September 2015 Tank of the Month!

Genetics · 08/26/2015, 05:06 PM

This month we are featuring Adam Sutherland’s (One_Divided) 180 US-gallon reef aquarium.

More details can be found here.

Congratulations, Adam!

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 · 09/03/2015, 05:59 AM

Great tank, Adam! Thank you for sharing with us.

Shawn O · 09/03/2015, 09:45 AM

"- In my experience, the popular brand coral dips don’t always seem to work on small acropora/montipora copepods. I have witnessed them living in the slime while the coral is being dipped. The best way to be sure you won’t end up with these buggers is to give new corals a strong treatment of Interceptor or similar (I use Milbemax) which you will need to acquire from your local vet. If done correctly, this will be 100% effective in eradicating any/all crustaceans."

As a complete noob I'm wondering why you don't want crustaceans (pods) in your tank?

toothybugs · 09/03/2015, 11:24 AM

Wow. Yea I would not mind having that in my basement.

Sugar Magnolia · 09/03/2015, 11:44 AM

Absolutely beautiful tank Adam! Congratulations!

ReefBum · 09/03/2015, 11:49 AM

Stunning! Congrats!

Pny · 09/03/2015, 12:35 PM

Congrats!

One_Divided · 09/07/2015, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn O

"- In my experience, the popular brand coral dips don’t always seem to work on small acropora/montipora copepods. I have witnessed them living in the slime while the coral is being dipped. The best way to be sure you won’t end up with these buggers is to give new corals a strong treatment of Interceptor or similar (I use Milbemax) which you will need to acquire from your local vet. If done correctly, this will be 100% effective in eradicating any/all crustaceans."

As a complete noob I'm wondering why you don't want crustaceans (pods) in your tank?

I'm referring to the parasitic kind that come in on acro's and monti's. Search red acro bugs and you'll see what I mean.

s2nhle · 09/09/2015, 09:03 AM

Congrats. Well deserve. Thank you for sharing your tips.

Wazzel · 09/09/2015, 09:21 AM

Congrats Adam, nice tank.

martyf · 09/09/2015, 04:12 PM

Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing details of the tank

Wiskey · 09/10/2015, 11:46 PM

Amazing tank! I love the huge stags and monti caps, they really draw your eye around the tank.

Whiskey

Oldude · 09/12/2015, 11:37 AM

Congrats Adam!! Beautiful reef tank.

Gondore · 09/14/2015, 01:13 PM

Congrats man! Your tank looks great and your write-up was excellent!

A few questions came to mind for me as I read your article. I have always struggled with my phosphates being 0.00 in my tank (tested with Hanna). I run BRS GFO and change it out monthly. I found it interesting how you are using the FoZ Down to manage your phosphates. I wonder if this might be a better way for me to allow some phosphates to exist but at a low level. I was also wondering what brand of phytoplankton you are feeding and how you power the t5 figure on your frag tank versus the halides on your DT in regards to growth and coloration?

One_Divided · 09/14/2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gondore

Congrats man! Your tank looks great and your write-up was excellent!

A few questions came to mind for me as I read your article. I have always struggled with my phosphates being 0.00 in my tank (tested with Hanna). I run BRS GFO and change it out monthly. I found it interesting how you are using the FoZ Down to manage your phosphates. I wonder if this might be a better way for me to allow some phosphates to exist but at a low level. I was also wondering what brand of phytoplankton you are feeding and how you power the t5 figure on your frag tank versus the halides on your DT in regards to growth and coloration?

Thanks! I use Pacifica Plankton that is harvested in the Georgia Straight close to where I live. Same company that carries Fozdown. I think the Fozdown is a good way to go. Mostly because it's easy, but also, like you were getting at; it will allow intermittently between dosings for some phosphates to exist in the water which in turn, can be absorbed as food. Running media means your pulling stuff out all the time. Also, changing media once/month = Pain in the ***!

Gondore · 09/14/2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One_Divided

Thanks! I use Pacifica Plankton that is harvested in the Georgia Straight close to where I live. Same company that carries Fozdown. I think the Fozdown is a good way to go. Mostly because it's easy, but also, like you were getting at; it will allow intermittently between dosings for some phosphates to exist in the water which in turn, can be absorbed as food. Running media means your pulling stuff out all the time. Also, changing media once/month = Pain in the ***!

