almost 35 year old reef pictures - Page 12

Paul B · 07/03/2006, 03:05 AM

Thanks Micki, I was 19 then.
Have a great Fourth.
Paul

Crusty Old Shellback · 07/03/2006, 08:57 AM

Hey paul,
I see you've been getting around to some of the same threads as me.

Funny how we wind up discussing the same subjects.

have a great 4th and be safe. You going out in the boats for the day? We're staying home a BBQing in the back yard. Having some friends over and watch the kids play in the pool. Take care.

Reefer421 · 07/03/2006, 09:18 AM

I was wondering what you have to do to "make" your bottles. I have some old ones I had been saving and I think that looks really neat besides giving the fish a cool place to go. Do you have to do anything to them before you out them in the tank? Thanks for your help. I think your tank is amazing.

sunfishh · 07/03/2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blown63chevy
[B
have a great 4th and be safe. You going out in the boats for the day? We're staying home a BBQing in the back yard. Having some friends over and watch the kids play in the pool. Take care. [/B]

Special thanks to Paul, Chevy and all the other vets this Fourth of July for serving our country.

Paul B · 07/03/2006, 01:46 PM

Thanks Sunfishh.
Chevy we are going to a friends on the East end of Long Island. The Hamptons. My friend has a large beach house with a private beach. I am in charge of fireworks on the beach. There will be about 150 of us there.
I am going out on the boat tonight for dinner in the Bronx. We were out all weekend boating and watching the fireworks.
Have a great BBQ and a great Fourth.
Reefer I will have to get back to you on that one, it is simple but it will take a little time to explain.
Paul

ChrisReefer · 07/03/2006, 02:05 PM

very nice tank! I love the bottles =)
just one question about the bottles.. wont the water inside the bottle get bad? it cant be much circulation in there?

Paul B · 07/03/2006, 02:13 PM

Well let me take one out thats been in there for twenty years and smell it..........................................................................
Nope, smells great, maybe in another 20 years it will start to go bad.

Paul

Paul B · 07/04/2006, 05:25 AM

Reefer421, I have a little time before I go out to explain about the bottles. Get some medium sandpaper and sand the entire bottle until there are no more chiny places. Get some "Sakrite Mortar Mix" you can get it in very small bags in a hardware store. Mix it up with a little water like it says in the instructions. Smear it all over the bottle. Keep it damp for a couple of days by putting some plastic wrap over it on a damp towel.
You can just wait a couple of days and rinse the bottle off in a sink and leave it in some fresh water for a week and stick it in your tank. To make it nicer, blob some wet mortar on the bottle around the neck and stick a small piece of dead coral in it.
Paul
the first and third bottles in the lower picture were made this way, the other two I collected SCUBA diving in NY.
Have a great Fourth.

Reefer421 · 07/05/2006, 11:02 AM

Do I have to do anything special to the inside of the bottles? Beside rinse them out completely? Thanks for the advise!

Paul B · 07/06/2006, 02:45 PM

Just drink everything in the bottles, then wait a while to sober up.
This is a Grand Marnier bottle. My favorite bottle to drink, I mean put in the tank.
I broke this one then glued it back together with silicone. Then grind the cut edges with a dremmel (and goggles)

You can also crazy glue gorgonians or other live corals to them.

This was some kind of cologne bottle. That is regular cement on it. Looks like 100 years old, doesen't it?

mg426 · 07/06/2006, 03:19 PM

Mighty nice.

Micki · 07/06/2006, 08:09 PM

Very nice Paul. At first I wasn't into the bottle thing, but it's starting to grow on me...

fallen4378 · 07/06/2006, 08:28 PM

wow 35 that tank is older then my cool. great job

Paul B · 07/07/2006, 02:58 AM

Thanks 4378

reefnetworth · 07/08/2006, 04:44 AM

im hooked, my first bottle is going in today. (champagne bottle from our wedding) its gonna take a few moves but itll fit in nicely. sandblasted last night, gonna see what transpires without cement. REEF-ON!!!

Paul B · 07/08/2006, 04:51 AM

Great, I love being known as the guy that tells people to put garbage in your tank. Well, I guess it's recycling so I can be known as an envirnmentalist.

I have an old washing machine if anyone wants it for their tank.
Have a great day.
Paul

sunfishh · 07/08/2006, 03:20 PM

Paul I was wondering how did you keep your tank from crashing when it was new. I understand now that it is well established and has a wide range of life forms living in it. How did you get from year 1 to 5 when you first added corals and had more than just yt damsels in there?

