ScalowagReef's 25g Reef Tank

[scalowagreef]

Sup Folks,

I decided I'd start a tank thread of my current tank and update it as I move over to a 40 breeder.

I started this tank in February 2007 (I think) and it's been through one move and that move did the tank wonders. In the first stage it was plagued with green hair algae and cyano, coraline wouldn't grow and I couldn't keep much coral, most of the rocks were like boulders and didn't have any interesting shape or form... the tank was absolutely pathetic. Without further ado here is the tank today...


Tank Specs

25g 24" x 12" x 20"
4 x 24W TEK Spinoff (purchased from hellolights)
2 x ATI Blue +, 1 x Fiji Purple, 1 x UV Super Actinic
3 x Koralia Nanos
2 x Carbon bags in AquaClear 50


Front Tank Shot
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVIX-nmHFI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/xzE4Ha6rQLc/s800/IMG_0128.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVH0gsceZI/AAAAAAAAC9A/HqZd4mkoKy8/s800/IMG_0089.JPG

Random Photos
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVG64pbYhI/AAAAAAAAC8A/85MWl_F0r1I/s800/IMG_1331.JPG


Latest Purchase
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVHBjmCfjI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/oFOOFpnIneY/s800/IMG_1340.JPG


Nice Colours
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVHM_350QI/AAAAAAAAC8g/Mi6bqDIyYw8/s800/IMG_0140.JPG


Don't get any ideas...
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVHfrQFZII/AAAAAAAAC8o/rHtREgQa628/s800/IMG_1315.JPG


Acans
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVHnClAPUI/AAAAAAAAC80/zPxvEHFClTk/s800/IMG_0061.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVJctB33JI/AAAAAAAAC-c/CA2Atz7Ogqk/s800/IMG_9906.JPG


Zoos and Birdsnest
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVIlekzp5I/AAAAAAAAC9w/wnVPVSRVy4c/s800/IMG_0035.JPG


Hitchhikers (dunno what these guys are)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVIpilejxI/AAAAAAAAC94/PGk_V3te3Fo/s800/IMG_0040.JPG

[scalowagreef]

Duncans
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVJTR0fDAI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/vMgLHOX-7YU/s800/IMG_9924.JPG

Tubastrea
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVJgaPDTdI/AAAAAAAAC-g/YUCDZYMPj0E/s800/IMG_9916.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVJiQWf00I/AAAAAAAAC-k/4726xq91oY4/s800/IMG_9920.JPG

Top Down Angled
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVKC-gZsxI/AAAAAAAAC_E/oiiU0tymt7w/s800/IMG_9360.JPG

Xenia Rope
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVLc04B44I/AAAAAAAAC_U/o-6T4751-Ic/s800/IMG_8160.JPG

Cool Rics
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVI8bWGIoI/AAAAAAAAC-E/fYgTqcfpg5g/s800/IMG_9987.JPG

Hitchhiker in the 10g eating flakes
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TLVHAd06OMI/AAAAAAAAC8I/1GHJOv1z6pc/s800/IMG_1339.JPG

[scalowagreef]

So I lost the big white acro colony last night *sigh*. Why is this sh** so hard to keep?

BRS kalkwasser starter kit is en route!

[sahin]

Nice tank. Nice colours too.

[TwistedEnvy]

very nice looking tank. not sure what those hitchikers are either. sucks that you lost coral

[Baltimore Bryan]

Nice tank, good colors. I especially like the green/purple/white acans and the blue/orange rics, I have never seen them before.
Bryan

[scalowagreef]

Thanks everyone.


Nice tank, good colors. I especially like the green/purple/white acans and the blue/orange rics, I have never seen them before.
Bryan

Those acans bleached on me within a couple weeks of getting them but I managed to find the right spot and fed them mysis regularly until they coloured right back up.


