It looks fantastic, Prof.

Thanks Lani. Nowhere near as nice as your tanks but it is getting there.

-Prof

I actually have 2 frags of green monti - one has blue polyps, one has a purple rim. I just wish I could get them to color back up and grow!

Looking good, I wish I left room in my 40 for a RBTA.

Cool. Speaking of color, I took my Halymenia out of my round pico and threw it in my sump and it is starting to regain it's red color again. My fuge is lit with 40w of T5HO but the Haly is on the bottom of the tank. Definately less intensity than what I was keeping it under before. Higher light intensities may push this stuff into the yellow color. What do you think?



Make some room! I love mine and it really makes the clowns happy. Making sure they don't tear up your corals takes a little planning but it is not hard.

-Prof

Prof - one of my T5 lights had a bulb go and now I'm running on 1 of them (40w, 18" bulbs). The halymenia is going NUTS! In about a week it turned flaming red! So the cure is definitely less PAR to get them to have that flame look. I'm going to replace the bulbs in that light with all actinics with the hopes of it keeping its color.

Problem solved!

In other news, I had to do some glue repair work to the door on my stand that flips up giving me access to the bottom tank. The skinny pieces of plywood were starting to crack. I may have to get some solid pieces and do a replacement if it keeps cracking like that. I might PM you for some assistance with the wood in a couple weeks if you're open to it.

Oh, and MOAR PIX@!

Concur on the Halymenia. < PAR = more red! Mine is almost the color of blood now.

IRT your stand: Just let me know what kind of help you need. When you get ready to make some repairs send me some pics so I can get an idea of whats going on. I seem to remember when I designed the stand that I spec'd those pieces to be solid wood...........

I will get some new pics up soon. I actually got a piece of aquacultured LR recently to add some diversity to my fuge. It is covered in Halimeda and a couple of other algae's I can't ID. It also has about a 2.5" green brain coral (Manicina sp.) as well as some sp. of tubastrea. It also has two mammoth mollusks in it, I have narrowed them down to either Jewel Box Clams or more probably Turkey WIng Clams. Pretty neat stuff. I have been staring at my sump more lately looking at this damn rock then I have looking at my display. I plan to get some more next time I am up at that LFS. It was expensive but worth it.

I pruned a butt-load of the Caulerpa sp. out of the fuge and am trying to make it more like the display fuge I originally envisioned.

-Prof

Busted! lol. Yeah, I just went with spare plywood...and turns out you were right, lol. We'll talk after the new year - no need interrupting the holidays.



Display Fuge FTW!

No worries. Just let me know when you need help.

Pics coming soon of tank and fuge!!!!

-Prof

Pics Pics Pics!!!



Hi Prof.
:waves:

They are coming!!! I gotta feed my kids first and then will get them posted!!!

How are you been doing Weetie? I need to get caught up on your thread to see what's up! Trying to keep caught up on Lani, Dhaut and your threads could turn into a career if one is not careful!!!

Are you still thinking about a BTA? I haven't heard from you since we PM'd.

-Prof

Alrighty, official update time! Things are cruising along real well on this tank. No fatalities and growth on everything is real good. I have not added to much but I have got some Duncans that I like a lot as well as some Blue Xenia that is pretty cool.

I have pretty much let the tank run itself. I am not skimming, using any sort of chemical filter media or any other kind of filter. I rely on the natural processess of my live rock and refugium coupled with weekly 10% water changes. The only dosing I currently do is once a week when I top off I use Kalkwasswer to keep my calcium levels where they need to be. So far it is working well. The few SPS I have are even happy and are showing good growth.

My fuge I have pruned severely, as before it was nothing but a floating ball of macros that filled the entire tank along with some LR. I am working on making this more of a display fuge (even though it is in my stand) and have introduced some cultured florida LR for diversity. I plan to add more of this rock over time because the amount of life on it is incredible. It does have bad to go along with the good though, like a few Aipstasia and at least two Xanthid crabs I have seen so far but since they are in the fuge I don't care.

The display fuge is a work in progress so be kind when you look at the pics!

Display tank pics:









YCG chilling on Birdsnest:


Anthelia


Nems


Refugium pics!!!




