3 year old skimmerless 40G. - Page 3

zxknight · 11/10/2008, 11:28 PM

WOW

2farNorth · 11/11/2008, 04:33 PM

Awesome tank again Spike! I just love the colors, and the reality of the photos!

I agree with the Tank Of The Month status, I think your due!! You got my vote! (or Nomination per say) Not for just the beauty of the tank, but the Simplicity!!

2_zoa · 11/11/2008, 06:37 PM

Alright a few more questions for you,

What do you run the salinity at?
How much cheato do you keep after pruning?
How did you cure and or QT the live rock to ensure no bad things?
What is the substrate?
Do you run the air stone 24/7?
What is the tamp and where do you measure it at? top or bottom
What do you keep the mag level at?
You said you only do a water change to replace nutrients but, from what I understand is there isn't any in distilled water?
How long did you cycle the tank before and after the cheato?

That should do for now I will have more.

ReefStomper · 11/11/2008, 07:00 PM

Great looking tank. This is easily ToTM. Nice job!!

Laurier · 11/11/2008, 07:02 PM

WOW now this is amazing. I used to run all my nano's without a skimmer but props to you for having a 40 and accomplishing this

2_zoa · 11/11/2008, 08:48 PM

bump

Aquabucket · 11/11/2008, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the high regards and comments guys! Its really appreciated!

Quote:

Originally posted by 2_zoa
Alright a few more questions for you,

What do you run the salinity at?
How much cheato do you keep after pruning?
How did you cure and or QT the live rock to ensure no bad things?
What is the substrate?
Do you run the air stone 24/7?
What is the tamp and where do you measure it at? top or bottom
What do you keep the mag level at?
You said you only do a water change to replace nutrients but, from what I understand is there isn't any in distilled water?
How long did you cycle the tank before and after the cheato?

That should do for now I will have more.

Ok here you go:

1.025-26

Half

I used mostly cured live rock that I acquired from an LFS more than 4 years ago. Additional pieces that were added were also already cured. All the rock was closely inspected and undesirable hitchhikers were removed.

I don't run an airstone in my HOB anymore but did for over a year. I really saw no difference after removing it.

Bottom

1300-1350

You must mean trace elements which are provided in the salt mix.

The macro algae was added immediately since the rock was already cured. I did not add any fish to the tank for 3 months. Some soft corals were added immediately.

From your previous post:

As far as flow that is going to depend on the corals you want to keep.

T5 lighting is a wise choice and that is a good ballast for overdriving them. I would get it.

Hope that answers your questions for now.

flyyyguy · 11/11/2008, 09:39 PM

Its Gorgeous

Great job

2_zoa · 11/11/2008, 09:46 PM

Thank you.

Aquabucket · 11/14/2008, 07:01 AM

Your welcome. Thanks again for all the great comments everyone!

Yesterday I added something pretty exciting to my tank, a dragonface pipefish. I was hoping to get a larger sized one but was sent a little fella. Its just under 4 inches long. To prepare for it I changed out a couple of powerheads and put some netting around the surface skimmer intake for my HOB.

I was pretty nervous putting the tiny little fella in my tank hoping it would not become a meal for my damsel or watchman. Its smaller than most of the bristle worms in my tank. When I released it into the tank I tried to place it at the back near my chaeto. As soon as it hit the water the little fella swam directly to the front of the tank and dropped down to the sand bed. My damsel payed no attention to it.

I swear within 1 minute or so the little guy was hunting through the sand bed. In his wake was 100s of tiny pods the size of a pinhead which I never even new where there. Dozens of these mite like pods were making a beeline for the sides of the glass as he was picking them off one at a time. I was elated to see he was feeding and had plenty of food to eat for some time to come.

I can't believe how bold he is and how my fish just ignore it. He even perched right in front of my damsels cave all night long and the damsel just let it be. This really surprised me as I can't even put frags near there with-out the damsel trying to knock them down. I really hope it does well. So far so good.

I'll try to post some pics later when my daylights kick in.

GSMguy · 11/14/2008, 08:24 AM

I always loved this tank, I run my 20g the same way, in fact the last water change on that tank was in 2007.

Congrats on your success bucket.

CaptainCoral · 11/14/2008, 08:57 AM

It sounds like he's found a good home. I hope he isn't camera shy.

Aquabucket · 11/14/2008, 11:43 AM

Thanks guys!