Thanks for the reply!

How about the T5 fixture on your frag tank compared to the halides on your display? Much difference on growth and coloration?

One_Divided · 09/14/2015, 02:54 PM

The corals in the optimal halide spots appear to grow the fastest. I would say some pieces get better colour from the T5's, but for the most part, you can't beat the Radiums. Keep in mind I have 4 80w T5's in that canopy too.

Gondore · 09/14/2015, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One_Divided

The corals in the optimal halide spots appear to grow the fastest. I would say some pieces get better colour from the T5's, but for the most part, you can't beat the Radiums. Keep in mind I have 4 80w T5's in that canopy too.

I do love the Radiums. I ran them on my old 90 gallon tank. My new 150 is a rimless so finding a MH fixture that looks good hanging above it is very challenging these days...that's why I ended up going with an 8 bulb ATI Sunpower with a XHO reefbrite strip.

Thanks again man for all the great info.

MikeTR · 09/15/2015, 06:56 PM

Definitely true that what works for one tank doesn't for another. Looking at your equipment I can't figure out how your sticks aren't growing sideways and how you haven't burned everything to a crisp. I was only running 250w radiums and bleaching everything, even in the lower thirds. Also having to reevaluate my powerheads, only running 2 mp40s (reef crest anti-sync) and the sps that's 2 feet away has odd growth patterns, flat on the one side or sharp right angles. Any suggestions?

One_Divided · 09/15/2015, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeTR

Definitely true that what works for one tank doesn't for another. Looking at your equipment I can't figure out how your sticks aren't growing sideways and how you haven't burned everything to a crisp. I was only running 250w radiums and bleaching everything, even in the lower thirds. Also having to reevaluate my powerheads, only running 2 mp40s (reef crest anti-sync) and the sps that's 2 feet away has odd growth patterns, flat on the one side or sharp right angles. Any suggestions?

I'm not sure.. I'll take some pics inside my canopy.. My bulbs are pretty high up and the reflectors are pretty wimpy retrofit ones.. I needed small reflectors to fit the T5's in. I have never bleached an acro with a metal halide!

pciscott · 09/16/2015, 11:18 AM

Wow Beautiful Tank!

Thank you for your tips, much appreciated!

The Fozdown, do you just drip into the sump socks?

One_Divided · 09/16/2015, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pciscott

Wow Beautiful Tank!

Thank you for your tips, much appreciated!

The Fozdown, do you just drip into the sump socks?

Into the overflow... So basically into the socks. It seems to be fine in the tank too. The only coral I find doesn't like it is the sunset mili... less polyp extension..

Fernando Chang · 09/17/2015, 03:01 PM

Hi Adam,

very impressed yr reef tank. have one question only abt the powerhead you are using. for the size of your tank the 4 vortech MP10ES are enough to produce the internal movements ? why dont use the MP40 ?

Regards
Fernando Chang
Panama, RP

adamwheel · 09/17/2015, 06:05 PM

Adam,
Congrats and well deserved.

Question: what can you tell me about that huge turquoise stag? Scientific or common name?

Thanks,
Adam

rburns24 · 09/17/2015, 07:30 PM

-
Beautiful tank and great write up. Thanks much.
-

09/03/2015, 05:59 AM	#2
DgenR8 I'm an American and I remember Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 43,992	Great tank, Adam! Thank you for sharing with us. __________________ “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.

09/03/2015, 09:45 AM	#3
Shawn O Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 1,474	"- In my experience, the popular brand coral dips don’t always seem to work on small acropora/montipora copepods. I have witnessed them living in the slime while the coral is being dipped. The best way to be sure you won’t end up with these buggers is to give new corals a strong treatment of Interceptor or similar (I use Milbemax) which you will need to acquire from your local vet. If done correctly, this will be 100% effective in eradicating any/all crustaceans." As a complete noob I'm wondering why you don't want crustaceans (pods) in your tank? __________________ "55gal glass box full of water, rocks and some not-so-amused little fishes" 2x Occellaris, 1 Pajama, 1 Neon Dottyback. Current Tank Info: 55gal tank, sumpless, ReefOctopus Classic 90, Twin bulb T5.