As for the rics... I try to go for the unusually coloured ones and I managed to score another nice piece last weekend :). It's orange and blue like the other one but it has a green mouth and a purple skirt. Well, I could just take a picture... check it out and ignore the flat worms.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TMLoHW_PCqI/AAAAAAAADHU/-PxE8ERdENY/s800/IMG_0248.JPG

[nata]

You have a very nice tank!!!Your ric is incredible!!!

[cherubfish pair]

scalowagreef, are you dosing any type of carbon? I've read carbon can make corals pop and yours have lot's of color.

[Clavius]

Impressive tank. I like it a lot!

[scalowagreef]

Nata and Clavius - Thanks!

cherubfish pair - Nope. No carbon dosing. I just feed everything mysis and cyclops.

[scalowagreef]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP5Cfo5nihI/AAAAAAAADKc/GRxjIeTtgRY/s800/IMG_0765.JPG

[HiImSean]

very nice, i love the mix corals

[scalowagreef]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP5CnIoSdjI/AAAAAAAADKk/hSoHmf7ntUk/s800/IMG_0770.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP5CjUqbmII/AAAAAAAADKg/NTnA6p5wIOE/s800/IMG_0766.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP5Cfo5nihI/AAAAAAAADKc/GRxjIeTtgRY/s800/IMG_0765.JPG

[scalowagreef]

Got a bunch of these popping up around the tank. I now have 3 colonies, 2 on the back glass and the one pictured here and roughly 4 more small pieces in the rockwork. It's really pretty - it has a hint of yellow green on some branches.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP5HVbCq69I/AAAAAAAADK0/Bhqa7pnRUaY/s800/IMG_0773.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP5HXk7NHcI/AAAAAAAADK4/BvGSSAQoaWw/s800/IMG_0774.JPG

[newbie916]

Very nice tank!!! It's very diverse and awesome pics..

[cherubfish pair]

If these haven't been named yet you could call them blackberries. :D
Got a bunch of these popping up around the tank. I now have 3 colonies, 2 on the back glass and the one pictured here and roughly 4 more small pieces in the rockwork. It's really pretty - it has a hint of yellow green on some branches.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP5HVbCq69I/AAAAAAAADK0/Bhqa7pnRUaY/s800/IMG_0773.JPG

[scalowagreef]

More Pics

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP-VFiIHLbI/AAAAAAAADL0/8mCwwmRXFDQ/s800/IMG_1012.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP-VR0yUaWI/AAAAAAAADL8/P-e3Tv-kP7o/s800/IMG_1020.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP-VY792KhI/AAAAAAAADME/A2P5HkJpv1o/s800/IMG_1026.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP-VfnkB8TI/AAAAAAAADMI/cNGk2mOtQr8/s800/IMG_1036.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TP-VorxeSpI/AAAAAAAADMM/Tij8IKH6CF0/s800/IMG_1038.JPG

[60G]

nice tank

[sahin]

Very nice. Love the colours. The 4xT5 tubes are working out really well for you.

What do you dose in the tank?

[scalowagreef]

I use B-Ionic 2 part. I recently purchased Bulk Reef Supply's kalwasser, calcium and alkalinity but I haven't used it to dose yet.

[scalowagreef]

Taken under 2 x ATI Blue +
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TQjEG6bc-rI/AAAAAAAADN4/D0YNgrjZnk8/s640/IMG_1149.JPG

Taken under 1 x ATI Blue + and 1 x Fiji Purple
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TQjEbcUEDnI/AAAAAAAADOA/WQ2mClsxUSY/s800/IMG_1179.JPG

Taken under 1 UV Super Actinic
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TQjEiuh8wjI/AAAAAAAADOE/0pXGa_NUJUQ/s800/IMG_1184.JPG

[cherubfish pair]

How were you delivering the B-Ionic 2 part into your system?

[scalowagreef]

Manually and I guesstimated it. I drop anywhere from 5-10 drops straight from the container. I think 10 drops is roughly 5ml. I'd have to double check.

I started using Kalkwasser yesterday. I manually top off the water using a 1 gallon jug and I added 2 teaspoons of Kalkwasser to it.

