A Reef Tank in the Desert - +/- 1,400 gallon system

[danfeig]

As I sat in front of my tank this evening, I could not help but feel a great deal of sorrow and empathy for what Peter, a Coral Tank from Canada (1,350 gal Display Tank) must be going through right now.

The enjoyment that I receive from watching my tank; the personalities of my fish, the growth of my corals - it is not easily replaceable. I am constantly learning new things about the ecosystem I have created or have tried to replicate. I try not to take things for granted. I am constantly checking water parameters, experimenting with different supplements, pumps, water flow, methods - to improve the quality of my system and livestock.

I spend a tremendous amount of time reading other build threads and learning from fellow reefers - watching their successes and failures. One such thread, that has been an inspiration, is Peters. I have followed his and Mr. Wilson's successes closely. It has been very difficult to see their system decimated by a manufacturer defect. It is my hope, that he rebuilds and continues to inspire reefers like myself.

[dave.m]

Hear! Hear! Well said!

Dave.M

[ace_92101]

The video, as always, is stunning. The depth of the tank gives a more natural look. I almost feel like I'm diving.

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by SPotter

Amazing Dan just absolutely amazing!!!!!

Thanks Steve! It's become a lot more enjoyable as it's matured.

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by indyjaco

Have you noticed any spawning activity with the Tangs?

Looks amazing and so realistic.

Jacob, that's a great question. I have with my Blue Hippo Tangs. Most of the time they ignore each other, but, every few months the male and female are side by side together with the male following every move the female makes. I have also questioned whether or not my Powder Blues were getting busy.

[worm5406]

Ewww this is a family channel. Now I have to explain to my 20yo what that means.

I wonder how well the viability of off-spring would be.

[Made2Rock]

Originally Posted by worm5406

Ewww this is a family channel. Now I have to explain to my 20yo what that means.

I wonder how well the viability of off-spring would be.

They were busy swimming that's all. I don't know what you were thinking.

Joe

[Benson0219]

Originally Posted by danfeig

Thanks Benson. The next time you make it down to Tucson, look me up and I will give you a tour.

Thank you Dan! My wife and I would love to see your tank and get more inspiration and ideas for our tank! One of my other hobbies is to visit public aquariums. We just went to Monterrey Aquarium two weeks ago. Your tank is on our list!!!

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by A_CoupleClowns

Great video! Such an active reef!

Thank you A_CoupleClowns! It's so much fun to sit in front of it and watch. It is always busy. As far as the video goes, Sam get's better and better with each video.

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by ace_92101

The video, as always, is stunning. The depth of the tank gives a more natural look. I almost feel like I'm diving.

Thanks Ace! I am glad that you enjoyed it!

[pyithar]

awesome tank! it's stunning! i have a question though. are the corals especially sps like monti fine together with the btas?

[dotcommer]

Excellent Video, Thanks for taking the time to have it created and sharing it with us.
Tank and fish look amazing.

[tastyfish]

Amazing tank Dan, I've been following you all the way through. Enjoyed the first video, but unfortunately the last two have some sort of copyright restriction?

"This video contains content from WMG, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds"

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by pyithar

awesome tank! it's stunning! i have a question though. are the corals especially sps like monti fine together with the btas?

Thanks pyithar!

You know, that is a great question. My sunburst anemones are starting to be a real pain in the rear. For the most part, when they stay down low, they are great! However, the mother anemone has probably split a dozen times. One has really bothered an alveopora coral and a couple of others have made homes at various times in my Monti caps. They are tough to get out of those and they do kill the portion of the Monti that they tend to rest on.

[pyithar]

thanks for the answer Dan. my green bta was moving all the time and it killed 1/3 of the favia. it seems to have found a place it likes though.

[Dreech15]

Dan incredible tank. A true piece of artwork!

[aquaph8]

Originally Posted by danfeig

Thanks pyithar!

You know, that is a great question. My sunburst anemones are starting to be a real pain in the rear. For the most part, when they stay down low, they are great! However, the mother anemone has probably split a dozen times. One has really bothered an alveopora coral and a couple of others have made homes at various times in my Monti caps. They are tough to get out of those and they do kill the portion of the Monti that they tend to rest on.

Mine have been similar, great until they split and then they are hard to remove and slowly take over space where they shouldn't be.

[ERivera65]

Wow Dan, its amazing! your tank has come quite a ways! It really looks like a piece of the reef is in your home. those corals look amazing and all the fish looks so great and healthy, I am very happy to see your success and glad you can share it here with all of us. Thank you and glad to see you doing well.

[BrentH]

Long thread and great tank in wondering if you have any pointers or share how you've kept the moorish idols alive so long great job on everything ... I've always been kinda not sure about the leds and your proving they do work

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by dotcommer

Excellent Video, Thanks for taking the time to have it created and sharing it with us.
Tank and fish look amazing.

Sal, I am sorry that I missed you when you came down to Tucson. When will you make it back. I heard that you stopped by the store...

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by tastyfish

Amazing tank Dan, I've been following you all the way through. Enjoyed the first video, but unfortunately the last two have some sort of copyright restriction?

"This video contains content from WMG, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds"

Thanks Tastyfish... I had a few pm's that some countries outside of the US could not view the videos because of copyright restrictions on the music. I will see if I can't have it made without the music background.

[Daniel62]

Great tank Dan. How long have you had the MI?

[dotcommer]

Originally Posted by danfeig

Sal, I am sorry that I missed you when you came down to Tucson. When will you make it back. I heard that you stopped by the store...

No problem, we ran out of time quickly, next time. I was able to stop in the store and check things out. The store looks great, you guys did a great job. I like the white raceway you have in the middle of the store, Those systems are a great place to house corals.

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by Daniel62

Great tank Dan. How long have you had the MI?

Thank you. I have enjoyed the MI for a little over two years.

[danfeig]

Hey guys. I have received a number of PM's asking for updates. Sorry for being RC silent, I have been real busy with work and family obligations.

The tank is really doing awesome! I feel almost as if it is running itself. I need to spend several days trimming my different acro's as almost all seem to be touching one another. The only big change to my system has been on the bottom of my tank. I have slowly been adding different species of goniopora and alveopora to the bottom, hoping to make some sort of Flower Pot Garden. I do need to add another two Radions to the back of my tank. I have been growing a lot of frags behind my towers and feel they could use more light.

Sam will be coming in next month and hopefully shooting another few videos.

I am also planning on heading up to Macna and hope to see everyone there!