09/03/2015, 11:44 AM	#5
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Absolutely beautiful tank Adam! Congratulations! __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

09/03/2015, 11:49 AM	#6
ReefBum Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Warren, VT Posts: 1,181	Stunning! Congrats! __________________ March 2009 TOTM July 2003 TOTM Current Tank Info: Eurobraced 187g Low Iron Glass Tank

09/09/2015, 09:21 AM	#10
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	Congrats Adam, nice tank. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

09/03/2015, 11:24 AM	#4
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	Wow. Yea I would not mind having that in my basement.

09/03/2015, 12:35 PM	#7
Pny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 169	Congrats!

09/09/2015, 09:03 AM	#9
s2nhle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 298	Congrats. Well deserve. Thank you for sharing your tips.

09/09/2015, 04:12 PM	#11
martyf Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 10	Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing details of the tank

09/10/2015, 11:46 PM	#12
Wiskey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fallbrook, CA Posts: 3,049	Amazing tank! I love the huge stags and monti caps, they really draw your eye around the tank. Whiskey __________________ This video shows 15 months of coral growth in my tank in a 30 second timelapse: https://youtu.be/bF6C57aTDEo

09/12/2015, 11:37 AM	#13
Oldude Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 4,479	Congrats Adam!! Beautiful reef tank. __________________ ______________________ Greg ~ June 2015 TOTM ~ ~ April 2010 TOTM ~

09/14/2015, 01:13 PM	#14
Gondore Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,471	Congrats man! Your tank looks great and your write-up was excellent! A few questions came to mind for me as I read your article. I have always struggled with my phosphates being 0.00 in my tank (tested with Hanna). I run BRS GFO and change it out monthly. I found it interesting how you are using the FoZ Down to manage your phosphates. I wonder if this might be a better way for me to allow some phosphates to exist but at a low level. I was also wondering what brand of phytoplankton you are feeding and how you power the t5 figure on your frag tank versus the halides on your DT in regards to growth and coloration?

09/14/2015, 02:54 PM	#17
One_Divided Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Victoria BC Canada Posts: 368	The corals in the optimal halide spots appear to grow the fastest. I would say some pieces get better colour from the T5's, but for the most part, you can't beat the Radiums. Keep in mind I have 4 80w T5's in that canopy too. __________________ RC TOTM Sep, 2015 Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon SPS dominated

09/15/2015, 06:56 PM	#19
MikeTR Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SW FL Posts: 351	Definitely true that what works for one tank doesn't for another. Looking at your equipment I can't figure out how your sticks aren't growing sideways and how you haven't burned everything to a crisp. I was only running 250w radiums and bleaching everything, even in the lower thirds. Also having to reevaluate my powerheads, only running 2 mp40s (reef crest anti-sync) and the sps that's 2 feet away has odd growth patterns, flat on the one side or sharp right angles. Any suggestions?

09/16/2015, 11:18 AM	#21
pciscott Pirates Cove Reef Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cypress, CA Posts: 2,582	Wow Beautiful Tank! Thank you for your tips, much appreciated! The Fozdown, do you just drip into the sump socks? __________________ Scott Steinberger SCMAS/SCRK/MASNA member There is more than One Way to skin a Reef! Current Tank Info: Pirates Cove 400 Gallon Peninsula with 10 Ecotech Gen 4 Pro Lights, SPS heavy mixed Reef, Tank Controlled by Apex back up monitoring by Profilux, Tropic Marin Pro Salt, Brightwell Suplements and Bio Bricks, Way too many Fish! Keep it simple!

09/17/2015, 03:01 PM	#23
Fernando Chang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Panama, Republic of Panama Posts: 90	Hi Adam, very impressed yr reef tank. have one question only abt the powerhead you are using. for the size of your tank the 4 vortech MP10ES are enough to produce the internal movements ? why dont use the MP40 ? Regards Fernando Chang Panama, RP __________________ Fernando Chang Current Tank Info: 60''L x 24''W x 27''H with a 75 glns sump with no sand nor caulerpa only water but containing: phosphate removal reactor, carbon reactor, biopelets chamber. Have installed P. Skimmer Octopus Super Reef EXT5000 , Chiller 1HP.

09/17/2015, 06:05 PM	#24
adamwheel Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Meechigan Posts: 225	Adam, Congrats and well deserved. Question: what can you tell me about that huge turquoise stag? Scientific or common name? Thanks, Adam

09/17/2015, 07:30 PM	#25
rburns24 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 176	- Beautiful tank and great write up. Thanks much. -