Adee's new build

[BOBJONES]

wow your tank is beautiful and theres never to many sps

[rcharliesam]

I saw your tank in Orphek's advert in this month's Coral magazine! Or I am at least 99.9% sure it was your tank.

[amfynn]

Originally Posted by bullitr

Amazing as always

Thank you.

Originally Posted by syedjilani

Very Beautiful

Thanks

Originally Posted by heckel90

Hi Adriaan! congratulations for your system, very functional and beautiful! I have followed your thread!

I´m fanatic of reeftanks with sunlight so...
, in your system I like more the way the sunlight shines, the color and growth of some sps, and of course the intense color of fish!

IMO the corals with sunlighting are not so colorful like reeftanks with zeovit and artificial lighting but I think that must be due to other things...because I have seen some colonies extremely colorful with sunlight in reeftanks and in the reef too, but not all the colonies in the same system or place. I have to admit that artificial light looks beautiful but it´s not the real color, just my opinion...

I have had my own system for "researching" sunlight with tridacna and, it has worked. my 2 maximas had grown well in 1 year and a half. the green one had the best color (it was more metallic) in winter.

Why do you suplement light in winter?? for better colors?
you are in the same latitude than Okinawa and Red Sea North.

Hello and thank you for the kind words. Sunlight with very low nutrient levels really do bring out wonderfull colors on its own. My problem is that I have lots of fish so the bio load is always there. I add light in winter merely because the days are shorted, allows me to see my tank into the evening, thus enjoying my tank the way you would yours. My clams for some reason have never really taken off, they on the small size though.

Originally Posted by Allmost

wow the LEDs have done great bringing out the colors ! amazing.

Yes they have added a new dimension in terms of sps colors.

Originally Posted by dainiusiva

Impressive colors and sizes

thanks. many of the corals ive had for around 4 years now, been fragged many time in the process.

Originally Posted by ktulu909

Your tank is nicer than the aquarium in New Orleans where i live.just wow.I just spent the last hour reading this thread from beginning to end.Incredible.

Sent from my Nook Tablet using Tapatalk 2

thanks for the kinds words...I doubt many aquarioums get 1/1 attention in term of effort (and stress) that a typical hobbyist endures with his home set-up....LoL its a job we don't get paid to do after all.

Originally Posted by BOBJONES

wow your tank is beautiful and theres never to many sps

thank you. yes, i am a self confessed hoarder od corals, i think my sps flavor count now is close to 65 types.

Originally Posted by rcharliesam

I saw your tank in Orphek's advert in this month's Coral magazine! Or I am at least 99.9% sure it was your tank.

Quite possible, but can't confim it is so....I don't have sight of the ad.

[amfynn]

My three angels

[dainiusiva]

The colonies are huge. I dont think i've ever seen colonies take up so much space relative to the tank size. Great tank, always makes me smile

[heckel90]

"Hello and thank you for the kind words. Sunlight with very low nutrient levels really do bring out wonderfull colors on its own. My problem is that I have lots of fish so the bio load is always there. I add light in winter merely because the days are shorted, allows me to see my tank into the evening, thus enjoying my tank the way you would yours. My clams for some reason have never really taken off, they on the small size though."

Adriaan, thanks for responding! ok, I see, artificial lighting for looking more time...
It´s weird that your clams can grow well. the bioload and light is more than enough I guess...

amazing pictures as always!!

regards!
Martin

[amfynn]

Originally Posted by dainiusiva

The colonies are huge. I dont think i've ever seen colonies take up so much space relative to the tank size. Great tank, always makes me smile

Haha, thanks...this is a 2m x 1m tank...she is not small. I've already had to chop some heads off cause the glass cleaner could not pass through...also got less the 2cm to go and the tips will be popping out the water. I need a bigger tank...which my wife will never give the nod too.

Originally Posted by heckel90

Adriaan, thanks for responding! ok, I see, artificial lighting for looking more time...
It´s weird that your clams can grow well. the bioload and light is more than enough I guess...

amazing pictures as always!!

regards!
Martin

Thanks Martin, the LED also change the coral colors in most cases....gives the look to a more "normal" hobbyist setup. Its only when your tank is super low nutrients, does sunlight alone really bring in some awesome colors. When I started this tank (before adding fish) I had colors out of this world....but hey, what a reef with out lots of fishies? so I leave as is and i'm happy with my balance at the moment.

