The Regal Reef

[michael_cb_125]

Hello everyone. I recently made a huge down grade in size. I went from a 240 gallon reef to a 55 gallon reef. :)
But the jump in quality is amazing.
I decided early on that this would be sps dominated.
Here are the tank specs:
Elos 70 Pool (55 gallons)
Elos Stand
Elos NS500 Skimmer
Elos Sump
Elos Osmocontroller
Elos Aqua-Planet II (1X 250 watt MH, 4X 24 watt HO T5)
Ehiem Return Pump
Vortec GEN2 MPW40

The tank is barebottomed. This is the first tank that I have ever done in this manner. So far I am loving it. I keep the Vortech on 100% during the day and on low power at night.

As for my aquascaping, I used minimal amounts of LR. Maybe 30 pounds. I really like a nice open rock structure.

After getting my 240 up and running, I fell in love with angelfish, and gathered several amazing specimens. So in this 55 I have done what many people cant believe. I have three angels and a butterfly in my reef.

The angels (Regal, potters, flame) were in the 240 originally and I decided that I had to bring them with me. All three will eat from my hand, and have never touched a coral or clam. Even Polyps (zoanthus, etc.) are safe with them. These fish are my babies and add so much movement and personality to the tank.

Now for my newest addition: Mitratus Butterfly. He is about 1.75" long, and has already learned to eat from my hand. He has yet to pick at any coral, and just cruises the tank looking for algea.

Please do not rant me for having the fish that I have. I will post some pictures of everyone, so the fish's health can be noted :)


Now for coral.
I plan on this becoming my show SPS tank.
I will be adding an ORA Roscoe's Blue and Yellow Miyagi Tort on tuesday, so these will be my first SPS in this tank.

I am looking for all the advice I can get, and would love ideas, tips, or suggestions.

:)Thanks
~Michael

[AquamanE]

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll40/aquamane_photos/uselesswithoutpics.jpg

:p :p

[michael_cb_125]

Here are a few pictures. I have not taken many :(

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/000_0016.jpg



http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0814.jpg


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0821.jpg


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0823.jpg

I have changed up the rock work quite a bit since these pictures.


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0806.jpg

[michael_cb_125]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0806.jpg


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/th_SANY0799-1.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/?action=view&current=SANY0799-1.flv)


That is really all I have for now. I will take a few updated pictures this evening.

~Michael

[AquamanE]

That Regal is awsome. He wont mess with your LPS and SPS?

[michael_cb_125]

I worry about my Regal less than my other three.
She is the biggest baby, and will eat anything (except corals). When I first got her I tried using polyps to initiate a feeding response. She would not even look at them. So far I have kept all the angels in a tank with Clams, SPS, LPS, and several polyps.


~Michael

[michael_cb_125]

Here is a video of the tank

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/th_SANY0191-1.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/?action=view&current=SANY0191-1.flv)

[AquamanE]

Very impressive! Im chiming in to see what happens with SPS. Plan on any meaty lps ie torch, elegance.?

[IFbettas]

Looks nice! If those are monti caps then you already have your first sps. Really nice fish assortment!

[michael_cb_125]

Your right, I meant they would be my first Acropora :)

Thanks for all the nice words. :)

The main LPS that will be in this tank will be acans and favias. The only LPS in the tank currently, are the big red lobo, and a purple Moseleya Latistellata.

All of the angels have been in my 240 gallon tank with Duncans, Hammer, Frogspawn, Clams, Palys/zoanthus, Candy cane, Poccilopora, Various Mushrooms, Blastos, and a few other corals. The fish have never touched a coral. :) I am very lucky.

~Michael

[CeeGee]

Your fish are beautiful. Where are the pics of the other two?

[AquamanE]

I hear you're story and many others. I'm wondering if the Angell thing in reefs is a myth. I'm dying for a Majestic but keep hearing to stay away from them.

[AquamanE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13797774#post13797774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
Your fish are beautiful. Where are the pics of the other two?
His video shows all the fish. They are awesome.

[Goodwood]

Me jealous.

[skey44]

i have had very good success with a regal in my reef tank as long as they eat well and are well fed i have heard the same from others (in sps type tanks especially). the other angels always seem to nip for me.

[AquamanE]

I recently got this guy and he is a model citizen, but I WANT A MAJESTIC ANGEL!!!!! :p




http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll40/aquamane_photos/RC%20Pics/IMG_0306.jpg

[michael_cb_125]

I have been looking at the Multi Color Angels, but I like the Joculaors Better :)

I had a 6 inch Majestic in my 240. She was a great fish, and never touched a coral or clam. :)

I have pics
~Michael

[cmjreef]

Sorry to play devil's advocate, but it's just a matter of TIME. I've tried too many times, doesn't usually work. Again, sorry JMO.