For DHaut








As always, comments, criticisms and dirty remarks are welcome!!!

-Prof

Lol, stuff like that delays me posting pics all the time!!
Lemme see if I can make a long story short.
I got a 10" Pico Cube that I set up on my kitchen counter, and it's been doing quite well.
I was able to work out an awesome trade with a fellow NR member to build me an LED light for the Pico, which I received 3 days ago.
It's MAJORLY cool, but I'm still getting the hang of what settings to keep it on and how to take good pics under it.

As for the 30g, it has been cleaned out but it's empty still.
I had everything in 2 10g tanks that were hooked up to each other, but I had a majorly bad pest algae outbreak.
I've taken some measures to deal with the algae problem, and I'd say I'm about 75% of the way there on that one.
The 30g tank will be set up in the Living Room, but I plan to take up my carpet in there and refinish the Hardwood Floors when I get my Income Tax Refund in a couple of months, and I can't set the tank up in there until that's done.
As a result, I'm considering temporarily housing everything in a 29g that I have and squeezing it in between my washing machine and closet.

Thanks for the thumbnail update Weetie! I have been reading about your pest algae problems and that can be chore to get rid of once it sets in. Sounds like you are on the road to recovery. In a previous tank I had a algae issue that took me 6 months to beat. Prior tanks and subsequent tanks I have had no significant issues. Never could zero in no the cause in that one tank. Very weird.

Glad to hear the 10" Pico is doing well. I have shelved my pico projects for the time being until I can satisfy some technical challenges while still keeping it aestheically clean. I am still fascinated by picos, but am on a quest to create the "perfect system" and have not quite found that holy grail combination of tank, equipment and design. I have some ideas I have been noodling with on paper and when I get the design finalized it will be time to crank up the shop again!

-Prof





Hi Lani!!!

I forgot to mention earlier, I def do want to get a BTA once I get the 30g tank set up and stable in Living Room again.
Your tank is looking great!!!
:thumbsup:

P>R>O>F>!!!!!!!!!!!

If it's not TOTM next month, I'm boycotting NR. That is so amazing!

Geez, Thanks D!!!


-Prof

lol...too much?

I meant it though - I guess I haven't seen it in a while. It looks great!

Maybe a little over the top, but I am not complaining.

I have been enjoying working with the macros but the growth rates are so fast that it can be a bit frustrating to try and work a pleasing aquascape. Do you find that to be true with your macros? Seems like the ones I want to grow and fill out do it slowly and the ones I want to grow slow act like they are on steroids.

I am seriously thinking of setting up a small macro/lagoon style tank.....Maybe I can ask my bride for a Reefing Kitchen Pass for Christmas so I can set up another tank.

-Prof

A Lagoon/Macro tank would be pretty cool, I think.
I actually really like the way your Fuge is looking, btw.

tank looks fantastico!

I do too. I have a 20" dual Outer Orbit PC fixture laying around......Hmmmmm (imagine sound of wheels turning and the smell of smoke) Don't like the dimensions of a standard 10g tank for this though, would probably have to build something.....I have to go get my sketch pad!



Thanks Pismo!!!


-Prof

well...my macros pop up where and when they want. My problem is microalgae currently. I get some cool growth the the calciferous algaes, but right now i have this cottony-red stuff and a bit of cyano i'm trying to nip in the bud.

I hate Cyano!!!! I had a small battle with it in this tank initially. I need to go over to your thread and look at the cottony-red stuff again. You would think all the macros would out-compete stuff like that........

-Prof

John says it's a beast. So far, most stuff eats it. It just grows so dang fast! It's like a super algae.

At least it not unattractive.......

Seriously though that looks like a pain in the arse. It's so fine that manual removal would probably be very frustrating and tedious and probably impossible. Maybe try a small abalone? My LFS gets some in that leave a bare patch across everything they crawl on. Looks like someone harvesting a corn field. Next time I am there I will see what type they are. They are about 1-2" long and kinda ugly.....


-Prof

The hermits and nerites have actually started to turn the tide on this stuff. I'd say the top tank will be done by year end. The bottom tank is another story...

I had a plague of that red cotton sh*t in my 20 gallon tank. It was all over the display, got in the fuge, was growing in the chaeto - it was terrible.