I'm busy debating some changes in my filtration set-up...perhaps taking the LR out and replacig with more DSB space or going siporax. But still researching which is going to be best. I want to get my system to be more "sterile", I think the colors will pop much more then. My LR sump it totall inacessible for me so there tons of detritus getting accumiltated there.

[Jay uk]

Hi

Lovely tank, what size glass did u use on the main tank ? 12mm? 15mm?

[amfynn]

Originally Posted by Jay uk

Hi

Lovely tank, what size glass did u use on the main tank ? 12mm? 15mm?

thanks. It a 2m x 1m rimless...height is 67cm

thickness is double starphire (laminated 12mm) so 24mm in total

[aandfsoccr04]

Wow your tank is such an inspiration to anyone who keeps SPS! Your colonies are huge and your tank is jaw dropping!! Beautiful tank and keep up the good work

[dainiusiva]

Originally Posted by amfynn

Haha, thanks...this is a 2m x 1m tank...she is not small. I've already had to chop some heads off cause the glass cleaner could not pass through...also got less the 2cm to go and the tips will be popping out the water. I need a bigger tank...which my wife will never give the nod too.

That's exactly what i meant. Your tank is really big and this just emphasises the sizes of your colonies even more. Can't beat the sun at growing corals and can't beat the led's at highlighting the colors

Also FWIW i would recommend to go the siporax way for the filtration update. I have seen some very beautiful tanks and even commercial coral growers using siporax to great effect. Siporax would do great the way your filtration is set up - it does not require any upkeep other than installing few filter socks prior to them so that detritus won't accumulate.

Please don't take my word for it, do some research

[heckel90]

sorry Adriaan, I meant "it´s weird that your clams CANNOTgrow well". I suppose they are healthy anyway.

a reef without fish is nothing...( I love how the anthias, regal, majestic and asfur angels improve the colors in your tank!). I think you are doing a great work in this system, and always thinking how to improve the tank as many reefers!

IMO you has to be happy with the results because the system looks better and better.

regards!

[amfynn]

Originally Posted by dainiusiva

That's exactly what i meant. Your tank is really big and this just emphasises the sizes of your colonies even more. Can't beat the sun at growing corals and can't beat the led's at highlighting the colors

Also FWIW i would recommend to go the siporax way for the filtration update. I have seen some very beautiful tanks and even commercial coral growers using siporax to great effect. Siporax would do great the way your filtration is set up - it does not require any upkeep other than installing few filter socks prior to them so that detritus won't accumulate.

Please don't take my word for it, do some research

Thanks, yes will research it more. Have seen some nce tanks from Brasil using only siporax in the sump with great results.

Originally Posted by heckel90

sorry Adriaan, I meant "it´s weird that your clams CANNOTgrow well". I suppose they are healthy anyway.

a reef without fish is nothing...( I love how the anthias, regal, majestic and asfur angels improve the colors in your tank!). I think you are doing a great work in this system, and always thinking how to improve the tank as many reefers!

IMO you has to be happy with the results because the system looks better and better.

regards!

Thank you...I'm always game to tinker to see what else can be done to make things better and easier.
I want to move one of the clams into the shallower frag tank which gets more light...then again in hind sight, shrooms and zoas, if they stretch wide open its normally cause they getting little light...wonder if the same would apply to clams....perhaps they already have enough light, thats why their mantles are not always fully extended...that or the angels in the tank...though I have not seen them getting nipped by anyone...yet.

[amfynn]

Note the pink coraline and hair algae that is ATTACHED to the smooth glass, this bit is under the shade cloth. I leave it like so, it quickly seeds the shade cloth with new growth.




Cleaning time.




Back in place and ready to repeat the algae growth cycle.


And here is a vid with the scrubber in action, just before being cleaned.

[EBOLII]

wow! a question...how long between cleanings? your system looks great!

[amfynn]

Thanks, aprox 4-6 weeks between cleanings. I clean when I notice the tank taking on a yellow tinge.

