1050 Gallon Tank Pics [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

aruba1334

04/17/2005, 12:54 AM

Thanks guys for all the kind words this is my pride and joy, to anwser some questions.

1. Tomasaz- This system is 10ft by 4ft wide by 32 inches high it is run off of 2 Sequence Hammerhead Pumps and 3 Tunze 6200 for water movement it has 5200 watts of light, I have 2 1000 watt 20k's and 8 400 watt 20k's, the main display is 750 gallons or so with a 300 gallon sump that was just added so with that I have been up grading some equipment it has a special made Calc Reactor From MRC to handle the need's of all the Acros, I also have a Tradewinds 1hp Chiller to keep up with the heat, I have a Turbo floater 5000 Shorty on this system which is struggling to keep up now I posted a thread here a week or so ago trying to get suggestions on which route to go for a new skimmer, and I got a lot of great ideas but I still have not decided which one but there are a couple I have my eye on. As far as Live Rock I have close to 2000 pounds and a mixture of Tonga Kaleni which is my favorite and some Soloman Island rock that came in some cool shapes.

aruba1334

04/17/2005, 01:09 AM

The Current list of fish is:

1. 3 rhomboids wrasses
2. 4 Lineatus Wrasses
3. 1 Scott's Fairy wrasses
4. 2 Mystery Wrasses
5. 1 Orange Bar Wrasse
6. 3 Red Velvet Wrasses
7. 2 Hawaii Flame wrases
8. 3 Rosy Scale wrasses
9. 1 Candy hogfish
10. 7 purple Tangs
11. 2 Choc Tangs
13. 2 Tomato Clowns
14. 2 Perculas
15. 2 Mandarin Gobys
16. 1 Royal Gramma
17. 1 Yellow headed Goby
18. 2 Pink Spotted Gobys
19. 1 Black and yellow Blenny
20. 1 Dwarf Golden Moray Eel

NeilsReef

04/17/2005, 01:09 AM

Just amazing!!!!!!!!

browardreefer

04/17/2005, 01:11 AM

can i swim in ur tank?

aruba1334

04/17/2005, 01:37 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_098_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_040_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_004_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_090_Small.jpg

horkn

04/17/2005, 01:49 AM

drooooolllll

masterswimmer

04/17/2005, 01:50 AM

Truly inspiring. Thank you for posting. That is one amazing system. I love all the wrasses. Please don't stop with the pix now, keep them coming.

Russ

Broodingwolf

04/17/2005, 03:09 AM

man, what I wouldn't give to see that tank in person!

hdtvguy

04/17/2005, 03:37 AM

Awesome!!!:eek1:

jumboshrimp18

04/17/2005, 04:05 AM

Very nice. Obviously not a hobby you took up yesterday. Give us a little history of the tank if you could and how you ended up where you are today. The dimensions of the tank are great--especially the depth. I also second an open house visit-the-tank day: where are you anyway and where did you get those corals and fish? Amazing. 3 rhomboid wrasses is pretty remarkable but not nearly as impressive as your SPS. Hope to hear more. Thanks for sharing.

Lou Cifer

04/17/2005, 05:32 AM

Tank of the next few months!!!

jerrym21

04/17/2005, 07:19 AM

Forget thank of the month. . .I vote yours for tank of the year!!! Amazing.

Reef Addict II

04/17/2005, 08:12 AM

An amazing tank :thumbsup:

Im sure the electric bill is $400+ a month for that tank :)

aruba1334

04/17/2005, 08:25 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_041_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_033_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_001_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_027_Small.jpg

I will try to take some more pics today and get them posted thank you all for your interest and great comments on this tank.

Maryswaterworld

04/17/2005, 08:35 AM

Your tank is BEAUTIFUL!! :smokin: :D

nbd13

04/17/2005, 11:13 AM

I have a 180 with 5 fairy wrasses, Rhomboid, Lineatus, flame, orange bar, and labouti. I would like to add 1 tang, but an afraid of it killing all these expensive fairy wrasses. Do you feel the key to your success is the large tank size?

thanks!

Nick

bassman57

04/17/2005, 11:32 AM

very nice.

jimmy 1313

04/17/2005, 11:45 AM

Your love for the hobby is obvious Keep up the hard work,becuase it shows off in your tank.
In some of the first pic you can see a top of a ladder ,thats just awsome when you need a ladder to get to your tank. He He
Also you can tell that this guy isin construction,, Not one nail hole do I see ,,,Ha Ha

Awsome simply awsome ......

aruba1334

04/17/2005, 12:48 PM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_085_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_068_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_057_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_063_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_063_Small.jpg

aruba1334

04/17/2005, 01:10 PM

To anwser your questions:

Reef Addict- yes the electric bill is high I have another 2 tanks with halides so I do not like to see the electric bill coming.

Jumboshrimp- This tank has been set up a little under one year alot of the animals were moved from my other tanks because They needed more room to grow, I love the depth of this tank because I could add so many Fish and Corals that would of been problems in a smaller tank together but here everything seems to thrive from the softies to Acros to Lps and I have never had a problem in this tank with aggression between fish. I have purchased corals from one local lfs but most of my corals now come from one online Vendor for fish and one for Corals. I have tried many different ones and some I have had luck and others have burned me but the guy that I purchase from now has incredible corals.

NBD3-

I have never had problems between tangs and fairy wrasses but with the money you have wrapped up in those wrasses I would definitly put any tang through a minnimum 6 week quarantine. If he makes it through I would add them.

sixxer

04/17/2005, 01:38 PM

Amazing! Keep the pics. coming.

I love the length and width of your tank, really gives you so many more options than a standard tank.

Any chance of getting a photo of the equipment room & equipment?

dphins

04/17/2005, 02:04 PM

Excellent tank! I also would like to see some equipment pics.
Do you have any problems working inside the tank because of the 4 foot width and the 32 inch height?

nbd13

04/17/2005, 02:06 PM

Thanks for the response- i am just afraid of the tangs being to agressive and then leading to the fairy wrasses either jumping from stress or getting an infection or disease.

with your tank size they have so much room, but with my tank its a bit more limited.

once again i am torn between my love of wrasses and love of tangs!

thanks again!

More pics please!

Nick

Broodingwolf

04/17/2005, 02:20 PM

amazing stuff, I'm sure the gear heads would love to see pics of your equipment , but I'm just enjoying the pics of the tank! Got any more closeup shots? 2 other tanks, that's awesome, how big are they? You'd think with a tank like that, one would be enough, but we all know its never enough for us in this hobby LOL

dgasmd

04/17/2005, 03:06 PM

Have a couple of questions for you bud. Very nice tank by the way:

1. Why are you using 1000 watt halides? What 1000 watt ballast/bulb combo are you using? How often do you change the 1000 watt bulbs?

2. What kind of 400 watt ballast/bulbs combo are you using?

3. Is your top overed at all? If not, have you had any wrasses jump out? I also ahve a 10'x4'x2.5' tank and have found that the extra height at 30" makes a huge difference with the wrasses. Although I've only had them mostly for a few mnths, none has either jumped or even thought about it yet.

4. Since you ahve multiple wrasses of each, did you add them all at once or slowly? I presume one male of each type right? So far I have single ones of each type, but would love to add some more as time goes by. I was worried about aggression among them.

5. What type of maintenance are you doing in terms of water changes schedules, ec?

reefman1225

04/17/2005, 05:39 PM

ABSOLUTLY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!
I Love your tank. I was just wondering how the eel has been in there. Has it got any of your fish? Do you target feed him? And what invertabrates do you have in there? (i love your corals but other than them) like shrimp, crabs ect.
I was wondering why you didn't get a angel. i'm guessing because of the corals (duh)
Thats my dream tank

edit

Can you please post some more pics. mostly the dwarf eel.

Coralover

04/17/2005, 10:28 PM

Im never going to have a tank like that.:(
Great set up!!!!!!!!

mmgm

04/17/2005, 11:02 PM

Amazing system you have there......:D

Truely a work of art....... When I grow up I want to be just like you......

;)

Please post more pictures and information...... By the way who do you buy from on-line.....

