Our Reef.

[Dale]

I've been reefing now for about 8 years and been SW for over 10. Nic has been reefing for just over a year and we now have 4 tanks since we moved in together last March.

Anyway, our 'main tank is a Perc 120, set up as a reef, containing just Softies at the moment as, a few months ago and we lost a lot of our Hard Corals. I think it was something to do with 2 house moves in six months as all params were fine.

The reef has now recovered though and I am gradually restocking with one or two Hard Corals but the emphasis is definately on Softies, for now at least.

Anyway, here are some pics of our reef, not the best pics but you get the idea. More pics to follow when I get time.

This is the reef more or less as it is at the moment, I have moved a few corals to more flow etc since the house move but this is the reef about 2 months ago.

HELP tried uploading a 165K file and it wouldn't let me, saying it was too big.

 

[Mr Miagi]

MIght pay to use MS Paint to decrease the size of the image so we can see your reef!

 

[Dale]

Resized with CS2 in the end, down to 81k.

Here's our reef.

 

[mantis147]

Nice tank! sand is nice & clean! what skimmer do you use? Just curious.

 

[Dale]

Pic 1, Our Powder Blue.

This fish made the trip from Wales when I moved to Scotland last March.

Hi Mantis mate, the skimmer is the standard fit Turboflotor 750 that comes supplied with the Perc 120.

The sand is kept clean by an over generous number of Sandsifters and the sand is also constantly turned over by the flow, it is almost fluidised.

Pic 2, a pic of one of our 'Shrooms.

Pic 3, our Nano tank which is in the kitchen. It has 2 Tomato Clowns and a Sand Anemone in it, as well as now a number of Softy frags off the reef. This tank has been running two months, with no skimmer, just regular, high quality water changes.

Pic 4, and lastly for now, one of the Tomato Clowns in the nano.

I'm very proud of this pic and it is one of the pics I use for my fledgling photography business.


There will be more and better pics soon when I get the time.

We also have a Seahorse tank and an Oscar too.

 

[mantis147]

Hi Dale,

Ive got a nano myself, what corals do you keep in it? ive only got mushrooms & polyps at the moment not sure what to go for next, just getting used to coral! im using twin 55watt t5 powercompacts at the moment what lights have you got? Just after a few tips!!

 

[Dale]

Hi mate.

The Nano is a very simple set up. It's just one of those Fluval C/W kits bought complete. I didn't use the supplied power filter but I have an Aquaclear 402 running in there, set at it lowest flow. It is filtered by LR, relying on good flow and weekly water changes. No skimmer.

It is lit by just one tube and I have a Sand Anemone which has been in the nano for 8 weeks now, with no loss of colour. I have an eye on it though and i would fit an actinic tube if I thought it needed it. The tube is a 15watt Tri Pus and seems to be doing the job as the depth of water is so shallow.

I have fragged a few of the Softies from the reef and I have an African Bush frag and a devils finger frag, as well as some Clavularia in the nano too.
I will be fragging some 'Shrooms and placing some Zoos (carefully) in there too. There is now some coraline algae taking off in there too, which is a good sign IMO.

 

[mantis147]

Im suprised the anemone is doing ok under one light! i use a skimmer on mine & weekly water changes here is a pic.

Any recommendations on what coral to go with next?

 

[Dale]

That's a nice tank mate.

TBH, I'm suprised too that the Nem is doing so well in our Nano but I'm sure it's something to do with it being a brand new tube and what is in reality, only about 8 inches depth of water.

Like I say though, I have a beady eye on the Nem and if there is any sign of colour loss, then I will fit an actinic tube.

More pics to follow soon.