[sofiasnemo]

Hi Scalowareef,
Your tank is awesome! Thx for sharing. Are u running a sump? refugium? what type of skimmer?
Thx

[scalowagreef]

Hi sofiasnemo,

Thanks! I don't run a sump or a skimmer. I do a 5 gallon water change every weekend for nutrient export. Look out for more pics!

[scalowagreef]

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TRU8XkF_RtI/AAAAAAAADQ8/7b5Pxpuw-sY/s400/IMG_1337.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TRU8uikLP8I/AAAAAAAADRI/8sr8QaSsmuM/s400/IMG_1355.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TRU86o6vY2I/AAAAAAAADRQ/MWgHFDQHAgs/s400/IMG_1357.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TRU_ScAosOI/AAAAAAAADRg/kCBV3TyQrw8/s400/IMG_1358.JPG

[scalowagreef]

I picked up this clam last night and it I'm very pleased. It's iridescent and it looks completely different when viewed from the top. From the top it has a bright orange, green and blue as seen in the 4th pic. From the angle in the 2nd and 3rd it's purple and aqua.

[cherubfish pair]

Which specie?

Looks very nice.

[scalowagreef]

Echinophyllia under moon lights


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TRcCmfw387I/AAAAAAAADSA/GUmi_vX4lYw/s400/IMG00898-20101226-0344.jpg

[scalowagreef]

Which specie?

Looks very nice.

I had no clue until now. A quick search with Google says tridacna derasa.

[scalowagreef]

Dendros
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TRlsI1STcqI/AAAAAAAADSg/ls_3StfEVBA/s400/IMG_1480.JPG

You can see the pellets in the gut
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TRlsmXHZfEI/AAAAAAAADSs/F1MB5ontq_w/s400/IMG_1425.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TRlszAjyVTI/AAAAAAAADSw/ae6fN37A594/s400/IMG_1441.JPG

[stagger_lee]

Nice tank. Pics are amazing!

[scalowagreef]

Check out a video of my tank shot with a Canon EOS 550d with a fixed 50mm lens.

High Quality Link (720p) (http://youtu.be/ahSE80Za7Ik?hd=1)

Standard Quality (380p) (http://youtu.be/ahSE80Za7Ik)

[scalowagreef]

Early morning bump!

[sahin]

Beautiful video. I like how those LPS coral tentacles are swaying around. Nice! :beer:

[scalowagreef]

Thanks sahin.

My duncan tentacles are unusually long. Later on I'll post pics of a bristle worm that almost didn't escape those tentacles. He writhed for about 15 minutes before managing to escape.

[scalowagreef]

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TR-7XxJU8YI/AAAAAAAADU8/DyUr79H60lk/s800/Collages.jpg

[scalowagreef]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TR-89N1yXKI/AAAAAAAADVI/z3ZhYSIjxlM/s640/IMG_1624.JPG

[cherubfish pair]

^^Is that a midas blenny or a canary blenny? A book I have says the canary blenny is venomous but I've asked around and no one seems to know anything about the venom thing.

[sahin]

Those are really nice photos. What lighting was being used when the photos were taken? I wish my tank looked like that. :)

[scalowagreef]

^^Is that a midas blenny or a canary blenny? A book I have says the canary blenny is venomous but I've asked around and no one seems to know anything about the venom thing.

It's a midas blenny. Very very very cool fish.


Yep, canary blennys are indeed venomous. I've seen the blue and yellow ones in pet stores before. None of them indicated that the fish is venomous.

[scalowagreef]

Those are really nice photos. What lighting was being used when the photos were taken? I wish my tank looked like that. :)

Thanks man :).

Just natural light and the light from the tanks. No flash.

It took me a couple years to get this down pat. I'll be buying the wood to build a new stand for my 40 breeder this weekend.

That tank will be primarily SPS. Do you have a link to your tank?

[scalowagreef]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TSfPB7T5BVI/AAAAAAAADWc/t75CdQNAA_A/s800/IMG_1723-2.JPG

[cherubfish pair]

Nice video! Love those blackberry sps, (well that's what I call them) although you say they have a tinge of yellow/green on them they don't show it much on youtube.