Great stuff...... Tank of the month for sure......

aruba1334

04/17/2005, 11:10 PM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_102_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_100_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_077_Small.jpg

aruba1334

04/17/2005, 11:56 PM

1. Broodingwolf- I will get some pics of the equip up tommorow,
The other tanks are a 185 and a 55 gallon and yes you are correct once you complete one tank you always want another but I have decided to not add anything else to this tank until after summer as I really want to see just how fast I can make some of these sps grow.

2. dgasmd- I use 1000 watt halides for the colors that it brings out in my Corals, I saw one in a lfs and decided to experiment with one and within a month I was shocked at the difference,
I use a 16"w x 7" h x 20 L pendants made by Blueline. Right now I currently have two on the left and the right side of the tank and I am planning on adding one more to the center, for my 400's they are the same Blueline's with the xm bulbs. I do not have tops on this tank and yes I have had 3 wrasses jump and a pair of helfrici gobies that went carpet surfing. I did not add all the wrasses at once the only problem I have had is with the Scott's Fairy's they love to jump and I also lost One of my Fine Spotted Wrasses as well when I add more I will leave the tops on for at least a couple days for the fish to acclimate and then it should not be a problem, and I do not many pairs most of mine are males. As far as maintence I am a big believer in water changes I change approximately 165 gallons every two weeks and I use Instant ocean for salt other than feeding all the different animals I have 4 different kinds of anenomes and 2 eels in my other tanks
I basicly clean the acrylic and that is done with a magnavore magnet.

aqua5

04/18/2005, 01:58 PM

what do you use for a sandbed or no sand bed? starboard,CC,southdown,etc

luvtolean

04/18/2005, 08:54 PM

An eel with all those spendy wrasses?! :eek1:

Beautiful tank. :) :smokin:

I have a yellow tang and mystery wrasse in my 75. I haven't seen them go at it once. The only aggression I've ever really seen is my mystery wrasse will occasionally chase a threadfin cardinal.

I do keep the top covered in egg crate at all times.

reefman1225

04/18/2005, 10:28 PM

note the eel is a dwarf golden eel. < 5 inches. And it is a crustacean eater. (squarer teeth than the fish eaters)
Very expensive Bout 300 (i heard and seen). But worth it if you like eels and want a reef with it.

Herbert T. Kornfeld

04/19/2005, 03:20 AM

OMG. I have to go to sleep now in hopes that since this is one of the last things I will see today & I will hopefully have a wonderful dream where I can pretend I own that tank! Whoah, all hail the king!

jimmy 1313

04/19/2005, 05:17 AM

Hey aruba what are those green lookig polyps to the left of that eel ?

mrme

04/19/2005, 07:34 AM

jesus ...:P , great tank man . i know this last year really brought in alot of money for people in real estate... and i guess this is a great example! lol .

somthing about very tiny tanks and very large tanks.... all the ones in the middle are too akward for me .

jimmy 1313

04/19/2005, 10:55 AM

Does anybody know what are those green lookig polyps to the left of that eel.....

Freed

04/19/2005, 11:45 AM

I was wondering the same thing myself.

aruba1334

04/19/2005, 11:53 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_021_Small.jpg

This Coral is a Pagoda Coral and it is one of my Favorites.

jimmy 1313

04/19/2005, 02:34 PM

Nice,Gotta brush up on my ID...HEHE...

ReefGrl2k5

04/19/2005, 03:02 PM

Isn't that like $300+ a month in just water changes? I admit it's the best looking reef I have seen.

ps. - I am young, single, attractive, and love to travel.

Julio

04/19/2005, 05:35 PM

that tank is gorgeous, now i know i need more room.

tompalmbeach

04/19/2005, 06:36 PM

YAHOOOOOOOO! Amazing!!!

Nagel

04/19/2005, 06:52 PM

The Red front-half, yellow back-half blue-tailed wrasse is a C. rubisquamis.. Very nice fish.. I had a nice collection of Cirrhilabrus wrasses going till a power outtage took them out..

I trust you have a generator for backup on this puppy? Wrasses are the first to go in a power outtage, and boy do I know it....

I have a small generator... NOW... and will be installing a full house generator very shortly (next month or so now)...

Do you have any type of backup generator? is it automatic?

Coralover

04/19/2005, 09:22 PM

If you post pics again, please post some more full tank shots.:D

owskkibibles

04/19/2005, 11:38 PM

sweet tank

The R/C Man

04/19/2005, 11:51 PM

Very Nice Dude!

Now the 375 that I am building is inadaquite. :lol:

2004jeepoutlander

04/20/2005, 08:03 AM

nice keep this thread bumpinjg

marinegirl

04/20/2005, 10:15 AM

your tank is Stunning .........

how do you keep it so clean !

skuntking

04/20/2005, 12:19 PM

what kinda of tang is that burnt yellow looking one, i want one lol cant find them anywhere.

Alarmguy66

04/20/2005, 12:30 PM

I want to know where the tang police are NOW!

aruba1334

04/20/2005, 05:26 PM

Nagel-

I have looked at automatic generators and I am thinking of adding one but they are about 4 times what the cost of other generators cost, so I have not decided what to do with it just yet, what did you come up with for yours. I have always thought that as long as I had one big enough to run everything but the lights I would be fine.

Morninggirl- I would suggest investing in some gobies that move your sand and lot's of water changes.

Stuntking- They are choclate tangs.

feedingcarp

04/20/2005, 05:52 PM

Adopt me!!! I will maintain your tank for free!!! If I owned that tank, I would want to be buried in it when I died. May I suggest a Hawaiin Dragon Eel and couple of Gem Tangs.

Something for all of us to shoot for. Forget sending my kids to college.

zemuron114

04/21/2005, 05:28 AM

well a hawaiian dragon eel would be nice, but they are FISH eaters!! lol.. all those expensive fish would be dinner, incuding the dwarf eel. that is of course if the dragon eel is a meany (usually males are meaner)

Great tank, and congrats on the beautiful set up :)

CPT. MURPHY

04/22/2005, 02:21 AM

Amazing just amazing! :)

lexus9903

04/23/2005, 07:20 PM

Wow! Amazing tank. Where did you get the wrasses.. Im so jealous!

Lou Cifer

04/23/2005, 09:28 PM

Hey Lexus,
You can find a lot of the wrasses that he has in his tank at - themarinecenter.com
Pretty pricey though.

Odin1

04/23/2005, 09:40 PM

Sweet! That is one of the nicests reef tanks I have ever seen. It is also the biggest aside from the one at the public aquarium. Have you thought about adding a Black Tang? As for those Wrasses WOW!

tom obrecht

04/24/2005, 10:31 PM

The Bomb!!!!.....Holy Moly Guacamole!!!....Almost too much to handle!!!!!...Want to trade tanks!?!?!?!?!?

jumboshrimp18

05/03/2005, 07:05 PM

Say, you promised us some pics of all the working components. I see one in oyur gallery but hope that you will post some more.
Good luck and ty.

deansreef

05/03/2005, 07:50 PM

simply stunning tank

aruba1334

05/06/2005, 12:09 AM

jumboshrimp,

I have been out of town for a couple weeks I had to go do some diving, so I will try to get some more pics up soon, and thanks for all the nice comments.

Lordhelmet

05/06/2005, 01:44 PM

yes more pics please!

Lordhelmet

05/06/2005, 01:44 PM

yes more pics please!

Lordhelmet

05/06/2005, 01:45 PM

wow i never knew how people did double posts, now i know.

TheCoralReef731

05/06/2005, 09:50 PM

WOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats freakin awesome.

Acillaton

05/16/2005, 08:10 PM

What can I say...I'm getting a bit jealous :-))

TheCoralReef731

05/16/2005, 09:18 PM

really nice, I like how it looks just like a normal coral reef. Do you have Full tank shots from directly in front?

SERVO

05/22/2005, 02:18 PM

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!

Have you done much pruning? It must be a challenge to get in there to get acess to the corals.

Awesome tank. Love the school of purple tangs! Have you ever had problems with spontaneous ick? What did you do? Did it run itself out? I hear "stories" about big tanks with tangs getting ick b/c a 1-2 degree temp change; once the temp is again stabilized, the ick goes away. Any anectodal comments?

Well, you've given me inspiration for my new 400 thats for sure!

keefsama2003

05/23/2005, 06:56 AM

1. 3 rhomboids wrasses
2. 4 Lineatus Wrasses
3. 1 Scott's Fairy wrasses
4. 2 Mystery Wrasses

whats that list of wrasses run? i was thinking of 1 of each maybe 2 rhomboids and 2 lineatus but 1 of the rest

nellahtes

05/23/2005, 07:36 PM

nice tank!! love looking at the pics

gregb

05/24/2005, 12:03 AM

It makes my tank look like a door knob.

