Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Here's a closeup of the yellow thing and orange thing.
I just assume the yellow thing is a sponge because he looks like Sponge Bob.
Anyone know what they really are?

http://home.comcast.net/~shilala/reef5.jpg

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Both look like species of Tunicates. The lighter one for sure. Nothing to be worried about. Theya re just filter feeders like feather dusters and what not.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

The yellow one kinda looks like it'll turn into one of those tube/slipper sponges. It grows really fast. The orange one is a very slow grower.
I noticed the orange ones when I was diving before. I haven't seen the yellow ones. That's why I figured it was a juvie and maybe it'd get a shape later.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

If it has been growing for two years I dont think there is much more to grow shape wise. Now it will just grow as a matt. Let me get a site for you that is VERY helpful for critter IDs

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

It wont let me edit my post bet here is a site that I have used from the very beginning.

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

Turns out to be very helpful with most things.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

WOW, just WOW. You all have some impressive fish tanks. Makes me think about firing up the old hobby. I've been seriously considering getting back into aquariums lately as my kids really love em, but at 3years old, I'm scared they are a year too young (think cool hard toy flying through the air into the tank).

Beautiful tanks & fish guys!

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

No pictures of the new corals tonight..... ligths went out. But I just ordered soem wicked awesome zoanthids from a friend. Check them out. Devils Armor Palys. This is the mother colony Im only getting 4 polyps. Man I love these!

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Ok mods sorry for the consecutive posts but this is my forte :-)

First my Ring of fire (R) and watermelon eagle eyes (L)
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...0/DSC_0005.jpg

Yellow colony polyps
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...DSC_0027-1.jpg

Purple Ricordea
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...DSC_0030-1.jpg

Hulk Zoanthids
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...0/DSC_0034.jpg

A orange-er morph of my Ring of Fire zoanthids.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...DSC_0037-1.jpg

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Dragon Eyes (R) and Green Meanies (L)
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...DSC_0038-2.jpg

Kiwi Stars
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...0/DSC_0041.jpg

Some actinic pictures.

Morph of the Ring of Fire
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...0/DSC_0043.jpg

Nuclear Pallys.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...0/DSC_0044.jpg

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Thanks Carlos. :)
I can grow coraline like a wildman. I just got a whole bunch of base rock and it's getting taken over. I'm thrilled about it. (Doesn't take much to get me excited.)
http://home.comcast.net/~shilala/reef6.jpg

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Thanks for the info Mr. Shilala!!!

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This is Kerri's shrimp.
What you see is pretty much actual size. It's tentacles are huge. They stretch all the way across the tank. He usually lives upside down under one of the ledges, I always figure he must be confused from living his life upside-down.
He sheds every couple months, I always thought that was amazing.
http://home.comcast.net/~shilala/reef7.jpg

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Just a couple more before I give up...
http://home.comcast.net/~shilala/reef8.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~shilala/reef9.jpg

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

While I think that the tank Carlos has set up is just freaking awesome - I really like Shilia's tank in the natural habitat thing and if ever was to set one up, that's the route I'd try. Love that look!

I'm just totally impressed by them all.

Please, please keep the pictures coming!!!


Ron

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

My goal is to dress it up just like the real thing, and make it work like the real thing. The pics don't do it justice cause you can't see all the holes and ledges and tunnels. It really does look like the real thing.
Once the coralline grows over everything it'll be perfect.
I can get some fans and stuff that truly does naturally occur down off the Keys, and get rid of some of the stuff that doesn't exist.
Then I'll get a whole shoal of little fish and voila. :tu

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

http://www.montgomeryaviationphotogr...d_IMG_9782.jpg

j/k

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Never had one of those but did have a nurse one time.
My angels took its eyes out in an attempt to take it out before it took them out.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Ron,
Both are beautiful indeed.

All a matter of preference as to what you want to keep.
That is the beauty of the hobby that it allows so many variations.
If you want my angels, you can't have a reef. In a reef, one can never, ever keep the fish I have as most of them would enjoy it as a wonderful treat and would eat all the corals/sponges.
So we each have our shortcomings but it is that variation that makes it so neat.
My non reef world is about sustaining very rare fish that are known in the hobby as not lasting very long. I love that challenge.

I benefited from both worlds for quite some time. I had the fish only system with the massive, large fish, while my son had the 75 gallon reef only system, with all the corals and the fish that reefs can sustain.
He has since torn his down and left the house so I stayed with my fish only.

At times I am tempted to set up a second tank as a reef system in my living room (I keep my tank currently in my family room). I have ample space for them. I just don't think the divorce attorney is worth it. Wife will clean me out totally if I dare set up another.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Picked up a new addition today. A nice size Kole tang. One of the most peaceful from the zebramosa family. Her name is Debbie :-D

I also saw a Blue face angel at my LFS about 5" they wanted $230 for it.

