My NPS tank

[Treed]

Wanted to share the progress of my tank. Its a 75 gallon with a 30 gallon sump and a 25 gallon cube that has tube anemones and recovering NPS I save from the LFS. Currently the tank has a good amount of photo. gorgs in it. Ive recently added a few colonies of Sun corals and some NPS gorgs/sea fans. I have a mini refrig. that I need to drill and Im going to have magnetic stirrers and dosing pumps to dose the food throughout the day. I just haven't got a chance to finish that project. So until then enjoy some photos. :)

The tank(Hard to get a good pic with the blue lights)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/022_zps8fxmy6au.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/022_zps8fxmy6au.jpg.html)


http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/001_zpskpmr0gdx.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/001_zpskpmr0gdx.jpg.html)

Picked this up yesterday.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/012_zpswtu30mk7.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/012_zpswtu30mk7.jpg.html)


http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/017_zpsabx718nd.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/017_zpsabx718nd.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/015_zps0ff3oab4.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/015_zps0ff3oab4.jpg.html)

One of the sun coral colonies
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/071_zpsfabcmlmq.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/071_zpsfabcmlmq.jpg.html)

My awesome balanophyllia
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/5D6D39AB-3960-4F9D-9581-EF2D051DC1F3_zpsf0wrkpjj.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/5D6D39AB-3960-4F9D-9581-EF2D051DC1F3_zpsf0wrkpjj.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/016_zpsq4sodsvs.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/016_zpsq4sodsvs.jpg.html)

[Treed]

A few that are recovering.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/019_zps0tftdua4.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/019_zps0tftdua4.jpg.html)

"Walking Dendro"
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/018_zpsexowrkt3.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/018_zpsexowrkt3.jpg.html)

Tube Anemones
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/008_zpsuvprbkni.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/008_zpsuvprbkni.jpg.html)

[Treed]

And my basket star. Eats like a pig.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/074_zpsnnvv3ewi.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/074_zpsnnvv3ewi.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/002_zpsto50jss0.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/002_zpsto50jss0.jpg.html)

[taricha]

Subscribed. Very neat tank. Unusual look.

[kegogut]

I've never seen a basket star in captivity. It is sustainable? Where did you get it,lfs or online?

[Treed]

I got it online. Shipped very well. There is so little out there about them at least what I could find. I know its eating very well so hopefully it does great.

[noy]

nice setup! interesting specimen in the basket star.

[Treed]

Thanks.

[Bent]

I got it online. Shipped very well. There is so little out there about them at least what I could find. I know its eating very well so hopefully it does great.

I need details on this.

What are you feeding it? How do you know it eats like a pig? How big is it? Where did you get it? What are its habits?

Basically....regurgitate all your research and your experience with it.


Seeing all this stuff in captivity and thriving, the fans and BAsket star especially, makes me want to bow to you.

[Bent]

Lol this site says they are "easy to care for"...

http://www.kpaquatics.com/product/micro-basket-starfish/

[Treed]

It eats brine, and a mixture of fauna marin foods. I can see it get the food and bring it to its mouth. Its maybe only 5 inches across right now. It opens up every night to feed and I make sure it gets target fed along with feeding through the day.

[Tweaked]

Wow just amazing. Had no idea we could keep one in a tank. Keep us updated :thumbsup:

[Treed]

Thanks everyone. Here is my newest addition.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/8AC58C2E-8ABB-4215-83EB-715831AB93FB_zps39qqzezt.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/8AC58C2E-8ABB-4215-83EB-715831AB93FB_zps39qqzezt.jpg.html)

[Treed]

Few updates. Getting some growth from the orange tree gorg.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/79FA44BC-6AAD-4622-B96C-1A0B32F1211A_zps6q6aik19.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/79FA44BC-6AAD-4622-B96C-1A0B32F1211A_zps6q6aik19.jpg.html)
And a few of the growing basket star. Hard to get a good pic at night when it's feeding.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/56D56366-A2A4-4E0B-AC62-706AA9D2E9CF_zps7zz8eqng.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/56D56366-A2A4-4E0B-AC62-706AA9D2E9CF_zps7zz8eqng.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/7ABF2C02-9602-4468-9005-DDD493753809_zpsekrqmeik.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/7ABF2C02-9602-4468-9005-DDD493753809_zpsekrqmeik.jpg.html)

[Treed]

Not the best pic. Here is my tube anemone tank that is connected into the main system. Been struggling to find a LFS that sells NPS corals.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/B3EFAF0C-9A57-43CF-83F9-FE38AC912D2A_zpsg5bq1bak.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/B3EFAF0C-9A57-43CF-83F9-FE38AC912D2A_zpsg5bq1bak.jpg.html)

[teemee]

check out Divers Den on Live Aquaria, they have a whole NPS section.
Aqua SD has some nice balanos right now, too :)

[nuvuku]

I've wanted a basket star for a very long time. I did not get one because information about them screams that they do horrid and die in captivity and now I see one right here on RC. Im stoked and I hope the best for you and your little friend. Would you mind posting a video of him eating please, that would be spectacular.