Elite

05/24/2005, 03:26 AM

My paycheck is only enough to pay the electrical bill for this tank :(

Beautiful tank.. Keep the pictures coming

chainsaw5vent

05/24/2005, 09:51 AM

:wave: :thumbsup: great tank!!
i only dream of one of those.

trblmkr

05/24/2005, 09:59 AM

What a beautiful tank. It's full of life and must be a real pleasure to sit back and watch.:rollface:

aruba1334

05/24/2005, 11:15 PM

Thanks for all the great comments about my tank, I feel blessed to be able to come home to it at night after a long day of work and sit back and watch it and to see how everthing interacts it is a blast. I will try to take some more pics soon and post them.

trblmkr

05/25/2005, 07:39 AM

I start building my house around mid July, and the first thing that gets installed after I move in is my tank. I'm doing a lot of research on the size and type of tank I'm looking to install. I do know it is going to be over 200 gallons, and I'm going to build it in the back wall of my bar. :beer:

Herbert T. Kornfeld

06/03/2005, 04:00 PM

Where are the equipment pics....???

hmoore

06/03/2005, 10:52 PM

Truly inspiring! That is an absolutely amazing tank!

jumboshrimp18

06/04/2005, 02:21 AM

Yes, where are the promised equipment pics? Don't be shy. we don't expect them to be as beautiful as the tank.

Chaotic Reefer4u

06/04/2005, 12:08 PM

gorgeous tank!

afishfanatic

06/08/2005, 03:55 PM

aruba,
Your tank is incredible! Thanks for the pictures.

aruba1334

06/09/2005, 01:10 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_106_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_107_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_112_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_111_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_110_Small.jpg

aruba1334

06/09/2005, 01:25 AM

These are pics of one of my other tanks it has 180 gallons for a display not near the size of the other one but it is coming along nicely, I have also decided to buy a new skimmer for the bigger tank and would like some input from you guys that have some experience with different skimmers I am looking at either the deltec 1003 or the r2k skimmers so let me know what you think.http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_109_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_108_Small.jpg

Herbert T. Kornfeld

06/09/2005, 03:39 AM

I would go deltec between those two...perhaps Royal Exclusive???

aiber

06/09/2005, 09:19 AM

THANKS ALOT!!! Whenn I see set ups like this it makes me feel like I am wasting my time with my set up.....Your 2nd and 3rd tanks are bigger and better than mine...

Albert :)

sixxer

06/09/2005, 12:24 PM

Aruba -

Were those two jack posts installed in front of the sump to help compensate for the weight of the display tank upstairs? Also, is the tank also supported by an outside wall?

Just for my knowledge!!!!

Thanks

Beautiful tank(s)!!!! Helps keep us all motivated to get our systems up and running!!! LOL

sixxer

06/09/2005, 12:25 PM

mdt178

06/09/2005, 03:41 PM

dang, what's the next upgrade going to be aruba? We all think about upgrading, but where do you go from here?

Morgandy

06/09/2005, 03:52 PM

Aruba, you mentioned you 'had to go diving' - are you a covert marine biologist specialist??? This is oh so gorgeous. Should I continue with my wee little endeavor after this?!!!?!?

pondfrog

06/09/2005, 10:14 PM

Aruba,
I have a 10' tank on order and was curious about your light postition. Are all 10 pendants simply in a straight row across the length of the tank or do you have some in front and some in back?
Thanks,

aruba1334

06/09/2005, 10:45 PM

SIXXER- yes they are to help with the weight of the tank and yes there is a outside wall that supports the weight also, as far as the depth I wish I had more and length but I am very happy with this tank it has been a lot of fun.

AVANSICKLE- I went diving in the Marshall Islands it was mind blowing just to see actual fields of Acroporas and all the other corals I strive to keep healthy and growing it felt like I was a marine Biologist because I had my head in about 25ft of water loving the corals and the rest of the group was more interested in the sharks so anyway it was fun, check out the pics from there in the scuba forum just look for the thread (Marshall Island Pics)

I also wanted to say thanks for all the good comments on this tank as long as there is still interest in it I will continue to add pictures.

aruba1334

06/09/2005, 11:05 PM

PONDFROG-

I put 4 400's 20k's across the front and 4 400's 20k's across the back and then I had 3 1000's 20k's spaced across the middle of the tank, I had to play with it a little bit just to get it the way I want but it is pretty neat when you get it right I have them set so the 1000's come on 1 hour after the 400's and they shut off one hour before. If I was going to re-do it I think I would just have 6 1000's across the whole tank I really saw a big improvement in color when I added them after the 400's so if you are doing a 10ft tank I would look into them the cost for the initial set-up is not that much higher than 400's but they make it up when it is time to replace the bulbs but it is worth it to me.

dgasmd

06/09/2005, 11:22 PM

How many hours are you running your 1000 watt bulbs?
How often are you replacing the 1000 watt bulbs?

aruba1334

06/09/2005, 11:42 PM

I have been running them 11 hours a day and I will Change them out about every 10 months or so do you have them on your tank and if so what kind of bulbs are you using.

sixxer

06/09/2005, 11:54 PM

How high off the water do you have the 1000's?

Did you notice a significant amount more evoporation when you went from the 400's to 1000's?

dgasmd

06/10/2005, 06:21 AM

I have been using 5x400 watt radiums with lumenarc3 reflectors and HQI ballasts. I also have 740 watt of actinics over the tank. Good spread and color. I was very tempted to use the 1000 watters and run them for much less total, but the cost of electricity and the replacement cost of the bulbs drove me away fromt hem.

Morgandy

06/10/2005, 09:51 AM

Aruba, those dive shots are incredible..folks, you have to see them! I'm taking the liberty of putting the link here.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=587503

aruba1334

06/20/2005, 10:42 PM

DGASMD-

I am curious about your lumenarc3 reflectors I have been looking at replacing what I have now with them I have my 3 1000 watters
about six inches above the water and I love the color that I get with them but I think I can improve it by using lumenarcs for my 400's It seems like to me that they give off a whole lot more light then your standard reflectors, I was curious what you were using before those and if you noticed any difference in your coloration, you also said you had Radium bulbs. I just wondered what made you go with those, I currently have xm's on my 400's and it is about replacement time so I am trying to decide what route to go.

thanks.

Avansickle-

Thanks for comments on my pics from the Marshall's I will get some more up soon.

katzmanj

06/20/2005, 11:48 PM

There are no words that can explain the beauty and aw of this tank, you are simply amazing. But if I had to say a few this is what they would be. You have mixed and blended so many different species of corals, fish and anemones, that are so perfect. Color scheme and organization of this tank can't be beat. If they was ever a truly "PERFECT" tank, you have it. I commend you in how much you do to keep it prestine and flawless. You really posess the "love" in which it takes to run a "real reef" tank. I wish many other aquarist's saw your view even if it was with smaller tanks obviously. You are truly a leader to us all. I give you :thumbsup: :thumbsup:, only bc I have 2 thumbs, if I had more you would get them all.

dgasmd

06/21/2005, 06:19 AM

Originally posted by aruba1334
DGASMD-

I am curious about your lumenarc3 reflectors I have been looking at replacing what I have now with them I have my 3 1000 watters
about six inches above the water and I love the color that I get with them but I think I can improve it by using lumenarcs for my 400's It seems like to me that they give off a whole lot more light then your standard reflectors, I was curious what you were using before those and if you noticed any difference in your coloration, you also said you had Radium bulbs. I just wondered what made you go with those, I currently have xm's on my 400's and it is about replacement time so I am trying to decide what route to go.

I used regular parallel reflectors before with the same ballasts and bulbs. Night and day difference in intensity and the color is a bit more white too now with these reflectors. If I was to change anything to your set up, I would change the reflectors of the 1000 watt bulbs. You will likely have to raise them up a bit for a while to acclimate things to the new intensity, which will be significant.