Pictures after acclimation.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Hehehehehehehe. Debbie. :r
You ain't right, brother.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Carlos, have you ever seen one of those great big jellyfish exhibits that's just a six foot wide tube that goes from floor to ceiling with nothing in it but water and jellyfish?
I think that's you, my brother. :D

One day I'm going to build a tank and keep an octopus.
Wish me luck. :)

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Lol My aunt got me a gift card so i named it after her :-)

Here is a fun bit of info for you to look though Scott. Octopus Info.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

I am loving this thread! I got my first tank about a year ago and quickly upgraded to a 30 gallon with tropical fish. Eventually I would LOVE to have a reef tank, but the set up cost is a bit steep while I'm still in school.

I will have to enjoy vicariously through all your pictures. Thanks for sharing!

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

No way.
I could never stand that.
Would bore me to death.
I would probably want to jump in the tank like Steve O or something.
Wouldn't be prudent.

I need fun/activity.
That is why I love angels so much.
They are acrobats.
Constantly doing things other fish don't do.
They will go sideways, upside down, all over.
Very curious.
They let you pet them/scratch them.
If I can't have large angels, I just can't see having a tank.
I also love "Mr. Eel" that I have not pictured as he is always hiding in his rock.
He is my Zebra Moray that I have had for many years and hand feed him.
Once in a while, if I am eating doo doo as I feed him, I accidentally have him bite my finger and hang on. Feels like a vice grip. Fortunately, he doesn't have teeth that can hurt me. Just crushing power.
Now imagine me with those jelly fish again.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

You have a zebra moray too? I just got one her name is Leela and she is about 10"

Here is a short video of her. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4ZwRQIPDyo

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

It should be obvious that you're gonna have to post a pic. :D
I'd like to see some wide shots of your fish in action, too. That or a video would be cool.
I love it. That tank is gorgeous, brother. :tu

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Is anyone else having trouble seeing pics?
I can't see most of the pics hosted on photobucket. Sometimes some show up, sometimes none.
I had to lift the url for each one and copy and paste it in another browser window to view them.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Pics are showing up Scott. Beautiful tanks everyone. Love the angels Carlos!! I'll have to get off my lazy azz and get some of mine. Used to have a 120 with all sps and lost most of them to acro eating flatworms. Broke that whole tank down and now have just a 50 breeder with a sump in the basement. All lps and softies, but am yearning to go back to sps.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

I almost lost my head a few minutes ago.

I mentioned to the wife that I will gladly go ahead and get her the matching range, microwave and dishwasher to match the new stainless fridge.

After I said that and she smiled with joy over it, I suggested we put a reef tank in the living room thanks to this thread and a new boost of energy for more tanks again.

I am still trying to get her foot out of my butt and darn nearly lost my head with the other shoe that flew at me.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

If I can find them, will post some cool shots of the installations I have done for customers.
I have done some pretty cool plumbing for the entire system, all with PVC and Spaflex.
Lets see if I can capture Mr. Eel.
Next time I feed him and he goes nuts all over the tank.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

That'll be awesome. :)

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Most Definitely.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

we'll im going to be making some DIY "agrocrete rocks" today for my future 120 gallon reef

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

I had never heard of reef tanks til now, awesome pics.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

This is the inspiration I need right now. Blueface, your setup is gorgeous :dr, and Shilala's is exactly what I want to do.

I've got a 29 gal setup that is down right now. I got behind with maintenance with the baby in the house and it crashed. I've been debating setting it back up as a fresh water just to make things easy, bu this thread has me wanting to get it back up and running as a salt.

I'll need to work on the filter setup and you guys seem to know your stuff.

Right now it's setup with crushed coral and an undergravel system with a powerhead. I've also got an over-the-side filter. I was running a dual bulb fixture with full spectrum bulbs.

I'd like to go with something like Shilala has. I have a combination of some cave rock, live rock (that's not so live anymore) and bleached coral. I'd like to have 3 or so nice fish and a low maintenance system.

Any suggestions?

Andre

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

For a reef, suggestion number 1.
Get rid of the undergravel filter.
That stuff will come back to haunt you.

Suggestion 2.
Use the crush coral as you base.
Add live sand to that.
Only do this is you can stand not to stir things around.
The crushed coral below will become a denitrator for you.
If you can't keep from stirring, go live sand all the way.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Beautiful tanks gentlemen. I once upon a time had a 95 gallon saltwater tank. That is also when I lived in Hawaii and could walk down to the beach for my water changes, and oh yeah caught my own fish too. I will have to look I know somewhere I have some pics.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Sick Jason!

I knew a guy with I think a 300 gallon surge tank down in Key West. He was on a canal and a pump would fill up a 300 gallon barrel then when it was full a valve would open and the barrel would completely replace the tank water. And the tank water wouled drain back into the canal.

