72 Oceanic Reef Ready Bow Front Evolution...
- Thread starter mikeguerrero
- Start date
A
Anonymous
Guest
very nice mike - I still love that purplish stylo?? you have right up front also what is the large green one a digitata? nice!! what new corals have you added it looks like it is mostly stuff from your other tanks right?
And as far as water changes go, at first - say a year or so, yea weekly water changes may be in order, especially with you fish load, but after she truely ages and settles in you will be able to cut back, test every now and then (CA, pH, NO3, ALK mainly) and go to once a month - thats what I do anyhow. Aged tanks are really stable and resilient - while deployed last year mine went almost 18 months with just one water change when I got to come home on leave! Also glad to hear that product worked for you - I've heard so many bad things I was a bit concerned but it sure looks like everything is going well now..........awesome tank no doubt!!!!! oh yea I'm surprised your pretty red algae is still there, I had some like that once and my tang (a yellow) ate it up like it was candy????
And as far as water changes go, at first - say a year or so, yea weekly water changes may be in order, especially with you fish load, but after she truely ages and settles in you will be able to cut back, test every now and then (CA, pH, NO3, ALK mainly) and go to once a month - thats what I do anyhow. Aged tanks are really stable and resilient - while deployed last year mine went almost 18 months with just one water change when I got to come home on leave! Also glad to hear that product worked for you - I've heard so many bad things I was a bit concerned but it sure looks like everything is going well now..........awesome tank no doubt!!!!! oh yea I'm surprised your pretty red algae is still there, I had some like that once and my tang (a yellow) ate it up like it was candy????
mikeguerrero
Active Member
Here is an updated full tank shot, you can see that my tangs have eaten all the hair algae from the last picture I posted... I'm really happy with how tidy they are in this reef... It's amazing how good of grazer these tangs are along with my snails and emerald crabs.
Mike
Mike
A
Anonymous
Guest
thats nice
mikeguerrero
Active Member
Here is an attempt wth free video hosting. It's only 30 seconds of my tank but I happen to capture all 5 of my tangs and I think you might enjoy it.
Meet the blue tang, yellow tang, kole tang, chevron tang and the tomini tang; my little school of chromis are cool.
Enjoy,
Mike G.
http://media.putfile.com/TangVideo
Meet the blue tang, yellow tang, kole tang, chevron tang and the tomini tang; my little school of chromis are cool.
Enjoy,
Mike G.
http://media.putfile.com/TangVideo
Mike,
How many fish do you have in that tank? Just from the pics I can count 15, and 5 are tangs. I'm known for overstocking my tanks, and that seems like a lot to me.
It does look gorgeous and healthy though. Hopfully you're overfiltered enough that everything will remain stable long term.
B
How many fish do you have in that tank? Just from the pics I can count 15, and 5 are tangs. I'm known for overstocking my tanks, and that seems like a lot to me.
It does look gorgeous and healthy though. Hopfully you're overfiltered enough that everything will remain stable long term.
B
mikeguerrero
Active Member
Brian,
I hope you are sitting down when I tell you I have 20 fish in my tank. If you remove my 8 chromis I'm down to 12 fish.
I've acclimated everyone really slowly one fish a week until I got to 20. If you look back at my thread I describe each fish that I have.
The majority of my fish are really small in size and don't have a huge bioload with the exception of the 5 tangs that will get larger.
My biggest weapon against this plethora of fish is my expensive filtration system. I did make sure I went with the best skimmer I could get with micron bags and even a phosphate remover.
Then I have dedicated myself to water changes every Sunday, I remove 10 gallons and place 10 in. That's what I did for my cubes so it's not any more or any less. Also it gives me excercise to climb up the stairs each week with gallons of saltwater.
I will tell you this, having this many fish gives me more reason to stay and watch the reef, it was really boring just corals and critters, fish make it so more pleasing to watch.
I will alert the board as soon as I start to see casualties to the overcrowding, as of yet I don't see it but I'm a little concerned with my last fish that I added, the Tomini Tang developed a little white mucus on his side and since then I have seen my blue tang starting to itch.
I purchased 2 small cleaner shrimps and 1 medium blood red shrimp and he has taken to the red shrimp for cleaning and is doing better.
I was a little upset because before my Tomini tang everything was picture perfect the blue tang didn't have any dots at all when I bought him and now he has just a little but is healthy eating and swimming vigorously all over the tank.
I am feeding him pellets that he enjoys and are beneficial to prevent sickness.
Mike
I hope you are sitting down when I tell you I have 20 fish in my tank. If you remove my 8 chromis I'm down to 12 fish.
I've acclimated everyone really slowly one fish a week until I got to 20. If you look back at my thread I describe each fish that I have.