Today he is been cruising the sandbed for food. Here is a pic that gives you an idea how small he is:

I'd say he is about 3-1/2" long. I am trying to get a better pic but its tough with-out a tripod.

JustinReef · 11/14/2008, 12:08 PM

Great addition! Hes tiny but very, very nice!

Aquabucket · 11/14/2008, 12:18 PM

Thanks JPS!

Here is another shot I just took:

I've been watching him for hours making sure my other fish ignore him. I think everyone is going to get along just fine. The damsel has been swimming inches above him all day and showing no interest whatsoever. My watchman ducked back into his cave when the pipefish came over by him. My watchman is a pretty timid one.

JustinReef · 11/14/2008, 12:26 PM

Wow, he is really cute. Glad to hear he has lots of food.

Aquabucket · 11/14/2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by justinpsmith
Wow, he is really cute. Glad to hear he has lots of food.

A 3 yr. old tank with no real pod predators helps. Should be enough food in there to keep him happy for quite awhile.

JustinReef · 11/14/2008, 01:22 PM

Yeah for sure. I actually noticed that even in my new tank I have an insane amount of pods. Only the tank is new though...LR, sand, macro, ect. that went into the system I have had for 3-4 years.

I noticed the other day that if I disturb the sand bed or shake the macro, pods cover the galss so thick it looks very dirty around the bottom!

I have also never had anything that eats pods in my tank, so they have been running wild for years.

Aquabucket · 11/14/2008, 01:46 PM

You might want to get one then. Unless you think you have some fish that might eat it. They are good for controlling red bugs if you have lots of acros.

Anyway here is one more pic:

Zoanut · 11/14/2008, 01:53 PM

Looks good but a bit 6800k to me but thats just personal preference. What kind of t5's are you running?

JustinReef · 11/14/2008, 01:54 PM

I only have a Yellow Tang and two clowns. I doubt either would harm one. I do have a Arrow Crab that would though. My Arrow actually eats red bugs too. He has cleared the tank out.

Do you think a Coral Banded Shrimp would harm one? I doubt I will get one anyways but I am curious.

Another nice pic!

miwoodar · 11/14/2008, 02:17 PM

That pipe is awesome!

DLANDINO · 11/14/2008, 02:56 PM

I can only say, WOW! Impressive. How about TOTM nomination?

Mr. Brooks · 11/14/2008, 04:22 PM

WOW!

I agree, TOTM.

Shiandy · 11/14/2008, 05:53 PM

Absolutely stunning tank, thanks for sharing

The only part that looks odd to me is the background, it does not look right, it pop's out too much. I see a few questions asked if its back lit, and how do you keep it so clean.

To me it looks photoshop'd, I'm not trying to take anything away from your stunning looking tank, but I would love to see a FTS without the need to photoshop the background to make the corals pop out more.

11/11/2008, 09:39 PM	#58
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	Its Gorgeous Great job __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

11/14/2008, 07:01 AM	#60
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	Your welcome. Thanks again for all the great comments everyone! Yesterday I added something pretty exciting to my tank, a dragonface pipefish. I was hoping to get a larger sized one but was sent a little fella. Its just under 4 inches long. To prepare for it I changed out a couple of powerheads and put some netting around the surface skimmer intake for my HOB. I was pretty nervous putting the tiny little fella in my tank hoping it would not become a meal for my damsel or watchman. Its smaller than most of the bristle worms in my tank. When I released it into the tank I tried to place it at the back near my chaeto. As soon as it hit the water the little fella swam directly to the front of the tank and dropped down to the sand bed. My damsel payed no attention to it. I swear within 1 minute or so the little guy was hunting through the sand bed. In his wake was 100s of tiny pods the size of a pinhead which I never even new where there. Dozens of these mite like pods were making a beeline for the sides of the glass as he was picking them off one at a time. I was elated to see he was feeding and had plenty of food to eat for some time to come. I can't believe how bold he is and how my fish just ignore it. He even perched right in front of my damsels cave all night long and the damsel just let it be. This really surprised me as I can't even put frags near there with-out the damsel trying to knock them down. I really hope it does well. So far so good. I'll try to post some pics later when my daylights kick in. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

11/14/2008, 08:24 AM	#61
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	I always loved this tank, I run my 20g the same way, in fact the last water change on that tank was in 2007. Congrats on your success bucket. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

11/14/2008, 08:57 AM	#62
CaptainCoral Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Naperville,IL Posts: 1,104	It sounds like he's found a good home. I hope he isn't camera shy. __________________ I have 300 lbs. of pet rock Current Tank Info: 55[QuarantineTank],75[softie,clown/anemone], and 180 AGA reefs

