1 Year Anniversary of Shallow Reef Biotope (pics)

pointx · 10/17/2008, 02:25 PM

Hello, made it through my first year as a neophite reefer. Had a few hickups along the way, but have really enjoyed it!!! A quick background of my reef, since its been a long time since I have posted, although still lurking on RC from time to time.

My setup is a 100% natural reef and I mean that in the simplest of terms. I have only used fresh collected Oceanwater and have had great success so far. The only thing I have pruchased for the entire year is a new 14k 250 MH bulb and a timer. Although it might seem I am getting off cheap, There was quite a cost involved to plumb the the pumps and lines from my dock to my tank.

The Biotope Idea of of Keys shallow Reef was suggested from a member here on the forum, cant remember his name but I do owe the credit to him(thanks). anyway the reef is what one would see in the keys in about 3 to 5 feet in depth (minus my wifes 2 clowns and the endangered star corals that are illeagle to touch or collect here in the keys).
other then that this is what you could expect to see here.

Here is stock list of what I have collected on my own using just using a couple dip nets:
1. saphire damsel
2. purple and yellow damsel
3. small queen angel
4. puffer
5. chainlink eel
6. 5 condy anemone
7. 4 rock anemone
8. way too many zooanthids ( all shades of green, blue and brown)
9. a few Gorgs of various colors
10. tons of crabs and snails

I cut back my water changes to once a month vs when I started once a week. The zoo's seem to like it alot better. I add about 1 gallon or so of tap water a week to make up for evap and have never had any issues doing so. The only problem I have is heat. My tank runs about 84 but so I did have to relocate it over the summer. Other then that, I hope you enjoy the pictures.

thanks for everones help this past year....

sdc19982002 · 10/17/2008, 02:28 PM

Very nice. Everything looks happy.

JustinReef · 10/17/2008, 02:46 PM

Looks great! Do you have pics to compare to a year ago or whenever you finished stocking this tank? Just curious to see the growth on the zoa's.

pointx · 10/17/2008, 04:12 PM

I will go thru some older pics and post some from start till present.

silverwolf72 · 10/17/2008, 05:36 PM

Great looking tank, I like that it doesn't look over crowded

pointx · 10/19/2008, 10:08 AM

Here are a few pics of the tank when it was a few months old. I wish I had taken more.

3 months

6 months

Notice In all the pics, I keep getting taller,lol

Regards..

canelita · 10/19/2008, 10:22 AM

nice.

David - Miami · 10/19/2008, 12:32 PM

Beautiful tank and you really seem to have done it economically successful. Congrats on the anniversary!

Tangweed · 10/19/2008, 12:51 PM

Very nice set up. Something different.

jason9jay · 10/19/2008, 07:02 PM

nice, are those reds at the top?

DamnPepShrimp · 10/19/2008, 08:08 PM

Wheres the queen angel? Love the biotope style tank and the fact that you collected everything yourself, must be so cool and fun to do!

10/17/2008, 02:25 PM	#1
pointx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 90	1 Year Anniversary of Shallow Reef Biotope (pics) Hello, made it through my first year as a neophite reefer. Had a few hickups along the way, but have really enjoyed it!!! A quick background of my reef, since its been a long time since I have posted, although still lurking on RC from time to time. My setup is a 100% natural reef and I mean that in the simplest of terms. I have only used fresh collected Oceanwater and have had great success so far. The only thing I have pruchased for the entire year is a new 14k 250 MH bulb and a timer. Although it might seem I am getting off cheap, There was quite a cost involved to plumb the the pumps and lines from my dock to my tank. The Biotope Idea of of Keys shallow Reef was suggested from a member here on the forum, cant remember his name but I do owe the credit to him(thanks). anyway the reef is what one would see in the keys in about 3 to 5 feet in depth (minus my wifes 2 clowns and the endangered star corals that are illeagle to touch or collect here in the keys). other then that this is what you could expect to see here. Here is stock list of what I have collected on my own using just using a couple dip nets: 1. saphire damsel 2. purple and yellow damsel 3. small queen angel 4. puffer 5. chainlink eel 6. 5 condy anemone 7. 4 rock anemone 8. way too many zooanthids ( all shades of green, blue and brown) 9. a few Gorgs of various colors 10. tons of crabs and snails I cut back my water changes to once a month vs when I started once a week. The zoo's seem to like it alot better. I add about 1 gallon or so of tap water a week to make up for evap and have never had any issues doing so. The only problem I have is heat. My tank runs about 84 but so I did have to relocate it over the summer. Other then that, I hope you enjoy the pictures. thanks for everones help this past year....

10/19/2008, 12:32 PM	#8
David - Miami Aquanot! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 661	Beautiful tank and you really seem to have done it economically successful. Congrats on the anniversary! __________________ Whatever Happens...Happens!

10/19/2008, 12:51 PM	#9
Tangweed Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mohnton, PA Posts: 1,002	Very nice set up. Something different. __________________ Thanks! Jeremy Current Tank Info: 90 gal with 40 gal breeder sump / fuge, Octo skimmer, lights and some water.

10/17/2008, 02:28 PM	#2
sdc19982002 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wills Point,Texas Posts: 925	Very nice. Everything looks happy.

10/17/2008, 02:46 PM	#3
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Looks great! Do you have pics to compare to a year ago or whenever you finished stocking this tank? Just curious to see the growth on the zoa's.

10/17/2008, 04:12 PM	#4
pointx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 90	I will go thru some older pics and post some from start till present.

10/17/2008, 05:36 PM	#5
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	Great looking tank, I like that it doesn't look over crowded

10/19/2008, 10:08 AM	#6
pointx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 90	Here are a few pics of the tank when it was a few months old. I wish I had taken more. 3 months 6 months Notice In all the pics, I keep getting taller,lol Regards..

10/19/2008, 10:22 AM	#7
canelita Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 51	nice.

10/19/2008, 07:02 PM	#10
jason9jay Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IL Posts: 223	nice, are those reds at the top?

10/19/2008, 08:08 PM	#11
DamnPepShrimp Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,152	Wheres the queen angel? Love the biotope style tank and the fact that you collected everything yourself, must be so cool and fun to do!