Reefatosis
Guest
Welcome.......
So the concept, at least for now, is a very minimalist SPS-dominate box of relaxation. It will be position directly adjacent to my favorite part of the couch......the part that reclines.
I am a 'keep it simple type', especially with my tanked ecosystems, but with this build I am venturing into uncomfortable computer-based technology, ie my dosing pump.
Back to simple...my core tank-scaping principles are contrasting but complementary colors, minimal diversity and lots of open space.
In regard to minimal diversity, I'm thinking two to three species of SPS; an off centered, centerpiece like a fuzzy millie , flanked or under-planted with a plating type or stylo/pollico/seriatoporia; and maybe some paly's or zoas lurking at the bottom. I intend on obtaining multiple frags of the said types so that I can fill around the rockwork. Where I could use your help is in naming corals that fit the above description but can be purchase locally without a long search.
The rock work will be low and open, because I love looking at the interplay of the fish and the coral colonies. At present the highest point of my rock-scape is 9".
My critter-scaping principles are a pick for the top, the middle and the bottom. So I am considering lyretail anthias, royal gramma, and midas blenny. The family wants a clown of course, and maybe a hawkfish of some sort. Lastly, I may recruit a kole tang or another chenochaetus species for rock maintenance.....and they are very interesting to watch. My invert population will be bare-bone utilitarian......maybe just snails. I really want to fight the urge to add any fish or invert species that would influence the benthic/cryptic stuff. But I have soft spot for shrimp. In my fresh tanks, I have anywhere from 50-70 shrimp per tank. And strategically, both the fresh and salt versions, combined with snails, make for what I think is one of the more fail proof forms of nutrient export and algae control.
So here is the assembly so far......
-SCA aquarium 23" cube (roughly 50g at level of overflow)
-Amishoutlet.com 24" solid cherry end table with mortis-tenon construct
-Bunch of RealReefRock
-Big box of Marine Pure Ceramic Balls
-16" Modular Marine Overflow
-DIY 29g sump with a few novel tweaks...maybe 20g total wet volume
-Mag 5 return pump
-SCA 301 skimmer
-Dual MP40 QD
-Ranco dual (heating and cooling) stage temp controller hard wired to two 150w eheim heaters
-Kessil A360N x2 with DIY "hanger-goose" neck thingy made from 3/4" electrical conduit
-Kessil H80 refuge light
-Kessil Spectrum Controller (too bad kessil doesn't expand the controllers to accept both H & A-series lights.....hint to Kessil hopefully)
-GHL 4 head dosing pump (1)ATO (2) Kalk & maybe Mg or back-up head later if I discontinue kalk (3) Alk (4) Ca.
-BRS 4 stage RO/DI with extra DI canister.....discharge line is plumbed to the outside where pressure compensating drip emitters place rejection water to my sloped garden.
-And it may be worth mentioning that 100% of the power is coming from solar.
At present, I am slowly finalizing the sump area assembly. The entire system passed my week long wet test. I just need to make it to the hardware store to pick up a fresh batch of clear ammonia to cycle. After the fishless cycle, I am kind of trending toward a ATF-Tanked TV-show style initial fish stocking (all or part at once (input please)) and let it go coral-less until I can declare the biofiltration stable.....the anthias might have to wait though. I do plan to get chaeto going in the fuge right off the bat. But I do want the tank go through the algae succession steps before adding the SPS.
I am a water change type, so the system size was based off a reasonable work load in that respect. I've got a neat, simple water change set up for the fresh tanks....50g changes with no lifting involved. Now I never want to get into the water change debate with anyone here, but I would hazard the thought that a put-off tank-chore is that hard, time consuming or laborious sets up the chance for decline.
After all is done: critters in and frags placed, I am reserved enough to leave things alone for the years of grow out...if all goes according to plan. But as I mentioned from the start......"at least for now".
I look foward to all of your input and insight. And will be asking plenty of questions later on.
