9611110.jpg
Sunburst
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/e75287d5.jpg
PEs
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/2601de63.jpg
Eagle Eyes
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/ff3db8db.jpg
Terminators
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/7a6f19ed.jpg
Devil's Armor
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/c55ff19f.jpg
Blue Eyed Devils
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/d52fa5ba.jpg
Master Mind Flayer in a bed of Devil's Armor
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/d2a438af.jpg
and here's a better shot of my green apple yuma...
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/39dc0d24.jpg
junkitu
06/22/2007, 12:04 AM
Here are some new pics:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/6518569a.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/72d5cdbe.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/768c79ed.jpg
WarEagleNR88
06/22/2007, 12:14 AM
With PCs, how do you keep your corals so colorful? Those blue zoas are incredible!
junkitu
06/22/2007, 12:19 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10190679#post10190679 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WarEagleNR88
With PCs, how do you keep your corals so colorful? Those blue zoas are incredible!
Thanks! I converted to 150W MH a couple months ago.
junkitu
08/08/2007, 12:58 AM
It's been awhile since I've posted. Here are some more pics:
Purple Montipora Digitata
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/46eac44e.jpg
Neon Birdsnest
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/517224c5.jpg
Yellow gumdrop goby
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/1eebb1da.jpg
Black and white clown that I've had for over a year
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/c8b5481d.jpg
Purple Dreams that I grew from a single polyp
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/18f48ebd.jpg
Latest FTS
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/3b38749c.jpg
Let me know what you think.
glassbox-design
08/08/2007, 08:26 AM
looks great. impressive growth on the digi... what bulb are you running?
eric
junkitu
08/08/2007, 09:12 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10505946#post10505946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flint&Eric
looks great. impressive growth on the digi... what bulb are you running?
eric
Thanks! I'm running the Phoenix 14K MH.
TheChief
08/10/2007, 09:29 AM
beautiful tanks
ILM75Dodge
08/10/2007, 01:14 PM
WOW your tank is insanely beautiful you have a talent for setting up a color tank!!
RayAllen
08/10/2007, 02:15 PM
You are my nano-idol. I can only hope my BC29 will endup looking like that.
junkitu
08/10/2007, 11:45 PM
Wow! Thanks. I'm glad you like it.
SaltwaterChris
09/13/2007, 09:26 AM
Just came across your thread awesome one the top 10 that I've ever seen.Love all the mushrooms.:D :D and that feather duster can't beleve the color
junkitu
11/16/2007, 12:00 AM
It's been several months and a lot has happened to the Mushroom House :( . I keep my tank in my office at work and my company moved to a new building. The move itself went pretty well thanks to some experienced help from my buddy hambalid, but I did have some losses: gumdrop goby, plate coral, crocea clam, several zoa colonies. It's been a little over a month now and the tank seems to have stabilized.
The good news is that my tank gets a ton of natural sunlight in the new office and the coral seem to really like it. The sunlight is so yellow that I decided to switch from a 14K Phoenix bulb to a 20K Geissmann to bring out the bues and greens. I'm happy with the result.
Here are some recent pics. Hope you like them:
The xenia wall is growing in nicely
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/01d1d171.jpg
Yasha
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/c71b2a89.jpg
A frag from my original yellow fiji is growing back
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/3b092a4c.jpg
Yumas
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/474e0d3c.jpg
A new bonsai from GARF
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/57dd2ffb.jpg
Duncans
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/d4a41c1c.jpg
My ric garden
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/8cbf8f11.jpg
Top shelf
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/bb89f4d2.jpg
InsaneClownFish
11/16/2007, 06:03 AM
Truly a fantastic tank! I really just stumbled across this thread. The black and white perc and your new crocea are amazing.
melanotaenia
03/30/2008, 04:49 PM
any news shots/updates on your tank?
Crypsis
05/02/2008, 11:23 PM
Amazing tank! I would love to see some updated pictures.
deepblue68
05/03/2008, 03:33 AM
congrt's. beautiful tank!!
junkitu
05/04/2008, 12:18 PM
It's been quite some time since I've posted an update. My tank just turned 2 years old last week. A lot has changed over the last 2 years but my tank is still chugging along. Most recently, I've given my softies some room to grow by moving many of my SPS corals and some of the softies to a new 55g tank that I've started at home.
Here are some current pics of Mushroom House:
Top shelf - It looks a lot different without the rics but things definitely have more room to grow now.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/TopShelf.jpg
Close up of the duncans - You can see my Superman monti frag on the right. It's really beginning to grow out.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/IMG_4496.jpg
Rhodactis mushroom colonies - It wouldn't be Mushroom House with out them.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/IMG_4477.jpg
Zoa and Paly colonies - I moved a bunch of blues to the new tank but these continue to grow out.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/IMG_4476.jpg
May FTS - Xenias and other softies continue to thrive. I miss some of the colors that the rics and other coral that I transferred had. I'm hoping to add another maxima clam with some different coloration in the future to help.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/IMG_4472.jpg
Hope you like it. Let me know what you think.
dreamweaver
05/04/2008, 07:33 PM
Junkitu,
You might have thinned it out a little, but it is still the best looking softie nano out there.
Couple of questions, how often do you change the water and how much do you change out when you do? Second, are you using any additives? I'm trying to figuire out why my tank doesn't look as good as yours.
Thanks, Renee
junkitu
05/04/2008, 07:43 PM
Thanks dreamweaver.