The majority of my fish are really small in size and don't have a huge bioload with the exception of the 5 tangs that will get larger.
My biggest weapon against this plethora of fish is my expensive filtration system. I did make sure I went with the best skimmer I could get with micron bags and even a phosphate remover.
Then I have dedicated myself to water changes every Sunday, I remove 10 gallons and place 10 in. That's what I did for my cubes so it's not any more or any less. Also it gives me excercise to climb up the stairs each week with gallons of saltwater.
I will tell you this, having this many fish gives me more reason to stay and watch the reef, it was really boring just corals and critters, fish make it so more pleasing to watch.
I will alert the board as soon as I start to see casualties to the overcrowding, as of yet I don't see it but I'm a little concerned with my last fish that I added, the Tomini Tang developed a little white mucus on his side and since then I have seen my blue tang starting to itch.
I purchased 2 small cleaner shrimps and 1 medium blood red shrimp and he has taken to the red shrimp for cleaning and is doing better.
I was a little upset because before my Tomini tang everything was picture perfect the blue tang didn't have any dots at all when I bought him and now he has just a little but is healthy eating and swimming vigorously all over the tank.
I am feeding him pellets that he enjoys and are beneficial to prevent sickness.
Mike
:lol:
Every tank I've had has been very overcrowded according to most people's opinions. But I've kept to smaller fish, and researched them thoroughly to make sure that they'll get along. Even doing that I've made mistakes just like everyone else. I agree that fish really make a tank more interesting. Other fish geeks might appreciate SPS corals, and inverts, but non-reef people only see the wavy LPS, and the fish. I think you're tank looks great. I hope my earlier post didn't come across as negative. I do think it's important when the folks with more knowledge break "the rules", that we point out how/why we're able to do so.
Especially with as many new folks as this board seems to attract. :mrgreen:
B
Every tank I've had has been very overcrowded according to most people's opinions. But I've kept to smaller fish, and researched them thoroughly to make sure that they'll get along. Even doing that I've made mistakes just like everyone else. I agree that fish really make a tank more interesting. Other fish geeks might appreciate SPS corals, and inverts, but non-reef people only see the wavy LPS, and the fish. I think you're tank looks great. I hope my earlier post didn't come across as negative. I do think it's important when the folks with more knowledge break "the rules", that we point out how/why we're able to do so.
Especially with as many new folks as this board seems to attract. :mrgreen:
B
mikeguerrero
Active Member
Steven,
Stress is the number one factor that leads to fish illness that then leads to certain death.
If you create an environment that is very low with stress you in fact give the fish more opportunity.
When overcrowding occurs some fish become aggressive while others become submissive; the aggressive fish get first pick on food and by nature are nourished far better than it's counterpart.
The submissive fish are then more prone to bacteria/fungal infection and they don't have the immune system to help them as do their aggressive healthy counterparts.
In my particular tank, I have seen everyone getting along perfectly never fighting with anyone; until Tomini came along.
He has given reason for my largest fish the Kole tang to show aggression towards the Tomini. When in fact my Kole tang is the most docile.
Every now and then if they bump heads they will show aggression towards each other but will not bite each other, just one shows the other I'm still the boss.
So even though they come in contact with each other, there are plenty places for each fish to hide and not be in the way.
The only time this becomes a problem is if the fish goes into hiding and doesn't get the courage to feed; he will slowly die; lack of nourishment.
Good husbandry with a crowded tank is very important; and if I don't stay on top of feedings my fish will become opportunistic and take out the weaker ones to survive.
You reef tank Steven, is a slice of the true ocean; a ocean that is gentle at times and violent at others.
These animals you have are wild and they don't know what century they are in, pre-historic or present, but will fight to stay alive.
If they have to use violence to live they will; how can we possibly understand millions of years of evolution all bottled up in a small reef at home.
We are playing Gods to the world they live in, we give them air, light, water and food; they in turn act out partly to your feedback and what drives them from inside; biology.
I hope this makes some sense Dragon....
Mike G
Stress is the number one factor that leads to fish illness that then leads to certain death.
If you create an environment that is very low with stress you in fact give the fish more opportunity.
When overcrowding occurs some fish become aggressive while others become submissive; the aggressive fish get first pick on food and by nature are nourished far better than it's counterpart.
The submissive fish are then more prone to bacteria/fungal infection and they don't have the immune system to help them as do their aggressive healthy counterparts.
In my particular tank, I have seen everyone getting along perfectly never fighting with anyone; until Tomini came along.
He has given reason for my largest fish the Kole tang to show aggression towards the Tomini. When in fact my Kole tang is the most docile.
Every now and then if they bump heads they will show aggression towards each other but will not bite each other, just one shows the other I'm still the boss.