I personally went with the radiums because of the color to my eyes and nothing else. Growth is mediocre compared to Ushios and the color is not that much better than Ushio/VHO. I say not much better because it tends to accentuate some colors much more and not others while 10000K bulbs tend to accentuate them all the same. These are pretty inefficient bulbs in my book as they crap out at about 4.5-5 months, so they need replacing 2.3 times per year. I am on my third round of radiums and still cannot comprehend why is it that some people keep saying they get 6-9 months out of them :rolleyes: I will likely not go with these bulbs again when they need changing. I was hoping for the XM 15000K to be a nice compromise with a bit more PAR, but they turned out to be pretty bad according to Sanjay's tests. I may just go back to 10000K like Ushio or even try the XM. I tried XM once and it was urine yellow even after a week. I sent them back and got the radiums instead.

Herbert T. Kornfeld

06/21/2005, 02:05 PM

dgasmd, try the pheonix or aquaconnect 14,000Ks, they look awesome and have PAR's almost as high as most 10,000Ks.

pondfrog

06/21/2005, 02:21 PM

phoenix unfortunately doesn't make a 400watt bulb yet (that I am aware of) and the AC PAR (170)is not that much more than a 14 k Hamilton bulb (140), which is half the price.

I am currently debating lighting over a tank like DGASMD's, and I am trying to decide 10K XM with VHO or 14K hamiliton solo.
I would love to try the aquaconnects, but at $144 a bulb?!
Steve

z28cam

06/21/2005, 07:51 PM

Haven't looked at all the pages on this thread yet but, From what I have seen so far, your tank is awsome. We just set up or 210 and yours is giving me some inspiration.

kentrob11

06/21/2005, 10:23 PM

Was the eel question answered yet? I was curious as to how that little guy was fed!

aruba1334

06/21/2005, 11:16 PM

DGASMD-

Thanks for getting back to me I am definitely going to upgrade my reflectors I think the 400's I have are not used adequately they are mounted to my canopy and when looking at the aquarium it looks very good but I think it would be more efficient to reduce my 400's to something similar to what you have on there, from what I have read the luminarc reflectors will cover a lot more area than the standard I have and by dropping these down more onto the tank like my 1000 watters I should be able to reduce the amount of 400's from 8 to 5 and still gain some light if what I have read is correct. I really like the color of the 20k xm's it looks just about right at first they seemed a little to blue but when I added the 1000 watt 20k's which look more like a 10000k bulb it seemed perfect. I am very interested to see what these reflectors will do to a 1000 watt bulb.

Kentrobb11-
The eel is fed either by a feeding stick or by my hand from time to time he has become pretty comfortable with me he has found his spot at dinner time to where when I feed the other fish he sticks his head out of the cave for his.

Katzmanj-

Wow thank you for the compliments I really do enjoy coming home at night and relaxing to this and It seems like it changes everyday, I am glad you liked the corals a lot of people do not like corals mixed like this but I am a diver and I know what a real reef looks like and that is what I wanted to replicate so thanks again.

dgasmd

06/22/2005, 06:30 AM

Aruba 1334:

You have 8 x 400 watt and 3 x 1000 watts over the tank?? My god man. Your electricity bill must be carried on its own set of wheels!!!!!! The chiller must run all day too!!!!!!!!!!

I have 5 lumenarc reflectors over my tank and 10 feet you can stuff 6 total, which I did at the begining. I found the 2 at the ends were wasted at about 40-50% because of location, so I removed one. Mine are about 4-5" fromt he water and the spread is even throughout the entire tank. I can't possibly see using any more lighting than this. I have 95%+ SPS and the rest LPS and they are doing quite well even at the bottom with 20000K. From looking at Sanjay's bulb testing results, The only things similar to the 20000K radiums in terms of visual characteristics and still ahve the same or more PAR with the PFO HQI reflectors are the fllowing:

Helios: very slightly more than the radiums.
XM: you already have that, but they have less PAR.
AquaConnect 14000K: at their prices you might as well continue to use radiums changed every 6 months because the price will be the same.
Hamiltons 14000K: have bad history with most people in terms of poor bulb quality. Then again, look at XM bulbs!

Actually, one choice you have is to go with 400 watt in XM 10000K and leave the 1000 watt as 20000K. They should blend quite well, cut your bulb replacement costs, and increase your PAR significantly.

Fliger

06/22/2005, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by dgasmd

AquaConnect 14000K: at their prices you might as well continue to use radiums changed every 6 months because the price will be the same.

It's too bad someone hasn't figured out who makes the AC 400W bulbs yet. The Phoenix 250W DE bulbs are the same as Aquaconnect (at less than 1/2 the cost), implying that AC doesn't make their own bulbs.

It wasn't until someone went over to Asia and saw the Phoenix bulbs that they made it over here.

06/24/2005, 11:52 PM

DGASMD ,

Have thought about the EVC 14k? Looks from Sanjays that on 400w HQI, that they have same par as Radium and the visual characteristics make them 20k bulbs. So far good reports from most I have heard from. I'm in the same boat, wanting a replacement. Radium's every 6 months doesn't cut it.

dgasmd

06/25/2005, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by DL
DGASMD ,

Have thought about the EVC 14k? Looks from Sanjays that on 400w HQI, that they have same par as Radium and the visual characteristics make them 20k bulbs. So far good reports from most I have heard from. I'm in the same boat, wanting a replacement. Radium's every 6 months doesn't cut it.

The next question is longevity. If all these 14000K, 15000K, and 20000K have the same spikes and visual characteristics is because they are likely the same bulb. Which makes me jump to the next point: they likely all last the same time.:confused: :confused: :confused:

pondfrog

06/25/2005, 08:28 AM

I guess my thought process on bulbs over these big tanks has come full circle. If we are after PAR -10k XM is the way to go. Then simply adding VHO actinics will change the color to our liking AND add some MORE PAR to the tank. So, if you have the space above the tank doesn't it make the most sense to go this avenue?
Steve

Chaotic Reefer4u

06/25/2005, 11:47 AM

this is one pimped out reef for sure!

06/25/2005, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by dgasmd
The next question is longevity. If all these 14000K, 15000K, and 20000K have the same spikes and visual characteristics is because they are likely the same bulb. Which makes me jump to the next point: they likely all last the same time.:confused: :confused: :confused:

Yes, that seems to make sense. But...it seems Radium is the most talked about in regards to early replacement. No idea if internal structure of the bulbs leads to early retirement or not. I don't think they are the same bulbs, but perhaps close enough?

I know my Hamilton 14k (which is 14mo old), is not the same as any other, as it is shaped like a football. Right now, I'm trying to choose from the Hamiton again, or EVC14k or the Helios 20k

dgasmd

06/25/2005, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by pondfrog
I guess my thought process on bulbs over these big tanks has come full circle. If we are after PAR -10k XM is the way to go. Then simply adding VHO actinics will change the color to our liking AND add some MORE PAR to the tank. So, if you have the space above the tank doesn't it make the most sense to go this avenue?
Steve

Not exactly. As you go bigger with tanks, striving for more efficiency becomes harder. Adding VHO to a large tank can be not only an expensive proposition with the large number of bulb replacement required every 6 months, but also a difficult proposition to cover so much ground. Also, the required number of bulbs and wattage to cover so much real state can be pretty high. This is so much easier to do in a smaller tank.

Yes, that seems to make sense. But...it seems Radium is the most talked about in regards to early replacement. No idea if internal structure of the bulbs leads to early retirement or not. I don't think they are the same bulbs, but perhaps close enough?

I did not mean they were made by the same manufacturer and marketed as different. I meant the internal and structural characteristics. XM 20000K are pretty much the same if not worse as far as requiring changing every 6 months. The others it is hard to tell almost all the studies show the PAR right out of the box and not the time line as they degrade over time.

pondfrog

06/25/2005, 04:16 PM

Interesting comment about costing too much. I'm either not sure I follow you or I'm missing something. Take my 10' tank for example. I am thinking 2 of the 660 icecap ballast with 2x6' bulbs (or I could do 8x4' bulbs running front to back) on each of them. Cost would be about 130ish for the bulbs and about 300ish for the ballasts. In the scheme of a tank that large that is an almost nonexistent cost. My 8 PFO ballasts with xm bulbs and lumenarc reflectors cost WAY more than adding the addtional VHO actinic.
Now the wattage is only about 880 for all that VHO vs the 400W MH I will be running.
I just throw this out for discussion, I'm not sure the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

Steve

optimus prime

06/25/2005, 05:26 PM

Awesome system :)

aruba1334

06/25/2005, 07:14 PM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_113_Small.jpg

This is my new toy just brought it back from Chicago.

bassman57

06/25/2005, 07:17 PM

very sweet :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

daveonbass

06/27/2005, 01:28 AM

man after seeing this I have to get a 125 for my dwarf eel...I don't like keeping him in a smaller tank anymore...he seems cramped

julez2coolz4u

06/27/2005, 10:10 PM

Another post that was un-called for, julez2coolz4u.

