Just A Little Eye Candy For You

[drummereef]

Thought I'd share a couple pics of my 40g mixed reef. Don't be too harsh. :D



Full Tank Shot
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/FullTankShot.jpg

Orange Monti Cap
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/OrangeMontiCap.jpg

Candy Cane
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/CandyCane.jpg

Frogspawn
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Frogspawn.jpg

Cleaner Shrimp on Toadstool
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/CleanerShrimp.jpg

Silver Tip Xenia
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/SilverTipXenia.jpg




;)

[SDguy]

Nice pics! So clean!

[gabe3d]

Very nice pics and tank aquaspace. The back of your tank is so clean it's like a mirror!

[macawdad2003]

That's awesome Drummer!

[drummereef]

Thanks guys! I recently scraped the entire tank free of coralline. Made a huge difference in looks and Ca consumption. :)

[xenon]

wicked. nice to finally see your setup..

got any pics of the equipment?

[Jeff]

Looks great :)

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577339#post9577339 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xenon
wicked. nice to finally see your setup..

got any pics of the equipment?

Thanks, xenon and Engine7! What you see is what you get as far as equipment goes. This is a sumpless system with a hang-on Remora skimmer. I rely heavily on the balance of the system. Low bio load and keep up on alk/Ca with Randy's 2-part. Weekly 10% water changes and I run carbon 24/7. :)

[Bambalam]

Beautiful tank, esp the orange monti. Put me in line for a frag, please! :D

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577432#post9577432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bambalam
Beautiful tank, esp the orange monti. Put me in line for a frag, please! :D


Thanks Babalam! Will do, however I'm upgrading to a 180 in the fall so it will probably find a home there. :D

[Ritten]

Man, that is sweet. In my opinion, when the glass is dirty you see that before the beautiful coras.

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577489#post9577489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ritten
Man, that is sweet. In my opinion, when the glass is dirty you see that before the beautiful coras.

Thanks! I agree with the glass being clean. Makes a huge difference. ;)

[Zoos]

Beautiful tank you have there but the frogspawn you posted is actually euphyllia ancora, commonly called hammer coral.

Great shots, what camera are you using?

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577541#post9577541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoos
Beautiful tank you have there but the frogspawn you posted is actually euphyllia ancora, commonly called hammer coral.

Great shots, what camera are you using?


Thanks Zoos. Yeah, the Frog/Hammer I have is a morph of some kind. My reef club calls it the Agu thingy. Half Frog, half Hammer, not quite either. :lol: Some of the tips look hammer-like where others are more rounded like a Frogspawn. The camera is a Canon Powershot A70. Most of the pics I did on the 'auto' setting with 'macro' engaged. It does ok.

[lakwriter]

very nice!

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577657#post9577657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lakwriter
very nice!


Thanks, lakwriter! :)

[BurN]

I have been waiting to see your tank, damn clean. awesome landscape complimenting the great coral placement. The candy cane really caught my eye as well as the monstrous xenia. Nice job man. Maybe we can trade secrets on upgrading as I soon plan to see a 150-210g

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577761#post9577761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BurN
I have been waiting to see your tank, damn clean. awesome landscape complimenting the great coral placement. The candy cane really caught my eye as well as the monstrous xenia. Nice job man. Maybe we can trade secrets on upgrading as I soon plan to see a 150-210g

Wow, thanks for the compliments. :) Definitely would love to trade ideas for your next build. I know I'm going to need some guidance for sure. Keep me in the loop. ;)

[ReefObsessor805]

drummerreef,

Your Orange Monti Cap is just way sweet!

Did you epoxy that to you LR?

When my calcium, magnesium, & alkalinity levels are stable in my tank, that is first on my list.

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9577836#post9577836 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefObsessor805
drummerreef,

Your Orange Monti Cap is just way sweet!


Hey, thanks ReefObsessor! My tank kind of dispels rumors that you can't keep SPS under anything but MH lighting. I have 192 watts of pc lighting over the tank. It's grown about an inch in the last 4 months. I thinks its doing well. :) Now with that being said, I would stick to Montipora and other less light demanding species. ;)

[drummereef]

Sorry, I just read the rest of your post! :D I superglued it to a piece of rubble and placed that in the tank. Worked great. Other than weekly 10% water changes with IO salt, I suppliment alk/ca with Randy's 2-part everyday. Keeps my levels rock solid. :)

[ReefObsessor805]

Really nice drummereef. I actually just ordered some dow and mag flake from twopartsolutions.com. Where did you get your two-part from?

