June 2015 Tank of the Month

Genetics · 05/31/2015, 10:28 AM

This month we are featuring Greg Timms' 404 US-gallon reef aquarium.

More details can be found here.

Congratulations, Greg!

Also check out the Reefkeeping Blog!

If you'd like to nominate a tank for Tank of the Month, click here or use the button to the right.

DgenR8 · 06/01/2015, 12:44 AM

Incredible tank Greg, thanks for letting us in!

solitude127 · 06/01/2015, 09:24 AM

WOW, what a come back. Breathtaking.

What is the name of this coral?

bbyatv · 06/02/2015, 05:26 AM

The tank looks beautiful. Nice Work.

Oldude · 06/02/2015, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DgenR8

Incredible tank Greg, thanks for letting us in!

Thanks very much, always an honor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

WOW, what a come back. Breathtaking.

What is the name of this coral?

Thank you for the compliment. In Canada that acro is known as "Green Dragon"

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbyatv

The tank looks beautiful. Nice Work.

Thank you.

s2nhle · 06/02/2015, 11:40 AM

Wow, beautiful again. Thank you very much for sharing.

ca1ore · 06/02/2015, 12:53 PM

Most impressive indeed; though I think I may have spotted a majano in one of those pictures

Oldude · 06/02/2015, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2nhle

Wow, beautiful again. Thank you very much for sharing.

Thank you & thanks for taking the time to have a look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Most impressive indeed; though I think I may have spotted a majano in one of those pictures

Thanks, regarding the mojano - you weren't looking closely enough because there's way more than one.

I just introduced a pair of file fish last week to hopefully keep them under control. I use muriatic acid but it's a lot of work so I tend not to do it as often as I should.

JB NY · 06/02/2015, 02:36 PM

Congratulations Greg, Love the tank and I really enjoyed the write up that you did.

Raoul5Duke · 06/02/2015, 06:17 PM

Beautiful tank. Curious as to how much 2-part you dose daily? Looks like that is all you use. Any issues with high PH? If so do you decrease the salinity of your makeup water?

rlpardue · 06/02/2015, 06:47 PM

I noticed that you added a second cleaner wrasse since your first TOTM. Did you have any trouble with the first/larger wrasse accepting the second one? I have a favorite cleaner wrasse who has been with me for three years and I'd love to get him a girlfriend. Any tips you can share with us on how to introduce another cleaner wrasse?

ca1ore · 06/02/2015, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldude

Thanks, regarding the mojano - you weren't looking closely enough because there's way more than one.

It's funny actually, because I read all these threads about people panicking over aptasia and I shrug my shoulders because I have literally never had them be a problem. Majanos, on the other hand, have been the scourge of my life and caused me to rip down at least two tanks I can recall.

Oldude · 06/02/2015, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB NY

Congratulations Greg, Love the tank and I really enjoyed the write up that you did.

Thank you very much

Oldude · 06/02/2015, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raoul5Duke

Beautiful tank. Curious as to how much 2-part you dose daily? Looks like that is all you use. Any issues with high PH? If so do you decrease the salinity of your makeup water?

Thanks, regarding two part I currently dose 1680 ML of alk per day = 70 ML per hour to maintain about 7-7.5 DKH & for Calcium I dose 1200 ML per day = 50 ML per hour to maintain a value of 425 in my system. For magnesium - it is dosed at a rate per week that is similar to the others daily amount.
Honestly I rarely test for PH - when I did several years ago I always worried about the daily/nightly swings going from 7.9-8.4 so I don't test the ph. Right or wrong I figure if the alk is ok the ph will be ok. I do not decrease the salinity of my makeup water when doing a water change.
Good questions.

Oldude · 06/02/2015, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlpardue

I noticed that you added a second cleaner wrasse since your first TOTM. Did you have any trouble with the first/larger wrasse accepting the second one? I have a favorite cleaner wrasse who has been with me for three years and I'd love to get him a girlfriend. Any tips you can share with us on how to introduce another cleaner wrasse?