Think free easy water changes awesome!

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Guys,
While it certainly is convenient, not something I would do with my tank and the value of the fish I have.
In the business, I did it for a while. Lots of folks in Florida that specialize in delivering ocean water also.
Eventually, I set up 200 gallon per day RO units, a trailer with a 100 gallon tank and mixed my own salt.
I no longer have the trailer but have two 45 gallon containers in my garage with the same RO unit. I pump the water out of my tank and pump back in from the containers where I just throw the salt in.

The reason to refrain from sea water is it contains pathogens and parasites. Unless you treat that water in a recirculating system with heavy duty UV's, before introducing it to your tank, you are seriously risking introducing lots of junk that is free floating in the ocean, into a very confined system that can crash it. After a few fatal episodes that arose as result of sea water, never did it again.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

The fellow in Key West has a monster commercial UV sterilizer before and after the holding tank. This is something I personally would NEVER do. However When i get around to rebuilding my 24 gallon tank i will be swiping 25 lbs of sand from siesta key one of the top 10 beaches in the world. It is pure white sugar sand. Ill just have to be all Ninja like.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Sounds like he did it right with the massive UVs.
The trick is to recirculate it often, and slowly for maximum kill.
Most folks that sell sea water collected and treated just don't treat it long enough to have maximum kill.
The place my son ran had different holding tanks to ensure the water was treated long enough. Once it met the required time, the tank was allowed to run into the system to sell.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Also quick question about Mr. Eel. How big was he when you got him? And since then has his pattern changed? I have read that as Zebra morays age and mature their White stripes get thinner. Can you confirm or deny this?

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Never heard of that.
Mine has the stripes the same as when I got him, or at least it seems to me.
I do recall seeing some with thinner stripes but has had nothing to do with size. just a natural variation.
There is even differences in the black. Some are more brown.
Mine is not as large as one would think given it has been with me for as long as it has.
I don't feed him as often and that is key in growth.
Frankly, wouldn't know its length but you have now made me curious.
They are quite docile and entertaining.
Blind as heck.
Can't see crap unless it practically smacks them.
However, as far as ability to smell, amazing.
I can place a drop of water in the tanks from a container that holds shrimp and that darn thing is out in a heartbeat.

BTW, I want to say I have had it for about 8-9 years now.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Same with mine You put 5ml of shrimp water in a 90 gallon tank and she goes nuts swimming all out in the open. Mine had pretty good eyesight though im not brave enough to hand feed her (yet). She is small so therefore her food is small and I wont want my finger to be mistaken.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Hand feeding is half the fun of owning them.
Hold the shrimp by a hair.:r
Regardless, eventually, you will get caught.

In anticipation, go to the garage and get a vice grip.
Practice catching your finger in it.
Squeeze.
Lock it.
Shake your hand all over the place without it falling off.
Now you will be prepared for when you get caught by the eel.:r

One time, I shook that bastage all over.
Pulled him literally out of the tank caught on my finger.
Wouldn't let go.
Eventually decided the water was better than my finger.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Way to convince me to start trying. Video later hahaha

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

planning on setting up a 120 gallon, 48x24x24

lighting suggestions?

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

What are youinterested in? Coral or Just fish?

If Just fish I reccomend a "Tek Light 4X54"

If coral and fish a "Tek Light 8X 54"

This fixture has the best reflectorsI have ever encountered. As far as T-5 ho fixtures go the fixture is only as good as the reflector. Also They are Very Reliable, dot consue a whole lot of energy, and give of very little heat.

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

Andre, I agree with Carlos 100% (for what that's worth, hehe).
I used an undergravel filter in my reef tank for a lot of years and could never keep my water stable. I have no idea why, but it'd just go wild and stuff would die for no apparent reason. I could never keep anything alive.
Getting rid of that undergravel filter marked a turning point and everything has just gotten better since.
I know it doesn't make sense based on what I know from keeping freshwater since I was a kid, but salt is different, obviously. :)

I use crushed coral, and LOTS of it. I also use tons of shells of all different sizes. It's a nice look, I like it. :tu
All told I bet there's at least 2 pounds per gallon between crushed coral and shells. A good 3-4" in the bottom of my tank.
Those couple things Carlos mentioned have made huge difference for me along the way. Consider yourself fortunate that he brought it up, it'll save you a lot of trouble that I went through if you choose to take his suggestions. :tu

Re: The Official Asylum Reef Tank Thread
 

can anyone guide me to a 20+ gallon nano reef, set-up that wont break the bank? something in the 150-200 buck range for the tank? and then possibly a list of stuff to get to make it run right. Looking to set up a reef using Fuji live rock. Is this decent live rock? colorful?

set up reccomendations? website so I dont have to bug you?:r


Brad