[Treed]

Just wanting to keep the thread updated.
Decided to attempt a blueberry gorg since my orange one is doing well.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/1D9AC775-6FB5-498C-A69D-A34EC79DDB7E_zps51owo0k5.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/1D9AC775-6FB5-498C-A69D-A34EC79DDB7E_zps51owo0k5.jpg.html)


Growth is continuing on the orange gorgonian.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/17264BAC-5C3B-4C21-9531-BB465445617D_zpsolnx4hug.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/17264BAC-5C3B-4C21-9531-BB465445617D_zpsolnx4hug.jpg.html)

Basket star has now been in the tank for 3 months and is still doing great.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/449D84E7-C775-4FD0-9940-C302619724DF_zpsxdfi8vc7.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/449D84E7-C775-4FD0-9940-C302619724DF_zpsxdfi8vc7.jpg.html)
And a couple FTS
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/D27664E1-7B9C-4857-9236-E9813F17C501_zpskrufbegh.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/D27664E1-7B9C-4857-9236-E9813F17C501_zpskrufbegh.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/C531024A-2091-4DFF-97F4-59F3162D41B8_zpsbbxopdgd.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/C531024A-2091-4DFF-97F4-59F3162D41B8_zpsbbxopdgd.jpg.html)

[Treed]

Happy Sea Fan
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/C69C3384-F0BE-406C-B463-55FF8A54D64B_zpsz0wzqxdg.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/C69C3384-F0BE-406C-B463-55FF8A54D64B_zpsz0wzqxdg.jpg.html)

[NISMO703]

Very beautiful and unique tank. Love the orange gorg. and sea fan.

[Treed]

Out feeding during the day.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/4842B049-CFDD-4E2A-B745-0B06834E0AC9_zpsqpw9wjmo.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/4842B049-CFDD-4E2A-B745-0B06834E0AC9_zpsqpw9wjmo.jpg.html)

[Deftones2015]

That's awesome you can keep so many nps corals successfully what's your secret?:bounce1:

[Treed]

Probably my feeding combo would be my guess.
Here it is.
Fauna Marin- MinD, MinF, Ultra SeaFan, Ultra Clam, MinS, and Ultra Bakto Blend
Also Reef Chili, ESV Dried Phyto, Selcon, ReefNutrition(Oyster Feast, Phyto, and R.O.E) and lastly Aqua Tech AZOX
As well as rotifers,brine and mysis.

[Reef Frog]

Very nice tank! How old is it? How long have you have you kept those gorgonians? Do you run normal reef temperatures or keep a cooler tank?

[Treed]

It's been just over a year. The gorgs have been in there for almost 3 months. I was running the tank around 73-74 but it's got up to 77 now so I've just let it stay there.

[Treed]

Newest addition.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/3939C367-2632-4CDD-A39F-507C3795603E_zpsp2glm70l.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/3939C367-2632-4CDD-A39F-507C3795603E_zpsp2glm70l.jpg.html)

[Ron Reefman]

Treed, you have the temp at 77. Is there an issue with NPS being up at slightly warmer temps like 80? What you are doing is very cool. How long have you been in the saltwater hobby?

I have a 75g hexagon that is tied into my 180g mixed reef thru a 180g sump/refugium/DSB. I wanted something different in the 75g hex (it was an anemone tank but I moved them to a new 65g shallow reef tank). I was going to do just Gorgonians from the Florida Keys and the Gulf of Mexico. But I'm liking the NPS idea more and more all the time. Would you be willing to help me get a new NPS tank up and running by sharing some info if I ask questions?

[Treed]

In the past I've read people keeping nps cooler around 72-74. Which my tank was around there. However with winter coming the house is warmer so the tank is now maintaining the 77 deg. If it was to be around 80 I'm not 100% sure. I've been in the hobby now for a little over 11 years. And I would be happy to answer questions the best I could with my current experience with nps corals.