Yes when I added the 2nd they took turns chasing each other around for about 10 days so I was a bit worried but then one day they just stopped fighting and started hanging out together. I think the size of the tank with so many hiding places helped so whichever one was getting chased could get away and not get overly stressed. Good luck with yours.

Oldude · 06/02/2015, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

It's funny actually, because I read all these threads about people panicking over aptasia and I shrug my shoulders because I have literally never had them be a problem. Majanos, on the other hand, have been the scourge of my life and caused me to rip down at least two tanks I can recall.

Muriatic acid works pretty good - I just use a syringe and inject right into the mojano but it's a lot of work with the amount of rock I have. It seems like even though it should be a top priority it usually goes on the back burner because there are so many other things I either need to do or would rather be doing.

biggles · 06/02/2015, 11:22 PM

Congratulations Greg, i'm really pleased to see your stunning display recognised again mate. Awesome stuff

Oldude · 06/03/2015, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggles

Congratulations Greg, i'm really pleased to see your stunning display recognised again mate. Awesome stuff

Thanks Andrew

tassod · 06/03/2015, 09:19 AM

Awesome tank, really stunning corals. I didnt notice your NO3 and PO4 levels and would be curious to know what those are. That is a lot of 2 part to have on hand every week, do you even consider going with a CA reactor?

Oldude · 06/03/2015, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tassod

Awesome tank, really stunning corals. I didnt notice your NO3 and PO4 levels and would be curious to know what those are. That is a lot of 2 part to have on hand every week, do you even consider going with a CA reactor?

Thanks very much. I would be curious to know my NO3 and PO4 levels as well because I never bother testing for them.

I have considered going with a CA reactor but just never pulled the trigger. I have never used one and still seem to get reasonable results. Thanks for looking.

Elliott · 06/04/2015, 08:52 AM

WOW Greg, awesome job!

I really enjoyed reading your write up, especially how you dealt with the issues that are so prevalent in the hobby. I like how you rinse the macro algae to remove debris that gets caught in it and stirring your sump at night to feed the display

I've always admired your reefing skills. To me, the SPS colors you achieve are crazy! Camera skills aren't too shabby either

I'm looking forward to your 3rd TOTM down the road!

Pny · 06/04/2015, 12:40 PM

Congratulations!

jg93 · 06/04/2015, 02:07 PM

Stunning tank, fantastic write up. Thank you.

Stolireef · 06/04/2015, 06:05 PM

I am always amazed at how many TOTM's use the KISS method of reef keeping. Good basic husbandry, good skimmer, lights, and a fuge. No fancy foods/supplements.

Just a spectacular tank and a great write up. Congrats!!!!

Oldude · 06/04/2015, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliott

WOW Greg, awesome job!

I really enjoyed reading your write up, especially how you dealt with the issues that are so prevalent in the hobby. I like how you rinse the macro algae to remove debris that gets caught in it and stirring your sump at night to feed the display

I've always admired your reefing skills. To me, the SPS colors you achieve are crazy! Camera skills aren't too shabby either

I'm looking forward to your 3rd TOTM down the road!

Thank you Elliott - right back at ya' - apparently we have a mutual admiration for each other.

06/01/2015, 12:44 AM	#2
DgenR8 I'm an American and I remember Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 43,992	Incredible tank Greg, thanks for letting us in! __________________ “I wish there was a way to know that you were IN the good old days, before leaving them.” ~Andy Bernard Regional Manager, Scranton branch Dunder Mifflin Current Tank Info: Unknown slow drip, over 20 years damaged my house and heating system. No more tank.