[drummereef]

I use Randy's Homeade 2-part suppliment. It basically uses calcium chloride for the Ca, and baking soda for the alkalinity. For the calcium chloride I use Prestone Driveway Heat. Yes, the stuff you put on your driveway in the winter. Oh yeah, you live in Cali :lol:. Works great and is CHEAP. Costs me approx $10 per year to make it. Yes, I said per year. :thumbsup:

Here's the link:
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

[ReefObsessor805]

Yep, drummereef I read that article, the original DIY Two-Part as well, and the video!
You live in St. Louis; it must be easy to find the stuff, but in S. Cali it is just not possible to find it at your local Home Depot :) So, I had to order both the Magnesium flake and the Calicium (Dowflake, which is used the same as Prestone) off the internet. It cost me about $17, I believe. :rollface:

[drummereef]

Yeah, that's what I figured. Not much snow in SoCal lately huh... :D It's cool to see that resource on here though. Now it's even easier to get a hold of the stuff. Good luck with it!

Oh, and if you haven't seen it already. Use this calculator to help with dosing. Find out what your tank uses in a 24 hour period and plug in the numbers. Works great. ;)

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

[ReefObsessor805]

Awesome drummereef. I have that in my favorites!

Thanks.

[drummereef]

:thumbsup:

Woohoo my first 2 page thread! :D

[ReefObsessor805]

I actually have a question about your ro/di unit.
How do you have it hooked up?
Do you have any plumbing pictures?
And how often do you top off your tank? :)
Thanks!

[drummereef]

This is the only pic I have of the RO/DI. The DI stage isn't in this pic, it's on the wall to the left. It's hard plumbed into the cold water line. The top off of the tank is done with a dual float switch from autotopoff.com They make nice ato's. On the 180g I'm gearing up for in the fall I'm going to get a Tunze Osmolator for top off and a Spectrapure MaxCap RO/DI unit. I still get 0tds from the current unit, but the MaxCap is supposed to be the best.


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/IMG_0433.jpg

[AquaReeferMan]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e349/aquareeferman/rcVERYNICE.jpg

[ReefObsessor805]

So, what can I do if I don't hard-plumb my ro unit?
Would that even work? I am currently doing my research on ro/di units; this is my next piece of equipment I am going to purchase.
I would like it to go to my 10 gal ATO tank I am putting next to my tank...
Your help is very appreciated.

[drummereef]

You can use a valve to connect it right to the cold water line. The valves are basically the ones you use to connect your refrigerator's ice maker line to the water pipe. I believe it's called a 'saddle-piercing valve'. Otherwise you'll have to use a sink adapter which is a pain in the rear, imo.

Check out these links for more info:
http://www.melevsreef.com/rodi_install.html
http://www.spectrapure.com/St_MaxCap-RO-DI.htm

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9578617#post9578617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquaReeferMan
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e349/aquareeferman/rcVERYNICE.jpg


Thanks, AquaReeferMan. Whoawhoawewa!!! :D

[ReefObsessor805]

I see. I'll figure some way to hook it up.
Where does you ro/di water go? Into your sump from your ATO?

[drummereef]

This tank is sump-less so the ato is mouted in the tank. I use a dual float switch for redundancy. I have a 5 gallon reservoir beside the tank that I use to feed the ato with a small maxi-jet pump inside. I replenish it every few days with RO/DI water. Don't know if they will delete the link, but... www.autotopoff.com Like I said before, I'm going to switch to the Osmolator on the new tank. It's pretty sweet.

[ReefObsessor805]

That's really cool. That is what I am planning for my setup next. I am not upgrading my tank anytime soon; so this is my next investment for my system.
Is you plumbing from your ATO resevoir PVC-plumbed?

[drummereef]

Cool. The planning is fun, but the spending isn't. :lol: Basically the reservoir is a 5 gallon HDPE container, similar to a salt bucket. I have a lid with a hole cut in the center. The maxi-jet sits at the bottom of the bucket and has 1/2" clear plastic flexible tubing running through the hole and up to the tank. So its basically a straight shot from the reservoir to the tank. It evaporates approx a gallon per day depending on the weather.

[corals b 4 bills]

Very nice, I like your tank because it is very clean, clean is meant here as in striking, very pleasing too look at, Good job!

[LarryW]

very nice..... gotta love that jet black background!

[drummereef]

Thanks for the compliments, corals b 4 bills and LarryW! It's a labor of love. :)

[ReefObsessor805]

Sweet. I was thinking of using my Kent Marine 5 gal. salt bucket for my top-off resevoir, but just cutting a hole on the lower end of the bucket and 1/2" PVC it w/ a ball-valve to control the amount flowing to my sump to protect from salinity variances...

It would have to go around a little corner by the wall on the left-hand side and to my sump...pic for an idea, if possible. :eek:
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n32/lbz818/SumpBaffles024.jpg

Thank you very much drummereef. I did not mean to "highjack" your thread if I did. :eek2:

[drummereef]

That sounds like a good plan. I've heard the pvc float valves from US Plastics are very good. Might want to pick one of those up.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=usplastic&category%5Fname=6109&product%5Fid=12596

[ReefObsessor805]

What do you think of the JBJ ATO Controller?

[drummereef]

It's ok, I prefer the autotopoff.com though. I like the 'snail guards' the autotopoff.com has. Never had any issues (cross my fingers). :)

[ReefObsessor805]

You have the double switch mount for the tank, correct?
It comes complete, ready out-of-the-box?
Of course I would do the sump model...
Sweet! Thanks!