Consider this a warning...

***Edited by Skipper***

julez2coolz4u

06/27/2005, 10:24 PM

i'm confused. not trying to be rude,good sir, but why was that uncalled for? is it because i'm black?

FiShGurL Xo

06/27/2005, 10:30 PM

:wavehand: Bye, bye Fishgurl Xo

Edited by Skipper

dgasmd

06/27/2005, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by pondfrog
Interesting comment about costing too much. I'm either not sure I follow you or I'm missing something. Take my 10' tank for example. I am thinking 2 of the 660 icecap ballast with 2x6' bulbs (or I could do 8x4' bulbs running front to back) on each of them. Cost would be about 130ish for the bulbs and about 300ish for the ballasts. In the scheme of a tank that large that is an almost nonexistent cost. My 8 PFO ballasts with xm bulbs and lumenarc reflectors cost WAY more than adding the addtional VHO actinic.
Now the wattage is only about 880 for all that VHO vs the 400W MH I will be running.
I just throw this out for discussion, I'm not sure the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

Steve

Steve:

The issue of cost depends on how you look at it. The bigger the tank gets, the more difficult it becomes to be cost effective and have efficient ways of doing certain things. One thing is for certain regardless of income or the size of your bank account and that is that if it costs a ton all the time to mantain it will become a chore. Chores don't last long and neither will the tank. That is fact no matter who you are.

When I look at the cost of lighting, I don't even consider the up front cost if it will make it more efficient to run and be more cost effective in the long term. Case in point are the lumenarc reflectors. They cost about $125+ each, but they are so good they will allow you to run less MH bulbs, which saves in the short term buying the new set ups but it also saves in the long term from not having to replace more bulbs, run more electricity, and having to chill the tank so much (more electricity costs). Therefore, in the long term they are a huge saving making them a very cost effective purchase.

I personally added 740 watt of VHO to my tank. Not because it needed the extra light or because it looks better with it, but because I can now run the MH cycle a lot shorter by running them before and after. That cuts in my electricity and chilling demands and may allow me to run the MH for a couple of extra months. The VHO replacement cost is an issue, but when I factored in allt he sides, it turns out I still save some. I am all for cost effectiveness and efficiency.

Having said all the above, I may still go to the XM 10000K and VHO actinics because you cannot beat their prices and PAR is awesome plus they last a good year. It is a hard choice, but I still have some time to go before I make that choice. I hope aruba1334 is not upset for derailing his thread a little.

Aruba1334:

That is a very nice skimmer. It will certainly crank some juice out of your tank. Customer service is aawesome too. Doug backs up the product very well. I've known him since way before his Deltec selling days and he is a very stand up guy.

1diverdown

06/27/2005, 11:04 PM

Alberto,

you should have seen aruba and his buddy carrying that 1004 out of IMAC during the reception. highly entertaining!

Brad.....can't wait to see that thing in action. make sure you give me a call if you have any questions pertaining to setting it up.

Doug

Fliger

06/27/2005, 11:07 PM

Saweeeet. Are there FOUR Eheims on that bad boy?????

And is that Deltec sign inverted???

1diverdown

06/27/2005, 11:26 PM

yup....4 pumps. it's a beast. it's the same as the AP1003 with the added pump. Brad is in exclusive company with that thing...especially with the inverted Deltec logo that we made especially for him:D

aruba1334

06/27/2005, 11:30 PM

DGASMD-

I called today and bought 5 of the luminarc's 3's I was told they should be here some time next week so I am excited I am going to try them out with the 400's for now and see how they look I am curious to see what happens when I take off the other 3 400's if it still has the same look, I am just about due for new bulbs for those also so I have been trying to do some homework and figure out which route to go, there are quite a few that look really good but I think I will proabaly end up putting xm-10ks on here. Thanks for your help with my questions.

1diverdown-

I am extremely excited about the skimmer I have not got it up and running yet but within the next few days it is going to happen, I wanted to thank you for the help there in Chicago with my questions about it, I will give you a call soon and send you some pics of the Marshalls.

Thanks,

Brad

DJM32189

06/27/2005, 11:44 PM

wow......makes my 20 look like a little glass bowl!!!!!!!!! The only tanks to rival this one are at the boston aquarium. What if you did get ich or something like that, what would you do?

Morgandy

06/27/2005, 11:51 PM

Aruba, what are the issues with you tank (cuz I sure can't see any), that are making you change lighting and such? I can understand going with a 'beastmaster' skimmer, but curious on the other. Lighting is my weak point, so I'm following some of the chit-chat you guys are having. Also, to lazy to search, what is PAR?

thx!!

Morgandy

06/27/2005, 11:54 PM

Sorry folks, my grammar/spelling downhill past couple days. Pretend it is all written with utmost skill!

aruba1334

06/28/2005, 12:21 AM

Avansickle,

There is no problem with the lights but I think I am not using what I have as efficiently as I could I have 3 1000 watt halides and 8 400 watters on this tank and I love the way it looks but my 400's sit almost 18 inches off the water and give off a lot of heat so my thinking is with these luminarc reflectors I can lower my 400's and get rid of 3 of them and still keep the same coverage that I have right now without wasting light and cutting back some on the heat coming from this tank.

DJM3129-

I thought you knew that deltec skimmers completely remove ich from your tank:D :D :D

DJM32189

06/28/2005, 10:10 AM

haha, I am sure that if a deltec skimmer removed ich that they would be twice the price and everyone would have at least two of them!!!

katzmanj

06/29/2005, 01:47 AM

aruba I am a rescue diver, I have been for 4yrs yrs. I love to dive and as you put it you have to make your tank like the OCEAN! Coral is an intracate part of the beauty of the ocean, which you have mastered. I have been all over the world diving and seen how it looks under the sea from the Maldives, Seachelles, Singapore(where I lived for HS), Florida and Hawaii, plus many others. I know how the ocean changes. Keep up the good work. Thats a monster skimmer!

toddlaco

07/02/2005, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by zoocrazy
!!!!WOW!!!!:D

x

BigDoug99

07/10/2005, 09:20 PM

WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tahts Huge!! And Nice

BigDoug99

07/10/2005, 09:20 PM

WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tahts Huge!! And Nice

BigDoug99

07/10/2005, 09:21 PM

WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Herbert T. Kornfeld

07/10/2005, 10:06 PM

And this thread has now gone to crap thanks to 100 people spamming "WOW, great tank!" over and over again.

aruba1334

07/10/2005, 11:36 PM

I finally got the the skimmer up and running and the luminarc reflectors, they are extremely efficient I am now down to just 3 400 watt lights in the front and 3 1000's in the back and it seems like they are giving off more light then what I had before.

dgasmd

07/10/2005, 11:49 PM

Post some pictures when you get a chance to see the difference.

jdmhonda954

07/11/2005, 02:35 AM

Originally posted by nbd13
Thanks for the response- i am just afraid of the tangs being to agressive and then leading to the fairy wrasses either jumping from stress or getting an infection or disease.

with your tank size they have so much room, but with my tank its a bit more limited.

once again i am torn between my love of wrasses and love of tangs!

thanks again!

More pics please!

