Updated cold water reef pics - Page 2

Shooter9er · 03/27/2006, 04:48 PM

Looking great Steve!

zenzence · 03/27/2006, 05:18 PM

Just Wow what a bueatiful tank ooossssmmm

DMK · 03/27/2006, 05:53 PM

nice pics. what temp is the 850 kept at?

roni · 03/27/2006, 06:16 PM

wow...is that the boxfish from your bigger reef? Amazing tank

LOTUS50GOD · 03/27/2006, 06:33 PM

great pics... love the concept

steveweast · 03/27/2006, 07:48 PM

The fish pictured in this thread are all cold water.

My main warm water tank is kept at 78 F

I have a dive guide book that denotes permitted collection spots in Wa state as well as all the proper permits.

Rendos · 03/27/2006, 07:52 PM

Steve - in the first picture you posted, what is in the lower right hand corner of the tank? It is a greyish purple color that looks a lot like scolymia sp.

P.S. - I love the tank, and the whole idea of the tank.

steveweast · 03/27/2006, 07:57 PM

That's an anemone from Tasmania....I beleive they called them flower anemones....they curl up their edges like that sometimes which makes them look like a scolymia.

Blesum · 03/27/2006, 08:54 PM

Thank you for the updates. I had been wondering if you were finally able to get your hands on some of the strawberry anemones.

I've taken a great interest in your progress because I've recently set up a 120-gallon cool water tank (65-70f) in my classroom and am using it to host local speices from the San Diego waters. I'm also lucky enough to have one of those elusive "collectors permits" from the state.

But no strawberry anemones yet. I have only been able to find aggregating anemones and giant green anemones to date. The Giant Green Anemones look pretty good to me - Would they be "tank safe" do you think?

Also how does one collect them without harming them? I've heard of some people using ice to move tropical anemones.

How come you don't have any nudibranches that I can see? They're very beautiful and would most certainly look awesome in your tank - I have 8 and they're a big hit with the students and visitors here. Although they do have an annoying habit of getting stuck in the skimmer and powerhead intakes.

-Paul

gofish · 03/27/2006, 09:05 PM

what a unique looking tank!

CrazyLionfish · 03/27/2006, 09:12 PM

Always love seeing pictures of your tank, one of the coolest tanks ever.

For the first time I actulley saw the boxfish you have for sale (http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden...6092&siteid=20) I think that is anyways. They had the orange one recently as well, but someone bought it. I wish they mentioned they were cold water species though :/

steveweast · 03/27/2006, 09:13 PM

Paul.....we have several nudibranchs up here as well....the problem is that, just as with warm water nudibranch, their dietary needs cannot be met in captivity or is unknown all together....so I leave them in the ocean. I only collect critters that I'm pretty sure whose needs can be met in captivity.

Releasing anemones from rocks is one of those things that just comes easy with years of experience.

As for reef safe....well, that depends on what else is in the tank.....anemones in general, are fish eaters.

steveweast · 03/27/2006, 09:18 PM

Matt....it probably isn't the retailers fault. These fish are collected off the coast of Perth, Australia (cold water).......sent to Cairnes, Australia (warm water) for distribution. The fish are then billed as coming from Cairnes.....a warm water area.....instead of where they really come from. I occassionally correspond with one of the two collectors in that area and he was kind to send me maps of the collection area with temp/current/depth information.

CrazyLionfish · 03/27/2006, 09:24 PM

Thank you for the information, that does make it confusing for retailers. Keep up the good work on the tank! I know I've asked you before, but what is that dark blue fish called again? (not the trunk/boxfish one the other one)

steveweast · 03/27/2006, 09:28 PM

a western blue devil

Martin's Reef · 03/27/2006, 09:52 PM

That is a nice looking COLD water reef.

rhiggsbear · 03/27/2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Would they be "tank safe" do you think?

Yes, they are fine. I had them in my tank all six years I had it setup. In fact, one of my most entertaining things was watching te hermit crabs clean the giant green anemones without getting eaten. Watching how they manage to get the anemone to close up so it could clean the slim of of it.

As for removing the anemone, I used a putty knife and took my time. Never had any problems with them.

kruxy · 03/27/2006, 10:38 PM

I have found that the anemones up in the sound vary in their interests in letting go. Since I am unable to remove gloves under water up here in the PNW (water temps in the 40's and low 50's) either a credit card, painters tool, or dive knife works pretty good... you have to be careful not to nick the foot. On the Strawberries I found that removal is pretty easy, I was able to pick a rock clean of a dozen of them in about a minute. The other upside to them is they attatch quickly, so they are easy to keep track of.

