Anyone with a reef over five years straight? Pics?

[Chihuahua6]

I was just wondering if anyone would like to share some long term success stories. I am wondering what you have stocked and what equipment you feel has been key to your long term success.

[luke33]

Paul is the man with the years under his belt. 30+ with the same tank. Just do a search on morish idols and you'll find some tank pics.

[Chihuahua6]

Yes I know exactly who you are talking about. His tank is incredible with a great history. Is there anyone else out there that has had a tank for any length of time?

[usmc121581]

Ive had one for 5 years but all the moving around the US its not as filled as many others are.

[hahnmeister]

There are PARTS of my tank that I have had for 5 years or more... some of the sand, most of the rocks, some corals, clams, etc... but I upgrade every couple years it seems so the tank and equipment arent as old.

[Paul B]

There are PARTS of my tank that I have had for 5 years or more

There are parts of my tank forty years old :lol:

[SDguy]

I think 5 year old livestock is more impressive than the same 5 year old tank ;)

[m2434]

I moved recently, swapped tanks in the process (55 to 75g) So I can't really say my tank is >5yrs old, but I will have had my 3 original fish for and a few corals for 6 years next month. I'll be happy if it looks half as nice as Pauls 30 years from now ;)

[thrillreefer]

It's pretty hard to stay in the same place long enough, and even if I could, I think I would constantly upgrade. That said, I have some corals in my tank that I got in my first few months of reefing: Galaxea, yellow scroll, green sinularia (which I nearly killed moving my tank last week).

Paul, while you're here, can we see some current pictures of your masterpiece?

[Paul B]

My tank is no longer a masterpiece but it is just the way I want it.
A few months ago I had a problem with my town after they put zinc orthophosphate in my town water which killed most of my corals. I diden't replace them yet because I am in a gobi breeding phase. My tank is loaded with unusual gobies many of which I have never seen before. There are also other fish like a breeding pair of bangai cardinals and the usual hippo tangs, purple psudo's and such but I am trying to get some gobies to spawn. It is hard to get a pair when all you have are unusual rarely kept gobies. This is how I always wanted my tank to be, filled with dozens of small gobies and bleenies. I have kept just about every fish available and now I want wierd.
I am also retiring in a few days and my house and the tank are going through some drastic changes.
I am experimenting with nitrate reduction, red algae and hair algae problems, I don't have any problems but I may induce some for fun and experience.
There is also some locally collected Codium in there.
Have a great day.
Paulhttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/13094Fish_tank_032.JPGhttp://

[Anemone]

Hmmm, my 65 gallon anemone tank has been up for 13 years, the 40 gallon mixed reef tank I set up at a nearby elementary school has been up for 10 years, and the 80 gallon mixed reef in my garage has been up for 9.

I'd say rthe thing I've learned is that I'm lazy, and due to that, lower stocking levels (fishwise) and less technology are always better. Technology fails and the tank crashes, and overstocked tanks crash easier.

My 65 gallon anemone tank has a breeding pair of GSM clowns, a yellow-tailed blue damsel and a yellow watchman goby - pistol shrimp pair.

The 40 gallon school reef has a small yellow tang, a small tomato clown and yellow-tailed damsel.

The 80 gallon tank has a medium sailfin tang (about 4"), three ocellaris clowns (two black, one orange), a golden pygmy angel and a McCulloch's pseudochromis (Cypho purpurescens).

I might add one more fish to the anemone tank (black cap basslet, sixline wrasse or a pseudochromis), but that's about it.

The 40 and the 80 have protein skimmers. The 65 had a cheesy one for about 6 or 7 years, but I gave up on it. The 80 didn't have one for the first 5 years or so, and I had to eventually pull out the deep sand bed because it became overloaded with nutrients, so I added the skimmer (turboflotor 1000 multi) to help out with that. The 40 has always had one (CPR BakPak II).

Kevin

[Gary Majchrzak]

My (first) 225 gallon reef aquarium was up and running for 9 years before we moved in 2006

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/totm/images/IMG_1042maybe90090999.jpg

In the April 2006 Reefkeeping Online Magazine I mentioned a few things that I thought made it a long term success. Link to article:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/totm/index.php

[cloak]

Almost eight years.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w16/jAb83_2007/full_tank.jpg

[MN. Reef crzy]

nice pictures, gotta love long term sucess.