So even though they come in contact with each other, there are plenty places for each fish to hide and not be in the way.
The only time this becomes a problem is if the fish goes into hiding and doesn't get the courage to feed; he will slowly die; lack of nourishment.
Good husbandry with a crowded tank is very important; and if I don't stay on top of feedings my fish will become opportunistic and take out the weaker ones to survive.
You reef tank Steven, is a slice of the true ocean; a ocean that is gentle at times and violent at others.
These animals you have are wild and they don't know what century they are in, pre-historic or present, but will fight to stay alive.
If they have to use violence to live they will; how can we possibly understand millions of years of evolution all bottled up in a small reef at home.
We are playing Gods to the world they live in, we give them air, light, water and food; they in turn act out partly to your feedback and what drives them from inside; biology.
I hope this makes some sense Dragon....
Mike G
mikeguerrero
Active Member
So I decided to drive down to Orange County with my wife and puppy to spend thanksgiving wth family.
That meant leaving my tank alone for 5 days straight.
I went ahead and purchased a check valve for my C02 line, whenever it shuts off, water from the reactor would flood the bubble counter which has glycerin.
I also purchase a JBJ ATO and RIO 90 for the resorvoir tank, then I needed to purchase an Automatic fish feeder, that was hard, but the PROFEEDER came up the winner for my tank.
Here are some pics of my new setup, I hope it all holds up until I get back from thanksgiving.
Mike G
That meant leaving my tank alone for 5 days straight.
I went ahead and purchased a check valve for my C02 line, whenever it shuts off, water from the reactor would flood the bubble counter which has glycerin.
I also purchase a JBJ ATO and RIO 90 for the resorvoir tank, then I needed to purchase an Automatic fish feeder, that was hard, but the PROFEEDER came up the winner for my tank.
Here are some pics of my new setup, I hope it all holds up until I get back from thanksgiving.
Mike G
Just wanted to say it was great seeing my brother! In his time down here he almost got me to upgrade to a 30 gallon Oceanic tank w/ stand. Ironically I walk out with a 3 month old rat terrier puppy named Eddie. He's been named after the death of my favorite wrestler Eddie Guerrero 
. Anyway, I'd also like to report that because my two black Ocellaris Variant Clowns were getting too big in my 6 gallon cube, I have given my pair to Mike to take home. I hear they are very happy in their new 72 gallon. Take good care of them mikey! (they cost me a pretty penny) :lol:
. Anyway, I'd also like to report that because my two black Ocellaris Variant Clowns were getting too big in my 6 gallon cube, I have given my pair to Mike to take home. I hear they are very happy in their new 72 gallon. Take good care of them mikey! (they cost me a pretty penny) :lol:mikeguerrero
Active Member
Yes folks the black Ocellaris Variant Clowns made it to my 72 gallon reef, but not without a major scare.
On there 7 hour drive to the bay area, Steven decided to fill the transportation igloo all the way up to the rim.
I told him why are you filling it so high, I don't need it that high, he responded, so there is more oxygen for them by volume of water.
So I drive for the first hour untill I need gas and my wife insists on driving next so I place the igloo between my legs on the floor and brace them.
As soon as we hit another 2 hours on the road she is tired and pulls over at the rest spot; we change seats and I decide to keep us moving since I am not tired.
We drive and drive and she falls asleep with my igloo on the floor by her feet, now remember she is suppose to brace the igloo with her legs.
Well as it's thanksgiving break there is a lot of traffic and I have to stop and go more than usual, too much braking.
So about 1 1/2 hours before arrival she wakes up and tells me that the igloo has spilled all over the carpet of the car and that only a thin layer of water is left.
I look into the igloo and almost faint as I see the fish gasping for water; she quickly pulls out a really nice live rock that I was transporting as well and places it on the floor covered with saltwater.
She then tilts the igloo at an angle to give them more depth in what salt water remains; I tell her you have doomed the fate of these fish, how will I explain that to my brother who had a really hard time saying goodbye, that I killed his prized fish?
I was without words and there was dead silence in the car until we made it home; I raced as best I could scared I would get a speeding ticket.
Well, as we make it home she hands over the igloo and I race them up to the condo only to jam the key in the door and I cannot get in the house, another 20 minutes fighting with the key, the door opens up.
I quickly acclimate the fish and drip them into the aquarium and all is saved, the next day my wife and I see them swimming happy with my other two percs so I tell her I have to sleep I'm tired.
I go to rest when she comes and wakes me up, Mike you have to come to the tank the small males are fighting and someone is going to get hurt.
My male perc is attacking the hell out of the Stevens male they are the same size but mine has the advantage since it's his tank.
