April 2012 Tank of the Month! - Page 3

austinm22 · 04/13/2012, 01:37 AM

Congratulations on TOTM! Your tank is beautiful!

washingtond · 04/13/2012, 06:30 AM

Congratulations Pete!

feh · 04/13/2012, 07:00 AM

Congrats again...

jbonez · 04/13/2012, 07:17 AM

congrats.. nice tank bro..

AquatiCoug · 04/13/2012, 10:08 AM

Great tank!

Would you mind providing details on this statement about bio pellets?

"I struggled with carbon dosing, but decided to try biopellets and as expected found them to be very detrimental to maintaining a diverse biological balance as part of the mini ecosystems we strive for...."

I added a reactor to my 120 "reef" in hopes of keeping nutrients down. The jury is out on whether they have helped or hurt. I am looking for educated opinions on how BPs have worked or not worked for others.

Thanks

psteeleb · 04/13/2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquatiCoug

Great tank!

Would you mind providing details on this statement about bio pellets?

"I struggled with carbon dosing, but decided to try biopellets and as expected found them to be very detrimental to maintaining a diverse biological balance as part of the mini ecosystems we strive for...."

I added a reactor to my 120 "reef" in hopes of keeping nutrients down. The jury is out on whether they have helped or hurt. I am looking for educated opinions on how BPs have worked or not worked for others.

Thanks

sure thing:

Quote:

I struggled with carbon dosing

I hope some people don't interpret this wrong as I never did carbon dose in a liquid form, I just didn't want to as a means of reducing No3 or No4.

Quote:

but decided to try biopellets

bio pellets are just another form of carbon dosing, reluctantly I decided to try them.

Quote:

and as expected found them to be very detrimental to maintaining a diverse biological balance as part of the mini ecosystems we strive for

Carbon dosing, including bio pellets, basically super charge bacteria cultures that are other wise population constrained. I often refer to carbon dosing as bacteria on steroids.

In an established system super charging bacteria cultures will starve out other established nutrient consumers (sponges, bivalves, feather dusters, other bacteria etc). As expected I saw significant die off in my system of these beneficial filter feeder type critters that reside in well established bio diverse live rock.

In new systems this die-off of established consumers should not be an issue as the system hasn’t had a chance to fully establish themselves to a system balance . Consider the cycles we see as a system matures; bacteria ---> algae ---> worms ---> snails etc). The systems we build will try to reach a biological balance, if we chose to offset the balance in favor of bacteria, other things suffer.

My other concern is for the health of corals that grew up in a non bio pellet environment. It would appear that for some corals if they grew up and or acclimated themselves to a non bio pellet environment, the introduction of them can take away from what they are use to consuming. There is also some speculation growing that bio pellets give off some sort of by product that may create issues to an established system (be it polymers or dead bacteria) and is why many people discharge the reactor to their skimmer for export of these by products.

tripdad · 04/13/2012, 11:20 AM

Very nice tank, well done.

Scffvariable · 04/13/2012, 11:55 AM

Congrats , nice job!

torvall · 04/13/2012, 12:37 PM

Super cool!

fetta · 04/13/2012, 01:55 PM

congrats..............great looking tank

City guy · 04/13/2012, 02:11 PM

Sweet...

crvz · 04/13/2012, 02:22 PM

Congrats, Pete! Well deserved.

psteeleb · 04/13/2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faisal629

I ran across you tank video on youtube and that is what inspired me to get into this great hobby!

thanks Faisal - can't wait to see you get your 110 started

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

Very well deserved!!!!!

thanks Jack, I love that avatar

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbazain

beautiful tank massive corals enjoy maybe some day i'll have one

thanks sbazain and a belated welcome to RC

Quote:

Originally Posted by syedjilani

Congrats pete...

thanks SJ, your reef tanks have inspired me, and I can't wait to see your new rimless up and running I'm sure it will be awesome

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorgori

most impressive is the mix of critters other than sps ...
also the lighting is simply smokin

thanks doctorgori, whats the story behind that avatar, at least it stands out

WrongGenotype · 04/13/2012, 07:10 PM

Nice setup!