Nick

honestly you should be fine as long as your careful. i have a 150 with 3 tangs(orange shoulder,clown tang, hawaiin sailfin) with 5 wrasses( pair of flame,solar,exquisite,and mystery)just put a piece of screen on the open piece of the back of the canopy. good luck

NAGA

07/12/2005, 12:54 AM

Aruba,

very nice pics of your set up. Very clean plumbing as well. I have recently seen pics of a large reef set up that has more pvc piping than the NY City sewer system with pvc going in every which direction and it looks ridiculous :lol: I am impressed with the neatness you have employed in your set up. You obviously planned this out very well ;)

dgasmd

07/21/2005, 10:33 AM

Aruba1334:

I would love to see some pictures of the before and after the installation of the lumenarcs supplemented by the 1000 watters. It is nothing short of mornid curiosity as I am sure it looks awesome.:D :D

matt_morton

07/21/2005, 04:00 PM

That is incredible. Great pics.

aruba1334

07/24/2005, 12:22 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_117_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_119_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_120_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_122_Small.jpg

Here are some more pics as requested, I am very happy with the new luminarc reflectors, they have cut down on the heat from the lights and with as hot as it has been outside my Central air is finally keeping up with the demand. The deltec skimmer has been working like a charm but is still taking some time to get broke in, I bought it with the four pumps but I have only been able to use two of them or it over skims, but I am impressed with it and Doug's customer service very good company to work with. I also tryed a new brand of carbon called Chem Gone made by a company called Kevco and it is impressive, I thought it was clear before but it seems to be better. I am going to add some anthias to this tank I have 58 in my quarantine right now they are different kinds from Bartlett's to Disbar's Bicolor's and Purple Queens so far so good they have all been eating very well so in a few weeks they will go in the main system and it should be really pretty they look cool in the other tank, I will try and post some more pics soon of them and some equip pics.

Morgandy

07/24/2005, 01:09 AM

Hi Aruba..couple questions! I'm at war with my sandbed, how do you keep yours clean, with enough circulation over it, and not have it blow all over the place?

And, did you say 58!!?!?! anthias you are going to add? Show us a pic of them in quarantine if you could. I can't imagine that many.

Also, how much carbon are you running, and is it 24x7?

Keep the pics coming, the lighting looks great.

The lighting looks great..keep lots and lots of pics coming.

rmendis

07/24/2005, 02:37 AM

This has got to be a TOTM.

SuperNerd

07/24/2005, 02:46 AM

TOTM?! This thing could easily be tank of the decade!!

ozfish

07/24/2005, 04:29 AM

Your tank is very impressive, many thanks for posting all the pictures and info on such a great tank.

I am considering a 4ft wide tank for my next tank and have a few questions if you don't mind.
What material and thickness is the tank? Do you have cross bracing or just perimeter bracing? How high is you stand and would you change either the stand or tank height if you could?
Also I was interested in your suggestion of using just 1000Watters on your tank. Do the 1000w's give sufficient coverage over the 4ft width?
Sorry for all the questions but any advice would be great.
Thanks
:)

marrstarr

07/24/2005, 02:37 PM

Best tank I have seen on RC. You should be tank of the month some time.

bllfish

07/24/2005, 04:15 PM

What a beautiful tank. Guess I have a way to go.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/bllfish/bettaresize1.jpg

Morgandy

07/24/2005, 06:39 PM

Aruba, are you up for a challenge? We have a thread going with videos..can you come play so we keep the interest going? I'm sure it would blow everything else out of the (clearing throat) water! PLEEEEZE!?!?!?

This is the thread (all else welcome too of course! We need 'help' over there).

REEF VIDEO THREAD! (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=627973&perpage=25&pagenumber=1)

Also, many are posted in one concise place list here:
Reefmonkey Video List (http://www.reefmonkey.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=608)

onefin

07/25/2005, 11:54 AM

Incredible, best of luck to ya.

aruba1334

07/25/2005, 10:45 PM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655750_gallon_reef_tank_118_Small.jpg

Avansickle- Here are some more pics I just took and yes I do have 58 Anthias in the other tank I have had them for a couple weeks or so I know it seems like a lot but they are beautiful and they all seem to school together like in the ocean, in there groups I have the most dispar anthias and they move together like you see in the ocean. I will post some pics of them soon, as far as the video I am all for it if you would send me some info on how to post it I will put something together if possible. I run carbon 24-7 and I am running 2 pounds of the Chem gone. I have lot's of gobies to clean the sand bed and they are always moving it around so they help to keep it spotless. Thanks for your great comments.

Ozfish-

The tank is 1" thick it is not glass I kinda wish I would of spent the extra for it now, the stand is 30 inches high and steel reinforced, as far as height I would not change it but length If I had the room would be longer than what I have now I have a hard time getting to all areas of the tank now I need a step ladder to reach the back of it and you always have to do something to it from time to time my Magnavore magnet works fell on algae but the coraline still has to be done by hand I struggled with it for a while until a friend helped me out with a new toy to clean it. As far as the 1000 watter's they did not give me sufficient coverage I have them along the back of the tank because this is where my acros are and I believe they need the light for the colors that I want in my corals I had 8 400's spaced in between them and across the front that looked good but the heat was almost to much so I now have 3 400's with the luminarc's and the 3 1000's across the back and they look good, I could not tell the difference but I would go with what you like I saw a picture of Dgasmd's tank on a thread and he has I think 4 400 watt light's with luminarc reflectors and his was very good looking, so I think it is personal prefrence on the lighting scheme.

dgasmd

07/25/2005, 11:04 PM

Originally posted by aruba1334
I now have 3 400's with the luminarc's and the 3 1000's across the back and they look good, I could not tell the difference but I would go with what you like I saw a picture of Dgasmd's tank on a thread and he has I think 4 400 watt light's with luminarc reflectors and his was very good looking, so I think it is personal prefrence on the lighting scheme.

You know, when you get on these sizes, the choices are many. I actually have 5 lumenarc 400 watt and they have great spread and intensity, but it does not look as bright as your tank. I also use 740 watt of actinic VHO. Knowing what I know now and keeping in mind that only keep SPS, I would go one of 3 routes for this size tank 120"x48"x30":

-5 x 400 watt radiums with lumenarc reflectors with VHO actinic. Run the MH for 10 hours/day and the actinics for 14 hr/day.

-5 x 400 watt XM 10000K with lumenarc reflectors with VHO actinic. Run the MH for 8-10 hours/day and the actinics for 14 hr/day.

-4 x 1000 watt radiums or helios 20000K with lumenarc reflectors with VHO actinic. Run the MH for 6 hours/day and the actinics for 12 hr/day.

You can come up with several permutations of this, but I think efficiency, cost of bulb replacement, heat, electrical costs, and above all personal taste of color to your eyes have to be heavily weighted. In reality, lighting is only one factor affecting success. There are so many other things that have to be right as well. Yes, you can keep a bunch of xenia or mushrooms with 3 MH in a tank this big, but now you are comapring a skateboard to a ferrari :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Aruba1334:

Dude, you have no idea the amount of envy I have looking at the pictures of your wrasses all over the place. I do ahve a few of the same you keep, but in the last few months every one I add has been killed, likely by one of the ones I already have. I am going to try to add several of them at the same time to spread the aggression and see if it helps them succeed.

Morgandy

07/25/2005, 11:06 PM

Aruba, check your PM for how to post there! This will be fun.. Can't wait to see the anthias. I'm sure they'll be magnificent in there.

Can I ask, how did you get into the hobby and how long ago, and just kind of the evolution of it for you?

camaro03

07/26/2005, 02:02 PM

wow that is a very nice tank well stocked too

Fliger

07/26/2005, 02:10 PM

You can also try Aquaconnects - the PPFD is higher than the Radiums, and it's a similar light. I'm getting 3 Lumenarc III's sometime next week - and will try 250/400/250 (all mogul) off HQI ballasts.

aruba1334

07/26/2005, 11:58 PM

Dgasmd-

with the wrasses I think in order to make it work you will need to add lots of them at the same time and figure out some way to secure the top as they will jump out if they are being harrased by a bully I have alot of them but I have also lost a lot of money by not having a secure top on there, I have found the first week to be the worst if you get by it you are good.

marilynrn711

07/27/2005, 12:43 AM

Aruba,

Best tanks pics on here that I have seen.

Enjoying your thread and thanks! Keep it coming.

Oh BTW where did you order your SPS online if I may ask? Outstanding.

The schooling tangs - excellent! :smokin:

ReefWaters

08/05/2005, 01:59 PM

Any update on the 58 Anthias?

Are they still in QT? Do you still have 58? :p

reef runt

08/14/2005, 07:26 PM

any new pics?

reef runt

08/14/2005, 07:26 PM

any new pics?

travis0712

08/14/2005, 08:20 PM

I would like to see the PVC work and your sump. I would also like to see a shot of the deltec skimmer and your calcium reactor in action. Please, give us some details as per maintenance, supplements, etc...