Well, Stevens fish puts up a good stance but I know it will not last, so I make a descion to rid my two percs for Stevens fish because of the horrific experience they get the tank.
Thats another headache as I catch both of them with a large net that I had to run and purchase while my wife stands in the middle of my fighting males. My little male would evade the net punch stevens fish and then swim away from my net I was so mad at this little evil male.
Apparently my perc abandon his smaller female and went for the larger female black perc, in this animal kingdom apparently bigger is better to the naked eye.
It looked so weird seeing my perc trying to court the large female. He didn't care that she had a mate and he cared less about his mate. He didn't even think twice about throughing her to the curb.
So I catch the two and tell my wife I don't think my LFS will give me anything good for the fish so we should place them in my brothers Pico that he let me take; wow my wife agrees and mike sets up his official nano back in his room, can we see Mike in future contest?
Well, then I'm still scared with Dragons fish because they don't want to eat and Steven had stuffed them with the same food as what I gave them but they refused to eat.
I spoke to my LFS and he said give them a couple days, they are stressed and not interested in eating but rather checking out there surroundings; well he was right, as my wife called me at work and said they are eating.
So that's my crazy adventure with Dragons black Ocellaris Variant Clowns; less learned, take back up salt water on a long trip and never work with a sleepy co-pilot.
Man was I lucky Dragon filled up the igloo to the rim; he literally saved there lives; it's like he already new and was blessing them on there trip to San Francisco bay area.
Mike
On there 7 hour drive to the bay area, Steven decided to fill the transportation igloo all the way up to the rim.
I told him why are you filling it so high, I don't need it that high, he responded, so there is more oxygen for them by volume of water.
So I drive for the first hour untill I need gas and my wife insists on driving next so I place the igloo between my legs on the floor and brace them.
As soon as we hit another 2 hours on the road she is tired and pulls over at the rest spot; we change seats and I decide to keep us moving since I am not tired.
We drive and drive and she falls asleep with my igloo on the floor by her feet, now remember she is suppose to brace the igloo with her legs.
Well as it's thanksgiving break there is a lot of traffic and I have to stop and go more than usual, too much braking.
So about 1 1/2 hours before arrival she wakes up and tells me that the igloo has spilled all over the carpet of the car and that only a thin layer of water is left.
I look into the igloo and almost faint as I see the fish gasping for water; she quickly pulls out a really nice live rock that I was transporting as well and places it on the floor covered with saltwater.
She then tilts the igloo at an angle to give them more depth in what salt water remains; I tell her you have doomed the fate of these fish, how will I explain that to my brother who had a really hard time saying goodbye, that I killed his prized fish?
I was without words and there was dead silence in the car until we made it home; I raced as best I could scared I would get a speeding ticket.
Well, as we make it home she hands over the igloo and I race them up to the condo only to jam the key in the door and I cannot get in the house, another 20 minutes fighting with the key, the door opens up.
I quickly acclimate the fish and drip them into the aquarium and all is saved, the next day my wife and I see them swimming happy with my other two percs so I tell her I have to sleep I'm tired.
I go to rest when she comes and wakes me up, Mike you have to come to the tank the small males are fighting and someone is going to get hurt.
My male perc is attacking the hell out of the Stevens male they are the same size but mine has the advantage since it's his tank.
Well, Stevens fish puts up a good stance but I know it will not last, so I make a descion to rid my two percs for Stevens fish because of the horrific experience they get the tank.
Thats another headache as I catch both of them with a large net that I had to run and purchase while my wife stands in the middle of my fighting males. My little male would evade the net punch stevens fish and then swim away from my net I was so mad at this little evil male.
Apparently my perc abandon his smaller female and went for the larger female black perc, in this animal kingdom apparently bigger is better to the naked eye.
It looked so weird seeing my perc trying to court the large female. He didn't care that she had a mate and he cared less about his mate. He didn't even think twice about throughing her to the curb.
So I catch the two and tell my wife I don't think my LFS will give me anything good for the fish so we should place them in my brothers Pico that he let me take; wow my wife agrees and mike sets up his official nano back in his room, can we see Mike in future contest?
Well, then I'm still scared with Dragons fish because they don't want to eat and Steven had stuffed them with the same food as what I gave them but they refused to eat.
I spoke to my LFS and he said give them a couple days, they are stressed and not interested in eating but rather checking out there surroundings; well he was right, as my wife called me at work and said they are eating.
So that's my crazy adventure with Dragons black Ocellaris Variant Clowns; less learned, take back up salt water on a long trip and never work with a sleepy co-pilot.
Man was I lucky Dragon filled up the igloo to the rim; he literally saved there lives; it's like he already new and was blessing them on there trip to San Francisco bay area.
Mike