So the concept, at least for now, is a very minimalist SPS-dominate box of relaxation. It will be position directly adjacent to my favorite part of the couch......the part that reclines.
I am a 'keep it simple type', especially with my tanked ecosystems, but with this build I am venturing into uncomfortable computer-based technology, ie my dosing pump.
Back to simple...my core tank-scaping principles are contrasting but complementary colors, minimal diversity and lots of open space.
In regard to minimal diversity, I'm thinking two to three species of SPS; an off centered, centerpiece like a fuzzy millie , flanked or under-planted with a plating type or stylo/pollico/seriatoporia; and maybe some paly's or zoas lurking at the bottom. I intend on obtaining multiple frags of the said types so that I can fill around the rockwork. Where I could use your help is in naming corals that fit the above description but can be purchase locally without a long search.
The rock work will be low and open, because I love looking at the interplay of the fish and the coral colonies. At present the highest point of my rock-scape is 9".
My critter-scaping principles are a pick for the top, the middle and the bottom. So I am considering lyretail anthias, royal gramma, and midas blenny. The family wants a clown of course, and maybe a hawkfish of some sort. Lastly, I may recruit a kole tang or another chenochaetus species for rock maintenance.....and they are very interesting to watch. My invert population will be bare-bone utilitarian......maybe just snails. I really want to fight the urge to add any fish or invert species that would influence the benthic/cryptic stuff. But I have soft spot for shrimp. In my fresh tanks, I have anywhere from 50-70 shrimp per tank. And strategically, both the fresh and salt versions, combined with snails, make for what I think is one of the more fail proof forms of nutrient export and algae control.
So here is the assembly so far......
-SCA aquarium 23" cube (roughly 50g at level of overflow)
-Amishoutlet.com 24" solid cherry end table with mortis-tenon construct
-Bunch of RealReefRock
-Big box of Marine Pure Ceramic Balls
-16" Modular Marine Overflow
-DIY 29g sump with a few novel tweaks...maybe 20g total wet volume
-Mag 5 return pump
-SCA 301 skimmer
-Dual MP40 QD
-Ranco dual (heating and cooling) stage temp controller hard wired to two 150w eheim heaters
-Kessil A360N x2 with DIY "hanger-goose" neck thingy made from 3/4" electrical conduit
-Kessil H80 refuge light
-Kessil Spectrum Controller (too bad kessil doesn't expand the controllers to accept both H & A-series lights.....hint to Kessil hopefully)
-GHL 4 head dosing pump (1)ATO (2) Kalk & maybe Mg or back-up head later if I discontinue kalk (3) Alk (4) Ca.
-BRS 4 stage RO/DI with extra DI canister.....discharge line is plumbed to the outside where pressure compensating drip emitters place rejection water to my sloped garden.
-And it may be worth mentioning that 100% of the power is coming from solar.
At present, I am slowly finalizing the sump area assembly. The entire system passed my week long wet test. I just need to make it to the hardware store to pick up a fresh batch of clear ammonia to cycle. After the fishless cycle, I am kind of trending toward a ATF-Tanked TV-show style initial fish stocking (all or part at once (input please)) and let it go coral-less until I can declare the biofiltration stable.....the anthias might have to wait though. I do plan to get chaeto going in the fuge right off the bat. But I do want the tank go through the algae succession steps before adding the SPS.
I am a water change type, so the system size was based off a reasonable work load in that respect. I've got a neat, simple water change set up for the fresh tanks....50g changes with no lifting involved. Now I never want to get into the water change debate with anyone here, but I would hazard the thought that a put-off tank-chore is that hard, time consuming or laborious sets up the chance for decline.
After all is done: critters in and frags placed, I am reserved enough to leave things alone for the years of grow out...if all goes according to plan. But as I mentioned from the start......"at least for now".
I look foward to all of your input and insight. And will be asking plenty of questions later on.
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with the two Kessils you would be able to get light under an overhang where you could keep zoas separate from the SPS sections, and you’d end up with twice the usable real estate.