Ladipyg

08/14/2005, 09:23 PM

Can I have a cutting off your money tree or could you let me know where you got the printing press for the buckets of cash you must print up....;=).... GREAT TANK....it's so natural....must be like scuba diving without the tank. Congrats....

Haab

08/16/2005, 02:59 AM

:thumbsup:

joelk835

08/17/2005, 04:36 PM

Awesome love the tank! Never seen so many purple tangs in one tank!

TheCoralReef731

08/18/2005, 11:18 PM

Purely awesome. So, has this tank been TOTM yet?

Herbert T. Kornfeld

08/19/2005, 12:13 AM

It has been a while since I have looked at this thread...but now I have reread it and have some questions that havent been asked yet. Still....WOW...is all I can say.

Am I to assume that your sand is kept clean by the sand sifter gobies alone? how deep is it? What kind?

What problems have you had during its break in period? How old is it? Do you do any special filtration besides skimming and carbon...like phosban or denitrators? Any phosphate/nitrate problems with such a large tank and potential accumulation spots/factories? What are your tank's parameters anyways? Do you use any metering? Refugium?

Do you run a Kalk Reactor or Calcium Reactor, or both?

On the 1000s. I plan to use a single 1000watt 20,000K to light my next reef. Based on the light spread you see with the lumenarcs, would you go with a 36" cube or 4'x4'x2'?...or another size? I plan on running a seperate 220 line for the ballast (PFO 220v)... What did you have to do special to prepare for a tank this size? Special plumbing, electrical? Obviously more structural supports.

Sorry to ask so many Q's aruba, but I am in the process of helping a buddy set up his new 8'x8'x30"tank (360 viewing) as well...and there are some things that we would like to plan ahead for.

I suppose more equipment pics would clear alot of this up.

asnatlas

08/19/2005, 04:26 AM

Originally posted by Herbert T. Kornfeld
Sorry to ask so many Q's aruba, but I am in the process of helping a buddy set up his new 8'x8'x30"tank (360 viewing) as well...and there are some things that we would like to plan ahead for.

OMFG... 8x8x30... Dang dude.. that is AWESOME :) You going to be posting a threat about that ??

Shawn

Red Sea Purple Tang

08/19/2005, 05:45 AM

School of Purple Tangs....schwing!

Herbert T. Kornfeld

08/19/2005, 12:26 PM

asnatlas,
yes, I will have a thread on that, unless... Right now I am trying to convince the guy to register here and do it himself...you have no idea how many people browze here for years but never actually sign up. Anyways, the tank is going to be run with a 6'x6' clear glass skylight above, with 4x1000watt 20,000K halides as backup during darker months... The tank's dimensions are really still up in the air...trying to find an effective blue suppliment to go with the skylight is the limiting factor it seems...but the tank could be anything from 6'x6'x2' (about 500g) to 8'x8'x3'(1500g)...but something more like 8'x8'x24-30" high is what looks like the best idea. I dont want to hijack the thread here...but if anyone has suggestions on how to get more blue under such a huge skylight...let me know. 4000 watts of T5? Actinic halides? Its out biggest concern...so much that we are considering cutting down the tank size to 6'x6'x2', and cut the skylight down to 4'x4', and only need maybe 1000 watts in actinic.

aruba1334

08/21/2005, 02:24 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655marshall_s_pics_113_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655marshall_s_pics_120_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655marshall_s_pics_126_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655marshall_s_pics_129_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655marshall_s_pics_130_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655marshall_s_pics_119_Small.jpg

aruba1334

08/21/2005, 03:04 AM

Herbert-

I will try to anwser some of your questions my sand bed is cleaned by my gobies I do have other inverts -conchs, cucumbers snails and a assortment of different crabs but nothing cleans it like the gobies, the sand bed is about 2 inches all the way around and is Cariblife sand I think it is called fiji pink. I only run carbon and the deltec ap 1004 skimmer for my filtration and I have never had problems with nitrates or phosphates I used to change a lot of water in the beginning and I think this helped me out a lot as I did not have a lot of problems like most new tanks, I went through the algae phases but as it matured every thing fell in line. I use a calcium reactor and have never needed anything else for this system, and hopefully I won't as I have a small fortune in equipent already, on the light issues I think it is your preference and what you are wanting to keep, I run 3 1000's across the back half because this is where most of my Acro's or sun loving corals are and with out them I seem to lose some of the bright coloration that I want I have moved corals from the back to the front under the 400's and had them go from bright yellow to green, so it is personal prefrence and how much you would like to spend on the light bill to run them for me it is well worth it to come home to this but be prepared for the central air to never shut off in the summer and the same with the chiller.
As far as your friend's tank with the 8ft depth I think it would be a full time job to maintain it, I have difficult time cleaning Coraline off mine on the sides of it because of the depth I have I need a ladder just to reach and then I can't always get enough pressure on the scraper so it takes time. I would look at more length then depth 4ft is very nice to have but 8ft you would need to get in it to clean it.

Reefwaters-

I did not have luck with the anthias but I will keep trying I really liked them they are not as impressive when you look at a couple of them but when you see schools of them they are very pretty.

Herbert T. Kornfeld

08/21/2005, 03:34 AM

Well, the tank is going to be viewable from all 4 sides...and would have a 24"x24" center overflow...so the most anyone would have to reach in would be 36" back and at most 36" in height.

reef runt

08/21/2005, 05:24 AM

WOW

auntdeb

08/21/2005, 10:15 AM

In that last set of pics, could you tell me what kind of fish that is in the top pic? Love the colors of it.

Thanks...

dgasmd

08/21/2005, 10:29 AM

Aruba:

Sad to see you lost the anthias. They do make a very nice display for large tank. Much better than an oversized bunch of tangs. Especially when combined with the fairy wrasses. What kind were you trying? I have found thorugh research here and from personal experience that the easiest groups to keep and get to eat fromt he begining are the barlets, lyretail, square spot anthias. My suggestion to acclimate then would actually be to just dip them in formalin first to get any possible obvious infections and just add them to the tank. The more you have together the better off you are too as they seem to follow the monkey see monkey do routine. Some of the other anthias are nearly impossible to keep in captivity long term, although I am sure someone will chime in and say they have 3 dozens doing well. That is the exception rather than the rule.

Another suggestions would be to add them to your sump since you ahve LR there too and feed them multiple times per day for a few weeks to fattent hem up and get them to eat regularly without much compettion but themselves. Then, you can add them to the tank. That could prove to be a difficult thing to do with as big as your sump is since it will probably require you to drain it almost completely to get them out.

Best of luck.

hmoore

08/21/2005, 10:57 AM

I have to agree with dgasmd regarding the anthias. I have had superb luck with the bartletts, rubrizonatus, hutchii, and squams. The dispars (which I think that Aruba had) slowly began to deteriorate over time. I just couldn't quite get them enough food I guess. And they were being harassed by a male squam relentlessly.

aruba1334

08/21/2005, 11:41 PM

DGASMD-

The problem was I added a chevron and a achilles tang with them and did not have luck the chevron came in with ich and wiped everything out but a few so I will wait it out and try again, without the tangs I had them set up in a reef tank thinking that a natural setting will help with the parasites and I think it did for a while but I did not have enough sps to combat the problem, I have never put new fish in my main system because I have so much wrapped into the fish and I got really lucky with the purple tangs they are a exception to the rule and I don't want to risk introducing something to the main system and killing them all so I have kept everything a minimum of six weeks in the other tanks if they make it that long I add them, I do have some fish in the sump It is big enough that I have been adding Angels and Triggers there. I put a tunze for flow and power compacts for light's and they are happy so it is like 2 aquariums in one. When I was in the Marshall's diving I saw purple queens in schools of what seemed like hundreds of fish and it was cool to watch them all move together at the same time, so I tried them and bi-color's, bartletts and dispar's. I think I will go with more barlett's again and the purple's queens and eventually I will get some to make it.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655anthias_Small.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655aquarrium_site_marshalls_003_Small.jpg

moonpod

08/22/2005, 12:02 AM

crap, for a second I thought that first shot was your tank...not that your tank isn't impressive anyways, but...

Psyire

08/22/2005, 12:12 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66655marshall_s_pics_113_Small.jpg

What kind of fish is this?? It's awesome!

saurus

08/22/2005, 12:23 AM

Mystery wrasse if I am not mistaken. Looks just like mine. I hope I am not mistaken becuase I would look a little silly :lol: Well, more than usual.