[drummereef]

Yeah, I got the dual float switch model. It comes ready with everything you need. You will need a pump for the water reservoir though. I also added the 'low voltage upgrade' option, you can find it under their custom link. Just make sure you specify the correct tank lip size and you are good to go.

http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DT1/index.htm

[drummereef]

UPDATES! :) Here's some growth pictures the corals have had over the last few months. Most of the corals frags were added around October 2006.

The pics on the left are the original frag, and the right is frag today.


Orange Monti Cap (then/now)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/MontiCapFrag.jpg http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/MontiCapToday.jpg

Frogspawn (then/now)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/FrogspawnFrag.jpg http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/FrogspawnToday.jpg

[drummereef]

MORE! :)

Neon Green Sinularia (then/now)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/NeonGreenSinulariaFrag.jpg http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/NeonGreenSinulariaToday.jpg

Toadstool (then/now)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/ToadstoolFrag.jpg http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/ToadstoolToday.jpg

[drummereef]

MORE! :)

Xenia (then/now)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/XeniaFrag.jpg http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Before%20and%20After%20Pics/XeniaToday.jpg


And, the full tank shot again. :)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/FullTankShot.jpg

[MrSpiffy]

Man... you're not helping any!!! I already had the itch to upgrade from 20G tall to a 40G breeder... You're encouraging me!!! KNOCK IT OFF!!! :lol: I don't think the wife would be overly thrilled about an upgrade just yet. :p

Awesome tank, btw! I'm very impressed!

[nsreefer]

And what would we have to be harsh about? It's Beautifiul! Nice job on keeping the back of the tank super clean, I personally like that look alot better that it covered in corline. :rollface:

[davocean]

No doubt dude, that is one cool tank!
Nice monti.
Like that hammered frog morph, looks like a basket of easter eggs!LOL

[ReefObsessor805]

Way cool.

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9582627#post9582627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrSpiffy
Man... you're not helping any!!! I already had the itch to upgrade from 20G tall to a 40G breeder... You're encouraging me!!! KNOCK IT OFF!!! :lol: I don't think the wife would be overly thrilled about an upgrade just yet. :p

Awesome tank, btw! I'm very impressed!

Ahh, you can do it! :D 40g is a nice size for a smallish tank.

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9583194#post9583194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davocean
No doubt dude, that is one cool tank!
Nice monti.
Like that hammered frog morph, looks like a basket of easter eggs!LOL


I guess we should have the easter egg hunt around the tank this year! :D Thanks for the compliments. ;)

[Rock Anemone]

Beautiful tank!

[nethawk73]

Nice job on the tank..... super clean look!

[drummereef]

Thanks, Rock Anemone and nethawk73! :)

[Ritten]

Now that I got over my awe at your beautiful tank, I noticed I don't see any fishies.

[MrSpiffy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9587047#post9587047 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Ahh, you can do it! :D 40g is a nice size for a smallish tank.


Well, I'd like to upgrade, but the wife is searching for a new job and I'm not sure how long we'll stay in our current apartment. So I'm hoping to wait until she finds something before upgrading. That way there's less to break down haul if we do end up moving to a different location. But we have actually talked about it. I figured a 40BR or a 50 would be a nice size. I like tanks that have more depth, front-to-back. It's either that or something much larger! Probably 90G to 180G. *sigh* Someday! :)

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9587214#post9587214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ritten
Now that I got over my awe at your beautiful tank, I noticed I don't see any fishies.


Currently it's just the corals and cleaner shrimp. I'm trying to keep the system as low maintenance as possible as I will be upgrading to a 180 in the fall. I want the transition to be simple. ;)

[onefin]

Wow

[Lion_Babe]

SWEET!! I love your tank.
:)

[drummereef]

Thanks for the compliments everybody! ;)


Just a little info on the tank. It's been setup and running since 1996.

Equipment
40 gallon tank 36x12x21
Current USA Orbit 192 watt PC lighting
10k and 03 actinic sunpaq bulbs
AquaC Remora hang-on skimmer
2 Tunze Nanostream 6025
Neptune Systems Aquacontroller Jr
autotopoff.com for top-off control
Visi-Therm Stealth Heater
Deep Sand Bed (4"-5")

Livestock
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Tonga Nassarius Snails
Astrea Snails

Corals
Orange Monti Cap
Frogspawn
Candy Cane
Toadstool
Neon Green Sinularia
Kenya Tree
Silver Tip Xenia
Green Star Polyps
Eagle Eye Zoanthids
Red Shrooms
Blue Shrooms
Green Shrooms
Green-Striped Shrooms

Maintenance
I do 10-15% weekly water changes with RO/DI water. I use Instant Ocean Salt and bolster the calcium by 70ppm with calcium chloride at water changes. I also dose Randy's 2-part daily to keep up with alkalinity and calciums demands. And I run carbon 24/7.


:)