[rcharliesam]

Adee, here's the advertisement I was talking about.




6th picture down in this post from you.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&postcount=371

Also, just checked their site, http://orphek.com/led/gallery-marine...uarium-photos/
Lol, looks like they grabbed a bunch from this thread for their site as well. Hopefully they at least mentioned it to you.

[Newbie Aquarist]

All I have to say is you finally help me make my decision on the type of lighting I will use on my tank. IMO a great choice you have made.

[orangegoby]

hello adee,
can u share your experiences on how u acclimate the 3 angels(especially the the regal) and why u mentioning about removing the PBT before adding them to the main display?

thanks

[this is me]

Originally Posted by rcharliesam

Adee, here's the advertisement I was talking about.




6th picture down in this post from you.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&postcount=371

Also, just checked their site, http://orphek.com/led/gallery-marine...uarium-photos/
Lol, looks like they grabbed a bunch from this thread for their site as well. Hopefully they at least mentioned it to you.

Really unprofessional if they use his image without his consent. Also, this is really false advertisement because all the growth and color wasn't achieved by the LED. It was only a couple months that he put those LEDs on.

[rcharliesam]

Unprofessional, yes. False advertisement? I don't really think so, the picture showcases the design of the tank and what the lights look like over the tank, it is not claiming anything else. Pretty much any light ad will likely feature a tank that has used different lighting options at some point.


From what I have seen, they picked the absolute best example of a tank with their lights, but it is really scummy if they did not get Adee's permission before taking the pictures from this thread.

[amfynn]

OK...

Yes I'm happy with Orphek making use of my pics in their advertising, some of them I've sent directly...so u wont see those on any of the forums I frequent.

Secondly, my corals have had changes in terms of coloration...you would have to be growing corals yourself under nothing but sunlight, to understand what I'm talking about. Lighting does plays a part to color things up....but there other elments in the mix that makes the balance of coral color sway the way the human eye finds it more appealing.

Lastly, I am the local Orphek rep here in South Africa....before anyone else chirps in.

The fun part of this hobby it looking at the multitude of fellow reefers that have epic systems, and to then learn from their aproach...if we don't do that the hobby does not evolve.

[amfynn]

Originally Posted by Newbie Aquarist

All I have to say is you finally help me make my decision on the type of lighting I will use on my tank. IMO a great choice you have made.

Cool man...glad u like what u see...pity u far away...I believe in show and tell...perhaps find a reefer close by and pay a visit.

Originally Posted by orangegoby

hello adee,
can u share your experiences on how u acclimate the 3 angels(especially the the regal) and why u mentioning about removing the PBT before adding them to the main display?

thanks

Ahhh my little angels are doing so well together.

In most tanks u will always what i call an alpha male fish...the big dog on the block to speak....for me its was my PB...he is the fealrless one that give anyone hardtime when he feels like it. Some guys had had hassles with fish like Scopa's who can have the same temperments. So removing the PB, ensure the addition of the new arrivals is less stressfull, I recall the day I added the Majestic the PB nearly took him out.....so best would be to have tank plumbed into you setup where i just fatten the um before adding to the general population, this also helps getting to them first to feed with the same pellets you feed the main DT. Otherwsie u run the risk of the angel starving becuase the other tangs just bully them away and they slowly starve, get sickly and then possible die.

btw that PB of mine died last month, had him for 4 years...we had the onset of winter and was caught unaware, caught whitespot and was not able to shake it off.

[orangegoby]

Originally Posted by amfynn

....so best would be to have tank plumbed into you setup where i just fatten the um before adding to the general population...

Sorry, one more question. Aren't u worry about the new fishes may carry unwanted diseases if plumbed into the main display tank while qt/acclimate them?

[amfynn]

Originally Posted by orangegoby

Sorry, one more question. Aren't u worry about the new fishes may carry unwanted diseases if plumbed into the main display tank while qt/acclimate them?

At the threat of facing a lynch mob....no, I have never QT'd any of my new introductions....I try and buy reputable healthy stock. Unless u have completely started off a system in sterile conditions from day one...germs exists...i rely on over feeding them with good food, occasionly soaked in vitamins, etc. Then ensure that I take the intro to tank as stressless as possible.