I never really found any specific thing that worked on it. As usual, it slowly subsided with good husbandry and diligent gnashing of teeth. Also, try blaming someone. I find that helpful.

questions about your most rockn stand professor.

the face frame joints are pocket hole, how well are they holding. have been planning similar a biuld but keep reading about pocket hole being an inferior joint, to morter & tenon joinery. if the joint will be subjected to a dynamic enviroment such as beds or a vibrating fish tank. thus I keep putting it of. with your experience level in woodworking is there maby a trick that you used to strenghten the pocket holes that I simply missed. also could not tell which type of matrial was used to skin the sides of your stand. if it was multiple boards edge glued to cover the nessary width how did you allow for the coresponding wood movement.

trully impressive biuld & tank.

I would like to blame Militant Jurist, I'm sure it's his fault somehow.
Possibly he wasn't Militant enough.

There ya go.

Bitts,
Good eye. While I am a big fan of traditional joinery and use it it quite extensively (mortis and tenon, dovetails, etc), I did indeed use pocket holes for the construction of this stand. You are correct that pocket hole joinery is not inherently strong because the shear strength of the screws is not that great. This is particularly bad news for vertical force applications like a aquarium stand. However, when used in conjunction with a quality adhesive and a well thought out design this type of joinery can greatly speed up construction and assembly time, have high strength and look good as well. This is the reason it is now almost the standard in the commercial cabinetry industry.

To further answer your question, the front face-frame and side and back skins do nothing for support of the aquarium. Their purpose is for aesthetics and lateral strengthening. The frame work that was constructed first holds the aquariums weight and transfers the energy directly into the floor vertically. While I used pocket holes in this phase too if you look carefully at some of my first pics of the stand you will see vertical bracing underneath all of the stretchers that are laminated to the leg and the upper and lower stretcher. This allows for quick construction using the pocket holes, but takes the weight of the tank off of the mechanical fastener (the pocket hole screw). In addition, everything was assembled with glue as well as the screws. See detail below:



IRT to how I skinned the stand: I used 1/4" plywood for the back, 3/4" Oak plywood for the sides and 3/4" solid Oak for the front face-frame. When using plywood the order of cut and assembly is important to keep those hard-to-finish raw plywood edges covered. In this case the back goes on first. The sides are then applied which covers the exposed edges of the back piece of plywood. The front face-frame goes on last and covers the front raw plywood edges of the sides. Some trim around the top and you cannot tell it is not constructed of solid oak.

I am very happy with this design and it is rock solid both vertically and laterally. It will easily hold 2-3 times it's weight vertically.

I hope this answers your question.




Problem solved now Weetie!!!!

professor thank you for your time and knowledge, is most appreciated.

You NEED to enter your fuge in the December photo contest. It is sparkly amazing.

Just saw this. Nice

And I concur on entering the fuge. Just remember though, the second you put a fish in there, it's not a fuge anymore! lol. (and it will happen. you can't resist that temptation long)

All right, I will try and get a decent pic of it and throw it in the ring for consideration. I have never entered one of the contests because my photography skills are a bit remedial, but I will try.

No plans for a fish in the fuge anytime soon, although you never know what the future holds!

-Prof

Now that I have survived the holidays I guess it is time to update this thread. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a good start to the New Year!!! Not much has been going on with the 40, just letting everything kinda grow out and do it's thing. I have not added anything new although now that Christmas is over with I probably will start picking up some pieces again.

I have decided that I am going to start a new tank and transfer my few SPS over to it. The softies do a much better job dealing with the anemones than SPS and two of my SPS have already gotten tagged. I will leave most of the Monipora in the 40, but will be taking a few good sized frags for the new tank. I am in the process of planning a AIO out of a 5.5g tank that will be the new SPS Bonzai tank. I will probably move my Duncans over to it as well. I am planning on this new tank also being home to some Pom-Pom Crabs and would like to get some commensual crabs for my SPS. I will probably move over my YCG as well. I am hoping my order from the Dr's will be in this week so I can get started on the build, although the lights are on backorder.

