Rate my tank--GSXUNV04's 75g WNC Reef

[gsxunv04]

6 T5's with IceCap SLR reflectors. NW-150 skimmer and refugium in 20gL sump. Mag 9.5 return pump and 2 koralia 4's

[desolo]

looks good. you arranged the frags nicely, it'll look great after they grow. definitely in the better half of the tanks i've seen.

[Lunchbucket]

Not bad would like to see some better aquascaping. And those frags on the back glass are shading eachother

[chort55]

Originally posted by Lunchbucket
Not bad would like to see some better aquascaping. And those frags on the back glass are shading eachother

+ 1 It might not be the best, but definitly not the worst. The left side looks empty (rockwork wise), and not sure if its the lighting or what but its lacking color diversity. Just kind of looks like alot of the same/ similar colors. IMO, build up that left side some or change it up entirely, and add some different colors that "POP" and you would have a GREAT tank, but as it stands it is a nice tank with alot of potential

[gsxunv04]

Thanks for the comments everyone! This is the constructive criticism I wanted.
I lack live rock for a couple of reasons...
1) When I began this hobby and setup this tank, I had no idea about the functions or pric of live rock. So I skimmped and only got about 20 lbs. I soon learned the importance of it and got another 40 lbs when I went to Pnama City on vacation.
2)I would rather buy corals than rock(dont we all)
3)I like having more open space for fish to swim.

I will readjust the frag mags, thanks for noticing.
I am also going to replace a 75.25 bulb with a blue+, I am noticing a slight brown/wash out. When I place them lower in the tank or in shade they color abck up, so I am thinking more actinic spectrum would be good. It will be more visibly pleasing too.
I am getting acan lords today, trying to snag green blues and purples. I have a lot of reds it seems, maybe its my bulb combo.
Any recomendations, I am willing to try new corals, practices, and bulb combinations.
I just started using the Bulkreefsupply.com 2 part(was using ESV b-ionic). We shall see how things are affected, or not. My calcium is kept at 420 ppm and my kH around 8-9 deg.
Thank you for the input once again! I will be sure to keep you all updated.

[DT's_Reef]

Some good comments have been mentioned.

I would add that I always think it's a good idea to keep the back and sides clean of coraline algae, as the aquascaping tends to be much more obvious and effective.

It's a big pain to scrape it all off, but after that, it's really just wiping it with a "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser" every few days....super fast and easy.

[chort55]

Originally posted by gsxunv04
Thanks for the comments everyone! This is the constructive criticism I wanted.
I lack live rock for a couple of reasons...
1) When I began this hobby and setup this tank, I had no idea about the functions or pric of live rock. So I skimmped and only got about 20 lbs. I soon learned the importance of it and got another 40 lbs when I went to Pnama City on vacation.
2)I would rather buy corals than rock(dont we all)
3)I like having more open space for fish to swim.

I will readjust the frag mags, thanks for noticing.
I am also going to replace a 75.25 bulb with a blue+, I am noticing a slight brown/wash out. When I place them lower in the tank or in shade they color abck up, so I am thinking more actinic spectrum would be good. It will be more visibly pleasing too.
I am getting acan lords today, trying to snag green blues and purples. I have a lot of reds it seems, maybe its my bulb combo.
Any recomendations, I am willing to try new corals, practices, and bulb combinations.
I just started using the Bulkreefsupply.com 2 part(was using ESV b-ionic). We shall see how things are affected, or not. My calcium is kept at 420 ppm and my kH around 8-9 deg.
Thank you for the input once again! I will be sure to keep you all updated.

A lighting change may help. Can't wait to see the new pics with the new corals

I totally agree and understand your thoughts as to the LR. To help cut costs you can buy "base rock". Sure it isn't colored up but it will get coraline on it as it appears you have no reason growing it anyways lol. Also, check local groups/ sites as you can often find LR pretty cheap (Around here its typically $2-3lb on our local site at most, but 6-10+ in the LFS's). For aquascaping try to get a mix of small, med and large pieces. Build nice caves and crevices mixing the rocks throughout to build a design your happy with because that is truely all that matters... unless your trying to design for a future TOTM Personally I think if you had another 20-40lbs you could design a wonderful reefscape that would look wonderful and your fish would love. Sure it wouldn't be super open, but it would give them alot of great swimming space and caves to shoot in and out of.

As for corals, acans have alot of different color choices. I am quite partial to zoa's/ paly's as well.... small but colorful. I notice you have some but they are hiden in the dark spots, bring them out. Many will do fine on the bottom w/o issue right under the lights (I run mine throughout the tank and they are under a 250w MH in a 20 gallon lol). You can add alot of color with a few different frags of z's and p's + many aren't that expensive either And of course there are alot of different colored acros, chalices, and monties as well. Goodluck and keep us updated

[LUVSPS]

Originally posted by DT's_Reef


I would add that I always think it's a good idea to keep the back and sides clean of coraline algae, as the aquascaping tends to be much more obvious and effective.

+1! A clean back glass is one of the most important things to make your tank POP. Your aquascaping looks great but with the coraline algae on the back glass it is hard to see it. Your frags look very healthy!

[gsxunv04]

thanks everybody!