Also when you use your diatom filter do you use the DE that is available for swimming pools?

Paul B · 07/08/2006, 03:24 PM

Sunfishh, I don't use the powder for pools but I think I will soon. LFSs charge too much for it.
When my tank was new it was FO with bleached corals, I did what I do now, I stir it up and diatom filter it.
I don't think a RUGF can crash if you do that.
Paul

Paul B · 07/18/2006, 09:58 AM

My electricity has been out for two days until a little while ago. I have a generator but only run it for about an hour every three hours.
The tank is fine, as a matter of fact, I think the fish liked the vacation from the current.

boxer85 · 07/18/2006, 11:53 AM

can you explain the stir it up and diatom filter it a bit more, or tell me where you've talked about it before....

Paul B · 07/18/2006, 12:54 PM

Boxer, I don't have a DSB, I have a reverse UG filter with dolomite. I use a diatom filter and I put a restriction on the outflow hose to make it into a kind of powerwasher. I use it to mix up all the gravel that I can reach and I powerwash the rocks. The diatom then sucks out all the gunk. I don't think you can have a really old tank with out doing that, but of course that is only my opinion and many people will disagree with me on that one.
Have a great day.
Paul

boxer85 · 07/18/2006, 04:24 PM

I understand your setup, I have a RUGF as well. Is your diatom filter a DIY, or did you purchase one? any info would be appreciated.

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul B
Boxer, I don't have a DSB, I have a reverse UG filter with dolomite. I use a diatom filter and I put a restriction on the outflow hose to make it into a kind of powerwasher. I use it to mix up all the gravel that I can reach and I powerwash the rocks. The diatom then sucks out all the gunk. I don't think you can have a really old tank with out doing that, but of course that is only my opinion and many people will disagree with me on that one.
Have a great day.
Paul

Paul B · 07/18/2006, 05:06 PM

Boxer I am on my third diatom filter in almost 40 years. Salt eats them up. I have a Vortex Diatom filter, I diden't build it.
I use it all the time but they are a little complicated and they require maintenance and parts. I think they are a bad design but it's all there is and they do what they are supposed to do.
I don't know how people keep reef's without one.
Paul

Ciarán · 07/18/2006, 05:53 PM

Wow man, that is just incredible! I have never seen a moorish idol in captivity before, its great to see a 35 year old tank and not a hint of old tank syndrome eh!! Major kudos to you, its an amazing feat IMHO and a pleasure to see it.

Thanks,
Ciaran

Paul B · 07/19/2006, 03:13 AM

I think "Old Tank Syndrome" kicks in at about 36 years

07/03/2006, 03:05 AM	#276
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Thanks Micki, I was 19 then. Have a great Fourth. Paul __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

07/03/2006, 08:57 AM	#277
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	Hey paul, I see you've been getting around to some of the same threads as me. Funny how we wind up discussing the same subjects. have a great 4th and be safe. You going out in the boats for the day? We're staying home a BBQing in the back yard. Having some friends over and watch the kids play in the pool. Take care. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

07/06/2006, 02:45 PM	#285
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Just drink everything in the bottles, then wait a while to sober up. This is a Grand Marnier bottle. My favorite bottle to drink, I mean put in the tank. I broke this one then glued it back together with silicone. Then grind the cut edges with a dremmel (and goggles) You can also crazy glue gorgonians or other live corals to them. This was some kind of cologne bottle. That is regular cement on it. Looks like 100 years old, doesen't it? __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

07/06/2006, 03:19 PM	#286
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Mighty nice. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

07/06/2006, 08:09 PM	#287
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	Very nice Paul. At first I wasn't into the bottle thing, but it's starting to grow on me... __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

07/03/2006, 09:18 AM	#278
Reefer421 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spring Hill Posts: 251	I was wondering what you have to do to "make" your bottles. I have some old ones I had been saving and I think that looks really neat besides giving the fish a cool place to go. Do you have to do anything to them before you out them in the tank? Thanks for your help. I think your tank is amazing.

07/03/2006, 01:46 PM	#280
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Thanks Sunfishh. Chevy we are going to a friends on the East end of Long Island. The Hamptons. My friend has a large beach house with a private beach. I am in charge of fireworks on the beach. There will be about 150 of us there. I am going out on the boat tonight for dinner in the Bronx. We were out all weekend boating and watching the fireworks. Have a great BBQ and a great Fourth. Reefer I will have to get back to you on that one, it is simple but it will take a little time to explain. Paul

07/03/2006, 02:05 PM	#281
ChrisReefer Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 36	very nice tank! I love the bottles =) just one question about the bottles.. wont the water inside the bottle get bad? it cant be much circulation in there?