On a down note, I lacerated my right index finger over the holidays with a wood carving knife, severing one of the arteries. I also have some nerve damage as well. So this new little tank is going to be a while being built because I am still having a little trouble using the hand right now.

Anyway, on to some recent pics!

Nems and Clowns



Birdnest


Montis / right side of tank


Left side of tank


Crooked FTS


As always inputs, criticism and dirty remarks welcome!

-Prof

Love those montis - they're really growing out. And the nems are really cool as well. They don't move around on you?

Thanks D. The montis are still some of my favorites.

All the nems pretty much had stayed put until the RBTA split. The two splits wandered around for a couple of weeks driving me crazy until they found their sweet spot. They have been static now for about 3 weeks so I think I am good, at least until they split again! I think I am going to get three more clowns so I can have the whole harem thing going on in there. Just call me the Clownfish Pimp!

-Prof

Great pics Prof!

Sorry about the hand my friend, get well soon.

Thanks NRF!!! Fortunately I heal pretty quick

-Prof

Picked up a few things today so I am throwing some pics up as well as some other random shots. Found a new BTA today, it is a speckled green one with awesome orange on the tips. Unfortunately my pics don't do it justice.

Also picked up a pom-pom crab for a new tank I am working on. It's a female and is carrying a egg mass under her apron. Pics are of her chillin in the 40 while I set up a little one gallon cube to be her temp home until the eggs hatch. Been doing some research and might try to rear them. Need to go back to the store and pick up a male to see if I can establish a breeding pair.

Anyway, on to the pics!

New Nem:



Pom-Pom with egg sac:


Close up of Duncan:


Other random stuff:





Enjoy!

-Prof

My Pom Pom crab starting releasing larvae tonight into the water colummn of the temp tank she is living in. I was able to siphon off a few and have them seperated in a specimen container that is isolated in the fuge to keep the temp stable. I have offered various types of food for the larvae and we will wait and see what happens.

-Prof

very cool, hope they make it.

Hey Prof,

Congrats on birthing some larvae, I think I saw my pom-pom with an eggsac once before as well...not sure if they ever hatched though.

I read through much of your build thread, since you've been keeping tabs on mine and we've been discussing clownfish harems. If I were you (and you may know this) I would trade/sell away your existing clowns, then try to buy several clowns from the same clutch. I would even ask that you get them essentially as soon as they are through the metamorphal stage and safe to ship. Very few people keep harems in captivity successfully it seems, and those who do seem to have only done so from having bred their own or from obtaining them as young as possible.

Just my thoughts! Good luck!

P-daddy,
Although my original plan was to have a harem of clowns I am not sure I will be doing that anymore. First off my wife and kids are really fond of my current pair (as am I) and they have been with me a long time. To trade or sell them off just to start again with a harem seems wrong.

While I agree that the most successful way to to create a harem is to start with a group of small juveniles, I disagree that they should be from the same clutch. While that may make your chances of success higher for a true harem, the subsequent spawning of these fish has the potential for genetic weakness. I point to the newest rage of Naked and Picasso clowns. If you examine the ones in your LFS and pics on line, successive selectively bred generations that produce these traits are starting to show skeletal abnormalities, particularly around the head. This is most evident on the naked clowns and I have seen some that do not show the same head structure as normal clowns. As the demand for more and more of these animals increases, this problem will probably get worse IMHO, as well as other less obvious genetic weakness that will ultimately result in a fish that is not robust. We have proven this out with various species of cat, dog, fish, horse etc. Unfortunately as long as the demand exists, people will continue to breed them. I shudder to think of the deaths from the culling process for these batches.

Obviously I am not a fan of hybridization and would hate to see the marine fish breeders start to produce some of the monstrosities that the freshwater scene sees. If my pair spawn, I am prepared to raise the young. I will also be able to sleep at night knowing the clowns I raise will not be a window-licker on the short bus.

-Prof

Is it terribly wrong that I LOL'ed at that last sentence?

Reminds me, a few years ago our daughter had to ride a ... um...short bus. For whatever reason the stop had only a few students that year so they used a "cart".

I didn't understand why she was so upset.

Not at all NRF! I laughed as I typed it.

I can see why your daughter was upset. That had to be traumatizing, or what my parents used to call "character building"!

-Prof