Awesome setup bud!!

Red Sea Purple Tang

08/22/2005, 01:25 AM

Mystery Wrasse...very cool fish.

dgasmd

08/22/2005, 06:34 AM

I would forget about the purple queen anthias. I have been so tempted myself, but they are nearly impossible to keep. I say nearly impossible because I am sure there is someone that has a couple in their tank. I know of at least 11 people that have tried them in very very successfull tanks and not a single one is alive 4 months later. Just try a couple if you must so you can see for yourself.

oddball_from_ac

09/03/2005, 02:33 AM

wow ive read every single post in this thread i have to say this is a tank i can only dream of i am truly in awe of your amazing system. now that 120 i was setting up looks like a puddle compared to your tank lol. i love the fact that there are people other than me that have/admire meletremus eels. and the fact that u actually have rhombrodias in there makes your tank awsome just off that. anyway deffinateley keep the posts/pics coming. and good luck with the anthias again. :tup:
-dylan

gio17vani

09/04/2005, 09:55 PM

Can't speak...head about to explode. Your tank puts alot of public aquariums to shame. I can't even concentrate on what I'm typing so I'll go back to looking at all your pics and drooling.

Brewen

09/04/2005, 11:55 PM

Reachng for my pocket checking my loto ticket. Dam out again. Great tank somthing to strive for thanks for the look.

Oldude

09/05/2005, 02:25 AM

Wow..........Now that is a reef tank. I love it!!!!!!!!

deansreef

09/05/2005, 08:52 AM

that tank is so awesome

Invigor

09/05/2005, 03:03 PM

just imagining the power bill for your lights makes me froth at the mouth..

Tanks like this keep the motivation in me high about my tank :D

ebarner

09/16/2005, 01:54 AM

Schnikes!!! Unbelieveable tank...thank you for sharing.

Bax

09/16/2005, 08:18 PM

Let's see pics of the angels & triggers in the sump!

This system is Shaweeeeet!!!!!

Mystery wrasse .... ooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! ... LOVE IT!

softbal4

10/01/2005, 01:27 AM

holy cow, that is one sweet tank. when are you gong to starting fragging some of your awesome corals. i would like to be on that list.

tom obrecht

10/01/2005, 04:20 PM

Yeah, haven't seen some pics recently. Anything new?

floppyfish

10/03/2005, 07:36 PM

Nice tank. What Gobies do you use to keep your sandbed clean?

mike89t

10/04/2005, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by dgasmd
I would forget about the purple queen anthias. I have been so tempted myself, but they are nearly impossible to keep. I say nearly impossible because I am sure there is someone that has a couple in their tank. I know of at least 11 people that have tried them in very very successfull tanks and not a single one is alive 4 months later. Just try a couple if you must so you can see for yourself.

The Purple Queens are a deep water fish and don't like intense light. That's a problem when you try and keep them in a reef tank.

dgasmd

10/04/2005, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by mike89t
The Purple Queens are a deep water fish and don't like intense light. That's a problem when you try and keep them in a reef tank.

It has to be much more than just the lights. There are a ton of other fish tha do come from much deeper waters (colder/less light) that adapt well to aquariums that are brightly lit. Mystery wrasse and other wrasses come to mind. I certainly don't have the answer either.

aruba1334

10/04/2005, 11:38 PM

FLOPPYFISH-

I have a pink spotted and a yellow head that moves a lot of the sand.

Mile89t-

It is not the light the school of them that you see above was in around 30ft of water I was not very deep and everywhere I ran into them was under 50ft and they are everywhere in the marshall's, I think the only way to make it work is a school of 15 or more like you see in the ocean and lots of cyclopeze 4 or 5 times a day until they acclimate and accept other foods but keeping them in my main system with sps corals is not going to work I cannot feed them enough in there, but I am trying some others and we will see, I have seen a lot of other large systems that seem to have good luck with different anthias. I also have some watanbie's angels and a crosshatch Trigger I am working on so hopefully they make it through the six weeks and then I will put them in the main system.

nomorenames

10/05/2005, 01:01 AM

i want your job!!!

mike89t

10/05/2005, 12:53 PM

I agree that lighting isn't the only issue. Feeding them is another major hurdle. These guys are constantly feeding throughout the day and that is hard to replicate in our systems. I agree that feeding marine plankton 4-5 times a day would be the best course of action.

Crosshatch Trigger is one of my Favorite fish. I'm so Jealous!

motoxracing782

10/07/2005, 11:21 AM

amazing

motoxracing782

10/07/2005, 11:21 AM

amazing

jpodge

10/07/2005, 06:51 PM

Wow Man that is a great setup and i thought it was a big deal going from 29g to 120 g

someday i may see a tank this big.... but not in this house I want it and i ready to buy a large house for it

thanks for all the pics...

peecook

10/08/2005, 09:37 AM

when can i come by and drool on your tank? dude, that is amazing

Mr.Maska

10/15/2005, 07:46 PM

what kind of construction do u do to be able to afford this tank, that is a beautiful tank!

nikoendo

10/15/2005, 08:00 PM

oh my lord! my tank could be sump for yours... probably too small..

nepuck

10/15/2005, 08:29 PM

aruba1334:

Where do you get your SPS? The colors are super.

nepuck

10/15/2005, 08:29 PM

aruba1334:

Where do you get your SPS? The colors are super.

surg_xero

10/27/2005, 03:27 AM

wow.

is it acryllic or glass?

dmccrary

10/27/2005, 01:45 PM

nice school of purple tangs!!!

BOBHILT

10/27/2005, 04:54 PM

MAN THAT IS VERY NICE SET UP,IS THAT GLASS OR PLASTIC TANK.

E-A-G-L-E-S

10/27/2005, 05:03 PM

WOW
simply awesome!!!

Shawnts106

10/27/2005, 05:15 PM

ATTENTION PEOPLE:

News Flash!

THE AQUARIUM HOBBY HAS OFFICIALLY REACHED THE POINT OF PERFECTION!

thank you for listening!

GASP LOUDLY!... I see an Achilles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
in your 180! very nice! :)

as for the 750.... ( a moment of silence ).....

I have to leave NOW... the ambulience is on its way.. be back in a few days!

aruba1334

10/27/2005, 09:32 PM

This is a acryllic aquarium and Thank You all for the nice comments it has been a lot of work to get it to this point I added the Watanbi Angel and the CrossHatch Triggers to the main system I will get some pics up in the next few days of them.

Morgandy

10/28/2005, 01:15 AM

Originally posted by avansickle
Aruba, are you up for a challenge? We have a thread going with videos..can you come play so we keep the interest going? I'm sure it would blow everything else out of the (clearing throat) water! PLEEEEZE!?!?!?

This is the thread (all else welcome too of course! We need 'help' over there).

REEF VIDEO THREAD! (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=627973&perpage=25&pagenumber=1)

Also, many are posted in one concise place list here:
Reefmonkey Video List (http://www.reefmonkey.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=608)

Aruba..reminder - we are trying to 'recruit' you for videos!!

Also, what happened to the school of 57 anthias? I haven't caught up on all the news lately!

KEEPERZ

10/28/2005, 01:40 AM

Aruba- it's your fault man. The 108"x
48" x 32" is now in the garage and the
equipment planning is in the early stages
and I blame this thread for it-thanks bro.
Besides water changes, do use any thing
else for po4 removal? Do you like the
hammerhead pumps, do you think they
would be good for closed loops? Crosshatch
triggers are sweet-goodluck with 'em

smoney

10/28/2005, 03:29 AM

Ummm... well it is probably a question you are not suppose to ask, but since you stole my dream tank its the least that you owe me. How much did it cost you, estimatation of the whole thing. I have to have a target zone to shoot for!

asnatlas

10/28/2005, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by smoney
Ummm... well it is probably a question you are not suppose to ask, but since you stole my dream tank its the least that you owe me. How much did it cost you, estimatation of the whole thing. I have to have a target zone to shoot for!

ALOT... I am putting together a 600gal Display (96x48x30) and I would say I am up to like 10-12k easy and I still have to get my lighting, and few other smaller things... Also you need to look at the monthly maintenance cost, that can be a few hundred right there...

Shawn