[Treed]

New additions! More pics to come when I get home but got a little shipment today. Here are a couple of the items.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/1B08A961-DE5F-4F3E-B327-ED1530E0B256_zpsknizvpss.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/1B08A961-DE5F-4F3E-B327-ED1530E0B256_zpsknizvpss.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/985B3CD6-ED4F-4D27-A13C-3192BDBDF798_zpsvrf7oiaw.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/985B3CD6-ED4F-4D27-A13C-3192BDBDF798_zpsvrf7oiaw.jpg.html)


And got a few acans to fill in some of the spots between the gorgs. They are loving all the food in the tank.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/E64E36E0-B158-4B45-91F6-0CBA9A196953_zps9tt82frr.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/E64E36E0-B158-4B45-91F6-0CBA9A196953_zps9tt82frr.jpg.html)

[Ron Reefman]

Is that a new basket star? It's really nice looking!

I'm not rushing my entry into NPS corals, but sometimes you guys post pics that make it hard to restrain myself. But we have a lot going on in our house over the next couple of months, so I'm making the effort to wait until I have the time to commit to get things started properly.

[Treed]

It's a feather star.

[Treed]

Ruffled sponge feeding
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/FC146C81-372C-473C-8972-24717E1AD94A_zpsugttklpj.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/FC146C81-372C-473C-8972-24717E1AD94A_zpsugttklpj.jpg.html)
Tunicates. Not the best pic and they didn't ship well but fingers crossed.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/12B33C3E-6AEF-442E-B0EA-E74FC0DE103B_zpscjbcaq4y.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/12B33C3E-6AEF-442E-B0EA-E74FC0DE103B_zpscjbcaq4y.jpg.html)
Yellow Finger Gorg
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/6DF51D89-FE87-4502-84BA-D74900F6F293_zpsoveciwsg.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/6DF51D89-FE87-4502-84BA-D74900F6F293_zpsoveciwsg.jpg.html)
Not the best pic. Black sun polyps.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/CE515808-21D1-4508-8093-F6AE9CCBE447_zpszwwgkaku.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/CE515808-21D1-4508-8093-F6AE9CCBE447_zpszwwgkaku.jpg.html)
Tree Sponge
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/7BAB2AB3-9CA7-4387-A9A2-E41ABC7FF55F_zpsywapthu1.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/7BAB2AB3-9CA7-4387-A9A2-E41ABC7FF55F_zpsywapthu1.jpg.html)

[Ron Reefman]

I have to ask, where are you ordering all your more unusual livestock from? Just so I know who to go to in a couple of months when I'm ready to try an NPS.

[calk me Q]

so nice !!! Wondering how long you have kept that swiftia!

[Treed]

A lot has came from LFS. However the most recent was from Live Aquaria's Divers Den.
It was one of my first NPS and I've seen the most growth from it. I'll have to check the date I got it but I want I say 3 months.
Menella. Not a very good pic because it's so purple.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/7E113B10-B055-433E-9A12-4BE49677A016_zpshajydckz.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/7E113B10-B055-433E-9A12-4BE49677A016_zpshajydckz.jpg.html)

[Saxman7]

Tank Is looking Awesome Treed! Are you feeding manually?
I had a HUGE basket star (almost 14 inches across when his arms were extended at night!) in my home tank that ate like crazy and would literally just take whole cubes of Mysis. He was the true highlight of the tank. My main problem with them (and concerns as I am now keeping crinoids and medusa worms) is that my baskets loved to nestle up on and/or "root" themselves my Mp10 or any pump intake. This was the cause of my smaller basket star's death as he stuck a limb in an intake and lost his arm. shortly after He began to fall apart and his fallin bits of limbs were attempting to crawl across the sand bed and even react to food! My larger one Did exceptionally well until I came back from a vacation and had randomly passed while I was gone for a week under my parents care. :( The tiny one in my work tank does phenomenal and loves hanging out in gorgs. Have you managed to get your hands on a spider sponge colony yet?? you'd love one in your tank!

[Treed]

Thanks! And yes manually still. I really want to get some auto feeding going just never seem to have the time to get it done. And ya the pumps are always my fear with my stars. My basket star decided it needed to move to new a Gorg and I couldn't find it and about had a heart attach but finally found it. Haha. And ya I would love to get a spider sponge sometime. I've always thought they was cool.

[Saxman7]

The results are looking awesome with the manual feeding! I'm planning on doing what aquabac's talked about using a autofeeder (it's in his 50 gallon build thread) with a feeding ring for the FM foods to atleast getting something in the tank every couple hours. most of my corals- even my little black crinoid seem to love the FM Lps pellets when you mush them into a powder like the other foods. As far as the pumps...I just use the little sponge "ring" that came with the Mp10 and hope for the best-even though one of my medusas still managed to get in the pump! but he did not get chopped up thankfully.