Now Steve all you need to find is the cornyactus Californicus and the scene will be complete. Coming along great, can't wait to see what comes up next!

Snowboarder2757 · 03/27/2006, 11:03 PM

That makes me want to start a cold water tank!

archie1709 · 03/27/2006, 11:43 PM

My jaw dropped. You are the first ever person i have met that has cold water tank. You are unique, brave, and amazingly confident of your skills. I have nothing but respect for that. Cool work, dude!

kewliz · 03/28/2006, 01:31 AM

Freaking awesome tank, dude!

I love the fish!

Jiggz · 03/28/2006, 01:45 AM

great tank! what kind of star is that in the last pic? it looks awesome. kinda looks like a pillow star.

jim293 · 03/28/2006, 12:31 PM

Nice tank. I really like the fish.

Blesum · 03/28/2006, 04:01 PM

Many thanks for the anemone removal/moving tips. Guess there's no ice involved in this process after all.

I've got a nearly-expired credit card I can use.

Does it make a difference in the ease of removal if the anemone is closed up and as bunched up as possible before attempting to remove?

Regarding the nudibranches,

I have a wide variety of sea weed/coraline/hydroids in my tank, and if memory serves me correctly, nudibraches eat hydroids. I also have a container with large holes on the wall of my tank that I regularly refill with various algae/hydroids so bits and pieces of it are constantly being swept out and spreading over the tank. Hopefully there's always enough algae and hydroids growing for the nudibranches, snails and sea hare. Last night one of the nudibranches laid a egg ribbon (bright orange quite naturally).

I also realized I neglected to mention something in my first post above - Love your tanks!

-Paul

Kitteness · 03/28/2006, 04:07 PM

that is so cool!

03/27/2006, 04:48 PM	#26
Shooter9er Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 376	Looking great Steve! __________________ "You want some of this milk sideburns? I'd rather have a beer!" Current Tank Info: 225 gal SPS Reef 48x36x30

03/27/2006, 05:18 PM	#27
zenzence Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 373	Just Wow what a bueatiful tank ooossssmmm __________________ zen x 2 Current Tank Info: 75 Innovative Marine /mixed Reef

03/27/2006, 06:33 PM	#30
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	great pics... love the concept __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

03/27/2006, 07:52 PM	#32
Rendos Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 5,380	Steve - in the first picture you posted, what is in the lower right hand corner of the tank? It is a greyish purple color that looks a lot like scolymia sp. P.S. - I love the tank, and the whole idea of the tank. __________________ Richard Rendos - Founder WTMRAC It can't rain all the time. Current Tank Info: 92 gallon corner bowfront

03/27/2006, 09:12 PM	#36
CrazyLionfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: IL Posts: 1,627	Always love seeing pictures of your tank, one of the coolest tanks ever. For the first time I actulley saw the boxfish you have for sale (http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden...6092&siteid=20) I think that is anyways. They had the orange one recently as well, but someone bought it. I wish they mentioned they were cold water species though :/ __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 75 gallon fowlr, 12 gallon, 40 gallon reef

03/27/2006, 05:53 PM	#28
DMK Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: central NJ Posts: 2,494	nice pics. what temp is the 850 kept at?

03/27/2006, 06:16 PM	#29
roni Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: stafford, va Posts: 513	wow...is that the boxfish from your bigger reef? Amazing tank

03/27/2006, 07:48 PM	#31
steveweast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Portland,Or Posts: 1,079	The fish pictured in this thread are all cold water. My main warm water tank is kept at 78 F I have a dive guide book that denotes permitted collection spots in Wa state as well as all the proper permits.

03/27/2006, 07:57 PM	#33
steveweast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Portland,Or Posts: 1,079	That's an anemone from Tasmania....I beleive they called them flower anemones....they curl up their edges like that sometimes which makes them look like a scolymia.

03/27/2006, 08:54 PM	#34
Blesum Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 6	Thank you for the updates. I had been wondering if you were finally able to get your hands on some of the strawberry anemones. I've taken a great interest in your progress because I've recently set up a 120-gallon cool water tank (65-70f) in my classroom and am using it to host local speices from the San Diego waters. I'm also lucky enough to have one of those elusive "collectors permits" from the state. But no strawberry anemones yet. I have only been able to find aggregating anemones and giant green anemones to date. The Giant Green Anemones look pretty good to me - Would they be "tank safe" do you think? Also how does one collect them without harming them? I've heard of some people using ice to move tropical anemones. How come you don't have any nudibranches that I can see? They're very beautiful and would most certainly look awesome in your tank - I have 8 and they're a big hit with the students and visitors here. Although they do have an annoying habit of getting stuck in the skimmer and powerhead intakes. -Paul

03/27/2006, 09:05 PM	#35
gofish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South of Boston Posts: 406	what a unique looking tank!