06/01/2015, 09:24 AM	#3
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	WOW, what a come back. Breathtaking. What is the name of this coral? __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

06/02/2015, 05:26 AM	#4
bbyatv Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Centreville, Virginia Posts: 104	Congratulations The tank looks beautiful. Nice Work. __________________ Tank Honors and Awards: https://sites.google.com/site/bbyatv/ Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Mixed Reef

06/02/2015, 12:53 PM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Most impressive indeed; though I think I may have spotted a majano in one of those pictures __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

06/02/2015, 02:36 PM	#9
JB NY Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 9,207	Congratulations Greg, Love the tank and I really enjoyed the write up that you did. __________________ -Joe TOTM Sept 2002 \| Reefland April 2004 \| CORAL Magazine Nov 2007 Featured Tank "Coral Reef Aquarium" 2011 \| Reef Spotlight 2018 Current Tank Info: 270G SPS Tank, 140G sumps, 35G Frag Tank, Ultra Reef Akula UKS-200 Skimmer, Apex, Giesemann Spectra 3x250W MH 4x80W T5, 2xReefbrite Tech 72" Blue LED, Triton Dosing, ARID C30 Algae Reactor, Maxspect Gyre

06/02/2015, 11:40 AM	#6
s2nhle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 298	Wow, beautiful again. Thank you very much for sharing.

06/02/2015, 06:17 PM	#10
Raoul5Duke Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Near Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,070	Beautiful tank. Curious as to how much 2-part you dose daily? Looks like that is all you use. Any issues with high PH? If so do you decrease the salinity of your makeup water?

06/02/2015, 06:47 PM	#11
rlpardue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 560	I noticed that you added a second cleaner wrasse since your first TOTM. Did you have any trouble with the first/larger wrasse accepting the second one? I have a favorite cleaner wrasse who has been with me for three years and I'd love to get him a girlfriend. Any tips you can share with us on how to introduce another cleaner wrasse? __________________ Lee 5x2x2 Build In Progress (near completion!) Current Tank Info: 5-foot 150g

06/02/2015, 11:22 PM	#17
biggles Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 3,907	Congratulations Greg, i'm really pleased to see your stunning display recognised again mate. Awesome stuff __________________ Andrew

06/03/2015, 09:19 AM	#19
tassod Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Arlington Heights IL Posts: 1,820	Awesome tank, really stunning corals. I didnt notice your NO3 and PO4 levels and would be curious to know what those are. That is a lot of 2 part to have on hand every week, do you even consider going with a CA reactor? __________________ Current Tank info: 240g in-wall, 130g sump, Gyre XF 150, 3 Radion Pros Tasso

06/04/2015, 08:52 AM	#21
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	WOW Greg, awesome job! I really enjoyed reading your write up, especially how you dealt with the issues that are so prevalent in the hobby. I like how you rinse the macro algae to remove debris that gets caught in it and stirring your sump at night to feed the display I've always admired your reefing skills. To me, the SPS colors you achieve are crazy! Camera skills aren't too shabby either I'm looking forward to your 3rd TOTM down the road! __________________ Rodney Dangerfield - "I worked in a pet store and people would ask how big I would get." TOTM, March 2015 Current Tank Info: tank video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va1dI7mdnGU ,900g in wall mixed reef, another 500g sumps, 19 AI Sol LED's, 2 CL's w/VFD's controlled pumps to 24 eductors, 2 Tunze WB's, 2 Barr 5220's and RK2 25PE and BK500, etc

06/04/2015, 12:40 PM	#22
Pny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 169	Congratulations!

06/04/2015, 02:07 PM	#23
jg93 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rockville, MD, USA Posts: 194	Stunning tank, fantastic write up. Thank you. __________________ JeffG Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Rimless mixed, 60 Gallon rimless cube Zoas & LPS

06/04/2015, 06:05 PM	#24
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	I am always amazed at how many TOTM's use the KISS method of reef keeping. Good basic husbandry, good skimmer, lights, and a fuge. No fancy foods/supplements. Just a spectacular tank and a great write up. Congrats!!!! __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.