Here's my maintenance schedule:
Kent Marine Nano 2-part additive (Tuesday, Thursday)
B-Ionic 2-part additive (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
20% water change (C-Pure seawater) once a week
Scrub and scrape algae once a week
Top off with RO/DI daily
junkitu
07/10/2008, 02:58 PM
Woo hoo! They published my tank profile in the latest Reef Hobbyist Magazine:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/ReefHobbyistMag.jpg (http://www.reefhobbyistmagazine.com/archives/vol_2/issue7/pages/issue_7-6.htm)
Endy0430
07/11/2008, 04:09 PM
Nice tank and congrats.....
junkitu
07/12/2008, 10:23 PM
Thanks! :)
LulusMoogle
08/05/2008, 01:16 PM
Beautiful tank! I want to steal it for myself. :D
I do have one question about the aquascaping... How were you able to create that shelf? And keep it stable? I'm looking to do a smiliar aquascape with my upcoming 29g Biocube.
junkitu
08/07/2008, 10:39 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13093780#post13093780 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LulusMoogle
Beautiful tank! I want to steal it for myself. :D
I do have one question about the aquascaping... How were you able to create that shelf? And keep it stable? I'm looking to do a smiliar aquascape with my upcoming 29g Biocube.
Thanks! The key is to find several long flat pieces of LR. I created a base with 2 long and flat pieces. I placed a couple smaller boulders on them as piers for the top shelf. I then laid a couple more flat pieces on top of the piers. If you space the piers out it creates caves that the fish can swim through. HTH.
LulusMoogle
08/07/2008, 11:58 AM
Ah, okay. Thank you! I can now figure out what I'll need to create my tank the way I want it. Hopefully it'll look at amazing as yours. :)
:D
junkitu
09/07/2008, 04:33 PM
A lot has changed with my tank. i've moved all of sps and ricordea to my new Elos SYstem 70. As a result, I've cleared the top shelf in my Aquapod and added a RBTA for my clown. Here are some recent pics. Enjoy!
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/IM000024.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/IM000027.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/IM000036.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/September08FTS.jpg
Thanks for following along and please let me know what you think.
LulusMoogle
09/07/2008, 08:43 PM
Looks good! Still a beautiful tank and always will be. :)
Your clown looks like a happy camper.
hebygb
09/08/2008, 10:51 AM
I looked at your tank over weekend and all I can say is... WOW!!! There tends to be so much emphasis on SPS these days, but this tank is truly a garden of color. Reminds me of Amen corner at Augusta. Awesome tank... you have inspired me to re think mine.
junkitu
09/08/2008, 01:45 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13313150#post13313150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hebygb
I looked at your tank over weekend and all I can say is... WOW!!! There tends to be so much emphasis on SPS these days, but this tank is truly a garden of color. Reminds me of Amen corner at Augusta. Awesome tank... you have inspired me to re think mine.
Softies do offer some amazing color and they are so hardy. I'm trying an SPS experiment of my own with an Elos System 70 that I set up about 6 months ago. I've found the SPS tank to be more of a challege than I had originally thought because these coral grow so slowly and are more likely to have compatibility issues when they come in contact with each other. In my impatience I've already added a couple softies (zoas, palys, ricordea, open brain) and clams to add color to that tank. It'll probably end up being a mixed reef in the end.
Cody Ray
09/08/2008, 08:16 PM
Lookin' good my friend!
junkitu
09/11/2008, 08:50 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13316730#post13316730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crrichey
Lookin' good my friend!
Thanks!
junkitu
09/13/2008, 11:21 AM
I appreciate it dtf.
junkitu
12/03/2008, 03:08 AM
It's been several months but not much has changed. Here are some new pics.
Zoa Garden. The hard coral towards the middle was a freebie from GARF that I got last year. ID anyone?
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/MushroomHouseDecember2008Zoas.jpg
Top Shelf. The anem is doing great. Unfortunately, so are the leathers. They're slated to find a new home in my buddy Dan's tank soon.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/MushroomHouseDecember2008TopShelf.jpg
Lower Half. I love how softies fill in over all of the exposed rock. "Patty's Plague" (aka blue anthelia) is especially good at filling in the gaps in my aquascape.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/MushroomHouseDecember2008Bottom.jpg
FTS. The tank has a lot of blues and greens so it was nice to see a new yellow fiji leather growing back (see lower left in this picture) where I removed the original colony over a year ago.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/junkitu/MushroomHouseDecember2008FTS.jpg
Chris Rx
04/22/2009, 10:58 PM
I am a zoa fan myself and your tank looks great!
lucas73
04/23/2009, 12:08 PM
Congratulations,well deserved you have an amazing looking tank.:thumbsup:
lucas73
04/23/2009, 12:08 PM
Congratulations,well deserved you have an amazing looking tank.:thumbsup:
Pablo777
04/23/2009, 02:08 PM
Looks great
Crypsis
04/29/2009, 03:59 AM
Incredible tank I love the RBTA
Fishboy9227
04/29/2009, 11:30 AM
I really like this tank. Great job!
SaltHammerX
07/10/2009, 10:03 PM
awesome tank! congrats
Chupakabra-King
11/04/2009, 12:02 PM
:eek1:
Sorry I know this is an old thread but dayummmmmmmmmmmmm ! :eek1:
What a beautiful tank !
I can only hope my AP24 will look this good !
Definitely worth drudging this thread up just to see what can be done with nano tanks !
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