03/27/2006, 09:13 PM	#37
steveweast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Portland,Or Posts: 1,079	Paul.....we have several nudibranchs up here as well....the problem is that, just as with warm water nudibranch, their dietary needs cannot be met in captivity or is unknown all together....so I leave them in the ocean. I only collect critters that I'm pretty sure whose needs can be met in captivity. Releasing anemones from rocks is one of those things that just comes easy with years of experience. As for reef safe....well, that depends on what else is in the tank.....anemones in general, are fish eaters.

03/27/2006, 09:18 PM	#38
steveweast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Portland,Or Posts: 1,079	Matt....it probably isn't the retailers fault. These fish are collected off the coast of Perth, Australia (cold water).......sent to Cairnes, Australia (warm water) for distribution. The fish are then billed as coming from Cairnes.....a warm water area.....instead of where they really come from. I occassionally correspond with one of the two collectors in that area and he was kind to send me maps of the collection area with temp/current/depth information.

03/27/2006, 09:24 PM	#39
CrazyLionfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: IL Posts: 1,627	Thank you for the information, that does make it confusing for retailers. Keep up the good work on the tank! I know I've asked you before, but what is that dark blue fish called again? (not the trunk/boxfish one the other one) __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 75 gallon fowlr, 12 gallon, 40 gallon reef

03/27/2006, 09:28 PM	#40
steveweast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Portland,Or Posts: 1,079	a western blue devil

03/27/2006, 09:52 PM	#41
Martin's Reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brighton, Colorado Posts: 531	That is a nice looking COLD water reef.

03/27/2006, 10:38 PM	#43
kruxy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 1,058	I have found that the anemones up in the sound vary in their interests in letting go. Since I am unable to remove gloves under water up here in the PNW (water temps in the 40's and low 50's) either a credit card, painters tool, or dive knife works pretty good... you have to be careful not to nick the foot. On the Strawberries I found that removal is pretty easy, I was able to pick a rock clean of a dozen of them in about a minute. The other upside to them is they attatch quickly, so they are easy to keep track of. Now Steve all you need to find is the cornyactus Californicus and the scene will be complete. Coming along great, can't wait to see what comes up next!

03/27/2006, 11:03 PM	#44
Snowboarder2757 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 120	That makes me want to start a cold water tank! __________________ Andrew 30g reef 50g planted Current Tank Info: 30g reef, 55g planted

03/27/2006, 11:43 PM	#45
archie1709 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 401	My jaw dropped. You are the first ever person i have met that has cold water tank. You are unique, brave, and amazingly confident of your skills. I have nothing but respect for that. Cool work, dude!

03/28/2006, 01:31 AM	#46
kewliz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 718	Freaking awesome tank, dude! I love the fish!

03/28/2006, 01:45 AM	#47
Jiggz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 162	great tank! what kind of star is that in the last pic? it looks awesome. kinda looks like a pillow star. __________________ "It's so easy, a caveman could do it." Current Tank Info: 90gallon FOWLR Tank upgrading to 250gals in the nxt couple of months

03/28/2006, 12:31 PM	#48
jim293 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 169	Nice tank. I really like the fish. __________________ Jim293 110 gallon reef tank Current Tank Info: 72 Gallon bow front/ 110 Gallon Reef Tanks

03/28/2006, 04:01 PM	#49
Blesum Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 6	Many thanks for the anemone removal/moving tips. Guess there's no ice involved in this process after all. I've got a nearly-expired credit card I can use. Does it make a difference in the ease of removal if the anemone is closed up and as bunched up as possible before attempting to remove? Regarding the nudibranches, I have a wide variety of sea weed/coraline/hydroids in my tank, and if memory serves me correctly, nudibraches eat hydroids. I also have a container with large holes on the wall of my tank that I regularly refill with various algae/hydroids so bits and pieces of it are constantly being swept out and spreading over the tank. Hopefully there's always enough algae and hydroids growing for the nudibranches, snails and sea hare. Last night one of the nudibranches laid a egg ribbon (bright orange quite naturally). I also realized I neglected to mention something in my first post above - Love your tanks! -Paul

03/28/2006, 04:07 PM	#50
Kitteness Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: everett Posts: 112	that is so cool! __________________ Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back! Current Tank Info: do mainly half reef and half community