Author Topic: Aquavista99's new SPS reef (Read 8592 times)

aquavista99 · « **on:** August 22, 2007, 18:27:04 »

This is my latest reef project, which began in Jan. of 2007. I did not have the new lighting system, skimmer, calcium reactor and sump hooked up until a few months later.

battery backup system (in case of power outage)

equipment/lighting

400 watt MH X 3 w/ 14k Hamilton bulbs w/ Lumenarc III reflectors

water flow

Tunze 6100 x 2 & VorTech x 2 = give or take 12,000 max gph (not including flow from the return pump)

50 g QT/frag system

water purification unit

micki · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2007, 18:58:11 »

Looks Good!

aquavista99 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2007, 20:25:42 »

A few more pictures ....

ohioreef · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2007, 16:30:48 »

I got to see this set-up in person today. Very impressive!! The pics do not do it justice.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2007, 23:00:35 »

Updated 10/29/07

I recently upgraded again. Here are a few pictures of my new 210g. Added more live rock as well. Same corals and fish. Just a little bigger now.

MechanicalEngineer · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2007, 23:08:33 »

I thought you weren't going to post pictures before the meeting?! Grrr. Maybe you're just trying to entice people to come.

I've gotta ask...what's up with that lil guy in the second picture that's all bent at a 90 degree angle???

Very gorgeous. I hope you don't mind if I take some serious notes while I'm there!

aquavista99 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2007, 23:23:10 »

Quote from: MechanicalEngineer on October 29, 2007, 23:08:33

I thought you weren't going to post pictures before the meeting?! Grrr. Maybe you're just trying to entice people to come.

I've gotta ask...what's up with that lil guy in the second picture that's all bent at a 90 degree angle???

Very gorgeous. I hope you don't mind if I take some serious notes while I'm there!

Yes, I did say I would not post pictures until after the meeting. I am such a tease! The reef really does look much better in person. Not sure which "lil guy" you are talking about. All my fish are small. Thanks for the compliment!

MechanicalEngineer · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2007, 01:18:22 »

2nd picture in your new pictures...top left...highlighter green coral...He's bent all funny.

And yes...corals are male.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2007, 10:43:43 »

The green coral on the left that is "bent funny" is a Bali green slimmer.

bigfalcon36 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 02, 2007, 20:30:32 »

get some pics of the frag tank up!!!!!

aquavista99 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 03, 2007, 00:03:57 »

I will be upgrading my Vortech pumps this weekend with the new wireless wave drivers. I am looking forward to setting the pumps on "Reef Crest Mode" which is suppose to simulate the high-energy conditions of a natural reef crest environment.

CoralBeauties · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2007, 20:18:31 »

This tank and setup is just fabulous!! Pics just dont do it justice.
Jeff

aquavista99 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2007, 19:51:15 »

Quote from: jjoos99 on November 08, 2007, 20:18:31

This tank and setup is just fabulous!! Pics just dont do it justice.
Jeff

Thanks, Jeff! Looking forward to your new setup as well.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2007, 19:58:11 »

Quote from: bigfalcon36 on November 02, 2007, 20:30:32

get some pics of the frag tank up!!!!!

I am in the process of upgrading my 50g QT to include a skimmer and a small sump. This project will take a while because I will most likely be adding another recirculating skimmer and have Joel drill the tank and install an overflow for me. I do not like the skimmer-less look (IE, prefer crystal clear water)..

aquavista99 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2008, 20:32:27 »

Some pictures from 12/07.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2008, 20:35:35 »

More 12/07 pics...

aquavista99 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2008, 20:48:33 »

aquavista99 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2008, 21:06:10 »

aquavista99 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2008, 21:10:15 »

aquavista99 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2008, 21:19:41 »

olsaltybastard · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2008, 21:27:20 »

Always nice to see pics of your display. Gives me something to shoot for.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2008, 21:48:42 »

Quote from: olsaltybastard on February 12, 2008, 21:27:20

Always nice to see pics of your display. Gives me something to shoot for.

Appreciate the compliment. You are always welcome to stop by anytime, Brian.

verper · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2008, 22:07:34 »

Very nice as always!

Have you noticed any change in your coral color since you changed out your ballasts? Did you get the IceCap bulbs also?

aquavista99 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2008, 22:21:34 »

Quote from: verper on February 12, 2008, 22:07:34

Very nice as always!

Have you noticed any change in your coral color since you changed out your ballasts? Did you get the IceCap bulbs also?

Everything looks better.....crisp white/blue instead of white/yellow. All the coral pictures above were photographed under my old Galaxy ballasts. I am still running Hamilton 14 k bulbs, but am looking forward to trying the new Ice Cap bulbs soon.

MechanicalEngineer · « **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2008, 10:48:14 »

Beautiful!

aquavista99 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 08, 2008, 22:55:41 »

System specs:

Total water volume approx. 300 gallons (210g display w/125g macro sump);

Water changes: 30 gallon water changes per week (120g + per month);

Additives: Add Kalkwasser and Iodine supplements daily;

Corals: 97% Acropora; 2% Montipora & 1% other;

Fish: 2 clowns, 1 mimic tang, 1 royal gramma, 1 clown coby, & 1 pigmy angel;

Inverts: Mexican turbo snails, Trochus snails, Hawiian Strombus grazer snails, two Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp; various Serpent & Brittle stars;

Live rock: Aprox. 250 pounds from various sources (180 pounds Aquacultured from Tampa Bay Saltwater);

125g Sump: Cheato & mangroves;

System return pump: Iwaki MD 55 RLT;

Ballasts: 3 x 400 watt Ice Cap w/ Hamilton 14 k bulbs w/ lumenarc III reflectors; Sump 1 x 175w coralvue ballast w/ 10 k Ushio bulb w/ a lumenarc III reflector as well;

Flow: 2 x Tunze 6100s and 2 x Vortech pumps w/ wireless controllers;

Calcium reactor: GEO 624 (10 x 10 foot print, 29" overall height);

Skimmer: Euroreef RC 500 w/ three Eheim 1260 recirculating pumps (pictured below).

aquavista99 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 18, 2008, 21:01:44 »

Attached a few updated pictures of my reef from July 2008.

lazylivin · « **Reply #27 on:** October 06, 2008, 19:48:56 »

Amazing Tank, that is what I am striving for. How long does it take to grow out the SPS to that size from frags?

aquavista99 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 10, 2008, 13:34:40 »

Quote from: Lazylivin on October 06, 2008, 19:48:56

Amazing Tank, that is what I am striving for. How long does it take to grow out the SPS to that size from frags?

Thanks for the compliment, Lazylivin. Most of my corals started out as small frags. Some corals grow fast, like my green Humilis and ORA tri-color whereas other corals grow slow. On average, you should see some significant growth patterns after 12 months or so . Some frags can take up to two to three years before turning into small colonies.

lazylivin · « **Reply #29 on:** October 15, 2008, 01:29:43 »

Quote from: ohioreef on August 23, 2007, 16:30:48

I got to see this set-up in person today. Very impressive!! The pics do not do it justice.

Yes, I would love to see in person as well. Next meeting at aquavista99 house?

aquavista99 · « **Reply #30 on:** October 15, 2008, 20:04:44 »

Quote from: Lazylivin on October 15, 2008, 01:29:43

Yes, I would love to see in person as well. Next meeting at aquavista99 house?

You just missed the meeting we hosted in July (see attached link). We hosted a few meetings back in 2007 as well. We will most likely host another meeting sometime next year as well, if there is enough interest.

http://www.ohioreef.com/forum/index.php?topic=3540.0