[cmjreef]

by the way, your fish are beautiful and I'm jealous too. I want a regal bad. That's one fish that might be OK.

[michael_cb_125]

I appreciate your Opinion. But the key word in your statement is "usually" :)
I wish I still had my Majestic, but she was just too large for a 55. :(

~Michael

[AquamanE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13798483#post13798483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cmjreef
by the way, your fish are beautiful and I'm jealous too. I want a regal bad. That's one fish that might be OK.

Don't apologize for your opinion but please give facts that made you develop that opinion. Trying to gather info and learn.

[michael_cb_125]

Potters

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0797.jpg


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0471.jpg


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0469.jpg



Mitratus Butterfly. I feel so luck to have this amazing fish. He adds movement to the tank that they angels cant provide. It is just very hard to get a good quality pic, since he flutters like a little butterfly. And he is so small ( 1.75")


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0183.jpg




http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0164-2.jpg


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/michael_cb_125/SANY0217.jpg

~Michael

[IFbettas]

What is the wire hanging down in the middle of the tank? That butterfly is really beautiful.

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks everyone.

That is a temp probe. I was messing with it before I got the camera, Sorry.
~Michael

[dvanacker]

Very nice reef.

I'm one who will not attempt an angel either. I had a coral beauty that took a liken to my monti digitata as well as porites. It was a pain.

On a side note you do realize that the regal will out grow that tank...not trying to be a downer....just looking out for that beautiful fish.

[spleify]

Nice camera work!!
Thanks for sharing

Spleify

[dougie]

cool tank.

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks everyone......

As for the Regal. I have been planning a larger tank, sometime next year. :)
~Michael

[Todd March]

Michael, over these fish's time with you, how often on average have you fed them per day? Do you think that keeping them well fed and full is a factor in not having them ever bother any type of coral?

[michael_cb_125]

I feed my fish anywhere from 4 to 6 times per day. I days when I am not able to be around the tank all day, I feed no less than three times. Plus I keep nori clipped in the tank almost constantly. I feel as though this plays a huge part in their "reef-safeness".
Plus I think the fact that I have quite a few fish in a 55 gallon tank, they never get bored. I know that sounds funny, but I think that by having other similar sized tank mates, the fish have more of a chance to interact with each other. I have set for hours watching the tank. THe fish never fight, and it "almost" seems as though they are "playing". I think that by being stimulated throughout the day, the fish are less likely to pick at corals.

But, this is just my experience.
~Michael

[Chrisrush]

Fish look great. Not really feeling the rock though. Looks like base rock.

[Dejavu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13797911#post13797911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquamanE
I hear you're story and many others. I'm wondering if the Angell thing in reefs is a myth. I'm dying for a Majestic but keep hearing to stay away from them.

IME it a myth. The only coral I would not keep angels with are zoa's. I have three angels in my reef without a problem. While they have pick at some LPS, most they leave alone. The don't every look at SPS unless the coral is sick. A good friend of mine has 5 angel in his reef, one being a Majestic. If you don't believe njust look at Copps tanks. Many angels for along period of time.

[Todd March]

Does the Mitratus eat nori?

[michael_cb_125]

Todd- Yes he eats the nori. The little tiny guy gets right up there with the angels and fights for it.

Well, I just got conformation that my new shipment from The DD is on the way.

A few reef "cleaners", two Acroporas, and something to replace the Flame angel :)

~Michael

[michael_cb_125]

Well, I got my new SPS Frags today.

They are awesome. The Roscoe's Blue Acro is amazing. It is so bright under the actinics of my tank. It had polyp extension in the bag, and is HUGE. It is more like a small colony than a frag :).

The Yellow Miyagi Tort looks very nice. I can see why they call it a tort, the structure of the coralites does resemble a tort:)

I also got a few cleaners for the tank. I only had about 5 ceriths and 5 margaritas. Now I have 10 chestnut turbo snails and an emerald crab. The little crab started eating algae right away:)


Now for the surprise, I swapped my flame angel for another angel :)
A friend of mine came by last night to pickup the flame angel. A very easy catch, I just put a plastic container in the tank, and she swam in.

The new fish is simply awesome. I will post pics later,,,,,,,,any guesses?
~Michael

[Todd March]

Make me happy and say it's an Interruptus....