11/14/2008, 11:43 AM	#63
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	Thanks guys! Today he is been cruising the sandbed for food. Here is a pic that gives you an idea how small he is: I'd say he is about 3-1/2" long. I am trying to get a better pic but its tough with-out a tripod. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

11/10/2008, 11:28 PM	#51
zxknight Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 216	WOW

11/11/2008, 04:33 PM	#52
2farNorth Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upper Peninsula, Michigan Posts: 929	Awesome tank again Spike! I just love the colors, and the reality of the photos! I agree with the Tank Of The Month status, I think your due!! You got my vote! (or Nomination per say) Not for just the beauty of the tank, but the Simplicity!!

11/11/2008, 06:37 PM	#53
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	Alright a few more questions for you, What do you run the salinity at? How much cheato do you keep after pruning? How did you cure and or QT the live rock to ensure no bad things? What is the substrate? Do you run the air stone 24/7? What is the tamp and where do you measure it at? top or bottom What do you keep the mag level at? You said you only do a water change to replace nutrients but, from what I understand is there isn't any in distilled water? How long did you cycle the tank before and after the cheato? That should do for now I will have more.

11/11/2008, 07:00 PM	#54
ReefStomper Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Flowery Branch, GA Posts: 9	Great looking tank. This is easily ToTM. Nice job!!

11/11/2008, 07:02 PM	#55
Laurier Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Calgary/ Canada Posts: 191	WOW now this is amazing. I used to run all my nano's without a skimmer but props to you for having a 40 and accomplishing this

11/11/2008, 08:48 PM	#56
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	bump

11/11/2008, 09:46 PM	#59
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	Thank you.

11/14/2008, 12:08 PM	#64
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Great addition! Hes tiny but very, very nice!

11/14/2008, 12:18 PM	#65
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	Thanks JPS! Here is another shot I just took: I've been watching him for hours making sure my other fish ignore him. I think everyone is going to get along just fine. The damsel has been swimming inches above him all day and showing no interest whatsoever. My watchman ducked back into his cave when the pipefish came over by him. My watchman is a pretty timid one. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

11/14/2008, 12:26 PM	#66
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Wow, he is really cute. Glad to hear he has lots of food.

11/14/2008, 01:22 PM	#68
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Yeah for sure. I actually noticed that even in my new tank I have an insane amount of pods. Only the tank is new though...LR, sand, macro, ect. that went into the system I have had for 3-4 years. I noticed the other day that if I disturb the sand bed or shake the macro, pods cover the galss so thick it looks very dirty around the bottom! I have also never had anything that eats pods in my tank, so they have been running wild for years.

11/14/2008, 01:46 PM	#69
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	You might want to get one then. Unless you think you have some fish that might eat it. They are good for controlling red bugs if you have lots of acros. Anyway here is one more pic: __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

11/14/2008, 01:53 PM	#70
Zoanut Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 317	Looks good but a bit 6800k to me but thats just personal preference. What kind of t5's are you running?

11/14/2008, 01:54 PM	#71
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	I only have a Yellow Tang and two clowns. I doubt either would harm one. I do have a Arrow Crab that would though. My Arrow actually eats red bugs too. He has cleared the tank out. Do you think a Coral Banded Shrimp would harm one? I doubt I will get one anyways but I am curious. Another nice pic!

11/14/2008, 02:17 PM	#72
miwoodar Likey the bikey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,371	That pipe is awesome! __________________ Mike On hiatus. I'm either out riding my bicycle, playing with my family, or throwing ferts in my planted tank. Or working. I hope I'm not doing that though. Current Tank Info: 140 DIY Cube

11/14/2008, 02:56 PM	#73
DLANDINO D.L. Heritage Rings Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clinton, CT USA Posts: 5,610	I can only say, WOW! Impressive. How about TOTM nomination? __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: JBJ 8 Nano mixed

11/14/2008, 04:22 PM	#74
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	WOW! I agree, TOTM.

11/14/2008, 05:53 PM	#75
Shiandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 367	Absolutely stunning tank, thanks for sharing The only part that looks odd to me is the background, it does not look right, it pop's out too much. I see a few questions asked if its back lit, and how do you keep it so clean. To me it looks photoshop'd, I'm not trying to take anything away from your stunning looking tank, but I would love to see a FTS without the need to photoshop the background to make the corals pop out more.