aquaph8 · 04/13/2012, 08:01 PM

Congrats Pete, very deserved for sure. You have a beautiful tank and your pics and video always make me smile

maroun.c · 04/14/2012, 04:40 AM

Congrats Pete, Well deserved.

psteeleb · 04/14/2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahoe69

wow! what an awesome tank and just as great of a write up about it prob one of the best tank write-ups Ive ever read for Totm! great job

thanks Tahoe - that 55g is coming along real nice, do you still have the 29?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggar

This man has the BEST videos of his corals on you tube POSSIBLE. SICK!

CONGRATS! More than deserved!

thanks Biggar, I'm glad your enjoying the videos. I just got over to see your 265g build, it is one sweet set up, very well done and everything looks awesome. Hows that mystery wrasse doing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonet

congratulations!

thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by SERVO

Right on Pete!!!!!
I'm happy for you! I hopped back on to RC and saw your tank and said Holy S*&#! it's Pete's tank!

Much deserved after many hardships. I'm happy to see a TOTM that is 4 miles away from mine

Now to avoid the curse!

Thanks Ryan and don't even think about "the curse", even if it happens I'll be back. Looking forward to checking out your new plans and eventual new setup, I'm sure it will incredible. And thanks for all the help you have given me over the years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jigsaw1982

Amazing "BEAUTIFUL" tank

thanks jigsaw

stefano66 · 04/14/2012, 09:59 AM

Very beautiful

kaaparaki · 04/14/2012, 11:07 AM

very nice set up!!

Guttungen · 04/14/2012, 11:19 AM

Congratulations

Well deserved m8. I really hope my tank can become like that in time. I really like your thinking of keeping it simple and be patient.
Reef on

psteeleb · 04/14/2012, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sahin

Well done my friend. You have a beautiful and diverse reef tank. I've always enjoyed the photos and videos. Keep up the good work!

Thank you very much Sahin. I really appreciate your great feedback you’ve been giving on my thread and others and I’m looking forward to your new build log.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMurphy97

Wow great looking tank. Congrats dude.

thanks JMurphy97. Sorry I often have to use your name (murphy).

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnnsmith

Your tank is beautiful, very inspiring!!!

thank you very much, and belated welcome to RC

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsalomone

Congrats. One of my faves.

thanks dsalomone, and thanks for also posting on my build thread and hope I was able to answer your question on bio pellets

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toadally

Congrats! Well deserved...

thanks Toadally. Do you have a build log set up or any pictures of your 57g?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomiooo

great job

thanks tomiooo. OMG I just looked at your build log, your tank is absolutly beautiful!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernie21

Beautiful tank! Quick question, dont your harlequin shrimps mess w your starfish?

thanks Bernie, I found your build log (beautiful tank btw) but it hasn't been updated for a while, do you still have it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxxedMan

My Aquascape sucks

do you have a build log, any pictures?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbaBoBobBrain

You have a very beautiful tank. Congratulations on the totm win, you definitely deserve it.

thanks bubbabobobbrain (aka Bob), what a screen name

, checked out your video, great tank, how is that ray doing? Also checked out the 75, I'm liking those morays.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rite_eh

Aqesome looking tank. I like the dimensions.

thanks rite_eh, and looking forward to your 180 build

Theodoro · 04/14/2012, 03:04 PM

Hi,

Very worthy, congratulations.

rockfanmidsouth · 04/14/2012, 06:57 PM

Breathtaking!!! Well done!

dvanacker · 04/14/2012, 08:45 PM

so busy I missed the TOTM article.....

Congrats!

Chelle's Ocean · 04/15/2012, 08:07 AM

Beatiful work there

Great job

04/13/2012, 06:30 AM	#52
washingtond Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carrollton, Texas Posts: 360	Congratulations Pete! __________________ David - Member of DFWMAS . Current Tank Info: 200/75g reef tank with Fuge/Sumps, Aqua C skimmer. 250 XMs, auto top off systems, JBJ Chiller Geo Reactor.