[pwwfish]

WOW nice tank and great pictures. You took some amazing shots.

[sahin]

Thanks man :).

Just natural light and the light from the tanks. No flash.

It took me a couple years to get this down pat. I'll be buying the wood to build a new stand for my 40 breeder this weekend.

That tank will be primarily SPS. Do you have a link to your tank?

Here is my thread:http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18068168#post18068168

Its still early stages, but I hope it will look as good as yours is one day. :beer:

[scalowagreef]

Growth Pics

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TSjw4cqUZ3I/AAAAAAAADXo/H2GZ09Z2Ypo/s800/2011-01-07.jpg

[scalowagreef]

I just picked up a HUGE acro colony from the LFS. Now I have to make space in the tank. I also picked up the wood to build my stand and I JUST broke the drill bit after drilling the second pilot hole. This really sucks.

[scalowagreef]

Approximately 4 x 5 inches
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TSpLFFQbtLI/AAAAAAAADYE/1SLZLs_GYy8/s640/IMG_1761.JPG

Ninja Crab
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TSpLknY4fFI/AAAAAAAADYI/IQcnvNk12KQ/s800/IMG_1776.JPG

[scalowagreef]

WOW nice tank and great pictures. You took some amazing shots.

Thanks :)

[scalowagreef]

:D

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TSsJQynWNRI/AAAAAAAADY8/DWqOfVDhPpE/s800/IMG_1785.JPG

[hmello@bermexin]

Is that Pocillopora or Stylophora? Whatever it is a real beauty.

[cherubfish pair]

WOW!! is that bright orange frag just as bright as it is in person?

[scalowagreef]

New additions to the tank

Pink mouth rics and and awesome awesome awesome acan.


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TS288BsZosI/AAAAAAAADaU/vHW3fVFR6-A/s800/IMG_1819.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TS282bV6JHI/AAAAAAAADZ8/76cLCUu9MWI/s800/IMG_1816.JPG

[scalowagreef]

Is that Pocillopora or Stylophora? Whatever it is a real beauty.

Thanks!

It's neither. I believe it's Acropora Monticulosa.

[scalowagreef]

WOW!! is that bright orange frag just as bright as it is in person?

Yep! :)

[scalowagreef]

More pics. More or less the same corals. A few new ones added I really am at my limit now and the 40-breeder has been postponed until I move. Bummer. Total bummer.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC810Teg4I/AAAAAAAADeA/uKqXsc9WBGI/s640/IMG_1896.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC88OEW_GI/AAAAAAAADeI/QzaytLfsrHU/s800/IMG_1879.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC9WhpgVWI/AAAAAAAADeU/8GxJtPqZC4A/s800/IMG_1910.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC9LVdjorI/AAAAAAAADeM/3GYhTMXLncg/s800/IMG_1903.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC9f8Nhb5I/AAAAAAAADec/7LqlEr0WQlM/s800/IMG_1934.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC9lOkgQeI/AAAAAAAADek/-7kFsx2EwLs/s800/IMG_1928.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC-DsJAazI/AAAAAAAADe0/nZtt2oWBee8/s800/IMG_2042.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC_M5l8MdI/AAAAAAAADfE/13YIf9zB0Mc/s800/IMG_2076.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TVC_WWqz0VI/AAAAAAAADfI/86aj3ZK0-eo/s800/IMG_2069.JPG

[celamb89]

AWESOME! :thumbsup:
Love the acans! I need to get one! xD

[Michael B]

stunning tank & just love the clams

[scalowagreef]

Woke up this morning to some coral war in the tank:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TWe4ts3LK2I/AAAAAAAADhY/djt82nIX35o/s800/IMG_2396.JPG

[Western_reefer]

Woke up this morning to some coral war in the tank:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rX5ecI2300k/TWe4ts3LK2I/AAAAAAAADhY/djt82nIX35o/s800/IMG_2396.JPG

lol