[Treed]

Got a few decent pics.
Happy Yellow Finger Gorg.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/EA30EA62-C0CE-415C-9D15-09865278F5CD_zpsxgosioct.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/EA30EA62-C0CE-415C-9D15-09865278F5CD_zpsxgosioct.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/2EA7FD76-AD01-493A-A356-11778323D334_zps5rzzzc9y.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/2EA7FD76-AD01-493A-A356-11778323D334_zps5rzzzc9y.jpg.html)

What's left of the tunicate colony since it didn't ship well. However what's left seems to be doing better.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/5CEADA1B-9A1D-475E-ABC3-DCB68030EF35_zpsbayj6d1z.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/5CEADA1B-9A1D-475E-ABC3-DCB68030EF35_zpsbayj6d1z.jpg.html)

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/8029906E-8382-4486-B8E0-3103A9F989C4_zpsffitgudt.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/8029906E-8382-4486-B8E0-3103A9F989C4_zpsffitgudt.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/9A3D8083-1E04-4839-BD8D-836CDA097E52_zpsutug8udo.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/9A3D8083-1E04-4839-BD8D-836CDA097E52_zpsutug8udo.jpg.html)
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/8266FED3-4F6E-4876-899E-329A2BE5E41F_zpsqtuk1knu.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/8266FED3-4F6E-4876-899E-329A2BE5E41F_zpsqtuk1knu.jpg.html)

[Treed]

Updated basket star pic.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/FCEA3E0D-79AE-4618-8CE4-374C64240CF4_zpsiykkdxc8.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/FCEA3E0D-79AE-4618-8CE4-374C64240CF4_zpsiykkdxc8.jpg.html)

And one more.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/Fishfreak78/814FBF8D-9AF3-4938-93A5-D5BFC959F1D7_zpsfwcfte7e.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Fishfreak78/media/814FBF8D-9AF3-4938-93A5-D5BFC959F1D7_zpsfwcfte7e.jpg.html)

[Treed]

Just noticed I never said I added a bio pellet reactor. It's been on the tank a little over a month. I added it to help keep the phosphate and nitrate down. I have noticed a nitrate decrease however need to get a new phosphate kit.

[Saxman7]

Everyone is looking happy Treed! Have you noticed a difference in appearance of the corals running the bio pellets?

[Treed]

Some. I think they are finally starting to take effect. The gorgs seem to be open more throughout the day.

[Saxman7]

My gorgs are too. My crinoids seem to be enjoying it the most actually. I'm trying to get my nitrates targeted around 15ppm with it as a long term goal. I didn't look through the thread recently but any interesting fish in the plans?

[mtk]

Awesome tank you have there. I was just wondering are you also doing large water changes on this tank. I am not sure if i missed you saying what your weekly maintenance is on this tank but would you mind letting me know. I am in the process of starting up a red sea reefer 170 (34 gal plus 9 gal sump) and trying to see what works for everyone to see what path I will be taking.

[Treed]

I do water changes every 2 weeks min. And usually do 20 gallons or so.

[calk me Q]

keep it updated treed.
I have to admit that in the past 3 months i made every assumption arbitrarily.
Some of the gors are declining (not opening as long as it was in the past) and shredding. What i can see is their slowly starving or mulnutrition excepet class Menella which still shine in my tank.
Maybe we are not providing the right thing.
At least, im still inspecting the conditions and their status.

[mcginnisandrew]

Any updates?

[titi59]

Your tank is beautiful, l love it !
Could you post more information about the basket star, the crinoid and the blueberry gorgonian ? Thank you !

[Treed]

Been awhile. Here's the update. Everything is sill doing okay however I did lose the tunicates and blue berry. The tank has been changed over to more of a mixed reef. The basket star and feather star are still doing well though. Currently dealing with a big sea lettuce algae outbreak.

[Keoki18]

This system is great! I'm loving your success. How were you keeping your blueberry gorg? I have a few that are doing great in medium laminar flow (blasting them head on) and feeding them cyclopses twice a day. They have been living for about a year and a half now.

Do you have a full shot of your tank since all the new additions? thanks for all the updates!

[tattoosandfrags]

Great setup thats why i love this hobby no 2 tanks are the exact same. Everybody has there vision on what kind of and what they want inside of there tanks. Where did you get the aussie dendro from? Down here in florida nobody has them i found a website that has them its 40 bucks shipping but they only have single heads for 34.99 at the moment. I should give them a call later and see if i can get a 4 head piece cut. Love your tank havent seen black sun coral in awhile

[Saxman7]

Any News Treed??