07/03/2006, 02:13 PM	#282
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Well let me take one out thats been in there for twenty years and smell it.......................................................................... Nope, smells great, maybe in another 20 years it will start to go bad. Paul

07/04/2006, 05:25 AM	#283
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Reefer421, I have a little time before I go out to explain about the bottles. Get some medium sandpaper and sand the entire bottle until there are no more chiny places. Get some "Sakrite Mortar Mix" you can get it in very small bags in a hardware store. Mix it up with a little water like it says in the instructions. Smear it all over the bottle. Keep it damp for a couple of days by putting some plastic wrap over it on a damp towel. You can just wait a couple of days and rinse the bottle off in a sink and leave it in some fresh water for a week and stick it in your tank. To make it nicer, blob some wet mortar on the bottle around the neck and stick a small piece of dead coral in it. Paul the first and third bottles in the lower picture were made this way, the other two I collected SCUBA diving in NY. Have a great Fourth.

07/05/2006, 11:02 AM	#284
Reefer421 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spring Hill Posts: 251	Do I have to do anything special to the inside of the bottles? Beside rinse them out completely? Thanks for the advise!

07/06/2006, 08:28 PM	#288
fallen4378 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 69	wow 35 that tank is older then my cool. great job

07/07/2006, 02:58 AM	#289
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Thanks 4378 __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

07/08/2006, 04:44 AM	#290
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	im hooked, my first bottle is going in today. (champagne bottle from our wedding) its gonna take a few moves but itll fit in nicely. sandblasted last night, gonna see what transpires without cement. REEF-ON!!! __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

07/08/2006, 04:51 AM	#291
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Great, I love being known as the guy that tells people to put garbage in your tank. Well, I guess it's recycling so I can be known as an envirnmentalist. I have an old washing machine if anyone wants it for their tank. Have a great day. Paul

07/08/2006, 03:20 PM	#292
sunfishh Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fullerton, Ca Posts: 1,875	Paul I was wondering how did you keep your tank from crashing when it was new. I understand now that it is well established and has a wide range of life forms living in it. How did you get from year 1 to 5 when you first added corals and had more than just yt damsels in there? Also when you use your diatom filter do you use the DE that is available for swimming pools? __________________ It's nice to be important, but important to be nice

07/08/2006, 03:24 PM	#293
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Sunfishh, I don't use the powder for pools but I think I will soon. LFSs charge too much for it. When my tank was new it was FO with bleached corals, I did what I do now, I stir it up and diatom filter it. I don't think a RUGF can crash if you do that. Paul __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

07/18/2006, 09:58 AM	#294
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	My electricity has been out for two days until a little while ago. I have a generator but only run it for about an hour every three hours. The tank is fine, as a matter of fact, I think the fish liked the vacation from the current. __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

07/18/2006, 11:53 AM	#295
boxer85 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: illinois Posts: 220	can you explain the stir it up and diatom filter it a bit more, or tell me where you've talked about it before....

07/18/2006, 12:54 PM	#296
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Boxer, I don't have a DSB, I have a reverse UG filter with dolomite. I use a diatom filter and I put a restriction on the outflow hose to make it into a kind of powerwasher. I use it to mix up all the gravel that I can reach and I powerwash the rocks. The diatom then sucks out all the gunk. I don't think you can have a really old tank with out doing that, but of course that is only my opinion and many people will disagree with me on that one. Have a great day. Paul __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

07/18/2006, 05:06 PM	#298
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Boxer I am on my third diatom filter in almost 40 years. Salt eats them up. I have a Vortex Diatom filter, I diden't build it. I use it all the time but they are a little complicated and they require maintenance and parts. I think they are a bad design but it's all there is and they do what they are supposed to do. I don't know how people keep reef's without one. Paul __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

07/18/2006, 05:53 PM	#299
Ciarán Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 268	Wow man, that is just incredible! I have never seen a moorish idol in captivity before, its great to see a 35 year old tank and not a hint of old tank syndrome eh!! Major kudos to you, its an amazing feat IMHO and a pleasure to see it. Thanks, Ciaran

07/19/2006, 03:13 AM	#300
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	I think "Old Tank Syndrome" kicks in at about 36 years