04/13/2012, 07:17 AM	#54
jbonez SALT LIFE Join Date: May 2008 Location: alabama Posts: 1,188	congrats.. nice tank bro.. __________________ IT IS WHAT IT IS! Current Tank Info: 75GL MIXED REEF\|40B FRAG LIGHTING -4ft DIY 120 3W CREE LEDS ROYAL BLUES & COOL WHITES\| FLOW-vortech mp40 \| BRS HC GFO TLF REACTOR W/COBOLT MJ600\| REEF OCTOPUS BH90 SKIMMER\| TUNZE OSMOLATOR 3155 ATO W/MAGNETS\|REEF KEEPER ELITE.

04/13/2012, 10:08 AM	#55
AquatiCoug Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 14	Bio Pellets Great tank! Would you mind providing details on this statement about bio pellets? "I struggled with carbon dosing, but decided to try biopellets and as expected found them to be very detrimental to maintaining a diverse biological balance as part of the mini ecosystems we strive for...." I added a reactor to my 120 "reef" in hopes of keeping nutrients down. The jury is out on whether they have helped or hurt. I am looking for educated opinions on how BPs have worked or not worked for others. Thanks __________________ "The stupid shall be punished!" Current Tank Info: Current-Usa Solana

04/13/2012, 11:55 AM	#58
Scffvariable Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Big Lake, MN Posts: 147	Congrats , nice job! __________________ Frag Setup - 80g Deep Blue tank with 6 bulb T5, 20L BTA Tank with 160w Razor Current Tank Info: 180g, 3 GHL Mitras, 4 80w T5 LET retro, RO Skimmer, 2 1" Sea Swirls, Apex controller

04/13/2012, 02:22 PM	#62
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Congrats, Pete! Well deserved. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

04/13/2012, 01:37 AM	#51
austinm22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4	Congratulations on TOTM! Your tank is beautiful!

04/13/2012, 07:00 AM	#53
feh Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta area Posts: 535	Congrats again...

04/13/2012, 11:20 AM	#57
tripdad Frustrated Stick Gardener Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: near chicago,Ill. Posts: 701	Very nice tank, well done.

04/13/2012, 12:37 PM	#59
torvall Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 38	Super cool!

04/13/2012, 01:55 PM	#60
fetta Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 463	congrats..............great looking tank

04/13/2012, 02:11 PM	#61
City guy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Grand Prairie Posts: 1	Sweet...

04/13/2012, 07:10 PM	#64
WrongGenotype Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 487	Nice setup!

04/13/2012, 08:01 PM	#65
aquaph8 Love The Fish Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 5,652	Congrats Pete, very deserved for sure. You have a beautiful tank and your pics and video always make me smile __________________ Brett Current Tank Info: Leemar 60x36x24, 8x80 T5/LED Sfiligoi GENESIS Alpha 300 skimmer

04/14/2012, 04:40 AM	#66
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	Congrats Pete, Well deserved. __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

04/14/2012, 09:59 AM	#68
stefano66 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Italy Posts: 44	Very beautiful

04/14/2012, 11:07 AM	#69
kaaparaki Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1	very nice set up!!

04/14/2012, 11:19 AM	#70
Guttungen Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Norway Posts: 178	Congratulations Well deserved m8. I really hope my tank can become like that in time. I really like your thinking of keeping it simple and be patient. Reef on

04/14/2012, 03:04 PM	#72
Theodoro Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: BRAZIL Posts: 50	Hi, Very worthy, congratulations.

04/14/2012, 06:57 PM	#73
rockfanmidsouth Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 104	Breathtaking!!! Well done!

04/14/2012, 08:45 PM	#74
dvanacker DID I SOUNDS SMRT?? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, CAN Posts: 3,690	so busy I missed the TOTM article..... Congrats! __________________ --DARRYL-- Current Tank Info: 200g SPS dominant Mixed Reef

04/15/2012, 08:07 AM	#75
Chelle's Ocean Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 159	Beatiful work there Great job __________________ Marion/Ocala Reef Enthusiasts (MORE) member