427Gal, 2 years old!

[reefkeeper2]

I can't believe how fast time goes and 2 years have past since I first put up my tank. I thought I would show some then and now pics for people to see. My goal for this tank was to have a mixed reef housing as many different reef animals as I could maintain. I still have a way to go. My newest additions are non-photosynthetic soft coral species. I want to see if it's possible to have sps and non-photosynthetic corals thrive in the same tank.
Here is a pic of the tank when it was new.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/3140tank7.JPG

Here it is today
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/3140mini-IMG_0667.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/3140mini-IMG_0666.JPG

A few closer up
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/3140mini-IMG_0614.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/3140mini-IMG_0631.JPG

[pete 43]

Tank looks great.It's amazing to see the progression in just 2yrs
So long,Pete

[Justinandkrista]

wow! Thats an aewsome tank is that in a green house too

[phil121]

Yep, that is a wonderful tank. You have done a great job! Wow that is a clean looking setup!

[epstein]

Simply Breath taking.....

[phil121]

What equipment do you have on it? And where is the filtration hidden?

[s1214215]

Hi Paul

Great tank. Do you run a sump, any pics? I'd like to know more about your tank, what equipment you are running, any additives etc.

More pics to please. :D

Brett

[Untamed12]

Is that one LARGE monti on the right side? That thing must be 2 feet in all directions!

[reefkeeper2]

I'll try and get some more pics on. That's a gigantea anemone on the right. I've had it about 5 years.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/3140mini-IMG_0296.jpg

[reefkeeper2]

The sump is in the basement. All the plumbing is hidden in the stand.

[tbittner]

Awesome tank!

How many fish has that anemone "accidentally" eaten? That thing is HUGE!!!

[temec_luver]

i dont think thats a green house... looks like a solarium

[dkirchoff]

its just awesome

[kdblove_99]

Very nice.

Is that a huge RBTA on the left?

[tc2008]

May I ask you a question; where do you get those flexible arms for your 4 sup lights, I've been trying to do that but couldn't find a flexible arm like that?

[reefkeeper2]

I bought those arms last year when I changed the configuration of the lights. I did a google search for goose neck lamp parts. Sorry but I don't remember exactly where I got them. Then I drilled holes into the finnex fixtures and just attached them with a washer and bolt

[jumpfreak26]

i like how it fits into the room, very noce

[TripleP]

that anemone is gigantic!!!!!!!!!!! how big was it when you got and how big is it know?

[tjh]

just beautiful. still running the same filter equipment

[Jan Helge]

Awsome tank :)

Looks like the real deal and very clean.

[reefkeeper2]

The anemone was about the size of an orange when I got it. Now it's over 2 feet wide.
I'm still using the dialyseas. I think the constant water changes are helping keep the nutient levels low with all the liquid food I have been adding.

[Bax]

The tank looks fantastic, then and now!

[reefkeeper2]

This tank is extremely difficult to photograph. There were some college students here doing a documentary and they had a really hard time getting the colors true to lfe. I think it's because the tank is see thru and light enters from all sides. the real daylight plus the lighting from the lamps all make it difficult. Here's another shot with a fisheye lens.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/3140mini-IMG_0670.JPG
It gives you an idea of what the room is like. I think the general appearance of the room is also of importance when your presenting your aquarium. I wanted the feeling of abundant tropical life when you enter this room.

[reefkeeper2]

More pics and info here (http://bostonreefers.org/totm/may08/index.php)

[dougie]

awesome!!!

[OnlyCrimson]

Did changing the lighting position help?

[reefkeeper2]

Yes, the coral growth is now up and outward, instead of up and inward.

[zoomin]

You have a beautiful tank - definitely a big inspiration for my current upgrade plans.

At the risk of stirring up a religious debate, can you say a few words about your choice of acrylic over glass?

I have acrylic, am planning an upgrade to a large (>180g) tank and am struggling with this choice.

After seeing this months TOTM (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-05/totm/index.php) I am leaning more towards acrylic - maybe even unbraced.

Thanks!

[reefkeeper2]

The primary reason I went with acrylic was for peace of mind. I plan on having this tank a long time. I felt that acrylic was safer with a tank of this size. Having a personality where I fret over stuff easily, I didn't want to worry about a seam giving way and 427gal of water pouring into my house.
Secondary to safety, was the issue of clarity. Since the tank is in a sunroom, glass would reflect and bounce the sunlight everywhere making viewing harder. Acrylic would not reflect the light anywhere near as much, and is much clearer than glass.
Of course there is the big downside of scratching with acrylic. I have become very adept at buffing out scratches since this is not my first acrylic tank. Even so I miss the ease of cleaning a glass tank. I can say with confidence though that I made the right choice.
I think the decision of glass vs. acrylic depends a large part on the circumstances. If my tank were in a basement, then glass could be a better option. Likewise if I was the type not to clean the tank for weeks at a time, glass would be better. So you have to consider all the personal factors before you decide.